I really wanted to rate this restaurant 4 stars, but unfortunately had to go with 3 (or even 2.5)! I'll start with the positives from my experience here this evening... The food was really good and came out fast and just as I ordered it. The hostesses and the server in the section next to where I was sitting were very friendly and helpful. Also, there was a guy that came to our table during our meal to make a balloon shaped monkey in a tree for my 2 year old which he enjoyed! Overall, a solid 4 stars..wish I could have given it that..
However, when I arrived, I placed my drink order and son's dinner order with the host since I needed to take my son to the bathroom. My server came and dropped off the drink order when I returned, and as soon as he left, I realized we had no straws. I immediately stopped and asked him for some and told him all I needed was 30 seconds with the menu and I'd be ready (this was because if I waited too long there'd be too much of a lapse between my son's and my dinner coming and he can only be patient so long being a 2 year old.) After saying this, I was ready in 30 seconds to put the order in, but spent the next 10 minutes after that trying to flag my server down. He did have a bunch of other tables, but walked by me multiple times where I tried to politely wave, say excuse me, flag him down, and he never looked at me at all. He walked by at least 6 times...I finally asked the server next to my station if I can place my order with him because it was a Friday night and it was getting busy and I was worried that there would be too much of a lapse between our orders. This other server was super friendly and I was thankful he was so helpful. My son's meal came out from a food runner and I realized I had no napkins for his burger and fries, so again I tried to flag my server down for a few minutes as he walked by me with no luck. I could see the napkins at the host station so I finally just got up and got them myself. My meal arrived pretty fast and was also brought by a food runner. As soon as they walked away, I realized I had no silverware. Again, I tried to flag my server down with no luck! I eventually asked a host for some silverware. My meal was great... I ordered the turkey sandwich, hot, with broccoli and cheese instead of fries. My son inhaled his cheeseburger as well and loved the balloon entertainment. I ran out of iced tea in the middle of my meal though and just had to go without! I tried to flag my server down and finally got him after a bunch of attempts, and this time, I asked for more iced tea with the check. This he brought fast.. At this point, I was still going to rate this place 4 stars because I wanted to give my server the benefit of the doubt since I had enjoyed my meal, and I tried telling myself that perhaps he was over sat (given too many tables at once) even though, looking back, he still gave all his other tables way more attention than he gave us. I've served tables long ago so I can understand..
However, I was left with a sour taste in my mouth when after I wrote the tip in and signed, my server was all of a sudden hanging around my table cleaning and picking up food not yet done (son's fries).. And he was obviously trying to hint for me to leave so he could have another party sit there to make more money on the table. I was super annoyed because this was the most I'd seen him all night. He probably was acting like this because it was just my son and I so it wasn't a huge bill... But I am a great tipper!! I left unable to rate this place 4 stars because of him because service really does have a big effect on your dining experience!! By far the worst server I have had in a really long time!! If I do return, and he is my server, I am going to ask for a different table! read more