Stone Werks Big Rock Grille, The Vineyard — Restaurant in San Antonio

I love Stonewerks, but I had a terrible experience at the one located at The Vineyard the other day.

My sister and I came for a pre-holiday meal and a few drinks.

We decided to sit outside near a heat lamp. The server said it didn't have a propane tank, so we moved to a different table, which seamed to be an issue with the server. So much so apparently, they changed waiters on us.

We ordered sangrias. On the menu we read it included slices of orange, lemon and brandied cherries! It sounded delicious.

What we got was a water down glass full of ice. I asked him about the fruit, and he practically rolled his eyes at us, then brought us an orange cut in 4 chunky pieces, and set the bowl next to our glasses.

As if that wasn't bad enough, we ordered bread with our soups. It never came. Not even after I reminded him when the bowls were set in front of us, halfway through the soup, and at the end of our meal.

He didn't apologize. In fact, he made excuses about how long the bread takes to bake. I told him I'd been there not long ago and the waitress had no issues bringing the bread out with my soup. As to which he answered, and I quote, "That was then, this is now." In shock I replied it had been about 3 or 4 weeks ago.

When he asked if we wanted another drink, of course we said no.

This is unacceptable. Stonewerks is not an inexpensive restaurant. I was embarrassed at the service because I suggested it to her. We wanted to enjoy a delicious meal and a great time. Instead we had a mediocre meal and time.

It will be a very long time before I go back, if I ever go back. Completely...

Oct. 2022: @stone_werks at the Vineyard was hopping for a Monday. Many were enjoying the cooler weather and sitting in the patio.

Service was slightly slow to start. I think Jack was covering both indoors and outdoors. We made it for happy hour which ends at 6pm. I had the Lemondrop Martini and my husband had a Miller Lite. The drinks and the Pepperoni Flatbread were on happy hour. Dad and I shared the Korean BBQ wings and the Tuna Tataki. The wings were pretty big and tasty. My husband had the Grilled Jumbo Shrimp with a side salad. Everything was pretty good. My husband ordered the Turkey Chili Bowl for lunch tomorrow. It's only available for a limited time.

May 2022: Since the forecast called for sunshine, we thought to try it out in the patio of @stone_werks. It was busy and filled with people!

We were in time for happy hour which ended at 6pm. It was half off for the Spinach & Artichoke Dip. We had the Oysters Rockefeller which Dad really liked. Dad and I shared the Fish N Chips and my husband had the popular Rotisserie Pork Chop. I had a bite and it was flavorful even without the sauce! He also ate a side salad. The fish could use some more seasoning and the chips weren't crispy. We enjoyed several drinks on happy hour - Lemondrop Martini, Sangriarita, Wells vodka and Michelob Ultra. Even though we were quite full, we made room for the Blueberry Cobbler. It was huge for 3 of us to share. We couldn't finish it all.

Definitely more menu items to try so...

The pork chops were great!

I came in on a Saturday early evening at 5:30 and the place was still fairly empty. I ordered the pork chops and subbed in the green beans. My waiter was a very vivacious young woman, but it took forever to get things. I was dining by myself and ordered water along with a strawberry peach frozen drink. My water was delivered, then I kept waiting for my drink, my server was waiting on other tables as the place was starting to get busy. My food was delivered and my server had to go and track down my bar order.

This being said, the chops were perfectly cooked and had a very good flavor. The two veggies, mashed potatoes and green beans were plated with the green beans placed on top of the potatoes, rendering both messed up and had no distinguishing flavors. Please pass on the aesthetic and plate food without putting everything on top of each other.

When I was ready to leave, it took forever to get my server back to me, she brought my bill and collected my card. Then my card rode around in her apron pocket for another 10 minutes while she took and served other orders, went to the bar to collect orders, and other things. Honestly, when I hand over my cc, either run it at the table on a handheld device, or run it immediately and bring it back to me. I don't like having it walking all over the restaurant. It took me 90+ minutes to have a solo dinner that should have been no longer...