Via Maria Trattoria - Holland

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!

Horrible experience for a party of 10. Waited 20 minutes for table, despite reservations. Wine menu and beer menu were hidden under things on the table, which led to a delay in ordering drinks. Only 1 beer menu for 8 adults to share. (they only have micro brews on tap. Bread baskets were served 1/2 way through our salads. No butter, no bread plates, even though there was dipping oil. Had to use our dirty salad dishes. Asked another server who was folding table cloths at a nearby empty table for more bread. His reply was, yeah right, sure. He left and when he returned he had more table cloths. The nearby tables were more important than customers I guess. Soup was served lukewarm, despite a request for really piping hot soup. Whole 2 1/2 hour experience was ruined by bad service. It was funny to watch the server try to open a bottle of wine by wedging it between her leg and stomach!! To add insult to injury, an 18% gratuity was automatically added to the bill.

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.

It seems like everytime I have been to Via Maria, there has been some sort of problem. The latest spent close to $100 on 6 meals, gave them my frequent diner card, and they refused to give me 6 meals worth of credit. They said I would need to get 6 different diner cards which makes absolutely no sense and they would put one stamp on each. Needless to say I will be going to 84 East next time and skipping Via Maria. Prediction: Via Maria won’t last too many more years before they go out of business. No website either!