I love the Holly Hotel. It has charming ambience as soon as you walk in the door. I have been there twice now using a Groupon for an 8 course dinner and it is absolutely wonderful. There is just something about the anticipation of which course is coming next and not having any idea about what it is going to be! I am a fairly picky eater and have enjoyed everything that has come out of the kitchen. The comedy club downstairs is quite fun also. Even though both times I have gone, there have been horrible hecklers. What it up with that?! If you sign up for their email list they send updates on special events on a monthly basis and I am always tempted to go in, but can't seem to coordinate my schedule when they have something that I want to try. They have a dining club and you get discounted prices and i would recommend it! It's a lovely place and its rumored to be haunted!
(5)
Joanna C.
We love the Holly Hotel. So much, we decided to have our wedding here after seeing that awesome groupon deal they had running. I was looking for a no muss no fuss wedding experience, and Tricia provided that. She was great with communicating, and suggesting ideas. I am indecisive and didn't know what on earth I wanted. She was patient with me, and had plenty of ideas. She made it easy. I did not stress about my wedding because I knew it was being taken care of. We also had to luck of having all the Christmas decorations up for our wedding. Our photos are just beautiful! All of our guests commented on how great the food was. Superb experiences with everybody involved with planning the wedding. Also, we love just coming for dinner. One of the waitresses, Stella, has waited on us before and was so personable, and had great taste for recommending wines and local beers for us to try. She made our dining experience great - and even came up to say hello at our wedding. Much appreciated!
(5)
doug r.
"No escargots or brie on the menu." Both were on the menu 9/3/2011. Hint: The menu changes frequently.
(5)
Dave D.
A departure from my usual Taquiera review I guess. Haven't bee to HH in a couple of years. We used to go 2-3 times a year but life caught up with us and we just haven't had the chance lately. I need to change that. My wife and I went last night with 2 other couples I know from work. Our reservation was for 6:30, my wife and I got there a little early so had a glass of wine in the lounge as the evening's entertainment was tuning up his guitar. The rest of our party was a little late, so by the time everyone assembled it was nearly 7:00. I don't know if it was because we were late or if it was originally planned, but when they showed us to our table it was... right next to us in the bar. At first I was a little put out, but as it turned out it was the best thing that could have happened. So, food. My wife and I ordered the chef's 8-course digustation menu, which is our usual. This one might have been the best ever. I'll try and recall as best I can. 1.) Samosa on a sauce made from mexican chorizo. Flaky crust filled with lamb and beef. Frankly as an "amuse", it was a pretty large portion, but the crust was flaky, the meat tender, and the chorizo adding just the right amount of spice. My wife offered my friend a taste, and he told our waitress it should be sold as an entree in a larger portion. 2.) Soup. I believe it was a potato-carrot puree with just a little smoky chipotle. Very mild given the ingredients, but a great smoky follow-up to the chorizo. My wife generally doesn't like spicy food, but so far-2 clean plates. 3.) Salad. Nothing remarkable, but fresh and tasty, not overdressed, with field greens almonds and cranberries. 4.) Fish Course. Panko-crusted Rockfish on a sauce made with andouille sausage. My wife thought it was a little "fishy" for her taste, but the spice and fat of the sausage was a nice counterpoint and balanced it nicely. Another clean plate. 5.) Intermezzo. Sorbet of mint, basil and avocado. This was probably the most intensely-flavored sorbet I've ever had, but given the spice and fat of the previous courses was perfect. Delicious. 6.) Entree. Turducken. Yes, I know, but it wasn't that. It was more like a rillettes or course, country pate presented as a roulade. Very moist and fork-tender. 7.) Cheese course. interestingly we had just been having a conversation with one of our dining companions about her childhood on a farm in England and the cheeses of her childhood. And what shows up but a sage Derby on crostini with a drizzle of honey. Not as stinky as I usually like, but nice. 8.) Desert. Chocolate mousse tart. Nothing terribly special but a nice ending, especially with the ruby port. I'm kicking myself because i completely failed to get our server's name. She was fantastic. One of our companions order lamb chops which came to the table a little lukewarm. He told the server, and she immediately snatched his plate. "Not a problem, it should be hot" and returned a few moments later with a new plate. Which he pronounced delicious. As for the entertainment. Initially, as I said, I was a little concerned. But not only was it still quiet enough to have a conversation, we were close enough to make requests, which were generously accepted. Again kicking myself for not getting his name, but it was basically an acoustic tour through the singer-songwriters of the 60"s, 70's and "80"s. All-in-all, one of the best dining experiences of my life.
(5)
Peggy B.
I love the Holly Hotel! We've had 2 wedding showers and last week a baby shower there and it was just wonderful. The food and the service couldn't be better!
(5)
Michele G.
I would give the dining experience we had tonight 6 stars if I could. (6/26/14) We came with a Groupon and an open mind and left with full bellies and an experience we will never forget. I was feeling adventurous and tried the "Chef's Selection" which means you don't know what you'll get for eight, yes....freakin' eight...delicious courses. Sit a spell and I'll tell you about this dining event. Course 1: 1-Hr egg yolk with pork belly on grilled brioche. Heavenly!! The bright orange yolk was smooth and creamy with a slab of bacony goodness. Like Christmas in my mouth! Course 2: Italian Wedding Soup. The fresh sausage had a great fennel seed flavor. The broth was a bit salty but delicious and rich. Course 3: Mixed salad with grilled grapes, apples, dried berries, feta cheese and peach vinegarette. Delightful! Course 4: Fish Course. Swordfish with bouillabaisse. Unbelievable! It would have been criminal to leave any of the delicious sauce behind. Course 5: Raspberry sorbet with champagne. So refreshing. Course 6: "Suffering Succotash." Duck breast with succotash. Daffy didn't have a chance...I devoured him. See the picture of the note from the chef. Course 7: Crostini with pepper jack with a drizzle of smoky pepper oil. I was nearly ready to burst but couldn't stop myself. (I had some help Course 8: Peanut Butter and Chocolate Sorbet. Ridiculously fantastic. We couldn't stop eating it! The service was spot on too. Travis took good care of us. Our water glasses were quickly filled and he was personable and witty throughout the meal. If you're seeking a dining EVENT, come here. This is an experience, not just a meal. And if you're not ready for a surprise 8-course meal, just let them know your likes and they will accommodate your tastes.
(5)
Susan M.
Service was bad. So bad in fact we planned on joining the membership but after the visit today will never return. Our waiter very seldom checked on us, served cold food, and forgot our drinks. We ordered "special" drinks from the bar menu before our dinner came. We reminded him after we got the bill and he clearly forgot. That was 30 min after he finally came back to our table. The food was ok. Maybe I am expecting too much (comparing this place to the Whitney in Detroit) but everything was just so so. With the horrible service it was not worth it. I wanted to love this place but it ended up making me thankful I didn't stop in earlier. Save you money (and a ton of time) and drive to a Kruse and Muer. Any of them. Better food and MUCH better service.
(1)
Michael W.
Just dreadful. I understand why most everyone had a Groupon - the chicken strudel? Umm where is the chicken. It was just a blob of cream cheese stuffed into a pillsbury filo. The fish was equally awful. Just grab a bad batch of fish n chips from any local greasy spoon and save yourself $25. The dessert was sub par, and the waitress didn't really want to deal with it. She pushed us to the comedy club. "you can have that downstairs. When asked about the dessert choices numerous times. "do you like lemon? ok, so a lemon tart = a lemon dried out cake? Chef Ramsey get your ass in here! One and done!
(1)
M P.
It was a very good dinner. The food is what the food is pricey, but it's was a pleasant dinning experience. Candle lit dinner, soft music playing and very comfortable chairs....all entrees are a 3 course meal. Check out Groupon, they have excellent deals for this restaurant. I would return, but only for a very special occasion.
(4)
Mark K.
This place will definately take you back to an era of years gone by. The ambiance is like no other. My wife and I have had dinner here many times, and have never been disappointed. The chefs and servers here are first class. We would like to thank Stella especially. She is very knowledgable and you will never want for anything. Thanks to all of you for making everytime a great experience.
(5)
Cristine H.
Went last night for our anniversary. Hubby had the Tenderloin Wellington, I had the Medallions of beef tenderloin, 2 4 oz tenderloin with stir fry veggies and garlic mashed potatoes. We had the shrimp stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer. They were excellent. However I saw the escargot go to a table next to us and will be getting that next time. My tenderloin was nearly raw but the server quickly took it back and when he brought it back it was fine. My husband was very happy with his Wellington. The portions were adequate, and our server very attentive and friendly.
We came here for the comedy show in the basement. It's a really nice place, it has a cozy Victorian feel to it. The chairs in the basement aren't all that comfortable but the show is only about an hour so it's not a problem. You can order food and desserts and beverages. They also have a full bar. We had eaten before coming here and just had their cheese cake which was good. The comedians were really funny! Everyone in the audience seemed to have a great time. Definitely highly recommended!
(4)
Shannon R.
