I was SO excited to have my brother's birthday dinner here and it was supposed to be by "cheat meal" for the week. After reading reviews, I knew I wanted to order the tenderloin filet because I was craving steak and the bread pudding for dessert! The dinner started off to a good start. Ambiance was nice, our server was nice, the bread was warm and soft. For the appetizer we got the special which was crab tator tots. These were super delicious.. chunks of crab with cream cheese and deep fried. The marmalade sauce that came with it was way too sweet, however, and none of us touched it. The crab tator tots were delicious enough without the sauce. So all was going well, but then the main entrees came out and they were SO disappointing. My sister had been to Stanford Grill previously and she said she had loved the filet but today, she said something was different about the sauce. The steak was still tender and cooked well so it was okay, but it was not hitting the spot. My brother's prime rib was actually really good, tender, and with the horseradish it was amazing! But we had lots of issues with all of the sides and seasoning. The spinach was SO bland and it just needed salt. The green beans, however, were way too salty.. almost inedible. My sister's crab cakes were SO salty that we could not take more than two bites. I have never been to a restaurant with so many issues with seasoning. When the server asked us how the food was, I honestly told her that the crab cakes were way too salty. She called the manager over and I told him they were salty to which he just responded that they use an Old Bay seasoning which is why it may seem salty. Umm.. I grew up in Maryland all of my life and I LOVE Old Bay. I put them on my fries, etc and I don't think that's why the crab cakes were overly salty. Then I told him in general I was disappointed with the entire meal because everything was either too bland or too salty. I guess he thought I was just complaining to get free food because he seemed annoyed and said something along the lines of "I'll make the adjustments to your check." After this, our server completely changed her attitude towards us and she dropped off our check without a single word. We just paid and left. I did not even get the bread pudding which i was looking forward to :[ I left the restaurant annoyed that the manager and server seemed to think we just wanted "adjustments to our bill" and I left SUPER upset that I WASTED my cheat meal on this awful food. What a waste of money and calories! My coworkers told me this place had been getting worse and worse and I should have listened to them. Overall, Pros: Prime Rib-- delicious Cons: everything was either TOO salty or bland... i would expect at least their sides to be perfect totally wanted to try this place out for brunch.. but one of the worst meals ever and WILL NOT RETURN!
(1)
Joe G.
The jazz band and the decor is 5 stars but my burger was 2 star by most. The chocolate uprising was the BEST part of our meal!
(4)
Capri M.
Great setting for a date night. The low lighting and constant jazz music playing- such an amazing ambiance. Only thing I didn't like was how it was situated behind a hotel and trees. Didn't know it was back there. I ordered the onion ring blossom for an appetizer and when I say that you can't eat that alone, I mean it! For my entree we ordered the rattlesnake pasta- amazing!!!!! For dessert we ordered the cinnamon brownie and ice cream. Talk about colossal!! Will I be back- indeed!
My sister birthday dinner. Great food. Party for 4. First time eating here. Heard about great views from this place. The restaurant is nice and fancy. The staff are nice and friendly. Staff answers all your questions about deserts and food. All the staff works together and the move quick as possible. Great services. The have a nice patio seat outside, nice booth seating and dim lights inside.
(4)
Jason B.
The steak salad was good if you only consider the steak. The salad part lacked imagination. If fact, I was rather disappointed to find so much iceberg lettuce shoved into it with only hints of romaine. Next time I want a steak salad, I'll go to Clyde's. Service was spectacular though.
(3)
Brian R.
Best restaurant in Columbia. Period. Only upscale place to go. Smooth live jazz paired with great food and drink. Many of the staff have been there for years. Roasted chix is amazing, works on salad at lunch or as main at night. Frites and skin on mash are great. Excellent crab cakes and generally all fish specials. Recently been adding more specials, worth a try. Enclosed patio with fireplace and separate bar great for group events.
(5)
Lisa G.
Met a cousin that I hadn't seen in some time here for lunch. I have one girlfriend that raves about Stanford Grill and I now see why. Overall the atmosphere is great and it is a fairly large space considering how small some restaurants are in this area. We started with the house made guacamole which was delish! I had a burger which is a treat for me and my cousin had fish tacos. Everything was excellent. I will go back although it is a drive for me from Silver Spring. Highly recommend this as a dining option. Too bad I didn't get to browse the Wegman's grocery store that I passed enroute.
(4)
Paul S.
When the Stanford Grill first opened, it was an amazing restaurant. The food, service and ambiance could not be beat, and we used to dine there at least once a month Then, in 2013, we noticed a distinct downward spiral in food quality and service and cut back on our visits, hoping that the management would get it together. On our most recent visit, the first in a year, we discovered that the menu prices had gone up considerably, yet the food and service remained at the level of a chain restaurant. Our fried green tomato appetizer was overpowered by a strong vinaigrette that dressed the salad underneath. Our entrees were overpriced disasters--both the crab cake and trout were bland and overcooked. The accompanying red cabbage was overdone and mushy. The orzo had no taste and was left uneaten. The server, while engaging, never came to check on us after the entrees were served until it was time to clear the plates, an unforgivable oversight given that these entrees were priced at $30 or more. Unfortunately this is the fourth bad dining experience we have had in a row at Stanford, so we will not be coming back. I believe that the only reason that diners continue to rate this place highly has more to do with the fireplace and enormous portions than any culinary mastery by the kitchen staff. If you are looking for a truly wonderful dining experience in Howard County for about the same money (or less), you owe it to yourself to seek out Bistro Blanc in Glenelg or Ananda in Maple Lawn. Both provide excellent, complex menu offerings, first-rate service and warm and inviting dining spaces. And they are consistently good!
(2)
RobnKris K.
Our staple when on business travel in the Baltimore area. The meals are always perfect. The wait staff is top notch. The live music is a classic touch. We love this place and eat here at least one time per visit!
(5)
Caroline P.
This was our last night in Maryland where we had our family supper. We were pleasantly suprised to find a jazz piano player and bass player performing near the foyer. They were quick to accomodate our large group of 14 on a Sunday night, even though we didn't make any reservations. Our server was friendly and efficient--she quickly took our orders for drinks and then informed us about several of the specials without skipping a beat. Boy, the portions are huge! Our son tried the skillet cornbread as a starter--it was a bit too spicy for his taste, so he only managed to finish one slice. The rest of the clan loved it, though. I ordered the prime rib(which was cooked medium rare) with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The prime rib was juicy, tender, and sooo delicious! Hubby had the grilled scallops special with couscous and asparagus. Our son managed to finish a large Stanford cheeseburger with a generous portion of crispy fries and he still had room for dessert. Pineapple sorbet, watch out for my son! Hubby and I shared a huge slice of key lime pie which was absolutely divine--not too tart, not too sweet. The crust was very light, yet heavy enough to hold the filling. Great choice for a family dinner!
(5)
Daniella H.
This is a great little hidden gem in Columbia, tucked back behind the Green Turtle nxt to the new Wegmans. We've been to the Stanford Grill twice for Sunday Brunch and once for a birthday party. The Sunday Brunch has been delicious on both occasions and it's great that one drink item (mimosa, bloody mary, fresh squeezed OJ, French press coffee, etc) comes along with the meal of choice. I've had the Eggs Benedict on both occasions and have definitely enjoyed it. The most recent time we were here, our 3yo was with us and they brought her a mini magna doodle to play with at the table. Needless to say she's ready to go back again! For the birthday party, friends of ours had rented the back patio porch which is screened in and heated. The food was great, but the service was just ok. They should have been more attentive and spent less time chatting in the corner and more time refilling our glasses. We had to ask for drinks multiple times before receiving them and water glasses were regularly kept full. Regardless we had a great time with friends and they were flexible with us bringing in cupcakes for dessert. The ambiance of this restaurant is fabulous. It's very warm and cozy with a fireplace and live music. Inside table service has been great both times we were there for brunch. We'll definitely be back.
(4)
Jennifer V.
My girlfriend and I came in here for dinner since we were staying at the hotel that was in walking distance. We had reservations but decided to sit at the bar to watch the football game. We were greeted by the best bartender I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I was skeptical about ordering the pear martini because she explained it was really sweet. However she took the time to make the drink so it was to sweet. She also made my girlfriends cocktail to perfection. She also gave us her recommendations of what to eat. She was spot on! The lobster mac and cheeses was awesome! My girlfriend at the prime rib which was not to bad and I had the roasted chicken which was great. The food I would give 4 stars (I am from NYC area and nothing beats the food up there) but the service was by far one of the best I have ever had. I am sorry to the bartender I cannot remember her name (the cocktails were a tad strong) because I would give her a shoutout! If we ever find ourselves in the area again we will not hesitate to come back.
(5)
Michele W.
FYI this place is popular. It's near hotels, busy, and parking is limited. We arrived at about 7:45 Friday night and there was still a 35-45 minute wait. However, the tables in the bar are up for grabs as people leave. The atmosphere is somewhat romantic with a gas fireplace in the dining area and dimmed lights. It is very loud in there though. I really don't think that I have ever given a chain restaurant a rating this high before. The food was absolutely perfect. Both cuts of steaks that we ordered were cooked like we prefer medium rare towards rare. Meals are paired with freshly made vegetables. You can switch them out if you like. We opted for the listed pairings. The vegetables were cooked perfectly and the portions were huge. Count on taking home leftovers. The steak portions were standard but the vegetables were enough for 2-3 meals. It makes you wonder if they make the huge plates to make you feel like you got your moneys worth. Service was friendly and the waitress knew the menu. However, we ordered an appetizer and no silverware was brought. we had to flag her down for that and there seemed to be a bit of a delay with getting our check. Despite those things it was a very pleasant experience
(5)
Fred J.
