Havana

[dgammon6]

Had a great meal, good service and entertainment Saturday night with our neighbors at Havana Country Club.

[KathieI]

Good to hear that. Did you sit in the breezeway? With the curtains up and the gas heaters, its really quite cozy and nice there. Glad to hear the meal was good, I think there's been some changes in the kitchen.

[GatbTester]

One can only hope!:pepper2:

[Campbell soup]

Havanas is one of our favorites! Love the Ribs.

[dgammon6]

Inside to eat, (Prme Rib), outside by the heaters later. We heard a lot of negative comments about Havana and wanted to see for ourselves since it's our CC. We all thought it was good.

[KathieI]

Inside to eat, (Prme Rib), outside by the heaters later. We heard a lot of negative comments about Havana and wanted to see for ourselves since it's our CC. We all thought it was good.

Good to hear it... But I thought it was MY CC???? :1rotfl:

[Army Guy]

We tried there breakfast on our last trip down, two ago, and it was GREAT!!!
A lot of food and priced very cheap. Quality was very good also.
Also thought service was better in the morning then night.

Army Guy

[KathieI]

I find that hard to believe. Did you speak to the manager? I'm there all the time with huge parties of people where we buy drinks and dinners around the table, and I have never had that happen. Sounds a little strange to me.

[JeanneBeannie]

I have been to Havana many times, their service is excellent, I have eaten there many times and it was delicious (especially the stuffed tilapia) :icon_hungry: and the entertainment by Patrick is so much fun and the singers are amazing! :pepper2: And....on some of these chilly nights, they have great heaters all around outside that keep the whole outside nice and cozy so we can still enjoy the outside atmosphere. To me....Havana goes well out of their way to make sure their customers are very happy!

Jeanne :popcorn:

[Skip]

Well! Then if a party of 8 shows up for dinner - Do they ask to hold credit cards until you finish your dinners? (About the same value as 16 drinks.) The stupid rules these places come up with are the reason so many residents have complaints about CUSTOMER SERVICE !

I hope Kris Brown reads this.

You did the right thing, joemet2 - Walk!

Skip

[hdh1470]

Well! Then if a party of 8 shows up for dinner - Do they ask to hold credit cards until you finish your dinners? (About the same value as 16 drinks.) The stupid rules these places come up with are the reason so many residents have complaints about CUSTOMER SERVICE !

I hope Kris Brown reads this.

You did the right thing, joemet2 - Walk!

Skip

I have been to many places that ask for credit card if drinking because people leave without paying,If one is to be upset be at the people who do that

[Martha Kaye]

We went when it first opened and the service was slow and the food poor. Then we went last Spring and the food was terrible. There are so many good cc that I won't try it again. But it does sound like it might be better now.

[dominick]

I've been to the Havana CC several times, for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and enjoyed eveything.
Last week, I went to my friend's home for dinner. He lives near Havana. The noise from the club was terrible!! Unbearable. Loud screaming and laughing. Deafening, even with all the windows closed. Some kind of amatuer night, he said.
My friend and several of his neighbors have retained an attorney and will be filing a law suit in the near future for the purpose of having the outside entertainment closed down. They are seeking a temporary restraining order until the court case is resolved.

[joannej]

We went to Havana CC for dinner and all 4 of us had a delicious meal with great service. Will return again to Havana,

[skip0358]

My wife and I were at Havana last night. Got served in a timely fashion, food and drinks were both good. We had to ask if there was music outside because it was so quiet.We went outside after eating, chatted with a few friends, had no trouble hearing them and didn't have to scream. Don't know what people want but I wish this would go away and I don't mean the music.:boxing2::boxing2:

[Martha Kaye]

With all the choices for entertainment in the Villages and all the Country Clubs in the Villages-why is Havana the only one with the problems.????

[skip0358]

Must be something in the water.

[travelman]

My wife and I eat and drink at Havana on an average of three times a week. Have been there with largre groups and have been there for hours. Never once had to give credit card. Havana is one of the CC's that listen to customers and make changes to please the customer.

HAVANA ROCKS !!!

[katezbox]

My wife and I eat and drink at Havana on an average of three times a week. Have been there with largre groups and have been there for hours. Never once had to give credit card. Havana is one of the CC's that listen to customers and make changes to please the customer.

HAVANA ROCKS !!!


