[Review] Stone Grill Restaurant

[Essence89]

Restaurant:
Stone Grill
51 Winchester Street Toronto, ON M4X 1R7
(416) 967-6565

This is a review of the restaurant and my experience with it. Below is quick summary to get you started, detailed review following that. Sorry I don't have pictures but google image shows exactly what the place offers.

Summary:
Pros:
-Interesting menu (Bison, Ostrich, Kangaroo, Alligator)
-Interesting concept, grill your own food on stone
-Food is average

Cons:
-Terrible service
-Not a good value
-Automatically added tips for us
-Slow slow service

Will I recommend this place or go again?
NO

Detailed Review

My friends and I went to Stone Grill to celebrate a birthday, there is around 15 of us on a Sunday night. The whole night was pretty empty as it was only our table and two other couples in the restaurant.
At initial glance it is a pretty regular place with ambient atmosphere and dimmed lights.

We went of course for the experience and to try the different kinds of meat. We asked the server how big are the portions and this is our answer.

For the normal "Stoned Meat" is about 7 ounces
For the Meat combination and SURF AND TURF is 5 ounces per pieces of meat.

As I wanted to try out the different meat, I ordered the Meat Combination with Bison, Ostrich, and Kangaroo as my choices.

The Food
We waited about an hour before our food was served (pretty long time considering there was barely anybody there). Basically is raw meat on a piece of hot stone. The meat itself was not seasoned and you have salt and pepper to work with. All the stone meat comes with potato chunks and some boiled vegetable. When you cook the meat, the suggested way is to take the raw piece off the stone and cut it into smaller pieces to grill individually. The meat taste average and not much flavor but my biggest problem is that as I ordered the Meat combination, my Bison meat was about 5 ounces, however my ostrich and kangaroo was NOT 5 ounces, they are so small and thin that I didn't even have to cut the meat for it to be cooked on the stone. I would say they are 3 ounces max each. Because of this I was so hungry after the meal...

Second, for 15 of us, we only got 3 portion of bread before the main dish came. Each portion came with about 5 or 4 pieces of bread. When I ask for more bread from the waiter, he said it will cost us $2.50 per person more to get bread. I was so angry at this like serious WTF? Some of us did not even get ONE piece of bread and it will cost us MORE to get it? Are you kidding me, this is just bread. I got ripped off from 1 the main dish and now 2, I can't even fill myself a bit more with bread? What kind of restaurant is this? And you know what the waiter said? Quote " This is not Olive Garden, we do not give out unlimited bread". This is said after I told him not everyone at my table even got ONE piece.


Service
The service at the beginning was ok, taking orders and telling us what the portions and stuff. As I mentioned above, it took us one hour to get the main dish, another hour to get desert, and 30 min to get the bill. Seriously, there was two other couple in the whole restaurant, they got 3 waiters, and it took that long. Can anyone say I am being unreasonable here? Our dinner took from 7pm to 10pm, we didn't mind this too much cause we just chatted, but if I was to go alone with a girl, this will be unacceptable.

As I mentioned above, what kind of argument is Quote " This is not Olive Garden, we do not give out unlimited bread", when not even all the people in our table got one piece? So after our discussion, we got 8 more pieces exactly (Yes I counted), so it was enough for some people that didn't get a piece to have one, but not enough for everyone to get a second one. (Wow, two pieces of bread we cannot have when we are paying for $50 per person for the meal)

Thirdly, when we finally got the bill, Guess what, I got added $4.50 for the extra bread we got. So I mentioned before he said it was $2.50, now we got charged $4.50. Furthermore, they automatically added 18 percent tips on top of the bill. And I perfectly know why, with this terrible service they provided, the waiter is probably scared of not getting tipped. I was so amazed of how sad this restaurant is operated. Mandatory tips for bad services, you be the judge of that. I paid over $80 dollar for this "experience".


Conclusion
For me, this place is just for the experience and to try out the different types of meat. I read google reviews and already knew about the reputation of their terrible service but still went for it as I was not the person organizing the event. The food was average and you are there for the cooking experience. For others that are looking to go to this restaurant, the ONLY reason you should consider this place is that you want to try the different types of meat. If you want to cook yourself, Korean BBQ is more fun and have much more value for it.

