Fusion at Ridgefields — Restaurant in Kingsport

Our ladies group had a lunch reservation set for several months in advance, yet the person in charge, said she didn't remember "everyone she talked to" and apparently "didn't write it down." We were first stuck at a bar height table that didn't accommodate our group size or age. We have several elderly ladies and people with canes. When one of our ladies mentioned that we had a lounge area the prior year, the woman in charge snorted off that we could do that but that she only had one waitress, so it might be a wait. That's the arrangement that we had made, so we were willing to wait. One more attempt got us into the lounge area, carrying our drinks and silverware with us, where they didn't even arrange the tables for our group. Many of us ordered from the menu because the items on the salad/ pasta bar looked picked over and dry. It was true that they didn't have wait staff because the woman in charge actually assisted in serving our group. They made the wrong item for one woman in our group, and when the lady across from me asked if she could add a side salad to her entree she was told it would take a while. The server asked if there was anything else before she left again and I asked if she could refill drinks. She told me to wait until she dealt with the food. We'd been there 45 minutes, and all of our drinks had been drained by that time. I had ordered the fettuccini with pesto. When it arrived, it was lukewarm and soggy. It was literally floating in oil. I decided not to complain on site because I didn't want to make a scene, but this restaurant seriously needs revamped. I doubt our group will return next year, and I know that I won't go back. I understand that Fusion @ Richfields has a reputation in the "community," but honestly I've had better pasta at the mall. Also, the serving staff needs to be trained that they are not "slinging hash" at a truck stop, and how to address customers with some modicum of etiquette if this restaurant wants to be respected in...

Let me start off by saying I myself am a huge supporter of local businesses in Kingsport, sentimentally and financially. Many restaurant owners know me and my family very well. Examples being Riverfront, Santa Fe ( Nacho & Teo ), Mustard Seed Cafe, Main Street Pizza, Two Dad's Cafe, Giuseppe's, Italian Village, Raffaele's, Wasabi, Ming Garden, Pal's ( The Barger family ) , and that's just naming a few out of many more. All have met and personally know who we are and have for many years. I want to say that i am very disappointed to have to spread nothing but the horrid truth about Fusion at Ridgefield's. Unfortunately, Mr. Joaquin has displayed the upmost disrespect for his employees and guest. From yelling at patron's and his staff, over stressing them to a point where they have a breaking point, not properly training his staff, to then proceeding to gripe. Owner likes to yell slurs and start intense heated arguments. He doesn't want to think through a situation, instead choosing to judge a situation too quickly and react incorrectly. Very inappropriate for any type of business. I'm going to have to be with everyone else when I say that I am disregarding whatever the owners " response " to this may be, if there even will be one. Many witnessed his behavior. Even people who were formally regulars are now having second thoughts. I've wrote this much only because I care. What's sad is the staff tries and they're some pretty good cooks here. Food can be really good at times. Unfortunately, things seem to run out and the deliverance of the information tends to be mixed up, skewed, and too late. For many more reasons besides just these, my point stands. As of the way things are now, I cannot supports this local business. Everyone beyond Kingsport will now know of how this business runs and how it needs to be improved. I hope the mess is cleaned up and this business can get the help that it...

Hidden fees, smug management.

The point of this post is not about the cost but about the lack of transparency and customer appreciation.

Our waitress, Aubree, was very nice and did a good job.

The manager we were provided, who didn't present his name, (walked with a cane) was smug and shrugged off our concerns.

Only after receiving our food and after my wife received her first refill of a fountain drink, the waitress proceeded to inform us that they charge for a second drink beginning with the third refill. We then questioned where that was stated on the menu and that it's not right or legal to charge your customers afterwards or for hidden fees. She stated that they did that instead of charging a fee for using a credit card. Which wouldn't affect us as we mostly use cash. She then returned to confirm herself this wasn't listed on the menu. She offered the manager and we accepted. He arrived and then tried to sell us on the concept and when we questioned why we weren't notified prior and that it wasn't on the menus, he said that it would cost thousands of dollars to redo them and wouldn't answer why we weren't notified prior. I said that's the cost of doing business for keeping the menu's up to date. He said he uses this hidden fee to keep his food quality up. However my wife's chicken breast just so happened to be overcooked and could not be cut with a steak knife. When we again questioned his methods, he came back with "this is why I'm selective with my clientele". This says to a previous returning customer, that he doesn't need our business and doesn't care if we return.

He did remove my wife's meal cost since it was overcooked.

Friday night may have in fact been my last visit after 3+ years. I'll have to think more on it.

Again, this is about being up front with your customers and showing appreciation or the want for every customer to return,...