Took my daughter and nieces to the Holly Hotel for afternoon tea. It was amazing. Our server Robert was perfect! We have visited the comedy show many times and it is always fun and an enjoyable time.
(5)
Kimberly B.
I came into town to visit friends for the holiday and went to what was supposed to be a special high tea. I have been to other lovely tea houses many times and have always enjoyed the high tea experience, so I was expecting something similar to what other comparable places offer. What I got was a long wait even with reservation, tepid water, generic tea bags you could buy at Walmart, and disgusting soggy finger sandwiches. If I want to drink 5 cent tea, I can buy it myself from the same discount bulk bin they probably do, enjoy it with actual hot water at my house, and save 14 bucks. They need to stop advertising on their website that their high tea includes things they don't actually have. If they're out of something you think you're paying to get, they need to provide an equal alternative. And if they say it's "high tea", someone there needs to take two seconds to Google what that actually means and make it an actual high tea instead of whatever half baked mess this was. Overall, super disappointing.
(1)
Angelica S.
I went here strictly for the comedy club they offer for my boyfriends birthday on April 25th. We came a little early just in case since we didn't know what the heck their processes are for attending. We did order drinks and they were decently pricey. Luckily for me, I was already drinking before. There were 2 other people that ordered drinks besides me. I was the only one that had her drink forgotten. I've had really bad when it comes to someone foegetting drinks, food etc. I was frustrated but I didn't really fuss about it since I was out to have a good time. Definitely bring your money if you're going to dinner I can imagine. The decor is so cool. It does kinda have a creepy old feel to it but I enjoy places like this. Lots of amazing amazing history. We finally get to go in the basement for the comedy club and never knew how small it is down there. Like I said we came and lined up early so we were able to get seats WITHOUT a reservation. If we came later or no reservation, we would've been screwed. We ordered some appetizers as well. I wasn't really too impressed. I would've expected better appetizers but I think they were closing up the kitchen anyway since that is the latest they are open. The last comic was soooooo funny! I definitely suggest going overall!
(4)
Sarah B.
Great place for an intimate date night. My husband and I love this place. We head to The Holly Hotel for a meal or drinks pretty much every time we are in town. The cheese plate, coupled with a martini, really hits the spot after a day of shopping during DickensFest. The bartenders are truly mixologists- they are creative and know how to mix a drink! I would love to go back for High Tea. Their pumpkin soup is a real treat. Salads are not at all ordinary and are made with great care. To top it off, their desserts are excellent and really should not be missed. We've never had inattentive wait staff, unlike a few other reviewers who have mentioned this.
(4)
Thomas L.
This place to put it simply is awesome. My date and I went there for brunch on Sunday. What a unique and spectacular variety of choices including lamb meatballs, infused cheeses and regular staples such as omelets. Service is impeccable and the decor is early 1900's. They simple know what they want to do and do it. Be aware though don't come here looking for burgers and fries or wings. Bring your sense of adventure to try anything that looks different than just about any "box" restaurant. If your have the chance definitely make the trip to this place.
(5)
Kim P.
I went to the hotel and ate dinner. I liked the ambience and the music. Ate in the Pullman Car. We had informed the waitress of our intent to use a GROUPON. The waitress said that their GROUPON Phone was saying that the number on the printed out cert was invalid. Long story short, I had to fork over over $100 for the bill. What struck me is that the restaurant made no effort to accept the coupon or see that it was indeed valid..kept talking about how GROUPON must have been hacked or whatever. The food was tasty. The atmosphere was the bomb. The paying the check experience ruined the entire evening. Update, two days later, George the owner called me today to apologize for the problems encountered. Gosh, he was so kind and truly sorry for what happened. How could I not change my review from two stars to 5? It really is amazing that he cares enough about the people who come to enjoy his restaurant to make a phone call to me. I thanked him for caring and promised to re-do the evening and he told me to let him know when I am coming out so he could personally meet! This restaurant reallly does care about their reputation and the impression they leave on their guests after all!
(5)
Laurie A.
This is a review for their high tea luncheon. First let me say that the food was excellent. No vegetables were offered as part of the luncheon. The service was horrible. There was no lemon on the table. there was no cream on the table. Four of us were given a single pot of hot water which went cold very quickly. the hot water was never replaced. We were each given a single scone and a single muffin. And they didn't even have clotted cream. No dessert was offered. The room was very very dark even though it was the middle of the afternoon. We were a large group but we had a reservation and I would have thought that they would be prepared for us. The most shocking thing was that they only use tea bags. Tea bags are NEVER used in England for a formal tea. This is a very unfriendly place for handicapped people. The restrooms are upstairs. You have to climb several steps even to get into the hotel.
(2)
Lynn H.
What a lovely venue for a wedding. My cousin and his bride were married in the adjacent historic Battle Alley, and their reception was held on the second floor of the beautiful hotel. Everything about our experience was lovely. The service was impeccable, the ambiance romantic and cosy, and the food delicious. Hubby and I will be back again for dinner soon to enjoy this lovely landmark.
(4)
Krystle M.
Delicious and great atmosphere. I went there with two of my cousins for their dinner and seance and everything was fantastic. I had the pumpkin soup, salad with walnuts and beef wellington. The food, the service, the ambience. Great. I would highly recommend this establishment!
(5)
David W.
We went here for their "High Tea" and we're dissappoined. The room was cold, we asked if they could turn the heat up which they said they would. The service was terrible. The waiter, who said he was the manager had an attitude and was inattentive. He rarely came back to check on us. He cleared half the table and never came back to clear the other half after the main meal. We cleared it and put it on another table, which he never noticed. We ordered a Bloody Mary. When it came it was off so we asked for some Bloody Mary mix to add to it. We were told they were unable to do this. They changed the drink for us. He took our order and we waited for our salad to arrive. The salad was good. We then waited a good 20 minutes once we were done with the salad for the next course. We had a choice of cucumber sandwiches, and smoked salmon sandwiches or Filet mignon, chicken or fish. The fish was off, I did not enjoy the chicken. My other half had the two sandwiches which consisted of a 2"x2" piece of bread with a tiny amount of salmon on one and cucumber on the other and a little potato salad on the side. The scones, muffin and cream was good. We were told, with an attitude, they ran out of Chai tea. All in all I would say don't waste your time. Sad as it has such possibilities.
(2)
Mark S.
Went with family for nice post Christmas dinner. Atmosphere is quaint and historic. Waiter was knowledgeable and very attentive. Disappointed with the food. Salads and soup were good but not earth shattering. I had the 1/2 duck which was certainly plentiful, but it needed more potatoes and vegetables. SS had the White fish which was nicely seasoned but very dry.
(3)
Lauren W.
This is such a unique establishment! I absolutely love dining at places rich in history, and this spot is no exception...Complete with plenty of ghost stories to go with it! For starters, my mom and I went here for a mini girls night out. We walked around downtown prior to dinner, and oh my...The cutest shops and boutiques around. We ended the evening with a relaxing dinner here amid their beautiful Christmas decorations. Our waiter, Travis, was so fun, and majorly helpful in talking up the menu. I was freezing, so he even made me a special apple cider drink, which was delicious. The entrees are fairly pricey at $30+, but you get bread, soup and salad, so with that in mind, they really aren't too bad for a nice evening out in a unique atmosphere. I had the Beef Wellington and it was excellent and cooked to perfection. Everyone we interacted with was so welcoming, and it truly was a lovely experience. I am only knocking down a star because there are definitely some spots that needs some updating, such as the bathrooms. Otherwise, we can't wait to go back and attend some of their special events! For a romantic night out, or just a unique experience, I highly recommend checking this place out.
(4)
Thomas C.
My wife and I had our wedding at the Holly Hotel last August. I was and incredible experience. Terry went out of his way to make sure everything was taken care of and the food was fantastic. Great ambiance and staff too, would recommend to anyone.
(5)
Zachary F.
I really like this place. The atmosphere is awesome and the decor is amazing. The food was really good too. I had a 7 course meal and it was 7 delicious dishes. I also did the comedy club which was a blast. This place is prefect for a date night.
My wife and I went to the Holly Hotel for a 20th anniversary dinner. Never heard of this place before but thought it looked good. Nice old decor, great service. 4 courses. So tasty. I had the veal dish. Great flavors. More expendive than we normally do, but you could taste the difference. We will be back again.
The staff are absolutely exceptional. The food is very good (but not great) also. And it is just a charming place. The monthly events are fun.
(4)
Matt Z.