If you can avoid it, please do, I got ripped off from the portion of food, the price of food, the bread, and the automatic 18 percent tip. Before you go, please read some other reviews about this place and serious ask yourself if you want to take the risk to spend $80 buck for this kind of meal.

If you are looking for a good steak, stay away from this place and go to places like Barberian's, Ruth Chris, Harbour Sixty etc. These places might actually run you cheaper, and provide MUCH MUCH better food and services than Stone Grill.

[rageking]

Thanks for the warning - this looks like a ****** place.

[Raggie]

You should've asked for the manager.

[aaronl3e7]

now feel free to not answer one or any of these, but a bit more information would be helpful for me to paint this picture in my minds eye.

-Predominant ethnicity of the party.
-Average age of patrons.
-Behavior at restaurant (Did your party a bit rowdy after a few drinks?).
-State of dress of the party in general (did you guys look like ballers, or dress normally).

You would think these things shouldn't matter, and you're right they don't, every customer is entitled to the best service they can provide.
From my personal experiences at places things like this can affect the quality of service profoundly.

For example, the quality of service I have received during meals that I have with predominantly Asian parties, differ from those I have with predominantly Caucasian, or South-Asian parties.

I do not condone the treatment you received here, just looking to understand why you were treated like this.

[Essence89]

You should've asked for the manager.

If was a friends birthday, we were having a good time chatting and eating, so I didn't want to make a scene from this at all.

[TinyTank]

what happens if you refuse to pay automatic gratuity? Can a restaurant call the cops? If so what happens

[Essence89]

now feel free to not answer one or any of these, but a bit more information would be helpful for me to paint this picture in my minds eye.

-Predominant ethnicity of the party.
-Average age of patrons.
-Behavior at restaurant (Did your party a bit rowdy after a few drinks?).
-State of dress of the party in general (did you guys look like ballers, or dress normally).

You would think these things shouldn't matter, and you're right they don't, every customer is entitled to the best service they can provide.
From my personal experiences at places things like this can affect the quality of service profoundly.

For example, the quality of service I have received during meals that I have with predominantly Asian parties, differ from those I have with predominantly Caucasian, or South-Asian parties.

I do not condone the treatment you received here, just looking to understand why you were treated like this.


Completely understand your point. People get judge base on age, race, and physical appearance, is the sad truth of the world which we live in.

We were all in our 20s, dressed normally, and we behaved normally. Our table only had one bottle of wine and no one had more than 2 glasses. No one was drunk or yelling, but of course we are having conversations. We respected our waiter with please and thank yous and even when I asked about the bread, I insisted this was not his fault and was just telling them the story and asking why we were treated this way.

We were all professional and do know our table manors and execute them in these events.

At the end of the meal, the waiter do ask us about groupons and stuff and we said no. Did he assume we were poor? Maybe? But is this an excuse for a service based business to treat their customers? Just to compare, I went to many other steakhouses with friends/coworkers in similar situations dressed perfectly the same (not business casual) and received MUCH better treatment.

What I believe the most important aspect of a service based business is the "service" they are providing, regardless of food. If they failed at the service, they fail as a business.

Just to add on, I didn't say anything about my meal being less portion than ask, I didn't say anything about the automatic 18% percent tip, the ONLY thing I mentioned was the bread because many of my friends had the same concern.

[Essence89]

what happens if you refuse to pay automatic gratuity? Can a restaurant call the cops? If so what happens

I am not really sure about this, but I gave the tips anyways, as it was our friends birthday and we don't get to meet everyone that often so none of us wanted to ruin it as it is already is.

[Raggie]

I would still consider writing to the manager just to let him know about the level of service you experienced. Even if you dont get anything from it, at least you gave them a piece of your mind.

[nsd]

A lot of places nowadays specify on their menus that an additional gratuity of X% will be added for parties of Y or more. I guess they didn't? I would've fought for it if I were you :).

[gilboman]

Too bad about your experience. But Stone Grill is NOT olive garden as the waiter pointed out though maybe he shouldn't have put it so bluntly:lol:

You're main complain seems to be about free bread and portion sizes which are definitely valid but it's really normal for some mid-higher end places.

Timewise I don't think is unreasonable..again, this ain't the olive garden, expect 2-3hrs for a meal from beginning to end, especially for party of 15 is also pretty normal. Did you ask for separate bills as well?

