[Hummintwo]

My one and only experience with Las Tapas was disappointing in several ways. We were a party of 14. I arrived in advance of our party after phoning Las Tapas to be sure they could accommodate our size group at 12 noon and a special needs diet of one of our group. The answer from the Manager at that time was yes to both questions. A hostess approached, told me that had prepared a section for our group and a server was assigned to accommodate the group's dining experience.

From this point, it was down hill. We were seated, beverage orders were taken by the server and then we waited. No flatware, no napkins, and waiting on our beverages. The beverages arrive, distribute, and retrieved flatware and napkins as we chatted.

The server then proceeded to take the lunch order from each of us (group of 14). She then left us to turn in our orders. The restaurant should have been delighted to have this large group because there was only two tables occupied (four customers).

We waited and waited, and finally asked our server when she did re-appear when we could expect our lunch orders to be delivered to our table. She said soon. She disappeared again before we realized some of us needed refills of our beverage orders. We waited and then our server reappeared with two of the meal orders. As she returned to the kitchen, someone from the kitchen assisted in delivering more lunch orders over the next 10 minutes or thereabouts. We told our server we would need our beverage choices refilled and she did handle that as well. She not only was out of sight most of the time, she also did not have any team support. Remember, there were only four other customers during our lunchtime visit this past August. Before she concluded getting refills of all beverages, I asked her to see two specific guests to receive payment in advance of the service.

She not only did not follow the instructions, she went to the most senior of the group with the bill. This guest gave her his credit card before anyone was aware of what happened. I was furious but contained my frustration to continue enjoying the group.

I (we) have not returned. I think pairs and four tops can be accommodated but large groups should seek other options in the Villages.

[Indydealmaker]

No restaurant manager is ever prepared for the Mega-group Villages Dining Phenomenon. For some inexplicable reason people here eat in herds. A very difficult challenge for a restaurant. Too many meals that have to arrive hot and timely all at one table disrupts the service to all of the other diners.

Why eat this way? You can't hear anything. You can't converse with more than two or three friends that are closest to you. Large groups dining like this are just an invitation to dining disaster.

Restaurants here should have special limited menus for groups of 8 or more.

[sunnyatlast]

Originally Posted by Indydealmaker

No restaurant manager is ever prepared for the Mega-group Villages Dining Phenomenon. For some inexplicable reason people here eat in herds. A very difficult challenge for a restaurant. Too many meals that have to arrive hot and timely all at one table disrupts the service to all of the other diners.

Why eat this way? You can't hear anything. You can't converse with more than two or three friends that are closest to you. Large groups dining like this are just an invitation to dining disaster.

Restaurants here should have special limited menus for groups of 8 or more.

So true. It's not even enjoyable to dine in big groups where you can't hear anybody who's not seated directly beside or across from you.

Large groups are what banquet facilities and banquet servers scheduled specifically for the occasion are for.

[tomwed]

What I like about the villages is that you can go to a restaurant with 11 friends and get separate checks on a whim. I can live like a millionaire.

Now if I was a millionaire I would think like others on the thread and just hire a hall and a caterer and not care about the cost.