Stanford Grill is a nice, somewhat upscale restaurant. Despite its name, it's part of the Copper Canyon chain. The service was quite good. The food was fresh. The live jazz was pleasant. My one concern was the over reliance on black and cayenne pepper. While I like spicy food it can be overdone. My wife, who doesn't like spicy food, ordered chicken pot pie. Turns out that the recipe included cayenne pepper - unexpected and too much for her tastes. The manager very kindly took it back and brought her rotisserie chicken which was good, but the accompanying mashed potatoes were spicy. So, in short, a good restaurant unless you don't like spicy in which case you might want to try someplace else.
(3)
Brian L.
Great ambiance with live jazz musicians playing regularly. The food is decent. The chicken and ribs are my favorite. They also give huge portions for certain dishes.
(4)
Jordan B.
I've eaten here about a half dozen times at this point. Their food, for the most part, is delicious and you receive massive portions. Aside from a stinker or two on the menu and their tendency towards heavy/buttery dishes, this place is a true crowd pleaser. My wife and I recently had our rehearsal dinner here (for about 40 people) and they were extremely accommodating and attentive and every hot dish came out hot. Everyone had a great time and loved the food and it's worth noting that the typically classy and comfortable atmosphere extended into the patio area they put our group in. I'd highly recommended considering Stanford Grill for one of your future special events.
(4)
William M.
Went here for brunch this morning and seriously loved it! The ambience is very classy (live jazz musicians). The service at this place is exceptional, and while I've heard it can be pretty pricey for dinner, the brunch prices are totally reasonable. Every choice comes with a free drink. I went with the French toast, and it was without doubt the best French toast I've had ever! The creamy sauce they put on top solidifies the dish. My goodness..still thinking about it.
(5)
DJ P.
Great quality meat at a reasonable price. Some sauce and seasoning are not your normal flavors with entrees. The box booths are very comfortable. Live Jazz makes this a grown-up gatherings hot spot.
(4)
XIN Z.
Fancy restaurantwith great service. The food is tasty, but for this price, you would probably expect more.
(4)
Dean T.
I frequent Stanford Grill about once a month. I really like it. Everything from a "lowly" hamburger to the filet mignon has been fantastic. Why only 4 stars? There is one menu item which is not very good. I've had 4 different people I've been with tell me. I never ate it as I always eat "turf", no surf for me. That item is the crab cakes. Again, everything else is fantastic. For some reason though, the crab cake is mediocre to bad. On every occasion that I've been there with someone that ate it, they said it was bad. After the 4th time, I just tell people to not eat the crab cake.
(4)
Charles M.
Another fabulous meal at the Stanford Grill. This time it was brunch and all six of us had something different. Each meal was beautifully prepared with fresh ingredients and all were served hot and at the same exact time. Never had even a complaint at this exceptional restaurant.
(5)
Adolfo M.
Loved the place! Very welcoming and with a great staff and inviting open bar. The food so far outstanding and I am giving 4 stars because I want to go back soon and try it again to see if the quality stays the same and change that to 5 stars. The generous 9oz. tenderloin filet hickory smoker cooked to perfection. The grouper with the crunchy brocolini nicely done. The Rotisserie chicken was delicious and large enough to take left overs home. We did not have dessert due to the portions of the entrees, but had French pressed coffee that left us a very satisfying ending to our meal. Thanks to the bartender for the nice Spanish Tempranillo. We will be back to give you the 5 stars that you all deserve. And, I agree with another review, this place reminds me if Houston's. Great job!
(4)
Jacob S.
Great food, huge portion sizes, and even entertainment every now and then.
(5)
Al E.
Hard to find location. Arrived around 8:30 on Friday night. 20 minute wait for a table but there were tables available in the bar area. Waitress was extremely stressed out and told us she had 9 tables. After promising she would be right with us and then disappearing, she asked a colleague to get our order - good thing. Had the spinach artichoke dip which you will recognize if you're a fan of Houston's, only served without the salsa. Gf had the veggie burger, also a Houston's fave of ours, served with the excellent shoestring fries but not the yummy cole slaw. I tried the grilled fish -- chose mahi instead of grouper -- served with orzo with rice and braised red cabbage -- and lemon butter sauce on the fish (there are 2 other options). The mahi was ok, a little bland. The orzo and rice were well-seasoned. The cabbage was a little odd. Shared the key lime pie. Excellent pecan and graham cracker crust, pretty good filling. Obscenely huge portion with a truly outrageous amount of whipped cream. I was drawn to it because the menu reminded me of Houston's. They don't have the Houston's grilled fish sandwich, unfortunately, and it's a bit of a hike from Baltimore. The live jazz was nice.
(3)
Clint T.
Best place in howard county. Bang for your buck wise you won't beat it. There are places that might eek out a better overall experience but it'll be twice as much. My wife and I just ate and drank like royalty with live jazz and a fire and amazing service from korinne for 80 bucks. That won't get you two glasses of wine and a salad at ruths Chris and the atmosphere here is better. Love it love it.
(5)
Grace C.
SO.GOOD. I was staying at the Courtyard Marriott, where the staff told me that the steak place near the hotel was really good, and any seafood they got was received that very day. I wanted to meet up with a friend, and he wanted to go here, so we came by on a Wednesday night. We initially had reservations for 9pm, but we were running late. At 8:55pm, I called the restaurant once I had cell phone reception, apologized for the late time, but was wondering if we could change the reservation to 9:30pm. The employee was a perfect sweetheart, said it was no problem, and that 9:30pm would be fine. Parking lot was still a bit full when we rolled in at around 9:30pm. Seated right away after giving our name. Atmosphere is good for dates, or just a good amount of people. The more intimate the party, the better. The interior was very clean, very spacious, very nice. We were seated at our table, the server provided us with our menus, and told us that someone would be with us shortly. Our main attendant came by, recited some of the specials for the day, took our drink orders, and we browsed the menu while waiting for her. In the end, we ordered one of the special appetizers of the day: the fried oysters. DE-LISH. Was fried perfectly, with not too much oil, and the salsa it had on it was complimented with the lemon that we would squeeze on top. Only regret was that we should have ordered a wine to pair with it. For our entrees, my friend ordered their steak, medium rare, which also came with sauteed vegetables and mashed potatoes. I ordered the ahi tuna salad, as I needed to be on a plane in a few hours, and didn't want too much in my stomach with the risk of purging everything out... Regardless, our foods came out really well. The steak was this nice juicy steak, grilled properly and with the nice pink center that screamed medium rare. Mashed potatoes and sauteed veggies were plentiful on his plate, and he had butter and au jus for the steak. He definitely enjoyed his steak. For my salad, there was a perfect amount of dressing, and the candied nuts were so good. I was surprised on how the goat cheese was mixed in to create a different taste and texture to the salad. Brilliant mix. As for the Ahi tuna, it was seared well, but I wasn't sure if the pairing of it with the salad was the best it could be. It was definitely good by itself, but was a little strange if I tried to combine it with the salad. For the dessert, we had the key lime pie. The whipped cream was brilliant. Nice and thick that it almost tasted like vanilla ice cream. May have been one of the best key lime pies I ever had, as well. Overall, every food we had was perfect or near-perfect. Everything tasted great, everything came out the way we ordered, and the staff was excellent. Prices can be high, so be prepared. But, the food is definitely worth the prices. Had enough for leftovers, too. And for it to be around 30 feet from my hotel? Talk about a bonus =) Will definitely be back if I'm in the area again.
(5)
Autumn W.
We love Stanford Grill. It is really expensive though. Food and dessert are always delicious.
(4)
Brian L.
I recommend the rotisserie chicken. Good food good ambiance.
(4)
Clint O.
Crabcakes were awesome. $10 each, yikes! Got some to go after eating a few. Service was great too.
(5)
Dawn A.
One of my ace's took me for a birthday outing. We had reservations(wha..) for a Friday at 12 pm. When we pulled up, I was like are they giving out free food - the joint was pizacked(emphasis). My friend(she's too sweet) got us the best table in the place; we were right in front of the fire place. The menu looked really good and as girlfriends often do, we decided to share our meals. We ordered the following: Crab tower(crab, mango, avocado) appetizer - this was okay, but I'm an Island girl(GRENADA) and that mango was NOT ripe(- 1 STAR) The salmon burger - Bill, the waiter, explained that this is from the salmon that they cook daily. The burger was just meh; someone forgot the seasoning. I was literrally - the scraps from the salmon that they cook daily. After requesting bbq, ketchup and mustard the sandwich was PERFECT. Crab cakes - ooooohhhh these two cakes were the bomb! We also had spinach, I didn't like it, but my girlfriend lOVED it. The glazed carrots - perfect and the asparagus - can't go wrong. Additionally, our season less salmon burger came with coleslaw. I am NOT a mayo fan at all so I attempted to push it over, but some of it got on my fork and boy was a HAPPY. I had me some mayo that day. All in all I'd visit again and would HIGHLY recommend that you make reservations. They are a sister establishment to COPPER CANYON Grill(I frequent the SSpring location b/c it's close to my job), but they(S. Grill) seem a little more classy. I was happy with my food and I was down 2.4 lbs on my weekly weigh ins - yes as the de-fluff mission is always continuing.
(3)
Brian M.
I'd give 3.5 stars if I could., but since dinner last night was very good, I'll round up for this review. Really they do a pretty good job. Service is friendly and attentive, borderline pretentious. The menu is straigtforward with a good mix of chicken, beef, and fish. Last night DW and I dined with friends. We shared skillet cornbread and fiesta egg rolls. Both were nicely portioned and very tastie. Entrees among the group included filet and crab cake, rib eye, chicken pot pie. All entrees were excellent and all steaks were cooked to temp spot on. So DW and I have now eaten at Stanford twice. The first time was about a 2 star, this visit was definitely an improvement. Perhaps this will start to be a go to location for us.
