blue ridge artisanal buffet

over priced & not very good.
i wasn't able to eat any if the desserts. tasted like they were bought from the grocery store.
for two people the bill was $103.53!!!

friday night seafood buffet. buffet was as expected for a nice big hotel. obviously they're not near the ocean, but lower your expectations and they are a few good finds -- wonderful pimento cheese and salads, good peel-your-own shrimp and amazing bread pudding. not necessarily worth the $35 but if you're tired from a long road-trip, it will do.

best breakfast buffet ever. i don't like buffets, but there are no other early meal choices at inn. service was outstanding. no reservations but got window table. sita, our server, knew all the landmarks in view. she offered to make any breakfast we didn't see on the buffet. but no need. great variety and all was good.

slow service. good potato casserole and frittata. the orange juice is to die for.

blue ridge mountains--sorry. the friday seafood buffet was very good. a very good cross section of different seafood---crab, shrimp, mussels, baked fish, smoked fish, seafood salad (outstanding!) as well as roasted bacon wrapped turkey and roast pork. the desserts were a true inspiration. make your own sundae was a hit with just abut everyone. also carrot cake, cheese cake and numerous other items. it's an experience, and one well worth taking. you'll find something you like.


-----27 may, 2011-----

breakfast review--we were seated quickly with an outstanding view of the smokies. had the buffet. roast pork loin with au jus and then topped with two over easy eggs cooked by the omelet chef. the pork was juicy and perfect. the eggs were just right as well. attentive table service. biscuits , sausage gravy, cinnamon baked apples, grits and too much more to list. this is a large restaurant that feels intimate. we are going back for the friday night seafood buffet and hope it will be as nice.

we went for breakfast saturday (we were staying at the inn so it was just a quick elevator ride away). they had a vast selection and even a gluten free section of the buffet! i was in heaven. my husband loved all the selection as well... i don't know if i ate $22 worth of breakfast, but my husband probably made up for me! great views of the mountains! ask for a window table!

i've been to the blue ridge several times over the years. the last time was about two years ago. the food was stale and deserts were more than likely frozen.
just went tonight. the food was better and fresher. i'm pretty sure the deserts were made on sight. what was a turn off was off the bat i had to pay to park. minimum $5 for the regular parking with a long walk in, $7 in the garage. now, it's only a mere pittance, but paying to park at the place where one is going to dine seems like gouging to me.
secondly, the elevator is not appropriately labeled to determine where to get off to dine. a minor inconvenience.
lastly, i paid for the meal, for four people. it was $164. that was worth it. what wasn't worth it was the tip that was automatically included, increasing the price to $207. this is a buffet. i sincerely didn't get ten dollars worth if waiter service. and to have this automatically included plus having to park, i simply won't be back. and i do plan on passing this along to anyone that will listen. i'll gladly pay high dollar for a good meal. i do take exception to getting gouged.

lunch on the terrace. don't bother if you are a vegan. there is precious little on the menu that you'd like except for a mesclun salad for $9 listed as an appetizer which is probably about 4 bites worth. i had a crab cake sandwich for $19 dollars which consisted of a barely above mediocre flavored crab cake; a toasted hamburger bun and half a plate of greasy potato chips. everything needed salt and there was no salt on the table. i ate the crab cake (left the chips and the roll) and left still feeling hungry. bottom line is it is very overpriced with average food and a gorgeous view. it's a better place to go for a drink or a cup of coffee and enjoy the view but pass on the food which is nothing to write home about.

simply the worst. avoid the sunday brunch. in most ways it was far inferior to the complimentary breakfast served at hampton inn and similar establishments. there were at least 15 - 20 patrons continually standing around for (no-kidding) a minimum 10 minutes at a time waiting for servers to bring out buffet items that were empty. while waiting, some of us counted how many stations were simply empty - at one time it was over 50%!!! we did so while others summoned staff/waiters. most couldn't care a less as a mandatory tip of 20% was added to check anyway. maybe doing us all a favor, as food was truly below average. shameful for a hotel of such stature to offer such a terrible dining option. stay away. drive into asheville for a far better experience.

not groovy grove park. you invest a lot for this experience so it better be worth the price. alas, it's not after several tries. yes, the view is wonderful. but servers are average to below, and well, the food matches up with the freebies at the embassy suites so why pay?

tasty. great "farm to table" local selections on the menus and on the buffets!

sunday brunch. honestly, best this side of the mississippi!

the fare is incredible - i just tried it myself this past sunday. it is worth all the hype at the regular price of $29.95 plus tax and gratuity.

excellent breakfast buffet/brunch. too many items to choose from. fresh made omelets, waffles, and all the other breakfast favorites. i also enjoy the seafood buffet when available.

in grove park inn - very elegant. very elegant, delicious food and wine selection, excellent service - expensive, but great for a special occasion. wonderful hotel too, by the way, especially if you can stay in the wing with the exclusive suites with the special walkway to the spa for a real splurge!