ARLO San Diego

Review summary

1. J

   Jared

   Palm Springs

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

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

   The food that was cooked onsite was great! However I must say that the presentation was very poor. Budget style outdoors ensured the food, while tasty- was cold. The meat stations didn’t keep the meat warm, the ravioli station served cold ravioli. The serving utinsels were all extremely caked with leftover food. And while the dessert Bar was plentiful, almost all of the items were semi frozen- showing they weren’t fresh prepared. The cakes were watery- showing probably overly frozen and then thawed in condensation… chef cooked great food, but then presented and served poorly. For $250 for 2 people- the expectation was higher than anticipated
   

   ARLO San DiegoResponded today

   Hi Jared, Thank you for your valuable feedback. We appreciate hearing that you enjoyed the chef-prepared food items, but my sincere apologies for your disappointment with the presentation and desserts. We value your feedback so we can continue to make improvements where needed. We look forward to the opportunity to provide you with an even better experience next time. Sincerely, Carlo DeLeon, Food and Beverage Director
   

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2. S

   Sean

   Chicago

   4 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

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

   I can’t say for sure if this was Arlo’s first attempt at hosting Thanksgiving dinner, but it definitely felt like they bit off more turkey than they could chew. Service: Bless our waiter’s heart—he was hustling like it was his personal mission to save Thanksgiving. But the poor guy was clearly understaffed and overburdened. Finished plates stacked up like we were playing Jenga, drinks took ages to arrive, water refills were practically mythical, and getting the check was an endurance sport. The guy gave it his all, but for $100 a head, you’d expect more than one person holding the entire operation together. Food: Let’s just say the food flow was less of a flow and more of a confused stumble. Nothing about it screamed luxury—or even whispered it. Everything was bland, like they ran out of salt halfway through the prep. The carving station looked great, but the taste was as underwhelming as the rest. Oh, and some of the menu items? Just… didn’t show up. Like a flaky dinner guest who cancels last minute. Vibe: Normally, Arlo is gorgeous, but this felt like they threw something together last-minute and hoped for the best. The vibe was fine if you didn’t mind the weirdly mismatched music and the overall “we’re barely holding it together” energy. Overall: Until Arlo can figure out how to season their food and their vibe, do yourself a favor and spend the extra $30 to hit up a real luxury hotel that knows how to make holiday buffets feel special. Because right now, Arlo’s Thanksgiving feels more like a Pinterest fail than a fine dining experience.
   

   ARLO San DiegoResponded today

   Hi Sean, I want to extend my sincerest apologies for your overall disappointing experience. Please know that we take your feedback seriously and these issues will be reviewed with our team. We hope to have another opportunity to serve you. We are committed to learning from our mistakes and delivering the exceptional experience you rightfully expect and deserve. Sincerely, Carlo DeLeon, Food and Beverage Director
   

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3. R

   Rob

   San Francisco

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

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

   This was our second Thanksgiving at ARLO. The first year was polished and a great experience, but this year felt like they just packed in as many tables as they could, crowded the buffet together, and the quality of the food just wasn't there. Service felt off and for $80+ per person we felt neglected. We won't do Thanksgiving at ARLO again after this disappointing meal.
   

   ARLO San DiegoResponded today

   Hi Rob, I want to extend my sincerest apologies for your disappointing experience at your second Thanksgiving meal with us. We strive to create an exceptional experience for each and every guest and we are truly sorry that you experienced otherwise. Your feedback is invaluable as we constantly strive to enhance our guest experience. We hope you will allow us another opportunity to provide you with an even better experience next time. Sincerely, Carlo DeLeon, Food and Beverage Director
   

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4. e

   esther

   San Diego

   6 reviews

   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

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

   Went for Thanksgiving buffet and everything was outstanding. Turkey was juicy, prime rib was tender, salads, sides, desserts too many to mention. Will do this again.
   

