What happened to Rockhouse???

On my trip 18 months ago I had asked our informed Negril.com hosts for their suggestions for special dining (cost no object). They suggested Ivans and Rockhouse. Tried both and agreed, with each having their strengths. So for a couples experience I leaned towards Ivans and for groups, Rockhouse. So this trip I took our Newbie friends to Rockhouse for our farewell dinner. I made a big,big mistake. What has happened to that place in the year since my last visit? From hotel pick up to reception and wait staff to food and presentation we were disappointed. The waiter was downright miserable. He was rushing us and actually sighed when we asked for a few more minutes with the menu. Drinks were ordered but he would not let one person keep her Ting bottle at the table. (She had an ice phobia) without an argument. The one glass of red wine ordered was forgotten and when reminded the waiter suggested it had been delivered by another waiter despite the fact that there was no glass on the table. He finally relented. Pumpkin soup special of the night was just warm and not good and I'm not even comparing it to Ivans. First time in Jamaica when I regretted ordering soup! Not one appetizer got an ooh or an aah! What happened to the special presentations like aquarium plate and chicken served in mini jerk barrel models? Main course was served by an army of waiters with no knowledge of which dish went where and just infusing a confused stressful urgency into the experience. Food was ordinary. Two orders of Seafood linguine had different servings of seafood. One had only a few shrimp and glob of unrecognizable fish while the other had shrimp lobster and fish. For 6-7$, deserts were nothing special. Despite asking for separate bills they were so screwed up ,we adjusted the bills ourselves after. I did not detect one smile from our waiter the during the entire meal! I normally would not write about this if it was not such a great restaurant in the past. This is the only bad eating experience thatI have ever experienced in my 10+ trips to Negril. Hopefully my last. I hope to hear better reviews for Rockhouse in the future. It is a beautiful location.

Wow, that's really disappointing to hear... I think we'll still try it, see how it goes and post here again.

We went around a year ago to Rockhouse and compared to Catcha, well Catcha would win. Although both cliff side, Catcha has the ambiance, better selection of tables, attentive staff and you can take your time and enjoy your meal.

Would appreciate your feedback Nikki. Along with Ivans it was my favorite. Loved the presentations.

Why not voice your complaints directly with the restautant in writing?

Good point Ronnie. I was expecting to hear that they had changed ownership or something. I'll write that letter.

Dash..I agree 100%,,,they act like they are on 5th avenue...Rude & pompous....Ivans is great....

Nothing as far as we are concerned. We have been in NEgril for 2 weeks and ate there twice. Both times were great-food,service,ambience and transport. Luck of the draw I guess but last night was really, really great! We stay on the beach for 2 weeks and usually vist Ivan,s and Rockhouse each once. Our first dinner at Rockhouse last week was so good we skipped Ivan,s this time. No regrets.

Been tomrockhouse many years including back when the service was typical negril. Very slow but friendly.
My opinion still good but pricey and they have let their success go to their heads.

Some friends of mine ate there Saturday night and they loved the Rockhouse..said the food was great..very impressed..

Rockhouse had been our "go to place" in 6+ reaches usually dining there multiple times each reach. We were thouroughly disappointed our last reach in March 2012. So much so we will probably not go there in Feb when we are back. Our experience was very similar to yours. Poor service and not even close to the quality of food that we had become accustomed to in at least 10 previous meals there.

The prices actually don't look too bad on the online menu:

http://www.rockhousehotel.com/assets...inner_menu.pdf

However, beware of "market price" on lobster. Last time, the lobster was 41 dollars and was only about a pound or maybe 1.5 .... That's a lot for Negril. I guess you pay for the view ..... Me, I'll take Seastar Inn and the $22 lobster nice and big.

+ there is a 10% tax that is added on for the behind the scenes staff.....and that does not include your tip for the waiter....So.....In reality you final bill will be about 30% more that the listed prices......

i think Catcha lobster is 32 dollars and includes soup.

The 10% service charge added - which is for the behind the scenes staff - and is shared among all the hourly paid employees.

There is a 10% GCT applied, which is a government tax and that is the government's take on the transaction - just like a sales tax at home.

Anything above the 20% (10% service charge + 10% GCT) is on you - and I would suggest if you want your server to get this tip - I would recommend you give it to them directly.

Although I ripped on this restaurant I am sure this is not the same menu or chef of one year ago. The whole Rockhouse prices were not out of line for ordinary food but I would have paid a premium for the old service and presentation. Looking at TA reviews (mine included) confirms the slide. Price was not my beef. I recall one appetizer was served on an aquarium with a goldfish in it. (OR maybe that wasn't ordinary tea???) Anyway I'm down to one "best" restaurant in Negril. Hello Catcha! !

We felt the same way this trip. Rockhouse has been one of our favorite places to eat. Always great staff and a very enjoybale time. We felt this November that the food presentation was not there and something was missing with the staff. I have to blame in on management changes, just seemed more on edge.

We also went to Ivans for our first trip in November, what a great surprise, definitely has stolen the crown for us.

I think the Rockhouse food has remained consistant over the years.......I think it's just that Catcha is head and shoulders above anyone else and the bar has been moved up to a new standard....

We had a less than stellar experience at Rockhouse several years ago, I emailed Rockhouse later, I didn't want to make a big deal at dinner, which was a great setting and it was not all bad. The response from the Rockhouse manager was probably one of the best customer service responses I have ever received. They also offered another dinner if we could make it back in the next year (not possible at that time). We like to try a lot of different food and places, so we have not returned. You may want to send them an email and let them know.

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Originally Posted by kwhizz

I think the Rockhouse food has remained consistant over the years.......I think it's just that Catcha is head and shoulders above anyone else and the bar has been moved up to a new standard....

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I cannot comment on Rockhouse as I have only eaten at Push Cart, and well I haven't been back. Now I have to agree that the bar addition is great at Catcha and I'm surprised by the amount of people who do not take advantage of it before or after dinner. Very few stopped in when we were there around New Years. Maybe all the ladies already know that Ty is in the states?:cool:

I never bothered to eat at Rockhouse, always ate at Pushcart. Pushcart used to be great. It is still very good. The table waitstaff has been my biggest complaint in recent years. The food is pretty consistently good to great. Never disappointed in the food quality.

I see a lot of people promoting Ivan's. Ivan's is very good to excellent, no doubt. Don't overlook Kuyaba on the beach. Just as good food, somewhat lower prices, and I find the beach tower table the most romantic dining spot in Negril, you just have to get a waiter/waitress who doesn't mind stairs! But....that's just moi! Both great restaurants.

^ LOL. reading this thread I recalled that we didn't make it to Rockhouse last February but did go to Pushcart and agreed we don't need to try Pushcart again but was wondering if we'd still enjoy Rockhouse, might skip both next week and try some new (to us) places.

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Originally Posted by Homebrewer

^ LOL. reading this thread I recalled that we didn't make it to Rockhouse last February but did go to Pushcart and agreed we don't need to try Pushcart again but was wondering if we'd still enjoy Rockhouse, might skip both next week and try some new (to us) places.

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Ditto