Lighthouse Point Bar and Grille - Big Disappointment

[Marigold]

My husband and I took our friends tonight to dinner for the "All You Can Eat Crab Special." He gave his name upon entering at 5:30 for a table of four and was told there was an hour wait. We sat in the waiting area with ten other people and watched as all ten were called (in addition to another twenty who arrived after us) and were seated. After 6:00, we inquired about our wait time with the woman at the check in area who replied that we were "next on the list to be seated." Ten minutes go by, four people stroll in and are seated. We ask again and are told at 6:15 that "our table is being cleaned." It's now 6:30 and we are still not seated. We inquire again and are told that people who "call ahead" are put on the sheet and can just walk in and get tables. Would we like a high top table? We said yes, at this point we had waited and watched so many people walk in and be seated. At 6:45, manager comes out to announce to the eight of us who are still waiting to be seated that there are no more crabs.

So after waiting one hour and fifteen minutes, we were still not seated despite the fact that our table was "being cleaned" for the past half hour. I spoke to the manager about this "calling ahead" policy that is not displayed. She gave me a card with the restaurant's phone number. She said that I could call the restaurant and they would put my name on the list. Then I could drive over and not have to wait long at the restaurant.

What did we do? We left rather then wait for "who knows how much longer it would be before we are seated." Plus, there were no more crabs! Sooooo....
We went to Gators where we were cheerfully greeted, seated immediately and enjoyed shrimp dinners.

Moral of our story: call ahead before you go to the Lighthouse!
We have been going there for the past four years, never knew about the "call ahead policy", never had a problem.. until now. I double checked their ad in today's Daily Sun...there's NO mention of calling ahead. It must be known only by a "secret group of people." BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!!!

[john1953]

I never did like the place and after hearing your story I dislike it even more.I never thought the food was that good anyway.

[Shadow8IA]

We found several restaurants with call ahead policys in Florida. Some have so many people that call ahead that they still end up with an hour wait.

[Chatbrat]

Fifteen minutes is most I'll ever wait to spend money @ any restaurant. We only eat @ the bar. Went to Arnold Palmers yesterday the bar was full. Went around the corner to Honest Johns.

Palmer Lost $76.51 & the staff lost a $18.00 tip--great trade off for everyone drinking happy hour beers.

[tomwed]

It's my favorite restaurant because of the view.
Anybody else know a water view restaurant in and about town?

[Chatbrat]

The Waterfront Inn, Cody's LSL

[tomwed]

The Waterfront Inn, Cody's LSL
Thanks--I forgot about Cody's and never ate at the Waterfront. I forget if they have a deck. It looks like a good excuse to take a bike ride.

I was surprised the first time I saw the area that Lake Sumter didn't have more waterfront restaurants and bars.

[Chatbrat]

I believe Gators, has out side dining, The Wterfront Inn has a deck--the restaurant is much more expensive than the Lighthouse--their mushroom app, is one of the best appa in TV

[newguyintv]

Fifteen minutes is most I'll ever wait to spend money @ any restaurant. We only eat @ the bar. Went to Arnold Palmers yesterday the bar was full. Went around the corner to Honest Johns.

Palmer Lost $76.51 & the staff lost a $18.00 tip--great trade off for everyone drinking happy hour beers.

You didn't mention that you probably got a headache from the noise at Honest John's. Don't think there's a noisier joint in TV.

[Bonny]

RJ Gators also has an outside deck plus big windows inside to look out at the water.

[Chatbrat]

Honest Johns is great, we eat early & avoid amateur hour

[Justus]

Honest Johns is great, we eat early & avoid amateur hour

Ditto!:coolsmiley:

[plrbr1120]

Been there maybe 3 times and for someone in our group celebrating a birthday. Always called ahead because there were usually 8-12 in the group. Food never really impressed me...or the wife. Have no desire to go back. Just our input. You can take $1 and my opinion and buy a cup of java. Just sayin'.

[Bay Kid]

Nice views.

[MoeVonB61]

We think their food is great and the view of sunset is outstanding.............

[spring_chicken]

I always call ahead to a restaurant when there are 4 or more of us. They always tell me the wait time, and many go ahead and put us on the list. Eaton's Beach also does it.

[spring_chicken]

Fifteen minutes is most I'll ever wait to spend money @ any restaurant. We only eat @ the bar. Went to Arnold Palmers yesterday the bar was full. Went around the corner to Honest Johns.

Palmer Lost $76.51 & the staff lost a $18.00 tip--great trade off for everyone drinking happy hour beers.

I'm sure the staff at Palmer is all broken up about it. Maybe they should keep a reserved spot at the bar for non-amateurs.

[Villager Joyce]

I'm sure the staff at Palmer is all broken up about it. Maybe they should keep a reserved spot at the bar for non-amateurs.

Thank you :bigbow:

[Chatbrat]

Jim & the staff know us--they would rather serve us than 4 guys having happy hour drafts--money wise & when you're working for a living --thats what's counts !!!!!

[tedquick]

I had out-of-town family in last week. Did call-ahead seating, waited about 10 minutes and all 6 of us had excellent meals. Love the place for the atmosphere, food and service. And what a view!! I highly recommend the place. Been there a number of times and will return many more times in the future. So sorry the OP had a bad experience.

[CFrance]

Hate to make lemonade out of somebody else's lemons, but I did not know Lighthouse had call-ahead seating. After reading the post we called ahead and four of us went up for dinner. I always like it there, although miss the fried egg sandwich.

[CFrance]

Been there maybe 3 times and for someone in our group celebrating a birthday. Always called ahead because there were usually 8-12 in the group. Food never really impressed me...or the wife. Have no desire to go back. Just our input. You can take $1 and my opinion and buy a cup of java. Just sayin'.
The wife never impressed you, or...?

[Jima64]

Fifteen minutes is most I'll ever wait to spend money @ any restaurant. We only eat @ the bar. Went to Arnold Palmers yesterday the bar was full. Went around the corner to Honest Johns.

Palmer Lost $76.51 & the staff lost a $18.00 tip--great trade off for everyone drinking happy hour beers.

Even at happy hour prices I imagine the bar made more money than what your meal would have totaled out at.

[Chatbrat]

I don't know how bars make money on 2 for one draft beers.

[tomwed]

Honest Johns is great, we eat early & avoid amateur hour
I'm all mixed up. I don't know if I'm an amateur or professional eater.

[CFrance]

I'm all mixed up. I don't know if I'm an amateur or professional eater.
I would say you are "seasoned." After all, you know how to make substitutions in recipes.:coolsmiley: