Georgies UTC Restaurant & Bar

They’ve cheated employees not always paying them the wages they’ve worked for…..🤷🏻‍♀️ If you can’t afford to pay your hardworking employees, close your businesses.

After 2+ years of waiting, I can finally tell my story about my time as an employee at Georgie’s Garden Café in UTC. George and Anthony Wood are running a business built on the unethical and illegal treatment of their employees; If things have changed since my time there, I would be beyond surprised. I worked at Georgie’s UTC for 2-3 months in 2023 as a server. They had an unusual turnover of management and servers in general, were overall a very dirty restaurant (check myfloridalicense, they don’t even list everything I would see all day every day in there but without photographic proof I cannot disclose details of that publicly without potentially receiving legal backlash), and most importantly, they did not pay their FOH staff. I asked management (not ownership) since day 1 of my employment there to be put into their payroll system. It was always “I let George know, he said he’d handle it”. This went on between THREE different managers and myself for 2 entire months. Other employees would also tell me they were not on payroll, or they were and it took them x amount of time to get put on, or they were but their hours were always wrong. Every single server I worked with just about had this issue. Finally I cornered George himself and he handed me his phone and I put myself into payroll, before being promptly fired the next day by management per his request. I reached out to the DOL and they were no help at all… but when I did the math on how much I was owed in my hourly wages, I knew I had to be paid what I was legally owed. I hired an attorney and at first, George was responsive to my representation… at first meaning one time ever, maybe. He ignored my attorney for months, refused to give her my time clock information, forcing my attorney to create her own conclusions on my clock hours based on my schedule, and then ignored her request of payment until we had to file for suit in court and wait that out. This all took 2 years- tracking either George or Anthony Wood down to be served took several months alone, and I can’t help but feel that they were dodging taking responsibility. It blew my attorney and her paralegals mind as well as my own, considering they crap out the amount of money they owed me and live in a $1.5m (if I remember correctly) house in Naples. I still have not received what I am owed and will probably have to hire a collections attorney to pursue them further. All in all, I’m making this post so that the locals know what kind of people you’re giving your money to when you decide you want a nice Sunday brunch, some late night drinks with friends, your birthday dinner or a date night.

While it was a Saturday night the restaurant was only half full. Because of the orientation of the front door of the restaurant facing west, the sun shone on many tables and in the eyes of patrons. The menu offerings were varied and quite good but Ben prepared for quick delivery if you would prefer a more leisurely dining experience.

There was no avocado in my avocado, bacon, and cheddar omelet. There were no berries on my dad's berry pancakes. The service was terrible.

Easter brunch was disappointing. My omelette was very dry. I asked for it specifically not to be. Was served with just a piece of dry toast Was supposed to be with potatoes. Waitress was very nice & apologetic. Other dishes served at our table were not impressive also. Seems the kitchen /cook help was not making an effort

Boy.. everything sure was off today. To start the chef was sure off today or just did not care one bit what the ticket said. Three orders were wrong. One order didn't even come out. Our waiter was very slow and did not really care to check on us since the tip was already built into the bill. Had to get our own high chair since no one could do that for us. Tried to sit us inside when our reservation was scheduled for outside. Unreal bad day for anyone who had to sit outside as we waited nearly an 75 mins to get food and then for it to be wrong or not brought out. Then have to wait on anything else since our waiter ended up taking our table since no one else did.

Pretty good, not fabulous. $18 eggs Benedict for Easter brunch, that when not Easter, is $15 and is probably the same dish. Bacon and cheese omelette pretty good.

Our only concern with our delicious Sunday brunch at Georgie's was with the service. Our waiter was pleasant but tentative and seemingly inexperienced. The restaurant was not crowded, but service was inattentive. We had not been provided silverware until after our food arrived, and then we had to ask for it. Three of our group ordered pancakes or French toast, but we had to ask for syrup. The waiter brought a single serving for one of us but not the other two. Additional training for waitstaff before putting them to work would be helpful. That one-time lapse will not discourage us from returning for the good food and pleasant atmosphere.

It was myself beasties first visit! We were celebrating our special sister Tina's birthday and everything was perfect!

Excellent service. Waiter was very patient with my 10 year old who was having a rough morning. Went above and beyond to make her smile. Food was very good. Been here twice and will be back.

Went here for the first time today. WOW! Smash burger and fries amazing. Chicken pesto panini delicious. Christopher B was our server. He is attentive and has a great personality. He definitely made our experience most enjoyable. Looking forward to returning soon.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The menu was changed, options are not very good. I feel it was a mistake. Ordered a crab cake sandwich and crab cake was flat. It’s funny they call it big. Sushi was only 3 type of rolls…. Not sure if it changed ownership, but it’s not the same George’s.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 4

Drinks and bartenders were great and took care of our special requests for drinks. Place was relaxed and a good vibe.
Food had good presentation. Fries were great !!! The chicken parm lacked flavor and was a little tough but the spaghetti was great.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Truffle Fries

Really great place I’ll be atmosphere with a touch of class

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: The French Kiss Panini

Horrible food, service, don't go

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1