Review-The Gris (17 out of 25)

After visiting "The Gris" during a January trip and having had the chance to spend the nite as well as testing the new Wine and Tappas Bar much to my own almost critical acclaim I finally had the chance to check out The Gris for dinner along with a friend from Norway this past March. Having on this particular evening, a Friday as matter of fact, the taproom next door almost ready to explode with energy and the dining room at 8pm already packed and full of boisterous persons ready to dine in a handsome colonial setting, we were charged and ready for a fine dinner.

The restaurant for mid winter was basically full and smelled of garlic mashed potatos and the hearth, crackling and giving smells of times past. We were seated alongside a wall to the far left corner and not far from the fireplace and this is where we sat... and sat and sat... we waited and waited and waited only to be told by the another member of the waitstaff "I will tell your server"... Finally we were read the the menu by a relatively friendly "server" and we opted for the prime rib and filet mignon. Then... we waited and waited and waited and... well you get the picture. I downed my Samuel Adams lager and...waited.. and so on. Only when our dinners arrived did we have the chance to order a new round of water and Samuel Adams. It was at this point that I felt obliged to explain to my friend that the taproom is great... excuses...excuses I thought.

My prime rib, medium rare done was very good. A mash of pepper root and other was excellent, baked potato was, well a baked potato. All in all tasty and cuttable with a fork. On the other hand my friend received a well done piece of meat that more resembled a shoe than a cut of meat. He sent it back after I instructed him to do so..."look you are paying for it.. order a new one.." I took the honor and told the server..."this shoe is well done.." they apologized after giving a few excuses and within a few minutes came back with another cut, this one delivered by the manager. Nice touch... the cut looked better and I was told it was "good". With that we finished our meal and opted to enjoy the taproom that was already filled to the roof.

All in all a nice place to dine, however the diner crowd, a mix of locals and out of towners, elderly well dressed persons and those with families and those who would be believe that jeans and a NY Giants t shirt was appropriate for a nite out. To give a fair review I have the following notes below.




RATINGS KEY:
SCALE:1-POOR/Check out other places, 3 "ok" to 5-Highly Recommended
Price: (1)up to 15.00 person, (2) 15.01 - 25.00 person, (3) 25.01-35.00 person, (4)- 35.01-50.00 person
(5) Over 50.00 person

Price: Includes Main Course, tax & tip. (drinks, appetizers, deserts not included).

Dining

                                                                

Food (quality & presentation)	3
Variety	3
Service	2
Beverage Selection	5
Atmosphere	4
Price (not factored into scoring)	3

Summary:
Maybe enforce a "business dress casual or no t-shirt" rule and perhaps purchase cuts of meat that have more flavor. The Gris has tried several times to offer better quality food but has missed on each occassion with the exception of the Wine and Tappas bar as they can create small tasty portions. A baked potato should be more interesting that a tired purchased from Super Stop and Shop variety. The servers could be a little better at well...serving. Will I try it again? Dinner...no, the taproom.. we shall see in another review.