(4)
Chi O.
Godawful service. I was attempting to get a giftcard for my inlaws to dine here for Christmas and my not living in the area and need to have a physical email confirmation to give during Christmas were so hard to do that the manager refused. Had to either come in.. Which I cannot cuz I don't live there or buy it online with the only option that it be mailed in which case it would arrive too late. Simply allowing me to purchase it over the phone and have my inlaws pick it up - with ID's on the day of their choosing was way too much to ask. All I got was cutting into my sentences and requests and a straight up refusal for something so simple- and over the holidays too. Awful awful service.
(1)
Andy A.
First time there and everything was wonderful . The food was great and the service was outstanding .
(4)
Eric H.
Amazing! Great food! Expensive but generally worth it. Average service. Bar staff is young and inexperienced. Love the reward system. The fresh fish board never disappoints! Looking for the sleeper menu items!? The Salmon and the Rotisserie Chicken.
(4)
Alyssa M.
Yummmmmmm! Let me start in reverse order. The dessert is SOOOOOO GOOD. Key lime pie... divine. Bread pudding... DELISSSHHH!!!!!!!! Everything is homemade that comes out of the kitchen. The steak... I got well-done... and it was "WELL done..." ...Almost too much but I still ate it. Ambiance is very nice... very upscare looking. I would not say this is the best restaurant that I've been to like I hear ppl saying but it def is a good choice.... Service was THE BEST SERVICE I'VE had ANYWHERE!!
(4)
Trenae H.
Stanford Grill is a hidden GEM!!! It is not on any main roads so be sure to use Mapquest. The ambience is nice with dim lighting and they have a fireplace inside. It gives off a warm and cozy feel. They also have an outdoor patio. I have tasted several dishes . The rotisserie chicken is superb. You can actually see them making it with 32 seasonings (I think). The Hickory Grilled Tenderloin Filet was amazing and the salmon is seasoned to perfection. The staff is very helpful nad nice. During holidays I order from them too. My family loves the food and the prices are reasonable. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Michael D.
The 4 star rating was spot on. The ambiance was delightful. I'm a sucker for live music that fits the setting. I ordered the crab cakes ( hey it's Maryland) and subbed out the fries for a caesars salad. When the bartender asked if I was ok with the red peppers in it I said no problem but was a tad bit nervous. What she didn't say was it had sweet cornbread croutons. The combo of the red peppers and the cornbread croutons what wonderful. The description of the crab cakes made them seem bigger than it actually was. The flavor of the crab cakes was exactly what I expected. The Dijon mustard that accompanies the dish really helped. The thing I didn't expect was the flavor of the cole slaw. Fresh and tangy with a slight bit of sweetness. Next time I will make sure to try the ahi tuna salad. A woman at the bar next to me ordered that. It almost made me regret my order. But the cole slaw ended any regret I might have felt.
(4)
Ashley N.
I'm going to start with dessert because holy jizzballs, it was delicious and enormous! The bread pudding was so yummy. It was dense, creamy, raisiny and sweet. If you like light and fluffy bread pudding, this ain't for you. Anyways, we had a reservation and they sat us about 20 minutes after the reservation time. Apparently this happens a lot here. We came with another couple and the ladies got the filet and the lobster mac! The men got prime rib and crab cakes. The filet was very delicious, mine was a bit overdone, but still had great flavor and juice to steak ratio. The mac was divine! It was creamy, sharp, lobstery and amazing. Hubby liked the prime rib, and it was fatty in all the right places. Crab cakes looked okay, wouldn't be something I order at this type of place, but he finished his dinner. The mashed potatoes were okay-- they had a spicy peppery, as in overly peppery taste. Gross, not my favorite. We had beers and cocktails and they were fresh and good. And we got spinach artichoke dip for an app, and it was plenty to share between four people. The food is big portions! Now for the service, the manager, drew came over and apologized for the late seating. Kudos, Drew! The waiter who shall remain nameless was okay. He forgot about bringing water refills, and talked a lot about his job, and things that go along with serving there, and beyond. It was okay in the beginning, but it got real lame toward the end. Like, I didn't wanna hear it toward the end. So here's where I dock a star, for his service. The food came out pretty quickly though, by the runners. Food was good. The inside is very romantic/ on the darker side. It's also very clean. I'll definitely be back. I hear the service is better than what we received.
(4)
Spencer H.
So, if you've EVER dined at Copper Canyon then you have dined at Stanford Grill! LITERALLY!!!! This by no means is a bad thing as my 4 stars would indicate! For those that have never eaten at either, this is what Stanford Grill aka "Copper Canyon" is. A place that has a high end steakhouse feel, from the Baby Grand piano to the Bass player to the rich wood accents, plush seating, huge fireplace and extremely attentive service. The food is exceptional but unlike high end restaurants, their meals include side dishes and are all under $40 bucks! I had the all meat Crabcake/ Filet Mignon combo with asparagus and spinach. This meal is not on the menu but thanks to my date who has eaten at Stanford Grill before, she allowed me follow her lead! Everything was prepared perfectly! I have never had a bad meal at Copper Canyon and Stanford Grill lived up to Copper Canyon's standard! Roundup: If you want a fine dining experience without breaking the bank, then either of these two outstanding establishments are EXACTLY what you're looking for. You would have easily accomplished your goal!!!
(4)
Bianca F.
Where do I begin besides go here!?! I love this restaurant! It's a sister restaurant to Copper Canyon. They have a great menu. My favorite items are the ahi tuna salad and the pumpkin cheesecake. The pumpkin cheesecake is divine because it looks like a giant Reese's peanut butter cup & the serving size is 1/4 of a whole cheesecake. Oh yea! That dish sells out early so put in your order upon arrival.
(5)
Sylvia B.
Oh wow I don't know where to start. This is a very upscale restaurant. The atmosphere and surroundings is definitely a place that i enjoyed being at. We went on a Saturday evening. We had reservations. I would definitely recommend making reservations especially on the weekend. We were seated right away. We had booth seating. Near the entrance. They had a live performance of jazz. So soothing and relaxing. They played their instruments with so much class. Our waiter name was Jesse he gave us excellent service and Constantly checked on us. He explained all the chef recommendations which I took advantage of. I had the swordfish for my main dish which came with a very yummy Rice pilaf, and Broccoli Rabe which was superb. The fish probably could have used a bit more salt but I'm supposed to be watching my salt intake so l left that alone lol. Heck i might have to give up regular broccoli for another taste of the Broccoli Rabe. It was my first time having it and I loved it. It reminded me of kale greens but still had the taste of broccoli but so much tender. We ordered the cheese plate for the appetizer which paired very well with the wine. Which i loveee red wine so i took my chances with the layered Cake wine. Oh it did not disappoint. It's a semi sweet red wine. Very tasteful we both enjoyed it very much. My finace let me try some of his spareribs. Omgggg they were so tender and mouth watering falling of the bones good! Every one there was so nice and the service and music was excellent. This was the perfect Date night. Just know that you get what you pay for and this is as I said before a very high class upscale restaurant. And it definitely show in the prices but its so worth it. The food is great and plentiful. . Unfortunately they had an emergency issue with the fire department coming so everyone had to vacate. I was so glad i had a chance to finish my meal and dine there. Because of the mishap everyone got their food free of charge and we were offered by the manager $50.00 off our next dine in service with them and of course we are looking forward to it. As I stated before the food and service was Excellent in my opinion. Looking forward to our next visit so if you have not tried them out and are willing to pay for excellent food and service. Give them a try. I'm so glad we did!
(5)
Dave W.
We enjoyed a business dinner In this busy American food locale! Luckily, someone had thought ahead and procured us reservations. The best part was truly the service, both enthusiastic and knowledgable. Customizations were gracefully recorded and everything for our party of five was exactly as ordered. For those that know one of my food weaknesses, I can confidently report that the Mac and Cheese with bacon was creamy and cheesy goodness. The rest was well made but not overly spectacular.
(3)
Sean C.
Today my coworkers and I had a cocktail party at the Stanford Grill in Columbia. The service all around was exceptional for the whole staff that was given to us, particularly the bartenders, Evan and Michael. They were personable, entertaining and very efficient. They kept the drinks full and flowing throughout and maintained their humor and smile. As long as those two are helping us out, we would be happy to bring our party business back to Stanford and would also recommend anyone else to do the same. Thanks again to Evan and Michael and their whole crew!!
(5)
Thomas J.
This place replaced an old steak house that was kinda funky with a western theme. I was impressed the first time I came here for a party. The place is very busy with lots of lovely faces and people. The atmosphere is some what electric a with people really enjoying themselves and the company of friends, Family, or just a good meal. On this day was brunch Sunday. The had a small jazz band that played and were very good. I ordered a salad. I am not big on crutons but the corn bread crutons were very crunchy and added a bit of sweetness to the meal that made it very well balanced and delicious. I was a little put off on the cost of the salad which was $15 plus tip. But all in all everyone in my party enjoyed their meal and I would return here. Suggestions: 1) Management should think about parking this place is very popular and the parking is lot is full. With small parking spaces. Very tight for SUV 2) More signs Directing you to the place. Hey your in an office park and people get lost even at night.
(4)
Andrew R.
Not 5 stars because it's overpriced. My first time here. I had the prime rib($32). Very good, big piece of meat that had a tasty rub on it that added a little heat. It came with green beans and mash potatoes. I'd say this meal is probably 5 to 7 dollars overpriced, but still yummy. The restaurant itself is very clean and upscale. Nice big bar. Higher end clientele. Clean/well dressed staff. I'll be returning for a burger and a beer. Not a large beer selection but adequate. I can tell the ladies love this place.
