Uptown Grille

Reviews 3

GE

Geoff Oleszkowicz

My wife and I stopped in on our way back from home after a nice night out in Royal Oak. The receptionist at the front desk recommended that we sit in an almost empty adjacent room so we could hear the live entertainment while still have the ability to converse. Sounds nice right? Well, we found the room just past the bar, as the employee stated. The room had many open tables so we picked the two that were not far from an occupied table to ensure every customer was in close proximity to the wait staff. Another employee, in a negative tone, stated that we should have waited to be seated rather than just seat ourselves. I explained that the hostess directed us but she did not mention another hostess. I apologized as I looked around the room of empty tables then, sarcastically, asked if she would rather move us to another table. After being a little confused of the situation, I explained that we were just stopping in for a night cap and asked if she had a wine or beer menu. I also explained that we wouldn’t be long and I would tip well even though she still appeared annoyed while we waited for her suggestion regarding our table situation. Then while walking away, she whispered under her breath, “whatever”. The fun really began during the long wait for our menus. My wife decided to use the bathroom during the wait. I noticed that the other table was continually staring since my interaction. I thought that it was strange so I glanced over just to make sure that they were actually staring. One of the guys at the table would not stop glaring at me though. Finally, I asked if he had a problem from which he responded that I was the problem and that I was rude to the hostess. He continued to ramble in an attempt to impress his girlfriend and the other couple that were with him. By this time, I was completely out of patience so I asked if he wanted to take me “outside” to defend the employee’s honor. His girlfriend told the waiter that I threatened her boyfriend. As a result, the waiter came over and asked if we would like to move into the bar area instead. Since I just wanted to enjoy a quick drink with my wife, I agreed rather than allow the “righteous” man and his girlfriend to ruin my night. As I got up to follow the waiter (Frank, I believe), my wife was just returning from the bathroom. He walked us to the bar area though, unfortunately, no seats were available just as before. So he asked if we could wait patiently by the entrance as he had would prepare a table. Again, I happily complied since my wife and I did not want our good night to be ruined by the events that transpired. Unfortunately, about 20 minutes passed and we still were not seated let alone had seen the waiter again. I decided to look for him instead of continually waiting. When I found him, it appeared he was just going about his normal responsibilities. As I asked him how much longer the wait would be for the promised table, he scolded me like he didn’t know who I was before finally telling me to “hold on”. I was then greeted by a manager that seemed to have a pretty cool head. I explained the events that had just transpired. He immediately questioned me about “threats” to the man from the beginning. I explained to the manager that I had told him that if he wanted to escalate his misunderstanding between myself and the hostess, he had an option to “escort” me outside. Again, the manager was calm about the situation and I could tell that he knew I was not embellishing my story. Since seats were still not available by the bar, he informed us that he could seat us in the dining room. I declined his offer because of the way we were being treated for just following instructions from the hostess. I will never step foot into Uptown Grille again and I let everyone know to stay away.

A

A Private User

Uptown grille never disappoints, the menu is as diverse in its selections as the Cafe, Bar & Restaurant are in their dining options. For breakfast the Cafe offers good coffees and some unique breakfast options, including the breakfast pizza that comes made with light fluffy eggs in delicious flaky crust with many awesome options for toppings. If you want a quick bite to eat at the bar with your drink, theres plenty too choose from including the outstanding pulled pork nachos and a wide assortment of the usual bar fare including some great wings, boneless or traditional. If youre looking for a nice dinner you can sit in the dining area and have an excellent fillet or choose from a great selection of pastas and sea food. What really brings me and my friends back over and over, is the outstanding beer list. We are huge fans of quality craft beer & there is no where else in Metro Detroit that offers the selection of drafts and bottles at the more than fair prices offered at Uptown. You can find seasonal brews from many top Michigan and worldwide brewerys here that are very hard to come by & are often offered for $1-$2 less per pint than other bars if you can find them elsewhere. Apparently the previous review by "Jeannie" on urbanspoon has no idea what shes talking about in her comments about the bread & food, since Uptown gets their bread made fresh daily at the neighboring Great Harvest Bread Co. and is always very good. The ciabatta rolls the burgers are served on almost overshadow the burgers, if they werent so awesome on their own. In addition the chef and management go out of their way to buy produce and other products locally for use in their kitchen. Uptown Grille really stands out in the crowd of mediocre chain restaurants and common dining, bar and entertainment options in the area. It offers a combination of great food, beers and dining options not found anywhere else. The only thing negative thing I can say about it from my perspective is that its over 20 miles from my house, but I still make a point to go as often as possible. Cheers >Drink Local, Think Global<

RU

RUTH ROTONDI

So I really want to give his place 5 stars for how good their food is however we have now ran into problems there 3 times and unfortunately we will not be back! So the first time we ordered from there they gave us chicken bites instead of the chicken wings we ordered them did not want to remake our correct order eventually they remade them after a 20 min phone call so we decided to go back! When we called to place a carry out we were told the kitchen is to busy and they will not accept carry outs had ANYONE EVER heard of a restaurant turning away business?? EVER?? I mean take my order tell me its going to take 45 min- an hour I dont care just dont turn away business NO business is that profitable to turn away business! Now on to my 3rd experience we ordered 2 sandwiches both no bun 1 sauce in the side simple enough right? Well I get there and they had one no bun but the other had a bun and sauce. I explained I dont know why the sauce is on the side Im not sure if its a preference or an allergy can they make my order correct the hostess looked at me apologized and said she will ring it in 15 min later I asked if it was ready she said no kitchen is backed up its going to be another 15 min!! I explained I was on my lunch I dont have another 15 min she said sorry are you sure she has an allergy I said I dont know what I am sure if is I ordered food it was prepared wrong and now I feel like I am at fault because it is not being a priority to get it made! I asked to talk to a manager who asked what I had refunded me my money and said it would be 3-4 min.... well 4 min later my food came out and well lets just say the sauce was on the side but the bun was still there I eventually threw the towel in and left! Its sad that we had this experience however 3 strikes your out!!