The Grotto — Restaurant in New York

My son and his girlfriend share a bday so her mom and I brought our lovely couple of 19 year olds here. The Grotto. Smh, where do I begin... The teens had high expectations! If i could give negative stars, I would. We were all disappointed. Firstly, the wait for our adult drinks was LONG, only to receive a terribly made limeless Mojito that tasted like cheap ginger soda and was literally garnished with WILTED lackluster mint leaves and a Caribbean Dream that tasted like melted icecream and cotton candy with blue ink. It had that nasty inky taste, throughout it, i couldn't take a second sip. We didn't complain, it's our kids bdays... The food... It took very long, some warm, some cold. The crab stuffed shrimp were UNBEARABLY salty. The oxtail had tough fat more than it did meat, seasoned poorly. The pasta was cold with FIRM peppers and PUDDLING watery sauce at the center. The jerk salmon was not spicy or even seasoned well yet it was the only decent enough food to consume, my son breezed through it and was still hungry, the portions are much smaller than advertised. The jerk pork was cold, tough and poorly seasoned, the white rice tasted burned as if the bottom of the rice pot had burned and spread the burnt taste throughout it, but served it anyway. We had no refills on water, the teens weren't offered any soda or soft drinks whatsoever. And I'm going to CONTINUE for those of you that enjoy good hospitality because this place ain't got none. We walked in, were greeted nonchalantly, led to the back where the environment was very chilly and not set up yet. The waiters were cold in personality, never introduced themselves, never asked if we were celebrating anything that evening. They discussed with one another how they'd manage our orders right in front of us. And then failed to do so. We were there at least an hour and 20 minutes before placing our orders because we were told repeatedly that they'd be right back. There was a wall with decor and neon light, great for taking photos, unfortunately there was a table for two blocking anyone from using the area for pics. That would have been a great pastime had the wall been accessible and the environment been preheated. We sat with coats on for at least 45 min to an hour. This place VIRTUALLY has everything it needs to thrive. In our opinion, they need new management, employees that take pride in The Grotto and...

From a family referral, we went to the Grotto A little hard to find from there small sign. They had a DJ playing live. The food was okay (shrimp and grits) rate it a 6, they have a open eat in yard area in the back of the the business. It was extremely hot about 93 degrees this day. They tried to put fans, umbrella and cooling air machines out side but it only lower the temp by 10 degrees. With it being my birthday weekend we were able to walk in without a reservation and get seated when we were arrived. As we entered we were told we can sit at any open table for brunch. With a table picked, waited 20 min for someone to take our drink and food order. We received our drinks 15 min later and one of us received our food. At the same time one of the employees asked if she could move us to another table because they had a reservation for more and needed the tables. Even thought there was three of us and we were at a table for 4 but they tried to also do 5 ppl there. They wanted to move us to this small table that barely 2 people could sit at with plates and drinks.i found that rude especially since we received some food. Once I told the lady I wouldn't move unless they gave us a bigger table to fit three comfortable then the one sitting there. Not sure if it was what I said or if because the rest of our food came they didn't request us to move again. I just feel if they had a reservation already booked and we walked in then don't say sit anywhere. Either say you couldn't accommodate us right now, or there will be a 25 min or more wait because of already made reservations then waiting until our food was coming out. Even say for the inconveniences we are will to give you drinks on the house if you move.

That's would have been my way of thinking to a customer then making them wonder what was going to happen. No one said anything, we had to wait and realize they weren't going to move us since they sat a party of 6 down after moving the table they wanted us to move to. I will not be returning nor referring anyone just for this action. I only left this review because if nobody says anything the business will keep doing it thinking it okay. I am One and done, but wish the...

Are you ready for the 411? Here we go…another restaurant I wanted to try with the girls! So I need to preface that based off my girlfriend’s recommendations I had planned to give this establishment 5 stars. As you read on, you may best understand why we ended up with 3 stars. I do feel bad as today is there 1-year anniversary. I made reservations off my Seated app and set out to try it. We arrived a little earlier but they did not seem like they were ready. They told us to come back in 5-10 minutes and we actually came back in 15 minutes and still not ready.

Finally when they were ready we were taken to their outdoor seating which was in the back of the restaurant and OMG this is what resulted in the 3 stars…it was overbearingly HOT! This is not an exaggeration…the back area was hotter than the actual outdoors as well as inside the restaurant. Part of the issue is the back outside area is covered in plastic to protect from rain however it creates a greenhouse effect with all the heat pulling into the space. It was like sitting in a heated over. And it did not help that it took over an hour to get our entree meal! The heat in that area was enough to take you out and I cannot understand how other people sat and endured it, including an infant baby! Granted the inside space is not big enough to support a large party (and there was only 4 of us)! While the server was attentive, I felt someone could have apologized for the uncomfortable and crazy heat!

For the food, it was so delicious. For their anniversary, they gave Us free jerk chicken which was pretty good. The appetizers - Mac and cheese, crispy wings and calamari were all good as well. At about 4pm, we asked how much longer for the food and was told 10 minutes, however, food did not come for another 30 minutes. By that time, my daughters left me to go and sit inside in the AC.

We ended taking our entrees to go - lamb chops, snapper, curry goat and oxtails. The food is absolutely delicious but something has to be done with the back. Maybe I will visit again and see if anything changes but today was not a good day!

4:00 - told us 10 minutes more for the...