Restaurant at Havana

[JGVillages]

Played golf today at Havana. Four of us decided to have lunch so I head to the restaurant to check in, I immediately spot 3 empty tables, one for 8 and two for 6, so they certainly should be able to accommodate four of us. The hostess and manager explain those tables are for those quantity of patrons only and we would have to wait 20-25 minutes. Now it is 2 PM and no one else is waiting to be seated, and it is not the pending dinner hour. If it was I might have understood. We just spent 4 1/2 hours in 85* heat and wanted to have lunch, not just drinks. Havana's restaurant and their management continues to dissapoint. We drove our carts to Lake Sumter Landing and had a nice quick lunch at Sonny's.

[Dynsol]

Happens all the time to our golf group of 20-28 people after we golf. We now go to Beef O Bradys or the Mexican rest. at Colony Plaza. Sorry to say these CC restaurants attached to the golf courses really have so much business with the expanded population they generally turn away golfers. Also occurs with our Sunday couples group of 10-16 golfers. We go to other places who appreciate our business.

[Jima64]

When businesses fail they only need to look inward for the reason.

[kaydee]

If my group of 4 couldn't be accommodated at a 6 top then they surely wouldn't get my business today or all tomorrows. I applaud you for leaving..their loss

[rubicon]

What management did in this situation is planning their self-destruction. We stop going there because their menu and quality of food was limited. Now we can add another reason

[memason]

I find this post (OP) to be very uncharacteristic of the new management of Havana CC. Since the change in management, the service and food has been lightyears ahead of their predecessors.

Not to defend Havana [or any other CC], but there are reasons they don't immediately seat large groups. Normally, it has to do with overwhelming the kitchen and degrading service to everyone.

My opinion....you want a good meal; go to Havana

[Marathon Man]

My golf group has eaten at Havana many times. Never had a problem. One of our favorites.

[CFrance]

I find this post (OP) to be very uncharacteristic of the new management of Havana CC. Since the change in management, the service and food has been lightyears ahead of their predecessors.

Not to defend Havana [or any other CC], but there are reasons they don't immediately seat large groups. Normally, it has to do with overwhelming the kitchen and degrading service to everyone.

My opinion....you want a good meal; go to Havana
But this was only four people. Seems strange to me, unless those two empty tables were reserved.

[rubicon]

But this was only four people. Seems strange to me, unless those two empty tables were reserved.

CFrance what responsible manager would tell people they had to wait 20-25 minutes when they had space available, especially since the OP explained it was 2:00PM.

[CFrance]

CFrance what responsible manager would tell people they had to wait 20-25 minutes when they had space available, especially since the OP explained it was 2:00PM.
I don't know, Rubicon. Same thing happened to four of us at Ricciardi's last night at 6 PM. Same explanation about what the tables were for. They said a 20 minute wait (but it wasn't that long). I have no idea how these restaurants assign seats. It's getting more confusing than the airlines.

[Jima64]

I find this post (OP) to be very uncharacteristic of the new management of Havana CC. Since the change in management, the service and food has been lightyears ahead of their predecessors.

Not to defend Havana [or any other CC], but there are reasons they don't immediately seat large groups. Normally, it has to do with overwhelming the kitchen and degrading service to everyone.

My opinion....you want a good meal; go to Havana

Wow, 6 people a large group!

[Dynsol]

But this was only four people. Seems strange to me, unless those two empty tables were reserved.

Also, happened to me with four people. By the way they do not take reservations. Now avoid them completely by choice....

[golf2140]

The people skills at Havana are terrible. We stopped going there.

[Chatbrat]

Are you talking about Hemingways? same mgt as Lopez Legacy

[JGVillages]

Are you talking about Hemingways? same mgt as Lopez Legacy

Same operator for both. Their management at the Havana Restaurant certainly does not mirror the Lopez location.

[jchase]

That's why we go to Cane Garden! Can't beat their food of service. We quit going to Havana for the same reason. I don't know how they make it!

[Challenger]

Is there a second Hemingway in TV?