   ARLO San DiegoResponded today

   Hi Esther, Thank you for letting us know that your Thanksgiving buffet with us was 5-star! We appreciate your compliments on the juicy turkey, tender prime rib, and other food items. It was our pleasure to have you as our guest for this special occasion. We look forward to welcoming you back for another excellent experience soon. Best regards, Carlo DeLeon, Food and Beverage Director
   

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5. P

   Patrick

   San Diego

   29 reviews

   2.0

   29 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

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

   I had no idea what I was getting into when I stepped into this massive open air cafeteria filled with masses of people walking around with plates stacked high with food from every different food "station". From the reviews I read I expected a civilized Thanksgiving buffet with a variety of seasonal foods cooked under the guidance of a somewhat decent chef. What I found was station after station of warmed up Thanksgiving sides, turkey and beef carving stations, dessert stations, etc, etc all presented with less than mediocre taste. I had thought for a $90 charge I could expect a decent environment with decent food and a somewhat cultured crowd. Wrong on all fronts. Uncomfortable seating, masses of people walking in between tables and service that took up to 15 to 20 minutes to have a glass of wine delivered. Whoever knighted this restaurant as "restaurant of the year 2023" must have paid off the publication that dubbed it so. HORRIBLE in all respects
   

   ARLO San DiegoResponded today

   Hi Patrick, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We deeply regret your disappointing experience. Your input is valuable to us and we are committed to using it to improve our guest experience. We hope you will give us another chance in the future so that we may provide the experience you deserve. Sincerely, Carlo DeLeon, Food and Beverage Director
   

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6. S

   Sarah

   New York City

   18 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   18 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   What a perfect way to spend the holiday. Food was plentiful and great variety. Staff was attentive and helpful.
   

   ARLO San DiegoResponded today

   Hi Sarah, We appreciate the 5-star review of your Thanksgiving experience at ARLO! It was our pleasure to have you as our guest for this special occasion. Thank you for the kind words about the plentiful and varied food, and attentive staff. We look forward to welcoming you back for another excellent experience soon. Best regards, Carlo DeLeon, Food and Beverage Director
   

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7. M

   Magda

   Phoenix

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   For our first time experience was weary good 👍 Thank you all for your hard work to keep our belly’s full. I specially love the salmon 👍
   

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   ARLO San DiegoResponded today

   Hi Magda, Thank you for sharing this feedback on your recent dining experience at ARLO. We're pleased that you enjoyed the food, especially the salmon. We enjoyed having you as our guests. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon. Many thanks, Carlo DeLeon, Food and Beverage Director
   

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8. B

   Brittany

   Los Angeles

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   It was the best Thanksgiving meal ever!! We will be back!
   

   ARLO San DiegoResponded today

   Hi Brittany, Thank you for choosing to join us for Thanksgiving. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your best Thanksgiving meal ever! It was our pleasure to have you as our guest and we look forward to welcoming you back next time. Best regards, Carlo DeLeon, Food and Beverage Director
   

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9. J

   Jennifer

   San Diego

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   We had a great time there.The ambiance of the patio was nice.The Thanksgiving dinner had all the classic dishes.The deserts could have been better.The staff seemed to try to make our experience better.We would come back.
   

   ARLO San DiegoResponded today

   Hi Jennifer, Thank you for sharing this review on your recent dining experience at ARLO. Your positive feedback on the patio ambiance, classic Thanksgiving dishes and service mean a lot to us. Your comments about the desserts have been noted for next time. It was our pleasure to have you as our guests. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon. Many thanks, Carlo DeLeon, Food and Beverage Director
   

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10. S

    Sulay

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

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

    Excellent food, service & atmosphere - will come back
    

    ARLO San DiegoResponded 3 days ago

    Hi Sulay, Thank you for choosing to dine at ARLO. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed excellent food, service, and atmosphere, and will return soon. It was our pleasure to have you as our guest and we look forward to welcoming you back next time. Best regards, Carlo DeLeon, Food and Beverage Director
    

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