(4)
Syreeta B.
My family and I came here for brunch. It was a party of 5. I reserved table was ready as soon as we arrived. Definite plus. Our servers came to our table immediately to take our drink orders. I ordered the Bellini. A Sunday brunch staple, It was just right. Actually I ordered several Bellini's. I was in the mood for breakfast, I had the French toast with caramelized bananas, grand mariner sauce and fresh berries with a side of Applewood Bacon. Others at the table ordered the steak and eggs as well as the grilled cheeseburger. We had a very slight mishap during our brunch and the manager was so gracious to give us a dessert on the house. The setup at The Stanford Grill is very cozy. The open kitchen the fireplace and live piano playing make for a wonderful and comfortable dining experience.
(4)
Tenisha D.
Omg! One of THE best restaurants I've ever been to. The food is amazing, the ambiance is amazing, the decor is amazing, the wait staff is amazing, everything about it is amazing! I went for the second time this past Easter Weekend and before that was about a year ago. I ordered the pot pie which was still delicious. My friends and I ordered appetizers. We had the western egg rolls and guacamole and chips. One friend ordered the rattlesnake pasta for an entree and the other ordered the pork shank special with mashed potatoes and the bacon Mac and Cheese. She said her dish would very good as well. Then we topped off dinner with dessert, of course I had the bread pudding which was amazing as well (even though I don't like raisins, I took them out but was still delicious). My friend had the flourless chocolate cake which I tasted as well and it was so rich and delicious I could only eat a few bites. The raspberry sauce made it extra special too! I love this place and will be back again when I visit Maryland!
(5)
Elle H.
My mother and I ate here for the first time last week. We were in the area for a doctor's appointment. I searched on my phone for nearby restaurants for lunch. This place had a great rating, and I liked what I saw on the menu, so naturally we wanted to try it! We (embarrassingly) arrived right as they were opening. The hostess was on the phone when we came in, so we stood there and waited. She didn't make eye contact with us or acknowledge we were there until she hung up. Another hostess came up to seat us. We requested a table. We were shown to a booth and politely repeated we wanted a table. We were shown to a table on the right side along the wall - perfect! There was only one booth occupied when we were seated. Our server Kelly (I hope I'm spelling his name right) was friendly and had a smile on his face. He asked us if we had been to the restaurant before, and proceeded to tell us how the restaurant worked. Everything is fresh and to cooked to order, so we prepared for our lunch to be a little longer than normal. He also informed us that all the servers work as a team, meaning we could stop and ask any server walking by for whatever we needed. He told us the specials, took our drink order, and gave us some time to look over the menu. The hardest part was trying to figure out what yummy dish I wanted to try! We ordered the guacamole appetizer (the "official" name escapes me), the Crispy Canyon Sandwich, and the Famous French Dip Sandwich. The guacamole appetizer was AMAZING - completely fresh, seasoned perfectly, and came with chips and salsa. The salsa had a smokey flavor and was delicious mixed with the guac. We saved half of the dish to take home. Trust me, I wanted to gobble up the whole thing! After we put our main order in, a manager came over to our table and said he heard we were first timers to the restaurant. He asked us if we would fill out a card after our meal, and upon completion, we would receive a coupon for a free appetizer that could be applied to the appetizer we ordered that day or a future appetizer. We were more than happy to fill out the card. The manager constantly walked around the restaurant during our meal, making sure everything was running smoothly. The Crispy Canyon Sandwich is chicken pan seared with a basil-cracker crust, with mayo, dressed kale, tomato, and Monterrey Jack cheese on a sesame seed bun, and came with thin french fries - my favorite! The sandwich was delicious. I loved the crust on the chicken and the dressing on the kale had a bit of a kick. The sandwich was cut in half when it arrived, which I appreciated. It allowed me to take the other portion home, and I didn't have to struggle with everything falling off my sandwich if I attempted to cut it myself. The Famous French Dip Sandwich is slow roasted prime rib, thinly sliced, with creamy horseradish sauce, on a baguette, served with a cup of au jus and thin french fries. My mother ordered her meat medium well and it was cooked perfectly. The meat was tender and juicy. My mother loved it and said it was one of the best french dip sandwiches she's had. At the end of our meal, we filled out the card the manager brought to us. The card asked our name and address, how much we spent on our meal, what made us decide to stop in, how we would rate the food and service, and what other comparable restaurants we dined at in the last 30 days. We turned in our card to Kelly and he returned with a free appetizer coupon. The restaurant was completely packed when we left! Lunch was pretty pricey (a little over $50) but everything was fresh, delicious, and worth it, in my opinion. Great service, amazing food, and a full stomach... You can't get any better than that! We will definitely return to this restaurant!
OMG it's freaking amazing. Great food, magnificent atmosphere, and its my favorite restaurant in Columbia. The outside patio provides a romantic atmosphere in the winter especially. Coconut shrimp is good, of course steak is tasty, and the wine selection is plentiful. This place makes me very happy....it will make you happy too, and the special lady or man in your life too.
(5)
Melissa M.
There is a reason we have been here every New Year's Eve for the past 4 years. Even the pickiest of eaters can appreciate their perfectly cooked steaks and gourmet mac and cheese.
(4)
Karen L.
The food is amazing here and the service is wonderful. I got one of the best salads I have ever had on one visit and cheesecake on another visit. In both visits the service was terrific and consistent and the food was amazing. I love this place!
(5)
Nikeita P.
Very long review, but as a frequent visitor since 2012 (before I started yelping) my reflections have honestly downgraded Stanford from five stars to one star. Read below to find out why I was gracious with a three star review and how bad customer service was, the spotting of a mouse, the quality of food as well as my husband's experience with food poisoning. We absolutely love this place so it was a no brainier that we would celebrate my husband's birthday here on Friday, May 15th. I could not confirm if it was Amina or Sasha at the hostess stand with Shanelle, but whichever one it was absolutely disappointed me. I had a reservation set for 9pm and while we did arrive a little after 8:30 pm, Shanelle told us they were running behind on their 8:30 pm reservations so they would be able to seat us closer to 9pm. After standing for a while, I informed Shanelle that we would sit outside until our table was ready and she stated that she could seat us now and asked either Amina or Sasha to check if the table was ready. Amina or Sasha tried to seat us somewhere other than where Shanelle wanted to assign us, but Shanelle insisted that we should be sat at the original table assigned and Amina or Sasha left to check on the table but never came back. Shanelle asked us to wait outside and she would come get us when the table was ready. We came back into the restaurant a little after 9pm and Shanelle asked Amina or Sasha again to see if the table she chose for us was ready. Like before she disappeared and a semi frustrated Shanelle decided to abandon the hostess stand to seat us. While impressed I was very disappointed because I highly regard Stanford's food, service and experience. I've supported both of Woodfire's establishments since 2012 (Copper Canyon & Stanford Grill), so tonight I knew something was off and very wrong. When I booked the reservation on 5/14/15, the female hostess who answered the phone was very rude, not personable and short. To make matters worse, we spotted a mouse during dinner and flagged down the nearest server to inform her. She apologized, told us it happens every spring due to the outdoor dining area. She stated that traps are set outside and exterminators come frequently in an attempt to ward off mice. Our meal today was not as delicious and appealing as it usually is. My husband enjoyed his meal of Prime Rib and I had my usual the rotisserie chicken. My green beans came out lukewarm, undercooked and bland. The mashed potatoes was a tiny bit warmer and the meal overall was just okay. In the pit of my stomach, I knew something was not right, but I couldn't place my finger on it and I did not want to ruin my husband's birthday dinner as this was the final event of a fully planned birthday. As I type/finalize this review at 4:11 am on 5/16/15, I am nursing my husband back to health with what we believe to be a case of food poisoning. He isn't feeling good at all and for a lack of descriptive images, he is relieving himself through both ends. I am very thoroughly disappointed in Stanford and never expected it to come to this. I do not believe that we will frequent this establishment for a very long time. Today's review would be rated as a one star review, but I gave it three stars solely based on past experiences.
(3)
Gabrielle L.
First off Stanford Grill isn't a bad restaurant. Food was pretty good the other times I've been there, but my latest experience kind of has me wondering why there's such a different between the lunch and dinner experiences I've had. So let me explain: I came in for lunch because I've been craving their Caesar salad. Strange, I know but to each their own and before you ask why I don't just order "real food", I don't normally eat lunch not because I don't want to but there is no time for me normally. And so when I do eat lunch I don't eat a lot or else I get really tired and sluggish. Anyways came in without a reservation, got seated immediately because the lunch group was probably mostly done. Sat for around 10-15 minutes waiting for the waiter/ waitress. This feels like forever when you're hungry and it's strange because normally someone comes by, introduces themselves and asks for drink orders. There were only maybe 4 other tables and there were probably 6-7 different waiters and waitresses in the back. I don't know what happened but when the waitress did come I just ordered my salad. I could tell the waitress was not necessarily pleased we ordered so little. Anyways she put in the order and it come out reasonably fast. When a salad comes out and you find wilted, pink tinged lettuce along with the inedible end thrown in, it kinda annoys you. And when it's at a "nice", more expensive restaurant it just makes me mad. And confuses me. My friend got better lettuce from the Wegmens salad bar. I hate conflict with waiters or waitresses. I hate complaining and making a stink. So I just picked out the bad pieces and ate the rest, which was not bad. I wasn't sure whether to say something once I finished but when the waitress brought the check and a little container for "left overs" I pointed the wilted pieces and huge end chunk to her and said I'm not taking anything home. I didn't think my tone was nasty, maybe it came across that way because she didn't apologize, instead asking if I needed change for the cash I left for the bill. Apparently she also gave me a look. I didn't even know how to respond, but I've never not tipped so I just told her no and left. She only came to the table to take the order and to "see if things were ok" when I was basically already done. I paid tip for someone to basically bring me a bad salad and then look at me like I was dumb. I guess I'm supposed to order a lot to make someone happy. This is the last time I come for lunch, if ever for a while. I won't not recommend this place but I will recommend other places over this one. You can always find other places that serve just as good American food.
