Review content:
Our first experience at Strawberry Hill was FANTASTIC. The establishment was small but charming. The food and wine was the best we've had in Lancaster. The owner even stopped by our table to chat us up for over 20 minutes. We thought we had found THE place for us. However, we were very disappointed after our return visit, which was our 2nd wedding anniversary.\r
\r
Upon arrival, we were given the choice of our table, seeing as the dining room was empty. My husband and I mentioned again, as with our first visit, how strange it was that such a fabulous place was so empty. So, the same waitress as our first visit greeted us, and promptly brought cocktails. We placed an order for scallops for our appetizer while we decided on dinner. The scallops were cooked to perfection. The waitress returned to get our dinner order and we asked for the owner's suggestion of wine to compliment our dinner. The owner's son returned to ask, ""white or red"" and ""price range"". Since we had ordered the grouper for dinner, we asked for white, crisp and acidic for under $80. The owner returned with a bottle of Kumeu River 2005 Chardonnay from New Zealand and proceeded to tell ""the story behind the wine"", which was another great selection as before with our first visit.\r
\r
So, the dinner progressed to our salad that we ordered to split. The waitress automatically had the salad split onto two plates. As we are eating our salad, tables begin to fill. One in particular, directly across from us, is right in front of the kitchen door. Not soon after, YELLING, SCREAMING, and CURSING begins to bellow out from the kitchen. Having heard both the owner's and the waitress's voice before, we knew immediately who were yelling and cursing at each other. The woman, from the recently sat table in front of the kitchen door, proceeds to walk into the kitchen. Immediately, an older women comes from the kitchen stating ""everything is ok"". My husband and I were dumbfounded and the couple from the recently sat table left without even being greeted. \r
\r
Our waitress comes out of the kitchen with mascara streaming down her cheeks for what seems to be a quick scan of the room and is escorted, by the older women back into the kitchen. Later, the waitress returns calm and collected but when my husband inquired to her well being she proceeds to state, ""don't know why I continue to work here, this is the last time he lays a hand on me"". Regardless, of the screaming match and the slander from the waitress, our dinner finishes with great desserts. As to remember the wine, my husband snaps a picture of the label with his iPhone and request the check.\r
\r
While looking over the check, my husband notices the itemized list and sees ""open wine"" for the exact amount, $80, we had mentioned as our price range. But, my husband choose to research the wine later before second guessing a sommelier during our 2nd wedding anniversary dinner. Needless to say, that bottle of wine would not cost $80 from a liquor store. \r
\r
We feel taken and are very dissapointed by this establishment. We doubt that we will return after the unprofessionalism of the owner/staff and being upcharged so much for a bottle of wine. I wish I had read some of the reviews already posted prior to visiting this establishment. I think I could have saved us some money as well as some disappointment.
|