Every time we visited TV for over 20 years we’d have at least one meal at the Lighthouse. In the early years, they served blackened alligator which was delicious! In the later years 2 simple salads, with something very dry added cost the 2 of us over $60. I kept hoping they might at least improve the food. It never happened. Now we simply pity the people who still go there.

Went there 1/2 hour before closing. Asked if they were still serving and if so could I still order all you can eat crablegs. Answered yes. When asked for second serving, was told kitchen was closed. Still charged me 50 dollars for all you can eat special but was only able to get one cluster. Manager said it was out of their hands. Hope the invest well the 50 dollars for the one cluster, as it will be the last money spent there. Penny wise, pound foolish

View is nice but nothing else about it is good. How do restaurants like this stay in business?

Because we villagers just grumble, then head our golf carts over to the next mediocre and overpriced place.

For what it's worth I never add a "suggested tip" (or any tip, for that matter) to the bill and then pay with a credit card. I'll leave the tip in cash, on the table, or hand it to the waitstaff in person. Also I don't tip on my perception of the quality of the food, but solely on service (from initial contact and seating throughout the meal). 10% or so for mediocre service and up from there: for truly excellent service I might go as high as 25% and a positive comment to the manager. If the food is bad, that also rates a comment to the manager but I can't hold the waitstaff liable for the quality of the food.

I've also left zero tip for truly horrific service a couple of times (one of those times was at the Light House, actually). But that is rare.

First of all, I don't agree that tipping for takeout is the norm.

Second, to start a thread, click on "forum" and "all forums home". Click on the forum topic you want and select "post new thread", and then type in your "title " your "message" and click on "submit new thread".

The Lighthouse used to be one of our go-to favorites when it was more of a sports bar with good, reasonably priced entrees. Now that the owners — who failed operating Augustine’s 1812 — are on their way to another failure trying to make a high-priced white tablecloth restaurant out of the Lighthouse. We’ll wait for it to fail and be “repurposed” by the next owner before we return.

3 posts since 2018? That was my exact thought.

I do the same thing, especially if they take money out of your pocket. If they wanted to keep the customer they would have honored the price the wait staff gave her. Plain and simple.

But what price did the wait staff give her????? $23 total or $23 add on???? Very unclear. In either case I think it was poor management to lose what she claims is a 2x/month customer for $12

Yes, "fresh" flash frozen usually on the boat. Those who have visited Alaska probably understand how this is done. "Atlantic" can be any variety, raised in "ponds" in huge quantities, fish are white from lack of natural sun, and color is added to make them a pale pink. Not for most of us who truly love salmon. Fresh market has deep red sockeye from Alaska IN SEASON, sometimes on sale for $19.99 a pound. I would bet $100 that is NOT what was added for $23. Lesson learned. Just like butter fish around here is sometimes very "strange".. thin filet, not "meaty, chunky" texture, same with "grouper", interesting what sometimes passes for grouper here and around central Florida !

We do, and have always, believed in (personally) rewarding those who have given exceptional service (friendly, efficient, check if anything missing or needed, hot coffee fill, and various services in hotels, cruises, etc.). HOWEVER... what you related (carryout, and places like coffee cafes, buffets, etc. that use the cash registers to "force" customers to go through a series of "tip" options, etc. have really become offensive. "Tipping" has gradually lost all meaning as tech advances have evolved into just a method of increasing the total bill, and the "custom" of personally rewarding someone with your personal "thank you" is now nothing more than a "service charge" for picking up a phoned in order ! I might add, for those who cruise often, since the days when cruising was relatively unknown and tipping was always done in a manner of PERSONAL (person to person) "thanks" to all who made the cruise so pleasant, this evolved into an automatic daily charge added to the bill in the manner of the many hotel taxes. Most recently, one cruise line tried (you can imagine the outrage) to keep a list of those who felt the service was not exceptional, and went to the hotel desk of the ship to have this, or that, tip removed. This resulted in a type of "black list" cruiser, but had to be dropped due to the push back by customers. "Way back" we often cruised on a line that required no tipping, the service was truly exceptional and the prices of the line were above the bargain lines. Even though no tipping required, the quality of the service was so high you wanted to seek our the individual employees and add additional cash along with a hand shake, sometimes even a hug, and with eye to eye contact. I know the old argument that there are just a lot of "cheap skate" (old term of my grand parents) people about, but...is that an excuse to reduce tipping to what it has become... an incentive for those who do a poor or very poor job of their assigned responsibilities to be encouraged to be even more irresponsible by receiving tips regardless. And before it all starts....LOL... Yes, I have worked many jobs that rely heavily on tips, at times in college I had as many as three such jobs at a time, and yes, I do know what it is to give my best and still get "stiffed" as we called it. But overall, the majority of people really appreciated the attentive service I always tried to provide (never hung back in the bussing area to check my phone and chat with my colleagues, had no cell phone or Facebook, or TicToc to check !) I have heard the joke among villages retail employees: What is the difference between a Villager and a canoe ? Even a canoe will tip once in awhile. I find that insulting and completely untrue. Overall, considering the limited fixed income of most retirees, most are extremely generous and understanding, even with inflation like we are experiencing, and they realize how tough it is on students and younger adults with families trying to manage on minimum wage and less. But I do maintain, if a person is very poor at their job, they should not then be encouraged to perform even worse by receiving a "tip".