(3)
Amanda Z.
This place used to require that men wear a jacket or sports xoat for dinner service. They do not anymore but the rest of the ambiance that goes along with restaurant's that have a dress code remains. The waiters work in teams so you never have to swivel or wonder when your water will be refilled There special is their roasted chicken which is so juicy and flavorful. My boyfriend had the skirt steak and he said that it was one of the best prepared steaks he has ever had
After reading 'yelp' reviews, we gave this place a try for our dinner date. Came in on a Saturday at 3:30 and it was not too busy. Main waitress was 'Johnna' and she was fantastic (very friendly and checked with us often without disturbing our meal. She asked after each item and is was nice to know she wanted to make sure we were pleased with it). The atmosphere was great for a date and we sat by the fireplace; on this cold of a day it was perfect. Their salad dressing is delicious and while others may not enjoy it being pre mixed in, we liked it. I had the avocado-ranch and my fiance had the one that was similar to a thousand island. My fiance had their wood fire rotisserie chicken, with bacon mac and cheese. The meat of the chicken was juicy and full of flavor. Mac and cheese was very smooth and creamy. I had the new york strip and it was cooked exactly as I had asked. I am a cowgirl at heart and the fact that they put their steak on a real grill to give it a little charcoal flavoring to it was epic. I love A1 sauce, but found myself loving their in house made sauce more. It was thick like a gravy and stuck to the meat. The sides were cooked perfectly as well. We had their chocolate up rise for dessert and it was a great topper for the meal and more then two people could eat!! Well are already planning a return visit.
(5)
Carolyn C.
I have always noticed this restaurant up on the hill from the highway when driving by; however, I just thought it was a part of the hotels that are located back there. I wish I would have found this gem earlier! Due to their location being so off the beaten path and basically between a small building park and multiple hotels this hotel is a bit hard to find! If it wasn't for a girlfriend who was absolutely obsessed with this place I would have never been here! Therefore, if you can find it, TRY IT! **Please note that proper attire is required!** Stanford Grill is owned by the Blueridge Restaurant Group and also has a partner restaurant called Copper Canyon Grill. The group is actually headquartered in Columbia, Maryland and is locally owned and operated. The restaurant feature fresh ingredients from local farmers and vendors. I hear that they are in the works of opening another location in Tower Oaks! The restaurant has an abundant amount of parking available most likely due to the amount of hotels around this location. The building looks welcoming and architecture is contemporary. The ambiance of the inside is wholehearted, warm, cozy, comfortable, and very appealing. There is wood paneling, elegant lighting, large windows and relaxing booths .There is a bar to the immediate right of the door and the rest floor plan is entirely designated for table seating. Please note that if you get hot quickly or just do not like being toasty make sure you request to sit away from the fire. The fireplace is relatively large and the heat it gives off is overpowering. Also, sometimes they have live music such as piano or soft jazz. The servers, runners and bartenders are observant, attentive, accommodating, helpful and overall fantastic. The service at this restaurant is impeccable. The menu is large, from the wine list, beer list, food and all the way to their luscious desserts. There is something at each price point so it makes it affordable to all. Each night there are different special which the servers memorize so well! If I had to rattle that information off to a table I would lose my train of thought. If I could eat and spend money like this often, I would do so here! I would totally be a regular. In fact I would love if I could rent the chef and his team out to make all my meals. That would be epic. This year I purchased gift cards for all my family members to come here!
(5)
Barry B.
I like money. I like what money can do for you most of all. A median amount of it can expose you to places like The Stanford Grill. There are some places in the world that reflect money without being obnoxious about it. The Stanford Grill accomplishes its subtle "you have arrived" ambiance without any of the stuffy pretense of places that cost much more and are not half as nice. Its location is a little off the beaten path, not hard to get to; just not where you would expect an oasis of class. It's beside one of those non-descript hotel chains and on a slight hill. You pass by some dingy government buildings and semi-industrial flat buildings. The only thing missing is a lake and this place would be perfect. Perhaps they can buy the vacant grassy lot that the patio overlooks and put in a water feature, with a path and two perfect little benches. That would make it a little slice of suburban paradise. I went with my Angels. Four of the most lovely and delightful co-workers I have ever had the privilege of working with. It was our own office luncheon minus the "forced fun" of the White Elephant gift exchange. I am their Boseley (the Bernie Mac version of course- not the inimitable David Doyle). There is no possible way for a guy to have a bad time with four beautiful ladies-thank you Angels. Our server was prompt, knowledgeable and engaging. She impressed right away with her lay down of the numerous specials being offered that day. Many, even good, waitstaff can fumble their way through that first impression. For me that is the first real display of skill. Anyone can walk up, greet a table and ask for a drink order. It's selling the specials without selling the specials that impresses me. Others have covered the food so I won't linger. I think it's enough to say-straightforward high-end American Fare done right and well presented. The two young one's immediately whipped out their phones to share the bounty with Instagram...that's a thing I've been told. It was charming, I liked it. This is a great place for any of those slightly special occasions. I saw people in jeans, however I think it's a space, an ambiance that deserves business casual at least. A gentleman would not be overdressed in a jacket and tie, and ladies a dress and some heels are not just for Sunday. I will be back.
(5)
Kay B.
I would come back here for the food and libations, but it's the noise when full-house that earned Stanford Grill a 3. They appear to have NO acoustic absorption at all and it sounds more like a busy bazzar than a nice restaurant. The atmosphere is understated and classy. They had live jazz playing when we came in at 8:45pm on a Saturday. It did not last too much longer. Rotisserie chicken and ribs here are the specialty. The chicken was very tender and tasty. It was overseasoned, but after being dunked in the broth was just fine. They have thin-style fries here, about the size of potato stick chips. Try the fleur de lis cocktail. Elderflower liquer and vodka.
(3)
Sandy T.
I cannot tell you how many times I've been here--too many. This sister restaurant of Cooper Canyon embraces a romantic atmosphere/venue with the piano and bass players, dark interior with rich wood accents and fire places. Service have always been great, but after being here so many times and trying a large portion of their menus, I can confidently say their food is average. Don't get me wrong, I definitely do recommend trying this restaurant if you haven't, especially since it is a nice & chic dinning area. Been here for brunch and dinner before, and not once have I encounter bad service. The staffs are very attentive and friendly making every visit worthwhile. The food... it's pretty bland and I think many people speak a bit too highly of it. Of all my visits, I haven't encounter any dish that was memorable and worth trying again. Everything seems average; there's always something missing in their dishes. I cannot pinpoint what it is exactly. On a better note, they have a huge list of wine to choose from and a full bar! A great location for romantic dates and Happy hour.
(3)
Karen K.
Dinner at the Stanford Grill was excellent in all respects - food, ambiance, service. The team approach to serving each table was explained immediately. Ask anyone and they will bring you what you want. Our main server, Mandy, was informative, attentive, not intrusive and very helpful. Two diners enjoyed the prime rib - one medium rare and one medium well. Both arrived at the perfect doneness and deliciousness. Not a bite left. The crab cakes were also yummy with lumps of crabmeat and not much filler. Perfect for a Marylander. I am looking forward to dining at Stanford Grill again with the opening in Rockville coming soon.
(5)
N S.
Don't believe the hype. This is a fake-me-out Houston's (that fails) and was just okay meaning I will not return. They do have a nice patio and the key lime pie is tasty, But overall, nothing special. Plus, the appetizer spinach artichoke dip is $15.00 which is even higher priced than Houston's/Woodmont Grill.
Went there for lunch again, excellent experience. Our waitress, alexandr was attentive and fast. We were in and out in under an hour for lunch. Food was hot and delicious, cooked to our specifications.
(5)
Catherine S.
wish they had one closer to me, oh wait they do- it's called copper canyon. Never had a meal fail here. Came here for yet another birthday brunch. Had an omlet that was ginourmous (it was my lunch and dinner). Brunch comes with one free drink (I chose a tasty bellini). The service was a bit sketchy (dropped drinks, wrong orderes) but I will forgive them, they were friendly. The place isn't the easiest to find. Its off the road and back some however it is a nice dark, woodsy look to it that I like. Oh and two words- pumkin cheesecake- get it, you must! I had only one bite of a friends order (looked like a quarter of the cake). Naturally, when another friend went to order her own they were all sold out. so that tells ya sumthin!
(4)
Emily F.
Salsa and guacamole were amazing, the tomatoes are smoked in house and you can taste the smoky flavor. The chicken pot pie was very good as well but the starters stole the show. The place was mobbed on Saturday at 8, I'd definitely recommend making a reservation.
(4)
Amy S.
