[cquick]

We just had lunch at Bonifay. This is only the second time we have gone there. The food is great, but the service is terrible. We went for early lunch, and there were very few tables filled. They put us right next to the kitchen, again! The first time we went, they were busy, so I didn't mind it. But this time there were many nice tables and half booths to sit at with a view of something other than the kitchen and the place they clean off the dirty dishes and throw out the garbage. I mentioned it to the hostess, and she acted as if I insulted her. Sure they offered to move us, but the point is....we shouldn't have been put there in the first place. My son is in a wheelchair, so I guess they thought we wouldn't care.....but it really ruined my meal.

Our server was ok, but certainly not friendly. Very unwelcoming.

It's too bad. We live in Sanibel, so Bonifay Country Club is the closest place for us to go have a meal. I guess we'll give them one more try.

[buggyone]

Originally Posted by cquick

We just had lunch at Bonifay. This is only the second time we have gone there. The food is great, but the service is terrible. We went for early lunch, and there were very few tables filled. They put us right next to the kitchen, again! The first time we went, they were busy, so I didn't mind it. But this time there were many nice tables and half booths to sit at with a view of something other than the kitchen and the place they clean off the dirty dishes and throw out the garbage. I mentioned it to the hostess, and she acted as if I insulted her. Sure they offered to move us, but the point is....we shouldn't have been put there in the first place. My son is in a wheelchair, so I guess they thought we wouldn't care.....but it really ruined my meal.

Our server was ok, but certainly not friendly. Very unwelcoming.

It's too bad. We live in Sanibel, so Bonifay Country Club is the closest place for us to go have a meal. I guess we'll give them one more try.

Did you sit down and then go ask the hostess to re-seat you? I frequently am shown to a table and before we sit down, tell the hostess that I would rather sit elsewhere and am always gladly accomodated.

Bonifay CC is a very pretty restaurant and bar; the servers and bartenders are very friendly to me; and the food is also pretty good.

Basically, being reseated because you did not like the first table is not a good reason to be so angry that it ruined your meal. Just smile and ask to sit in a booth or just say you would not care to sit next to the kitchen.

[jnieman]

I agree I wouldn't want to sit next to the kitchen. I can't imagine they would have done it because your son was in a wheelchair. If I don't like the seat they give me, I speak up and indicate where I'd like to sit. I think they tend to divide up the customers so that each waiter has an equal number especially when they are slow. I've always had good service at Bonifay. We ate there last night and the service was very good. The food was fine, not the greatest, but the atmosphere makes up for it. There were very few people seated on the patio I think because it was warm out there. I walked out there after dinner and didn't notice any flies so I'm hoping that is under control now.

[Mimivillager]

We go every week for dinner and sit at the bar. Dennis and Carrie are really great. We know what we like to order there and it is always good. They have wonderful fish dinners.
I do realize you can't sit at the bar however.

[cquick]

Originally Posted by buggyone

Did you sit down and then go ask the hostess to re-seat you? I frequently am shown to a table and before we sit down, tell the hostess that I would rather sit elsewhere and am always gladly accomodated.

Bonifay CC is a very pretty restaurant and bar; the servers and bartenders are very friendly to me; and the food is also pretty good.

Basically, being reseated because you did not like the first table is not a good reason to be so angry that it ruined your meal. Just smile and ask to sit in a booth or just say you would not care to sit next to the kitchen.

Yes, we could have asked to be reseated......But my point is that just because we have a person in a wheelchair, we shouldn't automatically be given the worst table in the restaurant...twice. The first time the restaurant was pretty busy, this time there were plenty of nice tables.

I suppose the staff was unfriendly because I said we didn't like being seated by the kitchen.....

[cquick]

Originally Posted by buggyone

Basically, being reseated because you did not like the first table is not a good reason to be so angry that it ruined your meal. Just smile and ask to sit in a booth or just say you would not care to sit next to the kitchen.

