Saw a little tussle why trying out Vino's Pizza Grill, somehow or another, and I did not see this, there was a vinyl sign on the Vino's building for Bistro AIX. Vino's employees say it was hung in the middle of the night... Anyway while we were there about 6 police officers, a fire truck and god knows who else showed up to take down the sign, you could tell the owner of Vino's was fuming, not sure why JSO was involved unless someone was considered trespassing but I get the distinct feeling the cops were more on the AIX's side of things but they got the banner down. Very strange.
As for the food was good for a buffet 6.99 all you can eat. Tables are a little cramped though.
Weird -- didn't really think they'd be competitors per se.
I was riding my bike around San Marco and noticed Vino's had tossed little bags with ads in them into people's driveways... I've always found this form of advertising (littering) to be particularly distasteful.
Is the buffet all pizza?
oh man not cici style pizza!
bflair! MINI! S? Club? JCW?
Stan's is right up the street and they make a mean grilled cheese for less than $5. No wine list tho.
Coincidentally, I ate at AIX yesterday for a $100 lunch and 2 hours of my time that I really want back. The service was deplorable, the menu (the lunch menu anyway) sucks, and the food was mediocre at best. They gutted their wine list, there were only two things I recognized on the whole list, everything else was that <$10/bottle low-end small producer California crap, e.g. questionable quality but high profit-margin for them.
And I never knew there was such a thing as a $14 grilled cheese sandwich, so I figured I ought to try it out for kicks. It was literally the same grilled cheese you'd make in your kitchen in 5 minutes, spruced up with some stale allegedly-homemade chips and a pretensious menu description. And an hour-long wait to get it.
It has been awhile since I'd been there, and we were driving by so I figured what the heck. About halfway through, at the point where there only thing you could do was either walk out or laugh about it (and since we were still hungry we chose the latter) I remembered why I quit going there in the first place. At this point, I'll try Vino's out of retribution!
Quote from: NotNow on June 18, 2011, 09:56:53 AM
Stan's is right up the street and they make a mean grilled cheese for less than $5. No wine list tho.
I'll try it out. I liked grilled cheese sandwiches.
what the heck did you eat for $100...I've never spent more than $25 at AIX for lunch
there there is pizza, manicotta, chicken picatta etc etc. so its a well rounded buffet.
Sounds like the owner of AIX Bistro is unethical and immature.
-Josh
Quote from: wsansewjs on June 21, 2011, 08:57:51 AM
Sounds like the owner of AIX Bistro is unethical and immature.
-Josh
Sounds to me like we really do not have all the facts...
Quote from: wsansewjs on June 21, 2011, 08:57:51 AM
Sounds like the owner of AIX Bistro is unethical and immature.
-Josh
Yeah.... I'm going to say you're flat out wrong. I don't know who is responsible, but I can promise you that neither Terry and Mike Schneider nor Ann Riley have been anything less than stellar. I can't vouch for Tom Gray, but the Schneiders and Ann are wonderful people and have been above reproach despite what has apparently transpired recently. Lets leave the snap judgments and ignorant accusations to the TU posters.
Chris, I would like to forward your comment. I think the owners would be horrified to hear how poor your service and food were. There is no justifying the price you paid for the food and service you received.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on June 21, 2011, 09:18:51 AM
Quote from: wsansewjs on June 21, 2011, 08:57:51 AM
Sounds like the owner of AIX Bistro is unethical and immature.
-Josh
Yeah.... I'm going to say you're flat out wrong. I don't know who is responsible, but I can promise you that neither Terry and Mike Schneider nor Ann Riley have been anything less than stellar. I can't vouch for Tom Gray, but the Schneiders and Ann are wonderful people and have been above reproach despite what has apparently transpired recently. Lets leave the snap judgments and ignorant accusations to the TU posters.
Chris, I would like to forward your comment. I think the owners would be horrified to hear how poor your service and food were. There is no justifying the price you paid for the food and service you received.
I can vouch for Tom Gray. He is a quality guy... and AIX is a quality restaurant.
Quote from: BridgeTroll on June 21, 2011, 09:17:54 AM
Quote from: wsansewjs on June 21, 2011, 08:57:51 AM
Sounds like the owner of AIX Bistro is unethical and immature.
-Josh
Sounds to me like we really do not have all the facts...
I made the statement based on this thread. I did this to rattle up the whole thread. I am glad you and few of others are coming and filling in the void of the stories.
I personally have been to AIX, and I had a great time there with a friend. It has a good atmosphere and the place is well maintained.
