Blue Heron Restaurant & Sushi Bar

This restaurant was referred to us by a local hotel we stayed at for the evening. This is my first review EVER of a restaurant. I took the time to write, I hope you can take the time to read. Visiting Clemson for the first time w/my daughters touring colleges we asked the employees at the Hotel to recommend a restaurant. They recommended the Blue Heron. We arrived around 5:00 on a Saturday night. We were greeted by the hostess that evening and she asked "how many?" I said "3." Then she responded well we can only seat you if you order QUICK. It took me a minute to comprehend what she was saying then the manager of the night came out to the hostess stand and reiterated what she said. We can seat you if you order quick because we have a team of 20 volleyball girls coming in. (in other words what I was hearing was we can seat you if you place your order quick, if not you will have to leave) It was so surreal because this is a public restaurant who basically was turning down patrons. This is why I am writing this because in my whole life of 50+ years I have never experienced this kind of greeting. So they seated us because I said we would order QUICK, I was ready to walk out of the restaurant because of disbelief of turning customers away. The only reason why we stayed is because my daughters and myself were very hungry and after driving 4+ hours we were too tired to search out another restaurant. We were seated in the upper loft. I made it a point to look around the restaurant to the waitress at how many EMPTY tables there were. After we were told to rush our order, our waitress came and took our drink order and then we ordered an appetizer with our meal order at the same time. The ironic thing was that it took 20 minutes for our spinach dip order to arrive and then another 20-30 minutes for our meals to arrive. (which were 2 pasta dishes and 1 cheeseburger) When it did, my daughters pasta marinara dishes were cold. I normally don't complain, but I just felt appalled that we were told to order QUICKLY and then it took so long for our meals to arrive. I told the waitress that my daughters pasta meals were cold and she brought the manager. I gave him one of the noodles to touch so he could feel that it was cold. He ended up deducting 1 pasta dish (only 1 pasta dish because my other daughter ate hers only because she was so hungry) after offering to bring two new plates. By this time we just wanted to get out of there. We felt VERY uncomfortable being there. I was not looking to have any meal deducted, but I was looking for a SINCERE APOLOGY after experiencing this bizarre evening at this restaurant. The 3 of us were in disbelief after what we just experienced. I asked our waitress for the managers name and she said it was Tom Stanley. Bottom line; HORRIBLE hostess and INEXPERIENCED manager. When we left the restaurant there were MANY vacant tables and no party of 20+ volleyball girls were at the restaurant. Very unfortunate because we loved the ambiance but will never return again. TICKET #10500213 - TABLE B5 - 11/19/16 PS - I ordered a vodka martini and it came in a small martini glass which was less than half full. I asked the waitress "wheres the rest of it?" The manager came and explained they can only serve so much by State Law which I understand but I have NEVER received a martini in such a small glass less than half full. I told the manager there is no way I am paying $9.00+ for 2 ounces of a drink. I wanted my $$$ worth and I wanted them to make the appropriate size drink like I receive in ALL other restaurants I patron. He ended up deducting the drink which I did not want I just wanted to get a regular size martini in a regular size martini glass at least 3/4 full. This restaurant was so disappointing beyond belief. Not so much the actual restaurant which was very nicely designed. We loved the decor, It had a calming appeal. Again, so very unfortunate in the worst dining experience we have ever received.
1 7 years ago (24-05-2018)

We had the rehearsal dinner for 40 guests for our son's wedding here, and it was excellent in every way! The food, the service, and the atmosphere exceeded expectations. Mike Pitts, the General Manager, was very accomodating in creating a custom menu and coordinating the event with our schedule. The servers were very pleasant and attentive to all our needs. The chefs and cooks prepared one of the finest meals I have ever had, and we had similar feedback from our guests. To top it all off, I feel like the final bill was quite reasonable. I would highly recommend the Blue Heron Restaurant & Sushi Bar to anyone booking a meal for a special event.
5 7 years ago (26-05-2018)

This place is pretty swanky for a restaurant in the same strip as a vape lounge and stretching store. What even is a stretching store? Is it actually a store or did I just make that bit up? Anyway, our waiter was very attentive. Extremely attentive. And the food was pretty good, too. Of course, I had the vegetarian option, so maybe the food was amazing and I just got...well...the vegetarian option.
4 7 years ago (20-05-2018)

Wait staff was friendly, efficient and polite. The food was excellent. The establishment was nicely run with numerous staff to keep the wait to a minimum and the decor was seaside.
5 7 years ago (25-05-2018)

My son was graduating the following day from Clemson so my ex-husband and I invited close family/friends attending from out of town to join us for an intimate celebratory dinner for our son, Hunter. I booked reservations weeks in advance. Everything was just as I requested. Nice 10 top, friendly staff, prompt service, very kind/ professional server, and absolutely one of the best meals, we all agreed! The cocktails weren’t too shabby either! 😉 When 10 people all LOVE their selection and the apps we chose (oysters/calamari) were also a huge hit, well, you just call it a perfect evening! Compliments to the Chef! I still dream of the Tuna Special I had that night! It was brilliant! Thanks for being a sweet memory during that special time in our lives! Truly, thank you! Wendy Lee
5 7 years ago (12-01-2018)