Via Maria Trattoria - Holland

I'm really surprised to see such negative reviews about this restaurant. My husband and I have dined here several times, both as a couple and with friends and clients. Sure, it can get busy, and we often have to wait for a table, but we enjoy the vibrant atmosphere that a weekend restaurant brings, and Via Maria definitely delivers on that front. We love the open kitchen and the European street vibe. The waiting area by the bar is quite pleasant, with usually enough seating available. The cocktails are fantastic—what is there to complain about? I've never experienced poor service here. In fact, the staff always appears happy to be at work, provides excellent recommendations, and genuinely cares about the food they serve. I encourage you to give this place another chance—definitely try the pork shanks and a margarita. We will certainly be back!

Having dined at numerous restaurants worldwide, I can confidently say that this was the worst experience I've encountered. The service was abysmal; we waited over 2.5 hours for our main course. Although the staff informed us that the kitchen was overwhelmed, we noticed other tables receiving their meals without delay. I had to ask three times about our appetizer, which took over an hour to arrive. When the food finally came, it was disappointingly mediocre. The manager approached our table, apologized profusely, and offered a $30 discount on the bill, along with a $30 coupon for a future visit. However, I left the coupon for the hotel housekeeper, as there is no chance I would return.

The soup we ordered arrived lukewarm, despite us having asked for it to be served piping hot. The entire experience, lasting two and a half hours, was overshadowed by the poor service. It was almost comical (in a frustrating way) to watch our server struggle to open a wine bottle by pressing it between her leg and stomach! To make matters worse, an automatic 18% gratuity was added to our bill, which felt even more unwarranted given the quality of service we experienced.

This restaurant is doing things no one else is doing in West Michigan. Who else writes a new menu twice a day, every day? not to mention the amazing off-site catering they do (I've been to a wedding done by them). I have been in there on a busy night, have waited two hours to sit in the outdoor gardens, it is definitely worth it. I'm suprised Food Network hasn't discovered this place yet.

It seems like everytime I have been to Via Maria, there has been some sort of problem. The latest spent close to $100 on 6 meals, gave them my frequent diner card, and they refused to give me 6 meals worth of credit. They said I would need to get 6 different diner cards which makes absolutely no sense and they would put one stamp on each. Needless to say I will be going to 84 East next time and skipping Via Maria. Prediction: Via Maria won’t last too many more years before they go out of business. No website either!