Glenwood's (Stanford Grill - Columbia) — Restaurant in Columbia

We came here to celebrate a birthday for my best friend's mom. We had a group of about 15 or so people. I'll break this review down into sections as there is a lot to cover.

The Atmosphere:

This restaurant has a very upscale feel but it is also very sophisticated. The staff ensure everything is pristine and change the tablecloths promptly after each visit. I witnessed this first hand as I was enjoying my meal. We really appreciated the decor and the Ambiance of the location. The downside is it can be too loud for some with just the noise of everything going on around you. You sometimes have to speak loudly as to be understood by those next to you or when placing your order. Otherwise, your voice gets drowned out by the hustle and bustle of the combination of different noises from other patrons to the staff moving about bringing people their food. Are seating arrangement was near a corner and it was just enough to accommodate everyone comfortably.

The Service:

Miss Judy our server was excellent! She even had a sense of humor about one of our guests with us also being named Judy. She was friendly, attentive, helpful, and knowledgeable about all of the dishes. She even gave us her personal recommendations based on our choices and when we asked for feedback on what she thought of certain dishes. This is extremely helpful when it is your first time at a high-end restaurant and you want to ensure you are getting a great dish that you will love. Judy elevated our experience from just another outing to something truly memorable and fitting for the occasion. We also like that she gave us her personal favorites in each of the categories or offered feedback on choices that we had made. She ensured that everyone was checked on throughout our visit even while being one of the people that was helping with the changing of the tablecloths. One thing that I found extremely impressive is that the staff is never caught just standing around is, they are always on the Move either helping with the daily tasks of taking orders, grabbing food to bring to tables, even down to quickly sweeping the floor which I caught one of the managers wearing a jacket doing while also helping out in different areas. They operate very efficiently and have a quick turnaround time for the changing of the tables to ensure guests are waiting too long to be seated. Our experience with the service of the staff was very memorable most notably because of Judy's assistance with such a large table but that did not stop her from providing exceptional service. This makes us feel great about choosing this establishment to host people and events that are important to us.

The Food:

The food here was delightful exclamation point everything arrived hot and fresh and tasted of exceptional quality. Everyone got different dishes from calamari, cornbread, chili, salmon, ribs made with Coca-Cola which were beef ribs and of massive size, chicken parmesan. Each person really enjoyed what they ordered and I believe that was because Judy provided feedback for each of our choices that helped us to make better informed decisions. I also ended up getting a Moscow Mule and someone got a Peartini. Every dish was plated well and was delivered promptly. The quality of ingredients used along with the way it was prepared was noticeable and we felt like we were getting our money's worth in every area. We ended the night with dessert and most got the bread pudding which was massive and heavy. It did have raisins so just a side note. Then we tried something called the chocolate uprising which was a special cake that was not too sweet but still equally delicious as a treat. Some even ordered soup to go for later as we waited for it to change from the chili to chicken noodle.

Parking:

The parking here was easy to navigate but they recently updated their name so be sure to double check GPS/Google.

Overall, 5 out of 5 for the level of service, food, and operational efficiency. I think you'll really enjoy your visit here keeping the aforementioned things in mind -...

My friend came in town for work and we wanted to experience something like fine dining without breaking the bank so we opted to try Stanford Grill for the first time because of their great reviews. I made a reservation with this location for March 21 2024 at 7:15pm through opentable via the google maps app. Our experience starts when we arrived prior to 7:15 and were quickly seated.

When we arrived in the afternoon, the atmosphere was very beautiful, all of the booths are large, the fireplace was going, the lights were dimly lit, and live music was playing.

A gentleman came to our table and explained that he can take our orders for drinks but Abby would be our waitress. We hadn’t had time to look over the menu as we just sat down a moment ago, he asked if we would like water or if he should come back. I said I’ll take a water for now& and he abruptly left without letting my friend make their own decision. We got 2 waters and when he came back my friend ordered an alcoholic beverage. The gentleman wrote it down on a note and a few minutes later Abby came to kindly introduced herself, and ask about dietary restrictions and allergies. Abby then took our order for appetizers. Some time passed and upon bringing our appetizers Abby was about to leave and I inquired about my friends beverage, Abby acknowledged the other gentleman put in the order but no one filled it yet. The beverage came and we placed our order for entrees.

When I ordered my entrees and sides Abby asked if I knew the entrees didn’t come with sides which kind of insulted my intelligence but I understand she didn’t want any disputes with the final bill. When our meals arrived everything looked amazing and tasted amazing. My friend ordered their steak well done but it was actually very rare inside. They still enjoyed it and it was tasty but we didn’t want to make too much commotion as we are people of color and appear not to be the typical crowd here.

For context, this was the first time I’d seen my friend in over a year and they had a recent career change and I just got back from a deployment overseas. Of course we had a lot to talk about and catch up on. Around this restaurant everyone was talking, loudly at that. There was 2 parties (groups of 4+ people) across from our booth, and they were there and already had food before my friend and I arrived.

Abby came to our table numerous times and asked if we wanted to have our food boxed up, typically the waitress/waiter occasionally check on the table to see if everything is okay, ask if they want dessert, or ask if they are ready for the check, we were never asked if we wanted dessert or anything else to drink. Abby made us feel like we were being rushed to leave. I don’t know if Abby calculated what she thought we would tip, and figured we were no longer worth her time or what. She definitely made us uncomfortable.

The experience was beautiful and amazing besides the impatience of the staff. Despite our waitress wanting to rush us out of the restaurant we decided to leave what was between a %15-18 tip although we would have loved to tip more.

I recommend the rattlesnake pasta, steak, green beans, mashed potatoes, and...

Two weeks ago, I eagerly reserved a meeting room at the renowned Stanford Grill in Columbia, Maryland. As a long-time patron of this establishment, I've always held it in high regard for its excellent food and service. However, what unfolded during my recent visit was nothing short of disheartening.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, my anticipation quickly turned into dismay. The hostess, who appeared entirely uninterested, informed me that my reservation had been abruptly canceled. The reason? A group had paid to rent out the only two available rooms. Her lackluster demeanor and complete disregard for our situation left me stunned.

But the real shock came when the manager on duty approached us. Rather than addressing our concerns with empathy and professionalism, he exhibited a disinterested attitude. It was as if he couldn't be bothered to deal with our predicament. He dismissed our concerns and promptly retreated to the depths of the kitchen.

Stanford Grill has always been a favorite among local military personnel and government small business owners, myself included. However, the individual in charge on that day was a far cry from what one would expect in a manager, let alone a leader. His actions, or lack thereof, were simply unacceptable.

My disappointment extends beyond a single visit. I believe that Stanford Grill should seriously consider implementing sensitivity training for this manager, who clearly lacks the essential skills to represent the restaurant effectively. Your managers should be exemplary ambassadors of your brand, not sources of disappointment for loyal customers.

I recognize that, despite my negative experience, Stanford Grill will likely continue to thrive and serve the Columbia community with its delectable cuisine. Nevertheless, I implore you to reevaluate your management team and reservation policies. If prioritizing revenue over customer reservations is the new norm, it should be communicated transparently to customers when they make reservations.

In conclusion, while I may never return to this location, I genuinely hope that Stanford Grill takes this feedback to heart, ensuring that future patrons do not encounter such a disappointing experience. Your restaurant deserves the best representation, and your customers deserve the best...