[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by Warren Kiefer

The problem here is that I took my family to a restaurant for dinner, not to see a show. And the only way to even view the performance f we wanted to, was to leave our chairs and go stand at the railing. I did just this for a moment and what I saw was the top of the singers head. Is Cattle Barons a musical venue or a restaurant????

I can appreciate your not being happy with the surcharge since it was not disclosed when you made your reservation. If you did not care about seeing the show from your table, then why not ask to switch to a table without the surcharge, presuming one was available?

[Warren Kiefer]

I hope this is my last comment and plan to just let it go. What some of you consider a great deal to have them someone performing while persons are having dinner, I consider the performance to be an invasion into a quiet dinner with my family, I was not there to watch a show.... The performers were so loud that we were unable have a conversation at our table and as to ringside seats, there are no ringside seats upstairs. I suppose one could call it ringside standing and if so what you see is a warped view from high above the performers. Usually there is a break between shows from 6 to 7 PM and this is exactly why I made 6 PM reservations.

[mac9]

If the performance is a distraction to dinner, why did you ask to sit at the railing? Surely you would have been less disturbed further back. Just doesn't make sense to me.

[buggyone]

The shows at Katie Belle's are very good and they do have a $5 per person minimum charge. The $6 for the rail seats at Cattle Baron's is reasonable. However, the food at Cattle Baron's and Katie Belle's stinks - literally. It is low quality food and is not fresh. I have personally observed the servers putting salad fixings back into the salad bowls after it has been on the floor. I do not mind having a few drinks there while watching a show but NEVER would I eat anything from that filthy place.

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by mac9

If the performance is a distraction to dinner, why did you ask to sit at the railing? Surely you would have been less disturbed further back. Just doesn't make sense to me.

As I said earlier I had planned my reservation at a time when there is not normally a performance. I am sure that not all seating at cattle Baron is that desirable, I have at times been placed in the main dining area, it was crowded and not all that comfortable. Am sure you would agree that the best place to enjoy the asthetics and beauty of the interior of the Cattle Barons is in the railing areas. It is as simple as that.

[REDCART]

Originally Posted by buggyone

The shows at Katie Belle's are very good and they do have a $5 per person minimum charge. The $6 for the rail seats at Cattle Baron's is reasonable. However, the food at Cattle Baron's and Katie Belle's stinks - literally. It is low quality food and is not fresh...

We've been going to Cattle Baron for seven years, mostly with friends who seemed to enjoy it, (or maybe liked the price.) The food was never anything special but in the last six months CB has gone from bad to worse, and we agree with Buggyone that's it's become a horrible place to eat. We won't be going back.

George

[jblum315]

My opinion of Cattle Baron: It is supposed to be special, like a supper club, out of the ordinary. When I went there with party of six, I had forgotten about the entetainment and didn't realize how loud it would be. We could not talk. The food was a bit less than mediocre - the salad bar greens were brownish, the food was tepid and bland. It felt like trying to dine in a disco. No thanks.

[Golfingnut]

Please review the menu for pricing in this Link:
Fontainebleau : Menus

Now that is a top quality Steakhouse with prices that reflect the quality.

Katie Bells was never intended to compete with that type restaurant. If they did, the vast majority of The Villages residents would not participate due to the price of meals.

On the other hand, you can go to Katie Bells and have entertainment, and ok food at about 20 % the cost of a quality steak house.

We would rather go out 2 or three times a week and the prices in The Villages gives us that option.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by buggyone

The shows at Katie Belle's are very good and they do have a $5 per person minimum charge. The $6 for the rail seats at Cattle Baron's is reasonable. However, the food at Cattle Baron's and Katie Belle's stinks - literally. It is low quality food and is not fresh. I have personally observed the servers putting salad fixings back into the salad bowls after it has been on the floor. I do not mind having a few drinks there while watching a show but NEVER would I eat anything from that filthy place.

buggyone: Good to read that you out and about... As pleasing is the fact that you and I agree on something...with once exception I wouldn't step one foot into either of those restaurants. I view them to be for the tourist.

[Golfingnut]

I would recommend that if your interest truly is for quality and a quiet classy dinner out with friends or family that you give Nancy Lopez Legacy a look. It has both and I feel the best of both for any club in The Villages.

[buggyone]

Originally Posted by rubicon

buggyone: Good to read that you out and about... As pleasing is the fact that you and I agree on something...with once exception I wouldn't step one foot into either of those restaurants. I view them to be for the tourist.

Rubicon, my friend, I post only an a rare basis now that the Political Forum is no longer available. Things are going great and I hope the same for you.

I do like Katie Belle's when Rocky and the Rollers or Cactus Jack and the Cadillacs perform. I do not eat there but the drinks are good. There is a $5 minimum per person at Katie Belle's and I do not mind that at all.