We love Havana. We like the varied menu and the better wine list than some of the CCs. We need to be fair int hat the food and service can vary. I still feel Cane is the most consistent - but Havana has been very responsive as the above poster mentions. Plus they are OUR cc. (as well as all our buddies in Hadley and Hemingway...):throwtomatoes:

[Taj44]

I've been to the Havana CC several times, for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and enjoyed eveything.
Last week, I went to my friend's home for dinner. He lives near Havana. The noise from the club was terrible!! Unbearable. Loud screaming and laughing. Deafening, even with all the windows closed. Some kind of amatuer night, he said.
My friend and several of his neighbors have retained an attorney and will be filing a law suit in the near future for the purpose of having the outside entertainment closed down. They are seeking a temporary restraining order until the court case is resolved.


A friend of mine was talking about Patrick and the music he plays, basically "why does he play it so loud?". I can't remember where my friend heard it, by Gators I think, but he said it was so loud, you couldn't even begin to have a conversation there. If that is the case, no wonder the Havana neighbors are upset.

[cashman]

WE stay away from noisy Restaurants like Havana And El Satiago.

You will too if you care about your digestive and nervous systems.

[Russ_Boston]

A while back I had the good fortune to knock an eight iron into the hole for and ace at Havana. Ordered a round of drinks for my group of 16 as hole in one shooters should do. After taking the order, the server approached me and said the Manager won't accept the order unless I surrender my Credit Card for him to hold.

Told them just where they could shove the Credit Card and went downtown to buy the same 16 drinks without incident.

Oh yes, haven't spent a nickel at Havana since then!

Not doubting your veracity but I do question the concern over the card rule.

Think about it - You go on vacation - you check into a hotel - they ask for a credit card swipe for FUTURE unknown purchases.

This happens to all of us and we just give them the card to swipe. The hotel is protecting themselves knowing that they will be paid for incidentals as they call them.

I'm not saying I've seen the practice at a restaurant but I would just let them swipe my card and enjoy my night. It's not like they are going to bill you for things you didn't order.

Just my opinion.

PS> come to think of it I have seen that practice. At work we go to a local Italian restaurant when we need to do some birthday celebration or milestone event. We usually have around 20 people. We run a 'tab' and we use one credit card and then divy up the total the next day at work. It's a win-win since the people don't need to pay every time they order a drink and the credit card user get his reward miles!

[chuckster]

We love Havana. We like the varied menu and the better wine list than some of the CCs. We need to be fair int hat the food and service can vary. I still feel Cane is the most consistent - but Havana has been very responsive as the above poster mentions. Plus they are OUR cc. (as well as all our buddies in Hadley and Hemingway...):throwtomatoes:

Agree with food and service can vary at Havana. We (several couples) ate there last night. Service excellent, drinks good but food not good. Ordered chips and salsa with guacamole (extra) for table. Chips were mostly little pieces (bottom of the bag) and guacamole was chunks of unripe avacado (not mashed and dippable). Meal was so-so with cold soft fries (yuk). Yes we did talk with manager who was very nice and sympathetic but did nothing.

Noticed by all was the 75 cents for guacamole never came off the bill.

Picky point I agree but still was do-able. Be a while before we return. Too many other choices.

[katezbox]

Agree with food and service can vary at Havana. We (several couples) ate there last night. Service excellent, drinks good but food not good. Ordered chips and salsa with guacamole (extra) for table. Chips were mostly little pieces (bottom of the bag) and guacamole was chunks of unripe avacado (not mashed and dippable). Meal was so-so with cold soft fries (yuk). Yes we did talk with manager who was very nice and sympathetic but did nothing.

Noticed by all was the 75 cents for guacamole never came off the bill.

Picky point I agree but still was do-able. Be a while before we return. Too many other choices.

Chuck,

Your experience is exactly what we have seen sometimes - and then on other visits they have served really excellent food all hot, all at the same time.

I don't think it is picky to have them remove the charge for guacamole if it was not up to standard. It would have been a gesture of goodwill to let you know that your business was valued. I also would not object to them charging me .75 for guacamole as an add-on to chips/salsa as avocados are not inexpensive - and I would rather not have the price of chips/salsa go up to cover the cost of guacamole for those who want it at the expense of those that don't. I would prefer they note that there is an additional charge on the menu - that way a person can decide if they feel the item iw worth the up-charge or not.

I really like their menu and location and the things they are doing to increase business - they even have a Facebook site.