My family had a reservation for a large party that we made months ago. We got there and waited 50 minutes to be seated because they had nothing for us. We had two toddlers, and someone who drove really far to be there, so waiting that long was really really hard on everyone (if you have a toddler you understand). What is the point of a reservation if you aren't given a table when you arrive? The manager on duty was named Phil he should not have a job with the way he treated our family. It got worse! Our waitress, Korinne, was just as rude and acted like we were troubling her all night long and rushed to get us out as soon as she could. The way she spoke to us was unprofessional to say the least. She kept taking our drinks and wouldn't bring them back and kept taking or plates and utensils and napkins, so almost all of us were drinkless before we were even done eating, and all our napkins were gone so I was unable to even wipe my hands. She then started boxing up our food before we were even done, and we were trying to hold conversations, so it was hard to pay attention to what she was doing and she tossed food we were still eating! For the large $400 bill we had and the amount of money we made them, you would have though we'd at least be treated like customers...they were rude and unprofessional and I would not recommend them to anyone who wants to be treated well at dinner. After all we went through I figured they would at least comp an appetizer or a dessert, but they didn't. The rude manager never even checked on us, but we watched him check on every other table. Also, Korrine, TOLD us she expected more than her "base service charge" as she called it. Wow...I wish I could get my parents' hard earned money back from these thieves. I just had to edit my post because ALMOST ALL OF THE PEOPLE I ATE WITH LAST NIGHT AT THE STANFORD GRILL ARE SICK TODAY, WE MAY HAVE FOOD POISONING!
(1)
Clyde M.
Really good Jazz, atmosphere and service are really nice. Something has changed: Every dish we had was really really spicy with pepper, I mean every dish from the Pot Pie, chicken, and steak was really peppery!! We used to frequent this place, but way too much pepper.
(2)
Laurel K.
Stanford Grille is rather like a more upscale Applebees. The food is Americana with a splash of elegance. I wasn't overly impressed by the food (things were a bit too salty for my taste), but I would go back. The live jazz adds quite a bit to the atmosphere, and the servers are top notch. I would definitely recommend a reservation on a weekend night. Dress is all the way from jeans casual to fairly dressy. The menu isn't super pricey, but not exactly inexpensive either. Expect to spend about $20 (maybe more) on your entree.
(4)
Empress Miko E.
Always have food left on my plate...large portions. Fantastic dinning experience
(5)
Lee S.
What would we do without YELP? On our return trip to PA from VA I was assigned the task of finding dinner as my wife was driving. Knowing Columbia, MD is full of restaurants I started Yelping. I kept coming back to the Stanford Grill reviews and made the decision this is where dinner was going to be. Our experience was pretty much just as the reviews had stated. Excellent! Atmosphere was very nice and relaxing with spacious tables and booths. Live music added to the ambiance. Staff, Rob, was very attentive, explaining the "made from scratch" menu philosophy. He stated they only have a small freezer for ice cream. The menu is American and some may consider a bit small, I personally would rather have quality over quantity and it is exactly that. We chose to pass on starters in hopes of having room for desert. In addition to the menu items there are daily specials. Both specials sounded excellent, one being a NY Strip top with asiago cheese and a few other ingredients and King Clip, fish similar to Grouper, with Jerk season, mango fruit salsa, and rum butter prepared over the wood grill. My wife and I both had the fish. What a meal, the fish was perfectly done and exactly as described, the rice very good and the red brazed cabbage, I am not sure how the Chef makes this but it was outstanding. Yes, I know how can brazed cabbage be that good, all I can say is it was. Rob also did an excellent job helping select the prefect wine with us. On to desert, what a way to end the meal. All of the selections sounded great and we decided to split the Key Lime pie. I am not sure how anyone could handle this on their own, it was one fifth in size - huge. It was definitely from scratch and no less than five stars. As I watched other deserts being served they all looked five star and very big. We would definitely recommend Stanford Grill. SG is one of those places where you can go and enjoy great food and service in a relaxed atmosphere. It would be a great place to take friends of business colleges.
(5)
Tee B.
Decor superb. Waiter dressed appropriately and knowledgeable. Food great
(5)
Elizabeth C.
We enjoyed the beautiful interior listening to some mellow jazz with romantic fire blazing. I had a generous serving of delicious Rotisserie Chicken Salad with the most addictive corn bread I've ever tasted. The service was phenomenal.
(5)
Debby C.
This is my all time favorite restaurant! Service and food are always excellent. Be sure and reserve a day or two ahead of time. I like the chicken, but the specials are always excellent. They do use a lot of pepper, which I like, but some people might not want that much pepper.
(5)
Jeff M.
This is one of my favorite new restaurants to hit Columbia in a while. The atmosphere is top notch and the food is very good. I get the ahi tuna salad every time, but my other dinner guests dance around the menu and haven't been disappointed yet. They could stand to expand their appetizer menu to attract a happy hour crowd, but I go back again and again regardless. Regarding one of the above posts....there are NO cemeteries located in Columbia, so I'm not sure that person even ate there.
(4)
Catherine B.
What a horrible experience. Made reservations 3 months in advance for our family of ten (including) two high chairs to celebrate our twins 30th birthday. Showed up 15 minutes early to an almost empty restaurant to make sure everything was okay. The hostess couldn't have been sweeter but half an hour later with two hungry children they couldn't figure out how to seat 10 of us because they also had another party of 12 expected an hour later. They first tried to split us up between a booth and table nearby but not connected, then they tried to seat us at 2 small tables pushed together with 3 on each side and 1 at each end. The 2 year old and 18 month old were expected to sit in standard restaurant high chairs with no trays, not up to the table but set off to the side. We explained that they'd have no way to eat without access to the table. The answer was that they couldn't seat us. They just couldn't pull over an empty table next to ours and that seating and reservations were on a first come first served basis, but the table for 12 next to us still sat empty. We waited patiently until yen manager finally came out and said there was nothing they could do. We explained that the children couldn't eat without access to the table and he said that children weren't entitled a seat. We were all very upset. We tried to show them his they could move over a smaller table but they refused. I fought back tears as my twins became more and more upset. Finally I told my husband in front of the manager that our daughter was calling other restaurants for seating. Suddenly the manager said they would make it work and moved the table as we suggested. It continued downhill as the waitress refused to take the appetizer order and children's food order to put in first so we could feed the children quickly. She said we had to order all the food at once and the menus had to be removed before she could submit the order "what?". She asked my daughter for her knife, trying to clear the table mid-meal, my daughter said she needed it to continue to cut her sons food and the waitress said she could have it for just a few more seconds. Seriously? I went to the restroom after dinner but before dessert and returned to find my drink and napkin gone and was told she thought I was finished. Some of our dinners were fine, others (some identical meals) were so over-peppered they couldn't be eaten. When we were given the check the waitress pointed out a couple of times that the service charge (tip) was included but was the base (18%). A $400 bill and believe me we added no additional tip as she was suggesting. If you have something special to celebrate, stay away from this place.
(1)
KJ P.
The food is always excellent; however, the last time I was in the service lacked slightly and couldn't keep my table's drinks filled--- and we all had waters.
Stanford Grill is a great place to grab a tasty, filling meal at a very reasonable price. The environment was very welcoming and the staff was extremely friendly. I sat at the bar for dinner and was promptly welcomed and drink order taken. I got the chicken avocado club, I know nothing fancy, but it was delicious. The shoestring fries are amazing! I think it is worth coming back just for the fries. This is a place worth coming back to.
(4)
John R.
Amazing all round. I have been here many times and will keep coming back. Food is always fresh and delicious. Service is amazing, friendly staff ready to make your experience the most enjoyable. Live jazz style music to set a perfect atmosphere.
(5)
Alex C.
Great food and environment, easily one of the best restaurants in the Columbia area. Highly recommend the ribs and the mashed potatoes. If you have room for dessert, the bread pudding is amazing.
(5)
Christine H.
The service here is top notched. The prime ribs are prepared the way it should be- melts in your mouth goodness. But don't miss the Skillet cornbread, it even satisfied my finicky sister in law. Finish the dinner with French pressed coffee and dessert. Not to be missed are the Uprising Chocolate and Bread Pudding. You'll come back to the restaurant just for the desserts. There's a band nightly that plays jazz music. Try to get a seat far from it as it can be loud, or better yet, try the outdoor patio seating during fair weather.
(5)
Rene R.
Went last night for Hubby's birthday dinner. Warmly greeted and taken to our table right away (we had a reservation but I doubt it was necessary on a Monday night!) Our waiter was Ali and after he introduced himself, he told us about the restaurant - a team atmosphere where he was our primary server but the other service staff was available if we needed anything. All fresh food never frozen. He gave us the specials and when we asked, he gave us his thoughts on a few of the dishes along with a recommendation, which we took and we ordered the Oyster appetizer. Husband said they were amazing (I'm not an oyster fan) He ordered the Shark that came on a bed of rice and a side of Brussel Sprouts w/butter and bacon pieces. I had the Surf and Turf. 6oz sirloin w/Gorgonzola butter (medium-well), crab cake, mashed red skin potatoes and spinach and we added a side of mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was different - made with either sour cream or cream cheese I can't remember which but it was delicious and creamy. It could have used a bit more cheese though! The potatoes were perfect and plentiful, the spinach was good (not my fav veggie) and my steak was perfection! Perfectly cooked so juicy and flavorful! Husband's shark meal - I had to try the shark and it was pretty good. Not super fishy and a little tougher than a regular piece of fish. The rice was great and according to him the brussel sprouts were tasty. For dessert we had the ice cream sandwich. Sounds simple right? It was amazing. It was a big scoop of bryers vanilla bean ice cream between two cinnamon chocolate brownies, homemade whipped cream (yummy) and chocolate and caramel sauces. Was it pricey? YES but it was great. Drinks were refilled promptly, plates cleared and everything was presented beautifully! Service was wonderful. And when reheated as breakfast this morning, my food was great! While we won't be regulars there, for special occasions or celebrations we'll be back!
(4)
Marian C.
Brunch was delicious! I ordered the French toast and it had lots of berries, bananas, and walnuts with the toast. This went perfectly with my bellini (all brunch orders come with a complementary drink!) And to top it off, the service was excellent. I would most definitely come back!
(3)
Bill P.
Great food, excellent service. Took what is normal a bland Easter dinner at home and turned it into something great. Love the outdoor dinning area with the fire pit.
