Grand Concourse

05/01/2008 Posted by 77754ghyii

Have not eaten there in a while, but when I did the brunch was great. To TerryGy, wait staff at any restaurant get paid 2.83 an hour before tips( and taxes). Maybe the restaurant should double there price for brunch and pay their servers 8 dollars and hour. Just a thought and I am not trying to be mean but someone has to compensate a server It either has to be added into the price of the entree or buffet or it has to come from tips. Who do you think sets up a buffut cleans up afterward etc... etc... I am by the way not a former employee or server.

03/27/2008 Posted by pitts1

Had an unbelievable great easter buffet. Server explained in detail where all the delicious food was located and recommended the bananas foster station as well as the donuts (which where made fresh in a donut machine!) Loved it and would recommend it! Had heard great things about the sunday Brunch and was blown away by prompt seating, food and service. Went ahead and booked for Mom's day. Love this place, there is nothing like it.

03/27/2008 Posted by bg1969

Went to the Gandy Dancer on Saturday with my wife. Lunch was great, server was attentive but no way intrusive. Take you family there. Surprisingly affordable.

03/25/2008 Posted by TerryGY

First let me say that the hot food at the Easter Sunday brunch was delicious. However, the carved prime rib was fatty, and unless you like your meat extremely rare it was a little too undone for my tastes. The cold salad was very good. The advertised "pasta bar" seemed to be non-existent since none of the servers seemed to be able to find it. The desserts were pedestrian at best. For the atmosphere and price of the buffet something more than pre-packaged cookies would have been appreciated. My biggest gripe though was with how the price package was presented. Yes, it is to be expected that in a larger party there will be an automatic gratuity. What was not explained at the time reservations were made is that it is 20%. That's a pretty hefty gratuity for serving yourself! I understand that at a sitdown dinner it is not fair to the server to wait on 8 or 10 people and to get gipped on the tip. But, in this case, all the server did was bring drinks, and was guaranteed a tip of at least $12.00 on a $60.00 tab. A tip which was placed on alcoholic beverages which generally is not tipped on. We complained to the management and were told we should be happy in that they did us a "favor" by splitting our bill for 8 people (2 families). We could have easily figured out what we owed each other without the "favor" of having the bill split. And how did that "favor" really change the fact of a 20% gratuity on a buffet? Generally, a server is tipped LESS than 15% when they serve beverages only at a buffet. So, to wrap this up. The food was generally good though somewhat disappointing in the dessert area. The management had absolutely no concept of customer service. You don't tell a customer that you are doing them a "favor" (even if you are). Warning: by aware that if you have a larger party the tip will be 20% -- cleverly disguised, I might add, as 17% designated as gratuity and 3% as a banquet charge on your bill.

03/25/2008 Posted by myboys3

Let me say that I hope to forewarn any prospective customer NOT to dine at this restaurant if you are seeking semi-quality food at a semi-fair price. If anything could have topped off the hidden extra 3% gratuity (listed as a buffet charge), in ADDITION to the already added 17%, it was the managers attitude. I had to request twice to speak to a manager to question why these charges were placed on my bill. I finally had a gentleman (and yes I am trying to be kind here) approach our table. After I explained to him that it is unfortunate that a restaurant chooses to set out to deceive their patrons by adding an EXTRA 3% onto the bill while listing it as a buffet charge. I also explained to him that I found it almost "unfair" to charge a customer 17% gratuity (oh yes, plus the 3%), when the service was less than acceptable. Considering that this is a buffet, our server was strictly there to provide our beverages (as she summoned the busboy to clear our dishes while she walked away from our table without picking up a plate). Our waitress forgot one round of drinks (only 2 were ordered) and the other round was brought 15 minutes after they were ordered. I asked what happened to our beverages and she simply said..."Oops, I forgot". This validated the 20% tip that was put on my bill? I refused to pay the gratuity and documented my charge slip accordingly. After no satisfaction from the manager that approached our table (he never did give us his name), he told our party of 8, that we were the only patrons that complained that day out of a "full house". Sadly enough that this persons lack of professionalism was demonstrated at our expense, he then went on to laugh with our server as he told her how he treated us and said "They won't be back" . 4 other patrons approached us outside and told us they overheard our conversation with him and his ignorance towards us. They said they would never consider going back to this establishment and would recommend for others to do the same.

