[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.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by GILMERMURRAY

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.

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

Skip

[KathieI]

Originally Posted by Skip

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]

Originally Posted by KathieI

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]

Originally Posted by Taj44

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by MaryGoRound

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!!

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

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]

Originally Posted by 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!!

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

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]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

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.