This was my wife and I's favorite restaurant on the Island. No more. We went there first when they just opened about 4 or 5 years ago and it was magnificent. Beach seating, similar to Flying Fishbone ( I've been told, never been there) quiet, romantic, great food and worth the price.
Last time on the Island before last week was 2 years ago and we didn't go on that trip, so our last visit to OMATS was in 2010. The service in 2010 was a little poor, but our previous 3 times at the restaurant made me think we had a server issue. It's apparently a restaurant issue.
We arrived last Wednesday at 6pm for a sunset dinner. We were seated promptly, though they were still getting the tables set up (opens at 5).
Our waitress had such a terrible accent and was so quiet, I actually had to ask her to speak up. Our water was delivered at 6:15 and our drinks didn't arrive until 6:30 (got there at 6). A table of 12 arrived for their private island (which is very nice, we did that once before). I almost left then after seeing the large table show, seeing only 2 waitresses and one busboy and 5 other tables besides us, but my wife was again loving the atmosphere and she doesn't drink so wasn't bothered by the slowness. So we stayed.
Our appetizer was great, but came at 6:50. Meanwhile the other tables all seemed to be getting the same slow service.
Our order for dinner was taken at 7:20 which was the next time the waitress bothered to come by the table. My wife ordered the Trio which was a filet mignon, saut�ed shrimp (shreens) and lobster tail, I ordered the filet mignon. Our dinner didn't arrive until 8:30.
It was delicious, but with a total bill of almost $200 it's the last time I'll ever got there.
Now some will say "You can't rush through the dinner at a place like that" and I totally agree, however not being attended to for 30 minutes at a time is unacceptable. No drink refills, no water refills, no "hey sorry we understaffed tonight". All told our drink bill was 2 sparkling waters for her, 2 Beers for me and one glass of wine with dinner.
The food was great, no issues with that at all. But if I had employees like that waiting on my customers out front like they did there, I'd go out of business soon. I'm surprised this place is still open with the poor staff they have out front.
Next night we went to El Gaucho's and were there for 4 hours, we were attended well, great service and the food was again fantastic there. I didn't rush through that dinner, yet didn't feel ignored at all. OMATS needs an overhaul.