Cole's Hearth Room — Restaurant in Palmyra

We recently visited this beautiful restaurant, housed in a charming old-time home. The ambiance was a highlight, with the friendly service and clearly high-class, elegant drinks setting a lovely stage for the evening. Overall, I’d give the experience a 4/5. ​My wife was the main reason for the visit—she's never had lamb and I'm generally not a fine-dining person myself. ​The Food: Hits and Misses ​The Star: My Prawn Alfredo was the undisputed champion of the night. The sauce was extremely delicious, and I was genuinely sad to trade it away, but love is love! ​The Main Event: My wife ordered the Rack of Lamb. The lamb itself was a success: well-seasoned and cooked to perfection. She instantly wanted to trade it for my Alfredo, which is saying something! However, the portion size was noticeably small—literally just three small chunks of meat—and the accompanying vegetables were minimal. The sweet potatoes, encased in a salty-sweet layer, were a good side, though. ​Appetizer: The Toasted Ravioli was decidedly mid. While the breading was clearly homemade, the meat filling was under-seasoned, and the Parmesan topping didn't elevate the flavor. I’d rate them a 6/10. ​Side Salad: We both ordered a side salad. My Caesar came out on the humorous side—the lettuce was presented still connected to the core in a 'boat' presentation, which I swear I've seen a Gordon Ramsay episode mock! Regardless, the flavor of the lettuce was good, though the dressing failed to reach the bottom, resulting in some plain bites. ​The Verdict ​The prices are among the highest in the area, but the quality of presentation is undeniable. This place may not be for everyone, but for those seeking an elegant setting and exceptional pasta (and who don't mind a pricey, small portion of lamb), it may be just right. I might return, mainly...

What could have easily could have been a 5 star experience, sadly became an embarrassing situation. Per phone call prior to arrival, each table had a 90 minute time limit with reservations taking priority, which is completely understandable. However, our party called ahead and was told that there were plenty of open tables and that a reservation was not needed, as they had plenty of unreserved open tables. We as a party of 4, arrived and were seated at 5:30pm, at a 6 top table. Our appetizers, drinks, and dinners were absolutely phenomenal. And our waitress was wonderful. The problem began when right after one of the dessert plates was delivered, some male staff member came over to our table, and very loudly, informed us that there was a reservation for the table we were sitting at, and that we needed to get up and move our plates to the seating in the lobby. Now, we had only been seated for 60 minutes, and still had the rest of the dessert plates coming. Several table around us were empty, and had been empty since before we arrived. It was honestly embarrassing to have to get up and move mid way thru the meal. Other patrons made comments about us having to move, and how unprofessional it was. If that particular 6top table had a reservation in and hour, why seat it when each party is allowed 90 minutes? Why sit a party of 4 at a 6 top when there are multiple 4 tops open and unreserved? I’ve never been asked to leave a table and go sit in the lobby with my half eaten plate in my hand. The situation could have been handled in so many other ways so we wouldn’t have been made to feel like we were trespassing. Even our waitress apologized and said that she’s never had this...

We had a 5pm reservation for my husbands birthday. We were seated promptly, our waters were filled and kept full, and our drink order was taken and we had our drinks by 5:10! Our server was Audrey - she was sweet, attentive, and genuinely cared and enjoyed her job. We placed our food order at 5:10 as well, and our food came out about 10 til 6. The wait seemed long, but tolerable for what we ordered. We each had a filet and my husband had a 6oz lobster tail as well. We initially had to send his steak to be cooked a tad longer, but hes picky. We expect it to be cooked right hopefully the first time… but we’re also humans. If we had sent it back again, it would have been charred. :( he said it was still very good!

The sides were potatoes or Brussels sprouts, and I’m one that cannot stand Brussels sprouts. I asked if I could pay for a salad instead and they told me no - I would have to pay another full charge the salad. I got double potatoes instead. They were good flavor wise - but they could have cooked longer, they were just a bit under done but still edible. My steak was perfect and his lobster tail was awesome.

We got the drunk aunt drink which was absolutely wonderful! The man filling the water was silent, and not personable, but he did his job at the bare minimum.

We were seated at a two top table in the middle of the floor. I do wish we’d been sat at a 4 top catty corner from us, which was only set for two, but we dealt as we know they can get busy. The room echos a bit so it was loud but tolerable.

Overall the service was fantastic, the food was wonderful, and the atmosphere was...