The Grazing Room — Restaurant in Henniker

This was my second time dining at The Grazing Room. The first time was with a few girlfriends, and we had a wonderful experience. Granted, we were the only ones in the restaurant. So, it would have been somewhat bewildering if we hadn't.

However, I made a reservation for Mother's Day for myself, husband, and daughter. We arrived on time and almost immediately there was a significant amount of confusion as to who was actually our server. We had waited nearly 20 minutes to place our drink order, and the bread which was part of the Prix Fixe menu should have been delivered shortly after if not earlier, and it took 30-45 minutes. There were so many inefficiencies with the service staff that it was not only unclear to us, but to the table with spoke with next to us, as to who was supposed to be our server. The cocktails we ordered took 45 minutes + from time of seating to arrival at our table. My daughter's meal (Kid's Chicken Parm) took an hour, and it was overcooked to the point where the chicken was borderline jerky. My husband ordered the Beef Wellington and it was overcooked inside and nearly charred outside. I ordered the "tagliatelle pasta with wild mushrooms and fiddle heads" and I received spaghetti noodles, with what appeared to be baby bellas and nettles. The substitutions were not terrible, but I just would not have ordered it if that's what I knew I was going to get. The worst part I think, is that it was obvious many of the dishes had been sitting under the heat lamp for some time, as anything with a cream base had solidified around the edges as the moisture had evaporated from the heat. The Prixe Fixe menu was $70/person and we walked out of that restaurant spending $250 on one of the worst dinners we've ever had.. OVER two hours after we had initially been seated. We could over hear other tables frustrated after having a similar experience. Sadly, I don't think we'll be back to The Grazing Room, because it's not an inexpensive place to dine - which is fine if it's worth it!! But due to lack of consistency, it's a shame to take such an expensive chance on a place that may or may not provide an experience...

There are some restaurants that you walk away from feeling absolutely blissful — satiated, cared for, indulged. Don’t expect anything close to this from Colby Hill Inn’s Grazing Room. It was the worst dining service experience I’ve had since years before COVID. Until management is overhauled, do NOT waste your time nor money.

The other night I had family in town and so we aimed for a special night out at the Grazing Room. Aside from the biscuits and chowder (which were a delight), there were no praises to be found. Close to $500 later, we had consumed mediocre meals that arrived not as described (I see you rainbow chard vs. the anticipated broccolini) and lacking any sort of gold-level credentials.

I get why it may be. The service industry has been clobbered during and after COVID. Still, what we experienced felt personal as we were belittled as patrons and steamrolled with brash interruptions multiple times throughout the meal. Passive aggressiveness was palpable.

Service was generally slow and haphazard — helicopter parented by the innkeeper himself, who admittedly may have decent sommelier-like knowledge, but rose to grand heights as the rudest and most pretentious server we’ve ever encountered. In fact, the absenteeism you sometimes vibe from a QSR would have been greatly appreciated versus our experience at this “fine” institution. Why he was passing drinks and shuffling plates while not rising as a leader and chief customer ambassador, I can only begin to surmise.

Our conclusion following the dizzying dinner was that the establishment is mismanaged. A love for customers and their needs is antithetical to the current ethos imparted by its leader, who, by the way, didn’t even look up from his smartphone as he uttered a questionably authentic “good evening” as we strolled outside to the beautiful grounds under a near full moon.

If you’re in the area, do yourself a favor and detour to Revival for a light year's better dinner. And a...

WOW, where do I begin to describe such a fantastic dining experience the three of us had on Thanksgiving at The Grazing Room. It was our first time there so we weren't sure exactly what to expect especially because in our decades of dining out we've learned that holidays sometimes cause a restaurant to be pushed to its limits which can sacrifice quality and service. However that was not the case with The Grazing Room at all. Upon entering we immediately were greeted warmly and the entrance way is SO adorable with its little goodies for purchase and adorable coat "room." Our table allowed us to enjoy the wintery scenery and our server was knowledgeable and friendly yet professional and courteous. The meal was without a doubt world-class, and we've eaten at some well known establishments so have a reasonably good knowledge of what qualifies. If you're reading this then you should find a reason to make a reservation here as soon as possible. Personally I venture to say that it was one of the top meals that I've ever had at a restaurant (please see picture of my roast pork with roasted root vegetables attached).

The entire experience from the homemade assortment of breads, and heated plates and bowls to ensure our meals were served hot, to the recently ironed linen table runner and elegant glassware, all came together to make one of the most memorable family restaurant holiday experiences of our lives. I love to cook but as a family we also adore a relaxing holiday meal out because we can enjoy each other without us fighting in the kitchen and me ending up exhausted and at my wits end at the end of the evening.

This is truly a destination restaurant and those considering visiting The Grazing Room at Colby Hill Inn should take the leap of faith. We did and are better for it! Our deepest gratitude goes out to everyone who is part of the team that made our Thanksgiving dinner so memorable at The...