| rev:text
| - Lago is a chic restaurant space with modern decor and some excellent view seating but the wait time and overall arrogant service were disappointing, which explains my one star review.
I called ahead and made a reservation 24 hours in advance for a birthday celebration dinner. Based on open table, they had plenty of reservation times available during peak and off peak dinner hours for Friday night. It is also advertised on open table that this is a restaurant good for large groups and celebrations.
When I called the concierge to book my appointment, he asked many questions such as any specific dietary restrictions, are we celebrating anything, would we like a seat with a view of the fountain, etc. I mentioned yes, we have one vegetarian, we are celebrating a birthday, and yes we would love a view of the fountain. The concierge stated there are vegetarian options, he would note that we are celebrating a birthday, and that we should arrive 15minutes before our reservation time so we can get a seat with a view of the fountain. Making the reservation was painless and based on all the Q and A, I felt like Lago would be an enjoyable experience.
Our entire party arrived at the restaurant at 8:45pm for our 9pm reservation. I actually had to wait at the maitre d stand as there were several groups in front of us so by the time we checked in, it was 8:55pm. I believe the owner was the host that night, based on yelp pictures of restaurant owner. He was not welcoming at all, he and the women staff around him did not smile or acknowledge us with a greeting. It was the most uncomfortable and standoffish restaurant check in I've ever experienced.
The host/owner mentioned we could be seated immediately or wait 20minutes for a seat with a view. We agreed to wait for the view seating since that would be part of the dining experience at Lago. He said ok you're checked in, but did not give any information as to how we would be contacted. I had to ask how will we know when our table is ready? He mentioned that he would let me know, that I should stay around the area. Most restaurants with this kind of traffic and updated technology give you a beeper or text you when your table is ready. That might be something this restaurant can take into consideration since it is a popular foodie destination.
There was no waiting area so I sat at a slot machine chair directly in front of the maitre d stand in candid view of the host. By 9:15pm, my friends were restless and annoyed that we were waiting for a table even with an advanced reservation. I approached the maitre d stand and the host/owner with a very nonchalant demeanor stated, oh your table is ready, is your entire party here? Wow!! I had been sitting directly in front of the maitre d stand for 15minutes and he never bothered to inform me that our table it ready. We were led to a table with a great view of the lago and fountain show, but it was probably not even our table as it was set up for a party of 9. Another party must have been tired of waiting and left before getting seated.
The food is hit or miss, some of the vegetarian dishes were tasty and executed well but the bistecca was tough and chewy, not a good quality piece of meat for a high end restaurant. We also ordered the lobster gnocchi based on all the positive reviews but it didn't impress.
Consistent with the service from the host/owner, our server was aloof and unwelcoming. For the birthday celebration, they put a candle in a dessert that we ordered off the menu and had to pay for. The execution of the dessert presentation was untimely and unorganized, they didn't even ask who's birthday it is and brought out the lit dessert and placed it in front of my friend who ordered it, not the birthday person who actually went to the restroom at the time.
If you're willing to overlook the awful service, wait time, and hit or miss food, you may enjoy the view and decor of this restaurant. For us, it was consistently disappointing and we will never dine here again, even with our free M life rewards.
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