Virginia Ballroom at the Williamsburg Lodge

Review summary

1. N

   Nicole

   Richmond

   3 reviews

   3.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 1

   We had Thanksgiving dinner at the Williamsburg Inn, since the menu was the same as Thanksgiving for Christmas, opted to have Christmas Brunch at the Inn. Our family attended this buffet a decade ago. I realize we are experiencing inflation but that shouldn’t have affected the quality of the food offered nor the ambience. It was not festive at all. There wasn’t any Christmas music piped in and the decorations were just a couple of undecorated Christmas trees. I would have rather paid more to experience the buffet of yesteryear… a chocolate fondue fountain, ice sculpture, wreaths, garland, the works. The made to order omelette station was no longer offered, instead scrambled eggs in a chafing dish like the Golden Coral. As the old saying goes, “less is more,”less antipasto and more dessert offerings… cakes, would have been nice. The menu overall was ok but nothing special about the overall experience. We enjoyed the dining experience in the past and would love to see improvements to the standards and exceptional quality of prior years in order to return.
   

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2. M

   Mary

   Baltimore

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 1

   Later seating and had to wait in line for over 30 min, got seated late, many things picked over or out. Cold coffee, grouchy men at the carving station. Got charged for a bottle of Prosecco and given a bottle of Cava. Staff clearing out food from table while we were still eating. Felt rushed and pushed out. Not worth the $100 pp. Plus expensive bottle of wine.
   

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3. L

   LEWIS

   Richmond

   74 reviews

   5.0

   74 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   It was a long walk to the Ballroom, but the host very helpful, the food was good not great, management was helpful, but our server left us wondering. We rarely so him, when we needed him. My pet peeve is not picking up dirty dishes in a timely manner, he got an “F” for that, see photos.
   

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4. R

   Rudy

   New York City

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   Food was good. Service was poor. It was a complete “do it yourself” experience. At the price asked, there should have been live music. 3-piece classical ensemble, Carolers etc.
   

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5. a

   amanda

   Baltimore

   9 reviews

   2.0

   9 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 2

   The service was very good, but otherwise it was fair. Though there was a good variety the “hot” food was warm at best and much lacked flavor. The atmosphere was somewhat industrial with no music leaving the room cold. It was fine just something I wouldn’t book again.
   

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6. M

   Michael

   Raleigh

   9 reviews

   4.0

   9 reviews

   Dined on November 28, 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The event was very well attended, and the staff handled the seating of the very large number of people extremely well. The buffet lines moved along nicely with no appreciable wait, and there was quite a variety of food. Music was provided from a piano player throughout the evening. We were sitting very close to him and the sound did not overwhelm conversation. The wait staff were very attentive with refills for water, coffee, etc. All in all a very pleasant evening.
   

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7. D

   Danya

   New Hampshire

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on November 28, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Lovely night. Staff made the evening special-they were very attentive and kind.
   

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8. D

   Deb

   Baltimore

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on November 28, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 1

   There was no information on the booking site to say what drinks were included (water, tea, coffee, sodas we found out). There was a cash bar (also not mentioned). This meal was not vegan friendly. No vegan desserts, and poorly labeled foods. In addition the wait staff was overworked and frazzled by the time we arrived (our booking was late in the afternoon).
   

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9. C

   Claudine

   Richmond

   3 reviews

   3.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on November 28, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   I made my reservation in September for 3:00 PM. However, there was a line to get in, so we weren't seated until around 3:30. The room was very nice. The staff was very courteous and professional. The food was good though some of the meat and fish was a bit dry along. The desserts were plentiful. A glass of wine was $11 so we stuck with coffee and water. I thought there would be some fresh fruit along with the desserts, but aside from the fruits used as decorative pieces, I didn't see any.
   

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10. P

    Paul

    Raleigh

    12 reviews

    3.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on November 28, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2

    The experience was good but not great. For $100/person including tip and tax. I would have liked the hot food to be hotter, it was warm. I would have liked to have more guidance upon entering as to the procedure, drink options and locations to source them, more staff to keep water glasses full and clear used plates. The deserts were the best part with many, nicely made items to choose from. Given that they must have served several thousand people on Thanksgiving, it was well done but there is room for improvement. Another example, don’t expect your reservation is anything more than a place in line. We luckily arrived 15 minutes early for a 2:00 reservation and waited in line for 30 minutes to sit at 2:15. Would we go again. We will likely try to find a smaller more restaurant like experience in the future. All that said, everyone in our group left full and our we enjoyed the dinner. Luckily nobody brought up politics…
    

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