[l2ridehd]

They still need to be more consistent. I have had really good meals and service, and really bad. Until they get their act together and do it better all the time, I will not frequent them. There are to many other places that do it really well. I like the menu, the location and the decor so I will continue to give them a try once in a while, but they need to work on consistent food quality and good service. They have a management problem. They know how to do it right, they just don't all the time. That is a classic management failure.

[katezbox]

They still need to be more consistent. I have had really good meals and service, and really bad. Until they get their act together and do it better all the time, I will not frequent them. There are to many other places that do it really well. I like the menu, the location and the decor so I will continue to give them a try once in a while, but they need to work on consistent food quality and good service. They have a management problem. They know how to do it right, they just don't all the time. That is a classic management failure.

l2,

You said in one paragraph what it took me 3 to say.

K:agree:

[Ohiogirl]

They still need to be more consistent. I have had really good meals and service, and really bad. Until they get their act together and do it better all the time, I will not frequent them. There are to many other places that do it really well. I like the menu, the location and the decor so I will continue to give them a try once in a while, but they need to work on consistent food quality and good service. They have a management problem. They know how to do it right, they just don't all the time. That is a classic management failure.

Which restaurants are on your list of consistently good ones? Just want to make sure I hit them all on our next couple of visits

[l2ridehd]

The best source is probably the gourmet club or other threads in this restaurant forum on here. These are some of the ones I like, but others may have different opinions. For consistency at the CC's I like Cane Garden, Lopez and Glennview, and sometimes Palmer is good. I still have not tried Mallory or Orange Blossom so cannot comment. For local places, I like Bone Fish, Redsauce, Thai Ruby, Toujays, Cotillion Caf� (lunch is excellent) and Traditions caf� in Wildwood, Pisces Rising and Goblin Market in Mt Dora. I am sure there are many others I have not tried yet. I still have not found any place local that has an acceptable wine list. (now I know that comment will draw the wrath of many) I just like good wine and am willing to pay for it. There is a steak house in Tampa that has a great one, but a little to far to go on a regular basis. Try them and let me know your thoughts.

[spk7951]

The best source is probably the gourmet club or other threads in this restaurant forum on here. These are some of the ones I like, but others may have different opinions. For consistency at the CC's I like Cane Garden, Lopez and Glennview, and sometimes Palmer is good. I still have not tried Mallory or Orange Blossom so cannot comment. For local places, I like Bone Fish, Redsauce, Thai Ruby, Toujays, Cotillion Caf� (lunch is excellent) and Traditions caf� in Wildwood, Pisces Rising and Goblin Market in Mt Dora. I am sure there are many others I have not tried yet. I still have not found any place local that has an acceptable wine list. (now I know that comment will draw the wrath of many) I just like good wine and am willing to pay for it. There is a steak house in Tampa that has a great one, but a little to far to go on a regular basis. Try them and let me know your thoughts.


Sorry for hi-jacking this thread but the best restaurant wine list that I have found, reasonably close to TV, is at Mark's Prime Steakhouse in Ocala. It is about a 25 minute ride from TV. Most of their wines are listed on their web site. While it does not compare to Bern's wine list Mark's does have a decent selection. http://www.marksprimesteakhouse.com/page/33-4311.htm

[chuckster]

[QUOTE=katezbox;237790]Chuck,

I would prefer they note that there is an additional charge on the menu - that way a person can decide if they feel the item is worth the up-charge or not.



Kate......My observation tends to reflect your reply on the service/food, etc. which is satisfactory on one visit and not so good on the next. We also like the decor and ambience both inside and on the lanai.

The guacamole that I mentioned was noted on the menu as an add on which is not an issue. What did impress my friends was the lack of a response to remove 75 cents from the bill. As I said, it's picky but in the overall view of an establishment, glaringly obvious of a lack of concern by the manager that was aware of the situation.

As you mentioned l2ridehd said in a few words what the rest of us take paragraphs to say.........

We will return again in the future as it is one of our favorite golf courses but in the meantime there are so many establishments and too few days to enjoy them all.

[Grill Meister]

I am so glad to read that Havana is receiving good marks....I work for the Havanah Country Club....on the executive courses... and like to hear that our customers are being taken care of. That was not the case for a while, however, new management has apparently turned things around. HOORAH.:pepper2:

[Skip]

I am so glad to read that Havana is receiving good marks....I work for the Havanah Country Club....on the executive courses... and like to hear that our customers are being taken care of. That was not the case for a while, however, new management has apparently turned things around. HOORAH.:pepper2:

Who's the new management? Kris is still there and the others too?

