NOT HAPPY with Rafael's food or ABUSIVE MANAGERS!
By A Yahoo! Contributor, 8/5/08
Last Sunday (08-03), I made brunch buffet reservations for two just in case it got busy. Prior to, we walked on the beach for awhile and got our feet sandy. We noticed a water spigget on the empty (no customers) patio, and since not wanting to track the sand and dirt into the restaurant as a courtesy, we proceeded to rinse our feet on the patio. Out of nowhere two men stormed out of the restaurant in dress clothes and proceeded to question and yell at us for being on their porch and rinsing our feet. We were two women dressed in nice shorts, shirts, and sandals. Shocked and bewildered, we told them our reasoning and moreso that we actually had reservations at Rafael's then (at 11AM). They seemed to believe and assume that we were just using their water spigget to clean ourselves and then go on our way, which was a wrong assumption, and were angrily yelling at us. After being caught by surprise at their verbal onslought and posturing, and defending ourselves to them, they walked back inside. We decided to make the best of it, and try the place since we were hungry and had read good reviews. Shortly after we were seated, I even made overtures and took the initiative to "apologize" on our behalf and introduce ourselves to them. They still didn't seem that polite or welcoming. However, the wait staff was very polite and attentive. Overall, the food was not impressive or tasty. The Eggs Benedict was a crusty English muffin half with a wimpy slice of lunchmeat ham, an overdone whipped egg on top, and barley any Hollandaise sauce. The rest of the buffet food wasn't great either for the price, taste, or selection. We spent over $75 dollars for two buffets, two Bloody Mary's and a $12-dollar tip. Therefore, I would not recommend this place to anyone, and any published reviews are highly overrated. Also, Management should express more appreciation and courtesy to all patrons without making assumptions and being wrongly abusive. Afterall, our patronage contributes to their salaries. Neither men even offered any thanks or gratitude upon our departure.