Squire on the Square — Restaurant in Woodstock

We had dinner here on a Friday evening at 7:30 p.m., opting for the patio since we had our dog with us. The waitlist system worked well; we received our notification text and were seated right when we arrived. Our initial drink and appetizer orders arrived quickly. However, the experience went downhill from there. The saganaki was delivered by a food runner who dropped the food and ran off before we could discover we had no plates. We resorted to eating on our napkins. Only four small pita triangles accompanied it. Our server did not return until the appetizer was half gone, at which point I asked for plates and more pita bread. Rather than addressing this immediately, she entered the building and returned later with the plates, assuring us the bread would follow shortly—but we had finished by then. We ordered the entrees, including a plain chicken breast for our dog. Our meals arrived, but the dog’s chicken did not. When the server checked on us, we asked about it and she said it had been mistakenly delivered to a neighboring table who also had a dog but a new one was on its way. At this time, I asked for water. The server ran off again only to return later with a tray of water filled glasses for her tables, inquiring if I wanted one as if I never asked. The replacement chicken eventually arrived via another runner. My husband's dish was good, but mine was severely overcooked: the bun was tough and leathery, the chicken dry and tough, and the fries dry. It was inedible. As I struggled with it, I attempted to signal the server. I needed a fresh napkin, condiments (none were provided on the table), and we wanted another round of drinks. And as minutes went by, I decided I needed to ask for a replacement entree. But despite repeated efforts—scanning the area, attempting to make eye contact with her, and gesturing with a hand high in the air—our server remained focused solely on her immediate tasks, literally running between tables then running into the building without glancing around. Bottom line, there was inadequate staffing: she was the only server on the patio, with no additional servers, bussers, or hostesses present throughout our entire visit. When presenting the check, we voiced our dissatisfaction with my entree; she whisked off with the bill and came back and said management gave us a 50% discount on it. My bad we should have gotten up and gone into the building to ask for help or asked for the manager but we had driven eight hours that day and we were tired. We accepted the discount and left. To management: If patio service is offered, it must be properly staffed. Overcooked food is an occasional mishap, but leaving patrons unattended is unacceptable. Beyond service lapses, this raises safety concerns—potential accidents, medical emergencies, or disputes could arise, for which the establishment bears responsibility. Ensure at least one staff member is present on the patio at...

As the owner of an Airbnb two blocks from the Woodstock Square, I was happy to learn that an off-shoot of the Village Squire was settling into the Historic Courthouse, so I would once again be able to recommend to my guests a near-by quality restaurant. Based on my dining experience on opening-day, I will indeed be recommending Squire on the Square. That is not to say all the kinks have been worked out, but here’s hoping they will be over time. We were greeted by the smell of popcorn, which has long been a signature of all the Squires. A bowl was brought promptly to the table where my partner and I sat in the bar, and as always, it was delicious. When asked if we’d like drinks, I ordered a limoncello and was told they didn’t have that—same when I subsequently asked for a Disaronna sour. I settled on a raspberry lemon drop martini, one of their signature drinks, and was disappointed, having had better. When it came time to order food, I asked the waitress if any entrees could be prepared without onion and garlic to which I’m allergic, triggering severe migraines. She said she’d ask the chef. Seconds later, Chef Ramone was standing at our table, conferring on work-arounds to keep me safe. That was much appreciated, leading to a wonderful meal. I ordered ale house spuds (potato skins) and a berry nut salad. My partner requested Billy’s ahi tuna wontons and a chopped salad. All four were winners—prepared well, tasty, and filling. Service throughout was attentive as drinks were refilled and we were asked about our meals. The only negative during the meal was that the TV directly across from me above the bar was tuned to Fox News, which might be pleasing to half of the restaurants customers but is a distinct turn-off for the rest of us who seek nights out at restaurants to get away from “all that” for a couple of hours. After the meal, we poked our heads into the restaurant’s various other nooks and crannies. Where the jail cells used to be are now multiple lounging areas with dim red lighting and comfy conversation-pit seating. The dining rooms were equally welcoming. However, keeping with the theme of the “Squire,” the walls were littered with chintzy replicas of coat of arms and related medieval artifacts, absent any of the beautiful nineteenth-century stained glass windows that are on display in the other Squires. Hopefully those are in the process of being acquired for future redecoration. Pleasing was the fact that the framed, black-and-white historic photos of the Square remain. All-in-all, it was a good first encounter with a restaurant that should do very well in Woodstock providing quality food at...

I went here with my family tonight. I'm not one for reviewing places let alone be negative, but this experience was not good. First of all the water they served tasted like nasty tap water, I know it's Woodstock, but at a restaurant you should have some sort of filter. When the food arrived we were quite disappointed. First off, all the limes on one dish was brown. I know it's ok to eat, but it shouldn't have been served. Second my Aunt and Uncle both got served RAW salmon. That is not acceptable in anyway. Someone did come out and apologized for the undercooked fish, but someone should be temp-checking in the kitchen, this should have not left the kitchen. Third, I asked for my burger well done and when I cut it open it was pink. Fourth, my Grandfather's schnitzel was not up to par. It was way too thick and was hard on the inside as well as the breading. It took a long time for our reorders from the salmon to come to the table. My Aunt got a grilled cheese as a replacement and it wasn't good either. The cheese wasn't even melted all the way and some how some chips got into the fries. The rest of the food was just ok, nothing special. We asked for refills for our sodas and for some extra napkins in the middle of eating and was told they'll be right back with them, but we never received them. No one was offered a refill for their drinks until they were clearing the table. Also while we were in the middle of eating we asked to also order a to go order, and was told they would be right back, but we had to wait until we were paying to order it, leaving us waiting a little over 20 minutes for a burger and fries to take home. We were told that the kitchen was really backed up after 20ish minutes. 20 mintues for what? I tell you a RAW burger. We ordered it for my brother and it wasn't even cooked all the way. It wasn't pink, it was raw. He had to take it apart and cook it on our stove. The restaurant alone is quite crowded and gloomy, it's too dark and has a bare minimum personality. You can also feel the fire when they light some dish up, it was a little close for comfort. The bathrooms are nice, but the paper towels are too high up to reach. Shorter people and kids would not be able to reach them. It was also hard to find the bathrooms, there are no signs indicating where they are, except for the doors itself. Also for me personally I HATE the smell of popcorn and that's all you smell everywhere in the restaurant and it is kind of unpleasant. I know this place just opened, but you should have all of this down...