Driftwood Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Novi

This was our first time to the Driftwood Bar & Grille, and we were excited when we saw the location. When we walked in the front door , we were immediately aware that it was very warm inside the restaurant. The hostess station has a sign that stated "seat yourself," so we found an open (one of two open tables) table that wasn't cleaned yet and sat down. A waitress yelled from across the room, " don't sit down until the table is clean" it was humiliating. We stood up and waited for the table to be cleaned like two children in time out. We watched the same waitress yell at another couple not to sit down until the table had been cleaned across the room. This yelling at guests was unbelievable to witness. In a short amount of time the bus person cleaned off our table. We noticed that the bus person wiped the food onto the floor, so shredded cheese, lettuce, and croutons were clearly evident on the floor. We were not given menus, so we had to get them ourselves.

To our surprise, the same waitress who yelled at us was our server:) We asked for some recommendations from the menu, which she replied "everything is good." Again, I asked for a dish or two that the restaurant was known for, and she replied, "Didn't you hear me the first time?" At that point, we asked for a different server and the manager. After about 10 minutes, a very kind sole took over our table, and everything got better. I assumed it was the manager, but she never said one way or another. She made some menu suggestions that turned out to be very good. I had the lake perch, and my wife had a wrap. We did have to ask for silverware when our food arrived. Both items were very tasty. Maybe we caught the Driftwood Bar and Grille on an off day. At a minimum, there are some teachable moments in here about etiquette, proper training, hygiene, conduct, organization, and the ability to sell the products that keep the lights on and the bills paid. Yelling at the guest should NEVER be an...

I had the steakhouse burger it was excellent great crispy onions for the burger and good char flavor if you like that. French fries were excellent as well. My beer battered onion rings were very oily but no big deal they were busy so maybe the fryer was a little cold.

Patio gas lake views that are gorgeous. Could use some more umbrellas though.

Reason I'm knocking two stars is because of service.

I believe the manager was wearing a shirt that said something about communism on it. If it's not the manager no big deal and I'm not knocking you for disliking communism I say to hell with it as well. However, you dropped our food off and ran away without asking if we needed anything. We didn't have ketchup, mustard, or the ranch I ordered from my server at the beginning. Even the young boy with glasses who was obviously new and food running was asking tables what they needed before he left. I watched you go to about 3 tables drop off food and walk away without asking if anybody needed anything.

My server was clearly way to busy and in times like this the support staff needs to shine.

Hats off to the server with the sunflower apron and lip piercong. although you weren't my server I saw amazing service you were giving your tables and wished you were my server. Despite veing extremely busy you would go and ask all your tables about every 5 minutes if they needed anything and if they werpiercing.

I was never checked on or asked if I needed anything. My order was taken, food dropped and communism guy ran like a scared commy himself.

A place worth trying. Commy guy if you're the manager step it up. If you're not you're still old enough to know better and step...

EDIT: I visited for the hundredth time this past week and experienced an uncomfortable situation. Earlier this year our waitress invited my mother and I to walk across the street and enjoy their private lake access and we absolutely did and continue to do so! The opportunity has enticed me to order sometimes three or more times a week and I put my feet in the water. Ever since the invite we meet and order fries/tots, enjoy the water maybe in a lawn chair and then eat lunch/dinner afterwards in the patio. This Thursday we parked down the street and took our chairs to the water spot and getting ready to pickup some fries when someone who didn't introduce themselves (older gentleman wearing an orange shirt) aggressively asked us to not come back. He was very upset when he approached us. He said parking has been an issue (we mentioned we did not park in the lot), but it didn't matter we were told it's for boat business only. I just want to confirm if the rules have changed since our waitress later that day said it was still okay as far as they knew. The lake access has also given us the opportunity especially when the restaurant is packed to still order and not eat somewhere else. You're the best spot in the area, but that was very uncomfortable!

Clean, beautiful location overlooking Walled Lake - high & low seating options with a spacious outdoor patio! The staff here welcomes you very warmly like you're a regular! I always visit for their soup of the day & impossible burgers and am never disappointed! See...