Orlando Restaurant Guide

We dined at this restaurant on Sunday evening, May 24th to celebrate my husband's birthday. Even though I mentioned it was a special occasion....they never recognized it! However, the food and ambience was "exquisite", but the server was very, very slow, even though there were only 3 tables occupied. I must say that we would highly recommend this restaurant to our friends....and will dine there again soon, some time in the near future!

This was the first stay at the WGB for Gayle and I. My motivation was two fold: We like to check out hotels before we recommend to friends and family who visit Orlando; and it was Gayle’s birthday, so we thought we’d celebrate with dinner with another couple at the hotel.

· The room we stayed in (1410) was excellent in design, decor, furnishing, comfort and cleanliness. Check-in was a breeze. The front desk manager was articulate, professional, well-informed and attentive to one guest at a time.
. The accommodations, from the bathroom amenities to the plush robes and the comfortable king bed, were excellent.
· The Bohemian romance package at $199.00 for the room, bottle of champagne and breakfast for two was well-priced. It should have included the auto parking, especially for Central Florida residents.
· Albeit a bit dark and moody, the common areas of the Hotel are sharp, distinctive and elegant – we liked it.
· The setting, décor and ambient lighting in the bar area, piano lounge and the Boheme restaurant are equally impressive. It exudes elegance.
· Gayle and I spent two hours in the sun on the pool deck. Twice we called for a couple beers. It took 25 minutes and 22 minutes to have those delivered to the pool deck. A bit too long. And why charge $9 for a beer delivered to the pool deck when you charge only $4 at the bar for the same beer. A bit much, don’t you think?
· More on the Boheme restaurant:
o My reservation was respected exactly as requested.
o While it’s nice to see the young, cute “hostess” at the front door of the restaurant, her presentation and articulation was less than stellar. With the class of service they have, you’d think a professional matre dee would be more appropriate, particularly for dinner.
o I did notice that the posted dress code for dinner at the Boheme restaurant was not enforced. Shorts and Ron Jon t-shirts should not be allowed after 6:00pm where others are anticipating elegance befitting a five start restaurant. Even if they’re hotel guests, sorry… go change.
o The wine list is excellent, as was the table, the chairs and the table setting.
o The menu was filled with delightful choices. We ordered a variety of entrees from the grilled sea bass to the tuna tartar, the asparagus encrusted diver scallops and the cognac lobster bisque. All well presented, on hot plates and of excellent taste. The “happy birthday” fudge cupcake and scoop of ice cream was great and much appreciated.
o The only down side of the dining experience was the server. While she was polite and informative, she was way over-booked on the tables she had responsibility for. And, thus, she was slow – painfully so. And I thought my $20 advance gratuity would have avoided most of that. She was responsible for six tables and 28 people in less than 90 minutes. Too many to remain attentive to the diners. It took 15 minutes and two requests just to get the bill.
o So, my compliments to the head chef – the food was great. But, the restaurant manager needs to visit staff compliment.
· Breakfast room service the following day was excellent. On time, as ordered, hot and delicious. Presentation was well done and the staffer was professional.
· So, in summary:
o the Hotel gets an A
o the accommodations get an equal A
o the food and beverage at the Boheme gets an A-
o service at the Boheme gets a C+
o room service gets an A
o liquor and service at the bar get an A
o pricing and overall value for this occasion an A-