Let me begin this review by stating that I am not a fan of upscale fine dining restaurants. I prefer a more energetic atmosphere, draft beer, steak, people yelling at their favorite team on the TV, over a dimly lit room with candle lit tables. So understand this kind of makes my review slightly biased. That being said, I visited the Holly Hotel for my second time (first time was just for the comedy club) last weekend (1/25/14). We had reservations and had a fairly large group. We were placed in a room on the 2nd floor and upon entering the room, it was very cold. We had heard it was supposed to be Haunted so I just assumed the temperature in the room was caused by all the ghosts hanging out. Those ghosts decided to stay the entire dinner because nearly everyone in our party had to eat with their coats on because of the temperature . Granted, it was -1 degree outside, but one would think that they could get the heat pumping in that room after 2 hours or give the Ghostbuster's a call. Now onto the dinner. We were asked if we wanted appetizers. One guy at our table said he would like some crab cakes, and after ordering, he generously offered to share said crab cakes with other people at our table. When the crab cakes arrived, there were only 2, which when stacked, were about the size of a hockey puck. He still offered to share, but with everyone feeling bad about the hockey puck sized crab cakes he received, we declined. Now on to our order. My date and I both ordered rather pricey meals (and by pricey I mean, expensive for the amount of food we got). First up was our Salad. I actually enjoyed the Caesar salad, or should I say, enjoyed it while it lasted (4 bites). Next was our soup.. It was a pumpkin/turnip soup.. which came out looking like Gerber baby food. I would say it resembled the Gerber baby food carrots in appearance. I was hesitant to try it, but gave it a go.. It turned out to be pretty decent, I just couldn't look at the food as I was feeding it to myself. Next was our main dish. I ordered the Beef Wellington. It came with a small assortment of veggies (like 3 carrots and a piece of broccoli), a small ice cream scoop of mashed potatoes, and about 7 bites worth of beef wellington. After we were done, our waitress brought over a tray of cheesecakes. I declined and just decided to take a bite of my dates. One would think that this dessert came with the meal, as they brought it over and let us pick what we wanted... nope.. $9 per slice.. would have been nice to know they were charging extra for that. The cheesecake was very good though. The comedy club was enjoyable.. The second act was hilarious, which pretty much saved the night. In conclusion, I would recommend trying this restaurant at least once to experience the history and decor and ghosts, but just make sure you aren't starving before you go. Personally, I will never go there to eat again, as it just isn't my style. However, I will definitely return to the comedy club.
(3)
Susanna I.
This place is straight out of Gilmore Girls. The town surrounding is adorable (and yes I'm describing a town that way). Every year they host a Charles Dickens Festival with a live nativity scene, caroling, roasted chestnuts and other things a suburbanite rarely sees anymore. It was during this festival that I visited the hotel. I knew little of it other than the fact that it was pricy. I'm so glad that I didn't let the prices scare me away. First of all the staff is amazing. My party had the most polite waiter I've every come across. When we indicated that we didn't really have a lot of questions he seemed almost disappointed. He was bursting with information and pride for the cuisine at the hotel. He probed kindly to see if we knew anything about the dishes and soon we were having a full on and very enjoyable conversation about our options. You receive three course with any entree. Soup then salad then main course. The food its self was delightful. I ordered tea but that was nothing special. They give you a large selection but its just bagged tea. However dessert was AMAZING. My one and only complaint was the restrooms. Its a swanky place but the restrooms have obviously never been updated. The stalls are old and they don't even have the wall mounted soup dispensers. The trash was over flowing and there was opening toilet paper rolls sitting on the floor. It simply didn't match the class of the rest of the establishment. I did check after my meal was over and they had tidied but even then there was a major contrast between the restrooms and the dinning room. Overall a I'd say try it out. The food is worth it!
(4)
Jennifer G.
My husband and I went here for our anniversary. The food was great, so was our waiter. However, after we were seated and nearly halfway through our meal, a large party of 15+ people were seated in our area. They were loud, vulgar, and just obnoxious. We had to shout to hear ourselves, which ruins the atmosphere of the hotel and fine dining experience. This group would have been more welcome at Shark's Club or Applebee's. The train that went past outside was a whisper compared to the level of noise. The table behind us also complained. We had originally ordered dessert but asked to have it to go. The owner herself came over and did NOTHING to resolve the issue. We suggested she give us our desserts to go, but our bill came with no desserts. She offered nothing complimentary in order to satisfy the rude and loud behavior of the other guests. She made is clear that our patronage (a table of two) wasn't as important as the patronage of the table of 15+. We left frustrated and angry, as the owner has little customer service skills to handle situations like this.
(3)
Papa W.
I have eaten here several times in the past year. Each time I have experienced something interesting. The flavor combinations are strange at times but the food is better than average. I guess I just not too impressed with the dish descriptions as it appears they are trying to impress with overly difficult verbosity and leave out what blend of flavors to expect. The wait staff are very helpful but sometimes you just want a simple beef filet and not some wagyu beef that is supposed to equal if not exceed kobi beef when in reality 95% of diners couldn't tell the difference between wagyu and angus. Overall four stars for just having good tasting food.
(4)
juston m.
my friend took me along for an evening of food and comedy. she bought a groupon that included wine, an 8 course chef choice meal and a comedy show. first of all the holly hotel is really quite the looker. the entrance/hostess stand that is still the original check in was super cute. the dining rooms were equally impressive and charming. our meal was worth the price. each course was mouth watering. the nutella dressing on the salad was surprisingly good. the boar shank was melt in the mouth amazing. i was most happy with the fish course which was shark i believe and amazing. after over an hour long meal we were escorted downstairs for a comedy show. this part of the meal i was least looking forward to. i thought the comedians would be horrible. i was wrong. both the guys that night were funny and on point. even the hecklers couldn't phase them. the drinks downstairs, although a little more expensive were strong. i think the holly hotel has a great thing going. its a hike, but really a total night out. love, juston
(4)
Debbie Z.
Beautiful hotel and restaurant. The service is great, the food is delicious, and the beauty of it all knocks your socks off!!!! :-) When my brother died and was buried in Holly at the VA cemetary we had lunch at this hotel. Invited all the guests and family members to partake. The bill was not all that bad, of course, liquor was not included (or the bill would have been extremely high) due to this being a somber event. Easy to find and while you are there take a mini tour of the place.
(5)
David G.
My wife and I visited the Hotel for the first time this past weekend for a much needed Date Night. We had reservations for 7:15pm which was a good thing because the place was packed. The ambiance was good but a little crowded. The food was outstanding, we were both very happy to have found a local place with fine dining as compared to some of the other local options which fall very short. Our waitress Kristin was great, she was funny, and kept us both laughing and pleased throughout our meal. The entire experience impressed the both of us enough that we immediately signed up for the Dining Club membership and cannot wait for another date night to roll around!
(5)
Connie G.
This is so worth a trip up to Holly, we went during the Historic Holly Days weekend, and had tea with a large group. The Food was excellent, and the service was wonderful. The tea was very yummy. I plan on coming back again with my family to enjoy this quaint tea house.
(4)
Ken F.
Food and service were both excellent. It's upscale cuisine but jeans are fine. It is a little pricey, but if you buy their club membership you get 20% off. The club is $59 but the send you a $59 gift card with your membership. It's a great deal if you live in the area. Unfortunately, we are a bit too far to be regulars. The only issue my wife had with the place was the decor. It's "historic" but seemed just old in some respects. My issue... don't know what is up with staff "parler-ing" in French when they greet you. It's not a French restaurant. No escargots or brie on the menu. Just sayin'.
Great place to eat and see a comedy show. I had my husband's 50th birthday party there and the service was great! Class act for sure.
(4)
Sasha P.
I went to the Historic Holly Hotel on kind of a different occasion. It was for a "Blues, Booze, and BBQ" Festival. It was pretty awesome! I'm not sure if the chef from the Holly Hotel was the one cooking the BBQ but it was some of the most delicious, juiciest and tender meats I've had. On the menu was BBQ Chicken, Beef Brisket, Baby Back Ribs, Pulled Pork, Baked Beans, Potato Salad, Coleslaw, and Cornbread. Yes, I did try everything. And everything was fabulous. My favorites were the BBQ Chicken, Pulled Pork, and Potato Salad. The chef had his flavors right on! He also set out an assortment of 4 different flavored sauces: traditional, sweet, spicy, or tangy. I recommend mixing the sweet and spicy! The dessert and wine menu were amazing. We ordered a bottle each of a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz and a "Black Sheep" Pinot Noir. As for desserts, the Creme Brulee is a must! I tried the Smore Cheesecake which was good but not great. The Festival had seating outside so that we could listen to the Blues band. However, I went inside the Holly Hotel and it is completely styled in old-fashioned and country decore. They have truly kept the historic factor of this hotel. They don't have a set of matching dishware... every plate, cup, teapot is different from the next. Kinda quirky but I like it. The menu offers an array of food items. From duck, salmon, tuna, lobster, steak, salads and soups... You will not have a hard time finding something to eat here. However, it is pricey so beware of the $20-30 entrees! For it's cozy atmosphere, quirky dishware, and historic ambiance, I'd love to just have tea at the Holly Hotel. And plus, I hear it's haunted...
(4)
J F.
Had Groupon and went. My boyfriend and I both had the beef wellington as the main course and appetizers. The appetizers were good. The Beef Wellington was terrible. It was a big hunk of beef covered with a pastry. When you cut into the beef, it was like you were sawing through it and when you went to eat it, it had the texture of saw dust. We really wanted to like it. The atmosphere is cool though.
