My husband and I decided to celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary at The Catacombs. Reservations were at 6:30 and we had to WAIT for someone to come take us on the tour before dinner. That gave me some time to stand in the hallway/foyer entrance and count the cobwebs hanging from the rock walls. Since we were close to the bathroom, I also checked out the smeared fingerprints and filth covering the bathroom doors. I asked the tour guide some questions about the brewery and she couldn't answer any of my questions. She just knew the script and thats all. We actually got seated around 7:15 and we had to WAIT for about 20 min. for someone to just take our order. Then we had to WAIT another 20-25 min. before we actually got our food. It gave us some time to notice the wax spilled all over the salt and pepper shakers and the table. We could see by candlelight the smeared fingerprints on the glass tabletop across from us. Our bill was over $90 and they charge you for EVERY little thing, even sauce to dip your steak in ($2).
You'd think that they'd give you free coffee when you spend this much but guess again. They expect 18% gratuity (overheard the waitress tell another guest). Even though you have to wait so long for your food, you don't get complimentary nuts or chips. Your first basket of pretzel sticks and dip are free but if you want more, they charge you $3. Using the restroom was a disgrace. A bucket was placed under the sink to catch water from a leaky drain, the fan in the ceiling was so clogged with dust it wasn't sucking out the stench, the dust was caked on the wall trim so bad that I could sign my name in it and there was no way I was touching that door. The door was brown so feces would have blended in nicely. But the worse part of all was when my husband came down with the Norovirus 3 days after being there. Is it any wonder?? The place was filthy and should be inspected. Just because a place is nostalgic and old doesn't mean it has to be filthy too. Maybe they think the cobwebs add that special touch. I know the Health Department should make that decision. By the way, the food wasn't the greatest: crabcake had no Old Bay (tasteless), the green beans were too greasy and the Filet Mignon was grisley.
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