[graciegirl]

The inside of that restaurant is so beautiful and the views in back are wonderful but in the three or more years that it has been here I have heard various reports on the food and service and I have had varied experiences there myself.

The last two were...

About two weeks ago I took new visitors to The Villages there for lunch and I ordered a tuna melt that wasn't hot. The server took it back for a microwave zap and returned seconds later and it was still lukewarm. I am uncomfortable now because I just don't complain much about food, but I said "please just leave this in the microwave for a little longer". This time a cook came out and put it in front of me and said "Here! You ain't supposed to warm up stuff with mayonnaise it it.". It was warmer and I ate it. None of us got our drinks refilled but our server had a LOT of tables to care for.

Friday night we went with a BIG group of people from our new village for Friday night dinner. Our fish was absolutely delicious and we had our drinks filled up and everything was just perfect. I enjoyed sitting in the main room and looking at the beautiful upholstery and lovely dark mahogony on the ceilings and the very pretty decor and we really, really, enjoyed the entertainment.

How has the food and service been there for you lately?

[Bill32]

I'll wait for many more good reviews before we try it again.........

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

The inside of that restaurant is so beautiful and the views in back are wonderful but in the three or more years that it has been here I have heard various reports on the food and service and I have had varied experiences there myself.

The last two were...

About two weeks ago I took new visitors to The Villages there for lunch and I ordered a tuna melt that wasn't hot. The server took it back for a microwave zap and returned seconds later and it was still lukewarm. I am uncomfortable now because I just don't complain much about food, but I said "please just leave this in the microwave for a little longer". This time a cook came out and put it in front of me and said "Here! You ain't supposed to warm up stuff with mayonnaise it it.". It was warmer and I ate it. None of us got our drinks refilled but our server had a LOT of tables to care for.

Friday night we went with a BIG group of people from our new village for Friday night dinner. Our fish was absolutely delicious and we had our drinks filled up and everything was just perfect. I enjoyed sitting in the main room and looking at the beautiful upholstery and lovely dark mahogony on the ceilings and the very pretty decor and we really, really, enjoyed the entertainment.

How has the food and service been there for you lately?

We are staying less than a mile from Havana and we have talked about trying it, noting that reviews in the past have been less than stellar. We may try it tonight, as there is a $5 coupon in the DS today. I will try to report what I find, but keep in mind I am pretty easy to please.

[Mudder]

Last week we went there for lunch. Entered, noticed 4 servers sitting at table chatting. Hostess finally came over, we sat outside, love the view, temp was perfect. Ten minutes later when no waitperson had come to our table(two or three had walked by)I got up and grabbed one. We asked about the lunch special, she couldn't explain it to us, etc....we got up and left. On the other hand sometimes the service is wonderful and food is good. I just don't get the inconsistency. Sometimes the salad bar is excellent and well stocked , other times it is old looking and missing half the stuff. I think it's a crap shoot when you go there.

[Mikeod]

Originally Posted by Mudder

Last week we went there for lunch. Entered, noticed 4 servers sitting at table chatting. Hostess finally came over, we sat outside, love the view, temp was perfect. Ten minutes later when no waitperson had come to our table(two or three had walked by)I got up and grabbed one. We asked about the lunch special, she couldn't explain it to us, etc....we got up and left. On the other hand sometimes the service is wonderful and food is good. I just don't get the inconsistency. Sometimes the salad bar is excellent and well stocked , other times it is old looking and missing half the stuff. I think it's a crap shoot when you go there.

I agree about the inconsistency. One day I arrived there and told the hostess I had 28 golfers coming in for lunch. She arranged tables inside near some booths so that all of us could be seated close enough to talk and settle the bets. At other times, a group of 4 seems to be a real problem. On the visit mentioned above, we were served promptly and accurately. On a subsequent visit with 6 people, the wait for service was like Mudder described.

It's a shame. Nice facility, prime location. Terribly inconsistent service and food. Havana's a potential gold mine, but it needs someone to truly take charge and do it right. You can only survive so long by being convenient.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Mudder

Last week we went there for lunch. Entered, noticed 4 servers sitting at table chatting. Hostess finally came over, we sat outside, love the view, temp was perfect. Ten minutes later when no waitperson had come to our table(two or three had walked by)I got up and grabbed one. We asked about the lunch special, she couldn't explain it to us, etc....we got up and left. On the other hand sometimes the service is wonderful and food is good. I just don't get the inconsistency. Sometimes the salad bar is excellent and well stocked , other times it is old looking and missing half the stuff. I think it's a crap shoot when you go there.