(3)
Alton G.
The hotel itself is beautiful. We went around Christmas, and it was quaint and decorated nicely. We started with wine/appetizers at our table and then went downstairs for a comedy act. The act itself was horrible, but we aren't going to let that detract from the rating. If you are Holly, it is worth a visit, but I wouldn't drive really far to get there.
(4)
Megan K.
Quite a pricey little place, but, well worth it. My husband and I are club members. For $59 a year, you get 2 free dinners, 20 comedy passes and 20% off future meals. It's definitely worth it if you go even a few times a year. If you can't and are just curious, this is still one of the restaurants on restaurant.com where you can get a discounted dining certificate. The first time I went, the hubs and I ate in the boxcar room. It's a small little room that has about four tables. It was the perfect place for our first date. And yes, as you can see, we are now married. He lured me in with good food...The second time, we were seated upstairs in the same room the former president ate. Dimly lit with a nice atmosphere. The staff is nice also. Comedy shows are great, except a bit crowded if you go to the early show. It's hard to move between people because the tables and chairs are really close. Comedians I have seen there more than once are Mike Evitts and Kris Shaw, really funny guys. Nathan Kranzo does awesome comedy and magic and Andy Beningo and Andrew O'Neal were great too. If you want to impress someone or want a nice quiet meal, go here and reserve the boxcar room.
(5)
Marianna Z.
Had a $50 Groupon for the Holly Hotel this evening, unfortunately it was disappointing. Great waiter Robert was very informative, the soup and salad courses were good. The entree was not well made at all. My husband had the duck - I had the salmon. Would not recommend it.
(2)
Andrew M.
Expensive but worth it. I'm cheap by nature, and don't really like to spend tons of money on food that will be unrecognizable within hours. However, the atmosphere and food at the Holly Hotel were worth the ridiculous prices for a romantic anniversary dinner. Supposedly it's haunted but I am skeptical of the supernatural...and it turns out our waitress was too. So much for perpetuating the myth. I had the 6-course lobster special (so much for saving money) and my wife had the beef wellington. Both were extremely delicious and well-presented. Give this place a try if you have a special occasion to celebrate or extra money burning a hole in your pocket. Either way you'll enjoy the experience.
(5)
Andrew S.
I'm from California, so my taste for fine dining is rather high in expectations. I came here for dinner for both a nice and tasty dining experience. Entering the doors through the historical Holly Hotel is like entering a time capsule and being catapulted into the early 1900s or in some cases your own Grandma's house. The lighting is dim, with candles lit at each table. We decided to order the chef's prix-fixed menu which consisted of 8 courses specially selected from the Chef. Let me tell you at $55 that was a steal, compared to other prix-fixed meals I've ordered. While this by no means is a Michelin style restaurant, the food was definitely up to par. Their bread rolls were delicious, but we made sure not to go too crazy on them to prepare ourselves for the meal. *First course was an amuse-bouche consisting of a warm pate over a sweet scone. The pate had a nice buttery flavor mixing well with the sweet warm scone. Second course was a creamy mushroom soup with a nice smooth creamy texture and an easy taste served just at the right temperature. *Third course was a simple salad that added a refreshing zing to a creamy soup. The salad was dressed in a light lime vinaigrette. *Fourth course was a fish dish, seared on the outside and nice and buttery on the inside. *Fifth course was a watermelon sorbet to clean the palate for the next dish. While the sorbet was still icy, I give credit to the chef for preparing it out of scratch. *Sixth course was a cut of Australian lamb chop, seasoned just right and seared to perfection. Just a great taste overall. *Seventh course was a cheese platter with a brush of mustard. *Last but not least the eighth course was a chocolate mouse sprinkled with sea salt. A great way to end a great meal.
(4)
Kelly B.
The Historic Holly Hotel is somewhere that you are not likely to find much of a local crowd. This is one of the longest standing continual services hotels in the Midwest. There are no more rooms for rent (as far as I know) but the restaurant is a true gem. The food is quite pricey, but very well prepared and presented. The service is outstanding and really makes you feel like you are special. This is a great place to come for a special occasion or celebration, just don't bring too many people or you may break the bank!
(4)
Wanda L.
The Historic Holly Hotel is definitely an off the beaten path find. Holly is a small town out in the country, but it's worth the trip to visit this place. I love, love, love doing/finding interesting new things and places. After much internet research for weekend events, I found that they were holding a comedy night there which I certainly did not expect out in Holly. I would suggest checking their website for the latest promotions and all the food and entertainment events that they hold. We got a BOGO on the $12 cover by printing a page off the website. There is no option to purchase tickets online and a reservation had to be called in for the comedy show. The guy on the phone who took ours was fast and friendly. On the night of the show (we chose to attend the last one at 10:30pm on Saturday 7/17/10), the BF and I arrived a little early and the staff was very, very friendly and gave us the option to sit at the bar or on the cool old highback antique loveseat in the dining room where the bar was situated in. The decor is preserved true to form from way back in the day (late 1800's) and gave us a lot to look at and admire during our wait. They also piped in some old-time, low music which rounded out the whole feel of the place. I'm a person who likes old stuff so all the better. Another small group arrived after us and sat at the bar and we eavesdropped while the female bartender was regaling them with stories of the famed Holly Hotel ghosts. The comedy club is in the basement and I was a little worried because of the small group of people in attendance (about 16 and way less than half of what they space looked like it could hold), but the staff grouped everyone so that we were all intimately close to the stage and each other. There seemed to be more people at the earlier 8:30pm show judging by the amount that I saw leaving. Out of the 3 comedians, the first was not so funny, but the next two made the night worth it. I forget their names, but they were youngish (early to mid-30's) and performed edgy/nerdy, but relatable comedy that had a little bit of sex and cursing involved, but appropriate for those who are married, had kids a/or were in relationships. I like ghetto comedy too so their sets were pretty tame in comparison. There is a 2 drink minimum per table and the male server was attentive and friendly as well. The white chardonnay I ordered was good. The BF had a couple of bottles of import beer. You pay for your cover with the final bill that also includes the drinks, by the way. The comedy space was basic (not as decorated and to period as the upstairs was), but cool nonetheless. The women's bathroom on that floor left a lot to be desired, however, in terms of looks, smell and cleanliness. In all fairness I have seen A LOT worse. I would have liked to have seen a slight bit more 'cush' and interest considering the rest of the place, but then I am known to be a weird admirer of nice/cool bathrooms. This may not have been the case with the others in the establishment, but that's still TBD. :-) I really look forward to going back to the Holly Hotel. Especially for dinner, lunch or tea one day soon or dinner and a show afterwards. I have to say it is definitely a place to have an intimate, romantic dinner whether you're just starting to date a special someone or maybe celebrating an anniversary of some sort. Lots of low lighting and sweet vibes going on. I can only give a four star review because I have not had their food yet, but based on the other reviews it sounds like I won't be disappointed. Again, many kudos to all of the staff there. Everyone was so nice and accomodating.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Amy L.
I love the Holly Hotel. It has charming ambience as soon as you walk in the door. I have been there twice now using a Groupon for an 8 course dinner and it is absolutely wonderful. There is just something about the anticipation of which course is coming next and not having any idea about what it is going to be! I am a fairly picky eater and have enjoyed everything that has come out of the kitchen. The comedy club downstairs is quite fun also. Even though both times I have gone, there have been horrible hecklers. What it up with that?! If you sign up for their email list they send updates on special events on a monthly basis and I am always tempted to go in, but can't seem to coordinate my schedule when they have something that I want to try. They have a dining club and you get discounted prices and i would recommend it! It's a lovely place and its rumored to be haunted!
(5)Joanna C.
We love the Holly Hotel. So much, we decided to have our wedding here after seeing that awesome groupon deal they had running. I was looking for a no muss no fuss wedding experience, and Tricia provided that. She was great with communicating, and suggesting ideas. I am indecisive and didn't know what on earth I wanted. She was patient with me, and had plenty of ideas. She made it easy. I did not stress about my wedding because I knew it was being taken care of. We also had to luck of having all the Christmas decorations up for our wedding. Our photos are just beautiful! All of our guests commented on how great the food was. Superb experiences with everybody involved with planning the wedding. Also, we love just coming for dinner. One of the waitresses, Stella, has waited on us before and was so personable, and had great taste for recommending wines and local beers for us to try. She made our dining experience great - and even came up to say hello at our wedding. Much appreciated!
(5)doug r.
"No escargots or brie on the menu." Both were on the menu 9/3/2011. Hint: The menu changes frequently.
(5)Dave D.
