The atmosphere is nice. We were seated promptly. The food selection for the buffet was okay. Not bad, but not memorable. The server seemed occupied with other matters. Nice person but we were not a priority. A gripe I have with prepaid service and tipping. No incentive to do a good job, because they already got paid.
Jennifer Horstmann
Aretha was a fantastic server! She was super accommodating and so friendly!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Madeline N.
Waited over an hour for the food to come. When we asked for some mini muffins (previously offered) to tide us over, they didn't come for about half an hour. When asked about it again, the waiter said "Oh, I guess I'll bring those myself." Not sure what that was about. After 45 mins, we asked about our food and the waiter blamed a member of our party for having an allergy, saying that was the reason that it was taking so long. Considering he ordered a dish that had no allergens in it already, we found it hard to believe, and a little rude to single out something that a person can't control. When the food finally came, the home fries were steaming hot, with the actual entrees very lukewarm. The food itself was nothing special- just regular breakfast fare. At the end, instead of apologizing for the wait and the sarcastic comments made throughout our time there, the waiter insisted he did "all he could." While the bar and lounge here is wonderful, we won't be returning to Traditions.
Charlie Knight
This was an amazing Christmas Eve meal. The staff, quality and service were all excellent!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Laury Miller
We went for the last weekend of Grand Illumination in Colonial Williamsburg. Traditions was where I could get reservations for the special pre-paid Illumination dinner.I was a little nervous because of some mixed reviews here.But we really enjoyed our dinner.It was buffet style and they had many options.There was a very nice well rounded Charcuterie Board, Caesar and Farro salads as well as two kinds of nice soups to start.Then there were really nice entrees.There were chicken, short ribs, seafood snd vegetarian cooked squash entrees each with a nice side, like couscous, potatoes or grits, as well as a nice vegetable medley.I tried a bite of everything and thought it was well prepared and I thought they did a good job of providing really nice options for everyone.There was a lovely dessert buffet too, with an outstanding bread pudding with caramel sauce. As well as pies and pretty little tarts.And the bread basket had three kinds of tolls and a flavored butter.Soft drinks, coffee or tea were included.Total with gratuity for two was $145. But Traditions special was actually less than the Tavern specials for the Illumination weekends .Our server was very good two, he cleaned our plates and kept our drinks topped off.Overall I think it was a nice experience. It was a special night with good food and we left there and walked to the palace green for the fireworks and it happed to be my husband’s birthday , so it was a great night.
Tony F.
Seafood buffet is a shadow of its former glory. Scallops precooked and small, prime rib pre-carved and overdone with poor flavor, crab legs with minimal flavor and small and crab au gratin is deviled crab. Poached shrimp were quite good. Overall very poor quality for this price point. 10 years ago much larger scallops that were seared on demand, strip roast that was carved to order, much larger crab legs. Crab au gratin was a mound of back fin crab with cheese.
AnthonyF
Seafood buffet is a shadow of its former glory. Scallops precooked and small, prime rib pre-carved and overdone, crab legs with minimal flavor and small and crab au gratin is deviled crab. Poached shrimp were quite good. Overall very poor quality for this price point. 10 years ago much larger scallops that were seared on demand, strip roast that was carved to order, much larger crab legs. Crab au gratin was a mound of back fin crab with cheese.
JamesT
We were there for the Christmas buffet. The food was delicious and the buffet was well stocked. There was a sign at each dish, that specified whether the dish contained gluten and or dairy. However, I wish there had been more gluten free options, and the dessert bar did not contain anything that was gluten free.
