Redwoods Grill & Bar — Restaurant in Chester

It truly saddens me to have to update my review in the unfavorable direction, especially considering I have been coming to Redwoods with my family and friends for years and up to this point, have never had a single incident even remotely impact my stellar experience here. I'll preface this post by saying that I do intend to return to Redwoods, because I always believe in giving a second chance. I've been meaning to put in a call but thought that perhaps I would be able to more effectively explain my (and my family's) experience in writing, since I know Sean and the good folks supervising are class acts and are very responsive to their customers’ reviews. We made reservations to take my dad out on Father's Day (Sunday, June 17th). As always, I was greeted on the phone by a very professional and courteous employee when I made my reservation and we were all so excited to return once again to our favorite place, the Redwoods. When we arrived for dinner at 4:30pm, the always-gracious and smiling Bryan looked up our reservations and we were led to our table by a young lady who off the bat seemed rather cold in her demeanor (not a very friendly energy), who proceeded to seat us by a more "high traffic" area toward the front of the restaurant. Since it was earlier in the evening, there were very few customers in the restaurant, so we thought it would be reasonable to ask her if we could be seated more toward to back where it would be a little more quiet once things picked up later in the evening. She seemed a bit put off by our request but led us to the back where she rather robotically handed us our menus and seated us, still with a rather unfriendly "vibe" emanating (no smile, very cold). Typically, the hosts/hostesses on duty are always very warm, welcoming, and professional, but sadly, that was certainly not the case this time. We tried to brush it off and just enjoy our time- our waiter (a younger gentleman) was excellent and on the ball, so it seemed like it would be a good time after all. The food was outstanding as always (Chef never disappoints!) and all was going very well until we observed what appeared to be the hostess (the same young lady who'd seated us) talking about our table to one of the waitresses on duty, as well as one of the younger employees who was bussing/serving bread. Of course, these things are always "subjective"...I could not actually hear what the hostess was saying but I did observe she and the waitress glance over at our table while appearing to indiscreetly "chat". When the waitress noticed that we noticed, she walked toward the back and after that, did not look in our direction. I cannot emphasize enough how uncharacteristic this is of the high-caliber service I have come expect and deeply value from the Redwoods, and while I cannot prove that the hostess was actually speaking negatively in line of sight about our table, it certainly appeared that way and made our party very uncomfortable, and honestly ruined what should have been such a special dinner celebrating our dad. It is my hope that I can return to Redwoods and once again experience what I typically have always experienced in the past: top-notch service all the way around. If it would not have been for the hostess's demeanor, and sophomoric and highly unprofessional behavior, our evening would have been perfect. The hosts are the "faces" and first impression of your restaurant. They have the ability to make or break a patron's experience. If this had been my first time at Redwoods, I may never have returned; however, being such a long time patron and such a fan, I do want to give it another shot. Thank you very much for taking the time...

I had decided to surprise my mom on her birthday night, by taking both her and my dad out to celebrate, to which I selected Redwood's Grill & Bar as my choice after reading the great reviews. Without rambling on, I am just going to outline the things I saw and experienced while we were there that makes this review just one star: We asked for 3 waters, 2 beers and a glass of wine but we never got the waters, the beers game out when our food did and the glass of wine was not chilled - We waited 45 minutes for our appetizer, a plate of calamari which were lukewarm and simpler of a plate than Chili's - I ordered medium for my burger and got well-done, my father got 3 pieces of rack of lamb and paid an arm and a leg, and my mother got a small plate of seafood with an atrocious price range as well - We were asked if we wanted bread when any normal restaurant serves bread without asking - When I stated to the waitress my disappointment in the meals, the waiting time and the fact that this was all for my mom's birthday her response was "When I asked if everything was okay, she should have said something" with a sarcastic tone then walking away. That very same night I called and spoke to the manager on for that night, explaining to him all that happened. He apologized and stated that he will be sending something to our address as a way of apologizing on their behalf, hoping we come back. A month later, I receive a letter in the mail with my address and just my first name prior to it....it was a letter from the manager with a gift card. The card read: "...It is always our goal to give people a great experience and since yours was not, I have enclosed a gift card for 6.99 so you can come back and get a belated birthday present. Hope to see you soon - Signed the manager" - Also enclosed was a folded up menu with absolutely NO section for a desert, but that is beside the point. How cheap much an upper-class restaurant be, to offer a gift card of 6.99 for desert when my family and I that night spend over $100 on the entirety of our meals and were still unsatisfied???? It is extremely rude, disrespectful and cheap - We will surely not be returning but the gift card will, via mail. I highly recommend to go elsewhere and spend that kind of money on a good meal with good service and personnel that are more considerate about their customers. This restaurant may seem that they do, but a gift card for $6.99 shows otherwise. It is a slap in the face. I have already told my family, friends and co-workers to never step foot into your location and trust me, my family and I will...

Where should I begin? One of the most horrible experiences at a restaurant I have ever had, and one of the shortest. My mum and I went to Redwood Grill for an early dinner and drinks and wanted to sit outside. There were only three tables being used in the whole place inside and only one of 10+ tables outside. Yet for some reason the hostess or whatever title the rude, snarky, haughty, troll was supposed to have, was only offering us seats right next to the fence which was against the parking lot, no more than 5ft from the cars. Now I would understand if they had no table available... but really. When we said we didn't want any next to the fence she scoffed at us. They don't have any two tops anywhere else and she "wanted to save the 4 tops for a larger party". Umm I'm not sure what restaurant she was working at but it was dead and it was still really early so I can't imagine such a huge dinner crowd coming any time soon. It went back and forth but she REFUSED to seat us there, or we could have a two-top inside. Too many bad omens so we just said fine we will leave at which point that "woman", I kid you not said "fine you bitches", I'm assuming thinking we couldn't hear but I assure you we could. Disgusted, horrified, and flat out appalled. That kind of language is unacceptable at any point, but especially towards patrons. We are bothering to come to your restaurant, and you think you can treat us like dirt and still get business? Delusional. Good job loosing a...