Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen — Restaurant in Kennett Square

Maybe our mistake was coming on a holiday (New Year’s Day), but our experience was not a positive one. After spending some time at Longwood we decided to get some dinner in town. I figured Grain would be a good spot since I tried the Grain in Newark and had a positive experience, but sadly this was not the case. When we arrived we noticed it wasn’t very busy and we were seated quickly. Our server was nice and took our drink order and then came back and took our meal order...I ordered the Cubano and boyfriend got the French dip...a few minutes after she took our order, our server came back and told us they were “out of the cubano”...umm ok...I ended up ordering the cheesesteak which they had. We were also told they were out of their free potato chips so we could order a side off the menu...so we both ordered fries figuring they would be free since they were out of the free side of chips. I also overheard the bartender tell other patrons they were pretty much out of all their fish as well...maybe if your menu was that bare, you should’ve just taken a half day instead of disappointing your patrons? So after waiting over a half hour for 2 sandwiches, we finally get our food after being told the kitchen was backed up...sorry but I don’t buy that...most of the business was sitting at the bar and I barley saw any food coming out of that kitchen. The roast beef on my boyfriend’s French dip looked over cooked and like it had been sitting out and my cheesteak was adequate but tasted like something I could get at any pizza/sub shop in the area for less money. When it came time for the check, we noticed our server had left the Cubano sandwich on the bill and the charged us for the fries we had to order because the free side order of chips was not available. Wanting to pick our battles and just get out of there we just had her take off the extra sandwich and left. So disappointed that a great place like Half Moon Saloon closed and this went up in its place. EDIT: After looking through reviews going back months, it seems like it’s not just the holiday when they have the same issues we experienced with long waits for food and menu items being sold out...maybe the owners should stick to running one really good restaurant instead of three restaurants of...

Really trying hard not to be picky, because our waitress was attentive and friendly and the ambiance of the place was great, but I was really let down by the quality of the food for the price. When I looked at the menu in advance, I was pumped! I couldn't decide what I wanted to eat before I got there. We got the poutine (good, guess it was a white gravy or they forgot it? also wasn't really hot but the fries were super crispy...maybe the fries had been sitting a while?), fried goat cheese (really enjoyed) and then I went with the seasonal grilled cheese (sharp yellow cheddar, mozzarella, fig and red apple) with a side of sweet potato fries. Now, I'm a huge grilled cheese fan so to be really let down by a simple dish is why I'm writing this review. The cheese wasn't really melted and melded together when it came out and they forgot to put the fig jam on (no big deal, it was an easy fix). The one person who I was with got the same dish, had the same issue (it was not busy at all in the restaurant) and they also did not enjoy the sandwich, which is coming from a person who likes just about anything. The cheeses really didn't work together flavor-wise with the fig and it had two sloppy slices of red apple on it. The bread was toasted perfectly and probably the only component of the dish I liked. The fig would have paired better with a soft cheese like goat and or brie and have used a tart green apple or pear instead.

It is also a pet peeve of mine when restaurants offer sweet potato fries and don't mention that they're going to come out as a sweet side instead of savory. Again, not a deal breaker and not factored into the review, but would be nice to simply include in the menu something like "sweet potato fries come with a syrup dipping sauce" so then I know!

And I know I am being super picky right now, but I was just let down by the experience I thought I was going to have! I'm sure the restaurant owner is going to roll his eyes at my review, since I offered the chef food pairing suggestions, but I hardly ever write negative reviews unless I feel it...

I have been coming to this establishment since it was "Half Moon," then shortly after moving to the area it became "Grain." I have dined here many times over the years and always enjoyed my experience. Unfortunately, my experience last night was not quite the same. My boyfriend wanted to take me to dinner before he left on a late flight to visit relatives. We were coming in just for dinner. The Manager Christian Adole, who does not have a business card apparently, so the name is misspelled I am sure...asked my bf to leave, as he had been overserved during the World Series about 3 months ago. We have since been back 2-3 times for lunch and dinner. I am not sure why this evening was any different since we had been back prior multiple times. I went to have a conversation with the Manager Christian, and he was extremely disrespectful, rude, and actually laughed in my face while I was speaking to him. I myself was in the hospitality industry working my way through college and thereafter, and never saw a manager treat a paying customer this way. Every time I dine here, I treat the staff with respect and always over tip. It was difficult to speak to the manager Christian as he was not taking me seriously and it appeared that my disappointments and concerns were a complete joke to him as he continued to laugh and glance at the bartenders. I really have never experienced this anywhere before. I still work with the public managing in a different industry now and I would never treat a customer this way. I simply wanted a conversation with the manager Christian, and he completely dismissed me. My bf and I met here, so it was and is quite disappointing to be treated this way. Christian could have cared less, and I did get upset. That being said, I hope they find someone who will treat customers of 7 years, new and old with respect and appreciation as this experience was bad and this "manager," is so incredibly unprofessional and...