Hard Stones Grill — Restaurant in North Grenville

I’m not one to post reviews but I was so disappointed in our visit on Boxing Day that it just needs to be shared. We visited the restaurant at roughly 5pm on Boxing Day only because it was there or the family restaurant and I wanted some spinach dip. Our hostess and waitress were both great, polite and friendly, but the food… oh my god the food - and not in a good way. The spinach dip should’ve been the first warning. The dip itself was very tasty, hot, everything you’d want but the bread it comes with was burnt and so hard you could barely chew it and threw off the taste of everything, so thankfully it also came with normal chips to help enjoy. Our main courses though were the real kicker here. My partner ordered the nacho fries, the main component being French fries rather than chips and they were so over cooked it made his entire dish taste like burnt fries. I myself ordered the chicken Caesar wrap and only about 1/3 of the wrap had any chicken in it, the rest was filled with a sour lettuce soaked in too much dressing which was disappointing, but I upgraded my fries to the garlic parmesan fries that normally come with the steak frites and I was curious what they’d be like and they also were so beyond overcooked it was nearly inedible and where was the garlic parm? They got doused in some parmesan cheese but it had all fallen under the fries, but nothing could’ve truly saved the fries from being overcooked.

Overall this meal was absolutely NOT worth the $75 it cost me (before the tip) and just reassured me on why I haven’t been to hardstones in a very long time and probably will not be back. We paid and kept the disappointment to ourselves because of the holiday, but it still comes up in conversation on how much of a waste it was when neither of us could even...

We stopped by Hard Stones Grill in Kemptville for a late dinner, arriving just under an hour before closing. We were kindly greeted and directed to the bar, where PHIL, the BAR MANAGER welcomed us with such warmth and sincerity, it instantly set the tone for a relaxed and comfortable evening.

The food was truly satisfying:

The salad was fresh and clean—simple and refreshing.

The Baby Back Ribs were lean, tender, and flavorful, grilled exactly how we asked—rib fest quality without a doubt

The baked beans and mac & cheese were both delicious. The beans had a smoky richness, while the mac & cheese was creamy and smooth, striking that gourmet comfort food balance.

The restaurant itself is a spacious, well-appointed sports bar with comfortable seating throughout.

What also deserves special mention is the pristine condition of the restrooms. Each of the three cubicles was stocked with two rolls of soft, double-ply toilet paper—a small but thoughtful detail that speaks volumes, especially to women who often face frustrating dispensers that tear easily and leave bits of paper scattered on the floor. That level of care is much appreciated.

We came for a meal and left with an experience that felt genuinely welcoming. While the food and setting were great, it was PHIL’s warm and personable service that made it more memorable.

As I always say, #BecauseServiceMatters 💯

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Title: Disappointing Experience at Hard Stones Grill

Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)

I recently dined at Hard Stones Grill and unfortunately, the overall experience left much to be desired. While the food was satisfactory, the slow service and lack of uniqueness in the menu were significant drawbacks.

Upon arrival, my party and I waited for a considerable amount of time before we were attended to by a waiter. It took approximately 10 minutes for the staff to bring us menus, which felt quite excessive considering the restaurant was not overly crowded. Once we were finally able to peruse the menu, we eagerly awaited the waiter's return to take our order. However, this process was further delayed, leaving us feeling neglected and frustrated.

The biggest issue, however, was the extensive waiting time for our food to arrive. Exceeding 30 minutes in total, the wait felt excessive and became a significant inconvenience. It was disappointing to see such a prolonged delay, particularly when the restaurant wasn't overly busy.

Regarding the food itself, I found it to be average in terms of taste and presentation. While it was not bad, it lacked the unique flavors and innovative combinations that one might expect from a restaurant trying to stand out in a competitive culinary scene. The menu appeared to be rather generic, offering dishes that were unremarkable and could be found in numerous similar establishments.

In conclusion, my experience at Hard Stones Grill was marred primarily by the slow service and the lack of culinary distinction. The extended waiting times detracted from what could have been an enjoyable...