This thread sounds nothing like the place where we eat frequently

[JoMar]

Is there a second Hemingway in TV?


This thread sounds nothing like the place where we eat frequently

Nope, it's just the usual posts by people working out what works for them, they don't like it and they will find a place that meets their expectations. I personally don't take those posts seriously because I prefer to make my own choices. We also enjoy Hemingway.

[Coal Miner]

We love Hemingways since the new mgt took over. Big improvement over the old mgt. Under the old mgt the greeter wouldnt seat you even if the place was half empty. We walked out twice and never went back until these folks took over. It is one of our favorite places to eat now.

[Chatbrat]

Thats why I asked about Hemingways-we had the best meal there this Fri-since we moved to the Villages -their Sheepshead special & the scallops with black pasta was really great.

[Phanatic Luvr]

We ate there last night, Saturday, and had a 30 minute wait, but that was at 5:30pm, so to be expected. Our waiter was Derek, both professional and fun at the same time. Food was good. Had a nice night out with friends.

[gemorc]

A possible solution to the question of empty tables, is a lack of waitstaff. But boy o boy we still have Havana threads.

[Aloha1]

We've eaten at Hemingway's 3 times since first coming to TV in February. Each time has been excellent. We're sort of seafood aficionados and the food at Hemingway's does not disappoint. The mark of a good kitchen is how they cook fish. Each time, our dishes were prepared perfectly! Hey, stay away if you want. Just means more space for me:a040:

[BritParrothead]

We are so looking forward to returning in October. The last time we visited, we had a wonderful dinner at Havana. There was no way I could eat all that was on my plate. HUGE portion of yummy food :)

[baileysdad]

went there last night ( July 31 ) after golf 7:45. NOBODY in the place. Having app's & drinks ...8 people. Wanted a table, told us sit at bar or use 2 high tops. Tables for dinner only. There was NOBODY there.!!!!

It's like hard to believe ...Bye Havana ....

[Chatbrat]

we're regulars @ Hemingways--they screwed up 2 entrees a few weeks ago-we called the next day & informed them

well, the next time we came in, we were informed we would have our meals & drinks for the evening comped

real professional act

They are promoting good people to mgt positions

[alanmcdonald]

Maybe it's me but I won't be going back to Havana CC. $22 for lobster mac & cheese? I agree with the above poster that Cane Garden is a much better option, will be going back tomorrow night.

[dewilson58]

went there last night ( July 31 ) after golf 7:45. NOBODY in the place. Having app's & drinks ...8 people. Wanted a table, told us sit at bar or use 2 high tops. Tables for dinner only. There was NOBODY there.!!!!

It's like hard to believe ...Bye Havana ....

Same happened to us (4 of us)............we sat outside. Seems like they should be able to adapt, improvise and overcome.............or adjust, improve and over deliver.

[27RUDYG]

Well, having read the above thread, my wife & I had the same experience last night...waited 5 minutes at entrance before employee appeared that acknowledged us (2 others came to desk). Was told 45 minute wait for outside & 15 minute wait for inside---which was really strange, as there were so many empty tables. No problem for us, we left & had very positive experience at another country club restaurant---it was our anniversary!

[Bosoxfan]

Played golf today at Havana. Four of us decided to have lunch so I head to the restaurant to check in, I immediately spot 3 empty tables, one for 8 and two for 6, so they certainly should be able to accommodate four of us. The hostess and manager explain those tables are for those quantity of patrons only and we would have to wait 20-25 minutes. Now it is 2 PM and no one else is waiting to be seated, and it is not the pending dinner hour. If it was I might have understood. We just spent 4 1/2 hours in 85* heat and wanted to have lunch, not just drinks. Havana's restaurant and their management continues to dissapoint. We drove our carts to Lake Sumter Landing and had a nice quick lunch at Sonny's.

Let's see...20 to 25 minutes wait for some really good food or drive 10 minutes and eat at Sonny's ? Wow talk about biting off your nose to spite your face. Patience .

[Bogie Shooter]

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