But seriously, $14 for a grilled cheese? My grandmother would slap you for that.
-Josh
Quote from: wsansewjs on June 21, 2011, 09:25:47 AM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on June 21, 2011, 09:17:54 AM
Quote from: wsansewjs on June 21, 2011, 08:57:51 AM
Sounds like the owner of AIX Bistro is unethical and immature.
-Josh
Sounds to me like we really do not have all the facts...
I made the statement based on this thread. I did this to rattle up the whole thread. I am glad you and few of others are coming and filling in the void of the stories.
I personally have been to AIX, and I had a great time there with a friend. It has a good atmosphere and the place is well maintained.
But seriously, $14 for a grilled cheese? My grandmother would slap you for that.
-Josh
Here ya go... :) Here is the Dennys "gourmet" version...
(http://www.dennys.com/img/menu/thumbs/V4-FriedMozzarellaCheeseMelt_CC_37349c015f.jpg)
Quote from: wsansewjs on June 21, 2011, 09:25:47 AM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on June 21, 2011, 09:17:54 AM
Quote from: wsansewjs on June 21, 2011, 08:57:51 AM
Sounds like the owner of AIX Bistro is unethical and immature.
-Josh
Sounds to me like we really do not have all the facts...
I made the statement based on this thread. I did this to rattle up the whole thread. I am glad you and few of others are coming and filling in the void of the stories.
I personally have been to AIX, and I had a great time there with a friend. It has a good atmosphere and the place is well maintained.
But seriously, $14 for a grilled cheese? My grandmother would slap you for that.
-Josh
Well, there isn't a $14 grilled cheese sandwich at Bistro Aix. According to their menu online, it's $9.50 and then another $1.50 for bacon. So at most $11. Chris likes to exaggerate.
Quote from: Live_Oak on June 21, 2011, 10:01:07 AM
Quote from: wsansewjs on June 21, 2011, 09:25:47 AM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on June 21, 2011, 09:17:54 AM
Quote from: wsansewjs on June 21, 2011, 08:57:51 AM
Sounds like the owner of AIX Bistro is unethical and immature.
-Josh
Sounds to me like we really do not have all the facts...
I made the statement based on this thread. I did this to rattle up the whole thread. I am glad you and few of others are coming and filling in the void of the stories.
I personally have been to AIX, and I had a great time there with a friend. It has a good atmosphere and the place is well maintained.
But seriously, $14 for a grilled cheese? My grandmother would slap you for that.
-Josh
Well, there isn't a $14 grilled cheese sandwich at Bistro Aix. According to their menu online, it's $9.50 and then another $1.50 for bacon. So at most $11. Chris likes to exaggerate.
Say it aint so... ;D
100 dollar lunch? That must have been alot of wine.
Quote from: NotNow on June 18, 2011, 09:19:23 AM
bflair! MINI! S? Club? JCW?
Indeed that is a MINI! It's my old car... a 2007 MINI Cooper S. Before I got rid of it I went on a little photo expedition around downtown, such a photogenic little scamp. I know the guy that got the car after me and have talked to him about it since, nice to see it go to a good home.
More: https://picasaweb.google.com/blfair/MINI
We have a 2011 MINI Cooper S in the family! Great little car!
Quote from: Captain Zissou on June 21, 2011, 09:18:51 AM
Quote from: wsansewjs on June 21, 2011, 08:57:51 AM
Sounds like the owner of AIX Bistro is unethical and immature.
-Josh
Yeah.... I'm going to say you're flat out wrong. I don't know who is responsible, but I can promise you that neither Terry and Mike Schneider nor Ann Riley have been anything less than stellar. I can't vouch for Tom Gray, but the Schneiders and Ann are wonderful people and have been above reproach despite what has apparently transpired recently. Lets leave the snap judgments and ignorant accusations to the TU posters.
Chris, I would like to forward your comment. I think the owners would be horrified to hear how poor your service and food were. There is no justifying the price you paid for the food and service you received.
