Copper Blues — Restaurant in The Blue Mountains

While most of this has been said in previous reviews, people need to be warned to stay away from this place! Much of this would be no big deal if they were single occurrences (and/or at least handled appropriately by the staff!) Unfortunately, this was not the case. We showed up on time for our 630pm reservation that was confirmed well in advance in writing via email, only to be told the time is wrong and we will have to come back at 7. So we did, and we still waited for a while inside the small entryway. We were then brought to our very crammed in table, where we waited a good 10 minutes before our server came over. Drink orders were taken, and when they arrived, 1 of the glasses of wine was wrong (ordered white, was brought a glass of red), and the bottle that was given was also clearly wrong as it was a type that was not even on the menu. When it was pointed out that this wasn’t the right bottle, the server responded with “we are out of the one you ordered, so I just brought the cheapest one”. This felt a bit insulting that it would be assumed we would just want “the cheapest one” instead of asking and informing us they are out of the requested type. There wasn’t much of an apology given, and the ones who had ordered the bottle were awkwardly asked by the server “so do you still want it?” After a quick taste, as well as the pressure and trying to be polite despite all the mix ups, it was decided they would stick with this bottle. It should also be mentioned that all the wines tasted watered down. When it came time for our food orders, we were informed they were out of a few of the menu options (minor inconvenience, but I want to include everything as it really all collectively contributed to these reviews). When someone at the table asked our server their opinion on a specific dish, the response was “can’t say, I’ve never had it”. When my sister-in-law wanted to make sure what she ordered didn’t have any sesame in it and let our server know she has a severe sesame allergy, the response was “you do know it’s in the building right?” My jaw actually dropped when this was said as I was so taken aback. We were given a plate of complementary bread, and as we passed it around we realized there were 6 pieces given to our table of 7, adding more insult to the night. Our food was served (without any confirmation the plate served to my SIL was in fact the one that should have had extra precaution for no cross contamination), and our server did not return to check on anything until we were all already done with our mediocre-at-best meals. My SIL then went to speak with the manager (who we’ve since learned is actually the owner), and was not given an apology but was rudely brushed off with “yeah okay” as well as the accusation that we changed the reservation. When my SIL said we did not change it at all, and that we came at the time that was confirmed through email she stated “well we don’t check our email”. Seems strange we were able to confirm a reservation this way at all if that is the case. Boxes were brought to the table to take home all the unfinished food, but then no one returned for 15 minutes to bring bills. At this point, we had all put our coats on in hopes they would get the hint from across the room (we obviously would have asked for bills if anyone had actually come back to our table). When the bills did come, the server informed us she removed the automatic 18% gratuity and that she understands if we don’t leave a tip (a completely awkward and unprofessional thing to say). 4 of the bills were wrong, and they were given back to the server to be straightened out. It wasn’t until later we found out 1 bill was STILL wrong and had the wrong glass of wine on it. At that point we had been waiting for so long and in such shock over everything that had transpired, our friend didn’t mention it as she (like the rest of the group as well) just wanted to end this nightmare dinner. It is obvious to say none of us will be returning to Copper Blues ever. The only positive part was that at least my dog enjoyed...

