Where's Our Waiter

[stuckinparadise]

My husband and I aren't permanent residents of the Villages yet but we try to spend at least one weekend a month at our home in Tamarind Grove. Just this past weekend, my daughter flew in from Boston and my oldest daughter rode with me from Alabama to spend a few days together. They both thought TV was great and loved our house and our neighbors. On Saturday night we decided to have drinks and appetizers at some of the restaurants in LSL. We started at RJ Gators (which was great) and then proceeded to City Fire. The hostess seated us outside at a table which had just been wiped down. We sat there for about 15 minutes before a waiter carrying a spray bottle of whatever and a rag and asked us if we need out table cleaned. I told him no and told him we were ready to order. We decided to get a nice bottle of Pinot Noir and some mussels. He asked my daughters for ID (one is 25, the other 30) and told my oldest that she looked really good for 30. He took off and never returned. We sat there for about 20 minutes but no one came back to our table. At this point I asked another waitress passing by where this guy was and she said she would look for him. After waiting another 20 minutes, we got up and left. Sorry for the long rant but I was so excited about trying City Fire because I had heard so many good things about it. I was just wondering if anyone on TOTV has had that type of bad service and if I should go back to try it again.

[KathieI]

Yes, I have had that problem there many times. They are a very busy restaurant and my observation is that the wait staff usually takes care of the "regulars" and forgets those of us who don't frequent their place as often. I do go there enough to know some of the staff - not very well, but well enough to ask the waiter do you have a problem with me??? I haven't seen you for a half an hour??? It didn't work. BTW, its outside as well as inside.

[asianthree]

manager need to be aware

[Phanatic Luvr]

I've never experienced a problem at City Fire. We have only been there about 4 or 5 times. I will also add that I don't like to eat late and have never arrived after 7pm. I know their music starts at 7 so my guess is the crowds come later. Maybe they need to hire a few more for the later hours. By the way, they are also opening in Brownwood.

[buggyone]

I know the owner of City Fire does not keep servers who are not good on his staff. If he has complaints about the servers from various customers, the servers are terminated.

He is a very experienced restaurant owner and has a booming business. He was given the choice of a location at Brownwood and is looking forward to doing a good business at that location also.

[stuckinparadise]

Thanks for all the comments. We will probably give City Fire another shot when we don't have guests with us. I'm very patient and when not on a time schedule, can wait for service (we waited 2 hours for the newest Harry Potter attraction at Islands of Adventure).

[mac9]

Service after 7 has always been iffy for me...depends on the entertainment. It appears that there are just not enough servers working to handle the crowd. It usually doesn't bother me that much though. I'm there for the entertainment and am just as happy to have the evening entertainment for the cost of a draught!

[rubicon]

Wait until October...then wait and wait and wait

[thenewkid2]

Wait until October...then wait and wait and wait

For mediocre food and high prices

[Bogie Shooter]

My husband and I aren't permanent residents of the Villages yet but we try to spend at least one weekend a month at our home in Tamarind Grove. Just this past weekend, my daughter flew in from Boston and my oldest daughter rode with me from Alabama to spend a few days together. They both thought TV was great and loved our house and our neighbors. On Saturday night we decided to have drinks and appetizers at some of the restaurants in LSL. We started at RJ Gators (which was great) and then proceeded to City Fire. The hostess seated us outside at a table which had just been wiped down. We sat there for about 15 minutes before a waiter carrying a spray bottle of whatever and a rag and asked us if we need out table cleaned. I told him no and told him we were ready to order. We decided to get a nice bottle of Pinot Noir and some mussels. He asked my daughters for ID (one is 25, the other 30) and told my oldest that she looked really good for 30. He took off and never returned. We sat there for about 20 minutes but no one came back to our table. At this point I asked another waitress passing by where this guy was and she said she would look for him. After waiting another 20 minutes, we got up and left. Sorry for the long rant but I was so excited about trying City Fire because I had heard so many good things about it. I was just wondering if anyone on TOTV has had that type of bad service and if I should go back to try it again.

What was the managers response when told about the poor service?

[Skip]

I was so excited about trying City Fire because I had heard so many good things about it. I was just wondering if anyone on TOTV has had that type of bad service and if I should go back to try it again.

Go back any time and ask for Scott. He will want to know who and why you got bad service.

Skip

[stuckinparadise]

I didn't talk to the manager, which in hind sight would have been the best thing to do in this situation. After waiting 40 minutes, I really didn't want to wait another 20 minutes to talk to anyone else. Like I wrote in my second post, if I had been by myself or with my husband, I would have waited patiently. When you're entertaining family, time is a little more important as I wanted to show them all that is offered at TV.

[Bogie Shooter]

I didn't talk to the manager, which in hind sight would have been the best thing to do in this situation. After waiting 40 minutes, I really didn't want to wait another 20 minutes to talk to anyone else. Like I wrote in my second post, if I had been by myself or with my husband, I would have waited patiently. When you're entertaining family, time is a little more important as I wanted to show them all that is offered at TV.

