I J Canns American Grille — Restaurant in Winchester

What a GEM! I WISH we had taken pictures of all our food, though one of us remembered at dessert time. Now from the start..... We were hungry and tired of the same old choices locally. Frankly, we had NO idea this place existed! We happened to be driving down Valley, saw the shopping center, and stopped in and found this place. The outside alone is welcoming, beautiful patio, front entry way....you walk in and there's a bar on one side, seating on the other, a very friendly hostess to great you. The restaurant itself is clean, bright but not too bright, the décor clean with a comfortable homey feel. We were greeted then by Hannah. She was warm and friendly, took our drinks, and asked if we wanted bread. We gave her our drink orders, said yes to the bread, and within 5 minutes she returned with both. The bread was warm (2 kinds, white and a wheat, and the butter was soft!!), the drinks were not too strong, not too weak, just perfect in our opinions. We started with mozzarella caprese. Fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, leaves of basil, mixed greens on the side, all drizzled with balsamic. Very fresh, bright, and delicious. At just the right time, dinner arrives. My husband had the Filet Mignon with port wine demi reduction, seasoned vegetables, and garlic mashed potatoes. I had the special that was normally on Monday night but was able to order on Wednesday (cost more, to be expected). Mine consisted of an 8 oz filet, 2 very large steamed shrimp, 1 larger than I expected crab cake, baked potato, and the seasoned veggies. Our steaks were cooked perfectly to our liking, what we requested is what we got. Nothing was overcooked, nothing was undercooked. The seasoning and flavor of everything on our plates was on point. The crab cake was virtually pure crab meat and tasted great. My ONLY suggestion, provide some remoulade to balance out the different flavors and enhance the crab. Onto dessert (how we had room I'll never know!) I asked for recommendations from Hannah, and at her suggestion on what seems to be most popular my husband had the brownie sundae and I had the carrot cake. Neither of these desserts disappointed. The carrot cake (pictured, obviously) was incredibly moist, surprising as many establishments allow cakes to be dry by later it the evening. The amount of icing was a bit more than expected, perfect if you have a sweet tooth, a bit much if you're looking for ratio of cake/icing. However, I still managed to polish off most of it. I need to add that we were never left without being asked if we wanted more to drink (BEFORE emptying our glasses) and we were checked on with regard to temperature and flavor of everything we had through our meal. I credit Hannah with topping off our enjoyable evening, her service was impeccable without being overbearing, nor was she annoyed by any request (a seemingly growing trait among wait staff). Overall we were highly impressed from start to finish. The décor, the staff, the food, the choices, the prices (for the amount you get they ARE very reasonable), all were way more than we expected to find in Winchester. We will 100% be returning to try other options on the menu. We entertain often and will be bringing people with us and look forward to the same dining experience we enjoyed. To close, we have eaten all over the world all sorts of types of food and venues. Not being pretentious, we happen to love food and have spent 30+ years dining in various places to know--in our opinions--what can be considered good and what can't. To find a gem so close to home that was truly an enjoyable meal from walking in the restaurant to walking out...

Extremely frustrated and disappointed in I J Canns. My partner lives 5 hours away, and he traveled to Winchester to spend the day with me. I had researched many restaurants to find a “good” one and I chose IJ Canns. We got to the restaurant and were told there was a 30-40 minute wait. We were fine with that, and since there is very limited seating for those waiting for a table, I asked if they would mind taking my number down and calling me when our table is ready. She said that was perfectly fine and that she would call me. I made sure she wrote down the correct phone number for me, and she did (it was literally written right beside my name). As soon as my party was out the door, I made sure to turn my phone on full volume so I wouldn’t miss the call. 40+ minutes go by, and my friend suggests we go in and see what is going on. We get inside and the waiting area is packed. I go up and ask about our table and the exact same waitress who took my number down just 40 minutes earlier on the list and said she’d call when our table was ready proceeded to tell my party that she called my name out and called me twice. After telling her my phone was on volume AND showing her my call log proving no one called, she proceeded to tell us we have to wait (and had an attitude). I asked for how long and she said another hour! So after we already waited 40 minutes, we were told now we have to wait even longer again. Ridiculous. No apology, nothing. It was already almost 7:30, and we had to end up spending almost ANOTHER hour finding another place to have a nice dinner. I did not appreciate the attitude we got and the lying. I appreciate honesty—if you mess up, just admit it. I am a patient person and don’t mind waiting if it’s reasonable and my time is respected. We should have been put at the top of the list after she messed up the first time since we were there well before all the people crowded into the waitlist area/in line. My friend asked to speak to a manager and the lady just blankly stared at us with no response. At that point, we just left. I’ve never been treated this poorly at a restaurant before in my entire life. Was very excited to try this restaurant, but I will not be returning or recommending it to anyone. My long-distance partner and I have very limited time to spend together, and only currently get to see each other and enjoy a nice meal together every few months. This whole ordeal ruined that. He drove 5 hours one way to come to Winchester, dressed up, etc. It was also frustrating that because of how little we get to see each other, I called 5 days beforehand to ask if I could make a reservation and was told reservations were only for larger parties—but if that’s the case, the waitlist and staff issue needs to be addressed and...

When my friend & I first arrived today there was 15 min wait, but we didn’t have to wait that long only about 10 min. Then we were taken back to our table. After we ordered our drinks Laura brought all the drinks except my water. She said she would get it & bring it back which took about 10 min & I had to ask 2x’s or 3x’s if you considered when I placed my order. Then we ate our food and when I had 1/2 the cut up sandwich on my plate she asked if I was finished & grabbed my plate before I could ask for a box and left quickly.Laura never asked me if I wanted a box like most good waitresses do! I tried to chase her down to get the other 1/2 off my sandwich before it was thrown away (which was tomorrow’s lunch), but by that time she already disappeared in the room & had thrown it away. When Laura came back she argued with me about how there was only a tiny bite left when she clearly lied about it & offered to retrieve it from the garage to prove it. I know if I’d agreed she would have torn a piece off to prove me wrong. Then after her arguing with me I said I want to talk to the manager, because either I want them to make another 1/2 of my sandwich or 1/2 off my meal. I got my $14 meal for $9, but Laura continued to argue with me. I didn’t say anymore, because you can’t get anywhere with a waitress with this non-business etiquette. The manager NEVER came to apologize or appear at all which shows how this business is ran (poorly). No wonder why your workers have this type of business etiquette. Laura never apologized either (which I didn’t expect). This is a poor way to run a business if you want to have repeat customers. Then I wondered if Laura even told the manager about the incident (don’t know her name) so I went over to the bar area to tell her about my experience. Then shortly after Laura came over to listen in on our private conversation (very immature & rude-something a child would do). The manager could careless either. No apology from her & she had a angry look on her face the entire time & she had no reason to be angry!! The only word the manager said to me was ok with an attitude and a frustrated look on her face. She didn’t even give me her full attention she was walking behind the bar cleaning when there were no customers in the room!!! This makes me think the owners don’t care how poorly customers are treated by their employees. I loved this place, but now it has placed a VERY bad taste in my mouth with being ignored by the manager and dismissed by the waitress to resolve this issue & having to talk to Laura the unconcerned waitress to make things right. I had to track the manager down & get treated like that?!! What has happened to morals now days?? Apparently some of their employees need a lesson on...