Ray's Wine Spirits Grill — Restaurant in Clayton

Really disappointed in the downhill I saw tonight with Ray’s. We hadn’t visited in probably a year or so, and decided to go here to celebrate a birthday dinner. I had made reservations for our party of 6. 4 adults 2 young kids 6 and 4. Got to our table just a few mins early for our reservation. It was not busy at all maybe only 3 or 4 tables there all at different phases in their stay. I should have known what lack of service there was going to be when we had been sitting more than 10 mins and all we had gotten was menus and a pitcher of water. Placed our drink orders finally. I was the ordered a margarita. Another at least 10 minutes passes and by the time the server made her way back to us to get our food orders I had to ask her again where was my drink I was still waiting on it. If I had known at this point how long a wait would be on food I should have ordered more alcohol but then again, I would be waiting for my drink too. Anyways, we order our meals. Simple grilled cheese for the kids and 3 pizzas and one sandwich for adults. We had ordered a good 40 plus minutes I would say and we’re looking around wondering why is it taking so long. By this point a table has cashed out and left, a new table sat down and other tables had been done with their food. It was not busy at all at 7:40 pm on a Tuesday night. Finally the server comes over to the table to tell us they were out of the meatloaf for the Cuban pizzas. You mean you’re just not informing us this 40 plus minutes after we ordered?!! I almost wanted to just ask for the check and leave but we said fine to one pizza without and I changed my order to a different pizza. But at this time it’s going on 8 pm, we are all hungry, the kids are beyond limit of sitting in their seats at the table and want their food. Now whether there is miscommunicarion between the servers and kitchen staff I’m not sure but the fact we thought we were waiting on food to come out and it hadn’t even been started yet was just frusterating. Finally 20 minutes later a guest in our party approached the server asking how much longer and funny how within minutes after that our food all came out. Oh and before this, we never were asked about any drink refills and had to walk up to bar just to get water pitcher refilled to at least have water at the table.

Honestly the food was good but the service just was lacking. Also, we had our empty app plates sitting on the table forever but yet the dishwasher guy decided the moment the server was at our table informing us of being out of something and asking us what we wanted to do was the time for him to interupt her and ask us about picking up plates. She had to literally tell him to go away that now wasn’t the time to try to pick up our plates she was speaking to us.

I know everywhere is struggling with staffing and I have patience and understanding but there was NO sense of urgency with service. By the time we got our food I just wanted the kids to eat and packed up our food so we could get home to get them in bed and just eat my...

SECOND EDIT: Went back to Ray's last evening, and had a Rueben, amazing, the clam chowder, amazing, a house salad, amazing, and the home made coleslaw, amazing. The service was wonderful, and a kind older man who used to be a math teacher at Beavercreek High School made all the kids balloon animals! All in all, it was a 10 out of 10.

The food was amazing, and supposedly it is all organic. The wine selection was terrific also. Be prepared to wait a while, because the service is slow, at least it was at 14:30 on Saturday. I cant wait to go back and try the Reuben!

EDIT: Came here last night and had to take a star away because of the pitiful Bolognese (picture attached). The Bolognese I expected on a pappardelle or tagliatelle pasta, but when it came out on fettuccini, I figured OK, well maybe the sauce is good. Boy was I disappointed! Sauce was watery, and just marinara. No components of a Bolognese like carrots, onions, celery, etc. I didnt taste a bay leaf, or nutmeg like in most preparations. It was bland and had no specific flavor, except a slight bitterness from the tomato seeds. The "Tony's Style" was supposed to have chorizo and chopped up pepperoni, and all it had was big slices of pepperoni that were still mostly stuck together from the package. My wife had the seafood trio, and it was pretty good, but wasn't complex in flavor. The fig pizza was incredible, and the salmon quesadilla was wonderful also. I just cant give them a 5 star after...

I’m really torn on this review whether to give it three stars four stars or five stars so I’ll meet in the middle on four.

Here’s the good news. The food is pretty decent for the price. I thought it was a good value. My wife got the Bolognese and I got the salmon club. Normally would order salmon club, but that’s what the waitress recommended is one of the most popular items. Don’t know if I would order it again, but I did enjoy it. It was nice to get something different. my wife got the Bolognese. She seemed like it. There was enough of it on the portion size to bring home some leftovers which she’s a fan of so that’s bonus points.

As far as the drinks go, this place has an incredible section draft and also offer a wine that you can even take to go. It’s pre-portioned and mason jars. My wife is a big fan. It also comes with chocolate cheese and crackers, which is more bonus points.

Service was a little lacking our waitress overwhelmed like she had maybe 10 tables or so. Try not to hold that against her. We weren’t offered until the end of our meal when we were cashing out also when Our food was served. I had to go to the bar to get silverware not a big deal, but it does count against the service.

Or like I said not a big deal, but it hurts The Google review for sure. Overall, I would probably come back and give This place a chance at a five...