Feel free Cap, PM me if you need a phone number or anything. I'd be happy to explain what went wrong, I do hope they improve. I used to go there weekly for awhile and really liked it, but after awhile it got to be embarassing to take people there, especially considering the price point, you'd just expect a lot more out of them. I took my parents there and had the same experience, that was especially embarassing. I have only been twice in the last two years, and only then because with time I'd forgotten why I quit going the first time, and accidentally went back. Wound up with the same lackadaisical waiter two years later. Maybe a lot of it is just that one waiter, now that I'm thinking about it. They have one or two who seem to focus their efforts on giving you attitude instead of service. When the drinks finally arrived after 20 minutes (not a packed house, no excuse for that) and I asked whether they'd had to grow the potatoes to distill the vodka as a joke, I got an eye roll. And I really was kidding. Then I had to wait again for a fork, and got another eye roll and one of those exhale/sighs-of-disgust when he realized I'd given up and taken one off the next table. Fuck him, I needed a fork, not his opinion. And this is lunch, I mean, most folks don't have 2 hours to wait on soup and sandwiches. The whole experience was off.
Quote from: copperfiend on June 21, 2011, 10:22:56 AM
100 dollar lunch? That must have been alot of wine.
At $10/glass it really doesn't take much to get there. A single round at a 3 person table is $30+T&T...
Also, I should probably clarify, there were 2 people on my check...In fairness to AIX I probably should've said $50/pp.
Vinos is pretty good. I didn't think it was cramped at all. Maybe you were in the front dining room because there was ample room for my family in the second dining room.
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on June 28, 2011, 04:53:47 PM
Quote from: copperfiend on June 21, 2011, 10:22:56 AM
100 dollar lunch? That must have been alot of wine.
At $10/glass it really doesn't take much to get there. A single round at a 3 person table is $30+T&T...
Also, I should probably clarify, there were 2 people on my check...In fairness to AIX I probably should've said $50/pp.
Huh, what, Oh? [Rolls back over and goes to sleep]
BTW - You said the check was for 2. And if you have a party of 3 or more is probably a better idea to go ahead and buy the bottle, even if it is their house brand ($10 a glass, probably was) And I guess he didn't mark your set with a fork since you had a grilled cheese and fries. Just sayin'. But what would I know.
Quote from: BridgeTroll on June 21, 2011, 10:09:23 AM
Quote from: Live_Oak on June 21, 2011, 10:01:07 AM
Quote from: wsansewjs on June 21, 2011, 09:25:47 AM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on June 21, 2011, 09:17:54 AM
Quote from: wsansewjs on June 21, 2011, 08:57:51 AM
Sounds like the owner of AIX Bistro is unethical and immature.
-Josh
Sounds to me like we really do not have all the facts...
I made the statement based on this thread. I did this to rattle up the whole thread. I am glad you and few of others are coming and filling in the void of the stories.
I personally have been to AIX, and I had a great time there with a friend. It has a good atmosphere and the place is well maintained.
But seriously, $14 for a grilled cheese? My grandmother would slap you for that.
-Josh
Well, there isn't a $14 grilled cheese sandwich at Bistro Aix. According to their menu online, it's $9.50 and then another $1.50 for bacon. So at most $11. Chris likes to exaggerate.
Say it aint so... ;D
It ain't so.
Quote from: Live_Oak on June 21, 2011, 10:01:07 AM
Quote from: wsansewjs on June 21, 2011, 09:25:47 AM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on June 21, 2011, 09:17:54 AM
Quote from: wsansewjs on June 21, 2011, 08:57:51 AM
Sounds like the owner of AIX Bistro is unethical and immature.
-Josh
Sounds to me like we really do not have all the facts...
I made the statement based on this thread. I did this to rattle up the whole thread. I am glad you and few of others are coming and filling in the void of the stories.
I personally have been to AIX, and I had a great time there with a friend. It has a good atmosphere and the place is well maintained.
But seriously, $14 for a grilled cheese? My grandmother would slap you for that.
-Josh
Well, there isn't a $14 grilled cheese sandwich at Bistro Aix. According to their menu online, it's $9.50 and then another $1.50 for bacon. So at most $11. Chris likes to exaggerate.
I most certainly do not;
(http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk137/chriswufgator/AIXReceipt.jpg)
And, yes, there most certainly is a $14 grilled cheese sandwich. It's $12 for the sandwich and they charge you an extra $2 to put bacon on it. I hope we can settle this amicably, because I forgot to save the itemized receipt and I really don't want to suffer through another abhorrent meal there just in order to make a point on a message board.
I gave the place every benefit of the doubt. Hell, I even left our awful waiter 15% that he really didn't deserve.
I've loved AIX since day one. Used to take out of towners there, used to go there on weeknights, for lunch, etc...
BUT, as much as i love them, jesus have they gone down hill! Their once solid dishes now lack flavor and proper technique, and their new items are suffering from "we're trying to be creative every day of the week"
I don't want to talk bad on AIX, but i sincerely hope that they realize ever since they got big, they've started to suck.
