Dray Bar and Grill — Restaurant in South Carolina

The fact that I am writing this at 5 in the morning speaks volumes. I've been to this place for lunch in the past. I thought the food was decent, but not 5 star. The same goes for the venue. It's decent folks, but the place is old. The property in general has decent parking, but if you have any physical disabilities, it's a hike.

I was here for my niece's wedding this past Saturday. We did the service at the church and the wedding party got to the Dray for the reception across from the restaurant. Being a retired LEO, I see things that most folks don't. I'll speak my mind and let others take the information to their use or not.

Got there around 3pm. Guests were already inside when I got there. As you walk through the doors there was a bar set up in the right corner with 1 bartender and a helper or service person. Appetizer table in the middle with some meats/cheeses, and two small burners with appetizers. Folks were getting drinks and socializing. The space was decent but a little tight and nowhere to sit. Keep in mind that folks are dressed. Ladies in heels and dresses. Men in suits and dress shoes.

I walked down a narrow hallway and to my left is a door standing open with the help of a large rock! In the inside space was a sign in table, wedding favors, a board with the bride and groom's information welcoming everyone. Behind that table against a wall was the gift card box drop off table with a few candles and flowers. I looked around and saw no one. That's my first red flag. Why would you have a gift card box left unattended with no one around to watch it? Anyone with bad intentions could walk in there and steal any gifts left on the table or the gift box.

I asked a few employees about moving the table inside and moved the entire table next to where the bride and groom would be sitting. Simple things and preventative.

I then walked into the men's room. It was not clean. It's 3pm and the rented space should be tight, and ready to go, not dirty.

I checked the inside area where guests would be. Pretty cozy. The tables were set up. I liked the space. It was decorated well and comfortable with plenty of space.

I walked back out to the area where folks had gathered before they would be sat and was approached by a guest that told me they were out of hot appetizers. Keep in mind, I don't work at the Dray. It's not my responsibility to look after anyone's employee's food and beverages. I am not venue security and should not have to worry about propped open doors where strangers could have access to your personal belongings that could easily be stolen!

Leap forward, it's now 5pm or close to it and folks are getting restless. It was clear there were not enough employees to help with this event. We should have been seated by now. Again, that's not my problem. The event was paid for, and ownership should have people in place to take care of that.

Intros were done after folks were seated. It was comfortable inside. It took too long for food to be delivered. First, it was some tortellini or ravioli. Then a large gap in time, followed by a small plate of mozzarella cheese with balsamic drizzle. The music flowed and drinks were good, but we did not get fed until 7:30. Way too long of a process. The food was tasty, but lukewarm at best. Folks were eating in intervals. Completely unacceptable.

As the Godfather of the bride, I was embarrassed but since I did not have any involvement in the planning, I said nothing to management. The employees were kind and running around. If you're going to run a business, have back-up personnel or a plan in place to prevent these situations. That's how you stay in business and avoid these reviews.

Everything was off about the timing. Lack of personnel, food delivery/temps, security concern, cutting of the cake, etc. To top it off, there was a trash can in front of venue. Residents from the apartment complex next door who had dogs were taking their dog poop and putting it in the trash. Nice smell along with the food. SMH.

I wish this place the best, but you...

It is a lovely atmosphere. Airy. The artwork gives a respectful nod to its heritage. Outdoor dining area seemed really inviting, but lightly shaded and already too hot to enjoy lunch in the sun.

I told the hostess that it was my mother's birthday that we were celebrating and got no acknowledgement from our server. I don't know what birthday policy is, but a happy birthday from our server would have been a nice touch.

I enjoyed my cocktail (walk the plank) and appreciated the balance of flavor. It was unique and well done.

My husband ordered Philly cheese steak and said that he enjoyed the flavor, but had to wipe the sandwich with a napkin because the bun was exceptionally greasy. He also said that he would have liked more cheese on his cheese steak sandwich. He only ate 1/4 of his sandwich and brought the rest home for later. He's a big guy... so filled up on cauliflower bites and fries.

My mother was disappointed that the cauliflower bites were not crispy... I found them rather pedestrian. They were okay. Nothing super exciting or innovative. I would have preferred the Brussels and kale.

