As someone who values great service and dines out frequently, I decided to treat my mother and sister to a nice steak dinner at Chocolate Avenue Grill on Mother’s Day, expecting a memorable experience. Unfortunately, what unfolded was anything but.

We were seated quickly, which was promising, but it took quite a while before a server greeted us. We ordered three drinks a Pepsi, a lemonade, and a raspberry spritzer. All three were undrinkable. The Pepsi was flat, the lemonade had an off-putting taste, and the spritzer simply wasn’t palatable. We’re not difficult guests by any means, but these drinks were genuinely bad.

Things started looking up with the appetizers. The bruschetta was excellent and the salads came out quickly. For our entrees, we ordered the Garlic Steak & Shrimp, the 8oz Filet Mignon, and the 16oz Ribeye all medium rare. Two of the steaks were cooked perfectly, but my mother’s filet came out rare.

We waited about 15 minutes for our server to return so we could simply ask to have her steak cooked just a little longer. She never came back. My mom, in the kindest tone, asked the bartender walking by if she could help — and she did. Meanwhile, we were still waiting on a water that had been requested over 20 minutes prior.

Eventually, our server brought the water — but unexpectedly rubbed my mother’s shoulder while handing it to her. That kind of physical interaction was uncomfortable and frankly, inappropriate.

As we were discussing this at our table, we noticed the bartender staring directly at us with an angry, almost hostile expression. She kept staring for about two minutes, then scoffed and shook her head in disapproval — completely uncalled for, especially on a day meant to honor moms. Her behavior was intrusive, unprofessional, and left us feeling unsettled.

To their credit, the food (once corrected) was good. But the service ruined what should have been a joyful celebration for the most important woman in my life. I don’t typically write reviews, but as someone who understands the importance of customer experience, I felt compelled to speak up.

To Chocolate Avenue Grill: You’ve got potential, but your team’s behavior today crossed the line. For the sake of future guests, I sincerely hope this is addressed.

Response to owner -

Thanks for your reply, but I want to be very clear your response completely misses the point and comes off more as an excuse than an actual acknowledgment of what happened.

First, just because no on else complained about the drinks doesn't mean ours weren't bad. That's a weak defense. We weren't asking for a taste test consensus we simply received flat and unpleasant drinks, and that's what we reported. Instead of dismissing our experience, you could've just owned that and said you'd look into it.

Second, I understand it was a busy day I acknowledged that in my original review. But being busy doesn't excuse slow, unprofessional service. It doesn't excuse a server disappearing for 15+ minutes, a 20-minute wait for water, or a bartender giving a guest a cold, angry stare for doing absolutely nothing wrong. And it definitely doesn't excuse a server rubbing a guests shoulder without consent which was extremely uncomfortable and inappropriate.

You mention that your staff is experienced and working hard, and I don't doubt that. But professionalism means nothing if guests are made to feel disrespected or uncomfortable and that's exactly what happened.

2nd response to owner

I’m shocked by the unprofessional tone of your reply. I left an honest review based on our experience and was met with sarcasm for not emailing privately even though this is a public review platform meant for exactly that: public feedback.

Instead of showing accountability or genuine concern, you chose to deflect and insult. That only reinforces the poor service we received on Mother’s Day.

To future guests: the food might be sub par, but if something goes wrong, don’t expect professionalism or respectful communication. Disappointing, start to finish.