Halley O.
Yelp
Everyone has an "off day." Based on the other reviews here, I'm assuming (and hoping) our abysmal dining experience at Yellowfin was a rarity. But, here's how our comedy of errors unfolded.
We made a 9pm reservation, showed up promptly. No tables were ready just yet, so we were told to wait outside... in the parking lot. Odd, but ok. After her cigarette break, our hostess brought out two glasses and offered to open our wine (BYOB).
About halfway through our first glass, we witnessed someone back their SUV into another patron's car. Apparently the parking lot is as cramped as the restaurant's interior. The hostess came out, but no one did anything about it in the restaurant. So there's that.
Fast-forward 45 minutes and we were finally seated with a half-empty bottle of wine. A wait might make sense if we just showed up without a reservation. But nope. 45 minutes, in a parking lot, with a reservation.
Needless to say, there was no wine left when we finally got our dinner. Perhaps we should've bought two bottles of wine... One to tailgate with and one to drink at dinner.
Finally inside, the acoustics in this place were horrible. I've had an easier time chatting with people at a football game than with my boyfriend directly across from me. Seriously. The noise level in this place is comical. Perhaps this review should be in ALL CAPS SO YOU CAN HEAR IT.
They have a small menu, half of which was recited to us by our waiter. Would've loved to know what he said. We got our food and it was pretty good, but nothing outrageous that we haven't seen or tasted before. Then again, they could've prepared the best meal ever, but by this time, our patience for such disorganized chaos had worn thin and we probably wouldn't have noticed. I feel bad for the chefs.
Then, the bill arrived and somehow amounted to $300. Three hundred dollars after one appetizer, two entrees and one dessert. No booze.
Working in the travel/tourism industry, we regularly experience some of the best restaurants in North America, and a true 5-star experience makes you feel like $300 is a bargain. This just felt like robbery.
Bottom line: Yellowfin is overpriced and underwhelming. It's too big for its britches because it is the only game in town and it knows it. I just feel bad for the chefs, whose dishes are unfortunately overshadowed by it's poor ambiance (in the parking lot and inside the restaurant) and cavalier frontline staff.
Again, I hate to leave a negative review, but I would hate to think of people on their once-a-year vacation getting taken advantage of even more.