[Essence89]

A lot of places nowadays specify on their menus that an additional gratuity of X% will be added for parties of Y or more. I guess they didn't? I would've fought for it if I were you :).

Yep no indication what so ever, just auto added.

[aaronl3e7]

It seems that your treatment was based on age. Did you notice the age of average person there?
Based on what you have said I will more than likely avoid this place, unless I go with some old people :D.



...free bread and portion sizes which are definitely valid but it's really normal for some mid-higher end places.

LOL at canoe and most of those other OB restaurants the bread is about the only way to fill up without breaking the bank, besides the bread is usually pretty good too!!!

[Essence89]

Too bad about your experience. But Stone Grill is NOT olive garden as the waiter pointed out though maybe he shouldn't have put it so bluntly:lol:

You're main complain seems to be about free bread and portion sizes which are definitely valid but it's really normal for some mid-higher end places.

Timewise I don't think is unreasonable..again, this ain't the olive garden, expect 2-3hrs for a meal from beginning to end, especially for party of 15 is also pretty normal. Did you ask for separate bills as well?

Ya, I was really not picky about the time at all.

Now if you were in my situation, what do you think if you didn't even have one piece of bread and was asked to pay for $2.50 and then in the end charged with $4.50? We are not there to eat AYCE bread of course, but I never experience a place where I had to pay over $60 dollar for a meal where I have to request to have more than 1 piece of bread. No one came around and asked "Do you want more of this?" "Do you need anything else?" As I mentioned, first round not even everyone got one piece, second round not everyone got a second piece.

In addition, how would any customer feel if I am paying $60 for a dish, and it end up smaller than they told me? How would anyone feel if 18% tips is automatically added to your bill when I believe tips are given based on satisfactions of customer to the waiter?

How much do Stone Grill think they are better than Oliver Garden and to rudely pointing that out to 15 of us? Are they ignorant to think we all come to eat their bread?

All the other places I go to the waiter are very professional, they keep coming back asking me what I need what I want.

Of course this is my personal experience, maybe other had better experiences, I made this just as a fair warning for anyone planning to go.

[Essence89]

It seems that your treatment was based on age. Did you notice the age of average person there?
Based on what you have said I will more than likely avoid this place, unless I go with some old people :D.




LOL at canoe and most of those other OB restaurants the bread is about the only way to fill up without breaking the bank, besides the bread is usually pretty good too!!!

There was only two other couples there in their 30s I would assume. I would think these places will have more younger audiences are it is for the "fun experience". Is always to start off with some carbs lol..bread are awesome! No need for more if I actually got the ounces I wanted..sigh. If I was at Barberian’s with their 24 ounces steak, not even one piece of bread will be touched lol

I read few reviews on other sites and many time the service problem applied to older people as well. Maybe is specific waiters or something, their stuff is basically inconsistent and going in will be hit or miss.

[Rainne]

Servers instantly judge your party and calculate an effort/reward ratio = your service

Generally these parties get treated better:

-a couple on a date
-group of middle age Caucasian men
-police

[gilboman]

Ya, I was really not picky about the time at all.

Now if you were in my situation, what do you think if you didn't even have one piece of bread and was asked to pay for $2.50 and then in the end charged with $4.50? We are not there to eat AYCE bread of course, but I never experience a place where I had to pay over $60 dollar for a meal where I have to request to have more than 1 piece of bread. No one came around and asked "Do you want more of this?" "Do you need anything else?" As I mentioned, first round not even everyone got one piece, second round not everyone got a second piece.

In addition, how would any customer feel if I am paying $60 for a dish, and it end up smaller than they told me? How would anyone feel if 18% tips is automatically added to your bill when I believe tips are given based on satisfactions of customer to the waiter?

How much do Stone Grill think they are better than Oliver Garden and to rudely pointing that out to 15 of us? Are they ignorant to think we all come to eat their bread?

All the other places I go to the waiter are very professional, they keep coming back asking me what I need what I want.

Of course this is my personal experience, maybe other had better experiences, I made this just as a fair warning for anyone planning to go.

I've been to places where $60 a head doesn't get you bread and/or it's it's extra. Automatic tips for large parties is standard practice..heck, even boston pizza does it. Portion sizes are always small and correspond to $$, the higher $$, the smaller the portion. That's how they make their food seem to taste better I think? lol

But joking aside, I do think Stonegrill sucks and not worth it..but like you said, you went for the experience.

