The Oaks Lakeside

Review summary

1. J

   Juli VIP

   Columbus3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 23 February 2025

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

   Great brunch with a beautiful view of Chippewa Lake!
   

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2. R

   Ronda

   Cleveland1 review

   5.0

   Dined on 22 February 2025

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

   The Oaks is a beautiful 1800's era lodge with a great atmosphere and fine dining. And a spectacular sunset over Chippewa Lake.
   

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3. M

   Matt

   Cleveland1 review

   1.0

   Dined on 15 February 2025

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

   I’ve dined here on a few occasions and have had a positive experience. They were understaffed, overbooked, the food was sub par, basically a dumpster fire. Used to be a great place, hope they can turn it around.
   

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4. D

   Dana

   Cleveland1 review

   2.0

   Dined on 15 February 2025

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

   We attended a Valentine's Dinner here. Understanding that things can be busy on holidays, the hour and a half wait to be seated after our reservation was not really an issue. When it came time to order, we were informed that 3 of the 5 items to be served for the dinner we reserved were no longer available. I received a steak that was very undercooked. Half way through our meal, we explained to our server that we never received the appetizer that was to come with our meal, and never received it. In addition to our appetizer never being brought to us, we were offered a drink refill, explained to the waitress what we would like, and never got it. There was always poor language coming from the kitchen space and a waitress yelled into the kitchen for them to quite down. We all have heard cuss words, so not the end of the world, although, at a "fine" dining location it's really not what you would expect. Normally, I would never posted a poor review, but I was very disappointed with the service we received at the Oaks. In the end, we were still charged for the appetizer we never received, but I just payed without any complaints because of the frustration
   

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5. A

   Alexander VIP

   New York City1 review

   3.0

   Dined on 15 February 2025

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

   We like the Oaks. They were WAY overbooked for Valentines Day. It took 2 hours from our reservation time before we got any food. The food was great as always though.
   

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6. J

   Jennifer

   Cleveland2 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on 15 February 2025

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

   I was aghast how awful this experience was. I have dined here before at least 6x. While the culinary experience never was 5☆, the ambiance and outdoor lake views compensated equalling a nice evening. Our Valentines date was to begin with a reservation for 2 at 1930. (I had called and spoke with staff 2x and was ensured a table near a window, not near aisles/ BR/ service area.) Upon arriving, we were told they were running late on res. Times. Eh- I get it, it's Valentines Day. So I went to get my love and I a glass of wine. IT TOOK 25 MINUTES. There was 1 bartender for THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT. She was doing the 8 top bar guests, the crowd, AND THE SERVICE BAR. WHILE she was upbeat and kind, that is the worst idea of staffing on a holiday EVER. While sipping wine we patiently waited, and waited. For ANOTHER 40 MINUTES FOR OUR TABLE. Well, after 50 minutes they called us up and our table-& it WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DINING AREA IN AN AISLE. I asked to wait to be seated with the criteria they stated they'd accommodate, acknowledging this would take more time... but this was what we requested weeks ago. (After waiting this long, heck, I why settle... it was like they had NO awareness of any prior discussed / documented preferences. I'd obvioysly wait more for what I requested.) Finally we are seated at 2040. The waitress took 10 minutes to arrive. (I get it, busy on Valentines Day... she needs a lil time..) The mussels WE'RE AWFUL. 4 we ate, 8 we just couldn't bear. Again, not the servers fault. Upon finally ordering 25 mins later, we received our blueberry bread roll, gold patty cake butter (?) And cinnamon Lob bisque wtfff. My Lobster tail came out brown crispy. Literally was a Rock lobster. Worst food I HAVE EVER BEEN PRESENTED WITH IN MY LIFE. I CAN'T BELIEVE it. Untrained Chef and kitchen crew critically subpar. DO NOT GO IN WINTER/FALL. SUMMER maybe bc of lake views..only for a wine and app. SO UTTERLY DISAPOINTED. PLACE SURE HAS DETERIORATED.
   

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7. D

   David

   Cleveland1 review

   1.0

   Dined on 15 February 2025

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

   Poor service, had reservations at 7 and didn’t get sat till 730, didn’t get food till 9. Waited 20 minutes for a shot of whiskey. Paid 250$ for Burger King waiter service
   

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8. K

   Kelly

   Cleveland18 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on 15 February 2025

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

   Extremely slow service. Flustered server in under her head. Took almost 40 minutes just to get menus. Server kept asking if we’re ready to order and we kept telling her we don’t have menus yet. Dinner service should not take almost 4 hours. At least food was good…except for the bread pudding. Avoid that one. Luckily we were not in a hurry.
   

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9. M

   Matthew

   Cleveland1 review

   1.0

   Dined on 15 February 2025

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

   Had Valentine’s Day reservations had to wait to be seated once seated had to wait 20 minutes for someone to come around and ended up being a host and when asked about the menu she couldn’t answer and stated she would grab our server. Server was another 15 minutes before making it to the table and when asked about wait times because we had over heard many complaints and apologies we asked if it would be worth it to wait and eat there the server stated no it truly wouldn’t be so we left.
   

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10. S

    Steve

    Cleveland2 reviews

    1.0

    Dined on 14 February 2025

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

    It is really sad to say because we have enjoyed The Oaks in the past, but tonight was an absolute disaster. 6:30 reservations, ordered at 6:50 and received salad at 7:45 before our appetizer, which never showed up. We were waiting for entrees until 8:20 (one and a half hours) when the waitress finally came and said they didn’t have any more NY Strips (my entree). That’s when we left. We were patient and kind but that was the straw…. We should have taken note of the screaming lady that was yelling at the hostess as we entered. Too many patrons, not enough staff and definitely no plan to accommodate the Valentines crowd. I feel bad for the waitresses and other staff, but not the management. They should be fired.
    

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