The Downtown Grocery — Restaurant in Ludlow

I really wanted to like this place after all the hype and waiting a week for a reservation. I’m sorry to say the wait was not worth it. I should have taken it as a sign when their website doesn’t work to look at the menu, and felt blind sided when we saw a pasta entree for $50 and soup for $20 when we walked in. I could get over the prices if the wait wasn’t so long … I understand their concept that it’s just a husband and wife running the whole place… but maybe a bartender or one more person in the kitchen could help. You definitely can feel the passion about the menu coming from them both. However, it was An hour til we saw a beverage, 2 hours til they sent out some bread. I overheard another girl at a table who was falling asleep ask the server, who’s also the owner, who’s also the bartender, how long she thought desert would take because she was quite frankly “tired” - and I don’t blame her since they were there long before us, because otherwise she wouldn’t order it. It says on Resy “be prepared to be with us 2 hours “ they should correct that to 3 hours and put a sample menu somewhere. My salmon was cold when it finally arrived and I’m sorry but no home made pasta is worth $50 in vermont. Skip it- there’s better...

Comically BAD and RUDE STAFF!!! Arrived on-time for our reservation for 4 . Seated 30 minutes later after waiting inside the actual dining area with about 20 others waiting. We actually felt bad for the people at the tables who had waiting patrons literally on top of them. After we were seated we waited 10 minutes for waitress to show up with menus and another 30 minutes to place our order! We had to call the manager over when our dinner hadn't arrived 40 minutes after we ordered. She was actually rude and said" well its coming -just hold on". I mean seriously- at that point the restaurant was almost empty. Meanwhile the cook staff in the open kitchen was screaming and celebrating in the kitchen with beers the management encourages customers to buy them- apparently they were drunk. Overheard the table next to us complaining about DG service and food quality/cost ratio. We are world travelers , used to excellent service and food when paying $40-$56 per entree. After ALL THE WAIT, the food was across the board SUB PAR. No adult in our party would...

I have searched through out Vermont for a really good restaurant and have had a hard time finding one that I would go back to frequently. Things are looking up with the expansion of the "local food" and "farm-to-table" movements. Friends had recommended The Downtown Grocery and last night I tried it for the first, but hopefully not the last, time. I recommend reservations. We arrived on time and were immediately seated as the tables around us began to fill. The service was attentive without being "lurking" and the food was some of the best that I have had in years. I had the special "shrimp and grits." On nights that I return please don't order this — they might run out. I would then be forced to order the filet — never mind, order what you want, you won't be disappointed. Save some room for the Late Night Breakfast (French toast with bacon ice cream and maple syrup.)

OK, It's now four years later. I have been back a number of times. Please read the review above: wash,...