The concept of this place is interesting. Multiple "restaurants" on a single menu seems like a great idea, but their servers don't always know what's available and what's been 86ed. I've had multiple times where they were out of what I ordered and then I had to trawl through the menu to find an alternative. The food is equally inconsistent. I've ordered the same item a few times and had it be delicious or inedible, depending on the day. Their bar offerings are great, and the bartenders know their trade, so they've kept me from giving up entirely.
Adiva A.
I love the idea of an upscale food hall, and The Hall was unique in that you don't have to walk up to each vendor, you can order from any restaurant all while sitting at your table! I loved the vibes of this place, the decor was fun and unique, and I loved the fancy chandeliers. I started off with a fruity cocktail and it was amazing! But it seems like their drinks are on the weaker side with less alcohol and more juice. The food was okay here, it was a little disappointing because half the vendors weren't even available to order from, and the Indian restaurant had completely closed even though the website still lists them on the menu (they were one of the main reasons we came). We started off with the Mac and cheese bites and they were pretty good, could've been cheesier and more flavorful though. We also got the Jamaican beef patties and they were so good! Definitely my favorite dish of the night. We also got the margarita pizza which was good but whenever you grabbed a slice the cheese would just fall off. We also got the chicken shawarma and fries which were also pretty good. Overall I think it's a nice concept since you get to try multiple cuisines at once, but they could improve the quality of the food to make it truly more of an upscale dining experience.
Janecia H.
Attended a private event in their upstairs area and it was absolutely beautiful even despite the weather. Bar service was slow but it was a busy night so I expected that I guess. The drinks I had were PERFECTION and worth the wait. I really would have liked to try the food but I would have needed to book a table in advance. I certainly would have had I known.
Lisa K.
My overall assessment is...decent food, horrible service. I do not need to return. My friend and I walked in at around 4:15. We did not have reservations, but the hostess "squeezed us in" among the countless empty tables and chairs. Yes these tables may have been reserved, but there were many, many still open tables when we left at around 6:00. We started feeling unwelcome and it didn't end there. We told the hostess that we had never been there before and she gave use the menus and walked on her way. We waited and waited for someone to come and greet us. Eventually, we flagged someone running food and asked if we needed to walk up to the kitchen to order because we weren't sure at this point. He said he would send someone over. And we waited some more. We asked a server from the table near us (who was helping a couple that arrived after us) and he sighed as he told us we were not in his section but he would take our order. He seemed very bothered by the fact that we asked to be helped, but we had a show to get to and we had been sitting down for about 30 minutes at this point. We ordered the items off of the menu we were given, only to be told that only menu items from 5 of the 9 kitchens were available. This should have been shared when we sat down..or better yet, the menu should be updated. Our server didn't know what drink options were at the bar or what kinds of cocktails could be made. He said there was not a drink menu, but he was supposed to memorize the drinks, but he couldn't tell us what drinks they had. Maybe he was new there. Maybe he was having a bad day. All I know if that this was quite possibly the worst service I have ever received at a restaurant. We ordered eggplant tostones and the fried deviled eggs. Both apps were good, but not so delicious that it would be worth this experience again.
Victoria W.
My husband and I decided to try this place out for our date night this evening. We wanted to love it -- the idea of an upscale food hall is so fun -- but it was a huge disappointment. Let's start with the tables. Small two-top tables leave very little room for an appetizer, nonetheless your entrees (which will all arrive at the same time). Plus, sitting near to the windows means you're getting shuffled by frequently, as waitstaff use ALL of the available doors to the patio, and usher people next to guests continuously. Half of the restaurants on the menu are not available, even on a Saturday night. The biggest frustration was the lack of a drink menu, and the server trying to get you to pick something without actually knowing the offerings. And god forbid you want to know what beers are available -- our server had no idea and, even after chatting with the bartender, only could offer a few names. While the food we ordered wasn't bad (except for the appetizer coming after the entrees), but it was $20 for a chicken wrap and fries, $25 for a pizza barely larger than a personal pan pizza, and $25 for a cheese tray with the equivalent of $5 worth of cheese a la Costco. I get inflation, but $70 for a pizza, chicken wrap, and a half cheese tray is crazy. The worst part of the experience was the service. While pleasant, we waited for 10 mins to be greeted (the table next to us waited 20+ and was about to walk out when another server offered drinks), didn't have any awareness of the beer or drink list, and just seemed to be disconnected as a whole. He had several tables in our area and always seemed surprised when sat, and seemed to just disappear for long periods at a time. He was a nice guy, but likely not cut out for the service induatry. He stood over us while we tipped -- then made eye contact and thanked us (we tipped over 20% on a $100 tab) as he assessed our tip before walking away. Overall, I'm glad we tried it but not worth the hype.