A group of 19 women went to Copper Blues for the second night of a getaway to celebrate a milestone birthday. This was following an amazing meal and service at Northwinds Brewery in the village the night before. Since Copper Blues was MUCH pricier, it led us to have positive expectations, even though the current reviews were not good and I personally have visited before and did not enjoy it. But the birthday girl chose it so off we went. Our reservation and arrival were handled well. I personally ordered two appetizers (no main course), 1 martini and 1 glass of wine and my bill was $120 including tax and tip. Not a cheap night, but I don't mind spending money for a meal that's worth it. Unfortunately this was not the case. My 2 appetizers were the Arancini and Thai mussels. The Arancini was decent. The mussels were a huge portion but very little sauce and they were overcooked but tasted ok and met my low expectations. I've had these types of mussels in many restaurants and these did not compare. But like all but one of our group (one person quite enjoyed her salmon) the food was just okay. I was half finished my mussels when the waiter came over and took my napkin and threw it in my mussel bowl and proceeded to take it away. I told him I wasn't finished. He said oh sorry, took the sauce-filled napkin out and put the bowl back in front of me. I said I'm done now I guess. Turns out that may have been a blessing in disguise because I ended up going back to our vacation house not feeling well while some of the group continued on celebrating in the village. In the morning, I was extremely sick and continued to be so for the remainder of my getaway with my friends and it continued at home (about 72 hours in total). One other person was not feeling well through the night, but was not as sick of me...she had about 5 or 6 of my mussels. Nobody else was sick. I'm not saying that it was definitely the mussels but believing that it was, I did attempt to advise the restaurant. I received the most unprofessional and offensive response I've ever received from a business owner, or anyone. Keep in mind that I wanted nothing from this restaurant other than to let them know, because after two unenjoyable experiences I had zero plans to ever return. I think I was just looking for a 'sorry this happened to you and these are the measures we will take' without all the extra blame, anger and defensiveness. I wanted to include a positive response in my review and I assumed I would get one, because how a restaurant responds to a diner's serious concerns speaks volumes about their customer service. Here are some of the statements I received from one of the owners via email... "I may suggest you Google the symptoms of a hangover." In reference to me doing a Google review, she threatened "I advise you to proceed with caution in making any unsubstantiated claims in regards to our safety practices. We have well documented this situation, our investigation and our findings and will strongly reply to any such posting with aggressive legal action." "It is unfortunate that you have taken what was clearly a very fun night for you ladies and turned it into an awful bout of untruths leading to hard feelings." (Although it was not a bout of untruths, it was a bout of severe vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.) "You have undermined the integrity and professionalism of people and an establishment based on an assumption." "What needs to happen for you to give us an apology." To say I was shocked at the blaming and lack of empathy is a huge understatement. I would never go back anyway, because the food is overpriced and under quality, but I have shared our complete email thread with many people who are just as shocked and disgusted as I was. Luckily, for the restaurant, they are in a tourist area in the village, so they will be just fine. I can't say the same for their patrons. There are other restaurants in the village who still strive to give positive customer service, and serve great food! Try...

This was easily the worst experience I’ve had at a restaurant.

We made a reservation 9 months prior at this restaurant for 6:30.

We got there at 6:30 and were told our reservation was at 7. We have the email where this was arranged, but fine - it’s all good, we waited. The manager was super rude, like we were inconveniencing her by being there on time.

Finally we were sat, this was well after 7 and it was at a small little table in the corner, there were 7 of us, the reservation was made for 7 of us. Fine, obviously someone messed up, we were still excited to have a good time and some good food.

The waitress comes, they’re out of prime rib and lamb - again, like this is a steakhouse but things happen.

We order our drinks, she brings us the wrong bottle of wine. We ask about it and she meets us with “well, I brought you the cheapest one”. We were out to celebrate, we came to a nice restaurant and wanted a nice meal and drinks and we were more than happy to pay for that experience, we weren’t looking to save money. She also brought the wrong glass of wine to another person in our party - so now drinks were wrong.

She brought us our “free” bread, which she noted was free. There were 6 pieces, for 7 people. Again, whatever.

We ordered our food and informed her of a serious sesame allergy, we were met with “well you know sesame is in the building right?” and then basically said she would let the kitchen know but couldn’t make any promises. This is an anaphylactic reaction to sesame, this isn’t a “I don’t like sesame” this is serious and life threatening.

Our food came, she handed the wrong plate to the sesame allergy person, and then when we corrected her she handed her the correct plate, but didn’t repeat “sesame free” - we confirmed, and thank god there was no sesame and she was fine.

At this point, from the beginning so much has gone wrong so my SIL goes to speak with the “manager”. She was kind but firm, basically saying like as a manager you should be aware of this. The manager did not give a flying f. We could see her rolling her eyes, basically just responding with “uh huh”. No apologies, nothing.

The waitress, who again wasn’t the entire problem, comes over and apologizes to us for not liking her service. We told her it wasn’t all her. Super awkward. It felt like she was crying so my guess was the “manager” / owner put the blame on her and reamed her out.

We get our bills. They’re wrong. She fixes them, they’re still wrong. At this point we’re all just so fed up, we want to leave. We pay for everything, including the wrong bottle of wine and the wrong glass of wine.

She noted the 18% auto gratuity was removed and she understands if we don’t want to tip her, which again - this wasn’t all her fault, so we genuinely felt bad

She then sat at the table with us, and let us know the manager we spoke with was the owner.

At the end of the day - what do they care? We’re tourists, we will never be back again, they got our money and the owner could not care less.

It was almost comical how bad it was.

The table next to us seemed to be dealing with similar...