Sam’s Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Ringwood

Let me start by saying this isn’t even about the fact that the patio is overrun with bugs and they do nothing to prevent guests from getting eaten alive. The only reason I kept coming back was because of one specific drink I enjoyed even though it's originally made with gin, I always request Grey Goose vodka instead, and I make that request clearly every time.

Unfortunately, this isn't the first time my request has been ignored. I’ve had situations in the past where I was clearly served gin, despite asking for Grey Goose even my husband could taste the difference and confirmed it was not vodka. Yet staff still insisted it was what I asked for.

Last night, when our waitress came to take our order, I again asked for that drink, specifically requesting Grey Goose in place of the gin. She said “OK” and left. Twenty minutes later, she returned with only my husband’s drink and said, “Sorry, we’re really busy. Also, we ran out of an ingredient for your drink and are trying to find a replacement.” I calmly said okay, and she walked off again.

An hour went by. No updates. My husband’s drink was now watered down, and I was still sitting there with nothing. Finally, the waitress returned this time with the bartender, who announced that the drink I ordered had been discontinued.

I was shocked and asked why no one told me sooner. The bartender sarcastically replied, “Why would she know?” referring to the waitress to which I responded, “Because she’s the waitress.” Rather than take any accountability, the bartender acted like I was the problem.

Still trying to salvage the night, I ordered a different drink. The bartender said it would be comped, and left.

Meanwhile, the waitress, who had been avoiding our table the entire night, finally showed up and asked if we wanted anything else. I politely said we might order chips and guacamole later, but not yet. She said okay and left again.

Five minutes later, a food runner showed up at our table with food we never ordered. We told him it wasn’t ours, and he left.

Then came the most bizarre and unprofessional part of the night. The bartender came back to our table with the food we didn’t order, acting completely dramatic, sarcastic, and confrontational. She insisted we take the food and made a huge scene. She even went so far as to say I was being “difficult” just because I prefer Grey Goose over gin as if that’s some outrageous request. Instead of acknowledging any of the mistakes that were made, she made me feel embarrassed and insulted in front of everyone.

Just to shut down the drama and because she was acting so aggressively (yes eyes bulging, voice raised), I reluctantly agreed to take the food which she still never said was comped.

When she came back with it boxed, I told her, “I feel as though you are trying to charge us for food we never ordered just to make up for the comped drink.” Before I could even finish, she snapped, “It’s comped” but honestly, I don’t believe that was the original plan. At this point, it felt like she was just trying to cover up a scam.

The entire experience left me feeling upset, insulted, and taken advantage of. The way the bartender acted sarcastic, unprofessional, insulting, and emotionally unstable was shocking. I honestly believe she needs serious help, and I don’t say that lightly. Our waitress avoided us the whole night. The bartender was completely unprofessional, confrontational, and tried to shame me for a simple drink substitution. I believe we were intentionally misled and possibly scammed. The service is disorganized, the communication is terrible, and the attitude from staff is absolutely unacceptable. There's no accountability. I will NEVER spend another dime here. Advice to anyone visiting CHECK YOUR BILL CAREFULLY before you hand them your money. Something very shady is...

Updated from 2 STARS to 4 Stars. well, almost 4. We went for Cinco de Mayo for a 3rd try and had a much better experience. The specialty drinks were not that great but our food was good. I went with a stuffed poblano with fruit and meat in a cream sauce, and it was tasty. The wife ordered sopes and enjoyed it. The creme brulee dessert was very good but a lot, actually. Not 100% sold but a much better experience.

It hurts me to have to give such a low rating. I really wanted to enjoy this place as it's local to us, and we gave it a 2nd chance. On our 1st visit, we never made it to a table as we were passed by twice by others who came after us and were affronted by the owner when we questioned it and then left. We went back Friday night for another shot at dinner. There was now someone else co-handling the seating which worked much better although the place was only half full (as opposed to our 3 week earlier visit, also on Friday evening and they were packed) Our shy new waitress took our drink order and then a bit later our entree and a shared app order. I was on my 2nd draft pint (decent craft selection with a few NJ breweries offered) when our some food finally arrived.... but it was all together, both appetizer and entrees... ugh. Ok, let's see how the food fares. Not well, unfortunately. I was actually offended by the burrata pairings. Tahiti crema (tasted like thinned out hummus) and fresh sack filled mozzarella just should not go together. What seemed like jarred beets and candied walnuts were not enough to overcome the combo of hummus and mozz, which have similar textures as did the beets. Needed acid and something like toasted pita chips instead of the cold, untrusted sliced baguette. My chicken entree also had me fighting flavors. Artichokes, black olives, spicy peppers, white wine over overcooked mushy rice. They need to learn some sous vide methods or just cook the breasts 10 or 15 degrees less. They were dry. My wife's skirt steak was not too bad, albeit unseasonably. The char and chimichurri did help with the flavor but the potatoes seemed like they were prepared way earlier and just reheated... at least crisp them up. The new guy who seated us also seemed to help serve and did ask us several times how things were. We did mention the app served with the entrees and he just kind of shrugged it off on new employees . Needless to say we left moat of the meal on the table and will not be back. How far this place has fallen from the old location that had gotten to the point where even it was meh at best. Luckily there seems to be some life coming back to the area and Ringwood does seem to be growing with options. Who knows, maybe I will back up my words and bring some new food to the area soon. Thanks...

We started off with appetizer of fire cracker shrimp, even the lettuce underneath shrimp tasted good. Sorry no picture of this but shrimp was lightly coated with deliciousness. 3 of us ordered the RFG burger. The burger was flavorful and bun nice and fresh! Tomato and lettuce served on the side so I could add it to my burger if I wanted. Both tomato and lettuce were fresh too. Had side of French fries which were thinly sliced potatoes salted and peppered just right. One of us choose tater tots which looked pretty darn good too. Hubby got bbq ribs. I asked if they tasted as good as they smelled and answer was yes. I wish I could remember the name of our server because he is worth mentioning. All our orders were correct and he was very attentive. There was a trivia contest going on for any one interested in trivia! We just wanted to to catch up with friends and appreciated ability to close French doors so we could hear each other easily. Beautiful tin ceiling in the room we were in, wood chairs and tables and fireplace that almost had me wishing it was a little colder out so it would be on. Can’t wait to come back when it’s warm enough for me to go out on patio for dinner. We use to come here many years ago and eat on patio when it was Prime 15. Love eating outside here, feels...