[Phyrst]

We have been Viilages home owners for two years, full time residents since April and are truly happy to be in Pradise. Is it just me, or has the Havana restararaunt service/quality changed recently? I'm not talking about the ridiculous noise petition [generated by someone who should have had the common sense to realize the pros and cons of having a golf course lot], but rather the employee turnover and quality of service. We enjoy the proximity to the club and the patrons. Thoughts??

[chickeepoo]

I agree with you 100%. It should not take 10 minutes to get served even if it is just for a glass of tea. And now that they are moving the entertainment inside, I see them eventually getting rid of the entertainment all together.

[chachacha]

it is too bad the entertainment was moved inside...there was something so luxurious about sitting on the patio on a balmy evening looking at the golf course...the music was SO loud, however, that instead of moving it inside they could easily have lowered the decibel level a few notches and everyone could still be happy, even the grumpy folks who ruined it by complaining.

[KathieI]

Well, we're taking the lemon that was handed to us and trying to make "lemonade" out of it. I think the music inside can be a lot of fun. There are a few changes being made that will enhance the entertainment and give us a greater enjoyment and will not create a problem for the diners and the neighbors (although most of the neighbors I've spoken to actually liked hearing the music from their lanai's). Hopefully this will all be resolved in the next few weeks and we can make Havana the new HOT SPOT in TV just like we have done with RJ Gators.

I do not believe the entertainment will be totally eliminated at Havana, they are making too much money at the bar to have that happen. Having the music inside is probably also helping the bar tabs which is good for the establishment.

To respond to Phyrst's question, the mgt of HCC is trying hard to improve the menu to accommodate us, they have a new salad bar and also are offering sandwiches on special menus. The other day, I went there with 4 friends after the gym for b'fast and had the scrambled egg bagel breakfast. It was delicious along with the home fried potatoes. Excellent job, we all loved it.

[SunnyDaze]

There are some really good people working at these clubs and restaurants. Many are young people who are trying to raise their families as best they can. Many we have met are single parents or newly married, and some with two and three jobs, just trying to make ends meet. We should not forget that we were young and starting out once ourselves. This is not to say to accept bad service, cause as there are some good ones, there just as many if not more bad ones.

That being said....

When we moved here a few months back and met Don for the first time he talked of all the changes he was implementing at Havana. I have not been a fan of Havana, but that being said, I'm trying to like them again. Had the blackened chicken sandwich last week, it was okay. Not raving about it, but it was okay. When there I saw Don, he again spoke of all these changes. He's talked of changes for months, yet no change. Is this just lip service just like the whole "Under New Management" smokescreen? Are guest complaints in September more important than guests complaints in June? And I mean changes more substantive than trees on the patio.

Much can be told about a restaurant just by looking at the employees. The proplem with Havana is it's staff reflects it's management.

There's poor communication within management, and it shows. If you have a manager who is approachable and INTERACTING with everyone, the staff's going to work together. But if you have a manager who displays an attitude of arrogance and entitlement, spends most of their time sitting down eating, if they could be found at all, then the staff reflects that.

But remember, most of these kids work hard. Especially if they are working at a place like Havana, they're trying to make their money selling a usually sub-par product. That's gotta be tough, day in and day out, IMHO.

[starflyte1]

We are fairly new to TV and have started trying the clubs for food. We both think that Havana is one of the better places. Had trout last night that was delicious. We have been there three times, and the service and food were great. The hostess and server could not have been nicer.

[gemorc]

Well now my day is complete, ANOTHER thread about Havana.

[784caroline]

Our Saturday Golf group, that comes primarily from Hadley and surrounding villages. specifically avoids Havana for dinner after golf because of the groups collective (bad) experiences at Havana .....they rather go to Mallory or Cane Garden. Until management changes that mind set, it will be a rough road ahead for Havana...especially since other options are available.

[jmarkohio]

Amen!

[graciegirl]

Kathie. Everyone appreciates the hard work you are doing promoting the excellent entertainment at Havana. Good work.

However, that being said, there are a lot of folks who want to go there just to eat. Cooking is not so hard really, but you have to know what you are doing. People are willing to overlook slow service if the meal is hot, satisfying, and not too expensive, especially if it is good but not wonderful.

