Pier Restaurant — Restaurant in Harbor Springs

I wish I had pictures because the pictures would tell the story. I was in your restaurant Friday evening. I brought a group of people from Detroit. I have been to your restaurant 50 times and never had a bad meal. We brought up some people who have never really been in Harbor Springs and we thought what better place to bring them then the pier. We set the reservation for 730 for six people two people joined us from Detroit so we called the restaurant and said to them that we were going to increase it to eight if they weren’t too busy. The hostess, who answered the phone was gracious and very accommodating. When we got to the restaurant at about 7:45, they sat all eight of us in a booth in the main dining room. Our surprise there was nobody in the dining room, and there were only four people in the bar, which I realize when I went to the bathroom. They presented us with a Small paper menu and a separate specials card. And at that point, they let us know that The last people had left the restaurant a little after seven. But they held the table for us and don’t worry because the Cook is still here and everything should be fine at that moment I should have stood up and said I apologize, but we’re gonna go across the street for dinner. Hindsight is always 2020. We ordered drinks which took about 15 to 20 minutes to get to the table because our waitress was all by herself She came after the drinks and told us that the kitchen was closing, and we needed to place our order Again, we’ve finished our drinks and went across the street to one of the restaurants that was full of people and we could’ve gotten a good meal. First of all, I would’ve liked to have known that there was a limited menu that evening when I spoke to the hostess on the phone so I could’ve made a decision whether or not I still wanted to come. She informed us that you guys were in the middle of a restaurant Menu revision and normal menu wasn’t available The new menu had several items on it But nothing really that I haven’t had before that at your restaurant or would’ve been my choice to have that evening. Again, we had your crabcakes which were filled with corn. We’re not bound in any way shape or form was a soupy mess. They were basically raw all the way through and if you ever had a crabcake with the texture of crab mushy crab, it’s not a Very pleasing to the pallet. We ordered mushroom risotto for Our dinner entrée. I should’ve taken a picture because it looked like Reis mixed with three types of mushrooms, and there was a consommé leg broth all around the risotto. When we began to eat the risotto, turned it again into a watery mess. What I’m most angry about is I didn’t at that Inform your waitress that this was horrible including the crabcakes and sent it back. Our bill was all eight people and drinks was pretty close to $600. In all sincerity, I don’t even know where to go from here With any further complaints. After that we went across street to Bar Harbor and all I could think to myself was I should’ve come over here for some cocktails had a hamburger. Walked into Pearson where I’ve also been many times and I would consider a good meal but not a great meal but at least for $600. Everybody in the party would not have been disappointed. I am an X restaurant tour having worked for the Machus restaurants, lettuce, corporation in Chicago, Chuck Muer restaurants, and several other Detroit area restaurants to include. Cruz and Muers restaurants in Rochester to name a few. So this critique of your restaurant is not coming from somebody the business or understand the business both from the front of the house to the food. I don’t know how this review will affect your overall score of 4.4 it’s not my desire to hurt the Stafford reputation. Having graduated from both culinary school and the hotel restaurant program at Northwood University. it is not my intention to hurt...

We did not even have the chance to eat here because of how rude the hostess was. We walked in at 6:15 and asked if they had a table for 6. The hostess said they aren’t taking names anymore and to come back before 6 next time. Understandably, we said okay and walked out. We went back a few minutes later just to ask if they had anything open at the bar and the same hostess seated a table of 4 at the right side of the restaurant. When we asked about that part of the restaurant another hostess said oh yeah that’s open seating but they just took the last spot. Then the same rude hostess said they have a dirty table by the bar that will be cleaned soon but we can go over there and wait for it to be cleaned...so now I’m going to sit at a dirty table with food and drinks leftover? Never in my life have I felt so disrespected and discriminated against. What was it that prompted this hostess to not seat us but seat other parties ahead of us? Very disappointed because I was looking forward to eating here but I will not be spending my money here ever.

Edit in response to the owner: I completely understand that it was busy and our names could not be taken, that was not why I was upset. We were not told about the open seating area where we could wait for a table to open. We would not mind waiting even 60 minutes for a spot to open there. Instead of even giving us the option she stated they can’t take anymore names and that was that. This was our first time there so we did not know that was even an option, it would have been respectful to offer that as an alternative but we weren’t given that courtesy. In response to the dirty table, her exact words were that we can go outside to the dirty table and someone would come and clean it. So we had to go walking around and try to find this table ourselves. There were a couple of dirty tables and we didn’t know which one she wanted us to sit at so we decided to leave. I do not mind waiting for a table to be cleaned or even for a table to open but when I’m not informed of this option and I’m told to go look for a dirty table myself it doesn’t make me feel...

Did not get a table, which I specifically requested the day before. Forced into a booth, which we couldn't see out due to high walls. Then got subpar cheap wine. I received just a planked fish meal(ordered planked fish and perch), which server said perch forthcoming. But I had been served another person at our tables meal, took a bite of it before server returned with mine. she mistakenly served the wrong meal. She then gave me my meal and cut off the eaten portion and reserved it to the other in our party. Gross. We should have complained more vehemently. I ordered 'planked whitefish and perch', which I misunderstood to be both planked, but was actually planked whitefish And Fried perch. Vegetables were served as condiments, so better get a salad if you want some fiber. Overall, a TRULY DISAPPOINTING EXPERIENCE from this establishment. Added on the end, they offered to give us a discount, but we had 15% discount coupons from staying at a Stafford lodge. Then, the server didn't take off our discount, so had to redo bill. And, it did not reflect on my credit card, so I may be in a dispute with credit card over this overcharge... The final insult: toilet stopped up with TP and waste in one stall and bathroom totally unacceptable for this (supposedly caliber) restaurant, esp. In Covid. Do yourself a favor and go to Petoskey. You cannot see sunset from this venue in Harbor Springs, despite what they tell u when making reservations. FYI, as this lambaste is so long, the manager came up to ask us how our meal was and we just said ok. She offered a different bottle of wine, but ours was over 1/2 drank by then, and we feared driving back to lodge, so declined. She then offered free desserts, which one of our party took, but was charged (and she paid it)anyhow. She also offered us a discount, but we told her we already had 15% coupons, trying not to make a fuss. Then, the 15% discount was not taken off our bill. There. Have I said enough? Don't ask a detail oriented person/foodie/amateur chef to review a below standard establishment unless u want to read the...