02/15/09

Unprofessional and a let down!

by Barnett4

The host and wait-staff were unprofessional from the start. Once the host greeted my wife and I, we informed him of our reservations. The host stand there looking over what we believe was a short list of names and talking to other staff member (never acknowledging us), We believe trying to make a discussion on where to sit us. After a minute or two past, my wife asked the host should we can back. He answered no. The other staff member he was talking finally said, they would have our table ready in a minute. I would also like to mention, looking around the restaurant there were four empty tables. So the other staff member (not the host) finally after other few minutes said that our table was ready and follow her. We followed her to only find that we would be seated in the back of the restaurant. In some small hole of the restaurant, where they must do cooking classes or something. We were very disappointed that we were not asked if where we were being sited was acceptable. That was only the beginning. The wait staff never and I do mean never ask what we thought of the appetizers or the meal. By the end of the meal I was hoping the wait staff or the host would ask what we thought of the experience, but no such luck. The host failed to even recognize us as we left. Besides the unprofessional staff the food was good and poor. The duckling entree was good and the pork chop entree was poor. Needless to say we will not be going back or recommending the restaurant to our friend and family. A very big let down.

• Pros: The duckling entree
• Cons: Unprofessional staff

02/15/09

What is all the fuss about Caprial's??

by lishka

I rarely write a review for something and usually when it is outstanding. I have been wanting to try Caprial's for years so I made reservations for Valentines Day. I am the type of person who is a - not a really picky eater and b - very forgiving of the wait staff and I typically tip at least 20%. We were disappointed with our experience there. First of all - they sat us way way back in a little room right next to the stove where the "show" is filmed. There was a kitchen door right there as well, and the stove kept igniting spontaneously throughout our meal. They tried to seat a party of four in a tiny space behind us and THEY refused the table.

My observation here is that in order to make more mone - they used the back room as overflow and it would have been better not to take reservations as we looked around at the couples in that little room - we kind of all looked a little bemused. It was a little like being glad you caught the bus, but then having to stand up the entire ride home!!

The cocktails were ok - being a cocktail person in a town with lots of interesting cocktail bars - these were no great shakes. The appetizers we had were fine, but not outstanding. We both ordered the same main course and when it came mine was piping hot and his was stone cold. He told the waitress and she laughed and remarked that she wondered why his plate was so cold to the touch and mine so hot! DA! And, lastly, we had to wait quite a while before another waiter noticed our visa card sitting there - at the edge of the table. Honestly, I do not see what all the fuss is about Caprial - I can tell you when we want to got to a pricey restaurant again - it will not be this one.

• Pros: None that would entice me to go back
• Cons: nothing outstanding

01/31/09

Caprials! One of my favs!!

by JCEdythe

Caprials is on my all time fav list! Love going for special events or just a week night out.

My husband and I had a wonderful meal on our Anniversary /New Years Eve. Meal and service was excellant as always. My steak was devine!! Beverage too!

01/29/09

One of the best restaurants in town - always consistent

by Barbcasey12345

Excellent menu for the discerning diner. I highly recommend this restaurant to natives and visitors. Love the ambiance and the service. One of the most comfortable restaurants in town.

• Pros: Always consistent food and service
• Cons: parking at times

01/29/09

Excellent food and service

by jetact

I had another excellent dinner at Caprial's. She is a gracious host and her husband John even seated us. The food was as usual excellent and the service is always very attentive and helpful. Wiil be back there soon.

01/29/09

Excellent food & Staff

by cawoodbury

If you haven't been to Caprial's its a must. I absolutely love this restaurant from their food to their lovely staff. They are always very accommodating when it comes to special requests. Some people are impossible to please thus some bad reviews but if you go in with an open mind and are looking for a great meal and great service, Caprials is where its at. Trust me, you'll love this restaurant!!!!

