Brunch at Westfields Marriott (appointed, food, buffet)

[reebo]

We're considering doing our Mothers Day brunch the weekend before to avoid the mobs. If you've been there on a non-Easter, non-Mothers Day, non-major holiday Sunday, could you share about your experience? I know it's ridiculously expensive, but I would appreciate any other information.

[sullyguy]

I've eaten brunch at Westfields once, maybe twice. The impression I came away with was NOT one of "This is a high-class joint!" (thought with the strongest New Joisey accent).

In fact, I was really disappointed - the food was fine, of course, but the dining experience just didn't leave a really good feeling - there were people there dressed up in suits, etc, but there were also folks there in shorts and/or jeans (the impression I remember is "shorts" but that's not a strong one so the prior words say "shorts and/or jeans" to cover that poor memory - the clothes, whatever they were, didn't seem appropriate and THAT'S what I remember).

And actually getting the food felt almost exactly like I was at Peter Pan Buffet (my fave buffet, BTW); folks would pile HUGE amounts of food on their plates rather than simply sampling dishes and THEN coming back for another subtle load. It's a buffet, afterall, you don't have ONLY ONE chance to get something so no need to pile it to the point of falling off the plate. And, of course, the "ambiance" certainly suffers when you see such feeding (and ambiance for SURE (theoretically) is a major part of what you're paying for at "such a joint").

So I haven't been back.

YMMV, of course.

[NUMathGrad]

It's definitely gone downhill in recent years, IMO. We used to go there couple of times a year, but stopped b/c the lines were ridiculously long and food quality was not as good. Service was hit-and-miss. We went back for Easter brunch recently - BIG MISTAKE. Long, long, long lines for food, and service was good in the beginnning, but once they dropped off the check (in the middle of the meal, to boot), they stopped coming by with refills of OJ and champagne. And it was $70 per person, including kids over the age of 10. Seriously?!? Totally not worth it, IMO. I am not a buffet person to begin with, but this one has totally gone downhill. Will not return again.

[Caladium]

Definitely avoid eating anywhere on Mother's Day. Smart move!