Utter disappointment and entirely not worth the time or money to come here. Cliff notes: 1) Lobster Ravioli, Peach Cosomo, and Couquilles St Jacques all lacking and not worth it 2) Oysters - Neutral 3) Service - Bad
I was looking forward to visiting due to the reviews but nothing met my expectations. I travel for work and eat out at restaurants of this "caliber" on a weekly bases. Often I will place a to-go order and have a drink/ appetizer (if the appetizer is not available to-go) while I wait for my to-go order to be prepared.
The service was lacking from all. I waited for about five minutes at the hostess stand to speak to the hostess and had multiple servers pass by me without saying a word before I finally approached the bar and sat down. I didn't have the opportunity to verify this was acceptable as no one would speak to me. Once seated at the bar the service didn't improve. I had to ask repeatedly for water, my cocktail was finished for over half an hour and by the time I had the opportunity to order another I was just wanting to leave, and my order seemed to have been forgotten (never did get a straight answer). I placed my order at the same time as a gentlemen sitting by me. I ordered a dozen oysters on the half to be eaten there (can't take them to-go) and to-go I asked for the lobster ravioli and the Couquilles St Jacques. The gentlemen that ordered at the same time as me requested the NY Strip. He had been served and finished half of his meal before I even received my oysters. The bartender mumbled something about how she was sure it wouldn't be much longer and it was cause something happened but never did specify what the something was. The gentlemen was finished with his meal and I still hadn't even received my to-go. Two other gentlemen that had ordered about 15 minutes after me where already half way finished with their meals. At this point I finally asked about how much longer it would be for the to-go. The server said they would check and about 10 minutes later I was informed 3 minutes. It was over 15 minutes later before the to-go actually came out. When I asked about the delay I was told it may have had to do with timing of a wedding party that may or may not have had their food entered in the system put in before mine. When I pointed out that the gentlemen who ordered at the same time as me had finished before I even got my to-go, she just shrugged. In all I was there for a little over an hour and half.
Often appalling service can be overlooked by the amazing quality of the food. That was most decidedly not the case here. I ordered the peach cosmo and it was not remotely as described. No peach flavoring to be found faint or otherwise. The quality of the taste would leave me unfazed if I were told it had been made with Zelko. The oysters were adequate, although it was disappointing to have 25% of them to be so tiny and puny in size that the tines of my oyster fork were larger than the oyster itself. The Couquilles St Jacques was underwhelming. The fleeting tastes of gruyere cheese were delightful but was so sparingly it didn't revive the dish. I was excited about trying it, how could I not be when there were scallops, mushrooms, lobster and cream sauce in the dish? All flavors I extremely enjoy, yet I wasn't able to detect in the dish in any capacity. I can verify there was indeed scallop but only due to the texture of what I assumed must have been the scallop. The lobster ravioli was lame and I can truly vouge that I have enjoyed better from the frozen food section of my local Kroger. Seriously, Evol brand frozen Portabella and Goat Cheese Ravioli has WAY more flavoring, texture, and consistency than their lobster ravioli did. It comes with 1/2 a lobster that was fishy in taste and lackluster in size. It also comes with a scallop. The scallop was AMAZING! Literally the only tasteful and delightful thing from my entire meal.
Last note: 1 ply toilet paper that is so cheap it disintegrates, REALLY!?!? I was truly flabbergasted that Taco Bell has better...
Read moreI recently had the pleasure of dining with friends at Willoughby’s on the Park to celebrate a birthday (not my own). We began the evening with expertly crafted cocktails, accompanied by a bottle of Moët, setting an elegant tone for the meal. For starters, we all chose the lobster bisque — a dish I often gravitate toward, and I must say, this rendition was exceptional, perhaps one of the finest I’ve ever had.
For my main course, I opted for the special Wagyu steak priced at $79.00, with an added lobster tail. The steak, a true indulgence, was a sublime melt-in-your-mouth experience, cooked to perfection. The restaurant also presented a lovely birthday dessert, and Marci, our attentive and gracious server, ensured that our experience was seamless and enjoyable throughout the evening.
While the overall experience was indeed memorable, there were a few aspects where attention to detail could enhance the fine dining experience. First, the table setting: the individual bread-and-butter plate was placed at the center of each of our pacesetting instead of to the right of silverware (Cheesecake Factory sets this way, but they aren't formal dining), and we had no individual butter knife on that plate. Although the butter knife was provided on the communal butter plate, each guest should ideally have their own butter knife to elegantly butter their bread. As it stood, we were left to use our main course knife for this purpose, which is less than ideal in a fine dining setting.
On a more positive note, steak knives were appropriately brought out with the main courses, adding a touch of precision to the meal. However, I was slightly disappointed by the water glasses. While the wine glasses were a sophisticated touch, the water glasses were more reminiscent of a casual breakfast juice glasses, which detracted from the otherwise refined setting.
In conclusion, the atmosphere at Willoughby’s on the Park is undeniably charming, with its elegant chandeliers setting a refined ambiance. The food, without question, was superb. However, a few small adjustments to the finer details — particularly in the table setting and glassware — would elevate the experience to match the exceptional quality of the cuisine. As I often remind my students in formal dining instruction, the magic truly lies in...
Read moreMy wife and I recently celebrated a date night at Willoughby's on Park, and from the moment we walked in to the moment we sadly had to leave, the experience was nothing short of perfection. This isn't just a restaurant; it's a destination for anyone who appreciates exquisite food, impeccable service, and a flawless atmosphere.
Our evening was elevated tremendously by our waitress, Anika. She is an absolute gem and a true asset to Willoughby's. Her knowledge of the entire menu, from the food to the extensive wine list, was impressive. She didn't just list drinks; she provided thoughtful descriptions and perfect recommendations. Her suggestion of the "Moscato d' Asti, Pio Cesare, Piedmont, Italy" for my wife was a home run—she adored it.
The entire establishment was spotless, and Anika’s service mirrored that cleanliness and attention to detail. Our table was consistently cleared of empty plates, and she was incredibly attentive, ensuring our water and wine glasses were never less than full. It’s this level of proactive, polished service that makes you feel truly cared for.
Now, the food… where to even begin? We started with the Lamb Lollipops and the Calamari. Both were so incredible they set a sky-high bar for the rest of the meal. For our main course, I had the Dry-Aged Bone-In Ribeye (cooked to a perfect medium-rare) while my wife had the PRIME Delmonico Ribeye (a beautiful medium-well). The seasoning, the impeccable cook on both steaks, and the incredible flavor had us in awe with every single bite. Just when we thought it couldn't get better, we shared the Chocolate Cake for dessert. It was decadent, rich, and so generously portioned we couldn't finish it, though we certainly tried!
The setting is intimate, elegant, and absolutely ideal for a romantic date night. The ambiance makes you feel like you’re somewhere truly special.
While this is certainly a fine dining experience, I can say with complete confidence that Willoughby's on Park is worth every single penny. They don’t just meet expectations; they soar past them. We cannot...
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