chucksmom

The name is “Woodbridge Crossing Fine Dining And Spirits” and with the stock photos on the website, you would think you wouldn’t be at a family style restaurant…but you are…at BEST!

All of the staff seemed consfused and rushed. The one of two hosteses came to the hostess station three times, but did not acknowledged the two customers (me and my date) standing there. Finally, I smiled and said “hello, we have a reservation.” (Which I must of spoke in language unfamilier to her, because we still waited for 5 minutes befroe we were asked what name the reservation was under.) She was contantly looking at three sheets of paper with names crossed out (notably ablsent was any schematic showing the dining room and what tables were occupied or empty.) The two just walked around with lists in their hand staring at empty tables and the lists, looking blankly.

We were seated at a table for 4 (the two of us) and the small space behind our table was used as a thoroughfare for staff, who were too laze to move the serving cart and chair out of the obvious aisle way. So, until I got so sick of bending over towards the table that I move, I had servers rushing behind me CONSTANTLY. (Why they were moving so fast I still can’t understand….it was definately not an idicator of speedy service.)

The menu was limited and had obviously inflated (price-wise) for the Valentine’s Day Weekend. Of course there was nothing even close to the grilled offering shown on their website. Or the light tasty salad pictured. Our salads were iceburg lettuce and 3-bean salad on the side with a ton of dressing. Then entrees were served with tasteless waterlogged vegetables and a baked potato. The baked potatoe was fine, but when we asked if they had chives the server corrected us and said “oh, you want green onions?” we didn’t correct her ignorance at correcting her, were just said sure. Of course she never came back with them. I finally asked if were possible to get some “green onions” when she came to fill our COMPLETELY empty water glasses, she ran away, without filling the glasses, but did bring a half cup of chopped green onion for us to put on our half eaten potatoes.

I do have to say my filet was cooked a proper medium, as requested, but it was topped with mushrooms that were tasteless and becuse the menu was “special” it say that I wouldn’t be getting a grilled filet, but a grilled fillet with amound of unseasoned mushrooms with load of green onions. But I scraped them off, and the filet was really tender. My date’s shrip were standard frozen, battered shrimp.

Then after the lousy service, in the loud dining room, the music started in the bar. We couldn’t carry on a conversation, so we were resolved to just eat the rest of our meal and GET OUT!

The staff, in hyper speed, started moving tables back to the dining room, which was very disruptive and the of what service we did have ceased. Our server, who I saw on the way out, didn’t even come back to our table to pick up the credit card. Another server came and took the payment and said “whaterver-her-name-was” said “thank you.” I had already warned my boyfriend that if he left her a 20% tip, I’d kill him.

If I were at a pub, none of this would have bothered me (well maybe the noise.) However, we were not paying pub prices and they billed themselves as fine dining. We would have been much better off going to Chilli’s!

I’ve tried Clayton’s several times and have to say that most of the time they hit their target goal of hightlighting local foods. I’ve had their Fiscalini Cheese plate several times and have alway enjoyed it. They also have their Simple Salad, which is usually a large portion of greens with locally grown toppings. However, the thing that makes Clayton’s a 3 and not a 4 or 5 is that they’re inconsistent. The owners seem to have a problem with training their staff and those who are smart enough, or have the background to know how things SHOULD BE leave. Therefore, their turnover is high with qualified servers and those retained don’t know what they’re doing. It’s a beautiful restaurant, with an excellent bar, but for some reason they get a good bartender and them make them another untrained server. As long a the Gallo Center is open and people wander in and there is a 50/50 chance of good service, they’ll make it. But, they’re making it on mediocrity not with the good food and drink they have the ability to serve.

This past weekend my boyfriend and I went to the Sardine Factory. After walking the warf and seeing the chains and seemingly overpriced, pretentious restaurants we headed away from the main street and saw the Sardine Factory. I love a great meal and service and he loves a great price. We were both won over. We didn’t have reservations so we sat in the lounge. Here is where I thought the service would suffer, but it did not. Our server was attentive and pleasant and the atmosphere was kinda old steakhouse. They have two pri fix menus. One a four course for $15.95 and the second a three course for $19.95. They also had excellent cocktails for $5.95. I had a Key Lime Martini and my boyfriend a Lemon Drop, both were tasty. The food was hot, vegitables fress and my petit filet was cooked to perfection. They have a pretty good wine list, which was reasonably priced as well. Very happy we didn’t take the time to go to the hotel, change and go back out searching for a place to dne. This was the perfect place to “happen upon.”