The Turn House — Restaurant in Columbia

This is a long review. A reservation was made for family reunion based on what I thought were good Google reviews. It was a disaster. I asked for a quiet table not in the middle of the room. They seated us next to the bar in the middle of the room. The bar was initially empty and so was the rest of the place. Then the bar crowd came in. We could not hear each other talking/asked people to repeat things. Someone at the bar kept backing up hitting the chair of one of our family. The place was still very empty (that should have been our clue). We waited a long time to order drinks. Ordered iced teas and waited. The server came over to tell us our drinks were coming. It takes that long for iced tea? Then iced teas come with no ice. We asked for ice cubes. Several minutes later, two glasses of ice cubes arrived. After a long wait, the server came over to take our order. Eventually, 4 out of 5 people at our table received their food. The server told the one person at our table that her food would be coming out shortly. Cold fries delivered to one person who told server. After another wait, the server comes out with a plate of French fries and sets it in front of the person waiting for a crabcake saying that her food was coming shortly. Not sure I understand the point of a plate of French fries without a crabcake. It felt like a stall tactic. Then the server comes over to ask if we need anything. It sounded like a canned speech. How about the person’s dinner before the rest of us finish? How about the fries? She said she would check. Another long wait. In this chaos the French fries for the male appeared. I was so embarrassed that I offered to split my crabcake with my family member. She declined because she anticipated her food was coming. Her food arrived and it was stone cold. Unbelievable! We got the attention of the server. She said she would check with the kitchen. After another lengthy wait, someone who called herself a ‘manager’ came over. She seemed annoyed to even have to say anything. She said she heard there were a series of mishaps and asked about the crabcake issue. By then I was sick of it. I told her we were still waiting for the person to have her crabcake addressed and wanted to know when it was coming. Her response? “Do you have a timeframe?” OMG! YES, we want to eat TOGETHER, not watch someone eat after us. She said she needed to “show the crabcake to the cook”. What is she talking about? Just address the issue quickly. Then very sarcastically with an eye roll that several people at our table saw, she said: “well, what do you want me to do?” The person who did not receive her food was so annoyed that she said she felt they would microwave the cold crabcake and she was not interested in having that. The ‘manager’ then sighed and walked away. We never saw the ‘manager’ again. In all the time that transpired, they could have gone out to the bay, caught a crab, peeled it, and cooked it faster. If you don’t have 4 crabcakes, say something. It would have given us an opportunity to choose something else or leave the place. Then the server comes over: “Is there anything else? Would you like to see the dessert menu?” Are you out of your mind? We were so agitated and extremely disappointed that a dinner that involved someone driving from Connecticut and 4 people coming from different Maryland locations wading through heavy traffic to get there. I was embarrassed that I suggested this place. Then after another long wait, the server comes over and tells me they took the cost of the one crabcake off the bill. Really? I think you would have done more than that after ruining a family reunion. I wish I could give a zero rating. They ruined a family gathering. Members of our family said it was the worst experience they have ever had. This was extremely disappointing and embarrassing. I urge anyone to look at the negative reviews and then make...

There's no way that I can't say something about this place. But what I will say is that Antonio at the bar handled it with a lot of finesse and poker face. Calm. Cool. Collective.

I wanted to try a new place out for breakfast. However, a large majority do not open till roughly 10 am. I don't typically wait to eat this late in the morning.

I am not a fan of pancakes. But, I was very interested in trying the sweet potato pancakes. And that is what I ordered.

Out came a nice sized plate with pancakes, potatoes, fruit, and bacon.

Potatoes were good but did not seem fresh. There was something very off about them.

The fruit was not fresh cut. It was pre-cut store bought fruit.

Bacon was standard. Nothing fancy.

Pancakes. Well, let's just say they were sent back twice due to being mushy in the middle. The excuse mentioned was maybe the cinnamon drizzle or the syrup. No, I've had and made scratch pancakes for decades as a child and as a single parent. There was nothing fluffy about them. Something was legitimately missing from a simplistic recipe.

