Originally Posted by Laura (Post 841185)

This is a fairly new restaurant where the food is excellent.

Originally Posted by bonrich (Post 852995)

Went there for dinner Wednesday night. Got there around 5:30 and the place was packed inside and outside. Tried to call earlier to make a reservation and they were not taking any. We, party of 6, waited outside and finally had to go inside as the weather cooled down. Packed inside also with people waiting. We were finally seated 2 hours later, around 7:30. Main problem was there were large parties of 12 or 18 that were seated, so serving time and the lack of tables for smaller groups were used up.
Once seated though waitress was right there to take food and drink orders, and our dinners were served in a short amount of time.
It seems as thought the restaurant is going to have to limit the number of large parties to be seated at the prime time of the dinner hour. We did see a number of people leave when given the waiting time.
Food was very good with a varied and unique choices.

Originally Posted by NECHFalcon68 (Post 853026)

Was there last Friday. Party of 10, we called ahead. Got there at 5, seated at 6, orders taken at 625, food was served at 740. We are thinking that the kitchen can't handle the load. On our way out (about 830-ish), I overheard someone remark "how can there be a 45 minute wait when they have open tables?"

We sat upstairs with a great view of the lake and beach. The setting and view is the big selling point.

IMO the food was OK and flavorful, I had the salmon. One of our group had the shrimp and grits, which he said was overly creamy and somewhat cold. I took his word, I'm not a grits person....

Our opinions may be tainted due to how long it took to be served....

Originally Posted by bonrich (Post 852995)

Went there for dinner Wednesday night. Got there around 5:30 and the place was packed inside and outside. Tried to call earlier to make a reservation and they were not taking any. We, party of 6, waited outside and finally had to go inside as the weather cooled down. Packed inside also with people waiting. We were finally seated 2 hours later, around 7:30. Main problem was there were large parties of 12 or 18 that were seated, so serving time and the lack of tables for smaller groups were used up.
Once seated though waitress was right there to take food and drink orders, and our dinners were served in a short amount of time.
It seems as thought the restaurant is going to have to limit the number of large parties to be seated at the prime time of the dinner hour. We did see a number of people leave when given the waiting time.
Food was very good with a varied and unique choices.

Originally Posted by Indydealmaker (Post 853354)

I have never been able to figure out why anybody would want to go out to eat in a group larger than two or three couples. There is no way to converse with most everyone at the table without shouting. Also, it is harder to get seated and a burden on the kitchen and your servers to get everyone served at the same time. Quality absolutely has to suffer.

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter (Post 853331)

They don't take reservations...................call ahead and ask to be put on their list.
Doubt they will be limiting any parties.
Those people that left, had that choice, wait or leave. This is not the fault of the restaurant.

Originally Posted by bonrich (Post 854544)

Well, they are at fault to a degree. Assume the large party of 18 took up 5 tables for at least 2 1/2 hours. I believe a restaurant wants to turn a table every 1 1/4 hour. So 5 tables seating 4 (20 total) and a possible turn of 1 1/2 to 2 turns in that time period vs serving 18 and one turn, can add up to a substantial loss. Add to that coffee and dessert for some means more time lost. Also more than one waiter is going to be needed, cutting the availability of staff waiting on the other tables that are seated. Then, the time that the kitchen staff is taking to plate and serve so most of the large table can eat at the same time. Then the kitchen staff has to get back up and going to take care of all the other tables waiting for their dinner which is now back logged all the way to the patrons waiting to be seated.

Kind of like a whirlpool.

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter (Post 854566)

So? Its there game and they set the rules. And there does not appear to be a lack of customers.