• Cons: parking

01/28/09

I don't get it

by tanjalovesshoes

So I decieded to write a review because ,well..I LOVE Caprial's Bitro! Much to my surprise I read the negitive reviews that people wrote and thought to myself...self...Did they dine at the same place as I did???? Clearly there are people in the world who would find fault with any place and with any food. I have yet to have a bad meal there ( and I have been going there for years)... and anytime I have asked for some special tweaking of the menu for my dietary needs, they have ALWAYS been ultra helpful! Also I have met John and Caprial and have found them very down to earth and real people! Perfect? Who is???? The staff has always been friendly and are very informed about the foods and wines that they serve. The new Chef Chris has done some AMAZING things to the menu. If it has been awhile since you have visited the bistro...GO BACK and try the great food! If you are a regular..keep going back, you know what I am saying!! I look forward to my next visit to Caprial's Bistro, FUN, GREAT FOOD, wonderful wines and creative cocktails. As far as the staff goes...You guys are great!! Keep up the good work.

• Pros: Local,Great food, warm atmosphere
• Cons: I wish they were open 7 days!

01/23/09

BAD, please read**

by James007Anthony

Just as an FYI to the people who patronize the restaurant. They don?t properly pay there ?Valued? employees. All tips are taken at the end of each day by Caprial herself. I?m not sure what country you live in, but in 99.9% of most restaurants? the wait staff get all the tips ?earned? at one point or another. This does not happen. In one company meeting called by the ?Employees? it was advised again, by Caprial that the tips ?are not there?s to begin with?, very interesting I thought. Not to mention if you book a private part or catering all gratuities go into their pocket, none are passed down, as a normal business would. Just thought the general public should know this. The food may be ok, or marginal, but in the end a business is only as good as its employees. Oh i almost left out the most important part, the paychecks bounce every time, and no this isnt a once n a blue moon thing, its every two weeks, going on over a year now. No tips, and delayed pay, overdraft fees not compensated, maybe now the other reviews about lack of staff care make more sense...

• Cons: They dont pay there employees, ask one sometime and watch the look on there face.

12/09/08

Most rude staff I've ever encountered

by mrsnewbill

I'll be up front: this has nothing to do with the food. In fact, I haven't even stepped inside the building. My husband purchased a gift certificate for me on our wedding day (yes...cooking classes as a wedding gift. you can imagine how special i felt!).

I'll take responsibility for the part where i lost the certificate for awhile. then found it, but unfortunately had a baby who's been in the hospital most of her life now, so cooking classes were out of the question. I called to ask for grace on the expiration date. The woman on the phone literally laughed at me, and said they just wouldn't honor it, and that it wasn't her fault I neglected to use it. I said i totally understood that, but was hoping there was some kind of compromise...maybe honoring half the amount. She said there would be no compromise, it was too complicated for them to balance their books with a certificate that expired. I said it wasn't hard to balance the books with the extra money my husband gave you for nothing in return.

It's not like I don't take responsibility here, but some amount of compassion or at least kindess would have been appreciated. laughing in my face was completely uncalled for. certainly offering me a lunch in the restaurant wouldn't throw off their books, and could've created a repeat customer with good things to say about the business' ethics.

shame on you, lady.

08/26/08

Fabulous

by Headsets4u

I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. I've been to dine here over a dozen time, and have NEVER had a bad meal. I have taken many friends and family members and my husband and I still find it to be one of our favorites.

We have been there when Marc was the chef and also while John and Caprial have been cooking, and every meal has been "as good as" or "better than the one before". We have tried everything under the sun from their vegetarian dishes to the seafood to the steaks and pasta, and have loved it all.

If you had a bad meal, I truly suggest talking with the owners or at least trying the place again. We have never had bad service there. Not even coming directly from work with my husband in his grubby jeans or after a night out in dressed up. We have always been treated politely and with respect.

And no, I'm not easy to please. I'm very picky about my food, and especially at these prices. While not the highest I've ever paid, it is still the best food for the price. And we will continue to go there. In fact we are headed there again this weekend!

• Pros: A wonderfully cooked meal and great wines
• Cons: NONE