Via Maria Trattoria - Holland

As someone who has dined in a variety of places all over the world I would have to say that this was the worst experience I've had anywhere. Service was abysmal. It eventually took over 2.5 hours to get our entree. Was told that things were backed up in the kitchen even though orders were arriving at other tables. Had to check 3 times on our appetizer (took over 1 hour). Food when it finally did arrive was very mediocre. Brought the manager over who apologized a lot, cut $30 off the bill and gave another $30 coupon for a return visit. I left the coupon for the housekeeper at the hotel as there is no way I would go back.

This restaurant is doing things no one else is doing in West Michigan. Who else writes a new menu twice a day, every day? not to mention the amazing off-site catering they do (I've been to a wedding done by them). I have been in there on a busy night, have waited two hours to sit in the outdoor gardens, it is definitely worth it. I'm suprised Food Network hasn't discovered this place yet.

Although her review is very detailed and to the point, I have been to Via Maria twice in the past year and it was great. There must be something wrong with Marcy and they treated her accordingly. Last time we dined at Via, we had the dinner for two which included the Tuscan cut. Bar none, the best meal I’ve had in years. The servers have great personalities and are always on the ball. Great ambiance too, we loved to sit in their walled outdoor garden in the summer. It might be the best outdoor eating in west Michigan. I would recommend it over and over!

I am writing this letter to the owner and manager to advice both of the experience our family experienced this evening at your restaurant. It is easy to say that it was a horrific experience at best. At best. I arrived at 6:32 PM with my son to the outside patio to join my sister’s and my niece, two of whom were already seated. We were greeted promptly by our waitress, who proceeded to take our drink orders, two glasses of wine and water for the table. My sister informed me that she had already taken the liberty of ordering our favorite appetizer from her minutes before. Our fifth member arrived at 6:35 PM. Shortly after, our waitress took my other sister’s drink order and then asked if we were ready to order dinner, which we were in fact not ready as one of us had just been seated and shown the menu moments earlier. The three wine glasses arrived at 6:55PM, nearly twenty minutes after we had all arrived at the table. We also noticed on the ticket that it was started/entered at 6:40, which means no appetizer was entered until that time. The experience did not improve from the drinks arriving, as we ordered dinner at nearly 7:00pm, which included three house salads and three entrees. Meanwhile, my son whom is three, asked to use your bathroom twice during our arrival and 7:10pm, and in doing so I noticed a lonely white plate of Spinach Dip sitting under the heat lamps near the kitchen. I assumed the lonely Spinach Dip plate was ours and actually left the table to inquire if it was indeed so, as it had been over forty minutes since the initial order, and I hate to say that our waitress confirmed that actual thought as she picked up and brought out the lonely plate to our table while I watched. This is not fiction, this is fact. To make matters worse, after the appetizer was served, we were brought our house salads and the two entrees the children had ordered. We noticed the pizza entrée two of us had agreed to share had not even arrived. But being mindful that entrees should NOT arrive when salads are served, we assumed, reluctantly, that she was on task and that our pizza would arrive at some point in the evening. Unfortunately, this was not the case. As our waitress was bringing our table two complimentary desserts for her obvious missteps, a piece of cake and a cookie, I was actually looking for her to cancel the final entrée order as dinner was clearly finished. It was clear from her reaction that a portion of our order was never entered, which she offered a simple “I’m sorry” and offered to put the original pizza order in at nearly 8:15 PM for us to take home in a box. We declined the meager offer. It is not normally in my persona to complain about a horrible dinner experience, but I do feel that in downtown Holland and the ever abounding declining economic stature of our community, I feel compelled to share our experience. I would hope you will take this letter as a piece of advice. Thank you for your time and consideration.

I 'm really surprised to read such negatives reviews about this restaurant. My husband and I have been there several times just the two of us and with friends and even business clients. Yes, it is usually busy and we usually wait for a table but we like the hustle and bustle of a restaurant on the weekend and it 's definitely thriving at Via Maria 's. We love the open style kitchen and the streets of Europe feel. The wait in the bar area is pleasant and there 's always somewhere to sit, the cocktails are great, who could complain?? I 've never had poor service there either, in fact. The staff seems happy to be there, they have great recommendations and they seem to really care about the food they serve. Give it another try, have the pork shanks and a margarita we 'll definitely be there!