We made a reservation a week in advance for our anniversary dinner expecting a pleasant, intimate dining experience. Unfortunately, from the moment we arrived, the service and overall experience fell far short of expectations. When we arrived, we were shocked to find that, despite the reservation with specific reason - a special occasion, we were seated at bar stools. We would have expected a proper table to be reserved for us, or at the very least, a call ahead to ask if we’d be comfortable sitting on stools with a direct view into the busy kitchen. This was not the “chef’s table” experience we were looking for on our anniversary. Had it not been for the generous voucher we had been gifted for this restaurant, we likely would have turned around the moment we were offered those uncomfortable bar stools. It was meant to be a special occasion, not a regular dining experience—and yet, that’s exactly how we were treated. After raising our concerns about the seating, we were told that our reservation hadn’t been for a table—a point that wasn’t made clear when booking. Despite the numerous empty tables around the restaurant, we were left in this awkward position. Eventually, we were moved to a table, but that didn’t fully erase the frustration. The service was excruciatingly slow. We waited nearly 30 minutes before being offered a drink, and our first entrée didn’t arrive until almost an hour later. The second entrée followed 45 minutes after that—far too long for any fine dining experience. The staff seemed rushed and disorganised, adding to the sense of being hurried along. The manager, who was in charge that evening, displayed an alarming lack of people skills. From the very start, he spoke to us as if he were doing us a favor by seating us, making us feel unwelcome and uncomfortable. To top it off, when our main course arrived at 7:49pm, we were told we had to vacate the table by 8pm for the next seating. He even suggested we move to the bar for dessert—imagine the audacity!! As if the poor service wasn’t enough, the seating arrangement put us directly in front of the cramped kitchen, where we could see everything—steaks flying in and out of the oven and a chef even getting burned by hot liquid as he turned to place a tray back in. It was a chaotic and unappealing view, further diminishing the overall experience. The food was decent, but hardly exceptional. The potatoes and steak gravy were the only standout items, while everything else was forgettable. After dining in fine restaurants around the world, we can honestly say this was one of the most disappointing experiences we’ve ever had. Between the rushed service, lackluster food, and the manager’s unprofessional behavior, we will not be returning to Cumulus Inc. It’s such a shame because this restaurant has potential, but the overall experience was unforgettable for all the wrong reasons. Sadly, this anniversary dinner will be remembered as one of the worst dining experiences we’ve ever had. 💔