[ippon]

i went to a grill house that used massive slabs of quartz crystal once.
such a pointless gimmick.

[gr8dlr]

If I were you, call back and make sure you speak to the owner/manager and explain to them you experience and your displeasure and that you didn't want to make a scene at the time. Ask them to refund your gratuity as it was not warranted - it's not Olive Garden but it's not like you ate a ton of bread which warranted a NO BREAD EXCEPT FOR $ attitude....if they don't want to satisfy you tell them you'll post your experience in all the restaurant review sites with a picture of the bill with the extra bread charge.

[gilboman]

what happens if you refuse to pay automatic gratuity? Can a restaurant call the cops? If so what happens

Yes and you get arrested, just like you would for stealing.

[TinyTank]

Yes and you get arrested, just like you would for stealing.

what if they charge automatic gratuity for a table of 2, when on the menu it clearly says automatic gratuity will only be charged for a table of 6 or more?

[aaronl3e7]

Servers instantly judge your party and calculate an effort/reward ratio = your service

Generally these parties get treated better:

-a couple on a date
-group of middle age Caucasian men
-police


I find that dressing/ carrying yourself well helps bump you up to the top of that, and most other sets of lists
:D. Age, Ethnicity, Occupation are all meaningless against how much money/social status people think you have.

Its sad, but that's how people are conditioned nowadays, to revere the wealthy and the influential.

No harm in trying to capitalize on that :razz:

[ItechJester]

I didn't have an issue with the servers when I was there, and I showed up in shorts, sneakers and a t-shirt. We had a party of four, double date, we are all professionals but just dressed down, dinks (double income, no kids)

The server was a little snobby about the wine but it was all good considering the way we were dressed. I used to wait on tables during university at some of the finest restaurants in toronto, so I probably could've given him a lesson in wine, but that's another story.

The meal is over priced and gimmicky. Having to cook your own, unflavored piece of meat is not very appetizing. however I didn't have an issue with the service. I still wouldn't go back since the food sucked, but the atmosphere was decent.

[Siefer999]

what if they charge automatic gratuity for a table of 2, when on the menu it clearly says automatic gratuity will only be charged for a table of 6 or more?
. nuff said, let them call the cops if they want

[slowtyper]

The "This is not olive garden" quote is incredibly rude from a waitstaff. I would flip.

[iridium001]

Hm, OP must not eat out regularly as any large groups of 8 or more will more than like carry a mandatory tip at most restaurants out there. I can only count on one hand the number of restaurants that do not charge tips for large parties. Asian buffet restaurants will charge a mandatory tip irregardless if they list it or not, or even if the service sucks.

Back to Stonegrill.

I have been twice in the past, 1st time was as a walk-in. Party of 2. Was an interesting experience. The wife and I do a lot of cooking so we knew how to cook our meat as to seal in the moisture so it wouldn't be dry. We found the cut of the meat to be quite generous, if I recalled correctly we both ordered steaks, just different cuts of it. I remembered we walked away quite full, and the service was quite good. We had a younger redhead waitress who helped us quite nicely, made us feel welcomed as it was our first time cooking with a hotstone. She answered our questions about where the meats came from, and how long it takes to heat the stone backstage. I remembered that night it was only herself and one other hostessing the entire restaurant. She apologized whenever she came by our table for not being attentive as they were short staffed. We didn't mind it as we perfectly understand. It was also a Sunday.

We left happy and said we would come back again if the opportunity presented itself. I wanted to try other meats and so did the wife.

The 2nd visit we had a voucher from a group buy. I think it was like $25 for $50 worth of food or something like that.

