Elderwood — Restaurant in Visalia

I gave this place 1 star because that is the lowest I could give. IDK how people are writing nice things about this place. People, be honest, this place is so OVERRATED. When I made my reservations, I requested to be seated on the south sections of the dinning area because we did not want to be seated under a dingy canopy that is set up on the north side.(seriously we are paying TOP Dollar for a rooftop restaurant experience, and they have a big swap meet type canopy set up). Yes, I understand you are worried about the weather, but check the forecast. It has not rained in weeks, and we are not due for any rain in the near future. I got a text a day before to confirm my reservation and I replied "confirm." I also called to confirm that we would be seated on the south side and not under the "tarp". Amanda, who took my call, assured me that we would be seated in the area I requested. I also asked if there was an elevator to the rooftop because one of my guests is in a wheelchair. We arrived, and my friend in the wheelchair had to take a service elevator located at the back of the building, thru the hotel, then had to take 2 more elevators to finally get to the rooftop. No one guided her so she had to figure it out for herself. When we finally reached the top floor, we were directed to then north side dinning. I immediately brought it to the host attention, and let her know we were supposed to sit on the south side. She told me we could not be accommodated there because my party was of 10 guest (my reservation was made for 10) and because we had someone on a wheelchair. I tried to explained to her that I called to confirm, and she rudely cut me off and said "we tried calling you and no one answered, and we left you a voicemail to call us back." What a LIE!! I have my phone with me at all times, I did not have a single missed call from them and I do not have a voicemail set up, so how did they leave a message? She then said "well I'm sorry." Had I been alone, I would have left, but my friends were with me, and they too were excited about the "rooftop restaurant" so we stayed. We were seated under the ugly canopy, on garden chairs and tables you can find at local stores. We had 1 waitress and she was also attending 3 other tables. We were given water upon sitting down, and we asked our waitress on 3 different occasions for straws. we got them about 10 minutes later when one of my guest, said to her "excuse me can we please get those straws," she finally brought them. The overpriced menu does not have much to choose from. We stared off with ordering drinks, a few of us had draft beer,, but they were warm, (everyone knows draft beers need to be super cold). The mixed drinks are little and overpriced. Some decorated with and over sized shaped ice. You are paying for an ICE, that is ridiculous. One of my friends ordered a coffee, and asked for creamer and sugar. The waitress obviously forgot and brought them out later when her coffee was cold. We ordered appetizers, I had a mango ceviche, Hmmm 4 whole shrimps, some avocado slices, and some mix of veggie, does not make ceviche, I hated it. The entrees was ok, I ordered the the seafood pasta, but I definitely have had better at other places. Some of my guest were also expressing that they were not impressed with the food, and the service was terrible. We finally each got our $100+ bill, and are automatically charged a 18% gratuity. That is a JOKE!! That explains why our server did not go above and beyond she barely even did her job. Gratuity and tips should be earned and decided by the guest not charged.

Overall, I hated this placed. My party spent over $1,200 just to sit under an ugly tarp, on lawn furniture, eat overpriced food, drink warm beer and receive terrible service. We would have been better off going downtown and doing the same thing for better food and drinks, and for a fraction of the cost.

I was looking forward to my 45th bday experiencing a dream but it was more like a nightmare. I'm completely disappointed with my experience at"...

Last night, I had the pleasure of dining at Elderwood in downtown Visalia, and I must say, it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment we stepped through the door, we were transported to another world, one reminiscent of a bygone era. Perched atop The Darling Hotel, Elderwood offers stunning rooftop views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and downtown Visalia, setting the stage for an evening of culinary delight.

Our service, led by the ever-gracious Daisy, was nothing short of exceptional. Despite a minor hiccup with one of our entrees, Daisy handled the situation with grace and professionalism, ensuring that our dining experience remained flawless. Her constant smile and courteous demeanor truly elevated our evening. She also helped to make our birthday celebration special at the last minute.

But it wasn't just the service that left a lasting impression; the atmosphere at Elderwood was equally enchanting. The restaurant's ambiance perfectly complemented its historic surroundings, evoking a sense of nostalgia and charm. It was as if we had been transported back in time to a quaint farming community, nestled amidst the beauty of the valley.

And let's talk about the food. Each dish was a masterpiece, but there were a few standouts worth mentioning. The Burrata and Tomato Confit appetizer was a delightful start to the night, with its perfect balance of flavors and textures. The Grilled Salmon stole the show, with its tender flesh and impeccable Lemon Caper Cream Sauce. And the Coffee Rubbed New York Steak was a carnivore's dream, with its robust flavor and tender texture.

In summary, Elderwood is more than just a restaurant; it's an experience. From the impeccable service to the charming atmosphere and delectable cuisine, every aspect of our evening was truly unforgettable. I can't wait to return and create more memories at this hidden gem in...

My family and I came to celebrate my birthday here at the Elderwood. I made sure to add the special occasion was my birthday hoping they'd help make it special like I've seen in pictures. My first impression of the outdoor setting was real nice, seemed very well put together and comfortable but sleek. Our server was very out of it I think. She had us waiting for long periods of times I'd say 25- 30 minutes before she asked if we were ready to order which was unreasonable due to their high standards. I also did not like the fillet mignon, it wasn't charred on the outside one bit, it tasted and felt like they boiled it or something. I also ordered the beet salad tower that only had 2 pieces of arugula, which I promise if you made it into an actual salad with some citrus fruit, it would be spectacular. There were a lot of times I would have to stop our waitress because she would walk right past us and not acknowledge us, which was a bit degrading, but I should've known due to the reviews regarding their terrible service. To top it off I wasn't offered anything for my birthday, so I'm not sure why they'd ask if there was a special occasion, very misleading. I ended up leaving the restaurant bloated and unsatisfied. This place is really only offers outdoor dining, not to get confused with 'fine dining'. I really recommend those interested in an amazing experience to make the drive to Flemmings in Fresno, they have amazing service along with amazing steaks and wines. It's really worth the drive, and you'll leave the place actually feeling like a valued diner. I do not recommend this place one bit and really regret tipping my waitress. She was definitely not doing a bit of her job, the busser was the one putting in orders for us.. embarrassing to...