I hired Chef Virginia for my wedding and even though she makes good food, we ran out of the mac and cheese,potatoes and bread for the last three tables as several of my guests had mentioned to me. When confronting her about this, I received poor customer service which is why I'm leaving a 1 star review. I apologized to my guest as this was very embarrassing. If you hire her, I highly recommend a plated service instead of buffet to reduce risk and stress of running out. She is a liar. A horrible person.My husband and I were also unsatisfied with Virginia leading up to the wedding. She was unprofessional to us over the phone and gave us at least 6 incorrect invoices. Multiple times she told my husband "I'm busy" and was unorganized. I also wasn't aware when deadline to submit final count was. She never told me. And she was very rude when I told her the count 1.5 weeks before wedding. In general, she was rude and doesn't take responsibility for her actions. Instead she blamed me for not ordering enough food.It's a shame because she does make great food. But if you have a 130+ wedding I would highly recommend looking elsewhere if you want buffet. Or request plated meals.It was not a good experience for us. Hopefully yours is different.Update:I have now heard from 5 different people that food ran out on the last three tables. There was no bread left. And for my rehearsal dinner, she ran out of the chips and salsa. And had my guests wait in a line and wait 20+ minutes to receive food. I knew she was bringing her mobile kitchen. But thought the food would be ready ahead of time to spread out on table. Not the case. Friends and family therefore just had chips and salsa to munch on.... which ran out.I would never recommend Virginia to anyone. Regardless of the food. Her customer service is terrible. And blames me instead of holding herself accountable for her wrong doing. A simple apology would have gone a long way. But she did the exact opposite!She's horrible!
Paige DeBord
The BEST wedding catering I could have asked for! <3
Deborah Muncy
Owner is very rude. I would not recommend for catering services. Hired for wedding. Several times she gave us incorrect invoices leading up to wedding. She did not know how to work her own system for billing. Extremely rude to my husband on the phone. Ran out of food during reception. Confirmed with 5 different guests. And when I confronted her I received terrible customer service. First she said she did not run out of food then later said I didn’t order enough food. She doesn’t take any responsibility or even apologize to me. She blamed me for running out of food. She does make good food but her service and communication just overpowers it and therefore I would never recommend.
Her restaurant might be better. But catering for wedding buffet was not a good experience.
She is horrible and a liar. A simple apology would have been nice.
Initially, I was working with Belinda who I received great customer service. And then at one point it was only Virginia (owner and chef). She should really get Belinda back or her business is just going to continue to go downhill.
Paige Krichbaum
The BEST wedding catering I could have asked for! <3
Suzanne Martin
I had my wedding catered recently and the food was absolutley delicious, just as in their restaurant! As far as the catering, the staff did not arrive until just after the ceremony with no communication stating they would be late. We had agreed that the appetizers should be out and ready for the guests as they entered the reception for social hour. The guests ended up waiting at least a half hour before the apps came out. When confronted about their lateness, members of the staff were rude and in further conversation no one offered any apology or compensation. This is not the type of service I expected when I was required to pay 20% gratuity upfront.
Tanya Rocho
Best bread pudding I've ever had...and I've had ALOT of bread pudding!!
Ai L.
Chef Virginia catered our dinner event for 60+ people and the food was great. Loved the salmom fritters and halibut. The pasta bar was also a hit as it fed kids to adult so well. Our guests cannot stop commenting on the yummy food. She also helped us with all the plates, utensils, waterglasses. If I have another event in kenai area, I would use her again anyday.
Canyon B
This place is AWESOME. The Hearth Eatery provides an experience you wont forget. The staff are an absolute joy to be around, the atmosphere feels welcoming, clean, and positive. What you eat here is not just food, it’s love. And it is PHENOMENAL! Thinking of going elsewhere to satiate your hunger and desire for excellent food? Don’t. This should be your 1st choice, every time. You wont regret it!
Goldie Ignatich
This is hands down my FAVORITE place to eat. I have never experienced anything like this. You can truly taste the love and passion that goes into this food. This was not just a meal, but it was art and an experience. Also, I have never met anyone as kind as the ones that work there. The people, the food, everything is perfect. I truly cannot put into words how amazing this place is.
Jon C.
Burger was really good and so were the scone and chips and salsa. All of it seemed to be fairly artisan. Atmosphere is nice. It has a modern feeling, featuring large windows that let in lot's of natural light. The owner took my order and she was very kind despite the fact that her Point of Sales system wasn't working. Overall, it was a great place to grab a bite to eat while traveling. I look forward to trying the fried chicken wrap next visit.
Virginia is an amazing hostess, compassionate about her food, and a lovely person who can cook like no other! Fully recommend trying her restaurant the next time you are out and about.
Tanya Boyer
Real home made food. Fresh ingredients. Superior flavor
Dody Tachick
A delightful, delicious place to eat and spend time. I will be attending again and again.
Holla
Locals and tourists do not miss The Hearth Eatery centrally located in Kenai, Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula.The hip and calming interior is wonderful and spacious.The food is delectable and the menu changing sometimes weekly is awesome and rarely happens in restaurants.I am a pescatarian so on Chef Virginia's suggestion I had a lovely salad made with locally grown fresh vegetables.Smoked Gouda cheese, candied pecans with herb dressing. Froccia bread was made fresh today with a brownie cookie. Well done Chef +7⭐️ Holla
Dakota Leaders
This is my wife’s and my favorite restaurant on the peninsula, been several times and was never disappointed. They change their menu quite frequently which is perfect for us locals who only have a select few restaurants to choose from.