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on July 13, 2011, 08:07:47 PM
Quote from: Live_Oak on June 21, 2011, 10:01:07 AM
Quote from: wsansewjs on June 21, 2011, 09:25:47 AM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on June 21, 2011, 09:17:54 AM
Quote from: wsansewjs on June 21, 2011, 08:57:51 AM
Sounds like the owner of AIX Bistro is unethical and immature.
-Josh
Sounds to me like we really do not have all the facts...
I made the statement based on this thread. I did this to rattle up the whole thread. I am glad you and few of others are coming and filling in the void of the stories.
I personally have been to AIX, and I had a great time there with a friend. It has a good atmosphere and the place is well maintained.
But seriously, $14 for a grilled cheese? My grandmother would slap you for that.
-Josh
Well, there isn't a $14 grilled cheese sandwich at Bistro Aix. According to their menu online, it's $9.50 and then another $1.50 for bacon. So at most $11. Chris likes to exaggerate.
I most certainly do not;
(http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk137/chriswufgator/AIXReceipt.jpg)
And, yes, there most certainly is a $14 grilled cheese sandwich. It's $12 for the sandwich and they charge you an extra $2 to put bacon on it. I hope we can settle this amicably, because I forgot to save the itemized receipt and I really don't want to suffer through another abhorrent meal there just in order to make a point on a message board.
I gave the place every benefit of the doubt. Hell, I even left our awful waiter 15% that he really didn't deserve.
Sad Chris that you had to actually scan a copy of your receipt. Good gracious.
I just ate Vino's today for the first time for the Lunch Buffet, it was okay. Picasso's has still not been beaten by anyone as far as Pizza Taste.
I got the Idea to go by perusing the forums at about 12pm today. When the GF comes in Town I will take her to AIX Bistro just to say I have done it once in my life.
I tried vinos today and the lunch buffet cant be beat anywhere. im surprised they can afford it
Quote from: John P on September 09, 2011, 12:57:06 PM
I tried vinos today and the lunch buffet cant be beat anywhere. im surprised they can afford it
I concur. I've found, however, that it pays to go early. Like with most buffets, the closer it gets to the end of the buffet time, the less likely they are to bring out fresh food. A couple times the food was barely warm enough to eat. But the selection (for such a small area) is quite good. And certinaly the price is reasonable.
Quote from: John P on September 09, 2011, 12:57:06 PM
I tried vinos today and the lunch buffet cant be beat anywhere. im surprised they can afford it
+1 That thing is the Bomb!!!
somehow these rants easily cause less appetite for either..........
Quote from: north miami on September 09, 2011, 10:03:35 PM
somehow these rants easily cause less appetite for either..........
what if I show you a receipt???? ::)
Quote from: north miami on September 09, 2011, 10:03:35 PM
somehow these rants easily cause less appetite for either..........
I don't care whether you eat at one, both, or neither. Or eat at all. My bread is buttered about as far away as you can get from the restaurant business. I was simply stating what actually happened.
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on September 09, 2011, 11:16:53 PM
Quote from: north miami on September 09, 2011, 10:03:35 PM
somehow these rants easily cause less appetite for either..........
what if I show you a receipt???? ::)
You have to. Haven't you heard? Unless you document and prove every word you write, you're automatically to be considered an exaggerating liar. It's the new rule, apparently.
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on September 10, 2011, 10:02:45 AM
You have to. Haven't you heard? Unless you document and prove every word you write, you're automatically to be considered an exaggerating liar. It's the new rule, apparently.
I guess to play devil's advocate: You only showed us the total.
Can you scan in the actual itemized receipt? Otherwise why should we believe you? Maybe you had seared Ahi and a filet instead of a $14 GCS.
You exaggerating liar. ;D (Silly rules)
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on September 10, 2011, 01:57:24 PM
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on September 10, 2011, 10:02:45 AM
You have to. Haven't you heard? Unless you document and prove every word you write, you're automatically to be considered an exaggerating liar. It's the new rule, apparently.
I guess to play devil's advocate: You only showed us the total.
Can you scan in the actual itemized receipt? Otherwise why should we believe you? Maybe you had seared Ahi and a filet instead of a $14 GCS.