A departure from my usual Taquiera review I guess. Haven't bee to HH in a couple of years. We used to go 2-3 times a year but life caught up with us and we just haven't had the chance lately. I need to change that. My wife and I went last night with 2 other couples I know from work. Our reservation was for 6:30, my wife and I got there a little early so had a glass of wine in the lounge as the evening's entertainment was tuning up his guitar. The rest of our party was a little late, so by the time everyone assembled it was nearly 7:00. I don't know if it was because we were late or if it was originally planned, but when they showed us to our table it was... right next to us in the bar. At first I was a little put out, but as it turned out it was the best thing that could have happened. So, food. My wife and I ordered the chef's 8-course digustation menu, which is our usual. This one might have been the best ever. I'll try and recall as best I can. 1.) Samosa on a sauce made from mexican chorizo. Flaky crust filled with lamb and beef. Frankly as an "amuse", it was a pretty large portion, but the crust was flaky, the meat tender, and the chorizo adding just the right amount of spice. My wife offered my friend a taste, and he told our waitress it should be sold as an entree in a larger portion. 2.) Soup. I believe it was a potato-carrot puree with just a little smoky chipotle. Very mild given the ingredients, but a great smoky follow-up to the chorizo. My wife generally doesn't like spicy food, but so far-2 clean plates. 3.) Salad. Nothing remarkable, but fresh and tasty, not overdressed, with field greens almonds and cranberries. 4.) Fish Course. Panko-crusted Rockfish on a sauce made with andouille sausage. My wife thought it was a little "fishy" for her taste, but the spice and fat of the sausage was a nice counterpoint and balanced it nicely. Another clean plate. 5.) Intermezzo. Sorbet of mint, basil and avocado. This was probably the most intensely-flavored sorbet I've ever had, but given the spice and fat of the previous courses was perfect. Delicious. 6.) Entree. Turducken. Yes, I know, but it wasn't that. It was more like a rillettes or course, country pate presented as a roulade. Very moist and fork-tender. 7.) Cheese course. interestingly we had just been having a conversation with one of our dining companions about her childhood on a farm in England and the cheeses of her childhood. And what shows up but a sage Derby on crostini with a drizzle of honey. Not as stinky as I usually like, but nice. 8.) Desert. Chocolate mousse tart. Nothing terribly special but a nice ending, especially with the ruby port. I'm kicking myself because i completely failed to get our server's name. She was fantastic. One of our companions order lamb chops which came to the table a little lukewarm. He told the server, and she immediately snatched his plate. "Not a problem, it should be hot" and returned a few moments later with a new plate. Which he pronounced delicious. As for the entertainment. Initially, as I said, I was a little concerned. But not only was it still quiet enough to have a conversation, we were close enough to make requests, which were generously accepted. Again kicking myself for not getting his name, but it was basically an acoustic tour through the singer-songwriters of the 60"s, 70's and "80"s. All-in-all, one of the best dining experiences of my life.
(5)Peggy B.
I love the Holly Hotel! We've had 2 wedding showers and last week a baby shower there and it was just wonderful. The food and the service couldn't be better!
(5)Michele G.
I would give the dining experience we had tonight 6 stars if I could. (6/26/14) We came with a Groupon and an open mind and left with full bellies and an experience we will never forget. I was feeling adventurous and tried the "Chef's Selection" which means you don't know what you'll get for eight, yes....freakin' eight...delicious courses. Sit a spell and I'll tell you about this dining event. Course 1: 1-Hr egg yolk with pork belly on grilled brioche. Heavenly!! The bright orange yolk was smooth and creamy with a slab of bacony goodness. Like Christmas in my mouth! Course 2: Italian Wedding Soup. The fresh sausage had a great fennel seed flavor. The broth was a bit salty but delicious and rich. Course 3: Mixed salad with grilled grapes, apples, dried berries, feta cheese and peach vinegarette. Delightful! Course 4: Fish Course. Swordfish with bouillabaisse. Unbelievable! It would have been criminal to leave any of the delicious sauce behind. Course 5: Raspberry sorbet with champagne. So refreshing. Course 6: "Suffering Succotash." Duck breast with succotash. Daffy didn't have a chance...I devoured him. See the picture of the note from the chef. Course 7: Crostini with pepper jack with a drizzle of smoky pepper oil. I was nearly ready to burst but couldn't stop myself. (I had some help Course 8: Peanut Butter and Chocolate Sorbet. Ridiculously fantastic. We couldn't stop eating it! The service was spot on too. Travis took good care of us. Our water glasses were quickly filled and he was personable and witty throughout the meal. If you're seeking a dining EVENT, come here. This is an experience, not just a meal. And if you're not ready for a surprise 8-course meal, just let them know your likes and they will accommodate your tastes.
(5)Susan M.
Service was bad. So bad in fact we planned on joining the membership but after the visit today will never return. Our waiter very seldom checked on us, served cold food, and forgot our drinks. We ordered "special" drinks from the bar menu before our dinner came. We reminded him after we got the bill and he clearly forgot. That was 30 min after he finally came back to our table. The food was ok. Maybe I am expecting too much (comparing this place to the Whitney in Detroit) but everything was just so so. With the horrible service it was not worth it. I wanted to love this place but it ended up making me thankful I didn't stop in earlier. Save you money (and a ton of time) and drive to a Kruse and Muer. Any of them. Better food and MUCH better service.
(1)Michael W.
Just dreadful. I understand why most everyone had a Groupon - the chicken strudel? Umm where is the chicken. It was just a blob of cream cheese stuffed into a pillsbury filo. The fish was equally awful. Just grab a bad batch of fish n chips from any local greasy spoon and save yourself $25. The dessert was sub par, and the waitress didn't really want to deal with it. She pushed us to the comedy club. "you can have that downstairs. When asked about the dessert choices numerous times. "do you like lemon? ok, so a lemon tart = a lemon dried out cake? Chef Ramsey get your ass in here! One and done!
(1)M P.
It was a very good dinner. The food is what the food is pricey, but it's was a pleasant dinning experience. Candle lit dinner, soft music playing and very comfortable chairs....all entrees are a 3 course meal. Check out Groupon, they have excellent deals for this restaurant. I would return, but only for a very special occasion.
(4)Mark K.
This place will definately take you back to an era of years gone by. The ambiance is like no other. My wife and I have had dinner here many times, and have never been disappointed. The chefs and servers here are first class. We would like to thank Stella especially. She is very knowledgable and you will never want for anything. Thanks to all of you for making everytime a great experience.
(5)Cristine H.
Went last night for our anniversary. Hubby had the Tenderloin Wellington, I had the Medallions of beef tenderloin, 2 4 oz tenderloin with stir fry veggies and garlic mashed potatoes. We had the shrimp stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer. They were excellent. However I saw the escargot go to a table next to us and will be getting that next time. My tenderloin was nearly raw but the server quickly took it back and when he brought it back it was fine. My husband was very happy with his Wellington. The portions were adequate, and our server very attentive and friendly.
(4)Bethany S.
My family and I came to Holly for a Victorian high tea and girls day out and had a great time. Everyone enjoyed the food, the service was great (though we and a couple were the only ones in the restaurant, so I'm glad it was good), and the décor and atmosphere was appropriately dark and Victorian. However, I've been to a few of these types of teas before, and so I have a couple of criticisms: the tea was bags instead of leaf tea (and the flavors weren't explained for those who aren't typical tea drinkers), there were no vegetarian options at all (I ended up getting a cucumber/cream cheese finger sandwich and was pretty hungry after), and the only dessert option was a scone (usually there are cakes and other varieties of fun things on a tiered dish). It was more like a meal with limited options and a variety of tea than a proper English afternoon tea. My dining companions had never done this before, however, so they didn't know what they were missing and enjoyed it. Except for my aunt, who had a coupon that wasn't accepted and there wasn't a good explanation for this (there was no expiration date or anything). Overall, though, a decent experience, I just didn't enjoy the meal/tea as much myself.
(3)Magnus L.
We came here for the comedy show in the basement. It's a really nice place, it has a cozy Victorian feel to it. The chairs in the basement aren't all that comfortable but the show is only about an hour so it's not a problem. You can order food and desserts and beverages. They also have a full bar. We had eaten before coming here and just had their cheese cake which was good. The comedians were really funny! Everyone in the audience seemed to have a great time. Definitely highly recommended!
(4)Shannon R.
Took my daughter and nieces to the Holly Hotel for afternoon tea. It was amazing. Our server Robert was perfect! We have visited the comedy show many times and it is always fun and an enjoyable time.
(5)Kimberly B.
I came into town to visit friends for the holiday and went to what was supposed to be a special high tea. I have been to other lovely tea houses many times and have always enjoyed the high tea experience, so I was expecting something similar to what other comparable places offer. What I got was a long wait even with reservation, tepid water, generic tea bags you could buy at Walmart, and disgusting soggy finger sandwiches. If I want to drink 5 cent tea, I can buy it myself from the same discount bulk bin they probably do, enjoy it with actual hot water at my house, and save 14 bucks. They need to stop advertising on their website that their high tea includes things they don't actually have. If they're out of something you think you're paying to get, they need to provide an equal alternative. And if they say it's "high tea", someone there needs to take two seconds to Google what that actually means and make it an actual high tea instead of whatever half baked mess this was. Overall, super disappointing.