geo ensor
I found the food overly greasy. Could not finish meal, but the crab soup was awesome. We ate brunch at this location.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
J D
We made a reservation for Thanksgiving dinner. The price for 4 people was $290, which included a tip and had to be paid in advance. This was the absolute worst dinner I have ever eaten. The rolls were hard as a brick, the butter was in a big bowl and had to be scooped out with a serving spoon, the turkey was mediocre, the dressing was mush, the prime rib was mostly fat, the charcuterie board looked like it was a pile of leftovers, and the desserts on the menu were all gone. Not to mention the serving utensils looked like they had been used all day with dried food on them. I complained to the manager, as this was an absolute ridiculous price to pay for food that was literally worse than a cheap frozen microwave dinner. The manager took my name and said she would talk to her supervisor the next day about a refund. My wife also made a complaint on the Colonial Williamsburg website that night. After a week and we hadn’t heard back from anyone. I tried to call and left a voicemail on the manager’s phone, but still never received a call back. They did refund half of our money today, but still didn’t bother to call, and the food wasn’t worth $145 either. Granted our reservation was at 8:30, but if that’s the kind of food you get at 8:30, maybe they should reduce the price by 95% after 8:00. Actually, they couldn’t pay me to eat here again.
I attempted to change a buffet reservation from 4 people to 1 person. They have a policy that changes must be made no less than 72 hours from the date of the reservation. I was within the period where it couldn't be modified. They are right from the policy standpoint, but the human element is missing. They also told me I can't take food to go. So now I will be eating by myself for >$300 on Thanksgiving for a single buffet. The human element of this is gone. No compassion for my situation. They don't have to do it, certainly, but they could have and chose not to.
Service: 1
MikeM
Our server Arethea was great! We were a group of seven and my wife was having a low sugar issue and Arethea immediately brought my wife some orange juice and some crackers. Food was great and everyone enjoyed our brunch on Sunday December 17.
SherriS
Grand Illumination Buffet. The food had no taste. Selections were terrible. Total waste of money. Should have chosen Williamsburg Inn. Breakfast not much better. Very disappointed. Won't dine there again. Ever.
KimberlyL
The food at the Illumination Buffet was well prepared and delicious. The selection was good with a variety of salads, soups and entrees. Special kudos to for the Lobster Bisque and the Beet Salad. They were both wonderful. Ended with a beautiful dessert buffet with yummy apple cranberry bread pudding. We will be back!
The atmosphere is nice. We were seated promptly. The food selection for the buffet was okay. Not bad, but not memorable. The server seemed occupied with other matters. Nice person but we were not a priority. A gripe I have with prepaid service and tipping. No incentive to do a good job, because they already got paid.
Aretha was a fantastic server! She was super accommodating and so friendly!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Waited over an hour for the food to come. When we asked for some mini muffins (previously offered) to tide us over, they didn't come for about half an hour. When asked about it again, the waiter said "Oh, I guess I'll bring those myself." Not sure what that was about. After 45 mins, we asked about our food and the waiter blamed a member of our party for having an allergy, saying that was the reason that it was taking so long. Considering he ordered a dish that had no allergens in it already, we found it hard to believe, and a little rude to single out something that a person can't control. When the food finally came, the home fries were steaming hot, with the actual entrees very lukewarm. The food itself was nothing special- just regular breakfast fare. At the end, instead of apologizing for the wait and the sarcastic comments made throughout our time there, the waiter insisted he did "all he could." While the bar and lounge here is wonderful, we won't be returning to Traditions.
This was an amazing Christmas Eve meal. The staff, quality and service were all excellent!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went for the last weekend of Grand Illumination in Colonial Williamsburg. Traditions was where I could get reservations for the special pre-paid Illumination dinner.I was a little nervous because of some mixed reviews here.But we really enjoyed our dinner.It was buffet style and they had many options.There was a very nice well rounded Charcuterie Board, Caesar and Farro salads as well as two kinds of nice soups to start.Then there were really nice entrees.There were chicken, short ribs, seafood snd vegetarian cooked squash entrees each with a nice side, like couscous, potatoes or grits, as well as a nice vegetable medley.I tried a bite of everything and thought it was well prepared and I thought they did a good job of providing really nice options for everyone.There was a lovely dessert buffet too, with an outstanding bread pudding with caramel sauce. As well as pies and pretty little tarts.And the bread basket had three kinds of tolls and a flavored butter.Soft drinks, coffee or tea were included.Total with gratuity for two was $145. But Traditions special was actually less than the Tavern specials for the Illumination weekends .Our server was very good two, he cleaned our plates and kept our drinks topped off.Overall I think it was a nice experience. It was a special night with good food and we left there and walked to the palace green for the fireworks and it happed to be my husband’s birthday , so it was a great night.
