Rec Pier Chop House — Restaurant in Baltimore

READ IF PLANNING A LARGE PARTY EVENT OF 8+ PEOPLE: I rarely write reviews, especially negative reviews, but I feel compelled to warn any and all patrons of my experience on August 5th, 2023. I want to preface this by saying I have dined at Rec Pier around 50 times and have always loved every bit of it. I have recommended the place to hundreds of friends, colleagues, and family members. It was a special place to my fiancé and I as we did all of our birthdays and anniversaries there, so I decided that it would be the perfect place to propose. I planned to propose and host an 18-person dinner to follow with family and friends which became a nightmare I never could’ve imagined.

From the very beginning, I was quoted $200-220 per person max by one of the event coordinators, Kat. After going through every single bit of the pricing from food, liquor, taxes, gratuities, rental fees, etc. I explained my plan for the proposal and dinner and emphasized how important it was that I got everything booked ASAP as it was incredibly difficult to hide from my then girlfriend that I lived with and was promised swift planning and seamless communication. What I got couldn’t be further from that. I received no communication and had to send 3 emails and call 6 times just to get a new event coordinator, Madeline on the phone, who apologized and restarted the entire process with me.

All of the sudden I was quoted a new price of $416.66 per person. I expressed my frustration and went over the original pricing. Madeline acknowledged the quote and quickly started dropping the price by chunks of $1,000 at a time. It was like negotiating with a used car salesman to get her to honor the original quote. After about 7 back and forth emails and calls, we got to where we were supposed to be from the start. From then on I was planning the details and couldn’t get a straight answer for any question. I was given wrong information about the courses, menu, bar options, décor, and timing over and over so I decided to reach out to the director, Amanda Santiago, to get everything cleared up.

Initially, Amanda was kind and helpful. We went through every fine detail and pricing and the communication became much stronger. I felt confident again and was getting ready to sign the contract when all of the sudden an additional $1500 fee + tax, tip, service charge, was tacked on (close to $2000 total), ONLY 6 DAYS BEFORE THE EVENT. They knew I had 18 people coming from 5 states for an engagement and when I had no other option, they added ~$2000 and essentially said take it or leave it. I went through the quotes and showed that I was promised there would be no $1500 rental fee and this brings the price right back up to $400+ per person, for a dinner that included 3 courses (Caesar salad, pasta with Bolognese, and a PETIT filet), along with a few drinks. I was told it is to set up the table and chairs and set the table, HAH!!!

Amanda Santiago and the rest of the events team took what should have been one of the most joyous things I could plan in my entire life and absolutely stomped on it. It was the worst experience in planning anything I have had in my entire life. I will never spend another dollar at Rec Pier again and I recommend you don’t support this bad business either. If you plan a large dinner here, expect to be ripped off at every turn. Expect to be promised one thing and have it switched on you time and time again. When you finally think you have it at set, they will suck you for everything you have at the 11th hour. Do the event somewhere else!! Tagliata for example is gorgeous, has food that is miles better than rec pier, and they actually care about you and your experience and will not rip you off. ANYWHERE IS BETTER...

Regarding the brunch experience that we had at the Mother's Day Gospel Brunch...I am aware of the standard of customer service and excellence that Mr. Fuersman and Mr. Carmellini lead with...I've had the pleasure of meeting both of them.

I called the Rec Pier Chophouse when I learned of a gospel brunch taking place on Mother's Day. The lady I spoke with was great and super helpful. I referenced the 2023 menu that I saw online, and she stated it should be the same and that the cost this year would be $125. I made the reservation. I really wasn't concerned with micro-details -- I just looked for endless mimosas to be included, and for seafood options.

I was surprised, upon arrival, to learn that the brunch was $95. While that would be music to someone else's ears (to save money), it was a red flag to me, because the lower price means that key elements are missing. I ordered a mimosa, and we headed to the buffet area. To have smoked salmon as the sole seafood option (my mom and sister don't eat either), was a complete disappointment. I spoke with the lady who tended to the table (in all black -- not a server), and inquired about missing elements, as well as showed her the link that I got from Pendry's Instagram, which spoke to welcome cocktails included, endless mimosas, the raw bar, and seafood options. She said she would discount our Brunch $10, making it $85 each, if I would text her the link I spoke of. I continued to speak with my mom and sister and started completing the e-tribute to my mom that you offered (amazing touch, by the way). The lady came back to the table asking me an additional 2 times for what I had on my phone to be sent to her. I politely told her that I would send it, but I was trying to enjoy my family at the moment, and that I didn't want to fixate on something that we could, at that point, not change. She apologized.

Once I completed the tribute, I sent it to her, and never saw her again. When we received the check, it was $388 -- The discount wasn't included, and it was at that point that I realized I was charged for Mimosas as well. I was told mimosas were included. Completely disappointed at that point, I just paid the check and left, and went to another restaurant to at least get my mom and sister something they could actually eat -- Seafood. Additionally, we were expecting live gospel as opposed to a DJ, with a live gospel song or two infused. My mom ate side dishes, and my sister ate a veggie omelette. $95?

We usually dine at Rusty Scupper for Mother's Day, however, I switched to Rec Pier Chophouse this year because of the seafood and gospel advertised and confirmed when I called -- Neither delivered.

Of all days/brunches, why cut corners on Mother's Day? I feel like there was a bait and switch, which is unfair to the customer, and false advertising comes into play. You have a gospel choir graphic, singing on the website, and on social...Misleading. Again, I called to verify, prior to booking my reservation. I flew from Georgia simply to enjoy brunch with my mom and sister (who live on the eastern shore and drove 2 hours to arrive at a restaurant that didn't serve a single protein option for pescatarians).

I emailed Maxwell Armstrong and Noho Hospitality to give them an opportunity to make this right and rectify the situation --...

This place deserves five stars because we received five star service all around! From start to finish, your experience will be the best experience ever experienced! I was greeted very kindly by a person that wasn't at the reception desk, but was prior to the reception desk. Once you identify what you're there for they then point you in the direction of the reception desk, where I met with Hannah who was very very kind, and let me know exactly what to do prior to my party arriving. They have a beautiful Lounge area that you can sit in while you await your table or you can just hang out. It's so pretty that it's hard for me to believe that you don't need reservations to sit there, and you can also get table service in the lounge area with the limited menu! The table wait staff are so so so efficient, they come up and greet you within 30 seconds of you sitting down and assist w any need you have from the time you sit down to the time you stand. Once our table was ready, we were seated at the window where we had beautiful views of Fells Point and we're able to people watch while we conversed and devoured our food. Our table person was Patrick, who was very very helpful, had great personality, and was kind of funny too! He got all of our orders correct & made fantastic recommendations that we tried. Rec Pier staff even brought me out a birthday Sparkle to wish me happy birthday! I must admit the prices of pretty steep, but you get what you pay for. And you all know how I feel about getting what you paid for! I would definitely revisit and pay again! After our meal, we were able to tour the beautiful hotel that this restaurant is housed, and that made the experience that much better! I definitely recommend to everyone to visit, dine, and if able definitely stay at the hotel!!

Parking... Parking can be very difficult! Valet parking is $28 if you're dining in, and that's the discounted rate! I happened to find street parking, it was after 8 p.m. and free. There are cheaper garages within walking distance that I would recommend less...