StX Restaurant Ratings

This guy/customer leaves PI sign as a tip.
(Found on internet)

Base: $26.86
Tip: Pi Sign
Total: $30.00

I've worked in several types of bars and restaurants on this island and I'd say you average just under 10% in tips, regardless of service. Blue Water does have it written on the menu. When I worked there, I always mentioned it to people. Some folks did get offened. In fact, I didn't usually add it in.

You know Jamison, if it was there when you were working there, then that means I have double tipped waitstaff at Bluewater MANY times - and no one ever mentioned it to me. I didn't see it on the menu either (not doubting it was there) - I find that extremely annoying, Some waitstaff got some pretty rich tips from us.

We went to Bluewater last Sunday for brunch, it was very busy, but service was good. Food was slow coming out because they were slammed, but sitting there enjoying the view and leisurely brunch, it didn't matter how long it took for our food. When the check was brought to us, we handed over our credit card without looking at the detail. It did seem high, and I mentioned it to my husband. We figured it was because we bought breakfast for my brother. Now I wonder if I paid the 20% tip twice ... I didn't notice anything mentioning 20% automatically added, I think the server should mention it if the tip is added already. There were only 3 of us, not 6 or more, which used to be the norm for adding gratuity at some restaurants.

I also noticed several times the amount seemed high and i just didn't question it. >.<

It s always good to review your bill prior to payng your check.
Mistakes happen and sometimes it's not a mistake.

It s always good to review your bill prior to payng your check.
Mistakes happen and sometimes it's not a mistake.

I did check. They don't have the service charge itemized on the bill, it's baked into the item charge, which makes it hard to realize.

Seems unethical to me. It also means that the wait staff probably does not get the 'tip'.

I'll look more carefully at other restaurants also, but Bluewater is done for since my
wife said that we won't eat there any more.

It s always good to review your bill prior to payng your check.
Mistakes happen and sometimes it's not a mistake.

I did check. They don't have the service charge itemized on the bill, it's baked into the item charge, which makes it hard to realize.

That's BS and highly unethical unless they have a big sign posted where everyone can see it or it is noted on the menu that they add 20% to EVERYTHING. I sure would not be patronizing that restaurant if I lived in STX.

I've enjoyed many great meals at Blue Water Terrace and have no issues with the 20% auto-gratuity. It is clearly stated on the bottom of their new menus and on the Brunch Menu. I did notice that they omitted it on the Christmas Dinner menu but that was likely an error.

Cruzan, that was funny:-)

I'll look more carefully at other restaurants also, but Bluewater is done for since my
wife said that we won't eat there any more.

You know Jamison, if it was there when you were working there, then that means I have double tipped waitstaff at Bluewater MANY times - and no one ever mentioned it to me. I didn't see it on the menu either (not doubting it was there) - I find that extremely annoying, Some waitstaff got some pretty rich tips from us.

It started the begining of last season. I was there for a month or two and then left for Low Life (bummer). Most nights you get a late (should be closed time) rush pretty often, from young people before they go out and they'll typically run up over a $100 tab and leave $1 for a tip. I think that was the premise behind this move. It really sucked. That said, I have always, every single time, told people it was in there. If you add a grat and don't say anything IMO, that's stealing. However, it is on the menu and everyone is handed a menu to read.

I miss Blue Water, but 20% is high to automatically add in.
My husband and I have both worked food service, so we tend to be good tippers. BUT honestly, 18% is standard grat 15% is low, but an acceptable add-in IF there's an additional line for adding more.

I don't understand the games played by restaurants and such. Either tips are totally optional or they are not. If they are not then why not just increase the price of food on the menu and increase the wages for your wait staff?

Listing your food prices and then putting a note at the bottom of the menu which states that a 20% charge will be added just seems dishonest. Just tell me what the food and drinks will cost me! I guess unless the menu specifically states that prices are in US Dollars you could always pay in Eastern Caribbean Dollars.

It's like those commercials on TV which advertise something and then have disclaimers in very fine print which doesn't stay on the screen very long.

Where is Consumer Affairs when you need them.

