Connect Restaurant & Lounge North Brookfield — Restaurant in North Brookfield

I went to the NB site with my Mom on Easter for their first annual Easter Buffet. Mom and I have mobility issues, which I mentioned when I called to reserve the 2p slot (reservation wasn't required, but appreciated I believe. Best to check). When I pulled up in the handicap space, the woman I spoke with, Emily, opened the door and greeted us, by name, welcoming us to the restaurant. She was obviously keeping an eye out for our small, slow band of two. Emily and one of the buffet carvers physically helped Mom into the restaurant, then to the closest booth not only to the entrance but to the buffet. Let me back up a little, so I can express how much the following meant to Mom. my Mom usually has different plans for Easter. But some personal stuff happened that morning, making it feel extra lonely. Holidays after Dad passed can be hard. I'm sure many of you understand. This holiday was going to be extra special because Mom was just in the hospital for a long time. She also just got over weeks of being sick, so she finally felt strong and well enough to go out and about. To save Easter and Mom's heart, I was grateful our local restaurant had a yummy buffet to make new memories at. Boy, were they fantastic. Mom was treated LIKE A QUEEN. Once seated, got drinks, etc, our Emily walked Mom around the buffet and served her personally. Each station let her take her time choosing. Nobody rushed her. The omelet station she is still raving about. I personally loved the lamb. Emily stayed with us for everything, from drinks to salad to dessert. Refilling our plates and helping me take an order home for my husband. The price was expensive, yes. It was $40pp. But these guys are not stingy on quality not quantity. It's the quality you are paying for AND the fabulous service. They really knew how to cook those meats, which in a buffet is incredibly hard. The only con I can say is the haddock was not replaced at all during our trip. It remained with 1 piece in the chauffer, and I'd like to have taken some back for hubby but I was afraid, since it was sitting so long. Also the pudding desserts had gone off by the time we go to them. Considering the price, which I admit I didn't know what it was when we went there, I think they should have kept them on ice. Just a pro tip they should know. However, once we asked Emily to fix it, she ran and got new ones. They came frozen but to be honest, the frozen pudding was actually pretty delicious. Bet they were better frozen than usual. I suspect someone tried to save time making them and then freezing them, letting them thaw out for guests. They probably just don't know that it doesn't work out well that way. Live and learn guys. Looking forward to next year - maybe improve the...

Disappointing. I felt as though we were all in an episode of Bar Rescue and John Taffer was about to bust in and shut it down.

This review is no reflection on the staff, but a complete reflection on the owner(s)/management. This is their 2nd location. It was evident that this location wasn't ready to open when it did. If there was any training for the staff, it wasn't enough. Again I say this is no reflection on the staff but the owner(s)/management, if there is management, because I saw no resemblance of any during the 2 hours we were there(not by choice).

It's the responsibility of the management to make sure their staff is fully trained, prepared and set up for success. They obviously didn't, but instead opted to open before they were ready. You only have one chance to make a first impression and based on the people walking in and and leaving only after long enough to feel as though they were being stood up on a blind date, they probably won't bother to come back.

The staff didn't show the confidence and seem to have the proper training that is needed in the hospitality business to make their customers feel comfortable and attended to. One of the Spencer location waitress came in to help, her confidence, experience and engagement with customers was obvious and should have been the way the other wait staff had been trained and prepared to be. That is, in-between checking their cell phones.......

It took around 10 minutes before we were asked for drinks, 30 minutes for our appetizer to arrive and an hour for our meal.

The set up of the location is awkward. With it being the same location of the previous restaurant STATS, there are a number of reminders of it including the name in the glass entering the main cramped dining area and the check holder...

The main door does not close on its own, and yes I was sitting at the table next to it and continuously closed the door myself. They still have the plastic and the energy consumption/savings labels on the TVs. FYI that should have been removed after Mounting them. It's about the details, just saying.

The food was good when it finally came out and the price was fair for the quality, but as I said you only have one chance to make a first impression and experience, I believe they failed not only for myself, but others as well.

With it being a small town and no other sit down dining choices without traveling, I wasn't impressed and can't help but miss the previous restaurant that always had great food, prompt friendly staff and service.

I hope they make the changes and improvements they need to in a positive way and direction.

I honestly didn't have high expectations, but I did have basic expectations. I hope...

Fried Under The Sea Platter all laid out for you to get an idea. 4 large Shrimp, 4 Scallops, a handful of Onion Rings, a modest piece of Haddock, a lot of Fries, lightly salted. Small Coleslaw, small Tartar Sauce. And, a few pieces of nice fresh bread, which was different. For $23.99 as of this date, overall a good value. I would have liked a handful of Clams in this instead of a lot of fries and bread, or a full piece of Haddock. The seafood was good, mildly sweet Scallops. I would suggest about 30 seconds less on the seafood frying times, it was borderline. The Tartar Sauce was divine. I always make my own because I like a nice dill taste versus the sweet. This was perfect ! So flavorful with a nice zing to it. I don't care for coleslaw so the tiny amount here didn't matter to me. I would suggest doubling the Tartar because you need more in this. Also, add some Cocktail Sauce for the Shrimp and Ketchup for the Fries. I liked seeing the container lined with parchment. Most places don't. I've had to throw out seafood from elsewhere because the container melted, stuck to the food and the fumes permeated the rest. I really wish the old fiber containers were in use for takeout. They are mainly just used for draining food from fryers now, before plating. They are so much better for absorbing condensation and oil, so takeout orders would fair much better. And they are healthier all around. This was an in person Takeout order around 6:20 pm. It took about 20 min. on a slow Monday. I appreciate the varied menu as there is no other real restaurant in town and I drive by daily. Nice variety for people to choose from and the pricing is fair for everyone's wallet. They have Gluten Free options as well. Polite, young staff, but an annoying random "ding" of sorts every so often to alert staff. A few customers were commenting on it being an unpleasant disruption. I look forward to trying more dishes here. Hopefully the early open hours increase in due time. July 15, 2024.... Tried the Steak Bomb sub - very good and the steak wasn't the super thin variety. I liked the sub roll used because it was not a lot of bread, but it is narrow. A wider roll would work better. The Irish Egg rolls I wouldn't try again. Not enough filling to get any flavor. They are also heavily coated in cornmeal so it was a tough, chewy exterior. Not...