This time I had the bison, wife had the ostritch and gator meats. I remember there was a large party in the corner of the restaurant, it was a birthday with like 15-20 guests - all early to mid 20s. They were of the FOB Chinese variety as they were very loud, took excessive photos to the point where it was hard to ignore with all the camera flashes going off. They also ordered a lot of wine, and left the restaurant every 15-20 minutes for a smoke break in late January -30 degrees weather!! :-0

We found the quality of the food to be more or less the same as last time, we also ordered soup and lobster side dishes. We found the lobster to be a little cool, and the soup wasn't as warm as it could be. It didn't matter as they were both still good. We found the service this time to be lacking as the two waiter and waitress was busy attending the other table of the aforementioned large party. We could clearly tell they never had to cook their own food as they were struggling with the utensils where they would repeatedly drop it on the floor, necessitating the waiter to bring back new utensils every now and then. At one point I think, both waiter and waitress had to cook the meats for them as they clearly did not know how. The problem with overcooked meat is the smoke it generates, and boy, was there a lot of dried meat at that table as it got smoky over there real quick (I think that's what prompted the waiter and waitress to cook it for them.) Bread kept coming out for them though so limited quantity is NOT an issue. Even though the service was lacking, our waters would get refreshed everytime the waiter brought out the pitcher to refill the other table's water. There were a few other small groups too but I didn't pay attention to them too much. The large group was hard to miss and near impossible to drown out.

One thing in common with both visits is that we did not come to Stonegrill for the bread.

We came for the hot stone and the raw meat that we could cook to our own perfection. The bison was juicy, and delicious. It was certainly tougher than regular beef, but the taste was stronger and sweeter. I'm watering in my mouth just thinking about it right now!

I would recommend Stonegrill to anyone that wants to try something new, and the satisfaction of seeing a piece of delicious generously cut meat cooked to your own liking. I would not tell them to go to Stonegrill for the bread..because, well come on, it's all about the meats!

(Sorry OP, you seemed so focused on the bread!) ;)

We tipped 15% both times, and if it mattered, we are late 20s, of Asian descent as well.

[iEyeCaptain]

Stonegrill is alright if you go once.

After that, other place offer better food.

[Essence89]

Hm, OP must not eat out regularly as any large groups of 8 or more will more than like carry a mandatory tip at most restaurants out there. I can only count on one hand the number of restaurants that do not charge tips for large parties. Asian buffet restaurants will charge a mandatory tip irregardless if they list it or not, or even if the service sucks.

Back to Stonegrill.

I have been twice in the past, 1st time was as a walk-in. Party of 2. Was an interesting experience. The wife and I do a lot of cooking so we knew how to cook our meat as to seal in the moisture so it wouldn't be dry. We found the cut of the meat to be quite generous, if I recalled correctly we both ordered steaks, just different cuts of it. I remembered we walked away quite full, and the service was quite good. We had a younger redhead waitress who helped us quite nicely, made us feel welcomed as it was our first time cooking with a hotstone. She answered our questions about where the meats came from, and how long it takes to heat the stone backstage. I remembered that night it was only herself and one other hostessing the entire restaurant. She apologized whenever she came by our table for not being attentive as they were short staffed. We didn't mind it as we perfectly understand. It was also a Sunday.

We left happy and said we would come back again if the opportunity presented itself. I wanted to try other meats and so did the wife.

The 2nd visit we had a voucher from a group buy. I think it was like $25 for $50 worth of food or something like that.

This time I had the bison, wife had the ostritch and gator meats. I remember there was a large party in the corner of the restaurant, it was a birthday with like 15-20 guests - all early to mid 20s. They were of the FOB Chinese variety as they were very loud, took excessive photos to the point where it was hard to ignore with all the camera flashes going off. They also ordered a lot of wine, and left the restaurant every 15-20 minutes for a smoke break in late January -30 degrees weather!! :-0

We found the quality of the food to be more or less the same as last time, we also ordered soup and lobster side dishes. We found the lobster to be a little cool, and the soup wasn't as warm as it could be. It didn't matter as they were both still good. We found the service this time to be lacking as the two waiter and waitress was busy attending the other table of the aforementioned large party. We could clearly tell they never had to cook their own food as they were struggling with the utensils where they would repeatedly drop it on the floor, necessitating the waiter to bring back new utensils every now and then. At one point I think, both waiter and waitress had to cook the meats for them as they clearly did not know how. The problem with overcooked meat is the smoke it generates, and boy, was there a lot of dried meat at that table as it got smoky over there real quick (I think that's what prompted the waiter and waitress to cook it for them.) Bread kept coming out for them though so limited quantity is NOT an issue. Even though the service was lacking, our waters would get refreshed everytime the waiter brought out the pitcher to refill the other table's water. There were a few other small groups too but I didn't pay attention to them too much. The large group was hard to miss and near impossible to drown out.