There is always "voting with your feet"... that old style economics where exceptional food quality, taste, preparation, along with friendly attentive service assures repeat customers, plenty of word of mouth advertising, and a stable business. Those lacking such used to "automatically" fail due to customer dis-satisfaction ! Really got into preparing what I pronounced "exceptional" meals at home during the "pandemic". Ventured into cuisines I've never tackled at home, researched new cooking techniques and ingredients, many new recipes, etc. Now realizing, as we dine out more often again, just how "mediocre" so many meals out are ! LOL !

Very well said. Tipping has gotten way out of hand.

If we go to a sitdown restaurant and we are served we do give the server a tip. Tipping the cashier who hands us our food in a bag should not be a tipping position.

I cannot believe that on cruises we now get to tip guest services and the entertainment team. Would prefer to go back and hand tips to the people who did things for us but the cruise lines have made that impossible.

I agree. Table servers are classified by the IRS as tipped employees, so they can receive a base income that is less than the minimum wage, and they get special tax treatment for their income tax. But, those who hand you a takeout bag of food are subject to the minimum wage.

We quit going to the Lighthouse years ago when they gave us dry martinis that left the glass 3/4 empty. I asked for the 'manager' and told her I have been drinking martinis for 40 years and never had one with this little alcohol. She said it was 2 ounces and that was how they served them. I took one of the drinks and poured it into the other and it barely came to the top! We usually ate there 2 times a week, never returned after the nasty attitude. I KNOW 2ounces is normal for a mixed drink....but not for a martini!

How, 50 post later........Lighthouse ain't as good as it was.

Hang in there....................there are options in TV.

:crap2:

We've only been there once, and that was just last month. The service was somewhat lacking, but the food was good and abundant.

Has to be atlantic and not fresh , would bet on it.

welcome aboard

The waitress should have been sure the customer understood the $23 was added to the salad. Poor on her part to assume. I'm betting she would never pay that price for a salmon add on so why should she assume he would. She didn't care is my assumption. The customer could have also asked for clarification. Either way the manager should have comped the couple something in the name of goodwill. I don't eat out much in TV as I find the food tastes all the same. When I go north for 5 months I truly enjoy eating out.

same thing
 

Any "Atlantic salmon" that you buy in Florida is "farm raised". Commercial fishing for Atlantic salmon in the United States is prohibited.

Yep. I tend to disregard complaints by those who have only complaints.

Had the two egg breakfast at Keke's. Asked for an additional pancake, surprised at the bill when it was $8.99. Beware of add- ons.

We have been here a year and a half. Went to the Lighthouse once, both of us were disappointed and thought the food and the service were marginal at best. Have not been back. The topic of the Lighthouse came up in conversation with another couple that gave the Lighthouse a great review. We thought maybe we should give it another chance. After reading this thread, I don't think we will take the chance.
To me a "hit or miss" restaurant means a "poorly run restaurant".