(5)
Kenneth P.
Went for dinner in 6/29 and service as always was outstanding. The fresh trout and bread pudding were off the chart.
(4)
Adam S.
Went here on a night where we were just looking to try something new. We enjoyed some greats martinis while we waited for a table (about 15-25 minutes). The wait didn't even seem that long as they had a three piece jazz band playing and they were amazing. The lights are dimly lit to set the mood and the service was A+. We actually tried shark which was a dry, but the waitress brought us free dessert and removed the shark from our bill. The manager even came by to chat with us to apologize for the shark which definitely took us by surprise. They really do strive for excellent customer satisfaction. It is a little pricey, but definitely worth it for a night out!
(4)
Marisa F.
Stanford Grill can be a tricky place to find, but once you are there you will be glad you hunted it down. I have been quite a few times and I almost always order their rotisserie chicken. Now most people would probably turn up their nose to boring ordinary rotisserie chicken compared to other things they have on their menu, but if you order it you will not be disappointed. It's amazing and you probably won't be able to do any talking during your meal because you will be too busy stuffing your face. You can also watch all the other little birds of deliciousness roasting through a window near the kitchen. There is also a patio with a nice fireplace and it is a great place to sit when the weather is nice. They also have jazz and brunch. It's not a great place for big groups because unless you are outdoors, you will probably have to be split up. The selection isn't huge, but everything they have on the menu is delicious. Also you might want to share dessert, every time I have ordered a dessert it has come out twice as big as I thought it would. The only drawback is that I think their wine is severely overpriced. I know restaurants mark up their wine, but ordering a glass that is $12-$13 and then finding the bottle in a wine store and seeing that it costs about $16? Not priceless.
(4)
Courtney F.
I've had a good experience here every time I've visited.
As always on our way home from soccer exploring new destinations off of 95 and we found a real gem!! Stanford is outstanding! Great service, warm/inviting atmosphere, and delicious food. House salad is great w/pecans and goat cheese- yes I said house salad. Green fried tomatoes were tender, sweet and topped with crab. St. Louis ribs, a specialty, were tender juicy and literally fell off the rib. Finally my favorite - crab cakes 99% crab!!! So incredibly fresh!! You must give it a try. Did I mention they had a live jazz band and a great wine list??
(4)
Nicholas C.
Veggie Burger? More like "Vegg-eh Burger". What the burger gained in size, it lost in flavor. The fries, thin julienned, were pretty good. We went during a workday lunch and the place was packed. Not sure if that is normal, as it was my first time visiting.
(2)
Elizabeth E.
I've had two very different experiences here. The first time I visited, I was not impressed. It was a group function, which was held on the enclosed patio. When we arrived, the space was elegant and I enjoyed the fireplace. Chairs were lined up around the room and there were a few standing tables, and a few sitting tables. It was convenient to have a bar area on the patio, just for our group. The event lasted from 6-8 p.m., and we had paid $25 per person in advance, so we expected dinner. In reality, a buffet was set up with hot meats and dips on one side of the room, and veggies, fruit, and cheese on the other side -- a generous appetizer spread, but not a full dinner by any means. We were provided with bread and butter plates, dinner forks and steak knives. After getting a glass of wine (a cash bar in addition to what we had pre-paid), and an appetizer plate of veggies, I realized there was no place available at either the standing or seated tables, so I sat on a chair, put my glass of wine on the floor, and attempted to eat from the tiny plate with huge utensils. I would have preferred fewer chairs in the room, and more standing tables, because at least I could have set my drink down (there wasn't even an empty tray on which to place our used dishes). In total, I ate a slice of red pepper, a slice of tomato, one asparagus stalk, a bite of chicken, and three tortilla chips - after paying $25! It's possible that more people came to the event than had been anticipated, but the restaurant should have known the head count, based on the payments they received in advance (there were about 80-100 people). There just simply wasn't enough room for everyone to eat at a table, so it was very odd to be given steak knives, and then eat off our laps. To be perfectly honest, we went through a fast food drive-through on our way home, because no one had enough to eat. Despite that experience, the few bites of food we did eat were quite good, so we decided to give it a second chance and return for dinner about a week later. As a party of two, we had a wonderful dinner (we got the steak salad and the chicken avocado club sandwich) and the service was stellar. I got the "petite" salad, and I could only eat half of it -- the regular size must be huge. The live music was awesome, and made a weeknight meal feel like a special occasion. It just so happened that there was another group event on the patio that night, and with only about 15 people, it looked like a success. The bottom line: great for dinner, but I wouldn't recommend it for a group event.
(4)
Christine J.
We went to Stanford Grill for an adult dinner night. The food was great. I had sea scallops and my husband the filet. Yummy!!! Will be back again. :) FYI Live Jazz every night.
(4)
Rachel B.
Very Good and have the best best burger in town!! you also can't beat the patio for a great "chill" spot.
(4)
Ken K.
Pretty decent place. I came here on a lunch date a few days ago. We decided to meet at the bar. Being as attractive as I am women tend to need a drink to calm their nerves. Either that or it was the easiest place to meet arriving at separate times in the restaurant. Anyways, this would be the choice to take clients out for a business lunch. I, however, was on a date. She may have thought I was a potential client for her business but the chemistry was there. Now since I was playing the part of a potential customer and important business man I had a few martinis to give the appearance of being a GENTLEMAN I got them dirty and they were pretty Delicious. However the bartender... I think her name was Toni put a shrimp on the rim as a garnish. Now she many have gone to one of those on-line hipster bar schools but that is just downright nasty. Olives are the only garnish, maybe even stuffed with bleu cheese if you feel like being an artisan but that's it. I mean how do you expect me to close the deal with this woman if I smell like a wharf in locust point? So after berating the bartender to the brink of tears ( shows confidence girls like that) she stopped with the shrimp and we were ready to get our meals. Since I wasn't paying I started with their homemade ( ? ) smoked salmon with toast points. If you are into smoked salmon I suggest you try this, very good. For my main course I had to try their prime rib. Ever since eating prime rib at Lewnes in Annapolis I have been trying to find something half as good more conveniently located to me. This was about half as good as Lewnes. That is an actual compliment. The meat was cooked properly and was very flavorful. The woman ordered their Cesar salad with chicken. Although she was taken aback when I swiftly thrusted my fork into her entree to taste her meal I think she dug my assertiveness. Oh and the salad was pretty good also. Good place for lunch and service is also decent.
(4)
Arnus M.
If you are looking for a little ambience in Columbia, there are a growing number of options for you. This is probably one of the better ones as of this writing. Price - This is a bit upscale, but roughly an equal price to other restaurants in the area. Family/Singles - Either works here; the bar is sufficiently distinct for singles to get their groove on. Selection - Not broad, but what they do is pretty good. The bulgogi appetizers are good (a happy hour special), as is the cornbread. Steaks are very serviceable, as is the rotisserie chicken. Don't expect a lot of breadth in the menu. THe bar staff can give you a good wine pairing. Service - one to five, a 3.5. The waitstaff are friendly and welcoming and work in teams to get your food to you quickly. Parking - Free, and a fair amount of it. Location - A little tricky, just shoot straight back from Apple Ford and through the circle, don't get caught on the hotel turn. Ambience - A nice patio and fire pit outside. The bar is pretty good on the meet and greet, 30 and 40 somethings. Eye candy is variable: on my visits, about 40/60 female to male, tending toward upscale. Nightly jazz is a nice touch, and adds to the groove. Points to ponder - Remember, this is up the street from the Greene Turtle and around the corner from Nottingham's, so bring a DD and avoid any Hazzard County issues. Also, per another poster: There is an old graveyard near the edge of the parking lot, hard to see but a curiosity nonetheless.
(4)
Miranda C.
I have been debating about writing a review for this place, as I would have very readily given it 5 stars if it hadn't been for a few serious issues... My family (about 10 people) went there a few months ago for dinner as my father had been there before and really liked it. When we got there, we were treated very kindly by the attentive waitstaff and seated at our table very quickly. The ambiance is great at this restaurant- great colors and seating arrangements. We proceeded to order dinner and my uncle and I had some type of fish (the name escapes me at the moment). Everyone enjoyed their food as did I, until about 30 minutes after eating it... Immediately I began to feel incredibly flush and decided to leave dinner early to return home. About 2 1/2 hrs. later after arriving at home, my face was bright red and I felt sicker than I had ever felt before. After getting sick (I'll spare you the gorey details) I realized that the only other thing I had eaten was a 100 calorie pack (would that have gotten me this sick- no!) and the fish was only lightly cooked (I do not know the term for this, pardon my lack of culinary knowledge as well!). I proceeded to call my GP who told me that it was very likely food poisoning, as some types of fish carry bacteria that can make you immediately ill. After calling my father as well, I heard that my uncle who also had the fish, was ill. I decided that I needed to call the restaurant to let them know what had happened. My purpose for calling was purely out of concern for other diners, and I made that very clear when I spoke with one of the waitresses. She took my name and number, and said that the manager would call me back shortly. After not hearing back for some time, I called again, considering that tainted fish (in my opinion) is a serious issue needing to be addressed. After being put on hold, I was able to speak to the manager about the issue. Although he was nice at first, he began to argue with me that it couldn't possibly have been the fish as food poisoning takes longer to "show up". I told him that my uncle had the same dish with the same symptoms as I had yet he continued to deny it. The manager was rude and condescending which is ridiculous as an accusation of food-poisoning should always be taken seriously. He offered to pay for a doctors visit which I appreciated, but refused to address the issue any further. All in all, the dining experience was great, the ambiance and the waitstaff were excellent, but there is no way I will be eating here again. I can forgive the fact that I got sick as the quality of food is excellent, but I refuse to be mistreated by a manager who denies the possibility of me getting sick from his food. Sorry Stanford Grill, I would have really loved to give you 5 stars! Get a new manager!!!