Seafood buffet is a shadow of its former glory. Scallops precooked and small, prime rib pre-carved and overdone with poor flavor, crab legs with minimal flavor and small and crab au gratin is deviled crab. Poached shrimp were quite good. Overall very poor quality for this price point. 10 years ago much larger scallops that were seared on demand, strip roast that was carved to order, much larger crab legs. Crab au gratin was a mound of back fin crab with cheese.
Seafood buffet is a shadow of its former glory. Scallops precooked and small, prime rib pre-carved and overdone, crab legs with minimal flavor and small and crab au gratin is deviled crab. Poached shrimp were quite good. Overall very poor quality for this price point. 10 years ago much larger scallops that were seared on demand, strip roast that was carved to order, much larger crab legs. Crab au gratin was a mound of back fin crab with cheese.
We were there for the Christmas buffet. The food was delicious and the buffet was well stocked. There was a sign at each dish, that specified whether the dish contained gluten and or dairy. However, I wish there had been more gluten free options, and the dessert bar did not contain anything that was gluten free.
I found the food overly greasy. Could not finish meal, but the crab soup was awesome. We ate brunch at this location.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
We made a reservation for Thanksgiving dinner. The price for 4 people was $290, which included a tip and had to be paid in advance. This was the absolute worst dinner I have ever eaten. The rolls were hard as a brick, the butter was in a big bowl and had to be scooped out with a serving spoon, the turkey was mediocre, the dressing was mush, the prime rib was mostly fat, the charcuterie board looked like it was a pile of leftovers, and the desserts on the menu were all gone. Not to mention the serving utensils looked like they had been used all day with dried food on them. I complained to the manager, as this was an absolute ridiculous price to pay for food that was literally worse than a cheap frozen microwave dinner. The manager took my name and said she would talk to her supervisor the next day about a refund. My wife also made a complaint on the Colonial Williamsburg website that night. After a week and we hadn’t heard back from anyone. I tried to call and left a voicemail on the manager’s phone, but still never received a call back. They did refund half of our money today, but still didn’t bother to call, and the food wasn’t worth $145 either. Granted our reservation was at 8:30, but if that’s the kind of food you get at 8:30, maybe they should reduce the price by 95% after 8:00. Actually, they couldn’t pay me to eat here again.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Restaurantji Recommends
Not pretentious
I attempted to change a buffet reservation from 4 people to 1 person. They have a policy that changes must be made no less than 72 hours from the date of the reservation. I was within the period where it couldn't be modified. They are right from the policy standpoint, but the human element is missing. They also told me I can't take food to go. So now I will be eating by myself for >$300 on Thanksgiving for a single buffet. The human element of this is gone. No compassion for my situation. They don't have to do it, certainly, but they could have and chose not to.
Service: 1
Our server Arethea was great! We were a group of seven and my wife was having a low sugar issue and Arethea immediately brought my wife some orange juice and some crackers. Food was great and everyone enjoyed our brunch on Sunday December 17.
Grand Illumination Buffet. The food had no taste. Selections were terrible. Total waste of money. Should have chosen Williamsburg Inn. Breakfast not much better. Very disappointed. Won't dine there again. Ever.
The food at the Illumination Buffet was well prepared and delicious. The selection was good with a variety of salads, soups and entrees. Special kudos to for the Lobster Bisque and the Beet Salad. They were both wonderful. Ended with a beautiful dessert buffet with yummy apple cranberry bread pudding. We will be back!