Cozy Grape — Restaurant in Montgomery

I am only giving one star because I can't give 0. I have only ever written one review before, so taking the time to write this out and post it means it is important this reaches other potential customers.

My family just moved to the area and wanted to celebrate our new adventure with a nice dinner. We had driven past this restaurant in the multiple target/Home Depot/etc runs since moving in a week ago and decided we wanted to go to a nice dinner for our first Saturday as Texans. We have a one year old daughter, so we arrived at the restaurant at 420pm. Early enough to miss the dinner rush. The restaurant was empty at this point. Just us and one or two other tables.

As we walked in a nice young man sat us at a four top and we asked for a high chair. He grabbed a high chair from another table and as he was placing it at our table a woman (possibly the owner or manager) said we couldn't use it as a group had made a reservation with a highchair. We understood that, we said we'd have our daughter sit on our laps or in a chair. Then, the woman proceeded to talk to the young man telling him he should move us to a two top (we were already seated at this point and would have had to get up and move). She decided it was early enough for us to stay at the four top, so we sat down. The young man offered us a booster seat, which we accepted and appreciated.

We sat down and had a pleasant and kind server. We ordered a bottle of wine, an appetizer, two entrees, and a dessert. Our daughter is 1, so she isn't a complete saint but she sat as nicely as one would expect a one year old to sit on a parent's lap and in a booster seat without a seatbelt. She ate chicken, drank water, and colored on a napkin (which the woman at the front did provide after she realized she rudely asked us to move after we were already seated).

As we were finishing our dessert (it was now about 545pm and the dinner rush was starting to trickle in), a waiter took down a decorative chalk sign and returned a few minutes later with the same sign, but a new message. He hung this sign directly above our table. See picture - it reads "we love children. We really do. BUT. We are a wine bar and bistro. We have no booster seats nor high chairs or a children's menu. As a courtesy to other diners, please be mindful of others so that all of our customers have a great dining experience."

I have never felt so singled out, embarrassed, disrespected, and unwelcome. We understand that some restaurants do not allow children, which is fine. If we would have walked in and been told children were not allowed, we would have walked right back out. But to allow us to eat and spend our money, then hang this sign right over our head as we were still eating. It was uncalled for and disrespectful. We did everything we could to enjoy a nice dinner and respect others (arrived before the rush, brought snacks and toys to occupy our daughter,etc).

We won't be back and I would hope this establishment doesn't make another family feel this way.

What is a family supposed to do when they are seated at a table and then look up to see this sign? Walk out? Muzzle their child? Food...

We are staying at the Caroline House bed and breakfast. The owner Mary had recommended we go here for dinner. She even handed us a 10% discount card that the restaurant has made for her guests. The fact it's right down the block from where we are staying was a huge plus. The restaurant has plenty of free parking, plus indoor and outdoor seating. They have a bar on the second floor that stays open later than the kitchen. We sat inside on the first floor. The second we walked in the ambiance hit us. With music, low lights, dark colors and the art on the walls I immediately said to myself "I love this"

We were greeted and asked where we would like to sit(inside,outside,bar). Once seated we were given menus and asked if we wanted water or drinks etc. We placed our drink order and started to read the menu. They have specials on certain nights and one of them is the chicken Romano. The description had me sold. We also ordered a few appetizers.

Appetizers Cozy Mac n cheese (without onions) Escargot Cheese board Olive tamponade

For entrees we ordered Lamb shank Chicken Romano

Every single item we ordered was delicious. I spread the Tamponade on the bread and then added some of the goat cheese from the cheese board and instant happiness was found at my first bite. The Escargot was very delicious and prepared the way I like it 🙌🙌. The Mac n cheese with bacon had a smokey flavor and the pasta was perfectly cooked! I was truly enjoying picking from every plate. When the entrees arrived we packed the starters up to take home(plenty left over) the lamb was so tender and had such a robust flavor. Like stew that had been slow cooked for hours. The chicken served with artichoke and a white cream sauce was absolutely perfect. I can't even describe the taste because there is so much going on that I just ate it in silence (smiling).

The servers were very attentive, and made no mistakes with any modifications or dishes we ordered. They were also very very polite. Each one saying Ma'am in their replies. I will definitely go back before this trip is over. If you live near by or even an hour away..definitely make the trip to Montgomery and eat here!!. The pictures make the dishes look very basic, but the flavor of each dish is above and beyond!!! This place is 100% great for...

We went on a Friday around 1 and it wasn't very busy when we arrived, but picked up later. I say this because it took a while for anyone to serve us after we were seated when there were only a few tables. The service started off a bit rocky as it was slow with drinks and getting our orders initially. Later the server was more on point so that redeemed my rating a bit.

The Manhattans were good. I ordered the goat cheese pizza, and it wasn't very good. The naan was dry and a bit weird in texture, and I love naan. The only thing that helped it was the Storypoint Cab I ordered with it, which paired very well. I also got the mushroom soup, and that was absolutely Delicious!! I could have eaten just a big bowl of that paired with the wine and been very happy. My husband and son got the burgers, which tasted good but were a bit dry.

The atmosphere is... Interesting. The ambience is nice, upscale and pretty. They have a sign up that basically discourages small children, and I get that, because they are clearly trying to establish a peaceful, upscale atmosphere. But after reading another review that led to the placement of that sign, it was a little uncomfortable. They are big on rules. Some elderly women came in, hot from walking around for the quilt event in the downtown area and carrying water bottles, and the hostess/server loudly announced that they couldn't bring in outside beverages. It appears that they are trying to create a very upscale atmosphere, but between embarrassing the customers, and slow service, it feels like they aren't achieving that goal very effectively. If the customer service isn't first you won't get to the atmosphere you desire. Just a thought.

That being said, I would probably return again to try their other dishes, because the food and drinks were overall good and I think they just need to work on being more hospitable and...