The worst dining experience of my life -- a complete failure of hospitality…read more
This review reflects my personal experience, shared so that other guests -- especially families traveling with children -- can avoid the same disappointment.
Our hotel contacted the restaurant in writing and received clear confirmation that we could dine at 8:30 PM on New Year's Eve and order à la carte. Based on that written agreement, we planned our evening and arrived with our two young children -- the only kids in the entire restaurant.
What happened next was the complete opposite of what we were promised.
Upon arrival, we were informed that à la carte was not available at all, and that the only option left was a single remaining course from their fixed New Year's Eve menu -- something we never would have accepted had we been informed correctly.
When I politely expressed confusion and disappointment, citing the written confirmation, the owner/manager responded that if I wasn't "happy" or "joyful," I should stand up and leave -- on New Year's Eve, with two hungry children at the table.
I have never experienced anything less welcoming or hospitable in a restaurant.
We stayed only because we did not want our kids to go to bed without eating. Still, despite being seated at 8:35 PM, we were not served until 10:15 PM -- almost two hours of waiting, with no explanation, no apology, and no effort to care.
What shocked me the most was this:
every table around us was served before us, including multiple courses, while our children -- the only children in the dining room -- were served last.
Their meal was simply schnitzel -- something that takes minutes to prepare. Watching two kids wait nearly two hours while every adult was served first felt like the exact opposite of hospitality and basic human consideration.
And here is another point that explains a lot about the disastrous service we experienced:
the entire New Year's Eve service for a fully booked restaurant was run by only two waiters, a manager acting as part-time waiter, and one additional staff member.
Even the most skilled professionals cannot deliver proper hospitality under those conditions. It felt like management knowingly set the evening up for failure -- and the guests paid the price.
The result was an evening that felt poorly managed, dismissive toward guests, and completely disconnected from what hospitality should be.
Instead of acknowledging their mistake in communication -- let alone apologizing -- the attitude we encountered was defensive, unprofessional, and, in my opinion, embarrassing for a restaurant that claims to offer quality service.
A night that should have been special for our family became stressful, disappointing, and unforgettable for all the wrong reasons.
I sincerely hope management reflects deeply on this evening -- because clear communication, respect, and thoughtful service, especially toward children, are the foundation of hospitality.
On this night, we experienced none of those values.
For the sake of future guests, especially families and children, I encourage the restaurant to seriously examine the mismanagement, lack of courtesy, and absence of hospitality displayed that night.
Shameful management, zero hospitality -- absolutely not what a restaurant should be.
