The Grand Saloon — Restaurant in Clifton

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely Exceptional Experience at The Grand Saloon!

From the moment I stepped through the doors of The Grand Saloon, I knew I was in for a treat — and wow, did they deliver. This place blends charm, flavor, and genuine hospitality into an experience that’s truly unforgettable.

Food: Let’s start with the star of the show — the food. Every dish was crafted with care and bursting with flavor. You can tell the kitchen here takes pride in what they serve. My meal arrived fresh, piping hot, and plated beautifully. Each bite felt like it had been thoughtfully seasoned and perfectly cooked, from the first forkful to the very last. There’s this balance they’ve struck between rich, comforting flavors and fresh, vibrant ingredients that makes every bite exciting. Whether it’s a main course or a side dish, there’s real consistency in quality — nothing feels rushed or “just thrown together.” It’s evident the chefs have a true passion for their craft.

Service: The staff at The Grand Saloon deserve their own standing ovation. They were friendly, attentive, and genuinely kind from start to finish. Sometimes you can tell when service is just “polite,” but here it feels like they actually care about making your experience enjoyable. They checked in often enough to ensure everything was perfect but never to the point of interrupting the flow of the meal. Their warm, welcoming energy made the whole atmosphere feel even more inviting.

Speed: Another pleasant surprise was how quickly the food arrived. In many restaurants, great food and quick service don’t always go hand in hand — but here, they’ve mastered both. My order was taken promptly, and before I had even finished taking in the scenery (more on that in a second), my meal was on the table. Even with how fast everything came out, nothing tasted rushed or underprepared.

Scenery & Atmosphere: Speaking of the scenery — it’s absolutely stunning. The Grand Saloon offers a setting that’s both cozy and captivating. Whether you’re inside enjoying the vintage yet elegant décor or gazing out at the views, there’s a unique blend of charm and style that makes the place memorable. It’s the kind of atmosphere where you can relax, take your time, and truly savor both the meal and the moment.

Overall: The Grand Saloon isn’t just a place to grab a bite — it’s the kind of dining experience that sticks with you. Between the incredible food, genuinely wonderful staff, quick service, and beautiful scenery, it’s a restaurant that hits every mark. It’s rare to find a place where every aspect feels equally excellent, but The Grand Saloon manages to do it effortlessly.

I’ll absolutely be coming back — not just for the food (though I can’t wait to try more from the menu), but for the feeling this place gives you. You don’t just leave with a full stomach; you leave with a smile and a memory worth keeping.

Highly recommend this spot to anyone looking for a place that delivers on every promise...

First time there. Our server was great. Food was pretty good. My husband had the onion soup and rib eye sandwich which he enjoyed. I had wedge salad which was huge and good (I took half home) and short rib grilled cheese which was tasty but too much arugula and not enough meat. We wanted a leisurely dinner and asked our server to put in our appetizer order first and we would order dinner after we got our appetizers. She said, "they don't really like for us to do that, but I'll do it for you." I kinda thought that we are the customers and we should be able to order at our own pace. I have been to too many restaurants where your entree comes out before you've finished your appetizer. I will definitely go back again to give it another try but they really have to up their game on the "wines by the glass" list. They only offer Barefoot wines by the glass. I ordered a glass of Pinot Grigiot and had to send it back. It was undrinkable; foamy and bubbly. They need to offer some premium wines by the glass. They upscaled the menu, they need to...

Well it's freshly painted.

We had some reservations about the place after the remodel and change in ownership, but it was time to see what they have wrought on Van Houten. Sadly this was not a fruitful endeavor.

To begin, the seating area aside from the bar was loud, to the point of distraction. The room seemed almost designed to amplify the half deaf customers twelve feet away. Fine, it happens.

We order drinks, and quickly ran out of water. It took three tries and thirty minutes to get a new carafe.

Fine, it happens.

The añejo sour was too sour by half. It happens.

The goat cheese fritters were very good, and it seemed things would improve.

They did not. Two very overpriced and dry steak sandwiches, and the paucity of meat and cheese was embarrassing. One dry ribeye grilled cheese, and small. Onion rings were good. Service was okay but not superlative. Bill was high for the experience.

Overall, not worth the prices being charged and not the best atmosphere either. It may be some time...