Kristen Morrison
Norma’s is amazing an amazing Italian food experience! The pizza and pasta bar was fresh and delicious! The food stayed warm and service was incredible. It was a perfect addition to our evening and all the guests couldn’t stop eating or complimenting the food! I would recommend them for any and all catering needs!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gaby V.
I've been here once before and I absolutely loved it, but this time my experience was different unfortunately. We made a reservation for well before the advertised closing time, (8:30-9 pm when they close at 11) but when we arrived we were told that half of the kitchens were already closed and could only order from the front half of the menu. This was not advertised anywhere on the website or on their hours, so that was already disappointing. The server greeted us and introduced himself and asked for our names, as well as wished my boyfriend a Happy Birthday, which was nice and felt very personable. When we tried ordering drinks, he said something about them not having any sort of drink menu, which was also disappointing considering last time I came here there was one and I remember all the drinks I had were amazing. When I tried ordering a margarita, he said that they were out of tequila??? Which I thought was so bizarre considering they have a pretty big bar and tequila is a common liquor. I ended up ordering a lemon drop martini which was not good, and my boyfriend got an Old Fashioned, which was also not good LOL. For food we started with the garlic rolls and the fried ribs which were both amazing, especially the fried ribs. They were probably the best ribs I have ever had and I would recommend them over and over again. For entrees I got the oxtail and my boyfriend got the loaded turkey leg. I've heard so many great things about oxtail and I don't know if it was specific to this place but it was not worth all the good things I've heard. It was really bland and under seasoned in my opinion, but the fried plantains were amazing. Overall, it was a really mediocre experience sprinkled with really great things here and there. It's a beautiful building inside and out, but definitely not at all like my last experience here last year where I felt like everything was a 10/10. We were done dining before the restaurant was closed but I still felt like we were being rushed out of there. Maybe we just got unlucky on the day we went, but the only thing I would go back for is the fried ribs.
Alyssa L.
We had a reservation for 8:30, did not get seated til after 9:30. My group was tired, but we waited... they seemed busy, understandably. We also had a group of 10. So we understood the difficulty in seating a large group. The venue is nice, lots of bar seating. We wanted to get a drink at the bar while we waited for our table, but the bartender ignored us while we were waiting. When he opened his phone, we realized he wasn't looking to serve us, so we walked away When we got seated, our waiter was kind, but seemed overwhelmed with the large party. He tried his best, but he could not keep up. After a three reminders did we get our Sprite. He didn't come back to refill the table's waters, even after we asked. I felt rushed to close my tab, even though I did not receive my food yet. I asked for a receipt twice and didn't get it. I didn't know this, but there are 7 separate kitchens owned and operated independently. When we came, we were disappointed to learn 3 kitchens were closed. The menu has plenty of options but it was disappointing to learn. Overall, the prices for the food and the level of service trump the taste of the food and beautiful location. I enjoyed the calamari (only got two tentacle pieces for $18, the tentacle to body ratio was not proportionate) and the burger, but the experience left me unsatisfied. Not really worth it in my opinion. Maybe for a date night if you're in Downtown and have a lot of time to kill... but I made the 45 minute drive, and will not do it again.
Cody A.
Dylan was the best bartender. He was very conversational and super nice. Will come back there now 10/10
Shakera S.
