The Colington Cafe — Restaurant in North Carolina

First time walking out of any restaurant. Summary Don’t expect to be seated on time even if you made a reservation Dirty silverwares, chipped glasswares Cold food, sands in scallops, stomachache in the end Poor services (unprofessional server who ignored the customers when kitchen was delayed for more than 1 hr+, no explanation was given to the customers by servers nor manager, 4 entrees ordered but only two warm ones came out)

I was traveling NC (Asheville and OBX) with my friends. Very friendly people. We made a reservation to this place for 7:15 PM about a day or two before. Parking was a nightmare because no clear line for parking spots and so many people were at the restaurant for dinner. So, we were very excited. We went to see if the table was ready at 7:15 but the hostess told us to wait 15 min. We thought it was strange that we had to wait even after we made a reservation prior. But we waited cause things happen right? But we waited 25 min or more. Very hungry people. No elevator, one female and one male restrooms for two floors. It was cute though. We went upstairs and got seated. The server was nice and sweet, thorough with the menu. Silverware!!! Dirty. Watermarks (understandable), dried up food. We asked for a new one. Another dirty knife with dried up food. Whatever, I gave up at that point on changing out silverwares. We ordered an appetizer, the table across from us had their food and looked great. The table behind us was seated around the same time with us but ordered before us. You see how I was paying attention to everybody? Because there was always a long break between order taking and delivery of the food to the table. We finished our rolls (tasted undercooked, and typical frozen dinner rolls) By the time our appetizer came out which took like 20 min, the table across from us finished their meal and ordered desserts. Took the server about 30-35 min to bring the desserts to the table. And we all thought we were screwed. Even premade desserts take that long to come out then our steaks will take days!!!! But we waited patiently only because the servers were nowhere to be found and they were only available when foods were ready. Finally, after an hour and 15 min, we got two entrées out of three we ordered. Seafood pasta and some scallop and shrimp dish. Not hot just warm, overcooked pasta with dried up sauce, sand in every bite of the food. Two steaks?? Nowhere to be found. That’s when we called nope, we leaving. Of course we had to go downstairs to look for someone so we can pay what we “ate”. Manager looking person apologized very briefly. That night two of us who ate the scallops got sick. Two days after, the restaurant called and apologized and asked if they could give us free dessert. Such a horrible dining experience ever. Only if they let us know in the midst of all the kitchen chaos. We probably cancelled our meals and didn’t have to waste our time or suffer with stomach problems. So unprofessionally handled. Never could imagine 35 year + restaurant handling the situation like this. DO...

Very good. Our friends had been here before so we heard about it from them. We actually went on a double date with them here this summer. The tables had a real flower and it was nice. Also a candle. There was white paper on the table that they just remove after guests leave just like you have on the table in a doctor's office in the patient rooms. The atmosphere was nice and I could hear my company at the table and not have to yell. Water was always refilled. Food did not take long. Waitress wasn’t really that friendly. She lacked some personality but all of our orders were right which is the main thing, I have come to accept at some places we have been lately. The restaurant is in an old house. There were lots of painting and decor on the walls and in the bathroom. It really is a cool romantic spot off the main road a bit. It can be a double date location or just women's night out too. They also have a small wine/shop store that you can check out after dinner or before. We went after dinner but didn’t buy anything. Most of it was overpriced. We were just there to browse anyway but we expect little shops like this to be expensive. It is just how it is in our experience. Now to the food! We got served free rolls which I love that places do at these nicer restaurants. The rolls were a bit hard on the outside though, not super soft to eat. The butter was just the normal land o lakes packaged butter that some places serve. Nothing special but who cares, it was free. We had the teriyaki scallops and she crab bisque soup for appetizers. She crab soup was one of the better ones were have had. The scallops were cooked well and good teriyaki sauce. One of us got the 8 ounce filet mignon. Garlic mashed potatoes and green bean medley came with the entrees. They were tasty. I just prefer no potato skin in my mashed potatoes. Green bean medley was like grilled veggies and it was ok. Also we ordered the mixed grill which was tuna and 4 ounce filet mignon. Fish was just ok. The steak was good but part of the steak was more medium well done versus medium like we ordered. The salsa verde came onto the mixed grill steak and was maybe not the best choice for them to top the steak with. I got the hollandaise sauce on the side for my filet mignon entree but it wasn't my thing which is not a knock on the restaurant. Desserts – the crème brulee was amazing. It came with a sugar cookie and a slice of pineapple. We also had the peach and berry crisp which was peaches, blueberries, granola, what tasted like a cobbler filling I do in a basic cobbler at home (poor man’s), vanilla ice cream with whipped cream on top. I would get it again. It really was so tasty. I was pleasantly surprised. All around the food was tasty and we would go back but would try something different but would probably still get the crème brulee. Haha. Maybe a different seafood dish and perhaps fettuccine alfredo or a...

I made a reservation a few days earlier because it was the start of a holiday weekend ( Labor day ). We were seated immediately which was nice. The parking lot was a bit small and it was hard to find a spot so I'd recommend getting there a little earlier. The decor is beautiful, it's like a warm, flowery cottage! We were seated in what I would presume must have been the sun room, worth huge windows and a skylight. Loved it! Anyway we ordered the appetizer special, panko breaded scallops with an olive tomato tapenade over a bed of lettuce. It was delicious! Loved the tapenade! They should have a pasta dish with the tapenade! I ordered the fish special which was pan seared flounder with a lemon caper butter sauce topped with crabmeat. It came with roasted Brussels sprouts and grits. I don't care much for either of those and they were kind enough to substitute them with the mashed potatoes and veg of the day which was a combination of green beans, peppers etc that looked really good. My hubby preferred the beef brisette and panko crusted shrimp. I had been torn between this dish and the special I got. I didn't even have to steer him to this dish, he did it all by himself! I loved my flounder dish! It was exactly what I wanted. The flounder was cooked perfectly with crispy edges, the crab meat was nicely seasoned and naturally sweet. The veggies were great! I wish there had been more sauce and I wish it had been seasoned well with salt but I enjoyed it nonetheless! Hubby's shrimp with orange chili sauce was excellent. The beef I wasn't crazy about, I thought it was a bit dry ( I'm a rib eye gal, not sirloin! ). He enjoyed it though. They have lots of dessert options but we picked the orange cake with key lime cream drizzled with raspberry sauce. Now, I have to admit that I'm not into fruity desserts except for strawberry or blackberry cheesecake but I thoroughly enjoyed this! It is an absolute must to have! This coming from a chocolate lover should tell you how good it is! I had to mention that their ladies restroom was beautifully painted! It reminded me of the room I dinner in at the oak steakhouse in Charleston. It was so gorgeous! I'd love to paint a room like that. See the pics! We made a reservation for dinner two days later, we liked this...