[dadspet]

A group of 4 stopped by Bonifay on 4/10 for dinner. I ordered the Signature steak and wedge. When it arrived with our other meals I, along with the rest of our group, was amazed at how tiny the Signature steak was. It was so small we all agreed the restaurant should have been embarrassed to even send it out and call it a signature steak. When I questioned the size of the steak to the waitress she took it back and asked if I would like to order something else which I did; but it arrived after the other 3 at our table finished eating. I had to watch them finish their meal and then they had to wait for me to finish my meal while I felt rushed. The waitress offered us no apology or anything else. As you might imagine our dinning experience was not at all what it should have been. BTW The other 4 meals were good (fish and chips, raisin meat loaf , jambalaya, ?). We ate outside it was nice and not noisy. Mixed drinks left something to be desired but the Beer was good.

[DDoug]

Went to Bonifay last night and was shocked that their happy hour is from 2to5. Thats kind of odd. Guess they make the money on drinks. A glass of wine was 6.50 we didnt drink there and stopped at Beef O Bradys had a half carfe of wine and a pitcher of beer 11.00. I guess Bonifay is too sophisticated I'll stick with the Beefs

[skip0358]

Happy Hour changed when the clocks did. Happy hour is 2pm-5pm. This way you'll pay full price for drinks with your meal. My opinion only; since they're the only game in town on that side I feel they're sticking it to the people. Except the burgers the portion are small and after happy hour the liquor prices are high. Time will tell what happens.

[tracy1j]

We were there on Saturday night at sunset. The 4 of us sat outside, and had wine and split a couple of orders of buffalo wings. I couldn't have been happier. The service was friendly and efficient, the wings were hot and the wine was cold. It was not busy at all, maybe because the weather was a little cool. I will say that I thought their appetizer menu was a little limited, but what we had was good. It was a lovely setting and we'll be back.

[LAshby50]

I loved the pot roast as well.

[mrsyarbie]

We went to Bonifay for lunch the day we came to TV to pick out our interior and exterior package. Since we will be living in Sanibel in another week I have to say we were both so disappointed. The menu was so sparse compared to the other country clubs . The experiance and food it is was ok, that is about all we can say about it. My husband is a Florida cracker and he expected it to be more tropical than it is and maybe a little classier since it is a Country Club. We love the casual lifestyle but I guess our expectations were too high after being in so many other of TV country clubs at prior visits. After listening to all of your comments we will try it again and hope it makes a nicer impression. It is walking distance from our new home.
See you in 6 days...

[duffysmom]

Mrsyarbie I so agree with you about the decor. For a country club it's disappointing. To me it's a cheap imitation of a beach restaurant and lacks class. The food is disappointing as well.

[mrsyarbie]

Originally Posted by duffysmom

Mrsyarbie I so agree with you about the decor. For a country club it's disappointing. To me it's a cheap imitation of a beach restaurant and lacks class. The food is disappointing as well.

Thank you Duffys Mom I am glad I was not the only one.I agree with you 100%...

[mac]

Took my family to Bonifay Friday nite while they were here visiting. Since it opened, I have been a big fan of this retaurant and have eaten there weekly. Friday night was awful!!!! I was a fan of the salmon and the meat loaf. The salmon tasted as if it had an entire salt shaker poured on it and was raw in the middle. They replaced that with meatloaf which was two slices of meatloaf which had been recooked on a greasy grill. My sister's talapia was also very salty and the rest of the meals also below average. The manager on duty was insincere in his apology for the salmon and never came to ask about the meatloaf. Nice try Bonifay, you impressed me for a few months but that is it for me!!

[l2ridehd]

What is the problem with new Villages restaurants? They always start out good and then go down hill. Then they are years recovering. Is it that the lease cost is to high? The margin expectations? The quality of management? There is something very pervasive about this issue. Havana was great the first 3 to 6 months and then fell apart. Same with Red Sauce. They have not recovered yet. Sounds like Bonifay is going down the same path. You would think there would be lessons learned about this and that the problems could be resolved.

[Mimivillager]

I agree with Bigben. My hubbie and I started going there when they first opened. We love it there and go every week. We both really enjoy the salmon salad-cooked to perfection and the salad greens are fresh and crisp.
The fish sandwich is tilapia which we love too. Fish and chips is haddock and is their most popular entree and delicious too.
We love the beach decor (light and refreshing) and the bar chairs are very comfortable. The wait staff is friendly and service is great. They changed their happy hour to 2-5 so we have to go earlier than we like now, but it is worth it.
I took a group of 32 ladies for lunch and we were treated superbly.
We live south of 466 so the golf cart drive is not so far for us.

[jimbo2012]

The rent in the Squares is $30 a foot, not sure what the CC's get but likely around that or upto $40 a foot.

So a 5000' restaurant pays like $15,000 a month rent.

But the big investment is setting the place up.

The national failure rate is over 30%

I think when they open they have the A team in there managing everything then that team or the owner thinks everything is setup and working well after a few months and moves to the next project or just takes a back seat.

Most restaurateurs are known to work 60 hour work weeks compromising their quality of life and sacrificing their family lives.

Entrepreneurial Incompetence:
Most restaurateurs enter the restaurant business as entrepreneurs chasing the dream of owning their own business.

Most restaurant owners may lack the necessary prior business experience to manage their restaurants. Lack of prior experience in a related field makes new restaurateurs more vulnerable to failures.

Leadership
Obsession with Product and Service Quality is a recipe for success in the restaurant industry. This obsession applies to fast food, casual, upscale or fine-dining. The restaurant operator must maintain a pulse on guests’ likes and dislikes at all times by constantly asking the guest for “complaints” – how can we be your favorite restaurant and make you a fanatically loyal repeat guest? When the operator demonstrates this approach to the business, the employees will reflect the same attitude. This infectious attitude will make the difference between success and failure.

This last reason maybe what's going on here?

Not sure I Only walked thru the place when visiting.

[nitehawk]

Originally Posted by duffysmom

Mrsyarbie I so agree with you about the decor. For a country club it's disappointing. To me it's a cheap imitation of a beach restaurant and lacks class. The food is disappointing as well.

i too agree - I also think the golf course is a cheap imitation of a real golf course one big flat links course - no trees for shad or character to make it different cheap - cheap

[ditzyfitzy]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

It is noisy inside, not much to absorb sound, very cute but not...I am trying to think of a word, maybe cosy? relaxing?

Decent food but not awesome.

My sentiments, exactly. Been there for both lunch and dinner---same menu---and nothing to write "home" about....

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by ditzyfitzy

My sentiments, exactly. Been there for both lunch and dinner---same menu---and nothing to write "home" about....

But. BUT,the food is not expensive.