Skip

[KathieI]

Who's the new management? Kris is still there and the others too?

Skip

Yes, Kris and Don are still there but the head chef, I think Eric was his name, is gone. New menu and more to the villagers style. Every night there are a number of courses under $10 and I believe new desserts, Don's specialty.

[Golf-Tinker]

Supposedly Havana (Kris and Don) have been alerted that they must meet or surpass expected revenue levels or fold the tent. Others wait in the wings to take over what should be a flagship enterprise in The Villages.

[ricthemic]

[[B]COLOR="RoyalBlue"]Originally Posted by joemet2
A while back I had the good fortune to knock an eight iron into the hole for and ace at Havana. Ordered a round of drinks for my group of 16 as hole in one shooters should do. After taking the order, the server approached me and said the Manager won't accept the order unless I surrender my Credit Card for him to hold.

Told them just where they could shove the Credit Card and went downtown to buy the same 16 drinks without incident.
Oh yes, haven't spent a nickel at Havana since then!


I think there is a big difference between Villagers going to The Havana Dining Room (especially after golfing there) and according to TV we are all members there and a similar group going to a Chilis or Macaroni Grill after work and being asked in advance to produce a credit card. [/COLOR]

[Skip]

Yes, Kris and Don are still there but the head chef, I think Eric was his name, is gone. New menu and more to the villagers style. Every night there are a number of courses under $10 and I believe new desserts, Don's specialty.
Holy cow! Since when is the chef, part of the management? That was the issue with George Stella, he though he was part of the management but Kris Brown, the owner, disagreed, so he fired him.

Now Havana is advertising "Under New Management" when all they did was replace the chef? Give be a break! This is one of the many reasons we won't dine there anymore.

Skip

[MaryGoRound]

A friend of mine was talking about Patrick and the music he plays, basically "why does he play it so loud?". I can't remember where my friend heard it, by Gators I think, but he said it was so loud, you couldn't even begin to have a conversation there. If that is the case, no wonder the Havana neighbors are upset.


We were just there at Havana on the weekend and a very nice duo was playing inside.
The music was perfect to listen to and a very nice variety. Our group enjoyed the entire experience

[MaryGoRound]

Supposedly Havana (Kris and Don) have been alerted that they must meet or surpass expected revenue levels or fold the tent. Others wait in the wings to take over what should be a flagship enterprise in The Villages.

I for one would like to encourage an establishment. The more we help our Village Country Clubs get through trials, the more they can offer us without going in and out of business. That hurts everyone.

[Talk Host]

I for one would like to encourage an establishment. The more we help our Village Country Clubs get through trials, the more they can offer us without going in and out of business. That hurts everyone.

I have a different opinion. I want the trials to be over before I pay my money. Patronizing a place when the service is poor only encourages them to not improve, I think.

[chuckster]

Ordered "Havana Nachos" recently. What a mistake!!! Literally a pile of stale chips, some kind of meat sauce and other odds and ends all covered and I mean covered with not shredded but leafy lettuce and I mean covered.........And this all on top of "waxed paper" on the plate......which turned to mush and was mixed in with the nachos.

What a joke!! :1rotfl:

Makes me wonder what kind of staff is working in the kitchen after this awful display. :confused:

This the fourth time of giving them another chance! Me thinks my money will be spent elsewhere..

[jtdraig]

In most restaurants of good quality, the chef (head chef) is usually one of the principals in the management of the restaurant.

[KathieI]

Ordered "Havana Nachos" recently. What a mistake!!! Literally a pile of stale chips, some kind of meat sauce and other odds and ends all covered and I mean covered with not shredded but leafy lettuce and I mean covered.........And this all on top of "waxed paper" on the plate......which turned to mush and was mixed in with the nachos.

What a joke!! :1rotfl:

Makes me wonder what kind of staff is working in the kitchen after this awful display. :confused:

This the fourth time of giving them another chance! Me thinks my money will be spent elsewhere..

I had a long discussion with Kris the other night about these complaints, and they are trying very hard to avoid and improve service and food complaints. They have suggested that you ask to see one of them when something like this happens, Chuck, because if they don't know about it, how can they improve on it. Its interesting for every complaint, there are many more "atta boys" from their customers. You know you can't satisfy everyone but I think they are working really hard to improve things there.

