Mother's Day Brunch

14 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?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

lindac
14 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
14 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
Related Discussions
mothers day brunch
Q
Comments (2)
How cool!! I would love to see a Magpie!!
...See More
Mother's Day Brunch
Q
Comments (7)
Thanks everbody. This table was a mix of heirloom silverware and tablecloth, Rose and white plates from Ross, and the Moss Rose pattern side plates and teacups and saucers are all TS. The clear goblets are DT, the pink goblets are Gar. Sale, and the pink napkins are TS. The silver coffee pot, small silver candlesticks, and silver napkin rings are items I have had for a very long time. The silver tea set is actually ceramic and was Ross last year. The large silver candlesticks, floral CP, and silver butter dish are TS as is the feather wreath. The 2 fairies were Ross. So, it's a mix of TS, heirloom, Ross, and old stuff, LOL. We have had rain for 2 days, yeah!! The mountains have had record snow this year, but the city has been unbelievably dry! Parts of our golf course are nothing but dirt, because there has been so little snow or rain! Now it just needs to stop for my tee time on Sat., LOL. TTFN, Candy
...See More
Serve yourself or........
Q
Comments (28)
I don't care for most buffets. Once in a while I will go to one when I don't really know what I feel like eating. I avoid all buffets and salad bars during flu season and I absolutely will not go on family nights when parents allow their unsupervised children to run amock touching with fingers etc. I see adults do that too so I am leery and careful where I'll eat. We had a great Hometown Buffet manager who kept a sharp eye out for such things. He's no longer there and they've changed their pricing to attract the gullible so I probably won't be going back. I prefer to be served anyway. When I go out I am not just paying for the food but also the ambiance. Good service is a large part of the experience. We have a restaurant where you grill your own steak. How stupid is that? You pay premium meat prices to stand around and cook your meat with others. If you get it wrong you can't send it back of course. If I want to cook I will go get a good steak at less than half the price and do it at home.
...See More
Food processor recommendation needed
Q
Comments (24)
Last year I did a ton of research on food processors - I had decided to buy one after only having a mini attachment for my blender. I never used it that much - an occassional batch of pesto or hummus - but I see a lot of recipes that call for it, my mom was saying it's the way to go for pie crust, etc., so I decided I must have a FP. I read a ton of reviews on Amazon and other sites (ePinions), etc. - it seems that the Cuisinart company was sold a few years back and the new products from them have slid very badly in design and quality (this is from reviewers who had older Cuisinarts). Some models of the KA got good reviews, but there was always that "but". I remember liking one, and almost buying it, but then reading that you couldn't fill it with liquid because the way it was designed it would leak out. There always seemed to be some design flaw revealed. Then, there is the size question - how big is big enough, but not too big? None of the manufacturers have common sizes. Arg! I don't know about you, but I figured if I was going to spend $100-150 for this appliance, it better be near perfect. I ended up buying a Black and Decker PowerPro II for like $40 at Target. It's great! I love it, it's done everything I want it to do, it cleans up easily, I think it's an 10 cup capacity. And, the best part is that - if it does die in a few years, I won't care - it will have given me every penny I paid for it. Here is a link that might be useful: B&D Power Pro II
...See More
lowspark
14 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
14 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
14 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
14 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

Comments (6)

lindac

triciae

Related Discussions

lowspark

mustangs81

shaun
Original Author

lakeguy35

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Mother's Day Brunch

Comments (6)

lindac

triciae

Related Discussions

lowspark

mustangs81

shaunOriginal Author

lakeguy35

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

shaun
Original Author