Selena's at Willow Lake Tavern — Restaurant in Louisville

Before writing this review, I had dined here previously and had a unsatisfying meal but gave Selena's a second chance. Sadly they missed the mark even more on the second visit which is enough for me to not recommend this restaurant or return to it again.

During my first visit I ordered the special, a bone-in Ribeye that was salty, fatty, and tasted like a cheap piece of meat. However, my parents use to come here regularly so I felt it deserved a second chance.

We arrived on a Wednesday night at 6:30 and were quickly seated. The restaurant was mostly empty but we were told the tables of our choice were reserved. Selena's doesn't take reservations via Opentable so I assume they do so directly.

Our server, Laura greeted us warmly and went through the specials with us. After reviewing the menu we both decided on their specials; my mom ordered the grouper and I choose their pasta and blackened shrimp option. I also asked for a red wine that would pair nicely with the meal.

The wine arrived first and wasn't very good. Nonetheless I didn't complain since I left the option up to the server so the blame was on me. Our entrees arrived and my mom's fish was dry and rubbery, a sign of being overcooked. I tried it found it very unappealing which is sad for such a great fish that was meant to be enjoyed.

My pasta was cool and had Selena's special sauce on it, a lot it...a whole lot of it. Worse, the sauce wasn't good so the pasta swimming in this monstrosity of cheesy-like sauce had nowhere to go. Even the blackened shrimp were unable to escape their fate and were covered in the same horrid sauce. If they were blackened at some point in the past we shall never know as the sauce overpowered everything.

Our server returned 5 minutes after our entrees arrived (they were delivered by someone else) and we politely expressed our displeasure. She was empathetic and headed off to speak to her manager. It would have been nice if she offered to take the dishes and offer us something else but that didn't happen.

We picked through our plate for a couple more minutes before deciding it just wasn' worth the effort. Our server returned and upon seeing most meals mostly uneaten, offered to box them up for us. We declined and asked for check. When she returned she mentioned that the manager had taken my glass of wine off the bill as compensation for our meal. We simply smiled, paid the bill, tipped her 18 percent, and...

My wife and I have eaten here many times. We’ve brought family and even though it’s a bit of a drive, we don’t mind. It’s quaint, the food is always excellent and the staff accommodating and pleasant. Until last night. I made a reservation for 5 for Saturday night the 21st on Thursday. When making the reservation the options for a time slot were wide open, with availability showing every 10 minutes or so from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM or so. After we went to see the hostess at 7:00, she had us follow her outside to a patio table. It was 28 outside and they had plastic sheeting covering that part of the restaurant. They also took us to a 4 top table that was in a back corner and mostly inaccessible. When I commented on the cold (the ladies didn’t want to wear a coat) and the missing chair the hostess said well, this is your table. I asked if we could go back to the bar. She said yes. On the way I noticed multiple empty tables inside, and multiple booths that would accommodate 6 people with 2 or 3 folks in them. When we arrived at the bar the 6 top we’d had a drink at minutes ago was occupied. At that point some other staff member approached the hostess and said what’s the problem. I interjected and said well, the table you have for us is outside, it’s cold and it doesn’t have 5 seats. Her response was to say “it’s the holidays, we’re all booked up”. I looked around and there were numerous tables vacant. I said Miss, your parking lot is half full, there are empty tables. She looked back at me and said “holidays Sir, we’re full”. She was rude, curt, short and not at all accommodating or sympathetic. My wife then spotted an 8 top in what is normally the entrance and asked if we could have that. They agreed. After that I will say the food and service was spot on. Gracie was a wonderful server and the manager came around to check on us a few times. Food was up to par, service was good, but we were seated in the foyer / entrance and not a normal table. I could forgive that, but the 4 top table and the other staff members dismissal of my concerns are not acceptable. It was apparent she couldn’t care less about the issue, a resolution or the fact I reserved a table for 5 and they tried to seat us at a 4 top table. All in all we had a decent evening and enjoyed catching up, but if that staff member is indicative of the service commitment at Selena’s we will have to think twice about...

The restaurant has weekend brunch, Saturdays 10 till 2 and on Sunday's 1030 till 230. The menu has a decent variety and $2 mimosas are available and bloody Mary's might be couple of more $. They have a full bar. The server was slow and seemed overwhelmed, took awhile for him to show up at the table and it took a while for him to get drinks and re-orders taken care of. Another server was kind enough to refill water because our server was not attentive enough. The beniget were tasty and so was the brie appetizer. I ordered a large jambalaya, the big pieces of chicken were dry and you could tell the chicken was made few days ago. The jambalaya had decent flavour. The place is worth the try at least once. I will let the decision on you if you want to go back.

Update from 05/18

I am going to re-rate it 2 stars after my recent and the last visit.

Once again service was an issue. We were seated immediately and were told by the host that the server will be with us shortly. After waiting for 10 minutes, yes 10 minutes we had to ask the host if there was a server for our table. After few minutes, the server came by, apologised because he had another table. Please teach your employees to multi task or at least ask the host/hostess or another server for assistance.

I ordered an egg white omelet with spinach and sausage. My omelet was very well done and when I asked if it can be remade, the server said that is how I ordered and I had to remind him that I did not ask for it to be well done. He then said he must have mixed up instructions with something else.

Here comes the chef, the server took my omelet back to kitchen, the chef came marching to the table with the server to let me know that is how a well done omelet looks like and I had to remind them that I Did Not Ask For WELL DONE omelet. The omelet was remade and I guess to show the regret, the omelet was drenched in butter. So much butter that I could not finish it.

I understand that you are a popular place with the locals but that does not mean you are doing everything right.

It is quite clear that your service crew needs a lot work and...