GRIND | kitchen + bar — Restaurant in Sarnia

We thought we’d try something different than our usual place we take our out of town guests to. Unfortunately we were extremely disappointed. We had a reservation and they sat us inside where it was uncomfortably warm. Maybe the air conditioner was broken? Not sure but it was really uncomfortable in 32 degree weather. We ordered several cocktails to start- a jalepeno margarita , strawberry mojito, mules and they all tasted off. As if they just used the bar lime from the bar tap to make a $12 drink. Even the mule didn’t taste like it was made with ginger beer. We ordered appies right away which took over an hour to arrive to the table. Two tables beside us who arrived after had their appies and dinner before we did. Our waitress disappeared for 20 minutes so we waited without drinks- had to go to the bar finally and ask to be served and ask where our food was. Another server attended to us briefly, got us a beer and we asked if we could get the appies we ordered and cancel the dinner - but he said they have already started on the dinner and the appies were coming soon- an hour later they arrived. We were so upset and disappointed at the whole experience. There were two couples who we brought out with us and were excited for a good meal and night out. When we finally did get our food- it was good- but not great. Pad Thai was horrible. Wouldn’t recommend. The manager took a drink off our bill to make it better . Thanks but we will never recommend or come back to your restaurant again. Suggestion for this place- have a bar tender to prepare the servers drinks. As an experienced waitress- I thought it was ridiculous for the waitresses to wait on tables and then have to go behind the bar and make all the drinks. Your restaurant would run more smoothly if you had one bar tender behind the bar. This was definitely one of the reasons why the service was so poor. Also, put on the air conditioner so the two hour wait for dinner would be...

We had a private afternoon wedding celebration for our son and daughter in law, who had gotten married out of province and we wanted to have a local party.

On short notice Melissa offered her venue at The Grind. We had booked another venue and The Grind was going to cater. When we found out just a month before the celebration that the original venue had double booked our date and left us hanging, Melissa was our guardian angel and saved the day by offering to host the venue at her restaurant.

It was nothing short of perfect! And was way better than the original venue ever would have been!

It was a casual chic event. Everyone mingled on the patio and within the restaurant. Super easy going atmosphere.

THE FOOD was amazing. Numerous appetizers rolled out in waves as the servers, including Christine, (Melissa’s mom) mingled and engaged with the guests as they brought their trays of delicious goodies. This went on for three hours! It was fabulous. No one left hungry.

Ben, the bartender, was so much fun and so personable. There is a genuine love of working there amongst the team. You just feel it and it shows in their quality of service and food.

We have been to The Grind many times. This was our first private event. We felt very privileged to host an event there and we can’t thank Melissa and her team enough for their professionalism...

My companion, Dave and I had dinner at The Grind last night. Dave had the chicken Parmesan and I had the gnocchi. Both were scrumptious. Laura was our server and she could not have been more sincere, personable, helpful, and efficient. I had ordered my dish with shrimp, and this was initially forgotten, and when Laura realized that she had forgotten to include the shrimp, (an understandable lapse of memory that anyone could experience at the end of a busy evening), she provided it at no charge. Now THAT is excellent customer service! We were also assisted by Mallory, who is a wonderful people-person, and who added to the pleasure of our evening. Dave and I sat at a table next to the kitchen where we were awed and entertained by the team work, organization and efficiency of the gentlemen preparing the food and where I also noticed their excellent food handling which added to my feeling of safety eating there. Dave and I intend to return to The Grind this weekend with some friends from out of town so that they, too, can experience the wonderful atmosphere, food, and...