I had the cranberry/pecan/apple salad with chicken. It was a decent salad. I was disappointed with the very scant amount of goat cheese, but my husband reminded me that the goat cheese app was 86'd... so that would explain the measly serving of cheese. The salad was fairly basic. It was overly sweet and really suffered from the balance of flavor and texture the cheese would have given it. I am not sure if the chicken was brined or what was going on with it. It did not seem like fresh chicken, but frozen cutlets that every other restaurant serves... like Wendy's grilled chicken. It was on the verge of overly salty and the texture was not quite right.

My mother enjoyed the crab avo sandwich and that's all that really matters. I really wanted to gift her with soft shell crabs as she is a Virginia native and has fond memories of crabbing as a girl in Norfolk. I do think she wanted a bit more crab in the patty. She asked me to taste it because the crab flavor didn't jump out to her. She was not at all pleased with the fries and I did taste one myself. They looked a lot better than they tasted. They were not super hot, so... maybe that's why? Not the best fries I have ever had and potatoes are my favorite. So...

Overall... food was a B+. At least I didn't have to cook and wash dishes.

We were there after 1pm and the restaurant was not slammed full. It looks like we arrived after the big rush. I thought our server was pleasant, but seemed hurried in her communication with us and fairly inattentive to details. She still received a 20% tip. She seemed like a lovely, polite, friendly young woman, but there were some aspects of her grooming that I feel is inappropriate for a server. Excessively long nails and lashes in a restaurant are a no thank you. Shoot, false nails in general seems risky in a food service environment no matter the length. Not what I would expect from a restaurant with Dray's price point.

I wouldn't turn down a lunch or dinner at The Dray if a friend suggested it, but I'm probably not going back on my own. The dog owned aspect of it is super appealing and is what put The Dray on my list to begin with. Have seen many positive reviews. It's a nice place with interesting history, but the food just didn't meet my expectation especially for the...

The Dray has been, literally, the only restaurant I wished to visit when in Spartanburg, and I am there frequently with friends and colleagues even though I live in Concord, NC. We have held business meetings as well as social gatherings there and I first visited there 4-5 years ago now. The food is always extremely fine, but, the service seems to have changed as has, most notably, the atmosphere.

I used to plan my visits when we could hear and enjoy cocktail piano being played live by Mr. Steve Nadeau; there is nothing as elegant or enjoyable as live cocktail piano while experiencing fine dining. Cocktail piano is in itself a unique and wonderfully entertaining and familiar style and genre of music that fit the Dray so beautifully. My understanding is that the pianist has now been boorishly and unceremoniously dismissed by insensitive ownership and management and, I must be honest and say, that the "replacements" are pitiful at best. In fact I would not return if I can help it when they are there it detracts and lessens the dining experience to such a great degree.

I have now experienced on two differing occasions these guitar players who also "sing" (and I am being charitable). I refer to one inside and on another occasion one outside. Not only was the music less than satisfactory but the personnel in question were also dressed in a sloppy and very slovenly manner. Not good for approaching the door and seeing as well as hearing this kind of thing or immediately upon entering. Many might think this an insignificant issue but, as a trained musician and professional keyboard player and singer myself, it was always something I planned around and, now, t's gone. There is a rumor that the piano will still play on Sunday for brunch but, being a church organist and choir director in Concord, NC, that does me no good.

On another note, the restroom(s) there always seem noticeably dirty and unkept to a rather unacceptable degree. In addition they (at least the men's) have an unbelievably bad and constant, lingering odor that wafts out into the bar and dining areas near the door. If there were not occasions when going into it was a necessity, I would avoid that at all costs because they are just that far below par as far as maintenance and upkeep during business hours.

I am honestly considering whether I will return to Dray ever again after this. I also realize that my thoughts will be ignored or pushed aside but, as a professional musician and one who appreciated elegance, truly fine atmosphere and exceptional cuisine, these repugnant banjo pickers have ruined The Dray for me personally as well as my friends who always looked forward to dining there and enjoying the place. Dray now seems like a bar and grill rather than a restaurant featuring truly fine dining and...