Garden Court Restaurant

Doesn't Recommend

diamondsrforever

Joined 4 years ago

The food was uninspired.. Yep, it's my fault for going here. I was neither a tourist, nor an executive on a company-paid all expense meal, but I went here anyway; with my family of over 12 to boot!

What a waste of time. The sushi was so-so. The food was uninspired. The presentation was something out of the Love Boat.

Yeah, it's my fault going here.

Doesn't Recommend

jennnings

Joined 9 years ago

Worst Service Ever. I visited once in 2004 and the tea, food, service was mediocre, but the atmosphere and harp music made up for it. Unfortunately I was completely humiliated for suggesting the place when I returned in late 2005 with a large group of friends. For $35+ a person, we didn't have enough scones to have 1 scone per person, and for a large table only two small trays served. Not only were we unable to try all the variety of desserts, we were charged for an additional plate of sandwiches after we complained that there wasn't enough to go around and they brought out another plate. It's really not the cost, but the whole concept. We're paying $35+ for a small pot of generic tea (lack of selection) and some mediocre pastries. So really, we're all there just to enjoy ourselves in the atmosphere of the place and have a nice afternoon. That extra $15~20 for a plate of sandwiches doesn't make a difference to the cost, but the service and the attitude of our waiter makes it extremely difficult to enjoy our time there. He never came by once after taking our order and dropping off the food (note, the tea/plates were really just 'dropped off' and not 'served'), and we tried/waited about 30 minutes to get his attention only to deal with his attitude and impatience. I read other tea review sites and realized everyone else had similiar experiences with their afternoon tea service. Definitely never returning, and I wonder how many people would return after they've been treated so badly despite the beauty of the place. What a shame.

Doesn't Recommend

bbmario

Joined 7 years ago

Very Impress. I eat everywhere, high class low class restaurant, I ate the brunch in garden court in 2006, it was very impress, I see alot commercial TV program about Garden Court ambience, and most rated them in a very good restaurant, and that ture !! but what I experience is expect their ambience, nothing else can make me feel this is a highly recommended restaurnat, they put their name on top of most of the restaurant, but their food is not great, even their sunday bunch orange juice is not frsh make, and all juice is not fresh, except the setting and ambience, nothing can compare to other restaurant, the waiter and waitress just in average performance, and food completely below it average, this is a resturant you must try enjoy their in your life, but only the ambience, not the food.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

The showpiece of the Palace Hotel, this glass-roofed space is known for its pampering teas and lavish brunch buffet.. The Scene
With its gilded marble columns, Beaux Arts glass roof and tall potted palms, the Garden Court is the crown jewel of the Palace Hotel. Reservations are a must, especially during holiday times like Christmas and Easter. A harpist plays during Saturday teatime and Sunday brunch, adding the final touch of luxury.

The Food
The Sunday brunch buffet is an elegant exercise in excess, beginning with freely poured champagne or sparkling cider, orange juice and coffee or tea. A dazzling, meticulously presented selection of dozens of hot and cold dishes range from dim sum dumplings, carved-to-order beef and paella to the more-traditional eggs Benedict, Belgian waffles, warm biscuits and smoked salmon--something to please every taste. At teatime, the dainty spread of tea, pastries, scones and sandwiches can be augmented by a glass of champagne for the perfect post-shopping pick-me-up.

Recommends

svlin

Joined 11 years ago

Beautiful!. We wanted to dine at the Garden Court simply because the dining room is stunning. We expected outrgeous prices and so-so food, but instead found a semi-reasonably priced brunch buffet ($18.95) and found that the food was quite tasty and high in quality. Although the food was nothing to write home about, we would definitely come back again to try the afternoon tea (although it's a tad expensive at $29-40 a person!)

Recommends

howudoinsf

Joined 11 years ago

Great meal but no Michael Douglas.... Had lunch this afternoon at the Garden Court, the decor is stunning in it's richness. One feels like royalty here and the closing scene to David Fincher's movie, The Game was filmed here. Started off with a great squash soup with toasted pumpkin seeds and a swirl of creme fraiche, smooth and rich without being overbearing. The entree was a filet mignon burger with grilled onions and cheese. Tasty but a bit dry. Dessert was a nice creamy creme brulee, nicely done. Service was attentive without being overbearing. While the food was good, the main attaction is the stunning decor which most anyone would enjoy, but especially if you're older