Filomena's Lakeview

11/29/11

Best in Area!!

by PvtMcHenry

Had a very nice dinner here. We were Early so dinner crowd hadn't hit yet. This place is always decorated nice. Our Server Michael came right over, informed us of the specials. He was very informative and efficient. Our Appetizers, Calamari & Mini Crab Cakes were great. Our Entrees, Oven roasted half chx and Chx and lobster al mauro, were even better. We split the Willy Wonka brownie, which was a chocolate lover's dream. We will be back...Soon!

12/06/10

Would NOT eat here again

by AVerbeke

I tried to give this restaurant zero stars, but the site wouldn't let me.

My boyfriend and I had dinner here last Saturday. As it was our anniversary, he had made a reservation- and specified it was a special occasion for us.

From the beginning, this would have been an anniversary dinner from hell, if we didn't have good senses of humor!

Despite the reservation, we were offered the worst table in the house. Right on a main walkway and at a tiny table. All other parties of two were at larger, but set more intimately. Our waitress did not offer much attention, and even smirked and offered a rude comment when my boyfriend ordered water. Our food was slow to come out. So slow, in fact, that the melted cheese on his meal had already hardened by the time it arrived. My meal was also served cold. Perhaps it wouldn't have been so cold if it had been served with a cover, like all of the other tables. Oh- and, all of the other food came out on a tray, even at the two party tables where it wasn't necessary. Ours? Oh, just carried in the waitress' hands. And no- she didn't ask if there was anything else we needed after she plunked it down.

I've never been the subject of discrimination before, but this was horrendous. There are two things they may have not liked about us: my boyfriend was the only non-white person there, and neither of us are 50 or older. Maybe they perceived us as only requiring second class service, or that we wouldn't tip well. We normally tip very well (20-25%), but after that? How could we tip well?

No, thanks. Save your money, celebrate elsewhere. We always read Zagat reviews before choosing a new dining experience, and are appalled that this place made the list.

07/20/08

Okay - changing my review! Speak to the manager.

by nvltyskr

There was no e-mail address on Filomena's web page so I first posted a lengthy (negative) review here.

Later, I phoned and got an e-mail address, sending my "complaint" to the manager. He replied promplty and appropriately, offering a gift certificate.

In general, the house salad was bad and dessert was handled poorly - a much shorter review than my previous "rant." House salads should be prepared when ordered, not dressed too far in advance. The dessert tray should have included prices and been appropriate for the season; ice cream was rectangular, over-priced and served on a hot plate.

I recommend two things to diners who have a disappointing experience:

(a) tip accordingly (people who want to be better servers will reflect and, hopefully, improve - people who don't will just think you're cheap)

(b) speak with the manager on the way out (unless service is just plain unacceptable and you must say something sooner)

Thank you to the manager for getting back to me.

Entrees were good and water was refilled frequently. If someone asks whether I recommend Filomena's, I will be honest and say my first visit was good and my second disappointing.

• Pros: Good entrees!
• Cons: Bad house salad! Not so good service.

05/16/08

Tasty warm food, long wait between ordering and food arriving at table, lacking customer service.

by billypenn

Today's luncheon dining experience was a disappointment. There were three in our party. When we arrived at the restaurant at the early lunch hour, we became the fourth occupied table. After placing our orders and being served our salads and soup, we waited quite some time afterward for our platters to arrive. One could tell by the appearance of the salads that they had been previously refrigerated and were not freshly made. The crab bisque was quite tasty. I also ordered the Gemelli -- pasta with sauteed shrimp, asparagus, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes and peas in a garlic wine sauce, also tasty. However, the soup and platters were served warm, not hot. There were only three medium shrimp atop the pasta. I could not eat the asparagus as it was on the raw side rather than being cooked to al dente. Nor could I eat the artichokes since they included the fibrous parts of the pedals. Our water glasses were kept full, but we were not asked if we cared for more bread and butter, or if we would like to have coffee and/or dessert. Our waiter seemed to be busy tending to a few other tables occupied with people who came in after we had already arrived and placed our orders. When the waiter brought our check I asked him if he was working the tables alone. He stated that graduates from two area colleges were coming in for lunch today, and they were busier than usual, although the dining room was not crowded. If the establishment knew in advance they would be expecting a larger crowd for lunch, they should have planned accordingly with adequate wait staff. I have dined here previously on two occasions, both lunch and dinner, and this was my first disappointment.

03/24/08

Strike 3

by foodie108

I've always held out so much hope for this place. The first time it was average and I thought it was because it was new. The second time the waitstaff was loud and obnoxious, having a full conversation with plenty of expletives right next to my table. It made it hard to enjoy. This time, the last time, had to be the worst. The waitress useless and unattentive. She asked if everything was "okay" and I responded "just okay". She said 'oh" and walked away. I guess she was taking a poll, because there was no follow up with anything like "is there anything I can do to make it better" or "do you need anything". The highlight of the meal was the escarole soup, great flavors and not salty. The salad was bland. The entrees were room temperature at best and covered in onions. The juilenned vegetables, also full of onions, were limp, cold, and flavorless. I would suggest a filler other than onions, especially when the entree is served with onions. I am sure my filet was warm at some point because the gorgonzola topping was burnt to a crisp. I agree with the last review, the place has great character. But, I have had wonderful service at places with higher and lower pricetags.