Food was amazing ! Everything ... service was a little slow but expected with such a packed crowd . Bathrooms could use some TLC.. I Appreciated the complimentary champagne for my birthday... will definitely go back on a lighter day
This is the third time we have attempted to enjoy The Hall on the Yard. We want it to work so badly...but every time we attempt to enjoy it (With large breaks of time in between!) we are always sorely disappointed. I went to use the restroom (Gender Inclusive! Yes!) but there was no soap in the dispensers. When I stepped out to the host stand...I was told 'you can finish upstairs, or I can start looking for soap in a few minutes.' I told her I would wait...and when she returned, she had store bought Dial soap, that had been filled with water to prolong its use. It was better than nothing...so I used it. The server was indifferent and slowly paced. The DJ was great, but for this Sunday vibe - boy was it impossible to talk. (The patio was just as bad for talking.) The food was viable, and as others mentioned...it was paced based on what kitchen prepared it. The check out...wow. You know when you are ready for the check, but the server just does not notice. Imagine that x100. I eventually had to go get our server and ask to check out. He then went to get an order for a table. Since the use TOAST touch pads, I would think our check out would be easier than a new order. But alas, that was his focus. The new order. He eventually after almost 20m came to us to cash out...had applied gratuity...and split the bill for a party of 4. The Toast pad he was using could not read credit cards, so 'I have to go find another pad...it will be a minute.' Another painful 10 minutes. Here is the bottom line. The Hall on the Yard is poorly operated and here is the truth...POORLY OWNED. After all these years...it is the OWNERS who DO NOT CARE what service levels and care they want to establish for their venue. Sadly, I had to learn this lesson THREE times. So needless to say...I will not be going for a fourth. THE VENUE IS STUNNING. IN A STUNNING LOCATION. WHY IN THE WORLD MUST WE ENDURE IT BEING SO POORLY OPERATED!? Horrendous.
Summer J.
I am writing this as I wait for an hour to be called for my table. I have been to many food halls in my lifetime, but there are so many things wrong with this one. First off, the "food hall" is ran like a restaurant vs an open hall concept. We should be able to come in, be seated, and order via QR code or at the actual restaurants in the hall. The waiters also seem to be clueless on the food hall's operations. It's a cold night, and we asked if it is possible to put the heaters on and was told that they have to order propane and can't give an ETA on when that will be. This food hall also has the kitchens exposed (atleast on the bottom floor) and there was a kid on his ipad in one of them?????? I was so excited to come here, but this experience has been less than pleasant. Food - We wanted to order from Shay's but was told that their kitchen is backed up and our waiter suggested we order from somewhere else. We got the steak sandwich from Norma's and it was good. The steak was soft and shaved, but the sandwich was just lacking a little pepper. The side Caesar salad was yummy too. Management - please do a better job! This can be such a great spot for locals and tourists visiting the downtown Orlando area. Your lack of operational skills is killing this place!!
Melanie B.
The Hall on the Yard is advertised as an upscale food hall with four dining options including Mediterranean, Southern, Caribbean and Italian. But for me, it fell short of upscale. The indoor/outdoor and dining hall/bar seating was nice, but service was slow and disorganized. I opted for a pineapple mimosa which the server forgot about until I asked after 15 minutes of waiting. For my entrée I had the chicken tenders and truffle fries from Shay's. The tenders were decent but the truffle fries were cold and hard. The music, hip hop and R&B offered a bright spot for an upbeat vibe. Overall, I see potential but this Saturday lunch outing was below average at best.
Natae E.
Let me preface with this has been my worst experience. My husband literally NEVER complains and when he does it's valid. The hostess sat us at the most ghetto table in the building. The table top was uneven and unstable. I asked her for another table and she replied with they had other reservations, as if I hadn't. She went after I advised her that there was another table available and got"permission" to seat us there on the side next to the entrance, in front of Shay's where whoever was in there dropped the F bomb at least 3 times . She sent our server and she was with THEE most unfriendly disposition the entire time and got a little to slick with her tongue for my liking. She seemed as if she was upset that she had to still service us so far from her other tables. For this to be an establishment that I was so impressed with when it opened, it's like night and day. Do better with your product.Protect your brand by keeping it consistent. It really was a very unsatisfying experience. Also celebrated a birthday and NOTHING WAS ACKNOWLEDGED. Really bad service. Servers coming from the back smelling like weed and everything.. Terrible service. I hope someone reaches out to me.