You exaggerating liar. ;D (Silly rules)
I know, I guess rules are rules. Of course I was also responding to the additional assertion that it was impossible to have a $100 lunch at AIX. I promise, it's quite possible, even pretty likely if you order an appetizer and drink anything but water. But then again maybe I just stood out in the street waving everyone who passed by in for a free lunch, so really there could have been 100 people at my table. Or maybe someone stole my credit card? I guess I could have somehow generated a fake receipt too. When you get right down to it, you can't trust anyone can you!
I almost never save itemized receipts. The only reason I even save the credit card slips is because twice (both times at the Brick) I've had servers take the extra copy and fill it out with a much larger tip than I'd actually left. One of their bartenders tried it a 3rd time a few months back, but I won the chargeback because I'd saved the charge slip. Added a $60 tip to a $20-something bill. Like I wasn't going to notice that. Given my hyperbole in the first paragraph of this post, I know this is somewhat ironic.
Anyway, anyone is welcome to go to AIX and sample the $14 grilled cheese sandwich, if you don't mind bad food and worse service. It does exist, I assure you. Lol
QuoteThe only reason I even save the credit card slips is because twice (both times at the Brick) I've had servers take the extra copy and fill it out with a much larger tip than I'd actually left. One of their bartenders tried it a 3rd time a few months back, but I won the chargeback because I'd saved the charge slip. Added a $60 tip to a $20-something bill.
You shouldn't just call your credit card issuer, you should call the restaurant and talk to the owner/manager. Any restaurant owner that cares at all about their business will fire an employee that does anything like this on the spot.
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on September 10, 2011, 10:00:58 AM
Quote from: north miami on September 09, 2011, 10:03:35 PM
somehow these rants easily cause less appetite for either..........
I don't care whether you eat at one, both, or neither. Or eat at all. My bread is buttered about as far away as you can get from the restaurant business. I was simply stating what actually happened.
10/4 and fond regards ChrisUGator.
Wish I could have a third of the money spent at local restaurant business back.
I only know X.And the establishment that was there across the street from X before Vitos.
Is this Vitos the same entity that got it's start in.......Middleburg??
Quote from: John P on September 09, 2011, 12:57:06 PM
I tried vinos today and the lunch buffet cant be beat anywhere. im surprised they can afford it
How much was the buffet? That's near work for me and I'd probably be able to talk the coworkers into it.
I believe it was 6.99. Pretty cheap compared to the menu item prices.
Quote from: MissMinda on September 20, 2011, 08:19:16 PM
Quote from: John P on September 09, 2011, 12:57:06 PM
I tried vinos today and the lunch buffet cant be beat anywhere. im surprised they can afford it
Perhaps time will show they can not.Hope they can.
All this talk makes me want to go back to both establishments.
Had a horrible experience at Aix last week, last Thursday. It took 90 minutes for our food, 2 pizzas, an entree salad, a small plate of Steak Frites and another entree to arrive. Then wine was not delivered with the dinner, and it was just an awful mess. During the entire time, not one manager or waiter stopped by to see how we were doing. Not one. Plus Aix looks like they are having problems, the interior near the restrooms looked unkept, they are now using the restroom hallway as their storage closet. The restrooms were not well maintained either. Food was OK, but by 90 minutes, we could have eaten the backend out of a dead cow we were so hungry.
It is hard to get to the top and even harder to stay there. The 2 nice college girls looked very nice at the front door, but we should have gone elsewhere.
Quote from: mtraininjax on March 13, 2012, 12:22:40 AM
Had a horrible experience at Aix last week, last Thursday. It took 90 minutes for our food, 2 pizzas, an entree salad, a small plate of Steak Frites and another entree to arrive. Then wine was not delivered with the dinner, and it was just an awful mess. During the entire time, not one manager or waiter stopped by to see how we were doing. Not one. Plus Aix looks like they are having problems, the interior near the restrooms looked unkept, they are now using the restroom hallway as their storage closet. The restrooms were not well maintained either. Food was OK, but by 90 minutes, we could have eaten the backend out of a dead cow we were so hungry.
It is hard to get to the top and even harder to stay there. The 2 nice college girls looked very nice at the front door, but we should have gone elsewhere.
I've had similar experiences the past two times I've went. Used to frequent AIX at least once or twice a month. Now, I hardly go. Their service isn't the same it used to be, nor is the food. Prices has risen, too.
As for Vino's, haven't exactly had a good experience there, either. That being said, I did have a fun stoner-experience (going at almost midnight on a Sunday) to get a meatball sub. The sub sucked, but I had to give them much credit for staying open late. Oddly, they were much better when I had them deliver to Riverside than when I went last Sunday and ate in.