- Report: #1029656
Complaint Review: Salt Island Chophouse And Fish Market George Rovira - Orlando Florida
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Salt Island Chophouse And Fish Market George Rovira
7500 International Dr, Orlando, 32819 Florida, U.S.A.
Phone:
407-996-7258
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Salt Island Chophouse And Fish Market, George Rovira Deceptive tactics, misrepresentation of product! Orlando Florida
This is a restaurant that presents itself as a nice seafood and steak place. People who came in with or without reservations are told their wait will be 5-10 minutes on the night we were there--4/6/07. We supposedly had an 8:45 reservation. At 9:15, we asked the "hostess" if we'd be seated soon. She had nothing written on her reservation sheet--it was just for show. She referred us to a man who seated us. Our waiter came and tried to sell us a bottle of wine. We said we'd like some water and they brought out a bottle of water and poured it in our glasses for a total of $5.50 for 4 of us. Each time we were presented with choices for drinks or food, the waiters would talk very fast and very long to distract us from the information we needed. Dinners come with potatoes and a dinner salad, but when the waiter asks you which sides you want, it is not clear which ones come with the meal and which ones are a $4-5 markup. This is done intentionally to pad the bill. They said the steaks and crablegs we ordered were cooked on an "oak fired oven" but I believe this was just a lie. The steak was done very quickly, leading me to believe it was already cooked and just warmed up. The crab legs were cold. The people who work in this place are skilled in deception and scamming tourists out of their money. Stay away!!!
Dan
La Salle, Illinois
U.S.A.
Dan
La Salle, Illinois
U.S.A.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Dan
La Salle,Illinois,
U.S.A.
To "Shawangunk"
#2Author of original report
Thu, May 31, 2007
We did almost leave the restaurant. However, it was late and we were all tired and hungry. In addition, we became more aware of the deception of the operation throughout the experience. No, I did not say that I was embarrassed to ask about the prices, or that I wanted to feel good enough to be there. I said that this place relies on people feeling that way. I also never attempted to get out of paying the bill. Please read more carefully in the future. You seem a bit defensife. Are you also the owner of a certain restaurant in Orlando???
Shawangunk
Middletown,New York,
U.S.A.
"Tactics"?
#3Consumer Comment
Wed, April 11, 2007
If the restaurant's "tactics" seemed undesirable off the bat, and you did not like the "con-men waiters," perhaps you should have just left. You stated yourself that you were "embarrassed" to ask about the prices because you wanted to feel "good enough to be there." That is no excuse for getting out of paying the bill that you willingly accrued. Obviously this style of dining was a bit over your head, and you should stick to a more familiar style of dining from now on. There are MANY places along International Drive at which you could have dined, including a Ponderosa with an all-you-can-eat buffet for a mere $3.99 per person. Why not go there next time? The price is clearly stated and there will be no confusion. And by the way, I am hardly "a random person from New York," I own two houses in the Orlando area and know exactly which restaurant you are complaining about, as well as the fact that your account is completely wrong.
Tim
Orlando,Florida,
U.S.A.
Read the menu
#4Consumer Comment
Wed, April 11, 2007
I have been to Salt Island on International Drive. The menu clearly states the crab legs are cut in half and served ice cold. The servers try to sell a bottle of wine to every table. If you will think back, you may remember there was a rather large bottle of wine on each table. You did not indicate how you ordered your steak cooked i.e. well done, medium well etc. I order my steaks medium where ever I go and it usually doesn't take long to cook. This is not the cheapest resturant on International Drive. I really don't believe it's a tourist trap.
Dan
La Salle,Illinois,
U.S.A.
It isn't about the money, but rather the tactics.
#5Author of original report
Wed, April 11, 2007
Strange that a random person from New York would feel moved to respond to my report! Fortunately, we were able to see through the slick tactics used by the con-men/waiters and avoid most of the unnecessary charges. These waiters are cleverly trained to guide the customer to one extra charge or another, without them realizing that they are choosing them. We observed many customers around us and heard them discuss amongst themselves how they couldn't believe they'd been charged for this or that, or how much the bottle of wine costs. Yes, they could have asked, but this place relies on the fact that most people will feel embarassed to ask, and want to feel like they're "good enough" to be there. What a pitiful scam. This is a tourist trap, strategically located in an area where tourists will find it. They don't have to worry about pleasing customers or ripping people off because new tourists are constantly arriving to be taken advantage of. I've dined in many fine restaurants where I've spent more than I did at this place and was satisfied with the experience. Such places rely on building a quality reputation through honest business practices and excellent food--this is NOT one of them!
Shawangunk
Middletown,New York,
U.S.A.
Perhaps you should ask in the future
#6Consumer Comment
Tue, April 10, 2007
People usually go to a nice eating establishment to have a relaxing, enjoyable meal with family and friends, not to get all stressed out over counting mere pennies or expect to receive food or beverage for free. When you ordered your water, did you ask specifically for "tap water"?? Most nicer restaurants automatically bring bottled water as this is what their clientelle typically prefers. If you did not want bottled water, you could have spoken up before they began pouring so as to avoid the extra few dollars charge. It is the same thing with the sides. Why did you not ask specifically what each entree came with? If you were uncertain, asking would seem logical. Again, nicer establishments do not point out the price of each and every item on the menu, as the clientelle at such places generally do not typically pinch their pennies in this manner. There's no harm in asking though, especially if you are on a budget. In any regard, if you are budget-minded and this style of dining is bothersome to you, perhaps you should choose to patronize restaurants that are more in line with your spending habits in the future -- specifically, restaurants that list each and every price on a menu or ordering board, as well as those that serve free tap water upon request, and accommodate any other special needs that you may have. Not all restaurants are suitable for all types of people. Simply find one that is more suitable for you.