The best thing for sure rather than come on TOTV with the complaint. Not sure how it can be fixed if the management isn't aware.

[Pturner]

I didn't talk to the manager, which in hind sight would have been the best thing to do in this situation. After waiting 40 minutes, I really didn't want to wait another 20 minutes to talk to anyone else. Like I wrote in my second post, if I had been by myself or with my husband, I would have waited patiently. When you're entertaining family, time is a little more important as I wanted to show them all that is offered at TV.

Hi Stuckinparadise,
I don't blame you for not waiting to speak to the manager that night, when you were anxious to get on with entertaining your guests. It's not to late though, to let the manager know now about your experience. Sometimes a manager won't care-- in which case the restaurant will probably eventually fail. Often though, the manager appreciates diplomatically given feedback of a problem; and the manager will look to solve any recurring problems brought to his/her attention.

If you do decide to call him to let him know, please let us know how he response.

[zcaveman]

Waiters always get scarce when it comes time to get the bill. I have found that on their last check on the service or for drinks to ask them for the check or it can be a long wait.

It does not matter what restaurant.

Z

[justjim]

City Fire......too busy, too noisy and bad service the one time I was there. Food so so. Mostly a bar and if you like that atmosphere then its your kind of place IMHO. Drinks--- that's where the $$$$ are in the restaurant business and they serve lots of drinks in an evening. I have little time for a bunch of drunks who are loud and immature.

[Posh 08]

The best thing for sure rather than come on TOTV with the complaint. Not sure how it can be fixed if the management isn't aware.

Maybe people are not coming on as much with comments like yours. Some of us like to read the complaints. Hmmmm, its a headsup. Its up to the Mods to regulate posts.

[Posh 08]

I had a great meal and service with some regulars there. When I was at the bar by myself one afternoon the bartender was too busy chatting with the regulars. No problem, left and went to Cody's. The bartenders there were all over me. Nope I didn't tell the manager. He/she should be able to see the bartender slacking if he is managing.

[Debfrommaine]

Agree you did not have a good experience and I'd be frustrated too. Given that, I also agree management should have been told at some point and it's still not too late. In this economy everyone needs their customers and people need jobs so the manager should be made aware of your situation. I'll still try the place regardless.

[Bogie Shooter]

Maybe people are not coming on as much with comments like yours. Some of us like to read the complaints. Hmmmm, its a headsup. Its up to the Mods to regulate posts.

I think it is wrong to have a bad experience and quickly post on a public forum. (Did you know that a search on Google will bring up posts on TOTV?)What if it was an isolated event? If the manager was spoken to and the issue was resolved............the post would take on a different tone. Going from harsh crititism to one of accomodation.
Take ten people and send them to any restaurant. How many will be satisfied? How many will be dis-satisfied? People's expectatios will all be different. Some will post positive and some negative. So what? It all comes down to your on expectations/experiences.

[natickdan]

I think it is wrong to have a bad experience and quickly post on a public forum. (Did you know that a search on Google will bring up posts on TOTV?)What if it was an isolated event? If the manager was spoken to and the issue was resolved............the post would take on a different tone. Going from harsh crititism to one of accomodation.
Take ten people and send them to any restaurant. How many will be satisfied? How many will be dis-satisfied? People's expectatios will all be different. Some will post positive and some negative. So what? It all comes down to your on expectations/experiences.

The original post was created in the "restaurant discussion" part of ToTV, so I don't have an issue with anyone posting either a positive or, in this case, a negative comment as long as it contains sufficient information to support the member's experience. *If a post is an "isolated experience", then it should be pretty clear and I think most members will see it as just that, an isolated experience. *If, however, there are comments from multiple members ( perhaps multiple "isolated experiences" ) then it might give the posting more credibility. *

Yes, "people's expectations will be different" and it's this type of forum that allows a member to share how their restaurant experience lived up to their expectations. *If we, as ToTV members, create an environment where members are reluctant to post their restaurant experience because of member backlash or critism, then we all lose.

I have found this forum to be informative and I look forward to reading more restaurant experiences. *

[stuckinparadise]

Bogie Shooter, you make a good point and after reading yours and other posts, I plan to call City Fire today. It was frustrating but not worth getting a young waiter fired over. When I do call, I just want them to be aware of the problem and I definitely don't expect any type of compensation for our long wait. I'll let you nice people know what the manager says.

[Carmpat]

I wanted to go tonight in fact but was told it is very cold inside and this retaurant plays loud music plus if you are single it is a good place to go to meet someone. So we are not going and picked another place to eat at.

[Skybo]

City Fire is my favorite place to go in LSL for outdoor seating/cocktails/appetizers. I wouldn’t recommend it as the best dinner food, ambiance or service in the square. It is what it is ... it’s a bar with good apps, cheap drinks and decent entertainment.

[Indydealmaker]

This is the digital age. There are many dining and travel sights that ask for reviews and comments (favorable or otherwise). I for one use these religiously. I just go with the ones with the most favorable comments. These sights are watchdogs. Competent managers will read these comments and act accordingly.

