"JUMBO"baked stuffed shrimp...YEAH RIGHT !

On July 25th, 2008, my daughter had her wedding reception at the Coonamessett Inn, Falmouth, MA, on olde Cape Cod. After searching high and low for a perfect destination with great food etc. After much thought and careful planning, we decided upon the Chicken Florentine and the Jumbo baked shrimp stuffed with crabmeat and drawn butter. If you have ever planned a wedding you know how much time and effort goes into planning the meal for guests. It was not an easy task. In our opinion, the meals were the most important part of the whole reception. Obviously, to the Inn they were the most important since they made up the major cost of the bill. We started by meeting with Owen, the wedding planner, who left one month prior to our event, and he assured us that our choices were two of his best and most often served meals.

For appetizers we decided upon a selection of cheeses and fruit along with a complete Nacho display.

The reception started off fine. The Nachos were delicious. The cheeses, fruits and crackers were great. The waitstaff was pleasant and attentive to the bridal party and the other guests.

The meal was served in a timely manner, the chowder was delicious . My wife and I ordered "Jumbo" baked stuffed shrimp with crabmeat stuffing. Well, the 4 shrimp were NOT "JUMBO" by any stretch of the imagination. The stuffing was like eating the school paste, and there was no sign of the contracted DRAWN BUTTER to wash down the paste. Just for the record...I love vegetables and I also like my vegetables on the crunchy side... but the green beans that were served with the chicken and the "JUMBO" baked stuffed shrimp were as HARD AS A ROCK!!! I AM NOT EXAGGERATING!

At the time of the reception, I decided not to mention the disappointments to the waitstaff because it was my daughter's reception and I was planning to have a good time... NOT wasting my time COMPLAINING ABOUT THE UNFIT MEAL.

So, about a week later, I decided to email the Inn regarding my disappointments with the meals. I suggested that there may have been a problem with the chef.

I have attached the response letter that I received THREE weeks after I emailed them.

I find it very interesting that the owner (Jim) does not believe that I did ot enjoy his TINY SHRIMP, PASTEY (UNCRABMEATED) STUFFING or THE LACK OF THE CONTRACTED DRAWN BUTTER... which was in fact written in my contract from the INN.

I DON'T FULLY UNDERSTAND HIS LOGIC??? OR WHY HE DECIDED TO ANSWER THE WAY HE DID. He said he spoke with the waitstaff and the guests had told them that they enjoyed the meal. How many times have you been asked by waitstaff at a wedding, how was the meal? And, If you were, would you say it was a disaster? Did he expect guests to say that the meals were unfit to eat? I noticed around me a lot of plates that were not empty. Maybe the waitstaff just thought that most of the guests had small appetites!!! For what other reason would the plates be half full?

I WOULD HAVE BEEN HAPPIER IF HE HAD JUST APOLOGIZED AND LEFT IT AT THAT. Instead of TRYING TO MAKE EXCUSES FOR THE RIDICULOUS ATTEMPT TO PASS OFF SMALL SHRIMP FOR JUMBO AND FORGETTING THE CRABMEAT IN THE STUFFING AND ADDING PASTE. AND, THE BIGGEST INSULT WAS THE LACK OF THE DRAWN BUTTER AND THE PETRIFIED GREEN BEANS THAT I COULD NOT EVEN CHEW!!! What a JOKE! They should be ashamed of themselves for serving such garbage and changing the menu without informing the person who was paying for the meals. All it would have taken was a phone call. They were certainly very prompt to send the bill and request the room rental and the down payment prior to the event!

I think someone should check the quality of the meals prior to sending them out to the guests. Obviously, that was not done on the night of our event or I am pretty sure the taster would have broken a tooth or two on the green beans. I guess that they think that I had never ordered Jumbo baked stuffed shrimp at a restaurant before. But, the comparison is obviously what I am baseing my judgement on. I also eat seafood at least once a week. The answer I was given is total BS. I can't believe that I am the only person who has found the shrimp to be small. As far as the other mess ups I am certain that they were all the chef's inability to prepare an edible meal.

IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO HAVE YOUR RECEPTION AT THE COONAMESSETT INN I SUGGEST THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE THE FLORENTINE CHICKEN OR THE SO CALLED "JUMBO" BAKED STUFFED SHRIMP...for if you do get ready for a big surprise.

The worse wedding meal you will ever have at a reception. Worse than the rubber chicken at most receptions.

PS. The Rehearsal Dinner was held at the Flying Bridge Restaurant In Falmouth also owned by the same people who own the Coonamessett Inn. The Difference in the meals was unbelieveable. The meals at the Flying Bridge were delicious and cooked to perfection. Do you think it could possibly have had something to do with the chef at the Coonamessett Inn ???????

PPSS. This place is far from being the least expensive destination for a reception and you may have thought that you would have received a decent meal... well... think again... and rethink your choice if you have any thoughts of having your reception at the Coonamessett Inn.