- 整體 2
- 食物 2
- 服務 2
- 氛圍 3
A Pricey Disappointment
Columbia, Maryland has long been a place where good enough is considered great, and many thought the Merriweather District would finally elevate the local dining scene. Unfortunately, if Smashing Grapes is any indication, that hope was misplaced.
From the moment you sit down, the restaurant gives off an air of refinement—warm lighting, stylish decor, a menu with ambitious price points. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from dining in places like this, it’s that a high tab doesn’t always equal high-quality food or service. Smashing Grapes falls right into that trap.
The Food: Flavorless and Forgettable
At these prices, one should expect well-executed, well-seasoned dishes that justify the cost. Instead, we got bland shrimp scampi and a child-sized portion of sea bass that left us wondering if we’d mistakenly ordered from a kids’ menu. The shrimp scampi had absolutely no flavor—none. Not a hint of garlic, lemon, or anything remotely resembling a well-balanced sauce. The sea bass? A decent enough piece of fish, but laughably small for what they’re charging. At nearly $40 for the entrée, I expected something that wasn’t three bites away from disappearing.
The Service: Pleasant but Lacking
Now, let me be clear—our server was pleasant, but there’s a lot more to good service than being friendly. True hospitality means anticipating the needs of the table, and that just didn’t happen. Dishes piled up, fresh silverware wasn’t provided after appetizers, and there was no real effort to ensure everyone at the table was satisfied with their meal. It’s the kind of service you expect at a mid-tier chain restaurant, not a place that charges premium prices.
Final Thoughts: Not Worth the Price
There’s nothing wrong with charging high prices—if the food and service justify it. But at Smashing Grapes, you’re paying for an illusion of upscale dining without any of the substance.
Smashing Grapes - Columbia已在6天前回覆Tiffany, thank you for your review-we are disappointed to learn that you did not enjoy the excellent dining experience we strive to provide, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback so we can work hard to improve. If you would kindly email us at columbia@smashinggrapes.c0m with a copy of your review, date dined & location, we will work hard to remedy this and prove we can do better. With Gratitude & Apologies, The Team at Smashing Grapes Columbia