[rayschic]

Originally Posted by nitehawk

Two day experience of a couple on the lifestyle preview couple and myself.
Monday I suggested dinner at Nancy Lopez for dinner – forgetting it was lobster night
Which is fine as we did not mind waiting – it was a pleasant evening and sitting outside was fine with us – well-- after 1hour and 15 minutes the buzzer starts beeping and we go inside to the desk to be seated. “Follow me” is announced by one of the two or three expediters – so off we go in single line through the seating area – then she opens the rear door (to the patio) and there are about 10 tables (about half taken) and tells us this is our table here in the corner. I said “ I do not think so” and tell her we would like to be seated inside an not on the patio where lunch is served. As we are making an about-face I see the expediter put up the menu (she was carrying) up in front of her mouth and say something to the waiter who was waiting to serve us – then a shug of the shoulder – as to say “ well we tried” I asked to speak the so called manager name “August” and asked if that was normal procedure to seat people outside on the patio without asking. I told Mr. August ( what ever is name is) that I did not think that was a way to run a (so called upscale) restaurant. It was just the attitude of the staff that bothered me .,. So much for the lifestyle preview impression. So lets forget it - and move on.
Next day Tuesday – after golf we went to Cody’s for some lunch—Table for three outside and waited ( not very long) for waitress . Round of drinks and menu give – fine
Order taken . I had ordered off the bar menu and the others regular lunch. Again after about 15 minutes – no problem – Two lunches come out and nothing said about the third being prepared or will be out soon. Five minutes later is see waitress fly by the table to a group of golfer who were seated near us – with something on the plate that looked like what I had ordered – thinking she will be back with my order, when she finds out it is not there order. But no she comes back empty handed and goes right by the table. Now we do not see the waitress for quite awhile. I am thinking – it’s a small order – onion rings a bar hamburger –maybe just put the order in and it will only be a minute - but no site of the waitress. Now as everyone is done with there lunch and mine has not arrived yet – along comes the manager (bill) who does not stop at he table and as he literally flies by asking is everything “ok” and keeps going --- woo woo – no everything is not OK - what is the problem he asks – I never got my order --- his answer is “oh” I know all about it - your order was given to someone else by mistake, Now I ask him did he not think it would be nice to come to the table and explain to us the problem and not just fly by and say “everything Ok” and keep going.. Not very professional – he now says he will not charge me for the meal I did not get --- I told him that was nice of him--- I don’t want any free food or drinks and I will not pay for anything I did not get…. He said sorry – and we left
Again nice experience for a couple on lifestyle preview --- Is good help that hard to find or is it just “I don’t really care attitude”
I am sending an email to the sales rep. that had the couple and maybe have him send a apology and say this is not really a true reflection of the villages Or is it ---- thing have changed in the ten years I have been here and it is not for the better --- too large ---- build –build---build – more homes – more homes ---over crowded no more the friendliest town

Did they like other things about the Villages ? Are they going to buy ?
Two negative experiences at non-Villages owned restaurants wouldn't change my mind about the wonderful lifestyle we have here. I hope that they enjoyed the rest of their stay here and will be back.