blue ridge artisanal buffet

i've been to the blue ridge several times over the years. the last time was about two years ago. thefoodwas stale and deserts were more than likely frozen.
just went tonight. thefoodwas 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 averagefoodand 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 thefoodwhich 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, asfoodwas 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, thefoodmatches up with the freebies at the embassy suites so why pay?

in grove park inn - very elegant. very elegant, deliciousfoodand 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!