Bad experience at the Lime Inn

[phyl]

This was our 4th trip to STJ and for my husbands birthday we went to the Lime Inn. Please keep in mind that we have been to the Lime Inn on each of our trips down and LOVED it there. There were 4 of us in our party and 3 of us ordered the filet stuffed with crab. My husband ordered the filet stuffed with bleu cheese. What we all got was the crab stuffed filet. When he told the waitress that he got the wrong meal, her only comment was "how bummed must you be". She never offered to get him the correct meal and the only "break" she gave us was to give him his last beer for free. We were SO disappointed by the attitude of our server. I dont believe we will be going back there again. We are pretty tolerant of alot of things but when you spend $30++ for an entree you should be accomodated just a little more than we were. I HATE to complain and I do have a trip report coming....this was our only negative thing to report. Even with the weather not beeing the best, STJ was still amazing, as aways!!!

[Berlingirl]

I can't really remember how many meals we've had at the Lime Inn over the years. It has been and continues to be one resturant that is consistently good as far as food, value and service go. I am surprised at the attitude of the server. I guess I am more surprised that your husband did not send back a meal that he did not order. Had he done that the resturant would've had the opportunity to rectify the problem at the time. You say you HATE to complain, but the time and place for the complaint was when you were seated at the table.

[Teresa_Rae]

The owner is great (the guy with the hook) and I'm sure he would have taken care of it for you if he had known. That stinks about the server. I hope it wasn't one of the ones who has been there for awhile.

[Kevino]

Richie hasn't worn the Hook in years. If you asked to see Rich, he absolutely would have corrected the wrong meal and sent over drinks on the house. I wonder if you went on a wednesday night when it's really a Zoo! Nonetheless, if you spoke up it definitely would have been fixed.

[Boston Mike]

Phyl,

Sorry to hear about this experience. If there is one thing I hate to read, it is situations like what you mention that transpire on the rock. It is unfortunate that the waitress handled your husband’s complaint the way that she did.

I have heard a lot of good things about the Lime Inn on this forum and other internet avenues. This past trip we took in May was the first time we went there for lunch and found that our opinion wasn’t the same as others. I ordered the chicken Caesar, and I got it alright, except the lettuce was brown and chicken that wasn’t even cooked. Thank god for the bread they give you. It was also pretty sad that my wife asked for her second lemonade from the waitress and it seemed to go in limbo land. She asked her twice. I can see once, but twice. Place wasn’t even busy, maybe two other couples, and she stood around with a lost look on her face. She did finally get the lemonade from the Manager though.

You know what they say, first impressions are everything.

[EastEnder]

My family has been going to the Lime Inn since I was a boy. Rich gave Wiffle bats and balls to children patrons. My wife ate there last year during our wedding and I plan to take her this month for our first anniversary.

I, too, am sorry to hear about the negative service. Perhaps she was having an off night. I was just thinking how quickly so many restaurants on St. John get turned over to new ownership or close. The Lime Inn has been there awhile, so they're probably doing something right.

[patr]

This is sad to read, on one of our last trips there we were less than happy with a bartender out front. There were a couple of empty stools that he said were "reserved" - so we stood off to the side and had a drink while standing, no one ever did show up and claim those reserved spots. He also told us that he didn't have / never had the drink that my hubby ALWAYS gets there. Once we were seated inside we voiced our complaint to our server, who immediately got the drink and then went to educate the bartender.

When Rich came around to see how our evening was going, I simply commented, "most of your staff is really great" he then questioned me as to who was not great and what happened. I felt like he would take of it, he also then comped us free dessert!

I feel certain if Rich had been made aware of your experience, he would have made it right, he depends on repeat customers and would be very displeased about your dining experience.

[chicagoans]

What a bizarre response from the waitress!

It sounds like you did try to get the situation fixed and got nowhere. I can understand why you didn't seek out the manager - you were trying to enjoy a relaxing vacation meal with your friends and not go wandering off in search of an acceptable response while your companions either eat without you or wait and watch their dinners get cold. The waitress is supposedly your interface to the restaurant, after all.

I hope your disappointment was reflected in the tip. Too many waitpeople expect a 20% tip regardless of the level of service they provide.

[stjohnrunner]

I have lived on St. John 23 years and Rich and Cris hands down have run the most consistent eatery on St. John that caters to tourist and locals alike. One of my best friends works there. It would be very easy to pinpoint who the waitress was by your check and day you were there. This should be brought to Rich and Chris's attention and I can assure you 100% unequivocally that you will get the Red Carpet next time you eat at Lime Inn. I have literally lost count of failed Restaurants on St. John. Lime Inn survives because they truly care about your dining experience. I know I sound like a paid spokesperson, but it is the plain truth and THOUSAND of other who have dined there will say the same.
I suggest to E-mail your experience to them and I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the outcome. I am off island right now or i would print all these posts and hand walk it over to Chris and Rich and bring it to their attention. I hope that the rudeness of one server can be overlooked and you can give them another shot. I ate there twice the week before I left on vacation and all was well.

[Wolfhound]

Agree with what everyone said. Rich would be horrified to learn about what happened to you. He is one of the finest people we've met on an island full of great folks.

[phyl]

Thanks to all who understand what our dilemma was. When our waitress discovered the wrong meal was delivered, we had hoped she would rectify it. We are not the type to demand it....maybe we shouldve asked but it's not our style. She offered my husband a free drink which to him felt like she was trying to appease him without replacing his dinner, which really put a bad taste in his mouth.

We had actually met Rich personally the day before down at Fish Bay while playing around with some kayaks and while we were at the restaurant that night we did chat with him. We probably shouldve mentioned it then, but we didnt. I know to some that sounds dumb but my husband deals with people bitching all day and like one of you posters said, we were on vaca and didnt want to deal with it.


In any case, the waitress has been there a long time b/c she has waited on us in years past. I can remember who she was if Rich ever wants to know about this.


Thanks again to all who listened to this and posted.