Michele Katurakes
I love to visit Norma's when I'm in Orlando. The food is always fresh and delicious, reminds me of my family's home cooking. I highly recommend Norma's!
The concept of this place is interesting. Multiple "restaurants" on a single menu seems like a great idea, but their servers don't always know what's available and what's been 86ed. I've had multiple times where they were out of what I ordered and then I had to trawl through the menu to find an alternative. The food is equally inconsistent. I've ordered the same item a few times and had it be delicious or inedible, depending on the day. Their bar offerings are great, and the bartenders know their trade, so they've kept me from giving up entirely.
I love the idea of an upscale food hall, and The Hall was unique in that you don't have to walk up to each vendor, you can order from any restaurant all while sitting at your table! I loved the vibes of this place, the decor was fun and unique, and I loved the fancy chandeliers. I started off with a fruity cocktail and it was amazing! But it seems like their drinks are on the weaker side with less alcohol and more juice. The food was okay here, it was a little disappointing because half the vendors weren't even available to order from, and the Indian restaurant had completely closed even though the website still lists them on the menu (they were one of the main reasons we came). We started off with the Mac and cheese bites and they were pretty good, could've been cheesier and more flavorful though. We also got the Jamaican beef patties and they were so good! Definitely my favorite dish of the night. We also got the margarita pizza which was good but whenever you grabbed a slice the cheese would just fall off. We also got the chicken shawarma and fries which were also pretty good. Overall I think it's a nice concept since you get to try multiple cuisines at once, but they could improve the quality of the food to make it truly more of an upscale dining experience.
Attended a private event in their upstairs area and it was absolutely beautiful even despite the weather. Bar service was slow but it was a busy night so I expected that I guess. The drinks I had were PERFECTION and worth the wait. I really would have liked to try the food but I would have needed to book a table in advance. I certainly would have had I known.
My overall assessment is...decent food, horrible service. I do not need to return. My friend and I walked in at around 4:15. We did not have reservations, but the hostess "squeezed us in" among the countless empty tables and chairs. Yes these tables may have been reserved, but there were many, many still open tables when we left at around 6:00. We started feeling unwelcome and it didn't end there. We told the hostess that we had never been there before and she gave use the menus and walked on her way. We waited and waited for someone to come and greet us. Eventually, we flagged someone running food and asked if we needed to walk up to the kitchen to order because we weren't sure at this point. He said he would send someone over. And we waited some more. We asked a server from the table near us (who was helping a couple that arrived after us) and he sighed as he told us we were not in his section but he would take our order. He seemed very bothered by the fact that we asked to be helped, but we had a show to get to and we had been sitting down for about 30 minutes at this point. We ordered the items off of the menu we were given, only to be told that only menu items from 5 of the 9 kitchens were available. This should have been shared when we sat down..or better yet, the menu should be updated. Our server didn't know what drink options were at the bar or what kinds of cocktails could be made. He said there was not a drink menu, but he was supposed to memorize the drinks, but he couldn't tell us what drinks they had. Maybe he was new there. Maybe he was having a bad day. All I know if that this was quite possibly the worst service I have ever received at a restaurant. We ordered eggplant tostones and the fried deviled eggs. Both apps were good, but not so delicious that it would be worth this experience again.
My husband and I decided to try this place out for our date night this evening. We wanted to love it -- the idea of an upscale food hall is so fun -- but it was a huge disappointment. Let's start with the tables. Small two-top tables leave very little room for an appetizer, nonetheless your entrees (which will all arrive at the same time). Plus, sitting near to the windows means you're getting shuffled by frequently, as waitstaff use ALL of the available doors to the patio, and usher people next to guests continuously. Half of the restaurants on the menu are not available, even on a Saturday night. The biggest frustration was the lack of a drink menu, and the server trying to get you to pick something without actually knowing the offerings. And god forbid you want to know what beers are available -- our server had no idea and, even after chatting with the bartender, only could offer a few names. While the food we ordered wasn't bad (except for the appetizer coming after the entrees), but it was $20 for a chicken wrap and fries, $25 for a pizza barely larger than a personal pan pizza, and $25 for a cheese tray with the equivalent of $5 worth of cheese a la Costco. I get inflation, but $70 for a pizza, chicken wrap, and a half cheese tray is crazy. The worst part of the experience was the service. While pleasant, we waited for 10 mins to be greeted (the table next to us waited 20+ and was about to walk out when another server offered drinks), didn't have any awareness of the beer or drink list, and just seemed to be disconnected as a whole. He had several tables in our area and always seemed surprised when sat, and seemed to just disappear for long periods at a time. He was a nice guy, but likely not cut out for the service induatry. He stood over us while we tipped -- then made eye contact and thanked us (we tipped over 20% on a $100 tab) as he assessed our tip before walking away. Overall, I'm glad we tried it but not worth the hype.
