Over Priced & Underwhelming Experience This was our first visit to The Garrison and we will NOT be back. Thought we would try it during Charlotte’s “Restaurant Week” as that is usually a great time to try a new restaurant. Unfortunately, that was not the case at the Garrison. First their reservation protocol is somewhat over the top as you must give them your credit card to make the reservation and they will charge you $25 you cancel inside of 24 Hrs. Ok, so with that protocol we expected a very top flight experience. We arrived on time and were seated near the bar which is basically is than half of the first floor of the restaurant. It was VERY noisy we asked for another table on 2nd floor but were told that the 2nd floor was even nosier so we stayed put. We ordered 2 Old Fashions and when our waitress returned, we then ordered our dinners off of the Restaurant week menu which we had looked at on-line at home. At $45 each for all their options, which is $10 more than the “Standard” of $35 for most participating restaurants in this event, we expected this to be a very nice dinner. We ordered the “Dirty Gamecock” Chicken and the Scallops with an appetizer and dessert. Our Old Fashions were rather weak and small with a large ice cube that took up most of the glass. At $14 each we expected a better drink. Our appetizers were fine but nothing special. When our dinner arrived, we were shocked to see that my wife’s scallop dinner included 3 scallops on a small mound of risotto. My Chicken was a very small portion consisting of a leg and thigh, not the ½ Chicken listed in the menu. We eat out a lot at many high end places and we have never seen dinner portions this small…NEVER. The food was good but again nothing exceptional. When dessert arrived, almost 20 mins after we were finished with our entrees, we were again disappointed with the Tiramisu that we had selected. It was mostly Whipped Cream and again each of us received a very small slice. At $150 including tip this was one of the most disappointing dinners we have had in a long time. On occasion we have seen restaurants in Charlotte change their serving sizes for Restaurant week. This is terrible practice and think that is what we may have experienced on this visit. Regardless we won’t be back I cannot recommend the Garrison as we felt they are not offering the dining experience their price point is suggesting. Noisy atmosphere, overpriced hors d'oeuvres sized portions and slow service don’t make for the great experience they are...
Read moreA Perfect Girls' Night Out - Exceptional Restaurant Experience!
Let me start by saying that our recent girls' night out at The Garrison was an absolute delight! From the moment we stepped foot inside, we were greeted with warm smiles and a lively atmosphere that set the tone for a memorable evening.
The restaurant's ambiance was simply enchanting, with its tasteful decor, cozy lighting, and was the ideal setting for our much-needed catch-up session!
Now, let's talk about the star of the show: the food! Oh my goodness, where do I even begin? Every single dish we ordered was a work of art, both visually and in terms of flavor. The menu offered a fantastic range of options, catering to various dietary preferences and ensuring there was something for everyone in our group. From appetizers to desserts, each bite was an explosion of culinary brilliance that left us wanting more. I will give the buffalo cauliflower a 10 star!!!
The attention to detail from the kitchen staff was outstanding. Our dishes arrived promptly, beautifully plated, and perfectly cooked. The ingredients were fresh, and the flavors were impeccably balanced. It was evident that the chefs took great pride in their craft, and their passion shone through in every bite.
Now, let's not forget the exceptional service we received throughout the evening. The waitstaff at The Garrison were attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. They took the time to listen to our preferences, provide insightful recommendations, and even shared their personal favorites. Their genuine enthusiasm and professionalism added an extra layer of enjoyment to our dining experience.
On top of it all, the restaurant's management was exceptional in ensuring that every guest felt valued and appreciated. They went above and beyond to accommodate our requests, making us feel like VIPs from start to finish. It's rare to encounter such dedication to customer satisfaction, and it truly made us feel special.
In conclusion, The Garrisons deserves nothing less than five stars for its outstanding food, enchanting atmosphere, and impeccable service. It's the perfect place to gather with friends, celebrate special occasions, or simply indulge in a culinary adventure. I highly recommend this hidden gem, and I can't wait to return for another unforgettable evening with my...
Read moreTried The Garrison for the first time (for my birthday dinner followed by a movie scheduled to start at 7:30PM) and we got there at 6:03 and were seated outside by 6:05 pm. One of the staff came by within minutes and got us water. He told us our waitress would be with us shortly.
Well... Shortly turned into 6:25 with no waitress coming by at all. There were 5/6 tables outside and all were being served by the same waitress, who not once even glanced our way. Maybe she wasn't our assigned waitress but nobody else came by at all. I went in and told the hostess that nobody has come by to take our orders. The waitress that was serving the other outside tables was standing at the hostess stand chatting with her. She apologized and said somebody would be by shortly.
We waited another 8 minutes with nobody coming again. Then it started absolutely downpouring rain (which of course isn't the restaurants fault). We came inside with the other outside guests and the hostess found us all tables inside quickly, we were seated upstairs. We got new water immediately. Our new waiter came by within 5 mins of being seated upstairs and got our drinks (at this point the time was just after 6:45PM). He asked us if we had decided. I told him "I am so sorry to do this to you, because it's not your personal fault at all, but we waited downstairs for half an hour for any wait staff at all and now we're pressed for time. What can be made quickly?"
Our waiter told me "I will have my manager push your order first, I am so sorry about that. Whatever you request will come out ASAP." I ordered the lobster roll and my husband ordered the burger cooked medium. True to his word, our food came out within 10 minutes.
The lobster roll was delicious! They toasted the roll and put a layer of lettuce between the roll and the filling so the roll didn't get soggy. The burger was absolutely cooked to medium as requested and my husband enjoyed it. We were very happy with the food we got! And our second waiter was apologetic and got us taken...
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