One thing in common with both visits is that we did not come to Stonegrill for the bread.

We came for the hot stone and the raw meat that we could cook to our own perfection. The bison was juicy, and delicious. It was certainly tougher than regular beef, but the taste was stronger and sweeter. I'm watering in my mouth just thinking about it right now!

I would recommend Stonegrill to anyone that wants to try something new, and the satisfaction of seeing a piece of delicious generously cut meat cooked to your own liking. I would not tell them to go to Stonegrill for the bread..because, well come on, it's all about the meats!

(Sorry OP, you seemed so focused on the bread!) ;)

We tipped 15% both times, and if it mattered, we are late 20s, of Asian descent as well.

Obvious I did not go for the bread but for the different types of meat and the experience. Now how would you feel if you didn't even get one piece of the food your suppose to get? Lets not even talk about bread, what if some people got water at your table and other people did not get water and the place said we will charge you for extra water because the initial amount is the only we offer free?

I don't know the relevant of your example of the party that was loud and drunk. Maybe you are indirectly indicating our behavior? As I mentioned in this thread, we only had 1 bottle of wine for the whole table and not everyone was drinking as most of us were planning to drive. In addition we were not screaming, yelling nor are we talking pictures with flashes going off everywhere.

What ticked me off is
1) I got less portion than I was informed by the waiter
2) The "Bs" quote about Oliver Garden
3) Not everyone at the table averaged one piece of bread per person. This might seem small, but not paying attention to small details are the failure of most businesses.
4) Lie about how much bread is gonna cost $2.50 compared to $4.50 that was charged
5) Automatically tipped 18% without letting us know before hand or any indication on the menu after the "service" we received.

As I said, I went for the experience, try the meat, food was average not worth the price and this is just a personal experience warning others.

[Essence89]

The "This is not olive garden" quote is incredibly rude from a waitstaff. I would flip.

Ya I was trying to keep my cool, if I was going with smaller group or sth, I would flip as well.

[Essence89]

Stonegrill is alright if you go once.

After that, other place offer better food.

For sure, other steakhouses are much better, I feel way more classy going to Ruth's Chris lol.

[Essence89]

I didn't have an issue with the servers when I was there, and I showed up in shorts, sneakers and a t-shirt. We had a party of four, double date, we are all professionals but just dressed down, dinks (double income, no kids)

The server was a little snobby about the wine but it was all good considering the way we were dressed. I used to wait on tables during university at some of the finest restaurants in toronto, so I probably could've given him a lesson in wine, but that's another story.

The meal is over priced and gimmicky. Having to cook your own, unflavored piece of meat is not very appetizing. however I didn't have an issue with the service. I still wouldn't go back since the food sucked, but the atmosphere was decent.

I agree with the food and atmosphere, even if service was better for me, would never go back because there is no value.

[Raggie]

Hm, OP must not eat out regularly as any large groups of 8 or more will more than like carry a mandatory tip at most restaurants out there. I can only count on one hand the number of restaurants that do not charge tips for large parties. Asian buffet restaurants will charge a mandatory tip irregardless if they list it or not, or even if the service sucks.

Back to Stonegrill.

I have been twice in the past, 1st time was as a walk-in. Party of 2. Was an interesting experience. The wife and I do a lot of cooking so we knew how to cook our meat as to seal in the moisture so it wouldn't be dry. We found the cut of the meat to be quite generous, if I recalled correctly we both ordered steaks, just different cuts of it. I remembered we walked away quite full, and the service was quite good. We had a younger redhead waitress who helped us quite nicely, made us feel welcomed as it was our first time cooking with a hotstone. She answered our questions about where the meats came from, and how long it takes to heat the stone backstage. I remembered that night it was only herself and one other hostessing the entire restaurant. She apologized whenever she came by our table for not being attentive as they were short staffed. We didn't mind it as we perfectly understand. It was also a Sunday.

We left happy and said we would come back again if the opportunity presented itself. I wanted to try other meats and so did the wife.

The 2nd visit we had a voucher from a group buy. I think it was like $25 for $50 worth of food or something like that.

