(TLDR?)
Perhaps it was just once and just my order...but:
I Was there for an organizational Christmas party
PROS: Well lit parking lot..location is tucked away from everything (just outside of BJs member warehouse)
Casual dining (think buffet) and has a bar w TVs
The private room allows closed doors away from the masses (also has a tv). booths, or the ability to have one "long table" in the middle.
Yolanda, our server, was patient and accommodating, having to serve 25 or so ladies who were also trying to play holiday games, and eat, and exchange gifts! The bust-man, was smiling and helpful to her while we were wrapping up
A couple of my friends really enjoyed their food and the pricing was average for seated service
No auto-gratuity added for a group. This guarantees tip, but often less than what would be given otherwise. I ALWAYS give more if I'm with a group!
CONS:
The menu says gluten-free pasta can be substituted. But it doesn't warn you that they (seemingly) only have gluten-free Fusilli pasta. I pre-viewed the menu online and had been craving fettuccini/linguini. (NOT the same as fusilli at all! And they don't tell you when u order!)
Pro-they allow salmon as an add on to the fettuccini, at the same price as the shrimp add-on,$23
Odd. They brought the bread out..AFTER the meal...not before, while we were playing the initial games and food was being prepared
Pro:My dish arrived, same time as the others...and with a NICE sized salmon center cut filet w skin.
Con: But the fusilli was NOT COOKED! I let two others try, to confirm it wasn't just me
The salmon was fine, grilled and fairly moist inside...but the pasta was inedible! And lacking Alfredo sauce
Gluten free pasta does have a diff texture than wheat flour pasta...but that doesn't mean UNDONE
I went to the kitchen and asked if they could simply make me some linguini quickly, and I'd add my salmon to it. He reconfirmed that I was ok w non-gluten free, and I was so hungry by then I said yes
Went back to my seat and picked at my salmon as it got colder by the minute. After 20minutes I went back to the kitchen and said "just make my order to go for the party is nearing its end"
When I returned to my seat, now my plate of salmon was gone!. So I started eating the only thing around...the bread, that had come out last (recall...gluten free = no eating bread. But I was starving having been there now for 2hrs)
When my to-go box arrived...it was just pasta. I advised that my salmon had been taken-mid eaten, so I would need a piece of salmon with my pasta.
So. Once again, I continued to eat bread. My to-go finally came, as we were removing table cloths and decore and taking final pictures
Full of bread, and waiting on a ticket...the others had their tickets placed at their seat..., I got up and went to the line and stood waiting to pay, and was handed my $23 ticket
Yes. I did get my food. But not originally what I wanted -gluten free linguini.
Instead, I got hard as a rock fusilli
A re-do of pasta should not take more than 20minutes and one would think they would have simply redone my entire dish if they realized they couldn't bring the pasta out immediately
I was not able to enjoy my meal with my friends and colleagues, and though no one FORCED me to eat bread, there was no other food option while I waited for my entree (my body will make me pay)
Not once did a manager come and ask about the scenario, apologize, nor offer consolation that my Christmas party dining experience ended up being bits of bread that I have an intolerance for
So yes. I paid full price And still left a 25% tip (wasn't Yolanda's fault)
Not sure I'll return...one bad experience might be an outlier...but I'm still a bit sore that management never broached me.
The restaurant wasn't crowded And with the group size we had, management should have been "floating" to ensure all was running well.. I shouldn't have to chase them down read more