First question. WHY did you go there? I think the first thing we were told when we moved to TV was don’t eat at The Lighthouse. But we did anyway. And then we never did again. Cafeteria quality food at Waldorf prices.

if you don’t want to put any money in those cups , just don’t do it ,but please don’t complain to management about getting rid of them , I keep some dollars around just for cups of coffee or something small, because I use my credit card for everything . I don’t look at it as a tip ,I look at it as helping to subsidize someone’s low salary.I don’t cook ever so it’s either take out or restaurant , maybe I’m just easy to please but I’ve had very little bad service here and it happens mostly with someone new , you remember when you were new at something , OH I forgot most people here were perfect at there jobs from DAY 1 anyway try not to have your day ruined because someone left a cup out maybe to get a few more dollars to spend on there children or to help with the rent , others might want to help .

My favorite summertime webcam for many years now. C’mon Otis! 😍

What a major mistake they made the way they treated you! Now look at the result. Your post has loads of views and responses. Negative reviews in the restaurant industry is a MUST to avoid. I wouldn't be surprised if they reach out to you after seeing this.

The “grilled” refers to the greens in the salad, the romaine. Nothing else included.

bioengineered

The view, that’s how! While the Villages has many pros, it’s not next to any large lakes or the ocean. So restaurants offering any kind of view of the water will always be in demand. Hope the food and pricing improves, but won’t stop me from going!

Love this! ❤️ Thank you!

What was the regular price for the two egg breakfast? If it was $2.99, you got ripped off. If it was $7.99, you got a bargain.

Thanks for your post. I do not complain to management about the cup, just do not put any money into it. Something a heck of a lot worse has to happen to ruin my day.

Very rare to get bad service around here and can count on one hand when it has happened. Happen to think I do tip nicely for service.

I just have to chuckle at the logic is not everyone's forte statement embedded in this.
1. While you are correct that everything is cheaper at home, the fact that 1 point of support in an argument is moot does not invalidate an entire argument. But I realize logic is not everyone's forte.
2. Offering what you think is a valid argument when it is not the poster's point at all is simply irrelevant.


What??? The person wanted a ceasar salad with salmon, not a salmon dinner with a caeser addon. What about that is going cheap. I cannot begin to tell you how many times my wife has ordered a caeser salad with salmon or chicken. That is not going cheap. In fact, it is rare occurence when I have seen a caeser salad as a menu item when I have not seen the add on price for chicken, salmon or shrimp listed.

Then there are numerous posts about the price of salmon. While the poster, in the midst of being shocked and irritated, might not have quoted an accurate price of salmon, all of those posts are ridiculous. AT THE RESTAURANT IN QUESTION, a salmon dinner is $26 and with an addon caeser apparently $32. A Salmon berry salad for $28. (I am trusting the verious posters are accurate, I don't actually know). The person asked (or was trying to ask)what the price of the salad would be with salmon. The answer he received was $23. Why would anyone think the price would be $35?? Did they use extra-special salmon for his salad that cost more than all of their other salmon dishes?

Again, a caeser salad with add on of chicken or salmon is ubiquitous. This person did not invent some strange menu item or try to get something for nothing. I would bet the restaurant is asked that question multiple times per day.

Really people. Someone has had 2 complaints in 5 years and that makes them a troll, chronic complainer or having an agenda? Are you saying that 7000 post such as those using faulty logic repeatedly and accusing others of faulty logic somehow is better? 2 posts that make sense outweigh 7000 posts that don't by a huge margin.

Some people are pathetic. Use the info of the original poster however you want or not at all. If you go there often and enjoy it and have no issues, post something like "it sux you had a bad experience there, but I have had nothing but good experiences there." Then people can make their own judgement call. But I think some folks just like to try to appear better than others. Just so you know, for those of us with our eyes open and able to think, it's not working.

Looked through your posts. Lots of complaints, mainly about what people post. I think being contrary to most postings/posters is more of a troll and worthy of disregard than 2 complaints in 5 years. But carry on.

^
Could not agree more- too many here make it their pastime to denigrate and belittle and play "gotcha" to other posters instead of providing substance

overpriced
 

The OP was just giving all a heads up. If you find a need to check his profile history to determine the validity of his complaint, then go buy the 23$ salmon add-on.. Give the guy a break, you may be a bit too anal..

Not sure about your math. The two egg breakfast was $9.49. Adding a pancake was an additional $8.99. The pancake was very good though.