Michael's Genuine Food & Drink

07/25/10

MIchael's Genuine has gone way downhill

by miamidoc88 at Citysearch

As someone who has been at the restaurant many times, I am sad to report it has really gone downhill and I will not return. First, we were there to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary which was mentioned to the reservation staff. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the new host who cannot over himself and his worthless South Beach attitude. He wanted us to sit outside in the 90 plus degree weather with high humidity and I refused. He rudely indicated I did not request inside and pointed with his glasses literally that we should wait by the bar. We finally got seated to a table that was tiny and the server was horrible throughout. Not one of the typical excellent Michael's waitstaff (young asian man, tall Native American or african american female). She disappeared most of the meal and did not mention our anniversary once. The food was good. After not having our anniversary mentioned to the tall host he simply shrugged and could not care less. I think the restaurant is really suffering with all of the staff in the islands and until Chef Michael and the regular crew are back, I will not be there. It was bad, bad and bad.

• Pros: Food is largely the same
• Cons: Host is beyond rude, service is horrible

06/29/10

Don't go if two people in your party...

by mkatz40 at Citysearch

The only tables for two people that Michael's has in their main dining room are literally ON TOP of the couple next to you. I don't think there is more than an inch in between them. So, pretty much every couple I know that goes has the same complaint ("There is no intimacy. I felt like we were dining for four") and doesn't want to return. If they get this corrected, it will make a world of difference.

• Pros: Decent food, nice variety
• Cons: Tables for two are awful

02/21/10

One of the worst dining experiences ever...

by DA Smith at Citysearch

I was really looking forward to coming here, i have heard so many great things about the food. The food may actually be fantastic, but after the horrible evening I had there, it wouldn't even matter.

After waiting 1 hour for our entrees, we finally had to ask the manager what was going on because our waiter disappeared. She promised our food would be out in "6 minutes". Another 20 passed with no explanation, we canceled the order, she promised dessert but that never came. After 2 1/2 hours we had enough and got up to leave at which point the manager screamed at us.

I can honestly say that this is one of the worst restaurant experience I have ever had and I have eaten at many of the finest restaurants all over the world.

In addition, the room is so loud that you have to scream to talk to everyone at your table, and the tables are so close together that I was literally back to back with the person at the next table.

TERRIBLE experience, RUDE management, and INCOMPETENT service. NEVER AGAIN!

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• Cons: INCOMPETENT service, RUDE management

02/21/09

REALLY BAD SERVICE, DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HOSPITALITY-ARROGANT

by juec at Citysearch

As a gourmet couple (regulars and WELCOME at Masa, Craft, L'atelier Robuchon,Per Se, French Laundry,Fat Duck Tetsuya, Il Bulli Le Cinq,Guy Savoy, etc) that just moved from NY, we used to enjoy very much the food at Michael's since is one of the restaurants in Miami comparable to the ones in NYC. However, last night our experience there was AWFUL and it shows how they DO NOT CARE about service or loyal clients there(we go there usually every friday ordering bottles wine average U$150) . They seated us on our table and, 1 minute later, made us stand up- my wife being 9 months pregnant and on her DUE DATE, to change for another table that wasn't ready nor available!!! - Making us wait outside - not offering a chair or drink or ANYTHING- for 35 more min to seat us on the other room, while the table we seated initially was still EMPTY.(PS: on a courtesy call from Alia in the morning I expressed my concern about waiting time-mentioning my wife's pregnancy- and she guaranteed me I wouldn't have to worry) .To our surprise, the chef's WIFE- TAMARA SCHWARTZ- was the one orchestrating the mistake-after-mistake process and didn't seem sorry or concerned about any of it since our original table was probably to some friends of her. What they should think about is that clients that come every friday, ordering expensive bottles of wine and, most importantly, with a 9 months pregnant lady, they should be more careful since we have other restaurants options and they will have less and less clients like us, specially in economic times like this. REALLY BAD SERVICE. They don't know anything about restaurant management and hospitality, maybe they should try surviving in NYC, they wouldn't last a month.

07/08/08

Great lunch place

by janesneed at Citysearch

Best lunch in town for business or casual. Affordable menu with lovely atmosphere. you cannot decide what to get, so share little plates and try it all. Definitely get a dessert especially the chocolate with rock salt, yes rock salt...too die for !!

• Pros: Great prices and location
• Cons: parking tickets handed out liberally