Smashing Grapes - Columbia

Review summary

1. T

   Ted

   Baltimore

   6 reviews

   3.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Great service and ambience but the food was dry, overcooked and lacked sufficient seasoning. I had the pan seared half-chicken selection. If you're having desert... don't select the blueberry cobbler... analogous to gummy bread dipped in blueberries... not your typical blueberry cobbler dish... ugh. Overall, if you're looking for ambience and good service... this is your place. But if you're dining experience to include good tasting food, at this price point, you can do better.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
2. J

   Jennifer

   Washington DC

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   First time at this restaurant and the food and service weee amazing!
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
3. P

   Pam

   Baltimore

   18 reviews

   5.0

   18 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Excellent food and very knowledgeable staff! This a great place for date night or out with the girls.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
4. D

   David

   Baltimore

   290 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   290 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   We were seated in a booth by a window on a cold day. I asked the lady who was seating us if it was warm, and she said yes; however after about 15 minutes the four of us were freezing. I asked to be reseated and we were accommodated. Oysters were delivered without cocktail sauce and it took 10 minutes to get it. My. short rib was tasty but barely warm when served.
   

   Smashing Grapes - ColumbiaResponded 3 days ago

   David, thank you for your review-we are disappointed to learn that your experience dining with us was not as excellent as it should have been and we appreciate your feedback so we can improve. Thank you, and we hope to have the chance to serve you again soon to prove we can earn those 5 stars! With Gratitude, The Team at Smashing Grapes Columbia
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
5. Z

   Zani

   Washington DC

   137 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   137 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   There were five of us for the Thanksgiving dinner buffet. Pros: Friendly staff, good variety of food, good mashed potatoes and pernil (pork) Cons: No acknowledgement once seated. Our table and the table next to us had to ask for someone to come over and take drink orders. Most of the food tasted meh. Oysters seem like they were shucked earlier, then refrigerated (also no Tabasco or horseradish). Brussel sprouts were soaked in oil. The advertised old bay shrimp didn't have a speck of seasoning. It's their first year at this location, so I'll give them some grace. I'd go back, but not for a buffet.
   

   Smashing Grapes - ColumbiaResponded 4 days ago

   Zani, thank you for your review-while we are pleased to learn you enjoyed some aspects of your experience dining with us this holiday, we are sorry that other parts weren't equally as top-notch. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback so we can work hard to improve, and we hope to have the chance to serve you again soon to prove we can earn those 5 stars! With Gratitude, The Team at Smashing Grapes Columbia
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
6. J

   Jean

   Baltimore

   7 reviews

   3.0

   7 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 4

   Food was very good, especially for a buffet. Service was terrible. The waiter only had to bring you your drinks and take away the plates, since you were serving yourself at the buffet. Twice we had to ask someone to find our waiter for us, since we had not seen him for such a long time. We all wanted coffee with our dessert but the waiter never came to check on us, so we never ordered it. They put an automatic 18% gratuity on the bill. I think that is high for a buffet but definitely high, since we got no service at all. So a $45 tip for doing hardly nothing (gave us water and our check) is a great deal for the waiter. Hopefully he has to share that with the ones taking care of the buffet, because they did do a good job. My husband who hardly ever complains at restaurants, did complain when he paid the bill. We have been here before and it was very good, but we haven’t decided if we are ever going return. Definitely not returning on a holiday.
   

   Smashing Grapes - ColumbiaResponded 5 days ago

   Jean, thank you for your review-while we are very happy to learn that you enjoyed a delicious meal, we are disappointed to hear that the service was not equally as top-notch, for which we can offer no excuse. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback so we can work hard to improve, and we hope to have the chance to serve you again soon to prove we can earn those 5 stars! With Gratitude, The Team at Smashing Grapes Columbia
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
7. J

   James

   Chicago

   3 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Smashing grapes was a smashing success! The ambience was lovely, the food was better than expected, and the service was superb. We’re not much of a wine drinker, but the offerings were top-notch and chosen with care. All in all a must try!
   

   Smashing Grapes - ColumbiaResponded 5 days ago

   James, thank you so much for your 5-star review! We are so pleased to learn you enjoyed a wonderful dining experience with us from start to finish and we are so grateful to you for taking the time to share your positive experience & offer your recommendation! Thank you, and we look forward to serving you again soon! With Gratitude, The Team at Smashing Grapes Columbia
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
8. J

   Joseph

   Washington DC

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great overall experience it was my first time dining at the restaurant. Our server(s) were both awesome. Great place for a date night.
   

   Smashing Grapes - ColumbiaResponded 1 day ago

   Joseph, thank you so much for your 5-star review! We are thrilled to learn that you enjoyed the exceptional dining experience we strive for and you deserve on your first visit and we can't wait to serve you again very soon! With Gratitude, The Team at Smashing Grapes Columbia
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
9. M

   Maria

   Baltimore

   39 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   39 reviews

   Dined on November 25, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Delicious food, fabulous wine selection. Very pretty space. Food was delicious, especially lamb shanks and lobster pappardelli
   

   Smashing Grapes - ColumbiaResponded on November 26, 2024

   Maria, thank you so much for your 5-star review! We are thrilled to learn that you enjoyed the exceptional dining experience we strive for and you deserve and we truly appreciate you taking the time to share your recommendation! Thank you, and we can't wait to serve you again very soon! With Gratitude, The Team at Smashing Grapes Columbia
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
10. p

    patrick

    Baltimore

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    We arrived at 8 pm for reservation. Hostess informed us several tables were still clearing out and that she would text us when the table was ready. We hung out at the bar area, which was very nice. Excellent old-fashioned cocktail with just the right combination of bitters and sweetness. At 830, our table still wasn't ready. The manager apologized and offered us a large round table in the bar area. While it was noisier in this area, the ambiance was quite nice. They had a guitarist playing acoustic as well. The food was excellent, including oysters, sea bass, and braised short rib. Ojai vineyards 2016 pinot noir was terrific and decanter provided. The manager also provided us with a complimentary glass of wine for our troubles. Overall, I highly recommend this restaurant for small groups, special occasions, or even to grab a quick bite at the bar while watching a sporting event.
    

    Smashing Grapes - ColumbiaResponded on November 25, 2024

    Patrick, thank you so much for your 5-star review! We are thrilled to learn that you enjoyed the exceptional dining experience we strive for and you deserve once our team helped work through some of the issues, and we are so grateful for your recommendation! Thank you, and we can't wait to serve you again very soon! With Gratitude, The Team at Smashing Grapes Columbia
    

    Is this helpful?

    Report