Little Birdie Wine Nest — Restaurant in Parma

I recently attended a party here, where about 18 of us were doing string art. The place was nicely decorated, but definitely needs a bigger space, building, or location to accommodate larger groups more comfortably, especially to split up customers (who are shopping, cashing out, dining in, crafting) from groups, or parties, who are crafting together. The ladies working in the front behind the counter were very cold, unhelpful and made me feel unwelcome. There was no way of knowing where I was supposed to go when I walked in. There was no signs, or anyone at all, that offered their help or assistance in directing me, or any other customer where to go. I stood in line for a good 5 minutes to ask where I was supposed to go, but when it was my turn the lady on the register ignored me, kept looking at the register, and walked away. Even though, I greeted her and was right in front of her, she didn’t respond or acknowledge me at all… and neither did the other female associates around her. They all just walked right past me, as if they couldn’t see me. I ended up walking past everyone, going towards the back, and asking another lady by the sink and the little hallway where to go, because I didn’t see anyone from the party I was attending. Turns out they were all the way in the back room, which I would have never assumed, or had figured out myself, without asking another employee. The room was quite small (especially for a group of our size), quiet, and awkward when I walked in. Luckily, there was a bluetooth speaker we could pair to, to play music. The woman who directed and assisted our party was fantastic, went above and beyond, helpful, polite, and so nice! The food spread was full of variety, but the only thing I would recommend is labeling what everything was, and offering a drink menu, so that when asked what would you like to drink, we don’t have to ask what they have. Also, in the 3 hours that we were all there, no one finished their string art board. I was definitely feeling anxious, tired, nauseated, frustrated, and mentally drained when our time was up, but a lot of us felt that way a little more than halfway through. It would have been nice to have a scheduled break (or breaks), and to have finished the project in the time we had. The majority of us have never been here before, and have never done string art. The design that was chosen was beautiful, but a lot harder than it looked. If we all had a picture to reference while we were doing the string art, instead of guessing or just winging it, I feel that would have made it less stressful and difficult. I highly recommend that they offer a variety of designs that anyone of all ages, with or without experience in string art, could complete within the time allowed. It would have been so much better to go home with the board completed, instead of having to leave with it unfinished and finish it ourselves. Lastly, I think you shouldn’t pull the paper out, that you originally have on your board in the beginning, until after you complete some of your design, instead of taking it off after you put your nails in the board, so you know what you are doing, instead of just guessing. Over all the experience itself was lovely and fun! It is something that I think everyone should experience this at least once. It’s something you will look back on, cherish, and remember (for most likely forever, I know I will.. LOL). I can see why people keep coming back. The price was expensive, even as a group in my opinion, but it was worth the memory and experience! Definitely a go to for family, friends, and, or a girls night out! I’d go there again!...

PURCHASED:  12 bottle advent calendar PAID $89 (average value per bottle should be $7.42)

RECEIVED: 12 187 ml (mini) bottles (the size that comes in 4 packs, or 1/4 a regular bottle of wine)

Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz --- retail value $2.50 Jam Jar Sweet White --- retail value $2.50 Menage a Trois Red Blend --- retail value $4.66 Seaglass Pinot Grigio --- retail value $2.50 Seaglass Sauvignon Blanc --- retail value $2.50 Woodbridge/Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon --- retail value $1.75 Woodbridge/Mondavi Merlot --- retail value $1.50 Summer Water Rose --- retail value $6.00 LaLuca Prosecco --- retail value $5.33 Fit Vine Cabernet Sauvignon --- retail value  $3.50 Fit Vine Rose --- retail value $4.25 19 crimes --- retail value  $3.50

Retail value of actual wine product from research of sales prices: normal estimate $40.47, high estimate $45.00

I am disappointed with the low price point value of these bottles.  The description of "sommelier curated," "hand selected," and the calendar price led me to expect much higher-quality wines than were included.  I received $41.00 of wine for $89.00 and do not feel it was a good value.

If I had known this calendar would be comprised of so many brands and wines that are of lower/low quality and I can purchase at Target or Walmart or elsewhere for an average of $6-9 per four-pack I never would have purchased it.  For the amount I was paying, I expected higher quality wines throughout.

I originally received Riunite Lambrusco (retail value $1.75) and traded it out. The policy was that calendars could not be returned so I had no adequate remedy available to me for the entire issue.

Overall, disappointed.

EDITED based on owner's posted reply to ADD: Photos are of the "tree" in unaltered, original condition. I don't fake photos or alter products. It's tied tightly and unshiftable. Nor did I dump out the wines. They slid right out of the tubes when I started to slowly drive away (it was not placed in a bag or box---I did contactless curbside and they loaded it straight into my trunk) and I pulled over again and that is how I discovered what product I had actually received.

This list and pictures are the product I actually received and what I paid for it is indicated. Readers can decide what they think of the value. The sales page and owner stated no refunds. The only remedy made available to me by the owner was swapping out 3 even lower-budget items (not listed, such as the Riunite). This price list fairly reflects the "best offer" given to me. I made it clear at the time that I felt it was not a satisfactory remedy but this was the only remedy offered. I was repeatedly shamed during the entire exchange and shut my mouth and made the best I could of it. This is the actual product, actual price, original condition, and a fair review. I'm sorry the owner is upset, but this is honest.

WEBSITE DESCRIPTION: Available in 12 or 24 bottle collections, this sommelier curated advent calendar is filled with hand-selected 187ml bottles of wine from around the world from the popular producers you know + love, each tucked behind an adorably decorated tag for a delicous suprise to indulge...

We went here because someone got us gift cards and it looked cute. We got two wine slushies and a “board.” The first girl was friendly and told us the slushies were buy one get one 50% off. We picked out what we were ordering, went to the counter, and the bill came to $75. We had $50 in gift cards. The board was $38 and when we saw what it came with (when they brought the board over), it was NOT worth it. It was 100% not worth $38 of food. It was a tray of a few snacks. Afterward we realized, the girl who rang us out actually didn’t give us the BOGO half off on the slushies. It’s our fault I guess for not checking that originally when we paid but she did not give us the receipt and we just didn’t think about it until we left as we were chatting and catching up the whole time.

I am disappointed because I actually gave a bigger tip based on the total price and not based on what I was paying with my actual credit card, but we had to pay first.

Overall, this place is cute and I’m sure they have some great painting events but it is completely not worth the food or drinks. We way overpaid and I regret (and I am kicking myself) for how much I left on my card as a tip honestly for basically a Panera experience. I don’t typically leave reviews unless I have had a really good experience and only ONE other experience that was the complete opposite… but I just feel really annoyed about what I paid and what we got.

I will likely not be back here.

6/8 Edit: The owner replied that the website clearly says the boards are three dollars. Perhaps she purposely has a typo here, as they are $38 and listed at $38. I looked up a picture of the board that we got on Google and attached it here. Even if we were served all the food that was pictured on this board, it would not be worth $38. But I took the picture and in white, x-ed out everything that was not included on our board when we came. The orange parts were included but only had 2 pieces for one (on the right) and the bread part had maybe 4 (in the picture it has 6 on the left). I could actually go on about something a little offputting that the girl said to us when she brought it over but didn’t include that in the review initially because I wanted to think it was not that big of a deal. Now that I have the response from this owner and I’m looking at the overall experience, I probably should have included it too as part of the overall sub par experience.

I like to give small businesses my business, and I’m really usually easy to please. But this really leaves a...