Sonny D's Bar & Grill — Restaurant in New Buffalo

Disclosure: I work in the industry as a general manager of a full-service restaurant, and am only offering this up as a suggestion for a better guest experience.

I think this place is a bit overpriced and the food, while good, is just on par with some cheaper options. Very nice location and ambiance, but the bill for what we got made the experience a little disappointing. Service didn’t feel up to par with the check total, but they seemed a little busier than anticipated and also some communication issues with the host and serving staff. Our server was nice but simply an order taker. A few minor issues with our order that may have been caught and corrected by a more attentive server without having to ask. Maybe it was because she was in the weeds, but again, for the price, a little more attention and care would have gone a long way.

Stopped in for a late lunch on 7/5, ordered “Calamari 2-Ways” and were informed it was a “pick one” option, which was confusing for first timers like us. Server offered both red sauce and spicy Thai chili but we only received the Thai chili. It was good at least.

The wife and I got a brunch cocktail. The “super spicy” michelada had very little kick to it and was a lot of beer. The Michiana Mary was actually very spicy, but listed as “loaded,” which I had assumed that meant served with a skewer of things with it besides a lime and yellowed celery stalk that was mostly leaves, but that’s probably on me for assuming that. A salt and pepper rim would have been nice. $15-16 price range for each cocktail, which seems rather high for what is probably a well drink. Liquor in the cocktails were not listed, so for all I know it was closer to top shelf or special, in-house made Mary mix with some unique ingredients. Might be worth making note of these on the drink menu, or at least put prices. I would certainly have asked how it was served if I saw the $16 price so I wouldn’t have been disappointed.

After my cocktail, the server asked if I wanted another one, but I decided on a Cherry Coke instead. Server came back five minutes later after hitting a few other tables to clarify that I asked for just a Coke. She seemed busy and I wasn’t trying to make a fuss, so I just said yes.

I ordered a French Dip which was served on a burger bun, not exactly traditional but if that’s their spin then I’m still with them, but was not given au jus for dipping until I asked our server. Server dropped it off at the table without saying anything about the missing item. Wife got a Caprese salad which she seemed to like, but brought up a pet peeve of hers with Caprese salads of being one more tomato than mozzarella. Not a deal breaker at all but for $16 I would suggest maybe giving an even amount of each.

Mac and cheese for our little one was very good, she enjoyed it. So much so that she cheeked it for the duration of the ride home like a squirrel.

All said and done, our bill was $99 plus tip for two cocktails, a pop, an appetizer, two entrees and a kids meal. I have no problem paying these prices, but for that price I would like to be given something craveable or unique that would make me want to come back, or at least maybe service that would have caught some minor issues.

The food and drinks were good, or ok. I’d say simply acceptable, but it really didn’t feel like $120 well spent. I think I’d feel ok about it if it was closer to $80-85 including tip. Not trying to be cheap, but it just feels like it should’ve been more in that price point. At least outside of a major metropolitan area.

There has clearly been a lot of money put into the place, it really is beautiful inside, and I think if ownership and/or management and/or the chef and/or head bartender have a way of clarifying the menu, working on presentation, and ensuring the staff is properly trained to give exceptional service and items to the table correctly, then this place has potential. As it is now, our experience for the price point didn’t leave us dying to return on our next trip to...

Arrived on Tuesday, Dec 26th after 5pm. Very appealing and inviting facility.

We were seated promptly and ordered two vodka tonics with Grey Goose Vodka. Hubby ordered the burrito special, and I asked about the taco special - the waitress showed me on the menu, which showed the tacos (steak) would come with three tacos, beans, rice, homemade guacamole, lettuce and salsa. I ordered another VT and then my tacos came. . . without the lettuce, salsa and guacamole. They were dry with white onion and cilantro. I asked about the other items and was told no it was as served. I then asked for a menu - I wanted to see if I misread the menu. I did not. I again asked the waitress and showed her the menu, "Grilled Steak Tacos 20 -Topped with homemade guacamole, lettuce, and salsa on the side" she said that didn't apply to the special. The special didn't say it excludes the lettuce, salsa or guacamole. She sent the manager over who was very nice and said sorry the special doesn't include those items. She offered to remake, and I declined.

We received our check, and the waitress removed the meal (I didn't ask or expect anything). Our total bill was just over 60.00- three vodka tonics with Grey Goose less than 6 ounces each were 42.00!

We paid the bill and left feeling snookered by the experience. Will we return or recommend this place to others? Absolutely not. Before getting a special make sure you clarify exactly what you're getting. Better yet, skip Sonny D's and go directly to the Stray Dog up the Street. If you really want great tacos, Ricochet Taco in Valpo has the best...

We came in last night for dinner with our family. We were excited to try a new place, that by appearance would be good. Unfortunately, the appearance was the only thing that was good. I ordered the chicken parm sandwich. The chicken itself was good, as I had to cut some off to make it fit onto the bun, but once I bit into the sandwich, it was all over. I’m not sure what exactly it was, but the bun added a chemical flavor to the sandwich. Not sure what type of oil or butter they used to try to grill the bun, but it tasted like paint (not saying it was) of some sort. Along with that, my fries were served at room temperature and were all tiny little nubs. My son’s pizza was a pool of grease. The crust was as if it had been dipped in water. My MIL order the chicken parm entree, which was more than enough for 3 people, but the noodles were not fully cooked and the pretzel she ordered for an appetizer was burnt. The service was slow to refill drinks, she had to be flagged down multiple times for refills. We all were drinking water and the restaurant only had about 15 people in it besides us.

All in all a poor experience. The food was in no way quality, nor was it anything like rustic Italian that I’ve had my whole life. They did a good job on decorating, now they need to figure out how to get the food and service on par. Also, at least for us, music so loud, that it hinders your ability to talk with your table and server is never welcome. Hopefully they can turn things around and maybe tap into the roots of Italian family and food that are portrayed throughout...