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Kari Hoppes   

User's reviews

  • Magnolia Terrace Tea Room & Bistro

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    Went to the Magnolia Terrace Tea Room and Bistro and was very disappointed. First of all, the ambiance was not as cute as the pictures on site show. There were no ribbons of color on chairs or outside seating as shown. Secondly, the service was incredibly slow. We waited 15 minutes before our waiter ever came and gave us instruction that we all could choose our own kind of tea, etc... Because we pre purchased a group package from Groupon. It took the waiter 10-15 minutes to return with tea. We finally got our tea and 2 of the pots were the wrong tea. We didn't say anything because we had figured that would be another set back to the already slow service. Third issue... I asked the waiter about the Orange Ginger Tuna salad which he knew nothing about. How it was prepared, what was in it, and had never even tried it himself. I asked him if he was new( his mannerisms indicated that perhaps he was) and he said no! I have worked here a year!! I said then maybe have a small bite sized sample of the tuna salad as I have never had it served that way. He disappeared for a while and returned saying no. They don't have any prepared to allow me to sample it. So.. Though I found that odd.. I took my chances and ordered anyhow assuming it was probably prepared with mayo, a touch if ginger and cut up citrus oranges as I have made it in the past with green apples. When it arrived it was a orange ginger salad dressing mixed into it making it ugly brown in color and soggy wet and not good tasting at all. We couldn't imagine how long that would take to send it back so I are the salad around it which tasted like bagged salad with a bit of a preservative taste to it or a day too old. Also didn't want to complain to waiter as we had our small children with us and elderly grandmother and wanted to keep things as pleasant as possible. Forth problem... The other 4 people in the party are the ones who got the 4 course entree package. The broccoli cheddar soup was not think like we have always eaten, but watery like broth. A bit odd. The quiche was also a bit odd. The texture was as if it had beeen heated in the microwave. Cheese a bit rubbery on top and soggy crust( at least I thought it was crust??). Not sure though. Needed salt badly. We looked at the tables to see if we could find some amd we couldn't, and of course, where is the waiter now. So we are it as it was.. We were starved! Fifth issue. Tiered sandwiches and desserts came out. We asked the waiter what kind of sandwiches were they as there was a variety. He couldn't tell us. We asked him why he couldn't and mentioned he should know his menu better after such a long te of employment. His response was that they change them in the kitchen without telling them so he wasn't sure what they were BWW feel a waiter should ask the kitchen as he picking up his order to being out to a guest. One of them was ham but he told us it was turkey. So we all started to eat them and realized they were ham.. Which none of us eat. So we left it after the first bite. Also on the plate was a few desserts in which were 3 store bought cookies. How I know this that for end of school year party I had purchased the same exact cookies at Sam's Bulk Store. Lastly, when we were finished I was the only one who was expecting a check as I did not prepay. I ordered separately. But the other 4 got a bill!!! It said mandatoey gratuity of over $12 and a tax of over $4 making the bill over $16! We were floored!!! We didn't have a large party and gratuity to us is based on great food and service. We always tip 20% at a restaurant, but this experience didn't warrant that. We drove an hour to get to the tea room and spent an hour and a half to 2 hours getting through the awful service. So I paid my bill and my sister paid just the tax of $4.50... We were chased down in the parking lot and told we didn't pay the full amount. We explained our disappointment and that gratuity is optional upon quality and that the bill itself was pre-paid. He continued to say that it is mandatory and we must pay it and that it is the legal agreement between the restaurant and Groupon. ( which indicated no such thing on our groupon print out. My sister gave in as we were already late getting home and the manager came out and asked us why we didn't enjoy our visit. We told her why very respectfully and she sarcastically responded' well I hope you can have a better day'!!! And stoemed off. No customer service or wave of the gratuity or pay what you feel.. Nothing!!! When we got in the car to head home we called Groupon to see what we were misunderstanding and it appears we didn't misunderstand at all and that there is no such agreement and that was a lie! Quite the opposite.. Groupon wants you to enjoy your experience so you go back and that is the benefit of the program.. Repeat business. He waved the actually pre- paid charge from my sisters credit card .. He was so disgusted. It is now in the hands of the upper management to be reviewed as to the Magnolia Terrace Tea Room business dealings or how they conduct business. Groupon doesn't want that to reflect on them and their business dealings and success. We were advised to go to the BBB amd to report it to the local paper.. Which we will. I called the manager to let her know that it was wrong and that they have some corrections to make in service, food, and business protocol and she, again, only got sarcastic and defensive and gave no customer service or apologies. We then shared we would never return or recommend their establishment.