Bar 17 Bistro — Restaurant in Orlando

Visited 9/18 at around 9PM for bites and drinks. We were table #45 and our waitress was Grace, who provided one of the worst experiences we have endured. It started with ordering two grey goose dirty martinis that arrived with two olives instead of three (which we asked for). We heard that this rooftop lounge was a must but Grace made sure that it wasn’t. We ordered a cheese platter, fried rice, two cauliflowers and French fries. Everything arrived together except one of the cauliflowers by a different server, however, we had no plates or utensils. We waited a good five minutes and because nobody ever came, one of us got up and had to ask another waitress for plates and utensils. When they finally arrived, the food had lost its temperature and the cheese board was soggy from just sitting there. When Grace was finally visible, we called on to her by saying, “Excuse me” and she responded by pointing her finger in a curt demeanor, “Give me a minute”. When she finally came to our table, we told her that we were looking for her for plates and utensils, water (which we were never served) and the missing cauliflower and her response was dry stating that she did not have any plates or utensils. So because she doesn’t have any plates or utensils we are forced to eat with our hands? She left and just said she would call a manager. Minutes later Lee visited our table and we explained that we are still waiting for water and later apologized for the experience. He credited half of the bill, which we appreciate but that is not what we were looking for or asked either. I understand that we are in a pandemic and that employees are scarce but this individual should not be working customer service or dealing with people. This was our last night staying on Universal’s Aventura Resort and we were looking to end it on a high note and got the opposite. I looked at the table next to me and also realized that they were also in need of utensils, plates and waters. I had to point that out to the manager as well for them to later receive waters, plates and utensils. I will revisit offsite options going forward in the...

I went with a group of friends that had been there before and told me about their experiences. Very disappointed, about everything. As soon we arrived one of my friends asked something to a blonde server with glasses and she was beyond rude with him she denied him the right to seat in a table stating that she had a party coming witch was people who were with us at the elevator. First sing of preference. After that we sat in a table, and it took a while to get someone taking care of us, then we notice a better table available (we were 5 people with 4 seats) we asked our server if we could move and she said yes. The table was dirty but we understand it because a group just leaved and we switched right away. But then the busser came and asked if the items on the table we ours, we said no and he left without cleaning the table. It took around 10 minutes to get the table clean. When we got our drinks and food we didn’t got napkins or utensils and water that we also ordered. One of my friends has to go and asked for it. In our time there, Grace just came to check on us one time, we wanted to order more items but since it took forever to be noticed we just asked for the check. Also and most important of all they had a RACIST behavior. My friends and I are Hispanic and we were talking in Spanish and wearing causal clothes. So we noticed that the tables next to us were getting a better treatment, she didn’t treat us bad but she barely took care of us, poor service. So these other tables we taken care of immediately also also better attitude from the personal. This kind of treatment should be unacceptable coming from a bar located at UNIVERSAL STUDIOS. We are extremely upset and never coming back. Also all of us we had been servers before and the places didn’t have the condition to be treated like that. I can’t stand a place like Universal allowing these kind of treatment to customers. Also we are locals and you guys are losing possible...

We stayed at the Advertura for our Universal trip. I'm sad that we waited until our final night to check out Bar 17 Bistro. Matos made great cocktails and was very costumer service oriented. He had that vibe about him that makes you feel like you're a regular. I had the Volcano View (kind of a Japanese whisky sour) and my wife had the Almost Sangria. Both drinks were excellent in taste and presentation. If not for a 4:00AM wake up ahead of us, we'd have ordered a couple more. Lindsey touched base with us throughout our visit, and was just as personable as Matos. We each ordered 2 bao buns: braised pork belly and duck confit for her, braised pork belly and firecracker shrimp for me. Some of the best food we had for the entire trip. It was a bit chilly, but a light jacket and sitting at the bar near a heater would offset it. The only real draw back was it was wicked bright. Lights on full blast, but Lindsey said some guests complain about ambiance lighting ruining their ability to see the food. All in all, I highly recommend checking it out.

EDIT: They charged my credit card despite us paying our tab with cash. Currently in the process of disputing the charge with my bank. Called the bar last Saturday pointing out their error with no response (via email or phone). Sad.

UPDATE: After 30 days the credit card issue has been resolved. Ante Kulusic was invaluable in the entire process. The man exudes professionalism and is the epitome of customer care. John Burger, Maria Rivera, and Frances Riggs also assisted me a great deal in the resolution. A criminal spoofed my card and managed to clandestinely charge my card via the chip in an undetectable fashion. I can't express enough how much Ante meant in the solution. He's a great man. I look forward to meeting him personally upon my...