langackt
July 6, 2025
I’ve rated the experience 2/5 because the food at Clay Restaurant was well prepared & flavorful but otherwise unremarkable & disappointing. First, the reservation & restaurant staff knew it was a birthday celebration in advance & there was no mention during or after our meal even though I was told they would make sure it would be memorable. Second, I called in advance to change the guest count for lunch from 3 to 5 and was told they could not make the accommodation bc they reserve seating for in-house guests and they were at full capacity. Understandable, right?…so I had to disinvite the two other guests. When we arrived they seated us in a corner banquette that could have easily fit two more chairs - and the restaurant was literally almost empty. Clay is a cavernous space that can seat 100 people. Yet there were only 2 groups of what looked like tour bus groups and a scattering of 2-tops. That’s it’s. The food was delicious. We wanted to try 3 appetizers to share but the server thought 2 were adequate so we ordered the beets, prepared 3 ways in one dish; the charred baby carrots (some of which were burnt), and the portions were small enough that we could have tried a 3rd; as entrees, spinach and avocado salad with a lovely vinaigrette dressing, turkey sandwich that came with salad & fries, & the cavatelli pasta dish. The presentation was simple, the service polite but nothing notable. I looked forward to visiting this property for over a year and overall, it was extremely disappointing. When I expressed dismay to the restaurant manager (Amy) she simply responded with a blank stare to ask for her the “next time”. She could clearly care less. I’ve stayed at Auberge du Soleil & Solage Calistoga in Napa Valley and the experience was excellent, service impeccable and overall, delightful. I’ve worked for Rosewood properties in the Caribbean, served as director of catering at Caneel Bay Resort & lived at Little Dix Bay & The Mansion on Turtle Creek during renovations, all of which exemplify hospitality industry high end standards of excellence. Wildflowers Resort & Clay do not live up to the Auberge name and do not even try. Sorry.