Starting with the positives...our server (Nate) was fantastic and it's always a unique and ambient venue to visit. That being said, I'm being generous when I say the food is just average. The wine and bread were great but entrees were not what you would expect for the prices and upscale atmosphere. Above all, what I remember the most (and was shocked) was the condescending and unfriendly attitude we were greeted with by the girl/manager at the hostess stand upon arriving. We walked up to her happily and smiling, ready to enjoy our dining experience and in return received a scowl, bitter words and a lecture on how we should have made dinner reservations at 4:00 if we would like to dine on the outdoor terrace. If this were my business, I would replace her immediately!
sandra
Not as expected- very limited not very creative menu - food quality was kind of sub-par for the price. Even the coffee was weak and just ok. That being said our server was friendly, attentive and did a great job. This is a very old school restaurant with a very old school unimaginative menu but at very current (and then some) pricing - even the ambiance was nothing out of the ordinary at best. Disappointing visit- while I love the Institute- I won't be back to dine here.
Susan
Dinner came out with the appetizer. Had to ask for bread basket 3 times. Bread arrived after appetizers and meal. Meal was mediocre and lukewarm at best. Bland, nonseasoned food. Would not return.
Susan
The food (we opted on the prime rib buffet) was mediocre, but expensive—$56. Our server, Jessica, was wonderful—personable, efficient and there when we needed something without being overbearing. The outside patio overlooking the lake is perfect for the Chautauqua Institute experience. We had had a wonderful meal here two years ago. I believe there is a new chef.
Christine
Trying to enter the Institute no one at the gates could tell us where to park or how to get to the restaurant. The hostesses just stared blankly as we asked to be seated. Our server was good. The food was mediocre ands came out in a weird order. Wedge salad with chicken, the chicken came out ten minutes later. The mocktails were tasteless.
Food was good for the price - a bit too much mayo in the crab and lobster roll. our server was a bit overwhelmed as she also had a large table near us Location is wonderful and it was a good day to be outside
Mike
A very unique, one of a kind restaurant. I was nervous about coming here when I saw all of the negative reviews posted, but luckily for me I guess I caught the chef on a good night. I'd call the food good, but not great. I had the pork tenderloin and my wife had the salmon. They were fine. The desserts were incredible, creative tasty, and the service was attentive. There's no air conditioning in the building, but on the night I went there was a good breeze blowing in.
Richard
We Tok Lunch under the canopy overlooking the lake, Couldn't ask for anything better. The seating was beautiful as was the weather. Food was great. There were four in our party and all really enjoyed
Kathryn
On a hot summer evening we indulged ourselves in a wonderful dinner and nice cocktails on the outside deck. Important to note that the dining room is not air conditioned so the deck is a request I would always make. The young waitstaff is charming and exceptionally well trained.
Dennis
Our meals were good but the tables were set up too close together. The backs of our chairs were up against the backs of other chairs. There were tables that were not being used and not even set-up. No reason for seating to be so tight.
One of the worst dinners I have had in years. All Sysco pre-prepared food-like stuff. Ordered pasta with sausage. Delivered without even 1 piece of sausage. Server replaced my dish, and no-one in management bothered to come by our table. Once I said something the “senior server” said they took 50% off the dish. Still overpaid.
We requested an outside table on open table and the Heirloom claimed they had no record of the request. I later spoke to other people who also requested an outdoor table that was not honored. We were given a table by the window, however, it was hot and there is no air movement. There was also a screaming baby 2 tables over that no one was doing anything about. The room was generally load and it was difficult to have a conversation. The server was terrific, the food was excellent and came in a timely matter. I will only book in person in the future (recommended by the hostess) so that I get the reservation I want.
Foodandwinelover
This was our 4th time at Heirloom. The first 2 times were excellent. The 3rd time was terrible because one entree came out (out of 4), and the other 3 came out 30 minutes later. Unacceptable! And no apologies for the service. This last experience was also frustrating. We all (4) ordered the same lunch (a sandwich), and it took 30 minutes to arrive after we ordered. The restaurant was 1/2 full. Not sure if I'll return with guests.
Naneil
Pork tenderloin overcooked. Tuna bowl not what planned. Looking for sushi tuna strips instead got chunks of tuna in a sauce and dense rice and corn. Not super appealing Drinks were great as was charcuterie dish but overall a b- at best. That's been the experience throughout Chautauqua. Limited food selection. Run outs (no hot dog relish or Diet Pepsi ) only bright spots were the ice cream.
TandemRiders
We had reservations made well before our visit. Well we asked for a table on the porch where there were many available. Almost no one was in the very large main dining room. We were told that the computer assigns them automatically and that there was nothing they could do. After we asked again after seeing quite a few porch tables available, the hostess said they were reserved for Road Scholar. We were in the restaurant for approximately 2 hours and the tables remained unused. We left about 2:30. There were only 2-3 tables being served in the very large large dining room. The service was in credibly slow for our drinks, a bottle of wine which we could see sitting on the bar waiting to be retrieved. I would expect if there is a delay for any reason the waitstaff would let the diners know that there was a problem. I would not recommend eating here. The hotel side deserves better and Chautauqua deserves a very fine restaurant. The food truck at the square was very busy and may have been a better choice.
