Oyster Bay Seafood Cafe — Restaurant in Lawrenceville

We have been patronizing Oyster Bay for over 14 years however, tonight will for sure be my last experience there. I saw a couple of previous reviews, addressing two issues that I experienced myself… One being Sam, the manager, and the second issue being a “new policy” requiring an automatic 20% tip on any bill over $100. I want to address the new tip policy first… I think if the restaurant has decided that’s their new policy that is perfectly fine, but it should be made very clear to customers before they order or get comfortable. It is a horrible business model to tell consumers that you’re going to give yourself a 20% tip whether the service warrants it or not. It’s not on the menu. It’s not posted anywhere inside the restaurant. We refused to pay the required tip and insisted on having it removed from our bill… Or create separate bills for each of us. Now enters Samantha also known as Sam. Sam’s service left quite a bit to be desired from the very beginning. However, again, we have been patronizing this restaurant for over 14 years and have always known the service to be impeccable, friendly and The environment, welcoming… It is for this reason that made this a first choice to celebrate my nieces birthday. However and as expressed in other reviews, Samantha made this experience one of grave disappointment predicated on questionable motives and ethics. just as others reported , Sam advised us at the end of our meal that a 20% gratuity Would be charged To our bill that was over $100 . Having purchased for cocktails ranging between $18 - $22, The bill was clearly going to be over $100 and presented a perfect opportunity for Samantha to advise about their gratuity policy. However , And like previous reviews Samantha maintained her consistent, poor behavior and judgment with customers by closing out our experience telling us we were no Longer welcomed in the restaurant. Sadly, after 14 years, both the experience, service and the food left quite a bit to be desired. I hate that this family own restaurant chose a discriminate individual to be the face of what was historically a wonderful restaurant. Samantha‘s going to put you out of business she’s rude and seems to have the same response to certain customers… “That they are no longer welcomed in your establishment.” I won’t be back as long as she is there. And I would caution anyone to watch closely, because even after we told her to give us separate checks to avoid the “ Automatic gratuity “she still tried to slip an extra $10 on one of the three now separate bills and thought we wouldn’t catch it… pretty sure that’s stealing or fraud at best. I do intend to report this to the Better Business Bureau because I’m sure we are not the first and won’t be the last to have extra money put on A $50 Tab as a required 20% tip…. Which contradicts the mandate of 20% tip on $100 bill. It’s wrong, It’s stealing….its 100% Sam, the manager. In 14 years I’ve never had such a horrible experience at this restaurant. I hope the owners will take note Her role within this restaurant certainly cost you a customer that frequented your establishment, at least twice a month for the...

*Food: The food was disappointing. While I am a pretty decent cook, good restaurants have equally delicious or more tastier food than me! This food was nothing special and you can tell the quality of the ingredients was poor.

We started with the crab dip. It was okay but FAR FROM crab dip. Huge chunks of vegetables. No crab. Just tuna. It tasted like tuna casserole but it was labeled as crab dip.

I ordered the sautéed redfish over a bed of rice. The rice came out cold, small in portion, and bland. The size of the redfish was decent but the taste was so-so. The sauce added did not fit the profile of the redfish.

I also had the cream of spinach. That was decent but beware it's about an equal amount of cheese as spinach. Probably great for someone who doesn't like veggies.... but I like veggies. Likely prepackaged.

We also had the crab stuffed Tilapia and the toasted garlic potatoes. The crab cake under the Tilapia did not favor crab. The Tilapia dish was bland. The potatoes were seasoned but drowned in this oily sauce. But the fact that the potatoes were abnormally soft and just the overall taste, I can tell they were prepackaged.

Drinks.... I was hoping for a Virgin drink/mocktail, but I was immediately told they couldn't make those. The server didn't even ask the bartenders. I settled for water.

*Service: The server was OK. But she seemed like she was indirectly rushing us to leave..... constantly asking us if we were ready for the check, even though it wasn't busy there at all and we weren't there that long.

There's a sign in very fine print (see attached photo) that basically says they won't take off items from the receipt that you didn't like or can't eat due to dietary issues. Says that it's the customer's fault because the server explains well and the menu is detailed. 10% gratuity automatically added on take out. 3.5% credit card fee. Etc. Even though I didn't address any of the above things, it's written rudely and wrote weird for a restaurant that had poor quality food that isn't delicious. Also, as a person with dietary restrictions, including allergies, this rubbed me the wrong way and made me feel hesitant to even order.

*Atmosphere: semi-dark restaurant all about fishing. Casual environment. Has a bar, booths, and table/chairs.

**Lastly, if you want high quality and very delicious seafood, go to Seaside Oyster Bar INSTEAD of the Oyster Bay Seafood Cafe....

Today my husband and I decide to eat here; my husband ordered the Swiss Mushroom Burger, and I ordered the half rib half shrimp basket with cream spinach and fries. Our waitress was great; however, we ran into a problem with my drink and food. The first two drinks had to be sent back because it had some kind of substance in each one , each time she brought it to the table. Next, my husband's cup had a crack in it and was leaking everywhere. I had to go and get another sever to get him another drink. Then the food arrived and I began to eat, when shortly after a few bites, my husband noticed hair in my food. The waitresses was embarrassed and went to get her manager Samantha aka Sam. Sam came out (didn't apologize) but, took plate back but, not before asking me if I wanted to eat around the hair! I said no thank you, she then said okay I will take this meal off of your tab. She never offered me a meal in its place for all of the inconvenience that we had gone through. The waitresses asked if I wanted something else ,I ordered the salmon pasta. We got to go; when the bill came they had charged us for the replaced meal. I asked for the manager Sam. Sam became extremely aggressive out of the blue( we have witnesses) , and said to me that she never offered me a free meal and then told us that she was going to call the police on us. Once again we sat in shock over what was happening to the point the people around us got involved to try to reason with her threat! She walked away, while we sat to await the polices arrival. The table next to us and the two tables near us became so upset, that they told their sever to put our tab on theirs. A short while later, Samantha told us that she had just spoken to her boss and the top boss, and they ask her to let us know that we are no longer welcomed at their establishment, because we asked her to comp the entire meal do to our bad experiences there. She added before leaving, DO NOT COME BACK!!! Then she stormed off. If this is the type of experience you are looking for go, but I pray that you don't run into Samantha or have any trouble with your meal or Samantha will call the...