Review of Babylon Carriage House

DH called over a week and a half ago to make and reservation and was told they don't take reservations for parties of 2. Fine, we knew it was restaurant week, but figured going during the week we wouldn't have to wait too long.
Last night DH met me there (I was coming from the train). He got there a bit before me and there was a half hour wait. I get there we go to the bar to wait. 35 minutes passes and DH goes up to the hostess and she says "oh yeah your table is ready" I don't think she was planning on ever letting us know.
She then sits us at a table across from the kitchen which was empty from the time we got there (why they didn't just sit us there in the first place I have no idea).
Within 3 minutes of sitting I can tell it's gonna be loud. We can hear crashing plates and people yelling orders from the kitchen. So I ask the hostess to be moved and get an attitude about how we were "just a walk in" and she can only seat us elsewhere if we "wait a long time". I told her we tried to make a reservation and were told we couldn't to which she rudely responded "I don't know what to tell you."
I go back to the table and ask for a manager and basically receive the same treatment. He asked us if we had a reservation and then wouldn't clarify if they do or don't take reservations for 2 people. At this point I wanted to get up and leave, and we should have, but DH doesn't like making a scene, it was 7:30 on a thursday night and I didn't know where else we'd go.
It only got worse when the food came. My mussels had lots of sand/dirt in it, as did the risotto that also had no flavor. The cheesecake for dessert wasn't bad but it certainly wasn't anything special. My glass also sat empty for most of the dinner (even though I put it close to the outside edge of the table).
Dh and I typically use restaurant week to check out new places to add to our rotation. It was our first time there, and I had been interested in their Wed night lobster bake for the future but we most certainly will not be returning.

Message edited 4/8/2011 12:06:14 PM.

Re: Review of Babylon Carriage House

wow... i am shocked!!!! Maybe cause it was so busy, which is not saying they should have treated you like that, that is unacceptable... and to have sandy shellfish... not cool.
I am just surprised to here that, everytime I have been there the food and service was perfect

Re: Review of Babylon Carriage House

Posted by caps612

wow... i am shocked!!!! Maybe cause it was so busy, which is not saying they should have treated you like that, that is unacceptable... and to have sandy shellfish... not cool.
I am just surprised to here that, everytime I have been there the food and service was perfect

Re: Review of Babylon Carriage House

wow that stinks! sorry you had a bad experience there! i have been there several times and never had a problem and the food was good, hopefully it was just an off night.

Re: Review of Babylon Carriage House

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. We were just there on Wed night and we had great food and service. We had a reservation for a party of 4, so I'm not sure if they do reservations for parties of 2. I understand how you feel though, bad food and service is enough for me to never return to a restaurant no matter how good others say it is.

Re: Review of Babylon Carriage House

That stinks.

DH and I went for restaurant week on Monday and just walked in, with no wait.

I got the marinated skirt steak and it was okay -- nothing amazing. DH's lobster risotto was good according to him, as well as the lobster bisque soup. My clams casino oregonata was good.

The cheesecake was really fresh and tasty the night we went.

This was only the second time I've been there and both times were good. Nothing AMAZING...but just decent.

Re: Review of Babylon Carriage House

I've been there 2x. I get filet mignon because it comes with the most delish mac and chese. Last time I went the waiter came to clear our plates and said wow I can't believe you actually finished it all, usually people don't! Umm what!! So rude

Re: Review of Babylon Carriage House

this is why i hate restaraunt week - you NEVER get the 'real' menu, or 'real' feeling of the place you're going to - it's like going to dinner on Valentine's Day -

DH and I very picky - We lived in the city for awhile and are food snobs when it comes to REALLY going out (I mean, if we're hitting up Applebees for a quick dinner that's one thing - but if I'm spending over $150 on dinner, I expect a certain level of food/service)

Babylon Carraige House is hands down our favorite Long Island spot - the food is always fabulous, the service has NEVER been anyting but amazing, and we have never been disappointed.

I honestly don't remember if they take reservations for 2 though - I am almost positive they normally do ..........maybe b/c it was restaraunt week ??

Re: Review of Babylon Carriage House

Ehh, I feel like it's just OK there. Nothing special, so I'm not really surprised by your review.

Re: Review of Babylon Carriage House

We ate there last year. I was not impressed, bad service and the food wasn't anything to brag about.

Re: Review of Babylon Carriage House

We've been to the Carriage House a bunch of times...it's never been great. Just okay. I haven't been there in a while...but sounds like much hasn't changed.

Try Lucy's...also in Babylon. It's on Deer Park Ave...entrance is in the back (next to Fitness Incentive). It's a small place...but the food is always good.