Bay Local Eatery — Restaurant in Virginia Beach

This review is based on the customer service. The food is 10/10.

I visited this restaurant on 7/17/22. I was in town on vacation and this place was recommended by a friend who is from VA beach and who also accompanied me and 2 other friends. It was extremely busy (could not find parking. They have a small parking lot) and was told it would be about an 1hr to 1 hr 15 minute wait. We decided to put our name on the waitlist. We frequently go to Brunch so we were not deterred by the wait time. We were told that we could sit in the waiting area on the opposite side of the host table. We finally found a sitting area that could accommodate our party of 4 and sat down. We asked one of the hosts that happened to be walking by how ordering works in this area because we saw some people walking up to the bar and some people being served. A waitress jumps into the conversation and loudly and rudely explains that the section we were in was only for drinks and appetizers and the outward section was for regular ordering. She walks away and then proceeds to come back to our table. She was very condescending the entire time. We ordered the large sorbet mimosa and saw it waiting on the bar. At first we figured maybe it needed to unthaw before they served it to us. However, as we continued to wait we noticed multiple people walk up to the bar and literally put their face in it to get the attention of the bar staff. At that point we were very concerned and asked our waitress if it was our drink and she very rudely stated “I wouldn’t know because I’ve been serving other customers”. The smart remark was very unnecessary and unprofessional. She went to check and we were told it was ours and we asked for a new one. A manager came over and we explained the issue and she says they will make it over but then gives a condescending remark and says “ You do know that you all are sharing a drink” We felt insulted. I explained that we were well aware and that we are fine about that aspect but not with random people’s faces in our glass and breathing in it. She then walks away. One of the bartenders proceeds to come over and did not make the situation better. She asked the issue and complained about the price but stopped and walked away mid conversation. Our appetizers arrived and the new drink. We ate and by the time we finished, our table on the other side was ready. We told the waitress and she said ok and asked to close out the tab. My friend gave her card to use to open a tab when we first sat down so she told the waitress to put it all on her card to close it. We ordered 2 appetizers along with the large mimosa. The waitress couldn’t believe it and asked her if she was sure if she wanted it all on one card. We felt insulted by this again. We are grown professional women who spend money how we please. We do not need anyone questioning how we will pay our bill. The unnecessary condescending remarks made it a 0/10 customer service experience. I have never been insulted at an establishment before. If a customer raises a concern, your first instinct should not be to be snarky. Providing some sort of solution should be the only response.

The customer service on the other side was far better. Again I understand it was busy and that wasn’t even our issue. It was the rude behavior of the staff that we...

It really is a shame how downhill this place has gone since 2020. We came here today for my husbands birthday and it was a hot mess to say the least. First of all when we went to the front to be seated after waiting 45 minutes the hostess asked a young male waiter if he wanted to be our server. He laughed and said absolutely not. We were seated by another, very rude waitress who looked like she hated the world. Our running joke for the day was clearly all the staff were hungover or having horrible days since they were extremely rude and disheveled. Our waitress came to the table and it took her nearly 5 minutes to understand our drink orders. Ill give her credit since the music is too loud and you can barely hear but she still got them wrong and they had to be corrected - we ordered three glasses of white wine and got sparkling. When we asked to have to correct, waitress replied “well I guess this one was my fault this time.” When it came time to order our food I asked to order the grilled romaine salad and my waitress said I’ll dislike and send it back and to get the Caesar salad instead since they are known for it have a world famous dressing. Worst Caesar salad ever; extremely fishy (i ordered chicken with it) and salty with no dressing. I could barely eat it and sent it back. Additionally my stepmother ordered a burger, medium rare, with grilled onions and bacon. Burger came out extremely well done and no bacon. My step mother asked for bacon and it never came, yet we were charged $2 for it on the bill. Worse yet. After I sent back my salad waitress never came back to check on us and kept giving me glares from across the room which made me extremely uncomfortable. To top this all off she automatically got 18% gratuity for all her mistakes since they put that on the bill, regardless of service. Needless to say it will be our last time there for a while, if not ever. Would love to have the old...

I'm torn about talking through the experience.

The food was great when it was served. Detrimental was the fried biscuit; some people loved it, but it just seemed like a bad chewy donut.

I ordered the light tower omelet ($16.99) with the added scallops (+$3.99). It was terrific. Unfortunately, I had to experience my meal in two sittings.

I stopped eating to order some toast, and the biscuit abomination didn't work for me. The toast took over 12 minutes to arrive, and they still charged me for the toast. I had to wait 12+ minutes to finish the meal, and they charged me for waiting. Such poor attention to detail. Yes, I was the last one to finish eating. I would go again on a different day, probably a different location.

The dining room was too large for the kitchen. The massive crush of orders prevented them from delivering good service.

Decor was tasteful and lovely.

The menu and the food looked fancy fancy, but when I unrolled the silver, the cutlery looked like it was purchased during the demolition of middle school. I asked for a different fork, and the server replied that he "... couldn't help me with that". Really poor cutlery. Might as well offered plastic. Such horrible attention to detail.

But here's the rub; the meal, with coffee, was $30, plus extra tip ( they tack on 18%).

Should you come here? The rest of the party of 8 was pleased, I found it a waste of money--and yet the others at my table had a wonderful time. For comparison, what would you get at Gaston's for the same amount of money. A nice plate of pasta or a good salad, good cutlery, cloth napkin, and servers who weren't bewildered.

The dining room was noisy; I couldn't hear what was said at the other end of the table.

Go there knowing you are not going to get the...