(1)Angelica S.
I went here strictly for the comedy club they offer for my boyfriends birthday on April 25th. We came a little early just in case since we didn't know what the heck their processes are for attending. We did order drinks and they were decently pricey. Luckily for me, I was already drinking before. There were 2 other people that ordered drinks besides me. I was the only one that had her drink forgotten. I've had really bad when it comes to someone foegetting drinks, food etc. I was frustrated but I didn't really fuss about it since I was out to have a good time. Definitely bring your money if you're going to dinner I can imagine. The decor is so cool. It does kinda have a creepy old feel to it but I enjoy places like this. Lots of amazing amazing history. We finally get to go in the basement for the comedy club and never knew how small it is down there. Like I said we came and lined up early so we were able to get seats WITHOUT a reservation. If we came later or no reservation, we would've been screwed. We ordered some appetizers as well. I wasn't really too impressed. I would've expected better appetizers but I think they were closing up the kitchen anyway since that is the latest they are open. The last comic was soooooo funny! I definitely suggest going overall!
(4)Sarah B.
Great place for an intimate date night. My husband and I love this place. We head to The Holly Hotel for a meal or drinks pretty much every time we are in town. The cheese plate, coupled with a martini, really hits the spot after a day of shopping during DickensFest. The bartenders are truly mixologists- they are creative and know how to mix a drink! I would love to go back for High Tea. Their pumpkin soup is a real treat. Salads are not at all ordinary and are made with great care. To top it off, their desserts are excellent and really should not be missed. We've never had inattentive wait staff, unlike a few other reviewers who have mentioned this.
(4)Thomas L.
This place to put it simply is awesome. My date and I went there for brunch on Sunday. What a unique and spectacular variety of choices including lamb meatballs, infused cheeses and regular staples such as omelets. Service is impeccable and the decor is early 1900's. They simple know what they want to do and do it. Be aware though don't come here looking for burgers and fries or wings. Bring your sense of adventure to try anything that looks different than just about any "box" restaurant. If your have the chance definitely make the trip to this place.
(5)Kim P.
I went to the hotel and ate dinner. I liked the ambience and the music. Ate in the Pullman Car. We had informed the waitress of our intent to use a GROUPON. The waitress said that their GROUPON Phone was saying that the number on the printed out cert was invalid. Long story short, I had to fork over over $100 for the bill. What struck me is that the restaurant made no effort to accept the coupon or see that it was indeed valid..kept talking about how GROUPON must have been hacked or whatever. The food was tasty. The atmosphere was the bomb. The paying the check experience ruined the entire evening. Update, two days later, George the owner called me today to apologize for the problems encountered. Gosh, he was so kind and truly sorry for what happened. How could I not change my review from two stars to 5? It really is amazing that he cares enough about the people who come to enjoy his restaurant to make a phone call to me. I thanked him for caring and promised to re-do the evening and he told me to let him know when I am coming out so he could personally meet! This restaurant reallly does care about their reputation and the impression they leave on their guests after all!
(5)Laurie A.
This is a review for their high tea luncheon. First let me say that the food was excellent. No vegetables were offered as part of the luncheon. The service was horrible. There was no lemon on the table. there was no cream on the table. Four of us were given a single pot of hot water which went cold very quickly. the hot water was never replaced. We were each given a single scone and a single muffin. And they didn't even have clotted cream. No dessert was offered. The room was very very dark even though it was the middle of the afternoon. We were a large group but we had a reservation and I would have thought that they would be prepared for us. The most shocking thing was that they only use tea bags. Tea bags are NEVER used in England for a formal tea. This is a very unfriendly place for handicapped people. The restrooms are upstairs. You have to climb several steps even to get into the hotel.
(2)Lynn H.
What a lovely venue for a wedding. My cousin and his bride were married in the adjacent historic Battle Alley, and their reception was held on the second floor of the beautiful hotel. Everything about our experience was lovely. The service was impeccable, the ambiance romantic and cosy, and the food delicious. Hubby and I will be back again for dinner soon to enjoy this lovely landmark.
(4)Krystle M.
Delicious and great atmosphere. I went there with two of my cousins for their dinner and seance and everything was fantastic. I had the pumpkin soup, salad with walnuts and beef wellington. The food, the service, the ambience. Great. I would highly recommend this establishment!
(5)David W.
We went here for their "High Tea" and we're dissappoined. The room was cold, we asked if they could turn the heat up which they said they would. The service was terrible. The waiter, who said he was the manager had an attitude and was inattentive. He rarely came back to check on us. He cleared half the table and never came back to clear the other half after the main meal. We cleared it and put it on another table, which he never noticed. We ordered a Bloody Mary. When it came it was off so we asked for some Bloody Mary mix to add to it. We were told they were unable to do this. They changed the drink for us. He took our order and we waited for our salad to arrive. The salad was good. We then waited a good 20 minutes once we were done with the salad for the next course. We had a choice of cucumber sandwiches, and smoked salmon sandwiches or Filet mignon, chicken or fish. The fish was off, I did not enjoy the chicken. My other half had the two sandwiches which consisted of a 2"x2" piece of bread with a tiny amount of salmon on one and cucumber on the other and a little potato salad on the side. The scones, muffin and cream was good. We were told, with an attitude, they ran out of Chai tea. All in all I would say don't waste your time. Sad as it has such possibilities.
(2)Mark S.
Went with family for nice post Christmas dinner. Atmosphere is quaint and historic. Waiter was knowledgeable and very attentive. Disappointed with the food. Salads and soup were good but not earth shattering. I had the 1/2 duck which was certainly plentiful, but it needed more potatoes and vegetables. SS had the White fish which was nicely seasoned but very dry.
(3)Lauren W.
This is such a unique establishment! I absolutely love dining at places rich in history, and this spot is no exception...Complete with plenty of ghost stories to go with it! For starters, my mom and I went here for a mini girls night out. We walked around downtown prior to dinner, and oh my...The cutest shops and boutiques around. We ended the evening with a relaxing dinner here amid their beautiful Christmas decorations. Our waiter, Travis, was so fun, and majorly helpful in talking up the menu. I was freezing, so he even made me a special apple cider drink, which was delicious. The entrees are fairly pricey at $30+, but you get bread, soup and salad, so with that in mind, they really aren't too bad for a nice evening out in a unique atmosphere. I had the Beef Wellington and it was excellent and cooked to perfection. Everyone we interacted with was so welcoming, and it truly was a lovely experience. I am only knocking down a star because there are definitely some spots that needs some updating, such as the bathrooms. Otherwise, we can't wait to go back and attend some of their special events! For a romantic night out, or just a unique experience, I highly recommend checking this place out.
(4)Thomas C.
My wife and I had our wedding at the Holly Hotel last August. I was and incredible experience. Terry went out of his way to make sure everything was taken care of and the food was fantastic. Great ambiance and staff too, would recommend to anyone.
(5)Zachary F.
I really like this place. The atmosphere is awesome and the decor is amazing. The food was really good too. I had a 7 course meal and it was 7 delicious dishes. I also did the comedy club which was a blast. This place is prefect for a date night.
(5)Dee D.
A group of 16 of us had afternoon tea here last week. Yes, they use tea I bags, a problem for the purists, but I enjoyed it just fine. You can also have coffee if tea is not your thing. As far a the food aspect, well I enjoyed that too! We all had three options for an entree, chicken in filo, beef, or fish. The cost was $18 each for the entire "tea". Each entree came with a mixed greens salad with green apples and almonds. It was fresh and dressed with a lively vinaigrette. One potential disastrous mistake was that I asked for no almonds on my salad and there were two on it. I am not allergic, I just don't like them, but the woman next to me is. She wisely skipped the salad from the start, knowing how easily those nuts can accidentally get in, and they did. For the main course I had the white fish with an interesting light cream sauce. The sauce had a slightly sweet taste with poppy seeds in it, which was different from anything I've had with white fish. The fish itself was fresh and cooked right. It came with sides of deliciously lumpy mashed potatoes and sautéed crisp vegetables in a light savory sauce. The meal portions were more like dinner size than lunch. For dessert we were each brought a strawberry lemon muffin, chocolate chip scone, berry compote and chantilly cream. I was full, so I only had tastes of each with the toppings. I liked both. Our server was a quirky character with somewhat of a diva-like attitude, but he was spot on with the service. He was our only waiter, and he didn't miss a beat. After lunch he gave us an informal tour and told us about the ghosts that roam among the restaurant guests. We all were intrigued and a bit creeped out, but in a good way! The only reason I probably won't return is the atmosphere. Victorian is just not my thing. There is a definite musty smell throughout, like an antique store. If antiques and the Victorian era entice you, then you will love this place! It's definitely worth one trip to check it out either way.
(4)John M.
My wife and I went to the Holly Hotel for a 20th anniversary dinner. Never heard of this place before but thought it looked good. Nice old decor, great service. 4 courses. So tasty. I had the veal dish. Great flavors. More expendive than we normally do, but you could taste the difference. We will be back again.
