New Stone Creek restaurant opens

Hendricks County restaurateur Mike Cunningham is extending his version of casual but elegant dining to Hamilton County, near the border with Indianapolis.

[Desert Diva]

Hey Mike, Can I order the the jumbo scallops if I'm not a resident of the higher income levels of Carmel and Zionsville??!! You have lost a potential customer because of the last sentence of this article!!

[Nobody from Stilesville]

I've always enjoyed Charbonos, and when I went to Boulder Creek last year for the first time, service was very good. However, my husband and I do NOT plan to go back to Stone Creek in Plainfield. Why? Well, our waitress acted like she was "too good" to serve us. It was 3:30 in afternoon - she gave us lunch menus - we asked for dinner menus - she acted put out but gave them to us. Then we asked for a no, no, bread with our meal! She said she couldn't get any for us! Bottom line, server was very unfriendly and could care less if she waited on us, and rest of the almost invisible staff was not all that friendly either. Could it be because we were using an Entertainment book coupon? I think so! Granted, we aren't very "upscale", but everyone should be treated equally, regardless of whether one is using a coupon or not! Like I said, we don't plan to go back! Nor are we likely to go to Carmel either -- we're just too "country" I guess!

[Anita]

I'm from Zionsville, and I'm having the caviar and a Diet Coke!

[Gloria]

I was invited to the Grand opening of the new restaurant and enjoyed a free meal of my choice and to check out the building and I found it to be a very enjoyable evening. Just becasue you have one bad experience at a eating establishment doesn't mean to boycott it. Talk to the manager and report your view and you just may get a free meal and want to return.

[Ben Hein]

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[e-mail]

Thanks- Ben

[Dave in Indy]

That's a bit of an over-reaction to a comment written by the columnist -- why hold the restaurant owner accountable for the writings of a columnist. And even though your address says "Dubai, UAE", I smell the overly sensitive ego of a southsider.

Desert Diva wrote:

Hey Mike, Can I order the the jumbo scallops if I'm not a resident of the higher income levels of Carmel and Zionsville??!! You have lost a potential customer because of the last sentence of this article!!

[LC ex-BroadRipple-i te]

Dave in Indy wrote:

That's a bit of an over-reaction to a comment written by the columnist -- why hold the restaurant owner accountable for the writings of a columnist. And even though your address says "Dubai, UAE", I smell the overly sensitive ego of a southsider.
<quoted text>

Hi Dave - I liked your comment...I too smell a southsider. However, I couldn't help but notice "Dave in Indy" is from Carmel???? Maybe it should be Dave Used to Live in Indy... But I digress. I LOVE Stone Creek. In fact, we are headed there this week for a birthday dinner. Awesome menu, nice staff, great atmosphere.

[Kelly-Badgernati ve]

Most Hoosiers couldn't identify a scallop to save their lives! Get over yourself, "Desert Diva!"

[Chris Smith]

I was grazing at the buffet on Michigan Rd. and really enjoyed a tomato & zucchini salad. Would you be so kind and send me the recipe for the dressing. Loved it!

[Employee]

I work at Stone Creek in Zionsville and it is inexcusable for the waitress to treat you that way but you have to understand that you came in to eat at 3:30 when there is only one waiter on and the staff is "invisible" because nobody is there. I repeat, it's 3:30. Nobody is expected to come in then. Dinner is served at 4, that's why you didn't get a dinner menu (it's basically the same as the lunch menu) and the bread isn't made until around 5 so it would have been an inconvenience for a waitress to have to go off and make some when it wasn't time for it and there was none ready and available. Consider that please.

Nobody from Stilesville wrote:

I've always enjoyed Charbonos, and when I went to Boulder Creek last year for the first time, service was very good. However, my husband and I do NOT plan to go back to Stone Creek in Plainfield. Why? Well, our waitress acted like she was "too good" to serve us. It was 3:30 in afternoon - she gave us lunch menus - we asked for dinner menus - she acted put out but gave them to us. Then we asked for a no, no, bread with our meal! She said she couldn't get any for us! Bottom line, server was very unfriendly and could care less if she waited on us, and rest of the almost invisible staff was not all that friendly either. Could it be because we were using an Entertainment book coupon? I think so! Granted, we aren't very "upscale", but everyone should be treated equally, regardless of whether one is using a coupon or not! Like I said, we don't plan to go back! Nor are we likely to go to Carmel either -- we're just too "country" I guess!