I agree. Last week my husband dropped me off to park the car and there were four women standing at the check in place talking to each other. They didn't look at me until my husband joined me and he said "Anyone interested in feeding us?

They didn't come for way too long for drink orders and again for food orders and another LONG time until food came and I had Gracie's Tuna melt and it was lukewarm and only had pickle relish and mayonnaise and a LOT of pickle relish. There were a lot of empty tables. The cooking quality is inconsistent. Sometimes I think they employ their relatives and can't see they aren't doing a good job.

We have found other places to go, even though it is pretty close to us. We still will try it once in awhile for the reason that it is close.

[dfn8tly]

graciegirl;

Please allow me to sum up my reactions. When Havana first opened I was delighted because they are so close to my home. However, my first attempt was a disaster. Being a somewhat forgiving person I chalked it off to start up anxiety. The next exposure was several months later when I decided to try their breakfast menu. I arrived approximately 8:30 a.m. to find I was the only customer in the dining room. I was not received by anyone so I chose a table near the windows. I went completely ignored for 10 or 15 mins. although several servers walked by me. Finally, in a loud voice, I stopped one of them and asked for a menu. Speaking of loud there was a horrendously loud radio playing Latin music blasting from the kitchen. I asked for it to be turned down and it was. I ordered a simple omelet along with toast & coffee. Once my coffee had been served I never saw that wait-person again. By the way, that omelet had never been introduced to a chef. I was now beginning to get a very bad feeling. Following that my next door neighbors took me to lunch for my birthday. Much to my chagrin they chose Havana. This time I decided to order easy and simple. I chose the 1/4 fresh Pineapple salad. How do you screw up a dish like that? Go to Havana and they will teach you.

Now we come to the conclusion and I apologize for the length of my review. After about a year I decided yesterday to give them one more try as I'd heard a couple good reviews, served along with a couple margaritas. I chose to sit at the bar and the bartendress was very nice. As is usual for me, I immediately asked about the soup of the day. I was told it was cream of mushroom Brie. After a couple of questions my barkeep said she had tried it and it tasted pretty good but wasn't very "creamy". She volunteered to get me a sample. It did taste fairly good but the watery base hid it from having any cream consistency. Also, the mushrooms were clearly from a can. I declined. I then asked about the Philly cheese-steak sandwich which was described on the menu as covered in "traditional cheese sauce". I told my server/bartender I was very familiar with both good and bad Philly sandwiches. She said "well, we don't use Provolone we just put on a couple of slices of American. I'd suggest you pass on this". Getting quite frustrated by now, I remembered that the sandwich board special in front of the entrance had listed a ham & cheese sandwich. Again I called my server over and she was clueless! She indicated there was no ham & cheese special but said she would go talk to the chef and get the answer from him. She came back and told me he had said "that shouldn't be there". Now I was getting very hungry and decided to go with a ham & cheese anyway. The thought did cross my mind that I could make a good sandwich at home and it wouldn't cost $9.00. By the way, when I left the establishmen, the ham & cheese was still on the specials board.

Final report - - - the French Fries were crispy!

[pooh]

We girls went to Havana last week after a round of golf....just 6 of us. Waitress set up outside tables for us and got us seated. Took our drink orders and then it was wait, wait for them to arrive. Then food orders were finally taken and it was a LONG wait for our food to get to our table. Some had great food, others had not so great food. The tuna melt was one of the not so great foods.
It was nice sitting outdoors but the wait for only 6 ladies to get their meals was way too long. Inside wasn't crowded, neither was outdoors. Maybe there aren't enough servers? I had the Philly cheesesteak and will not order it again. Oh there was plenty of meat, mushrooms and onions, but the meat was very dry in many parts of the sandwich....not sure if my meal sat under a heat lamp for a while.

It's a beautiful spot and I've had good meals there on other occasions, but this time they didn't really shine.