This time I had the bison, wife had the ostritch and gator meats. I remember there was a large party in the corner of the restaurant, it was a birthday with like 15-20 guests - all early to mid 20s. They were of the FOB Chinese variety as they were very loud, took excessive photos to the point where it was hard to ignore with all the camera flashes going off. They also ordered a lot of wine, and left the restaurant every 15-20 minutes for a smoke break in late January -30 degrees weather!! :-0

We found the quality of the food to be more or less the same as last time, we also ordered soup and lobster side dishes. We found the lobster to be a little cool, and the soup wasn't as warm as it could be. It didn't matter as they were both still good. We found the service this time to be lacking as the two waiter and waitress was busy attending the other table of the aforementioned large party. We could clearly tell they never had to cook their own food as they were struggling with the utensils where they would repeatedly drop it on the floor, necessitating the waiter to bring back new utensils every now and then. At one point I think, both waiter and waitress had to cook the meats for them as they clearly did not know how. The problem with overcooked meat is the smoke it generates, and boy, was there a lot of dried meat at that table as it got smoky over there real quick (I think that's what prompted the waiter and waitress to cook it for them.) Bread kept coming out for them though so limited quantity is NOT an issue. Even though the service was lacking, our waters would get refreshed everytime the waiter brought out the pitcher to refill the other table's water. There were a few other small groups too but I didn't pay attention to them too much. The large group was hard to miss and near impossible to drown out.

One thing in common with both visits is that we did not come to Stonegrill for the bread.

We came for the hot stone and the raw meat that we could cook to our own perfection. The bison was juicy, and delicious. It was certainly tougher than regular beef, but the taste was stronger and sweeter. I'm watering in my mouth just thinking about it right now!

I would recommend Stonegrill to anyone that wants to try something new, and the satisfaction of seeing a piece of delicious generously cut meat cooked to your own liking. I would not tell them to go to Stonegrill for the bread..because, well come on, it's all about the meats!

(Sorry OP, you seemed so focused on the bread!) ;)

We tipped 15% both times, and if it mattered, we are late 20s, of Asian descent as well.

So... what you're basically saying is that the OP and his group are young, ignorant, unprofessional FOBs who deserved the bad service?

[gilboman]

So... what you're basically saying is that the OP and his group are young, ignorant, unprofessional FOBs who deserved the bad service?

I don't see how you can infer that at all.. Poster just posted his observations.

But young, ignorant and unprofessional diners do deserve bad service. They are your servers, not your slaves. Customer is not always right and do not always deserve to be treated decently (notwithstanding no company/body will admit it, but that's what it is in practice). A company treats their good customers better, always has been, probably always will be.

[Raggie]

I don't see how you can infer that at all.. Poster just posted his observations.

But young, ignorant and unprofessional diners do deserve bad service. They are your servers, not your slaves. Customer is not always right and do not always deserve to be treated decently (notwithstanding no company/body will admit it, but that's what it is in practice). A company treats their good customers better, always has been, probably always will be.

My take is that by the poster posting that observation, he is associating the OP and his group with the group that he witnessed.

It doesn’t matter if the OP is an inexperienced diner or not (especially at this type of establishment). The restaurant and servers are in the customer service business.

Not only that, it seems since an automatic gratuity was added to their bill (which is understandable), the waiter got lazy and didn’t care the type of service they offered the group.

And its a bad model to only offer regulars exceptional service. This should be applied to all customers, regardless of experience and regularity at the restaurant.

[doberman_baby]

Not worth the price. Very small portions.
Not to mention, you cook it yourself on your stone.

[flashy_mcflash]

I like the idea of cooking it yourself because I like my meat very rare. However, the portions here are way too small for what they charge.

[ippon]

So... what you're basically saying is that the OP and his group are young, ignorant, unprofessional FOBs who deserved the bad service?

i thought that post was a little weird too.
if anyone knows how to do tabletop cooking, it's asians.

[Raggie]

Only that poster knows how. FOBs of the Chinese variety don't.

[masterhapposai]

thanks

won't go here ever, and will advise others the same

also, I hate places that act like bitches over wine and bread. often, I'm going to order $10-20 in beer, that's more than the Wine. So if you give me attitude over me refusing the Wine (or me asking for Bread) early in the meal, you can rest assured that you will suffer:
- a terrible tip
- lose out on drink $ paid, which is a huge markup to the restaurant
- I will advise others to not go, and you'll prob lose up to $500+ a year from me (since I eat out often)

suck it Stone Grill