Starting with the positives...our server (Nate) was fantastic and it's always a unique and ambient venue to visit. That being said, I'm being generous when I say the food is just average. The wine and bread were great but entrees were not what you would expect for the prices and upscale atmosphere. Above all, what I remember the most (and was shocked) was the condescending and unfriendly attitude we were greeted with by the girl/manager at the hostess stand upon arriving. We walked up to her happily and smiling, ready to enjoy our dining experience and in return received a scowl, bitter words and a lecture on how we should have made dinner reservations at 4:00 if we would like to dine on the outdoor terrace. If this were my business, I would replace her immediately!
Not as expected- very limited not very creative menu - food quality was kind of sub-par for the price. Even the coffee was weak and just ok. That being said our server was friendly, attentive and did a great job. This is a very old school restaurant with a very old school unimaginative menu but at very current (and then some) pricing - even the ambiance was nothing out of the ordinary at best. Disappointing visit- while I love the Institute- I won't be back to dine here.
Dinner came out with the appetizer. Had to ask for bread basket 3 times. Bread arrived after appetizers and meal. Meal was mediocre and lukewarm at best. Bland, nonseasoned food. Would not return.
The food (we opted on the prime rib buffet) was mediocre, but expensive—$56. Our server, Jessica, was wonderful—personable, efficient and there when we needed something without being overbearing. The outside patio overlooking the lake is perfect for the Chautauqua Institute experience. We had had a wonderful meal here two years ago. I believe there is a new chef.
Trying to enter the Institute no one at the gates could tell us where to park or how to get to the restaurant. The hostesses just stared blankly as we asked to be seated. Our server was good. The food was mediocre ands came out in a weird order. Wedge salad with chicken, the chicken came out ten minutes later. The mocktails were tasteless.
Food was good for the price - a bit too much mayo in the crab and lobster roll. our server was a bit overwhelmed as she also had a large table near us Location is wonderful and it was a good day to be outside
A very unique, one of a kind restaurant. I was nervous about coming here when I saw all of the negative reviews posted, but luckily for me I guess I caught the chef on a good night. I'd call the food good, but not great. I had the pork tenderloin and my wife had the salmon. They were fine. The desserts were incredible, creative tasty, and the service was attentive. There's no air conditioning in the building, but on the night I went there was a good breeze blowing in.
We Tok Lunch under the canopy overlooking the lake, Couldn't ask for anything better. The seating was beautiful as was the weather. Food was great. There were four in our party and all really enjoyed
On a hot summer evening we indulged ourselves in a wonderful dinner and nice cocktails on the outside deck. Important to note that the dining room is not air conditioned so the deck is a request I would always make. The young waitstaff is charming and exceptionally well trained.
Our meals were good but the tables were set up too close together. The backs of our chairs were up against the backs of other chairs. There were tables that were not being used and not even set-up. No reason for seating to be so tight.
Restaurantji Recommends
One of the worst dinners I have had in years. All Sysco pre-prepared food-like stuff. Ordered pasta with sausage. Delivered without even 1 piece of sausage. Server replaced my dish, and no-one in management bothered to come by our table. Once I said something the “senior server” said they took 50% off the dish. Still overpaid.
We requested an outside table on open table and the Heirloom claimed they had no record of the request. I later spoke to other people who also requested an outdoor table that was not honored. We were given a table by the window, however, it was hot and there is no air movement. There was also a screaming baby 2 tables over that no one was doing anything about. The room was generally load and it was difficult to have a conversation. The server was terrific, the food was excellent and came in a timely matter. I will only book in person in the future (recommended by the hostess) so that I get the reservation I want.
This was our 4th time at Heirloom. The first 2 times were excellent. The 3rd time was terrible because one entree came out (out of 4), and the other 3 came out 30 minutes later. Unacceptable! And no apologies for the service. This last experience was also frustrating. We all (4) ordered the same lunch (a sandwich), and it took 30 minutes to arrive after we ordered. The restaurant was 1/2 full. Not sure if I'll return with guests.
Pork tenderloin overcooked. Tuna bowl not what planned. Looking for sushi tuna strips instead got chunks of tuna in a sauce and dense rice and corn. Not super appealing Drinks were great as was charcuterie dish but overall a b- at best. That's been the experience throughout Chautauqua. Limited food selection. Run outs (no hot dog relish or Diet Pepsi ) only bright spots were the ice cream.
We had reservations made well before our visit. Well we asked for a table on the porch where there were many available. Almost no one was in the very large main dining room. We were told that the computer assigns them automatically and that there was nothing they could do. After we asked again after seeing quite a few porch tables available, the hostess said they were reserved for Road Scholar. We were in the restaurant for approximately 2 hours and the tables remained unused. We left about 2:30. There were only 2-3 tables being served in the very large large dining room. The service was in credibly slow for our drinks, a bottle of wine which we could see sitting on the bar waiting to be retrieved. I would expect if there is a delay for any reason the waitstaff would let the diners know that there was a problem. I would not recommend eating here. The hotel side deserves better and Chautauqua deserves a very fine restaurant. The food truck at the square was very busy and may have been a better choice.
Loading...