CIELO — Restaurant in Fountain Hills

I didn't stay here, I worked here in the restaurant called Cielo. I honestly enjoyed it but the way I was treated by management and the hostess is unacceptable. The first day I worked ran mostly smoothly because they had a capable staff of servers scheduled. The second day was a complete mess, because they didn't. During the lunch rush yesterday, I was a busser. There were supposed to be 2 of us but the 2nd busser was expoing because the one that was scheduled, didn't know how. So I guess he was training him? But management was completely unaware. The servers were either taking orders or standing around in the back. They are supposed to keep the water goblets full, as well as the bussing station, where the silverware, glasses and napkins are kept. They weren't doing any of that. So I started doing it; while being the only busser. I also had to grab something for a guest several times because their waiter never came to check on them, or ask their waiter to print out their check because they had been waiting so long for it. On top of that, the hostess kept seating people at tables I had not fully set yet, with fully set tables right next to them. She was taking the place settings off of the tables next to them and using them for the guests she sat at tables that weren't ready. How is that efficient? I kept having to reset tables I had already cleaned and set and it kept me behind. At one point, I was talking to a lovely family about their baby while I was setting the table next to them. The hostess walked up to me and stood an inch from my face and said "that table in the corner needs to be set, people have been waiting to sit there for a long time" while I was in the middle of a sentence, talking to the family. This was her first time telling me she wanted that specific table for some guests. So, I excused myself and bussed the table (it took 2 trips) and then I grabbed the silverware and extra place setting I was going to need and started cleaning the table. As I was wiping it down, Patricia (the hostess) came over and very rudely started taking silverware off of the table next to it and setting it on the table, sighing and slamming stuff down. I told her I already had the silverware I was going to need and that I wasn't done wiping the table down. She said that she didn't care and that the guests had been waiting a long time for that table. I commented that I don't think they'd want to sit at a dirty table and she said "it's fine, it doesn't look dirty" so I said "I'll leave you to it" and walked away. She literally sat a party of 3 at a table that was only half wiped down, no seats were wiped down at all; with clean tables all around them. There was no reason for any of this. It was extremely unprofessional. I worked harder than anyone out on the floor. I didn't even get a chance to stand still for a moment until 3 hours into my shift, while the servers and hostess did a lot of standing around. I finished and clocked out at the time I was scheduled to, and the dining room looked clean and beautiful. By the time I got home, I was fired. The remarks under my firing said I didn't meet shift requirements and I was unprofessional. First of all, I was never scheduled as a busser. I was scheduled as a hostess the first day and a pool side server the second day. But I was a busser both days. So how did I not meet shift requirements? If anything, they failed my shift requirements. Second of all, how was I the unprofessional one? I stayed busy the entire shift and several guests said they loved my personality and people skills, during the 2 days that I worked there. Management never even had a conversation with me about how the day went. The cherry on top is that, although I worked very hard, they said I didn't qualify to be tipped out. They said the policy changed and now a person has to work 5 shifts before they qualify for tips. I'm sure they fire a lot of people within a few days, without ever having a conversation with them or training them on how they like things done. Very poorly...

Everything (the appetizers, cocktails, entrées, and dessert) were all exceptional. The view of the mountains, especially at sunset is spectacular from the high elevation of the restaurant and open wall (or outside seating) and also from the bar. We arrived early, so we started at the bar with the Ahi Tacos which I definitely recommend. (See the gorgeous photo of 3 mini corn tortillas topped with super fresh slices of ahi tuna, a bit of shredded cabbage, delicate red pickled onion, a generous slice of avocado and an incredible chipotle aioli.) I can't wait to get this appetizer again along with, what I think was the coolest paired cocktail, an Amaretto Sour. I don't know if it was just the awesome bartender (who also had a great personality) or if they have a magical sweet and sour mix, haha, or if they're using real fresh Arizona lemons with simple syrup, but I swear it was the best one ever. My friend had one of their Specials of the Week, a Mule with vodka, cranberry, and I'm not sure what else, but it was fantastically fruity yet well balanced.

Dinner was amazing and the service was top notch! I had the Lobster Scallops with Parmesan Potato Gnocchi. Again, you have to see the photo. There were 4 Large Scallops with a Lobster Butter Sauce and homemade Italian Parmesan Potato Gnocchi generously surrounded with delicious seasonal vegetables chopped nice and small. It was definitely like 2 meals in one.

My friend couldn't decide between the Short Rib Pappardelle or Corvina Sea Bass, so she asked the waiter for his recommendation. She chose the Sea Bass with Pistachio and Dill Crust & Orange Champagne Butter Sauce (served with Jasmine Rice and Sautéed Spinach). Surprisingly, when the server brought our entrées, she was given the Short Rib Pappardelle.

They handled the situation exactly how a diner should be treated. The server apologized and said that he would get our waiter who came right out, accepted the blame & apologized offering to make the other entée as soon as possible. If you've ever been in this situation, you know that it's a bit uncomfortable, so my friend said she was fine with having the Short Rib entrée. It was really tender and flavorful, the meat just fell off of the bone, and the homemade Pappardelle Pasta with Mushroom Stroganoff Sauce was really very delicious.

I give them 5 stars for all of the above and because they brought out a complimentary dessert for her. (I don't know what it was called, but ask for the amazing dessert that's somewhat like créme brûlée with a toffee type crust.)

I literally cannot wait to go back and have any one of these things again or try something new. This is a fantastic place to bring someone and know that whatever they order and the beautiful mountain view will be wonderful.

I also saw many amazing gluten-free entrées on the menu. They have complimentary valet parking and do take...

The two stars is for only the ambiance and scenery. The restaurant faces out into Fountain Hills with a beautiful view and and nice open air seating. Unfortunately, that's the only real positive thing I can say about our dining experience there.

When we got there my date and I are very impressed with the ambiance and the view of the valley. It's a beautiful night and we are really looking forward to having a romantic dinner together. After enjoying the scenery on a high note, everything starts to go downhill...fast!

1. When we made the reservation, we specifically said that she has a gluten allergy. When we checked in at the front desk to be seated the hostess even double checked that we are good to go with the gluten allergy and they have gluten free menu and bread for us. The server brought out bread which is not gluten free for our table. At first we thought no big deal. It's an honest mistake we just need to change it out. However, that proved to be harder than it seems. After three failed attempts with waving and literally calling out to different servers, we could not get anyone to come over.

2. Our server finally shows up to take our order after about 20 minutes. We asked to switch out to gluten bread, which he hastly took and was about to leave while we were asking questions about the menu. Knowing that if he leaves it would take a very long time to get him back, I literally had to speak kind of loud to get his attention to stay and answer our questions.

3. We ordered brussel sprouts to start. The brussel sprouts literally came out charred. It is so overcooked that when you eat it, it tastes bitter. Then we had it remade, the remake was a lot better but there are pieces of broccoli mixed into the brussel sprout dish. Why is there broccoli in the fry brussel sprouts?

4. Here it's the worst part about this experience. Where we sat, there is an army of ants that is crawling under our seats. It started to crawl up my date's leg and bite her. She was wearing a dress. We asked the server to change tables. Then shortly after we change tables, they set another couple at the same table with the ants. Why would you seat another customer at a place when you know there are a bunch of ants crawling all over? Of course shortly noticing there are a bunch of ants, the new couple requested to change tables too. This is the first time I have ever seen an upscale fine dining restaurant be this irresponsible with their customers due to the lack of communication between the service and the hostess staffs.

At the end, aside from a beautiful scenery this was an awful dining experience. If this experience is any predictor of what future experience will hold, then it is very unfortunate because it is such a...