[The Great Fumar]

Have to say that Cane Gardens is still one of my three favorite places to dine......Its a neat spot......

bring my own chair Fumar

[Indy-Guy]

No one should be treated rudely.

I do have one thought and that is, there is a sign outside that states see hostess for seating. Perhaps if at arrivial that the hostess was told what you were wanting this would have not happened.

Just a thought from someone who wasn't there but read your post and from what you said it appears to me that you took it upon yourself to rearrange their resturant with out asking for what you wanted.

[Mallory]

Not defending perceived rude treatment, but I believe most of the clubs have signs asking patrons coming in from the courses to check in at the hostess stand before just taking a table.

[dillywho]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

The restaurant has to suck it up. You never turn any customer away under any circumstances. Drink customers are as valuable as dinner customers, and as was pointed out, provide a higher profit margin.

How dare any business establishment set rules for which customer is more valuable than another. So what if taking chairs from other tables is a problem, that's not the customers problem.

What next, are they going to post a sign saying, "all customers must spend at least $40 or they can't sit down. Hogwash, I say. It would have been different if they had brought their own drinks and put them on the table.

Now, their little shell game of who sits where has earned them a post here on Talk of The Villages so that it can be seen 30,000 times today.

I can just hear it......"dearie.......you can't sit there, that table is for our real customers who eat, not just drink."

POST SCRIPT. I was just telling my wife about this and she said a lady friend of hers went to the same restaurant last week and as her group was just finishing their lunch, they were admonished by the server to "hurry up" and finish (they still had some food and drinks left, they were not loafing) because the table was needed for the next group.

Maybe there was misunderstanding on both sides, but there is never an excuse for telling diners to "hurry up" so they can seat someone else. I am a fast eater, but I have friends who do not eat fast...ever. Why do the servers offer more tea, coffee, etc. if you are not supposed to finish it?? If there is a time limit for meals and/or groups, it should be stated up front.

[diskman]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

The restaurant has to suck it up. You never turn any customer away under any circumstances. Drink customers are as valuable as dinner customers, and as was pointed out, provide a higher profit margin.

How dare any business establishment set rules for which customer is more valuable than another. So what if taking chairs from other tables is a problem, that's not the customers problem.

What next, are they going to post a sign saying, "all customers must spend at least $40 or they can't sit down. Hogwash, I say. It would have been different if they had brought their own drinks and put them on the table.

Now, their little shell game of who sits where has earned them a post here on Talk of The Villages so that it can be seen 30,000 times today.

I can just hear it......"dearie.......you can't sit there, that table is for our real customers who eat, not just drink."

POST SCRIPT. I was just telling my wife about this and she said a lady friend of hers went to the same restaurant last week and as her group was just finishing their lunch, they were admonished by the server to "hurry up" and finish (they still had some food and drinks left, they were not loafing) because the table was needed for the next group.

They need to purchase more chairs! nuff said.

[richcork]

We actually were seated at a table next to where the ladies were trying to sit and witnessed the whole debacle. The hostess was very pleasant when she seated us, but came unglued over the chairs. It was very uncomfortable, too, since our friends just arrived an hour earlier for a Village visit and did not need the negative experience. We all agreed it should have been handled better and that management really could have come to the patio area with an apology.

[mpukita]

Originally Posted by rshoffer

That's why I like drinks on my lanai and dinner from my grill.... I make the rules, I set the prices and I chose the menu.

Bingo!

[Shirleevee]

My husband and I had dinner the other night at Cane Gardens and witnessed a waitress treated shabbily by a group of diners. I must say, I commend the waitress for handling the situation. At this time of year when tables are at a premium, tempers and manners seem short.

[chuckster]

witnessed same when group of golfers tried to commandeer a table being set up for diners who were seated shortly thereafter by hostess. Maybe had they gone to hostess first they would have also been seated in turn. Seems reasonable to me........

[graciegirl]

I am constantly amazed and delighted by the people who work at Cane Garden, Mallory, and The Lighthouse. I have NEVER been there that we haven't had the best service by the friendliest and most responsive staff. We always tell them how we enjoy their service and try to tip appropriatly.

Here is why I like them so much. We always can get separate checks with a group and usually they will suggest it. They are very savvy about the menu selections and have a quick sense of humor when teased a little by me. (I can't stay good long) We are not abandoned after the meal and they bring the check with just a little wave from us. (For some reason in some places service is fine except for the bill??) They make us feel comfortable and we enjoy dining in these three places. I vote that they are the best in TV.

[chuckster]

Well said.............I agree with you 100%