Overall, I was very disappointed with how our engagement dinner was handled. From the service to the food setup and communication between the staff and chef, the event felt extremely unorganized. Considering the size of our party and the fact that this establishment hosts private events, I was surprised by the lack of coordination and execution throughout the evening.
I was also very disappointed with the overall plating and table setup. There appeared to be very little communication between the server and the chef regarding how the food should be distributed among the tables. We had four tables, and the children were seated among the adults. There was no designated “kids table,” yet the staff repeatedly stated that the children’s food was being served at one particular table. This resulted in that table not having an adequate amount of adult food for the guests seated there.
The pasta service was another major issue. The server brought out three extremely large and heavy pasta platters even though we had four tables. As a result, one entire table did not receive a pasta platter. The platters were also far too large and heavy for the narrow tables, making them extremely inconvenient and difficult for guests to pass around. This could have easily been avoided with better communication and plate planning between the chef and serving staff. Smaller or appropriately sized platters for each table would have made much more sense.
Additionally, the server and bartender were not dedicated to our event and continued serving other customers. While I understand that the establishment may have other guests, this significantly affected the level of service we received. Whenever we needed assistance, it often took a considerable amount of time to get someone’s attention. For a private engagement dinner, I expected a much higher level of attentiveness and coordination.
There was also an issue with the wine that we had prepaid for. The staff never offered or served the wine during the event, and we ultimately left with three unopened bottles when we prepaid for four bottles. This was especially disappointing since the wine had already been paid for and should have been incorporated into the service without us having to repeatedly ask for it.
Most importantly, the level of service we received was simply not worth the amount of money we paid for this dinner. For the significant cost of hosting an engagement dinner at this establishment, I expected a much higher level of service, organization, attention to detail, and overall execution. The amount paid should have been reflected in the quality of the experience, and unfortunately, it was not. Instead, we experienced multiple service issues that took away from what should have been a very special and memorable occasion.
Overall, I do not feel that this event was executed at the level I would expect from an establishment that hosts large private events and weddings. There were simply too many breakdowns in communication, organization, food distribution, and service. Most of these issues could have been prevented with better planning and communication between the chef, server, bartender, and Angie, the event coordinator.
I work in the hospitality industry myself, and unfortunately, this was one of the poorest executions of a private event that I have personally experienced. For an occasion as important as an engagement dinner, I expected the experience to be organized, seamless, and enjoyable. Instead, I found myself paying attention to service issues and food logistics throughout the evening.
Based on this experience, I would not feel comfortable recommending this establishment for private events, and I do not plan to return. I sincerely hope the management takes this feedback seriously, particularly if they intend to continue hosting large parties, weddings, and other special events.