Norma’s is amazing an amazing Italian food experience! The pizza and pasta bar was fresh and delicious! The food stayed warm and service was incredible. It was a perfect addition to our evening and all the guests couldn’t stop eating or complimenting the food! I would recommend them for any and all catering needs!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've been here once before and I absolutely loved it, but this time my experience was different unfortunately. We made a reservation for well before the advertised closing time, (8:30-9 pm when they close at 11) but when we arrived we were told that half of the kitchens were already closed and could only order from the front half of the menu. This was not advertised anywhere on the website or on their hours, so that was already disappointing. The server greeted us and introduced himself and asked for our names, as well as wished my boyfriend a Happy Birthday, which was nice and felt very personable. When we tried ordering drinks, he said something about them not having any sort of drink menu, which was also disappointing considering last time I came here there was one and I remember all the drinks I had were amazing. When I tried ordering a margarita, he said that they were out of tequila??? Which I thought was so bizarre considering they have a pretty big bar and tequila is a common liquor. I ended up ordering a lemon drop martini which was not good, and my boyfriend got an Old Fashioned, which was also not good LOL. For food we started with the garlic rolls and the fried ribs which were both amazing, especially the fried ribs. They were probably the best ribs I have ever had and I would recommend them over and over again. For entrees I got the oxtail and my boyfriend got the loaded turkey leg. I've heard so many great things about oxtail and I don't know if it was specific to this place but it was not worth all the good things I've heard. It was really bland and under seasoned in my opinion, but the fried plantains were amazing. Overall, it was a really mediocre experience sprinkled with really great things here and there. It's a beautiful building inside and out, but definitely not at all like my last experience here last year where I felt like everything was a 10/10. We were done dining before the restaurant was closed but I still felt like we were being rushed out of there. Maybe we just got unlucky on the day we went, but the only thing I would go back for is the fried ribs.
We had a reservation for 8:30, did not get seated til after 9:30. My group was tired, but we waited... they seemed busy, understandably. We also had a group of 10. So we understood the difficulty in seating a large group. The venue is nice, lots of bar seating. We wanted to get a drink at the bar while we waited for our table, but the bartender ignored us while we were waiting. When he opened his phone, we realized he wasn't looking to serve us, so we walked away When we got seated, our waiter was kind, but seemed overwhelmed with the large party. He tried his best, but he could not keep up. After a three reminders did we get our Sprite. He didn't come back to refill the table's waters, even after we asked. I felt rushed to close my tab, even though I did not receive my food yet. I asked for a receipt twice and didn't get it. I didn't know this, but there are 7 separate kitchens owned and operated independently. When we came, we were disappointed to learn 3 kitchens were closed. The menu has plenty of options but it was disappointing to learn. Overall, the prices for the food and the level of service trump the taste of the food and beautiful location. I enjoyed the calamari (only got two tentacle pieces for $18, the tentacle to body ratio was not proportionate) and the burger, but the experience left me unsatisfied. Not really worth it in my opinion. Maybe for a date night if you're in Downtown and have a lot of time to kill... but I made the 45 minute drive, and will not do it again.
