573 replies to this topic

[NYTransplant]

RestedTraveler, on Jan 11 2006, 12:10 AM, said:

I have to ask:  what has everyone's service experience at Smoke on the Water been like?  I've tried them twice and have had two very poor experiences.  I'm willing to give them a third strike opportunity before I write the place off altogether, but I can't help but wondering if I'm wasting my time.  The menu is very attractive to me, which is why I'm considering it again.  Maybe it's just the times of the week/day that I'm going there?  Any thoughts or suggestions?

Sorry RT, I haven't been there, but it sounds like a good reason to try it.  You know, take one for the team.

Maybe we should start a restaurant review thread where every month we name a restaurant, and UP'ers visit and write a review that month.  Yummy.

[Greenville]

RestedTraveler, on Jan 10 2006, 11:10 PM, said:

I have to ask:  what has everyone's service experience at Smoke on the Water been like?  I've tried them twice and have had two very poor experiences.  I'm willing to give them a third strike opportunity before I write the place off altogether, but I can't help but wondering if I'm wasting my time.  The menu is very attractive to me, which is why I'm considering it again.  Maybe it's just the times of the week/day that I'm going there?  Any thoughts or suggestions?

I have only eaten there once, and it was within a week or two of the restaurant's opening.  I also thought that the service was questionable.  Nobody did a poor job exactly, but it just seemed unorganized.

First, someone came to our table, gave us menus, and took our drink orders.  Then someone else on staff came over and asked us if we had been helped.  It was strange because it was on the early side of their dinner hours and there weren't many people in the restaurant (it would've been a little more understandable if it were crowded).  Then, two people came back and they explained to us that they were training someone.  The trainee didn't do a poor job, but it seemed a little haphazard and she didn't seem to check on us very often.  That isn't a huge deal for me, because I would much rather be left alone for the most part (except for drink refills) than bothered every few minutes.  So I wouldn't classify it as poor service, but I expected a little more from a restaurant of Smoke on the Water's caliber.

I have not been back there since, but I wouldn't be opposed to giving it another shot.  At the same time, I'm not in a hurry to go back either.

[Greenville]

NYTransplant, on Jan 11 2006, 12:47 PM, said:

Sorry RT, I haven't been there, but it sounds like a good reason to try it.  You know, take one for the team.

Maybe we should start a restaurant review thread where every month we name a restaurant, and UP'ers visit and write a review that month.  Yummy.

I like the idea of a restaurant review thread.  Having everyone's reviews of restaurants in one place would be great.  Just adding the restaurants we've already discussed would put us off to a great start.

Moderators, if we did something like this, could it be a sub-forum (of the Greenville sub-forum) and then let each restaurant have its own thread so it is better organized?

[Skyliner]

Smoke on the Water has always been good to me.  I love the menu and their service has never let me down.

[btoy]

The Thai place on Pelham whose name I could not think of is Bangkok Thai.

[RestedTraveler]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone!  I'll have to give them one more chance.

Both times we have gone there it was during the "tween" hours (after lunch and before dinner) on a weekend.  Tables were in dire need of bussing througout the restaurant both times.  We were seated and menus were given to us, but the server never came to our table.  Meanwhile, other patrons were seated and servers promptly attended to them.  Maybe I just need to change my brand of deodorant?  

[GvilleSC]

RestedTraveler, on Jan 11 2006, 01:45 PM, said:

Thanks for the feedback, everyone!  I'll have to give them one more chance.

Both times we have gone there it was during the "tween" hours (after lunch and before dinner) on a weekend.  Tables were in dire need of bussing througout the restaurant both times.  We were seated and menus were given to us, but the server never came to our table.  Meanwhile, other patrons were seated and servers promptly attended to them.  Maybe I just need to change my brand of deodorant?  

I have not been impressed by Smoke on the Water. I went for lunch on a weekday and service was slack and the food wasn't too die for. I had Salmon and I felt like I could've eaten more... Hmmm, Maybe I need to give them another chance.  

[Spartan]

Greenville, on Jan 11 2006, 12:57 PM, said:

I like the idea of a restaurant review thread.  Having everyone's reviews of restaurants in one place would be great.  Just adding the restaurants we've already discussed would put us off to a great start.

