In town to see my mom and made a special plan to have dinner here with one of our family members who comes here often.
We have always had stellar experiences at this restaurant from the service to the food. Sadly, our experience tonight was seriously uncomfortable and was going to go further downhill had it not been for the lovely management.
Beware of the lack of descriptors on the menu. Lovely French Dip sandwich ($22) is slathered in mayo(not on the menu and who the heck puts mayo on a French Dip)? Key Lime pie with graham cracker crust is actually a graham cracker/pecan crust (pecan part NOT listed on menu)- and more.
Hours later and I'm still irked about the way our original waitress handled more than one request from the table (she never gave her name but that was the least of her transgressions) and sadly, even the going above and beyond to ensure we will come back, I can still only give our latest jaunt here 3 stars( it would have been 1).
Disclaimers/Suggestions:
(1) Mayo is my kryptonite. Bring me food with it on it or near it when I wasn't given the option to leave it off is seriously like Superman being thrown off his game.
(2) I've worked in the food service industry and currently have a daughter in college who works as a server. I know how have this business is and am keenly aware of how hard it is to keep places afloat.
(3) I'm loyal to places and tip well- especially in states that don't pay servers the federally mandated minimum wage due to tipping. It hurts my soul when a server gives attitude when my mom asks for extra lemon for her iced tea or has to flag someone down for soy sauce for the sushi she ordered or if the very loud music can be turned down. For those who care, it can be and was but only after my conversation with management after our server told us it could not be with an astounding "NO".
(4) Make some new menus: If your FD has more on it than sliced prime rib on a roll and au jus- put it on the menu. Same thing goes with nuts in a crust. The "read before you go" is no way to ensure the waitstaff will ask if there are nut allergies at the table, and some of us have aversions and not actual allergies. Be awesome and just have a menu that says what is in/on your food. Wonder which is more cost effective- making new menus or having food sent back to the kitchen and then comping a meal even after a re-fire.
Again, this would have been a 1 star review (my experience and again, reviews are subjective), had I not been pro-active and asked to speak to a manager, explained the main issues and in turn management having the autonomy and going above and beyond.
Maybe I'll see you again Hillstone- but not a second time this trip like we would have planned.