(5)Kristen B.
Wonderful atmosphere - the smaller dining area on the left near the bar is very cozy and romantic. Be prepared for a relaxing pace to your evening meal, as they are truly about the experience as well as the food. The food - now admittedly, I have only ever had one item as my main entrée (chicken strusel) because it is THAT GOOD. I am sitting here salivating thinking about this ... My husband has a much more daring palate and everything he has tried has been divine. Also - you can choose from $21 bottle of wines! That plus the frequent groupons make this place WELL worth it if you are on the fence. I would expect to pay much much more for a similar high end meal at other fine dining establishments. The staff is friendly and welcoming, and we have requested the same spunky waitress each time now which just makes our visit even more enjoyable. The option of the comedy club too makes for a fun date night. We would come here every weekend if we could. It just really doesn't get much better than this place!
(5)A C.
The staff are absolutely exceptional. The food is very good (but not great) also. And it is just a charming place. The monthly events are fun.
(4)Matt Z.
Let me begin this review by stating that I am not a fan of upscale fine dining restaurants. I prefer a more energetic atmosphere, draft beer, steak, people yelling at their favorite team on the TV, over a dimly lit room with candle lit tables. So understand this kind of makes my review slightly biased. That being said, I visited the Holly Hotel for my second time (first time was just for the comedy club) last weekend (1/25/14). We had reservations and had a fairly large group. We were placed in a room on the 2nd floor and upon entering the room, it was very cold. We had heard it was supposed to be Haunted so I just assumed the temperature in the room was caused by all the ghosts hanging out. Those ghosts decided to stay the entire dinner because nearly everyone in our party had to eat with their coats on because of the temperature . Granted, it was -1 degree outside, but one would think that they could get the heat pumping in that room after 2 hours or give the Ghostbuster's a call. Now onto the dinner. We were asked if we wanted appetizers. One guy at our table said he would like some crab cakes, and after ordering, he generously offered to share said crab cakes with other people at our table. When the crab cakes arrived, there were only 2, which when stacked, were about the size of a hockey puck. He still offered to share, but with everyone feeling bad about the hockey puck sized crab cakes he received, we declined. Now on to our order. My date and I both ordered rather pricey meals (and by pricey I mean, expensive for the amount of food we got). First up was our Salad. I actually enjoyed the Caesar salad, or should I say, enjoyed it while it lasted (4 bites). Next was our soup.. It was a pumpkin/turnip soup.. which came out looking like Gerber baby food. I would say it resembled the Gerber baby food carrots in appearance. I was hesitant to try it, but gave it a go.. It turned out to be pretty decent, I just couldn't look at the food as I was feeding it to myself. Next was our main dish. I ordered the Beef Wellington. It came with a small assortment of veggies (like 3 carrots and a piece of broccoli), a small ice cream scoop of mashed potatoes, and about 7 bites worth of beef wellington. After we were done, our waitress brought over a tray of cheesecakes. I declined and just decided to take a bite of my dates. One would think that this dessert came with the meal, as they brought it over and let us pick what we wanted... nope.. $9 per slice.. would have been nice to know they were charging extra for that. The cheesecake was very good though. The comedy club was enjoyable.. The second act was hilarious, which pretty much saved the night. In conclusion, I would recommend trying this restaurant at least once to experience the history and decor and ghosts, but just make sure you aren't starving before you go. Personally, I will never go there to eat again, as it just isn't my style. However, I will definitely return to the comedy club.
(3)Susanna I.
This place is straight out of Gilmore Girls. The town surrounding is adorable (and yes I'm describing a town that way). Every year they host a Charles Dickens Festival with a live nativity scene, caroling, roasted chestnuts and other things a suburbanite rarely sees anymore. It was during this festival that I visited the hotel. I knew little of it other than the fact that it was pricy. I'm so glad that I didn't let the prices scare me away. First of all the staff is amazing. My party had the most polite waiter I've every come across. When we indicated that we didn't really have a lot of questions he seemed almost disappointed. He was bursting with information and pride for the cuisine at the hotel. He probed kindly to see if we knew anything about the dishes and soon we were having a full on and very enjoyable conversation about our options. You receive three course with any entree. Soup then salad then main course. The food its self was delightful. I ordered tea but that was nothing special. They give you a large selection but its just bagged tea. However dessert was AMAZING. My one and only complaint was the restrooms. Its a swanky place but the restrooms have obviously never been updated. The stalls are old and they don't even have the wall mounted soup dispensers. The trash was over flowing and there was opening toilet paper rolls sitting on the floor. It simply didn't match the class of the rest of the establishment. I did check after my meal was over and they had tidied but even then there was a major contrast between the restrooms and the dinning room. Overall a I'd say try it out. The food is worth it!
(4)Jennifer G.
My husband and I went here for our anniversary. The food was great, so was our waiter. However, after we were seated and nearly halfway through our meal, a large party of 15+ people were seated in our area. They were loud, vulgar, and just obnoxious. We had to shout to hear ourselves, which ruins the atmosphere of the hotel and fine dining experience. This group would have been more welcome at Shark's Club or Applebee's. The train that went past outside was a whisper compared to the level of noise. The table behind us also complained. We had originally ordered dessert but asked to have it to go. The owner herself came over and did NOTHING to resolve the issue. We suggested she give us our desserts to go, but our bill came with no desserts. She offered nothing complimentary in order to satisfy the rude and loud behavior of the other guests. She made is clear that our patronage (a table of two) wasn't as important as the patronage of the table of 15+. We left frustrated and angry, as the owner has little customer service skills to handle situations like this.
(3)Papa W.
I have eaten here several times in the past year. Each time I have experienced something interesting. The flavor combinations are strange at times but the food is better than average. I guess I just not too impressed with the dish descriptions as it appears they are trying to impress with overly difficult verbosity and leave out what blend of flavors to expect. The wait staff are very helpful but sometimes you just want a simple beef filet and not some wagyu beef that is supposed to equal if not exceed kobi beef when in reality 95% of diners couldn't tell the difference between wagyu and angus. Overall four stars for just having good tasting food.
(4)juston m.
my friend took me along for an evening of food and comedy. she bought a groupon that included wine, an 8 course chef choice meal and a comedy show. first of all the holly hotel is really quite the looker. the entrance/hostess stand that is still the original check in was super cute. the dining rooms were equally impressive and charming. our meal was worth the price. each course was mouth watering. the nutella dressing on the salad was surprisingly good. the boar shank was melt in the mouth amazing. i was most happy with the fish course which was shark i believe and amazing. after over an hour long meal we were escorted downstairs for a comedy show. this part of the meal i was least looking forward to. i thought the comedians would be horrible. i was wrong. both the guys that night were funny and on point. even the hecklers couldn't phase them. the drinks downstairs, although a little more expensive were strong. i think the holly hotel has a great thing going. its a hike, but really a total night out. love, juston
(4)Debbie Z.
Beautiful hotel and restaurant. The service is great, the food is delicious, and the beauty of it all knocks your socks off!!!! :-) When my brother died and was buried in Holly at the VA cemetary we had lunch at this hotel. Invited all the guests and family members to partake. The bill was not all that bad, of course, liquor was not included (or the bill would have been extremely high) due to this being a somber event. Easy to find and while you are there take a mini tour of the place.
(5)David G.
My wife and I visited the Hotel for the first time this past weekend for a much needed Date Night. We had reservations for 7:15pm which was a good thing because the place was packed. The ambiance was good but a little crowded. The food was outstanding, we were both very happy to have found a local place with fine dining as compared to some of the other local options which fall very short. Our waitress Kristin was great, she was funny, and kept us both laughing and pleased throughout our meal. The entire experience impressed the both of us enough that we immediately signed up for the Dining Club membership and cannot wait for another date night to roll around!
(5)Connie G.
This is so worth a trip up to Holly, we went during the Historic Holly Days weekend, and had tea with a large group. The Food was excellent, and the service was wonderful. The tea was very yummy. I plan on coming back again with my family to enjoy this quaint tea house.
(4)Ken F.
Food and service were both excellent. It's upscale cuisine but jeans are fine. It is a little pricey, but if you buy their club membership you get 20% off. The club is $59 but the send you a $59 gift card with your membership. It's a great deal if you live in the area. Unfortunately, we are a bit too far to be regulars. The only issue my wife had with the place was the decor. It's "historic" but seemed just old in some respects. My issue... don't know what is up with staff "parler-ing" in French when they greet you. It's not a French restaurant. No escargots or brie on the menu. Just sayin'.
(5)R U.
I've read reviews on other sites that have been very critical of the Holly Hotel's food quality and service. Could not agree less! The service is excellent: attentive, professional, yet friendly. Food is creative, and flavorful. Serving portions more than enough, considering that an excellent soup and salad are included with the entrée. Pricey? Yes. But, unique experience. Also, they offer a nice list of fairly-priced wines. It is off the beaten path; but, worth the drive. PS. supposedly it is haunted; and, I did have a "brush" with the supernatural.
