Grillsmith - Lakeland — Restaurant in Lakeland

We visited this place pre-COVID where my husband proposed to me. We were planning to make it our annual restaurant in commemorating our special day. However, COVID hit and we've never been back till this year. My husband fell in love with their meatloaf dish and were so eager to eat it again. I ordered the chic Milanese. We also ordered the wings appetizer with Asian zing sauce.

We had a reservation, highly recommended as this is one of the few fine dining in Lakeland. With reservation, we were seated immediately. The bar lounge is packed with several parties waiting for their tables in the lobby. It's 100% packed dining and lounge areas.

We were seated at a booth with the server came to us immediately. She got our drinks and informed us that breadstick will be served. However, it took her a while to get us the breadsticks.

Once the orders were placed, it took about 17 min before our appetizer arrived followed by another 15 before our entrees arrived.

The appetizer wings were delicious, a little salty based on the teriyaki and possibly housing sauce mixed. 10 wings in total.

The meatloaf texture was extremely different than what it used to be. Very disappointing. It tasted more like a pate due to the fine, over grinded, minced meat mixtures. It claimed to have veal, pork and beef cooked with wild shiitake mushrooms red wine marsala sauce. Judge the picture to see if those mushrooms are truly wild shiitake mushroom or more like large button mushroom. It absolutely did not taste like shiitake. The sauce was red marsala with no mushroom - shiitake or wild mushroom flavor at all! Very disappointing!

The chic Milanese tasted better with a bit too much capers for my taste or ordinary Milanese dish. Chicken was moist and lightly battered with flavorful gravy.

Based on the recent experience, I doubt that we will return to this place. There's plenty of other restaurants to explore or if we're seeking fine dining, we'll elect a different location. In terms of whether we recommend to others, I will say try at least once and judge for yourself. Just omit...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at GrillSmith in Lakeland, and I must say, it was an extraordinary experience, all thanks to our server, Chris. From the moment we walked in, Chris greeted us with a warm smile and made us feel right at home.

Throughout the meal, Chris went above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of our dining experience was nothing short of exceptional. He was not only attentive to our needs but also incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, offering insightful recommendations that perfectly suited our tastes.

Chris's professionalism and attention to detail were evident in every interaction. He anticipated our needs before we even had to ask, refilling our drinks promptly and checking in on us regularly to ensure everything was to our satisfaction.

What truly set Chris apart was his genuine passion for providing top-notch service. His enthusiasm was contagious, and it added an extra layer of enjoyment to our meal. He took the time to engage with us, sharing interesting tidbits about the restaurant and making us feel like valued guests.

In addition to his exceptional service, the food at GrillSmith was outstanding. Each dish was expertly prepared, bursting with flavor, and presented beautifully. From the appetizers to the desserts, every bite was a delight to the senses.

Overall, our experience at GrillSmith in Lakeland exceeded all expectations, thanks in large part to the outstanding service provided by Chris. His professionalism, knowledge, and genuine hospitality truly elevated our dining experience and left a lasting impression.

I highly recommend GrillSmith to anyone looking for delicious food served with a side of exceptional service. And if you have the pleasure of dining there, be sure to ask for Chris – he'll make sure your experience is nothing short of amazing.

Thank you, Chris, and the entire team at GrillSmith, for a memorable dining experience. We will definitely be back soon!

Warm...

Hands down one of the best restaurants I’ve been to in a while. I give credit to my server and bar tender Ryan R. He was very knowledgeable in his craft and about the resources that go into the quality that Grillsmith brings. Everything was fresh and delicious just as described by Ryan before hand. I had the seasonal special tonight that was grouper with a shrimp and crab stuffing and a fruit medley. Amazing!!! This was the snack size pretzel and was hands down the best pretzel I’ve ever had. The pretzel was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside with a slightly sweet and salty taste that paired well with the cheese. Also, this smoke infused old fashion was incredible. I had the Buffalo Terrace option but they have a lot of bourbon options available for you. If you’re from out of town and looking for that one spot that’s going to blow you away. I suggest coming to Grillsmith and seeing Ryan. Thanks again. I will be back.

UPDATE I have never updated a Google review until now. Please hear me out. Grillsmith goes above and beyond. I was traveling for work when I visited here. After turning in my receipt for reimbursement for my dinner I was asked for an itemized receipt (which I did not have). I decided to call the restaurant to see if it was possible to obtain an itemized receipt for the meal. THIS WAS A MONTH after my visit! A restaurant employee explained they where having issues with the local utility at the time and that her manager would get back to me. Later that afternoon managing partner Nick Horvath contacted me and was able to supply me an itemized receipt for my meal!!! Wow!! Incredible. This place is top notch. In the middle of a very difficult situation this man reached out to me personally and handled a ridiculous request. My hat is off to you Sir! Great employees, great customer service, amazing food and drinks, and...