Aquarium Restaurant

10/20/09

Horrible Thanksgiving Buffet-Beware 20% Surcharge!!!!!

by Texicana at Citysearch

I must say the Aquarium is beautiful. It was a glorious setting for a nice Thanksgiving dinner. However, my husband and I were extremely disappointed in the food and service. The turkey was overcooked, there was no bread spread (only two choices for breads: croissants or dark bread), the dessert table was meager and depleted (no choco-strawberries), the girl carving the prime rib looked to have never carved before in her life and she butchered the meat and, last but not least, we were told the Bellinis were part of the deal then got the surprise of our life when we received a bill for them!!!! Additionally, our server hovered over us and was a constant commercial. We don't have children and I was not interested in the kids' events/brochure. He also wanted to give us an up close and personal lecture on the different fish in the aquarium. Since the Thanksgiving Day buffet is "serve yourself" except for beverages, the server was obtrusive.

Additionally when I made our reservations, I was not told of the 20% surcharge. Sorry to say but the Aquarium Downtown's Thanksgiving Day buffet left a bad taste in our mouths, literally and figuratively. It's back to the Omni for us.

I wish I could give this restaurant zero stars. When I complained online, I was told they were not the right people to whom to complain and I never heard a peep from their management. Caveat emptor!

• Pros: Beautiful Restaurant
• Cons: Suckie Food, 20% Surcharge, Waiter Talked too Much

11/16/08

Waste of Money

by smr91 at Citysearch

After wasting $20 on tickets and $6 to park, me and my boyfriend were looking for a good meal. When the hostess came to seat us, she first sat us next to a large birthday party. Honestly, who would want to sit RIGHT next to one? So, we moved and 10 minutes later our waiter appeared. The service was slow and it took way too long for the appetizers, which appeared right before we got our meal.

Ah, the menu. Everything is $15+, which was more of a waste of money. But I hate seafood and didn't feel like spending a lot of money, so all I got was chicken tenders and fries, which are $6 on the kids menu. The waiter explained that he would have to give me the "adult" size order, which I thought would be fine. However, when we got our bill, it was nearly $50 for just a burger and chicken tenders. The chicken tenders were rung up as "fish and chips", which would clearly be more expensive, but we were charge the $18 anyway. Yes, $18 for CHICKEN TENDERS. The server explained that he was "told" to ring them up under "fish and chips" and that we had to pay that price. Seriously. Don't go here. The food was less than mediocre, they interrupt your conversation every 5 minutes to refill your slightly less than full beverage and they just rip you off with everything.

• Pros: nice fish tank
• Cons: the food, the service, the PRICE, the value, the wait

07/10/08

Do Not Recommend

by vaden at Citysearch

The service was very slow. It took us two hours to get our food. I have to use a walker that has wheels and wanted to keep it with me. Our waiter said it would be safe with the baby strollers. Someone took it so now I am without a way to get around. I will never go back to that place and would advise anyone with a walker - do not put it in with the strollers. They need to have a "hat check" facility.