I wasn't angry, I just thought it was not professional.....they should be able to handle all types of diners, from the golfers to old people with canes and walkers to young people in wheelchairs.....

That is my point.

[jgbama]

We've experienced the dreaded "kitchen door table", so now DW tells the hostess, while leaving the hostess station, our seating preference. It doesn't bother me because I don't have to cook it or clean up afterwards!

[Roaddog53]

Originally Posted by cquick

Yes, we could have asked to be reseated......But my point is that just because we have a person in a wheelchair, we shouldn't automatically be given the worst table in the restaurant...twice. The first time the restaurant was pretty busy, this time there were plenty of nice tables.

I suppose the staff was unfriendly because I said we didn't like being seated by the kitchen.....

I doubt IMHO that the hostess thought, they have someone in a wheelchair so let's put them by the kitchen. I agree with the post that just said they split guests by waiter and you happened to get picked for that one again. but, MAYBE that area, without picturing it, is larger than other areas that would allow for better wheelchair access too. Maybe they were trying to be helpful although it may have not seemed that way to you.
I also speak up either before I am seated or at the hostess desk on what I would like for seating. No issues hat way. The wait staff and food have always been good when we go there.

[amazingone]

Originally Posted by cquick

We just had lunch at Bonifay. This is only the second time we have gone there. The food is great, but the service is terrible. We went for early lunch, and there were very few tables filled. They put us right next to the kitchen, again! The first time we went, they were busy, so I didn't mind it. But this time there were many nice tables and half booths to sit at with a view of something other than the kitchen and the place they clean off the dirty dishes and throw out the garbage. I mentioned it to the hostess, and she acted as if I insulted her. Sure they offered to move us, but the point is....we shouldn't have been put there in the first place. My son is in a wheelchair, so I guess they thought we wouldn't care.....but it really ruined my meal.

Our server was ok, but certainly not friendly. Very unwelcoming.

It's too bad. We live in Sanibel, so Bonifay Country Club is the closest place for us to go have a meal. I guess we'll give them one more try.

Aside from where you sit, did I notice in this morning's paper that their $5.99 Breakfast Buffet is now $6.99 not including beverage. That's a 17% increase which now brings the formerly advertised $5.99 Buffet to about $9.00 with coffee and tax. Add a tip and it's $11.00.

[Roaddog53]

Originally Posted by amazingone

Aside from where you sit, did I notice in this morning's paper that their $5.99 Breakfast Buffet is now $6.99 not including beverage. That's a 17% increase which now brings the formerly advertised $5.99 Buffet to about $9.00 with coffee and tax. Add a tip and it's $11.00.

Heard that one too! I stopped going for breakfast. Quite an increase. I could see an ~3-4% to $6.25? Maybe the $5.99 price was their introductory offer to get people in the door.

[Bonny]

It's one thing to say the service was bad & the server was unfriendly, but to say they discriminate against people in wheel chairs is kind of an unfair statement unless you know this for a fact.

[designerko]

I go to Bonifay quite often. Service and food has been improving since they opened, but a couple of nights ago the waitress "forgot" us several times for long lengths of time, so I had to find her. Too bad had first-time guests with me for a bad first impression. It was late, it took over 40 minutes to get a salad and burgers and we had to send back the limp fries, but they cheerfully recooked fresh crispy ones for us.

Last week a waiter "took" our table after seeing we had been sitting unattended for quite a while at lunch. Then I saw the two of them having a quible over by the kitchen door but in plain sight, and within earshot of us. But our waiter performed well in spite of being sniped at by his colleague.

Hope management tunes in here to see they might need some customer service training.

[Bogie Shooter]

I suppose if you went everyday for breakfast the extra $1.00 would add up (?).
But to stop going completely.................come on.

[Golfingnut]

We have had very good food and service the times we have gone there. We do eat early and that may help.

[CaptJohn]

Maybe people are seated near the kitchen when a place is empty so the help won't have go too far to serve and take empty plates, etc. away when cleaning up.
Maybe just laziness?