The Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen - Westlake — Restaurant in Texas

I had never been to the Westlake location before, but I was excited to try it out when my friend invited me to lunch with a group of friends. She had made a reservation in advance knowing we would be there during peak lunch hour (around 12:30) and when we arrived there was a table ready and we got seated immediately. I will say, it was very busy and parking was a little difficult, but I did find a spot around the back. There is additional parking in a small garage-like area to the back right near the Snap Kitchen. Another friend mentioned that the valet service was free (although I’m not entirely sure).

Our server was undoubtedly busy, but he was still attentive. He made sure to greet us and take our drink orders quickly. Despite the restaurant being busy, the service was pretty good.

I had to leave early, so I placed my order before everyone else. Being low carb, the menu wasn't the most accommodating, but there were a couple of good options. I ordered the Grove Chopped Salad which was made with fresh romaine, tomato, cucumber, egg, red onion, avocado, hardwood bacon, chicken breast, parmesan, and tossed in a caesar dressing. I believe it was priced at $19. I ordered it as is and it came out rather quickly. It was flavorful and delicious, but I will admit I would have liked more salad dressing. While I was eating my lunch, the table ordered 3 different bruschetta plates: the fig, brie, and julienned apples, the whipped herb feta, local honey, crushed pistachio, and the house smoked salmon and herb cream cheese. Though I didn't get to try them, they looked delicious and everyone commented on them being really tasty. The consensus seemed to be that the feta, honey, and pistachio bruschetta was the favorite.

I would highly recommend trying this place out! While they didn’t necessarily have an extensive selection of low-carb or keto as-is menu choices, they did have an abundance of healthy options and you could substitute sandwich breads for lettuce wraps which opens up additional possibilities. I am not sure how flexible they are on the substitutions, but they do have options you could combine to make a great low carb meal that is not a salad! They also have a variety of proteins (steak, chicken, fish, etc.) and have a cauliflower pizza crust alternative (though it’s likely still not keto but is probably gluten free). All in all, they have a diverse range of choices to cater to different...

I love The Grove and I go there often. I live and work in Westlake and The Grove is our 'go to' place when we want to grab a drink or a bite to eat after work. I've even had my birthday there once. I can't count how many delicious meals I've been served there.

Which is why last night was so disappointing. I actually posted on FB, but it was quickly deleted, so I'll try here.

We arrived for our reservation and were immediately informed that we would need to finish our meal by 6:00 as someone else needed our table. Odd. But okay. It was 4:00 in the afternoon on a Thursday, many empty tables. It just felt, unwelcoming. But we shrugged it off.

We were approached at our table 3 other times during our dinner and reminded that we needed to leave by 6:00. Once by the waiter when he greeted us, once by the gentleman who delivered our food, and again by the manager at 5:45 when we were finishing up our second glasses of wine. I was irked enough by then to tell the manager that we had fifteen more minutes and a couple of glasses of wine to finish, and she said she needed us to leave the table BEFORE 6:00 so they could clean it and prepare it for the next guest. I was, and still am, appalled.

Especially since there were at least 10 free tables on the patio at 5:45.

In 60 years, I have never been treated so rudely by a restaurant. And it breaks my heart that it was THE GROVE of all places! I love this place. I've never had anything less than a five-star experience there. Until last night.

It's interesting that this happened two weeks before THE GROVE is set to cater a very large event where I work. And to think I was one of the ones that suggested it as a venue. :(

I've given this review 3 stars because the food was as good as it always is. But it was an uncharacteristically unpleasant and...

We showed up to get a couple of glasses of wine before a wedding a few miles away. Summary: The place was in rough shape, tables that had not been bused in over an hour, flies inside getting into our drinks, and staff that was severely lacking training. Even with the beautiful view I would not visit again.

Cleanliness: Showing up at 4:30, half an hour after it opened, only 2 other tables were seated as I counted 6 tables in our room that had not been bused yet. In our time there no one had attempted to clean anything as I saw multiple staff not attending to anything or anyone. Sitting next to the window we found food bits and lots of dust collected on the cushioned seat back my friends were sitting on. Not a good look.

Flies: Our time would have been more enjoyable had my friends not been preoccupied swatting flies away from their drinks and face.

Service: I will preface this with saying that I do not entirely blame our waiter but rather the training he received. He tried his best and still deserved a full tip but was at a disadvantage. (Strike one) My first drink order was served wrong with the wrong liquor and garnishments even after I had been asked, I let it slide. (Strike 2) As two of the alcoholic drinks came out, after 10 minutes and no visits from our waiter I had to call him across the room as he was standing in the back and ask him to bring my friend her coke. Reminder only 2 other tables seated in this room. (Strike 3) as he picked up my empty glass he asked if I would like another drink to which I asked for a shiner bock. 10 minutes later he returned to the table to pick up a plate I had finished and asked if I would like another drink to which I asked for the shiner bock I ordered 10...