Pines Bar and Grill — Restaurant in Castle Pines

I genuinely hope for the success of Pines Bar and Grill. The new owner is very nice, and they serve some of the best tandoori chicken I’ve ever had. In fact, all of their Indian dishes are superb, and I wish they offered more. Unfortunately, the service and food quality have been frustratingly inconsistent.

The tandoori chicken plate initially came with two pieces of chicken, a side of pickled onions in chili powder (delicious), naan bread, and small portions of raita and chutney. However, on my last visit, we received only one piece of chicken, no chutney, almost no onions, and blue cheese dressing instead of raita. When we requested raita, the server assured us it would be brought out, but it never arrived. We ended up eating the dish plain—not with the blue cheese (which was unappetizing).

While the servers are friendly, you often find yourself sitting and waiting for 10-15 minutes before they attend to you. When they do show up, they ask if you are ready to order, but there should be a more structured flow to the meal, as you would expect at any restaurant:

Greet new customers with a friendly welcome and leave menus. Bring waters to the table promptly. The server introduces themselves and takes the drink order. Return with drinks and handle the appetizer order if there is one. Ask if there are any questions about the menu and take the food order. Check and refill water glasses as needed. Bring the food with silverware. The server returns to ensure everything is correct.

This process seems standard, but it’s not what you experience here. I’ve visited at least 5-6 times, and it hasn’t improved.

I’ve never received my food with silverware, and on one occasion, we had to walk to the back to get our own. My water glass has never been refilled, and I always have to chase the staff down to pay at the end. I truly hope they continue to strive for...

I read previous recent reviews and hoped they were just angry customers. The bar tender, I think Gino? Horrible. Grumpy, slow, uncaring.

We never received any service without finding an employee to track down. I find this super frustrating as MANY reviews talk about this for months with no observable desire to improve by the establishment.

This is a great venue and close to my house. A friend was playing in a band tonight is why we came.

I had the best grilled cheese I’ve ever had. The fries not so much. It took over 40 minutes to get our food, but I honestly loved it and was worth the wait.

Here is my question/challenge to this place. You have an amazing venue and many people who want to continue to support you. Why do you continue to have poor service? You have numerous reviews giving you advice, many who say they will not come back because of slow service.

I had to go to the bar to get a drink, wait 10+ minutes to finally get Gino to get drinks, get charged $30 for 2 watered down drinks. It just seems you have such a great opportunity to do better.

Your website says you support your community. I don’t see it. You say you support first responders. I am one. I mentioned it and your staff acted offended.

I welcome you contacting me if you want. I really want to love this place and come back.

And a side note, I made a reservation because it was an option online. I thought it might be busy on a Friday night with a band. Walked in, no one talked to us. No open table or hostess....

Met friends at The Pines on Friday, May 9th for drinks and live music. Referral from bartender Laura?? Had met her Thursday and she said band was solid and drinks are flowing. Sat at bar for few minutes and short guy with black hair came over to ask for drink order. Asked about Laura. He rolled his eyes pointed outside and walked away. 🤷‍♂️ Not sure what issue was but not friendly, weak drink and will not return. The bartender outside was having a blast with her friends and when she came through restaurant she saw me and my friends and said hello. I informed her of service at the bar and she said Kaylee is amazing. Not sure why Gino, I guess the short guy was so rude… Usually, he’s very happy. She was not negative at all. We will not be returning as I found out that Laura There’s no longer employed there??? Not sure why you would lose one of your marketing, gurus and leave a bitter short man behind the bar. Server seemed overwhelmed and food was lukewarm. Seems like a great place but… You really need to...