Many many diners do not want a confrontation or the embarrassment of seeking out a manager who may or may not care. Once it is published, the manager is forced to act. Until then, particularly if the manager is not the owner, he may hide the issue in a shortsighted attempt to save his job.

I see no point in coddling incompetent management. I see no point in secretly contacting the management to avoid hurting the business. Protecting the biz is the job of the boss. These days, you have to slap everybody up the side of the head with a mackerel to get their attention. Subtlety just does not work.

[Schaumburger]

Eating at the bar with friends at City Fire, the service was maybe a tad slow, but acceptable, and this was in the off season (Summer/Fall). I'm imagining what the crowds must be like from January through March.

[thekeithfan]

My husband and I aren't permanent residents of the Villages yet but we try to spend at least one weekend a month at our home in Tamarind Grove. Just this past weekend, my daughter flew in from Boston and my oldest daughter rode with me from Alabama to spend a few days together. They both thought TV was great and loved our house and our neighbors. On Saturday night we decided to have drinks and appetizers at some of the restaurants in LSL. We started at RJ Gators (which was great) and then proceeded to City Fire. The hostess seated us outside at a table which had just been wiped down. We sat there for about 15 minutes before a waiter carrying a spray bottle of whatever and a rag and asked us if we need out table cleaned. I told him no and told him we were ready to order. We decided to get a nice bottle of Pinot Noir and some mussels. He asked my daughters for ID (one is 25, the other 30) and told my oldest that she looked really good for 30. He took off and never returned. We sat there for about 20 minutes but no one came back to our table. At this point I asked another waitress passing by where this guy was and she said she would look for him. After waiting another 20 minutes, we got up and left. Sorry for the long rant but I was so excited about trying City Fire because I had heard so many good things about it. I was just wondering if anyone on TOTV has had that type of bad service and if I should go back to try it again.

I've heard this complaint about restaurants all restaurants at one time or another all over TV, FL and the USA. The answer, as I have found, is this simple: whoever is in charge (usually my wife) lol gets up goes to the matradee and says I'm sitting over there and want to talk to the manager. The manager comes over, we say we have been here 10 minutes and we do not have a waiter, if you are short help we will go next door to eat.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

We don't eat out very often, but I have found that in every restaurant we have been to in the Villages the food is mediocre at best and the service pretty poor.

[buggyone]

We don't eat out very often, but I have found that in every restaurant we have been to in the Villages the food is mediocre at best and the service pretty poor.


Try the Nancy Lopez Legacy CC for their restaurant. On Monday night, they have an unadvertised special of twin 5 ounce lobster tails for $22. They are excellent. The food is great and the service is excellent, too.

[lizbell]

We had a great experience there last Friday night. The food was sooo good and our waiter very attentive, but then we were seated inside.

[Shimpy]

We went once 2 years ago and will never return. Our service was OK, around lunch time but food (pizza) was the worst I've ever had. When I order a pizza I expect to find pizza sauce on it. Complaining to the waiter he said we didn't say we wanted pizza sauce on it and would take it back and have them put sauce on, after we had eaten half the pizza.

[keithwand]

We went once 2 years ago and will never return. Our service was OK, around lunch time but food (pizza) was the worst I've ever had. When I order a pizza I expect to find pizza sauce on it. Complaining to the waiter he said we didn't say we wanted pizza sauce on it and would take it back and have them put sauce on, after we had eaten half the pizza.

Oh sauce.
What a concept; pizza with sauce.
Next thing you know people will want crust and cheese with their pizza. Maybe thats extra. :1rotfl:

[hulababy]

food just ok think the bar outside keeps the place in business

[Ebsmom]

We are new home owners and for the most part all our waiters/waitresses have been very good...But my question is has anyone else experienced most of the food served in a number of places to be very Salty...Like overkill on the Salt? We have eaten at 1 Country Club now twice..Breakfast Buffet and Dinner, both times too salty and nothing to scream about. For the most part we can depend on a number of outside places for Dependable quality cooked food but have already begun to create our Do Not Return List. We relayed our feelings to Management in hopes someone might slow down on the over abundance of Salt....With so many places to eat in TV's we have high hopes Good Restaurants out number those we have recently tried. Too-Jays so far has not let us down:) Anyone care to recommend a few places they have enjoyed?
Thanks
Ebsmom

[JoeC1947]

We went once 2 years ago and will never return. Our service was OK, around lunch time but food (pizza) was the worst I've ever had. When I order a pizza I expect to find pizza sauce on it. Complaining to the waiter he said we didn't say we wanted pizza sauce on it and would take it back and have them put sauce on, after we had eaten half the pizza.

Why did you eat half?

[keithwand]

They were hungry???

[Shimpy]

Why did you eat half?

It was a small pizza, we were hungry and just wanted to have a light lunch and get out of there. Half probably amounted to 3 little pieces. We had to pay for it anyway.