I completely agree. We used to go there often for weekend breakfast/brunch and stopped looking at the menu because we knew what we wanted or ordered what we read from the special board. We stopped going when our most favorite server/waitress didn't work there any more. The 20% added for gratuity is shameful if the server doesn't advise when presenting the bill. I'm really disappointed about this, we just started going back again, but I'm hesitant to go back, except to test the system and see how it turns out. I love the food, and I think Lori is an amazing chef ... I want her to succeed, she's worked very hard to get where she is.

I don't understand the games played by restaurants and such. Either tips are totally optional or they are not. If they are not then why not just increase the price of food on the menu and increase the wages for your wait staff?

Listing your food prices and then putting a note at the bottom of the menu which states that a 20% charge will be added just seems dishonest. Just tell me what the food and drinks will cost me! I guess unless the menu specifically states that prices are in US Dollars you could always pay in Eastern Caribbean Dollars.

It's like those commercials on TV which advertise something and then have disclaimers in very fine print which doesn't stay on the screen very long.

Where is Consumer Affairs when you need them.

We went to Bluewater Terrace for brunch today. Food was excellent, as was the service and view of Buck Island. No gratuity added to our check, I was relieved and happy that we'll continue going back now that that's cleared up. I did read the fine print on the bottom of the menu, stating they add an 18% gratuity, perhaps it's for the habitual non-tippers?

Did you ask about the gratuity policy Jill?

Did you ask about the gratuity policy Jill?

Nope, we didn't have gratuity added, so we were satisfied. Perhaps it's written on the menu for the habitual non-tippers, I've certainly heard those horror stories regarding people that don't tip.

I wonder how they decide who they will add the gratuity to, and who they will not. That almost is more annoying, that it isn't equally applied to everyone, if that's what they're doing.

Perhaps they have regular non-tippers, I've heard stories about that all over island.
My suggestion: don't stiff on the tip. The habitual non-tippers will understand and go elsewhere. Those of us that tip well for good service will not have to worry.

Edit to add: we've been going there for years, and we always tip well, because the service and food is good.

We lived right around the corner and used to go there a lot (recently). Like most places, they had their good days and their off days, and some days were really off.

We are good tippers in general - hence the thought that we would have an additional gratuity added unknowingly is annoying. It has nothing to do with being a habitual non-tipper or not, it's the policy in general. Either add it to everyone's bill and be clear and honest about it (i.e. make sure guests know so they don't double tip) or add it to no one.

Personally I believe that if a restaurant wants to guarantee a living wage to their waitstaff, they should pay them one, not enforce a mandatory gratuity - especially when the service is spotty, like we've experienced there. And yeah, if I get really bad service (and it has been really bad at times) I want to have the option to withhold the tip (and tell Pauly and Lori why) without being labeled a "habitual bad tipper." There's more than one reason why people don't always provide a generous tip.

My two cents. When we're back to visit soon I doubt we'll eat there. Savant has been really good lately and is my current favorite place. 😉

While we're on the subject........

We ate @ the Mexican food place in Gallows Bay last evening, Maria's.

This is NOT Mexican food! Poorly seasoned, cheese like plastic and over priced.

Speaking of pricing, a friend and I had a couple of Tequila shots after dinner.

When the bill came they had charged us $60.00 for the four shots!

One of our party questioned the bar tender regarding the charge and she snarkingly replied that she did not make the prices.

The manager did finally discount these 4 shots to $30.00, I can buy a whole bottle of what we drank for that.

I don't have an axe to grind with someone making a profit but this kind of GOUGING is complete BS!

We will not return.

And yes, before you ask, we did leave a 20% tip and hope those that severed us got it and not the owner.

Bad!

CD

For $60 you could've probably bought 4 bottles of tequila.
That's pretty outrageous and sad that owners will drive people away with bad food and overpriced drinks, then wonder why they go under. Hard to find good consistant value.

What kind of tequila did you get? Maria's does have a lot of very high end tequilas that are much more expensive than patron and others.

What kind of tequila did you get? Maria's does have a lot of very high end tequilas that are much more expensive than patron and others.

We drank Jose Quevo Traditional.