Great food at Cedar + Stone, Urban Table tonight BUT our party of 6 plus a child will not be returning to this restaurant.
1) Our Party called a week ago asking if Cedar + Stone, Urban table would take a reservation for 6 adults and one child. We were told yes. We arrived at about 5:50 for a 6 PM reservation. They showed us two tables. When all of our party arrived, the person that made the reservation asked for clarification on why the two tables. We were told it was a state law that only parties of 6 were allowed per table. OK, but why did someone tell us last Wednesday at about 6:30 that we were OK and they accepted our request. So after some conversations, we agreed to stay and just have a table for the youngster and his mom near the rest of us and people moved between the two tables.
2) The food and dessert were great. As we were paying the bill, we asked if we needed parking validated since it has been over 2 hours. The server said, "no problem, it is 3 hours that are free now, so no need to validate". As we are exiting the parking ramp, the kiosk at the exit was asking for another 10 dollars per car. We returned to the host we have been talking to and asked for Validation for an additional 30 minutes that were there. He said it is only two hours of paid parking and they do not own the ramp. Conversations continued, we just wanted our extra time validated. He stepped away and called Fred from Security because he did feel safe speaking with us. The whole conversation was very scripted sounding. He said we just need to go to the exit, put in our ticket, and press the HELP button and they would let us out. I said I am not sure what the problem is with an additional hour with validation, your website https://modules.marriott.com/hotel-restaurants/mspjw-jw-marriott-minneapolis-mall-of-america/cedar-stone-urban-table/5694133/about says "Self-parking is available in the ramp below the hotel with access to Cedar + Stone, Urban Table through the lobby elevator. The first 2 hours are free; please see a hostess for additional 1-hour validation." We were in self-parking, not Valet. We were told were incorrect again, 2 hours is all that is provided. We suggested some training for staff so we as paying and tipping customers did not receive misinformation. There was some mention of not "feeling safe", so that is why Fred (from security?) was called to stand near the exit of the restaurant while the conversation continued. We were offered an escort, but we said we did not need an escort as long as the HELP button would really take care of the parking extra charges.
3) As were exiting, Fred and his co-worker were waiting in the parking ramp. The Help button was pressed twice and no one was answering so Fred came by with his proximity fob and let us out with no additional parking charges just like the website said we could expect with additional 1-hour validation. Thanks Fred. Great friends, food, dessert, and drinks, but I will not be back there and I think there are 5 other adults that will not be bringing their business to Cedar + Stone, Urban Table in the future. A birthday to remember for sure..... read more