grano — Restaurant in City of Schenectady

I wanted to enjoy this place, but there were too many misfires. It started with my group of 4 being seated in the back room that had a party of 20 or so going on (very noisy and not appreciated since I was with my very elderly parents) when there were many other tables for 4 available. Next was the mistake on the cocktail that was ordered with a cherry garnish but they chose to serve it with an orange (without asking) because the waitress said they were out of cherries. (Anyone who understands cocktails would never make this substitution without asking first). The Salads were being enjoyed (quite good - from what I ate) when the fatal error occured. The entrees were served literally within 2 minutes of receiving the salads. It ruined the entire (hopefully enjoyable) evening because they couldn't get basic restaurant timing correct (and the server blamed the Kitchen ???). We stopped eating the salads so the main course wouldn't get cold. 3 out of 4 of us were underwhelmed. The Haddock Milanese was particulary bad. It was described as a fresh haddock filet with tomatoes in a wine/lemon/butter sauce. What I was served was 2 deep fried (probably frozen pre-made) haddock fish sticks with a topping of canned diced tomatoes.

When I let the server and manager know how their mistakes have ruined what I hoped would be enjoyable night out with my elderly parents, they apologized, offered a free dessert, but nothing more. I informed them we were not interested in dessert and the manager said she would make things rights.

Next thing I know (literally 2-3 minutes later) we are presented with the bill, before we had even eaten out meals. And, there was no discount or recognition of their multiple mistakes. When I asked the Host why were were given the bill, his only response was "You embarrassed the Waitress".

Really?????

What a miserable evening in what I was hoping would be another restaurant to add the...

Myself, my husband and two other couples had reservations for six PM last evening for dinner before the show at Proctors. We arrived before six and were seated and the third couple arrived just after six. Drinks and appetizer orders were made as well as entrees at the same time. The appetizers came out in a timely manner although my husband and I did not get ours. Then the wait began. At 7:20 (the show begins at 8:00) I caught our servers eye and tapped my watch. She came over and told us that the order had gone in at 6:42 and would be out soon. At 7:30 we once again expressed our dismay and she informed us that an hour and a half was normal for a "show night" and that she had no idea when the food would come out but we could have it boxed up to which one of our party exclaimed "how can you box up what isn't there?" We told her we had been there several times on a show night and never had experienced such a delay. She then informed us that there was also a banquet in progress and that instead of 100 people there were 200. When one of us went to the front and asked to see a manger, we were informed there was no manager on duty. At 7:40 our server informed us the food would be out in five minutes and would we like it boxed. And do what with it was our reply. We then decided to simply leave with no dinner at which point one of us asked another waitress if there was a manager to which she replied "of course!" I'll get her. The end of this debacle is that they did not charge us for the drinks or the two appetizer but I assure you the waitress (whom I will not cast aspertions on) was well tipped. Let's just say we will not be going back before the next show. They have an obligation to make sure they can handle the volume they are taking on and not leave people...

The good & bad at Grano.

Well let’s start with some good things, it’s in a great location. Downtown right next to Proctors, if you’re going to a show all you have to do is walk a few steps to the theater. Also the location itself is very nice. Large dining room, very nice bar, when it’s nice outside they open the doors in front to enjoy the nice weather. They also have a lot of space for private events, I’ve been to several and it’s always a great time.

Now for the bad, we ordered “The Meatballs” appetizer, comes with ricotta and crispy bread. The good thing about it was the classic red sauce was good. The bad was the meatballs themselves. I can honestly say they were maybe the worst meatballs I’ve ever had. I’m used to meatballs you break apart with a fork, with these your fork bounced back like a rubber ball. I could barely cut into them with the butter knife, I almost asked for a steak or bread knife. Then when you eat them, afterwards you’re spitting out little pieces of parsley like popcorn kernels, all stuck in your teeth. Not to pile on, but the “crispy bread” was so salty it was hard to eat.

The good/bad continues with the entrees. First the good, the Chicken Francese was very good, and they use homemade pasta and you can taste the difference. The bad was the Rigatoni in Vodka Sauce. Most vodka sauce have that orange kind of color to it, this one was all white, like they put way too much cream when making it. After a few bites I felt bloated immediately.

All in all its a nice atmosphere, I’d go back, the service was very good, our waitress Jilly was amazing. If I do go back I’d just stick to red sauce or try the NY Steak, they offer it at an...