That is all they need to do. Cook simple things well. Many restaurants use premade entrees. Many shorten their menu, and many hire good cooks. It seems that one or all might be the ticket to a decent fare. If the manager, owner doesn't see the problem, there isn't going to be a solution. And that is a shame, it is pretty place and convenient to all of us living in Hadley, Duval, Hemingway, Bonita and Amelia, and not too far down Morse from anyone else.

I wish they would get their act together. Then we would eat there more often and stay and watch our Kathie, the dancin' queen!!.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Kathie. Everyone appreciates the hard work you are doing promoting the excellent entertainment at Havana. Good work.

However, that being said, there are a lot of folks who want to go there just to eat. Cooking is not so hard really, but you have to know what you are doing. People are willing to overlook slow service if the meal is hot, satisfying, and not too expensive, especially if it is good but not wonderful.

That is all they need to do. Cook simple things well. Many restaurants use premade entrees. Many shorten their menu, and many hire good cooks. It seems that one or all might be the ticket to a decent fare. If the manager, owner doesn't see the problem, there isn't going to be a solution. And that is a shame, it is pretty place and convenient to all of us living in Hadley, Duval, Hemingway, Bonita and Amelia, and not too far down Morse from anyone else.

I wish they would get their act together. Then we would eat there more often and stay and watch our Kathie, the dancin' queen!!.

Well said, Gracie. Havana's recent menu reminds me of Denny's.
A far cry from what chef George Stella had in mind.

Skip

[CTgolfer]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Kathie. Everyone appreciates the hard work you are doing promoting the excellent entertainment at Havana. Good work.

However, that being said, there are a lot of folks who want to go there just to eat. Cooking is not so hard really, but you have to know what you are doing. People are willing to overlook slow service if the meal is hot, satisfying, and not too expensive, especially if it is good but not wonderful.

That is all they need to do. Cook simple things well. Many restaurants use premade entrees. Many shorten their menu, and many hire good cooks. It seems that one or all might be the ticket to a decent fare. If the manager, owner doesn't see the problem, there isn't going to be a solution. And that is a shame, it is pretty place and convenient to all of us living in Hadley, Duval, Hemingway, Bonita and Amelia, and not too far down Morse from anyone else.

I wish they would get their act together. Then we would eat there more often and stay and watch our Kathie, the dancin' queen!!.

I agree. It's very difficult to get our golf group to stop at Havana for lunch or dinner. Too many disappointing meals. In fact, just to be sure, my husband I went for dinner a few weeks ago. Nothing has changed. Good service, but food was a notch below okay. We keep trying because we don't want the restaurant to not make it.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by KathieI

Well, we're taking the lemon that was handed to us and trying to make "lemonade" out of it. I think the music inside can be a lot of fun. There are a few changes being made that will enhance the entertainment and give us a greater enjoyment and will not create a problem for the diners and the neighbors (although most of the neighbors I've spoken to actually liked hearing the music from their lanai's). Hopefully this will all be resolved in the next few weeks and we can make Havana the new HOT SPOT in TV just like we have done with RJ Gators.

I do not believe the entertainment will be totally eliminated at Havana, they are making too much money at the bar to have that happen. Having the music inside is probably also helping the bar tabs which is good for the establishment.

To respond to Phyrst's question, the mgt of HCC is trying hard to improve the menu to accommodate us, they have a new salad bar and also are offering sandwiches on special menus. The other day, I went there with 4 friends after the gym for b'fast and had the scrambled egg bagel breakfast. It was delicious along with the home fried potatoes. Excellent job, we all loved it.

You know, I have not been there all summer so I really have no right to say anything. It looks like it is improving. So glad of that.

[Whatever]

No one wants to see any business go under. However, after all this time they cannot get it right then they deserve to go. I'm sure another restaurant will come in with a different attitude and food. There are just too many complaints in this thread for Havana to continue whatever it is doing. There have been many second, third, and more chances by the Villagers.

[spk7951]

Originally Posted by Whatever

No one wants to see any business go under. However, after all this time they cannot get it right then they deserve to go. I'm sure another restaurant will come in with a different attitude and food. There are just too many complaints in this thread for Havana to continue whatever it is doing. There have been many second, third, and more chances by the Villagers.

Very good points. The menu has changed a few times, the servers have changed and even the kitchen staff has seen changes. And as mentioned the residents have given the restaurant many chances but throughout all of this only one area has remained the same. Any guesses???