Point being: I'm not sure what the dynamics of this golf resort are. But I was extremely disappointed because I know establishments like this have chefs and members with memberships. Obviously not private and open to the public. But not one thing that came on my plate was fresh. And you are getting a review from someone who has been homeless, foster parent, single parent, and have had food like this provided to me equivalent to a soup kitchen.

I kept my word because I didn't want to see food thrown in the trash. Knowing that people are losing their homes and everything they've worked their entire life for in record numbers. I see them homeless receiving zero assistance daily everywhere.

That food went into a box. And I left out straight to find someone homeless at an intersection. And I found one in less than 10 minutes and 5 miles. Needless to say, I drove past that same area about an hour later and that homeless person was done for the day.

The complimentary biscuits were missing something too. And the fruit spread was watery and not completely done.

I was asked to give things a chance and was offered to try something else. At that point, I declined because I was already hearing excuses blaming me and I have never had the privilege to eat out almost my entire life. Plus, I never had the money to do so. Along with the fact that I had to make all of my food from scratch because I barely had money for groceries raising kids for two decades. Foster kids too. None of those programs (government and non-profit) came through for me (and the government stuck me with the bill and debts because of it).

So understand, I'm not your average patron walking into this beautiful establishment looking for mediocre food waiting for a chef to get himself together that are all extremely simple to make.

All I'm supposed to do anywhere I walk into is to sit down, order, eat, pay, and leave.

And I offered to pay for what I ate too.

Breakfast is one of the most important parts of the day. And I wouldn't feed...

I had heard wonderful things from friends and colleagues, so I decided to try this place out, especially since it had a wonderful-sounding menu for Howard County restaurant week. I made a reservation on Open Table several days in advance for myself, because I wanted to sit outside and see the golf course. The reservation was "accepted" and I was really looking forward to it. When I arrived, I was asked if I wanted "bar seating" because there were "no tables available", I respectfully declined because I had specifically made a reservation and requested seating outside to enjoy the scenery. The hostess was very understanding and seated me at a table and provided me with water. There were several other families sitting outside, all who were greeted, served their meal, and paid....while I sat there for over 30mins....with just water. My drink order was not even taken, nor was I greeted by the staff who were waiting tables.

After a nearby customer said I should speak up, I went to the front to ask why I had not been greeted or served since being seated, which was now approaching 45mins. The host at the front (they had switched staff) profusely apologized and said he would send someone out. After another 10mins went by, a woman with pigtails approached my table and abrasively asked "So, what do you want!?". I was very confused by the question and tone, and asked her what she meant (I am at a restaurant...I'd honestly just like to eat at this point...?) and she said "Oh. Sorry, how are you feeling today?" to which I replied "Not so well, ma'am. I have not been greeted or served and it has been over 45mins. I'd like to place my dinner order, please." She rolled her eyes and stated, "Well, you're one person sitting out here. We usually don't jump at serving one person. Thats not how we make our money-- we make it through bulk groups." After this, I apologized for wasting her time and said I would see myself out, standing up to leave. She snatched the menu off the table and stormed out ahead of me, making sure to allow the door to shut in my face on the way back into the restaurant. The other customers outside were horrified. I was incredibly embarrassed.

Needless to say I spoke to the manager and assistant manager on the way out, who were both incredibly kind and apologetic. I appreciated their compassion.

Positive: the scenery is beautiful! The host staff and management staff are compassionate and respectful.

Negative: If you are a single person or someone who just wants a solo, quiet dinner... I guess you shouldn't go here? This should be stated when you try to make a reservation for "one". The waitress seemed bothered. As as nurse, who’s job it is to serve and care for others, I get it...sometimes people just have bad days and the vibe is off, but I would never blatantly disrespect someone or make them feel like they don't belong there.

I certainly won't be returning, so its a shame I didn't get to try the food. Maybe others will have different experiences. Here's a nice pic of the golfcourse....and the lovely water I...