I have dinner there at least 3 nights a week and have NEVER had a bad meal, maybe its what I order, but all my friends agree with me. Service and quality have never been compromised.

[MaryGoRound]

I have a different opinion. I want the trials to be over before I pay my money. Patronizing a place when the service is poor only encourages them to not improve, I think.

I don't know anyone in The Villages who hasn't had a negative experience with food in any of the restaurants. You hear about it all the time. Having grown up and working in the business all my life, it is one of the most difficult businesses to be in. If the main chef needs a day off, the line cook can be disasterous, and then you are looking for decent cooks you cannot find, and they don't grow on trees, especially in The Villages. It is a delicate and complex business, and it certainly has its ups and downs, and that applies to all restaurants. I am sure many Villagers LOVE certain restaurants and have NEVER had a negative experience, but I remember going into one that I will not mention that is one of the most popular restaurants in The Villages and consistantly having not so good food, but I will still go there again because you never know who was cooking that day. Plus, I know how difficult the business is and how hard they work. I still believe that it is all about encouragement it life, no matter what we do, and many people have established personal relationships with the owner and management at Havana and have encouraged them to stay in business despite the pit falls that have happened. I hear alot of Villagers talk about "don't go there" or "don't go here"! Well you can say that just about anywhere, because all though everyone thinks we are living in paradise, we are not there until we die. Make room for mistakes and growth in The Villages, because we are still on planet earth.

[MaryGoRound]

You go, girl! Kathie is an encourager, and she is correct! Havana is working very hard to improve and to serve The Villages. If you knew them, you would see this. It's an AWSOME place to go!

[skip0358]

I to frequent Havana for Dinner and every time I'm there Kris comes over to check on how things were. If I had a problem I'd tell him. Some resteraunts are better at one thing then another. The new house specials are very good, they just hired another Bar tender, who did a great job the night of the Super Bowl. Some people don't like the place,I can't help that but I for one will continue to support them. As I said earlier, if I have a problem I'll tell Kris about it because if you don't tell him he can't fix it.

[MaryGoRound]

I to frequent Havana for Dinner and every time I'm there Kris comes over to check on how things were. If I had a problem I'd tell him. Some resteraunts are better at one thing then another. The new house specials are very good, they just hired another Bar tender, who did a great job the night of the Super Bowl. Some people don't like the place,I can't help that but I for one will continue to support them. As I said earlier, if I have a problem I'll tell Kris about it because if you don't tell him he can't fix it.

Thank you for this reply, Skip. You cannot please everyone all the time and things can never be 100%, but supporting The Villages businesses and letting them know how they can improve and seeing the efforts that are made, like at Havana, is an act of kindness, goodness, good will, gratitude and caring, attributes that will never fail us. Thanks again for the encouragement on behalf of one of our wonderful Village Country Clubs. This only makes life better for so many people.

[sunday]

Holy cow! Since when is the chef, part of the management? That was the issue with George Stella, he though he was part of the management but Kris Brown, the owner, disagreed, so he fired him.

Now Havana is advertising "Under New Management" when all they did was replace the chef? Give be a break! This is one of the many reasons we won't dine there anymore.

Skip

Actually... In a properly run organization, the Chef is a member of executive management.... Often the principal operator of the business. Most "accredited" Chef's I know have M.B.A's on top of practical and formal culinary educations. Incidently, the Chef's salary is often more than the GM's and the owners cut of the profit. So for Havana to have a new Chef, if that person is actually an "accredited" chef, would certainly constitute "New Management".

[KathieI]

You go, girl! Kathie is an encourager, and she is correct! Havana is working very hard to improve and to serve The Villages. If you knew them, you would see this. It's an AWSOME place to go!

Thanks so much, Mary.. I love that word "encourager"... I try and I really give credit when I see people working hard to service their customers, no matter what business someone is in.

Actually... In a properly run organization, the Chef is a member of executive management.... Often the principal operator of the business. Most "accredited" Chef's I know have M.B.A's on top of practical and formal culinary educations. Incidently, the Chef's salary is often more than the GM's and the owners cut of the profit. So for Havana to have a new Chef, if that person is actually an "accredited" chef, would certainly constitute "New Management".

Right on, Sunday, just watch the food channel and see how many of the top chefs in the country and world have been owners or part owners of restaurants. Perhaps the best restaurants I've been to in the different cities I lived in, had the chef's as a principle part of management.'

Go Havana!!!! You'll still see me there many nights of the week.