[RichieLion]

My friends and I have a weekly boys night out on Mondays. Havana is one of the spots where we sometimes stop and eat before heading off to our favorite watering hole for some adult beverages and conversation.

I think the place has really improved. We had a lovely young server the last time we were there and everyone really enjoyed their meal as well. The pizza and Stromboli was very tasty, and my friend and fellow TOTV'er CaptG said his Philly Cheesesteak was the best he had in ages. I had the fettuccine alfredo which came our al-dente in a nicely done sauce.

Havana has earned itself a spot on the dinner rotation of our "boy's night out" gathering. We'll be going back soon.

[wendyquat]

To be short and sweet we have had 3 bad experiences at Havana and won't be back until I see positive postings! We are not hard to please. It just seems someone may need to "clean house" and start over. I hate that the few good servers have to pay for the ineptness of others!

I guess it's 3 strikes and you are out for us!

[mac9]

Gracie, I agree with you about the entertainment on Friday nights. We go every week just to hear them (Goldyrox). We have learned over time what to order and what not to order from the menu. The wait staff does not get much training, and they have a high turnover rate. The manager/owner seems to be trying, but he just can't get it right. I will continue to go on Fridays and will also go on Mondays as I am a fledging karaoke singer and I like Pat who is the KJ on Monday nights. Their drinks are VERY reasonably priced, and Chris, the bartender, makes a mean lemon drop martini! The best things on the menu are the stromboli, pizza, and baked chicken.

[l2ridehd]

I have had a few good meals and several bad meals at Havana. I like the location, the decor and the bar, but it will take some changes before I eat there again. At best they are inconsistent and I will not reward bad places to eat. To many other places that do it right. I hope someday they fix it but it will never happen until they change management.

[MrMark]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

The inside of that restaurant is so beautiful and the views in back are wonderful but in the three or more years that it has been here I have heard various reports on the food and service and I have had varied experiences there myself.

The last two were...

About two weeks ago I took new visitors to The Villages there for lunch and I ordered a tuna melt that wasn't hot. The server took it back for a microwave zap and returned seconds later and it was still lukewarm. I am uncomfortable now because I just don't complain much about food, but I said "please just leave this in the microwave for a little longer". This time a cook came out and put it in front of me and said "Here! You ain't supposed to warm up stuff with mayonnaise it it.". It was warmer and I ate it. None of us got our drinks refilled but our server had a LOT of tables to care for.

Friday night we went with a BIG group of people from our new village for Friday night dinner. Our fish was absolutely delicious and we had our drinks filled up and everything was just perfect. I enjoyed sitting in the main room and looking at the beautiful upholstery and lovely dark mahogony on the ceilings and the very pretty decor and we really, really, enjoyed the entertainment.

How has the food and service been there for you lately?

Need only say you've selected one of my top 3 least favorite Villages locations. For sure, only The Cattle Baron is worse after a very close comparison with Cody's!

[PaPaLarry]

Ate there the other day after golf. Sat at bar with my buddy. Girl at bar had to keep on apologizing for food either late or not done to what customer wanted. We ordered a pizza to share, and apparently they forgot after 25 minutes. Asked girl, and she rushed in check on order. Pizza came out, not fully cooked. (still doughy) I ate a piece, and my buddy (who eats anything) ate the rest. Hehehe. Still, when we were ready to leave, the girl came out with another pizza that was cooked crusty, like a pizza should be. No charge!!! Gave it to my buddy to take home to his wife.

Another thing that bothered me about Havana was, we had received The Village Magazine with the paper the other day, and inside they had different dinners (recipe)from all the different Country Club with pictures. So what does Havana present?? A sandwich!! Cuban Sandwich!! All the other Country Clubs had nice dinner recipes.Comeon, they can do better then that!! That sort of tells me they don't know how to present dinners. A SANDWICH????? One of the people (customer) who was there when they took the picture, and employees were embarassed by it. All they need is someone to take over the restaurant with a better menu. Oh well, thats my experience, for ever its worth. Decoration in restaurants are always nice, but I'm there for the food!!! LOL

[graciegirl]

bump so I can print this one out too and mail it to them.

Hope this helps.

Dear Havana CC. Staff.

We really want to see you succeed. Please read this and try to make changes.

Kind wishes,
Mildred.