Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill — Restaurant in Johns Creek

One Star (Would Leave Zero If I Could) Stoney River – Duluth, GA

Verified: Intimate Wedding Reception

A Year Later—Still Heartbroken

It’s taken me nearly a year to write this—not because I forgot, but because reliving the trauma of my wedding day has been unbearable.

As I write this, it’s our one-year anniversary, & I’m not celebrating. I’m at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York, waiting & praying for a transplant. This day should’ve been filled with love and joy. Instead, I mourn memories that never were. The pain of what was taken from us is something I carry daily.

I was a loyal Stoney River Franklin, TN customer for over 15 years. That location is outstanding. But Stoney River Duluth was the worst mistake of my life & the damage is permanent.

No Communication: From the beginning, Rachel, the GM, barely responded to calls or emails—even the day before the wedding. I called in a panic, only to be told she was off & someone else would review the details.

On the morning of the wedding, I arrived early to set up everything myself—from centerpieces and favors to a full layout of charcuterie, desserts, and signature cocktails. (These items were not available through Stoney River, therefore Rachel approved them to be brought in from an outside vendor) Every platter was wrapped and labeled, serving utensils attached. All staff had to do was remove plastic and follow the layout diagram.

What We Walked Into: A Nightmare

After the ceremony, we walked into chaos. Nothing was set up. No drinks, no food, no bar—even though it was clearly in our contract. Our guests sat in silence, confused and empty-handed.

Still in my gown, I was unwrapping and placing food myself. There were no plates, forks, napkins, or water. The bar? It never showed up, despite the detailed planning we did (including a room diagram with bar placement) bartender counts, wine & beer selections, and signature cocktails.

The toast? Forgotten. I had to beg for champagne, my husband and I were served last, despite being the only ones who don’t drink and having brought our own non-alcoholic champagne. Basic wedding etiquette was completely ignored. The bride & groom were treated like afterthoughts.

Every Course, a Failure

Appetizers were served family-style—four shrimp for six guests. Two people per table went without. Salad came without dressing. There was no salt, pepper, or bread.

Entrees were just as bad. No one was asked about preparation or offered the lobster tail upgrade. My husband’s filet was dry, burnt, and tasteless. Once again—we were served last.

Still no water. No tea. No coffee. No care.

I Cut My Own Wedding Cake

We had a five-tier Indian wedding cake, red with gold detail—stunning. There was no one to cut or serve it. I cut it myself in my gown. A guest had to request plates, forks, and napkins. My husband and I walked around serving our guests.

Not a single person from Stoney River helped. No manager. No congratulations. No human decency.

⸻

Corporate’s Response? Insulting.

I eventually contacted Stoney River Corporate / ST Hospitality, providing full documentation. On July 19, 2024, I got a voicemail from “Melissa”

Her solution?

“We can’t change your wedding, but we’d like to offer you and your husband a complimentary dinner.”

A free dinner. After destroying our wedding.

⸻

The Hardest Truth

Four months later, I was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Prognosis: 9 to 24 months. With time now finite, moments like a wedding should be priceless.

But instead of joyful memories, I’m left with grief, frustration, and heartbreak. I can’t redo this day. I can’t get it back. And that’s the part that breaks me most.

Please—Don’t Let This Be You

I wouldn’t recommend Stoney River Duluth for any event. Their hospitality is empty, their leadership absent, their compassion nonexistent.

You don’t get a second chance at life’s biggest moments. Don’t let them ruin yours.

“Food that feeds the soul, beauty that speaks volumes, & travel that tells a story—always through the eyes of Italy Loves India.” — Alyson Savino IG:...

I've dined at Stoney River Duluth location about a dozen times before and this has to be one of the unfortunate experiences I have had. We were a party of 6 and was celebrating my son's 19th birthday with family and friends. We were seated quickly after arriving and immediately, I noticed the menu seamed smaller. The menu was already on the table under the side plate. Our server, a tall African American gentleman, was our server on this evening 10/10/2024. I forgot his name, but after a few subtle hints in service, he was either new to his job or just way too busy. He introduced himself and took our drink orders. We ordered apps, Shrimp cocktail and ahi tuna stack. Both came out quickly, even before we received our drinks and water, which was unusual. But I just went with the flow and had the apps, which were good. But he did not bring us any share plates for the apps. We just used our side plate for the apps. It took a while after we received our apps, for my wife to get her glass of wine. After we had our apps, our server came back to take our entree orders. I was waiting for a busser or the server to come and clear our side plates and bring us fresh, clean side plates, which never happened. I received our salad, which I was sharing, which I mentioned to our server when he took the order, but did not bring us new side plates. He came and cleared out side plates finally and started to mark the tables with new forks and then came back with steak knives. Our server also forgot my wife's salad, which was never put in, but he was able to get it on the fly. Our entrees came out and If I remember when I last visited a few months back, the entree plates were hot plates, sizzling, but when I got my prime rib, I knew it was different. The prime rib was luke warm, I ordered it medium, came out medium rare. Our son's friend's NY Steak, he ordered it med, came out medium rare. Had to send back. The restaurant manager did come by and replace his entree, quickly. It just was not a good experience. The prime rib, flavor, was just ok. I am not sure if I would come back, as it seems as though the experience and food quality is gone. As a hospitality professional, I never like to send food back, unless it's completely inedible, or incorrect. I hope this was a one...

Usually the food and service here is spot on. Tonight was not one of those nights. Constantly had to remind the waiter about various things: Ordered cocktails. The meal arrived, they had to remind him about the drinks. He also wanted extras for his baked potato, which he had to remind the waiter to bring after the food arrived. He asked for bearnaise sauce with his steak, had to remind him of that as well. When it arrived it was more like a bearnaise paste vs sauce. We asked for bread and he stated that they were baking fresh as what was out there and available was old, only to be told later that you were completely out. How can you run out of something that is a Stoney River signature side? I asked for sweetener with my tea, and had to remind him for this as well (and while I didn't ask), I was never offered a refill for me tea at any point during dinner. Oh, at the beginning of the service he asked if we were celebrating something special, which I acknowledged "Yes" we were celebrating a birthday (which was on the reservation card that he had just picked up from the table). Positive response from our waiter, he told the birthday boy that he would hook him up with a desert at the end of the meal. Again, at the end of the meal we had to remind him of the reason we were there that evening.

Our waiter seemed to be very rushed and off his game, flying by asking if everything was ok and as long as he got a positive response from someone at the table, he was off as fast as he dropped in. When setting the silverware down for our entree, he reached across me in mid bite of my soup to place the fork and knife down for my husband. Only after I pulled back to get out of the way did he apologize for reaching across me. I get it, you may have been short staffed and you could be impacted by supply issues..if that was the case, be up front with it and your patrons will understand.

Even though the service was poor, my husband still left this young man a $100 tip on a $264 ticket. As a long time patron of this location, I expected better and left...