[Mary]

I've eaten at Boulder Creek, Charbono's, Stone Creek Greenwood and Plainfield. Food is outstanding. Wait service - definitely needs someone to explain why they're in the "service industry". RUDE, RUDE, RUDE

[I want global warming]

Gloria wrote:

I was invited to the Grand opening of the new restaurant and enjoyed a free meal of my choice and to check out the building and I found it to be a very enjoyable evening. Just becasue you have one bad experience at a eating establishment doesn't mean to boycott it. Talk to the manager and report your view and you just may get a free meal and want to return.

Nope...this is not the only story about Mr. Cunningham. I had lunch at Charbonnos in Avon (his restaurant). I ordered a $18.00 steak for lunch because I knew I had no time for dinner. The waitress refused to give me a baked potato instead of mixed vegatables. Nice treating of a customer on a pretty expensive lunch. I call Mr. Cunningham and he said he could not afford the difference between steamed veggies and a baked potato. Bottom line, he serves slightly above average food in locations where there is little competition from anyone but chain restaurants. He would get killed in most locations with his food quality, service and attitude.

[Desert Diva]

Dave in Indy wrote:

That's a bit of an over-reaction to a comment written by the columnist -- why hold the restaurant owner accountable for the writings of a columnist. And even though your address says "Dubai, UAE", I smell the overly sensitive ego of a southsider.
<quoted text>

Sorry Dave, you "smell" wrong!! I DO live in Dubai and I've NEVER lived on the southside of Indianapolis!!

[Friendly Neighbor]

Employee wrote:

I work at Stone Creek in Zionsville and it is inexcusable for the waitress to treat you that way but you have to understand that you came in to eat at 3:30 when there is only one waiter on and the staff is "invisible" because nobody is there. I repeat, it's 3:30. Nobody is expected to come in then. Dinner is served at 4, that's why you didn't get a dinner menu (it's basically the same as the lunch menu) and the bread isn't made until around 5 so it would have been an inconvenience for a waitress to have to go off and make some when it wasn't time for it and there was none ready and available. Consider that please.
<quoted text>

I agree that's it's inexcusable for the waitress to treat them that way--period. No excuses on her part. All she needed to do was mention that dinner is not normally served until 4PM and that she'd try to get them some bread. In this case, the customers do not need to feel as though they should be more sensitive to the time at which they entered. If the restaurant doors are opened at that time, then they need to be ready to serve. If they were understaffed, the manager should have pitched in. Customers should never be treated in this manner. I am also from Stilesville, but do not know who wrote this. In this case, I would feel the same way as that couple did--poorly treated.

[bothered waitress]

Mary wrote:

I've eaten at Boulder Creek, Charbono's, Stone Creek Greenwood and Plainfield. Food is outstanding. Wait service - definitely needs someone to explain why they're in the "service industry". RUDE, RUDE, RUDE

I am so sorry that you had a bad experiance at my store ( Greenwood) I find it disturbinng that anyone would recieve poor service / a rude wait staff experiance. I can only ask that you give us another oppurtunity to serve you and treat you the way all of our guests deserve to be treated. I take my job very serious and pride myself in going above and beyond in the outstanding service my guests recieve. I hope that when you give us another chance I am the one that gets the opportunity to provide you with great service.

[Future Prospect]

It gets even better it is Sunday morning and 1 hour before my interview for the chef job at Stone Creek. They call me to tell they have filled the position keep in mind Blow me Rick Vigil doesn't know I have with held on 5 other interviews because of this! If that's the way this place treats not even their employee's then no wonder they have bad service !

[Lost Customers]

My wife and I took our neighbors to Stone Creek last Friday. The food was poor. The vegetables were hard, the crab cakes were so-so. Very overpriced, and my wife and neighbor both got sick. We were very disapointed and will never return.

[Plainfield fan]

We love the Stone Creek in Plainfield. We have had a few issues over the 2 or so years, but whenever we have expressed our concern - the manager has always gone above and beyond to make it right. On a recent lunch - the pasta seemed a smaller sized portion than what we were used to. I honestly think now it was our error - as we were probably thinking of the dinner menu, but the manager overheard our question and brought an additional order of the pasta at no charge. They charge $1 for the bread at lunch (totally worth it!) Glad to have someplace nice to eat in Plainfield.

[stone creek lover]

I have never had a problem with them some people have to bitch our they are not happy!! So shut up and don't eat there not dog the place because you are are on the rag!

[Kasberg]

I had dinner last night at the Zionsville location with six out of town guests and had an excellent experience. Server was attentive and food fantastic. Good job Mike Cunningham and team!