The Caroline — Restaurant in Troy

Friday - 7pm- St. Pattys day - not too busy

Love the atmosphere upon arrival, lighting is perfect, and tables are spaced out nicely. We were greeted and seated quickly other than that, I am sad to say that this was a very disappointing experience. Called ahead for a table for two. I totally forgot it was Saint Patty's day until we were given a "special menu" with only specific items for the evening. No big deal, though! The server asked if we wanted bread when she took our order, we said yes, but it did not arrive until 25 min later. I had to ask the server about it a second time. Our food came right after it finally showed. I ordered a chicken Ceasar salad ($16) that was mediocre at best. The chicken was cold, unseasoned, and grey. It was not cooked to order, which was very obvious. This is understandable being that it goes on top of a salad, but you could at least give the illusion that it is worth the money. The fiance ordered a 16oz sirloin ($36) cooked medium. I'm not sure what happened, but parts of the steak were borderline rare and bloody while other pieces were closer to medium. Part of the steak was missing. You could see where it had been chopped off once cooked. We did not want to send it back and risk waiting longer, so he just ate what he could of it. underwhelming is the only word to describe it. Bland flavor, temp issues, and several chewy bits with gristle. My French onion soup showed up quickly, nice and hot, and it was pretty delicious, but I would have loved to have some bread with it... for $80 plus tip, we expected a better experience all around. Our server seemed distracted or just in the weeds, we aren't sure. It didn't seem busy enough to warrant the lack of attention and forgetfulness. I doubt we will come back to The Caroline. There was nothing positive that stood out about this dining experience, and I am bummed about it. I really wanted to like...

What a CLASS ACT Restaurant on the square in Troy Ohio! Everyone that I have met, working there; are striving for perfection and wearing genuine smiles while providing top notch service. The gold standard of how employees should act while on the job. Professionals, in my opinion; are not rare in my beautiful hometown of Troy, Ohio. That does not surprise me. It was endearing. No embellishing. I was taken aback by a kind and thoughtful hostess. A great way to enter a business. No need for names. She made a unique and lasting impression. A genuine, intelligent lady! The food is 5 star cuisine, not just table fare. The atmosphere enhances the experience. (The Caroline), is balanced and tuned perfectly. All functions and stations are not antiquated. The restaurant is a well oiled machine for total success. From now on, I will make (The Caroline) my #1 establishment to dine. If quality is the benchmark, you as a customer are seeking to find; look no more! Fine culinary selection and cerebral employees, make for a great success story still being written at (The Caroline). This first class confluence of talents is successful. Fine dining is assured. The experience is more than worthwhile. This IS MY hometown. A superb bright spot for Troy, Ohio. ALL of the staff, or (TEAM) working there; are poised and positioned to maximize your expectations at all times! "Great people" I kept saying to myself. I will be going back for a pleasurable evening more than I have in the past. Great food. I never saw or heard loud obnoxious patrons. No egregious behavior by anyone. Just one more feather in the cap of Troy, Ohio, for dining choices. The owner does a wonderful job screening employees. The chef is superb. The staff, priceless! Had one of the best meals that I...

The reason for the two stars isn't because of the service, the service was the best part of the experience, it was the food.

Here are a couple things I tried: Ceasar salad with housemade crab cakes -

the romaine wasn't fresh - it was limp and browning, the ceasar dressing was under seasoned it was merely white and creamy, the croutons were made from sliced bread (?), it was topped with store bought parmesan that had that distinctive anti-caking powder taste and texture, and finally the undercooked bland crab cakes. The crab was cooked, but the cake was barely seared leaving the crab cake wet and heavy.

Bourbon Mushrooms - This is considered a signature dish. It was supposed to consist of button mushrooms, butter, garlic, and bourbon. The mushrooms were overcooked, when mushrooms become this overcooked they're grey in color and are at once rubbery and soggy. These mushrooms were forgotten and all of their natural juices were cooked out, water and a little garlic were added, but no richness from butter or edge from bourbon. They were grey water-logged lumps.

I could go on, but I think I've said enough. Suffice it to say, it wasn't good, it was overpriced, and I don't...