Moderators, if we did something like this, could it be a sub-forum (of the Greenville sub-forum) and then let each restaurant have its own thread so it is better organized?

I would very much like to see something like that happen in the future. I don't think we have reached a point where that could be sustained though. For the time being we could pin a thread (perhaps this one?) that you guys want to dedicate to food in Greenville.

[Skyliner]

Definitely give them another chance - and consider sitting at the bar next time.  You're sure to receive great service there at least.

[gsupstate]

Give Smoke on the Water another try.  I've always had great service there.  Even had lunch there on Artisphere weekend and the place was packed....got great service even then.  More than their barbque, I love their Pimento Cheese on toast.  Incredible!  Great with a gin and tonic!  

[JayHass]

RestedTraveler, on Jan 7 2006, 10:08 PM, said:

I moved up here from Orlando, myself.  I hear ya on the cuisine scene in O-Town.  My favorite places in Orlando to dine were also on Disney Property ... Bongo's (part of a small chain, Downtown Disney West Side) and the Rose and Crown (EPCOT).  I'd wager that the Fench Restaurant to which you're referring is Le Coq Au Vin on South Orange Ave., no?

Sorry for the delayed reply, I sometimes get scooped up with work and can't focus on anything outside of it.

As for the Gville scene vs. O-town, that's good to hear from someone who lived there also so I know it's not "just me".  Yes that is the French Restaurant I was talking about...kind of sad we can figure it out that easy eh?      LOL

As for Disney, the problem for me was that I was employed by them at the time so going "out" was like going to work.  

Glad to hear about all the great restaurants in Greenville...makes me even more curious about the city.  Well that and it was 2 degrees this morning here in CT.    

Edited by JayHass, 16 January 2006 - 08:37 AM.

[darw10]

gsupstate, on Jan 6 2006, 08:07 AM, said:

Funny, when you look through almost any thread on UP, restaurants and food pop up.  You can certainly tell what's on our minds!  

What is your favorite restaurant?  Your favorite food at that restaurant?  And why?  Can be any place, any type, just whatever your favorite is.

For those who occasionally like to break the bank on dinner, I would highly recommend 33 Liberty.  The location is curious, but the food is always excellent and atmosphere is comfortable (the small, locally owned variety).  North Hampton Wine would run second, in my opinion, for the pricey yet fabulous category.

[Skyliner]

Northampton Wines!!!  How could I have missed this one!?  This is a place everyone visiting Greenville should try.

I haven't tried 33 Liberty.  Thanks for the tip, darw10!

[RestedTraveler]

Skyliner, on Jan 16 2006, 09:12 PM, said:

Northampton Wines!!!  How could I have missed this one!?

Don't worry, Skyliner.  It's easy to forget Northampton Wines becasue they haven't always had a Wine Café?  That's a recent addition since they relocated.  You're right though, it's a MUST-DO!  

Edited by RestedTraveler, 17 January 2006 - 08:09 AM.

[jarvismj]

JayHass, on Jan 16 2006, 09:37 AM, said:

makes me even more curious about the city.  Well that and it was 2 degrees this morning here in CT.    

I'm having my fill cold weather here in Boston...and good food. Just can't get any wings like Sticky Fingers, or Wild Wings....

[NYTransplant]

jarvisj3, on Jan 17 2006, 05:52 PM, said:

I'm having my fill cold weather here in Boston...and good food. Just can't get any wings like Sticky Fingers, or Wild Wings....

You just need to drive about 450 miles due west.

[jarvismj]

NYTransplant, on Jan 18 2006, 11:40 AM, said:

You just need to drive about 450 miles due west.

Haha, I'm back in Greenville right now. My wife is from Syracuse, and I've done my time up there. No place like home.

[jarvismj]

Has anyone eaten at Tito's at Pleasantburg and Rutherford? They have the best Cheesesteaks and Calzones...

[Skyliner]

Absolutely!  I like they're NY style pizza too.  I recommend Pizza City as a compliment to Tito's, just down the road.

[Greenville]

A really good friend of mine LOVES Tito's.  I haven't been there, but she and I are going to go sometime.  She says it's her favorite pizza in Greenville.  Is it that good?