Dylan was the best bartender. He was very conversational and super nice. Will come back there now 10/10
Food was amazing ! Everything ... service was a little slow but expected with such a packed crowd . Bathrooms could use some TLC.. I Appreciated the complimentary champagne for my birthday... will definitely go back on a lighter day
Restaurantji Recommends
This is the third time we have attempted to enjoy The Hall on the Yard. We want it to work so badly...but every time we attempt to enjoy it (With large breaks of time in between!) we are always sorely disappointed. I went to use the restroom (Gender Inclusive! Yes!) but there was no soap in the dispensers. When I stepped out to the host stand...I was told 'you can finish upstairs, or I can start looking for soap in a few minutes.' I told her I would wait...and when she returned, she had store bought Dial soap, that had been filled with water to prolong its use. It was better than nothing...so I used it. The server was indifferent and slowly paced. The DJ was great, but for this Sunday vibe - boy was it impossible to talk. (The patio was just as bad for talking.) The food was viable, and as others mentioned...it was paced based on what kitchen prepared it. The check out...wow. You know when you are ready for the check, but the server just does not notice. Imagine that x100. I eventually had to go get our server and ask to check out. He then went to get an order for a table. Since the use TOAST touch pads, I would think our check out would be easier than a new order. But alas, that was his focus. The new order. He eventually after almost 20m came to us to cash out...had applied gratuity...and split the bill for a party of 4. The Toast pad he was using could not read credit cards, so 'I have to go find another pad...it will be a minute.' Another painful 10 minutes. Here is the bottom line. The Hall on the Yard is poorly operated and here is the truth...POORLY OWNED. After all these years...it is the OWNERS who DO NOT CARE what service levels and care they want to establish for their venue. Sadly, I had to learn this lesson THREE times. So needless to say...I will not be going for a fourth. THE VENUE IS STUNNING. IN A STUNNING LOCATION. WHY IN THE WORLD MUST WE ENDURE IT BEING SO POORLY OPERATED!? Horrendous.
I am writing this as I wait for an hour to be called for my table. I have been to many food halls in my lifetime, but there are so many things wrong with this one. First off, the "food hall" is ran like a restaurant vs an open hall concept. We should be able to come in, be seated, and order via QR code or at the actual restaurants in the hall. The waiters also seem to be clueless on the food hall's operations. It's a cold night, and we asked if it is possible to put the heaters on and was told that they have to order propane and can't give an ETA on when that will be. This food hall also has the kitchens exposed (atleast on the bottom floor) and there was a kid on his ipad in one of them?????? I was so excited to come here, but this experience has been less than pleasant. Food - We wanted to order from Shay's but was told that their kitchen is backed up and our waiter suggested we order from somewhere else. We got the steak sandwich from Norma's and it was good. The steak was soft and shaved, but the sandwich was just lacking a little pepper. The side Caesar salad was yummy too. Management - please do a better job! This can be such a great spot for locals and tourists visiting the downtown Orlando area. Your lack of operational skills is killing this place!!
The Hall on the Yard is advertised as an upscale food hall with four dining options including Mediterranean, Southern, Caribbean and Italian. But for me, it fell short of upscale. The indoor/outdoor and dining hall/bar seating was nice, but service was slow and disorganized. I opted for a pineapple mimosa which the server forgot about until I asked after 15 minutes of waiting. For my entrée I had the chicken tenders and truffle fries from Shay's. The tenders were decent but the truffle fries were cold and hard. The music, hip hop and R&B offered a bright spot for an upbeat vibe. Overall, I see potential but this Saturday lunch outing was below average at best.
Let me preface with this has been my worst experience. My husband literally NEVER complains and when he does it's valid. The hostess sat us at the most ghetto table in the building. The table top was uneven and unstable. I asked her for another table and she replied with they had other reservations, as if I hadn't. She went after I advised her that there was another table available and got"permission" to seat us there on the side next to the entrance, in front of Shay's where whoever was in there dropped the F bomb at least 3 times . She sent our server and she was with THEE most unfriendly disposition the entire time and got a little to slick with her tongue for my liking. She seemed as if she was upset that she had to still service us so far from her other tables. For this to be an establishment that I was so impressed with when it opened, it's like night and day. Do better with your product.Protect your brand by keeping it consistent. It really was a very unsatisfying experience. Also celebrated a birthday and NOTHING WAS ACKNOWLEDGED. Really bad service. Servers coming from the back smelling like weed and everything.. Terrible service. I hope someone reaches out to me.
I love to visit Norma's when I'm in Orlando. The food is always fresh and delicious, reminds me of my family's home cooking. I highly recommend Norma's!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5