(4)Teri F.
Great place to eat and see a comedy show. I had my husband's 50th birthday party there and the service was great! Class act for sure.
(4)Sasha P.
I went to the Historic Holly Hotel on kind of a different occasion. It was for a "Blues, Booze, and BBQ" Festival. It was pretty awesome! I'm not sure if the chef from the Holly Hotel was the one cooking the BBQ but it was some of the most delicious, juiciest and tender meats I've had. On the menu was BBQ Chicken, Beef Brisket, Baby Back Ribs, Pulled Pork, Baked Beans, Potato Salad, Coleslaw, and Cornbread. Yes, I did try everything. And everything was fabulous. My favorites were the BBQ Chicken, Pulled Pork, and Potato Salad. The chef had his flavors right on! He also set out an assortment of 4 different flavored sauces: traditional, sweet, spicy, or tangy. I recommend mixing the sweet and spicy! The dessert and wine menu were amazing. We ordered a bottle each of a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz and a "Black Sheep" Pinot Noir. As for desserts, the Creme Brulee is a must! I tried the Smore Cheesecake which was good but not great. The Festival had seating outside so that we could listen to the Blues band. However, I went inside the Holly Hotel and it is completely styled in old-fashioned and country decore. They have truly kept the historic factor of this hotel. They don't have a set of matching dishware... every plate, cup, teapot is different from the next. Kinda quirky but I like it. The menu offers an array of food items. From duck, salmon, tuna, lobster, steak, salads and soups... You will not have a hard time finding something to eat here. However, it is pricey so beware of the $20-30 entrees! For it's cozy atmosphere, quirky dishware, and historic ambiance, I'd love to just have tea at the Holly Hotel. And plus, I hear it's haunted...
(4)J F.
Had Groupon and went. My boyfriend and I both had the beef wellington as the main course and appetizers. The appetizers were good. The Beef Wellington was terrible. It was a big hunk of beef covered with a pastry. When you cut into the beef, it was like you were sawing through it and when you went to eat it, it had the texture of saw dust. We really wanted to like it. The atmosphere is cool though.
(3)Alton G.
The hotel itself is beautiful. We went around Christmas, and it was quaint and decorated nicely. We started with wine/appetizers at our table and then went downstairs for a comedy act. The act itself was horrible, but we aren't going to let that detract from the rating. If you are Holly, it is worth a visit, but I wouldn't drive really far to get there.
(4)Megan K.
Quite a pricey little place, but, well worth it. My husband and I are club members. For $59 a year, you get 2 free dinners, 20 comedy passes and 20% off future meals. It's definitely worth it if you go even a few times a year. If you can't and are just curious, this is still one of the restaurants on restaurant.com where you can get a discounted dining certificate. The first time I went, the hubs and I ate in the boxcar room. It's a small little room that has about four tables. It was the perfect place for our first date. And yes, as you can see, we are now married. He lured me in with good food...The second time, we were seated upstairs in the same room the former president ate. Dimly lit with a nice atmosphere. The staff is nice also. Comedy shows are great, except a bit crowded if you go to the early show. It's hard to move between people because the tables and chairs are really close. Comedians I have seen there more than once are Mike Evitts and Kris Shaw, really funny guys. Nathan Kranzo does awesome comedy and magic and Andy Beningo and Andrew O'Neal were great too. If you want to impress someone or want a nice quiet meal, go here and reserve the boxcar room.
(5)Marianna Z.
Had a $50 Groupon for the Holly Hotel this evening, unfortunately it was disappointing. Great waiter Robert was very informative, the soup and salad courses were good. The entree was not well made at all. My husband had the duck - I had the salmon. Would not recommend it.
(2)Andrew M.
Expensive but worth it. I'm cheap by nature, and don't really like to spend tons of money on food that will be unrecognizable within hours. However, the atmosphere and food at the Holly Hotel were worth the ridiculous prices for a romantic anniversary dinner. Supposedly it's haunted but I am skeptical of the supernatural...and it turns out our waitress was too. So much for perpetuating the myth. I had the 6-course lobster special (so much for saving money) and my wife had the beef wellington. Both were extremely delicious and well-presented. Give this place a try if you have a special occasion to celebrate or extra money burning a hole in your pocket. Either way you'll enjoy the experience.
(5)Andrew S.
I'm from California, so my taste for fine dining is rather high in expectations. I came here for dinner for both a nice and tasty dining experience. Entering the doors through the historical Holly Hotel is like entering a time capsule and being catapulted into the early 1900s or in some cases your own Grandma's house. The lighting is dim, with candles lit at each table. We decided to order the chef's prix-fixed menu which consisted of 8 courses specially selected from the Chef. Let me tell you at $55 that was a steal, compared to other prix-fixed meals I've ordered. While this by no means is a Michelin style restaurant, the food was definitely up to par. Their bread rolls were delicious, but we made sure not to go too crazy on them to prepare ourselves for the meal. *First course was an amuse-bouche consisting of a warm pate over a sweet scone. The pate had a nice buttery flavor mixing well with the sweet warm scone. Second course was a creamy mushroom soup with a nice smooth creamy texture and an easy taste served just at the right temperature. *Third course was a simple salad that added a refreshing zing to a creamy soup. The salad was dressed in a light lime vinaigrette. *Fourth course was a fish dish, seared on the outside and nice and buttery on the inside. *Fifth course was a watermelon sorbet to clean the palate for the next dish. While the sorbet was still icy, I give credit to the chef for preparing it out of scratch. *Sixth course was a cut of Australian lamb chop, seasoned just right and seared to perfection. Just a great taste overall. *Seventh course was a cheese platter with a brush of mustard. *Last but not least the eighth course was a chocolate mouse sprinkled with sea salt. A great way to end a great meal.
(4)Kelly B.
The Historic Holly Hotel is somewhere that you are not likely to find much of a local crowd. This is one of the longest standing continual services hotels in the Midwest. There are no more rooms for rent (as far as I know) but the restaurant is a true gem. The food is quite pricey, but very well prepared and presented. The service is outstanding and really makes you feel like you are special. This is a great place to come for a special occasion or celebration, just don't bring too many people or you may break the bank!
(4)Wanda L.
The Historic Holly Hotel is definitely an off the beaten path find. Holly is a small town out in the country, but it's worth the trip to visit this place. I love, love, love doing/finding interesting new things and places. After much internet research for weekend events, I found that they were holding a comedy night there which I certainly did not expect out in Holly. I would suggest checking their website for the latest promotions and all the food and entertainment events that they hold. We got a BOGO on the $12 cover by printing a page off the website. There is no option to purchase tickets online and a reservation had to be called in for the comedy show. The guy on the phone who took ours was fast and friendly. On the night of the show (we chose to attend the last one at 10:30pm on Saturday 7/17/10), the BF and I arrived a little early and the staff was very, very friendly and gave us the option to sit at the bar or on the cool old highback antique loveseat in the dining room where the bar was situated in. The decor is preserved true to form from way back in the day (late 1800's) and gave us a lot to look at and admire during our wait. They also piped in some old-time, low music which rounded out the whole feel of the place. I'm a person who likes old stuff so all the better. Another small group arrived after us and sat at the bar and we eavesdropped while the female bartender was regaling them with stories of the famed Holly Hotel ghosts. The comedy club is in the basement and I was a little worried because of the small group of people in attendance (about 16 and way less than half of what they space looked like it could hold), but the staff grouped everyone so that we were all intimately close to the stage and each other. There seemed to be more people at the earlier 8:30pm show judging by the amount that I saw leaving. Out of the 3 comedians, the first was not so funny, but the next two made the night worth it. I forget their names, but they were youngish (early to mid-30's) and performed edgy/nerdy, but relatable comedy that had a little bit of sex and cursing involved, but appropriate for those who are married, had kids a/or were in relationships. I like ghetto comedy too so their sets were pretty tame in comparison. There is a 2 drink minimum per table and the male server was attentive and friendly as well. The white chardonnay I ordered was good. The BF had a couple of bottles of import beer. You pay for your cover with the final bill that also includes the drinks, by the way. The comedy space was basic (not as decorated and to period as the upstairs was), but cool nonetheless. The women's bathroom on that floor left a lot to be desired, however, in terms of looks, smell and cleanliness. In all fairness I have seen A LOT worse. I would have liked to have seen a slight bit more 'cush' and interest considering the rest of the place, but then I am known to be a weird admirer of nice/cool bathrooms. This may not have been the case with the others in the establishment, but that's still TBD. :-) I really look forward to going back to the Holly Hotel. Especially for dinner, lunch or tea one day soon or dinner and a show afterwards. I have to say it is definitely a place to have an intimate, romantic dinner whether you're just starting to date a special someone or maybe celebrating an anniversary of some sort. Lots of low lighting and sweet vibes going on. I can only give a four star review because I have not had their food yet, but based on the other reviews it sounds like I won't be disappointed. Again, many kudos to all of the staff there. Everyone was so nice and accomodating.
(4)