Rude Service. Terrible Food. Huge Disappointment.
We were so disappointed with our experience at the Grille at Riverview. It is the restaurant located next to the bed and breakfast. We would strongly discourage anyone from going here, since there are so many good restaurants in New Smyrna. We decided to go here for lunch on a Sunday during the month of October 2008. You can eat inside or outside on the deck overlooking the water. Since it was cooler out, we wanted to eat outside. Our party consisted of 2 adults (my husband and I late 30's) and our 2 children (infant and 4 year old). They were both sleeping at the time, so they were extra angelic! I mention this because I think they discriminate against families with small children. I've never been treated so oddly and rudely. When we asked for a table outside, we were asked if we had a reservation. We said no, did we need one? It didn't seem very busy. We said that we didn't mind waiting. She tried to get us to eat inside, but we decided to wait for a table outside. At first, she said that a few tables would soon be turning over soon. She then called the owner (or "her boss") to see when we could get a table. We heard her saying "yes, there are 2". "They are asleep". When she got off the phone, she said that her boss said there would not be a table available outside for atleast 45 minutes. We said that if it was OK, we would wait by the bar for a table. Just let us know when something was available. I also asked her for a highchair, and she said that none were available. We just felt so uncomfortable as we walked outside. We were surprised when we got to the bar area because we could see that 5 of the approximately 15 tables were empty. We were scrunched to the side. I had a nice view of the garbage can, service area and stairway where they brought the food down. It looked dirty. We waited for a few minutes and all but 2 of the tables opened up. There was nobody sitting there. The hostess or no one ever offered us a table. It was SO strange. We ended up ordering food from the hightop table. It was very uncomfortable taking care of the now awake (but very good) baby. We never got a highchair. On top of that, the food was terrible. I ordered the Monte Cristo sandwich. It consisted of soggy bread and a couple pieces of turkey and ham. It was served with a few slices of a rotton strawberry. I think it cost about $12. Definitely not worth it. I couldn't eat it, and I was starving. My husband's sandwich was also terrible, and the fries were cold. The bartender who served us was friendly. We asked him if they discouraged families to sit outside, and we mentioned what happened. He said "45 minutes for a table, Yeah! I wish. There's nobody here." He apologized, and said that the hostess was probably an idiot. Then, he went over to an older gentleman that was sitting at the bar. I think he was "the boss". He told him everything that we said, but then, just came back and charged us for the whole meal. The "boss" or manager never took the time to talk with us. We were so looking forward to a nice lunch out, and it was a huge disappointment. It's too bad because we are frequent travelers to New Smyrna. We love going out with friends there, and we could never recommend this place.