I hired Chef Virginia for my wedding and even though she makes good food, we ran out of the mac and cheese,potatoes and bread for the last three tables as several of my guests had mentioned to me. When confronting her about this, I received poor customer service which is why I'm leaving a 1 star review. I apologized to my guest as this was very embarrassing. If you hire her, I highly recommend a plated service instead of buffet to reduce risk and stress of running out. She is a liar. A horrible person.My husband and I were also unsatisfied with Virginia leading up to the wedding. She was unprofessional to us over the phone and gave us at least 6 incorrect invoices. Multiple times she told my husband "I'm busy" and was unorganized. I also wasn't aware when deadline to submit final count was. She never told me. And she was very rude when I told her the count 1.5 weeks before wedding. In general, she was rude and doesn't take responsibility for her actions. Instead she blamed me for not ordering enough food.It's a shame because she does make great food. But if you have a 130+ wedding I would highly recommend looking elsewhere if you want buffet. Or request plated meals.It was not a good experience for us. Hopefully yours is different.Update:I have now heard from 5 different people that food ran out on the last three tables. There was no bread left. And for my rehearsal dinner, she ran out of the chips and salsa. And had my guests wait in a line and wait 20+ minutes to receive food. I knew she was bringing her mobile kitchen. But thought the food would be ready ahead of time to spread out on table. Not the case. Friends and family therefore just had chips and salsa to munch on.... which ran out.I would never recommend Virginia to anyone. Regardless of the food. Her customer service is terrible. And blames me instead of holding herself accountable for her wrong doing. A simple apology would have gone a long way. But she did the exact opposite!She's horrible!
The BEST wedding catering I could have asked for! <3
Owner is very rude. I would not recommend for catering services. Hired for wedding. Several times she gave us incorrect invoices leading up to wedding. She did not know how to work her own system for billing. Extremely rude to my husband on the phone. Ran out of food during reception. Confirmed with 5 different guests. And when I confronted her I received terrible customer service. First she said she did not run out of food then later said I didn’t order enough food. She doesn’t take any responsibility or even apologize to me. She blamed me for running out of food. She does make good food but her service and communication just overpowers it and therefore I would never recommend. Her restaurant might be better. But catering for wedding buffet was not a good experience. She is horrible and a liar. A simple apology would have been nice. Initially, I was working with Belinda who I received great customer service. And then at one point it was only Virginia (owner and chef). She should really get Belinda back or her business is just going to continue to go downhill.
The BEST wedding catering I could have asked for! <3
I had my wedding catered recently and the food was absolutley delicious, just as in their restaurant! As far as the catering, the staff did not arrive until just after the ceremony with no communication stating they would be late. We had agreed that the appetizers should be out and ready for the guests as they entered the reception for social hour. The guests ended up waiting at least a half hour before the apps came out. When confronted about their lateness, members of the staff were rude and in further conversation no one offered any apology or compensation. This is not the type of service I expected when I was required to pay 20% gratuity upfront.
Best bread pudding I've ever had...and I've had ALOT of bread pudding!!
Chef Virginia catered our dinner event for 60+ people and the food was great. Loved the salmom fritters and halibut. The pasta bar was also a hit as it fed kids to adult so well. Our guests cannot stop commenting on the yummy food. She also helped us with all the plates, utensils, waterglasses. If I have another event in kenai area, I would use her again anyday.
This place is AWESOME. The Hearth Eatery provides an experience you wont forget. The staff are an absolute joy to be around, the atmosphere feels welcoming, clean, and positive. What you eat here is not just food, it’s love. And it is PHENOMENAL! Thinking of going elsewhere to satiate your hunger and desire for excellent food? Don’t. This should be your 1st choice, every time. You wont regret it!
This is hands down my FAVORITE place to eat. I have never experienced anything like this. You can truly taste the love and passion that goes into this food. This was not just a meal, but it was art and an experience. Also, I have never met anyone as kind as the ones that work there. The people, the food, everything is perfect. I truly cannot put into words how amazing this place is.
Burger was really good and so were the scone and chips and salsa. All of it seemed to be fairly artisan. Atmosphere is nice. It has a modern feeling, featuring large windows that let in lot's of natural light. The owner took my order and she was very kind despite the fact that her Point of Sales system wasn't working. Overall, it was a great place to grab a bite to eat while traveling. I look forward to trying the fried chicken wrap next visit.
Restaurantji Recommends
Virginia is an amazing hostess, compassionate about her food, and a lovely person who can cook like no other! Fully recommend trying her restaurant the next time you are out and about.
Real home made food. Fresh ingredients. Superior flavor
A delightful, delicious place to eat and spend time. I will be attending again and again.
Locals and tourists do not miss The Hearth Eatery centrally located in Kenai, Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula.The hip and calming interior is wonderful and spacious.The food is delectable and the menu changing sometimes weekly is awesome and rarely happens in restaurants.I am a pescatarian so on Chef Virginia's suggestion I had a lovely salad made with locally grown fresh vegetables.Smoked Gouda cheese, candied pecans with herb dressing. Froccia bread was made fresh today with a brownie cookie. Well done Chef +7⭐️ Holla
This is my wife’s and my favorite restaurant on the peninsula, been several times and was never disappointed. They change their menu quite frequently which is perfect for us locals who only have a select few restaurants to choose from.