Pros: You can walk across the street to the Sheraton instead...

Cons: Bring the in-laws for a sure fire way for them not to visit you again

03/02/2008 Posted by SHAD0WY

Known for its expansive raw bar, this stylish seafood spot is consistently packed with couples who look grateful that the babysitter didn't cancel. The drinks are generous, the prices are passable, and the fish is impeccably fresh. While the food is not a great quality, it is still good quality, decent service, and a great view. Share an appetizer, entree, fish dish, etc; your experience will be great. However, the hosts are always not friendly, and some servers come across a bit arrogant or simply have no clue what was going on. The window side tables are the best because of the striking view and quieter ambience. Some complain that the portions are too small; however, I think they are used to large (and not proper) portions. Enjoy the Grand Concourse, we did.

Pros: seafood, ambience

Cons: service

09/08/2007 Posted by underneathice

I've been to the Grand Concourse a number of times with my family, and nearly without exception, the experience has been wonderful. Aside from the gorgeous building, The Grand Concourse features excellent food, especially during their Sunday Brunch. While crowded, the restaurant is still lovely, and somehow the noise doesn't seem that bad. A word of warning, however: this is not the place to take your sweetheart on a quiet, romantic evening. It is a BIG restaurant, and while not unbearable, the noise reflects that!

Pros: The ambience, the food

Cons: loud!

07/25/2007 Posted by bit413

My husband and I spent one night in Pittsburgh and were blown away by the town. We walked from our hotel to the Grand Concourse. We did have reservations for dinner but still had to wait ten minutes for a table to open up. Our waiter immediately came to our table and he seemed very helpful. When we ordered our entrees the waiter asked whether we would like the house or caeser salad. My husband and I both assumed it came with our meals by the way he asked. When we got our bill, there were two $8 charges for the salads. We received our food in a decent amount of time considering how full the restaurant was. My cioppini was horendous. There were crab legs on the top, but I was never brought anything to open them with. Since our waiter did not return to inquire about our food, I was left trying to break them open with my fork. The mussels in my soup were so bad that after having one, I placed the rest on the bread plate and felt sick for the rest of the evening. 30 minutes after finishing our meal and spending a considerable time staring down the waiter, he finally came back to give us our bill. That was the last time we saw him. I attempted to get the attention of a manager in the area but he seemed as skilled as our waiter in ignoring people. I finally went to the hostess stand and asked for a manager, I complained about the service and the charges for the salad. He took the salad off and told me he had no idea what the problem was because our waiter was very good. I cannot remember having this horific of a dinner in quite some time. Please heed my warning and steer clear of this place.

Pros: Beautiful Building

Cons: The service, the food, the noise, the atmosphere, etc.

11/22/2006 Posted by rlp24

The Grand Concourse in perfect for Sunday brunch. Yes, it is a little expensive, but the selection, atmosphere, and food quality is worth it! I have never seen so many options on a buffet - from simple to exquisite. We highly recommend it!!

Pros: Great food and numerous selections

10/16/2006 Posted by steelersrock

The hostess staff is incompetent three out of three times they managed to make a mistake on our reservations!!! It is quite embarrassing when you invite 10+ people to brunch/Thanksgiving Dinner and you are told that there is a problem with your table a 45 minute wait or your seating is at the top of the 3 or 4 flights of steps (and you have elderly people/kids with you they do have an elevator, but you need a key, that they wont give you). The bad thing is that you cant get a straight answer out of them you cant tell who is really in charge!?! The aggravation in the seating can ruin your brunch/dinner I think the Grande Concourse needs some competitors in town to help get their act together. The building is absolutely beautiful, food is good for a buffet (omelets are great). Make sure to go to the Gandy Dancer to get donuts they have a most interesting donut machine and the donuts are a real treat!!! It is very chaotic/crowded there so you need to take into consideration who is going with you (would be difficult for the elderly or somebody who is handicapped). The wait staff is good and attentive. But, I would suggest that if you have a large party, you somehow get to somebody in management to reassure you that there wont be a problem!!! I understand that things do happen but Im losing my patience.

Pros: Great atmosphere!

Cons: Long wait, with a reservation!