Largos — Restaurant in Cartersville

This restaurant perplexes me. Went there with my wife right after it opened - food was great, service was great. They actually made bread pudding the right consistency (IYKYK). We were excited to come back. Came back a month or so later, service was great but the food was ok. We assumed this was a fluke. We came back a third time about 6 weeks later and brought some friends who aren’t local and we had a meal that I would call mediocre, at best. We wrote the place off and thought we’d never be back.

Fast forward a couple of years, wife finds out it’s under new management so we decide to give it another try with the same friends. We arrived around 6PM on a Saturday without reservations, admittedly a mistake. The general manager gave us a table that they apparently had reserved for a party later in the evening. We ordered wine, appetizers, oysters, etc. All of which came out and were consumed before we ordered entrees. We enjoyed the service and the server did an excellent job. We did comment to ourselves though that the pace was slow and were surprised that they weren’t turning tables more quickly, especially for such a small establishment. However, their motto on the wall says something to the effect of “a casual pace”. No one minded though as we were enjoying the experience. Our food was great and we were literally commenting on how great of an experience it was and were glad to add it back into our rotation.

Then, in a classic “snatching defeat from the jaws of victory” move, the General Manager, came by and told my friend that they needed the table in 10 minutes and we’d need to move. I was in the restroom. When I came and was informed, I asked the General Manager where she proposed that we enjoy our dessert that had not arrived yet since we were being asked to vacate our table. She said we don’t have to leave but she needed us to leave the table. When I pointed out that in my entire life, I’ve never been asked to vacate a table mid-meal she told me that it would be ok… as if we were off the hook. She told us that we’d been advised when we sat down that they already had a reservation. We pointed out that the pace of service, while not a problem for us, had been unusually slow and that we’d have been happy to have finished up and been on our way, otherwise. She blamed the kitchen being backed up. I completely understand that and it makes perfect sense that they had slowed service to allow for kitchen to catch up and I fully understand that they have another reservation; these are regular occurrences in all restaurants. However, this is something that is normally handled behind the scenes between the manager, the server, and the kitchen manager. I can’t imagine the audacity required to ask a table full of guests to give up their table in middle of a several hundred dollar meal and then turn it on them as if they’ve inconvenienced you.

The manager later came by to comp our dessert but then added large party gratuity to our bill. While we were irritated with the manager, we certainly didn’t blame the server who did an excellent job and were insulted by the insinuation that we might not tip.

In short, food was great; service was great; manager needs to retrained. Ratings above are a composite of all four visits. Service rating reflects experience with manger. Table service has always been...

Our neighbor highly recommended this place, so we decided to drive the 30 mins to visit for my husband's birthday. Parking was a bit tricky, but ample parking once you find the correct side. The atmosphere was relaxing, and the music heard from the outside was nice.

I really cannot remember the server's name, but she was kind and pretty attentive. She asked if it was a special occasion and we told her it was his birthday, which she wrote down and said so she doesn't forget it. I'm not sure why- nothing was ever done about it. Maybe the reviews I saw on the happy birthday desserts were requested. I don't understand why even asking about it, though, to the point of writing it down.

We brought along our four children (ranging 5-18). She also informed us that they had chicken fingers and fries for any of the children who may need it- thank goodness! Someone other than our server offered to take a photo of all of us as well, which I really appreciated.

We ordered drinks- the Citrus on Cherokee, which I found delicious and adequate alcohol, and him the Maple Smoked Old Fashion. My husband is an old fashion connoisseur and it was subpar. I tried it and it tasted very weak. It took forever to receive them. She came to our table and apologized and explained the ticket fell behind something and she didn't see it, so they comped our drinks. We thanked them. He also ordered a glass of wine afterwards.

The food: we ordered two appetizers- crab cakes that were recommended by our neighbor, and calamari. Calamari is one of our go-tos at places, and this one didn't disappoint! It wasn't burned or overcooked like some reviewers mentioned. The crab cakes were also nice. We ordered two sets of chicken fingers and fries for the girls, which they loved. The portions were large. We also got pork belly- the teenager wasn't too fond, but my husband said it was delicious, the pork chop- flavorless and just ok. She said it came med rare, I believe, but he got it med well instead, 1/4 shrimp cocktail (for our 12yo who was afraid the kid's fingers wouldnt be enough)- no issue there, the filet mignon with fingerlings- the potatoes had no flavor. He ordered his steak med and is was very med rare, heavy on the rare. I wish I would have taken a picture. Mostly entirely red/pink, especially in the middle. It wasn't cooked evenly, and honestly, this steak was nothing to write home about. For $58 I expected something more. Lastly, I got shrimp risotto- it was ok at best. I ate it, but would never order again. One of teenagers ordered a peach lemon drop mocktail. We were charged $12 instead of the advertised $10, but I didn't mention it and just saw it as an annoyance.

So for the part that really annoyed me. We were charged a 20% large party gratuity. We had 6 people and rarely considered a large party, but even if we are, it's never more than 18%. We are good tippers, always 20% or more, but often over for good service. We can separate good service from subpar food. I know it's not the servers fault. You just took that away from me to even give you more. We never complained about the food, nor thetime everything took.

TLDR: food was ok, service was pretty good, drinks were half and half, they did proactively make a wrong right by comping drinks, 20% gratuity was added to our party of 6, no birthday dessert or anything...

I wanted to take my wife to a nice restaurant near us for a private little birthday get-away. I found Largos randomly, and decided to try them out. Easy 5/5 - We were greeted by the manager (Apologies for not recalling your name!) outside since we sat down a few moments before they opened. Friendly banter, very welcoming; she acknowledged I was way over dressed for the heat and invited me in to the AC - The sweat on my forehead gladly accepted.

While semi obvious 'who' we were due to time of arrival and attire, they did not even have to ask our name or our reservation status to make it clear they knew it was us. This was a nice surprise for my wife, and made her feel even more welcome.

Within moments we had a friendly waitress, and a very happy atmosphere. We were given drink recommendations, and ordered a variety between us - My wife absolutely loved the Watermelon Mojito; as did I.

We then got a couple apps (Fried Mushrooms are a very elevated take on this dish, and highly recommend) and decided to split the skirt steak - I am a bit of a 'steak snab' as I love cooking them, but I actually loved their spin on this dish; and that is a huge rarity.

We were too full for dessert, so decided to leave - The manager did stop us and mentioned how they had prepped a dessert birthday plate for my wife, and offered to take our picture with it.

All in, an amazing experience - And a HUGE win to me, it was roughly an hour from sit-down to leave, and that was my choice. Never felt rushed, never felt bored. As someone who does not enjoy spending 2-4 hours at a dining experience outside of work/large social gatherings, the promptness was a huge win for both of us.

I will absolutely take additional people here, I will personall go back. I will happily market them to my network.

Oh and as for price - I found it completely reasonable. We ordered 4 drinks so our bill was "high" but the food portion was completely reasonable for the quality. More expensive than your typical "200 stores in a state" sit down, but not expensive enough to be a rare occasion only. (For context, I'd say without liquor our bill would have been under $70, for 2 people at a nice sit down, with steak.)

If you're looking for 'casual fine-dining' (As I call it), I could not recommend this...