Mother's Day Brunch

17 years ago

Hi Ya'll!

We went to a brunch yesterday to celebrate Mother's Day. It wasn't the best brunch I've ever been to by far. I would actually label it "Lame".

It was a buffet and they had the usual omelet station, carving station, breakfast items, lunch items... Not a huge selection by far. No cold shrimp, no fresh strawberries, the only deserts they had was cheese cake and carrot cake and some ice creams. Also only ONE Mimosa per person was included in the price.

The cost? $35 per person. Isnt that a little ridiculous?

To top it off, when we got our bill they had added a 20% gratuity to it for a party of 4.

20% gratuity for a buffet where the customer goes and gets their own food? All this waitress did was take empty plates away. No new forks were provided, no new napkins, our water was already on the table so there were were no drinks being delivered either except for the one round of mimosas.

I'm shocked. Is this normal? 20% grat on a buffet?

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Comments (6)

lindac
17 years ago
Well....I wouldnt' be going to that place ever again!
The "normal" tip at a buffet is less than at a full service table.
The last Mother's Day brunch I went to was at a very nice country club. Price $25 per...included egg station carved beef, sausages, bacon, French toast, fresh strawberries, fresh pineapple, kiwi, a cheese station, buffet items like a fish, beef and perhaps a pasta dish ( it's something I have been to lots of times and it varies by year) an array of lovely pastries, danish etc....and a dessert station with pies and cakes...AND a soft ice creams tation with a huge assorments of toppings, both hot and cold.
Coffee, tea, milk and soda included....mimosas and bloody marys are extra.
I think you were taken!
Linda C
triciae
17 years ago
Shaun,

There's a place here in town that offers Sunday & holiday brunch. The buffet usually includes omelet station, home fries, bacon, sausage, carving station (ham & roast beef), lots of fresh fruits, pastries, 3-4 types of breads, shrimp/cocktail sauce, oysters, waffle station, real maple syrup, some type of fresh fish entree, the always present mac 'n cheese for the kids (or kids at heart!), cheeses/crackers, half a dozen different salads plus green salad, a couple green veggie choices, & scalloped potatoes. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things. Oh yeah, there's also some type of Italian-inspired dish. Then, they have a separate dessert buffet table with 15-20 different choices.

The buffet comes with juice, coffee/tea, & water. Sodas and alcoholic beverages are extra. The buffet has been $42.50 per person. But, they've been closed for remodeling since last December (after Christmas) so I don't know what the new prices will be...they're scheduled to re-open Memorial Day weekend. I'm guessing it'll be close to $50/person.

A 15% gratuity is added for parties of four or under. More than that & it's 20%. A child's buffet is $24.50 per child with under eight eating free.

I'm sorry your Mother's Day brunch wasn't great. Since I'm a grazer...I love a good buffet.

/tricia
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lowspark
17 years ago
Sounds like a complete rip off to me. Mother's Day is one of those holidays that restaurants use to take advantage of people. Jack up the prices and limit the choices - ugh.

We went to a buffet too, at a German restaurant. They had their normal salad bar plus a hot table with probably about 12 different choices including stuffed cabbage, roast beef, quiche, eggs benedict, a couple of pork dishes, roast chicken, etc.

The cost was $25/person. I didn't see the bill so I don't know if they added a tip (there were four of us). In any case, 20% is outrageous for a buffet.
mustangs81
17 years ago
I base my buffet tip on whether the plates were cleared in a timely manner---or at all---and if the wait staff refilled drinks versus self-serve drinks. From what you describe, 20% was a bit much but I understand that restaurants are struggling now. I would be interested if that has always been the practice there.

BTW-email me what restaurant so I can avoid it when we are in WPB.
shaun
Original Author
17 years ago
Cathy we asked the manager if it was normal to include a 20% gratuity on a buffet and he said yes they always did that.

The name was The Pavillion Grill in Boca Raton. We'll never go back.
lakeguy35
17 years ago
Sorry your MD Brunch was a bummer. I hate that added in gratuity thing. I'll leave a good tip even if the food was not that great...it's for the service.

OT here, how did the surprise on the cruise go with your DS?? Maybe I'm early but I want to know!! Y'all seem like great jokers and I was just curious.

David

Mother's Day Brunch

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