(3)
Lauren W.
I wanted to like this place, I really did. I had seen it multiple times and finally ventured over with my family. Things were off to a great start (the menu looked very promising) until our waiter WALKED OUT on us after taking our order. We waited a good 15-20 minutes before we realized what had happened and finally right as we were about to leave, a waitress picked up where our initial waiter left off. While our meals arrived, the bread we ordered as a side did not. I always get dessert, and rank restaurants based on the dessert. Needless to say, we didn't even make it to dessert at this place. While I may be biased, based upon my experience, no manger ever graced us with their presence to apologize for our terrible service, obviously I won't be rushing back to try again with the abundance of restaurants in the area!
(1)
John S.
I ate here last Sunday night with my parents. I immediately liked the place when I walked in and was greeted by a cozy fireplace and a pianist playing wonderful music (and taking requests). The decor is very homey feeling, almost like you are at your log cabin getaway. I had the tenderloin filet paired with a nice Irish dry stout. The steak was exquisite and cooked to perfectly to my request. My sides were spinach and fries (I subbed out the mashed potatoes). The spinach was tasty and the fries, which soaked up some of the steak's juices, were out of this world. My stout, was Dark Starr Stout, which drank more like a chocolate stout, was very good and complemented the bravado of the steak. I really enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant the most. I might come here every few Sundays to enjoy their newest craft beer and unwind.
(5)
Jason C.
Limited menu selection, but what they do, they do well. Steak house menu with some twists. They offer surprisingly well executed seafood choices. The ahi-tuna salad (which I've had twice) is consistently excellent. The cornbread croutons are delicious. The rotisserie chicken looks very good but I haven't tried it. Excellent location for business lunches or dinners. Looking forward to returning in the spring/summer when the patio is open. Business casual is recommended for attire, in my opinion.
(4)
Jessica A.
Margaritas are no longer $5. Bummer.
(3)
Scott Y.
I had a business dinner at Stanford Grill, and was pleasantly surprised. Coming to Charm City from New York, and not liking crabs, I expected to be disappointed by my meals. I actually really enjoyed Stanford Grill, though. I had the prime rib, which was cooked perfectly, although perhaps a tad bland. What really impressed me, however, were the desserts. I'm a big fan of asking my server for a recommendation between two items, but I find that when I do this with a brownie sundae and a bread pudding, I always get a brownie sundae recommendation. So I was pretty excited when my waitress recommended the bread pudding with a plethora of enthusiasm, and zero hesitation. I was more excited when I took my first bite. This was hands down the best tasting bread pudding that I have ever had. It was also gigantic!
(4)
Ali G.
Really great service. Our waitress was a hoot. Excellent food, esp the rotisserie chicken salad.
(5)
Sameer S.
I've been looking around lately for good veggie burgers and had high hopes for this place since it looked like a nice restaurant. But I'll agree with Nicholas C. that it was just "meh". While I don't like places that obviously just microwave a patty, this one was just too soft and oozed out past the bun. I was also excited to try the mac and cheese side by the description but it was lacking in any kind of real taste. Lot of good ideas not executed well. And the service, while not bad at all, was still a little lacking. While I appreciate servers not hovering around it took longer than expected to get our check and pay even though we were one of the only people there. I don't think I need to flag the staff down. On a good note, she was very pleasant. And the fries were good.
(2)
Frank G.
Would Houston's by any other name be just as sweet? In the case of the Stanford Grill -- a nearly identical copy of Houston's/Woodmont Grill, but without the drive to Bethesda -- the answer is yes. Almost everything about this place is the same, including the decor and food, right down to the menu font. In my book, this is a very good thing, as Houston's was one out favorite restaurants when we lived in the area. In any case, we had a great dinner here. Both the appetizers (a special Caprese salad and chili) and entrees (French dip and roasted chicken with mashed potatoes & beans) delivered on taste, freshness, and quite honestly, value. We shared a bread pudding for dessert, which was fantastic; large chunks bread maintained their shape and firmness, but were imbued with just the right amount of creamy sweetness. Often, bread pudding is a gloppy mess, but not here. If I had to have a quibble, it would be with the coffee. It was served in a French press (too fussy) and incredibly strong, even for my tastes. It would have been a nice kick in the pants first thing in the morning, but was not suitable for dessert. For some reason, it didn't show up on our bill, so I felt no reason to make a note of it to our incredibly friendly and attentive waiter, Dave. Reservations are recommended on the weekends. We were able to be seated immediately in the bar area, otherwise it was going to be a 45 minute wait for a table.
(4)
Richard L.
I am amazed and appalled at an incident that occurred over the weekend. It was a friend's anniversary and we were going to meet up for drinks to celebrate. While on my way to the Grill I received a from the couple that they were treated terribly by the bartender. Apparently they were having trouble remembering the bartender's name, having been there before and had a lovely time then with the same gentleman. When my friends couldn't remember his exact name, he became rude and refused to serve them. Embarrassed and made unwelcome by the bartender they left, ruining for them a place they absolutely enjoyed.
(1)
David R.
Chicken pot pie seemed homemade and was pretty bangin'. Eric was a very thorough bartender. Live jazz. Roll Tide.
(4)
Carl T.
My friend and I had so much fun here. The food is delicious! I got a steak salad, and I recommend it. The most memorable part is the service. The servers have a very sincere script they perform, and it is quite a performance. The restaurant is very stylish on the inside.
(5)
Sharon B.
Great food, awesome service. I see some here have already mentioned Ali. He was great. I now have a new "favorite place" to take friends to or have a business dinner.
(5)
Tiffani N.
Went to Stanford Grill to celebrate my birthday with a few family members. It was a Monday night, so the place was fairy empty. However, they did have a large group sitting out on the patio area and a few patrons at the bar- left over from happy hour. My first impression was that this place was a carbon copy of my beloved Houston's. Down to the details of dimmed lighting, sleek cherrywood booths and the simple, straightforward American fare on their menu. I even asked the waiter if they were the reincarnation of Houston's (I wish!) and he informed me their sister company is Copper Canyon Grill- which I like, as well. I guess Stanford Grill is their better dressed, more sophisticated sister. The service was excellent from the moment we sat down. Our server went out of his way to be extra attentive, which of course made me feel even more special on my birthday. He even brought me a fabulous dessert without anyone in my party asking him to. As I said, the food is pretty simple and includes the typical American staples: rotisserie chicken, crab cakes, angus burgers, fish of the day and a few different cuts of steak. I decided to treat myself to the tenderloin filet. It was cooked to perfection, yet the beef was overpowered by the strong flavors of gorgonzola, blue cheese and cabernet sauce. Not a good combination at all. Tasted much better when I added a gourmet teriyaki sauce at home the next day to cut the bitterness. The sides were very good. Everyone else enjoyed their food. I give the food 3.5 stars and the service/ambiance 4 stars. I'm sure I'd enjoy their nightly jazz trio. We left before they began playing. Overall, Stanford Grill is the perfect place to take a date or enjoy a special occasion by celebrating with a small party.
(4)
Avocado N.
Awesome place!! OMG! Adam was our server, very engaging ambiance was great, food outstanding....great for dates.....business meetings.....a little dark in deer .....will definitely return!
(5)
Danielle L.
Great Place, Great Food, Great Live Jazz, Great Service, Great $$ for the food. The food and menu is very similiar to the Redrock Canyon/Copper Canyon Grill menu and food.
(4)
NK B.
Excellent service and awesome food. We went at 6:30 PM on a Tuesday and the restaurant was almost full. The steak was juicy and succulent....with mashed potato and spinach sides. My colleague had ordered burger without cheese. But by mistake they got the burger with cheese already in it. The manager personally came to apologize and they took care of it. They did not charge us for the burger. We personally felt so surprised and respectful. Awesome! Will go again to try the bread pudding...
(4)
Jack R.
did dinner for 12 on short notice here recently. The service was excellent and the menu was diverse enough to offer something for everyone. The crab cakes were among the best ive had. the salads were fresh, tasty and plentiful.. I'd recommend this place to all, large groups or small.. check the wine list as well. Im told it's excellent.
(5)
David L.
This place is really a nice spot. The ambiance is excellent. Went on a business lunch and would return for a nice romantic evening. The staff and service was great. Stanford's strives on their freshness, and it was brought. The calamari was a great start and cooked to perfection. Onward to the pan seared Wasabi Grilled Salmon. WOW this was the BEST piece of salmon that I had in a long time. Just the right crust crispness and salmon cooked perfectly. The sweet glaze was a bit much so a good part of it was moved the the other side of the plate. After it was deglazed every bit was savored. The spinach was excellent as was the spaghetti squash. I didnt get desert but WOW the portion of the chocolate cake, had to be 1200 calories itself. Will definitely be returning........
(5)
Elizabeth B.
I've rewritten my review because over time they have gotten better. The bbq chicken salad is the best salad I've ever had. Pieces of their wonderful bbq chicken breast on lettuce with corn, jicama, avocado other veggies. The chipotle ranch dressing and bbq sauce they put on it is awesome. The bbq ribs are amazing, fall off the bone and again the bbq sauce is very good. The filet was good but a bit salty. The garlic mashed potatoes and jalapeno cornbread, delicious. The key lime pie and creme brulee also awesome! The atmosphere is really nice, like a winter lodge, they have a huge fireplace both inside and outside on their porch. On the porch, there is comfy couch seating in front of the fireplace and a bar. Their other bar is very nice, often with a jazz band , and the bartenders are a lot of fun and do a great job. The service is semi-formal, and the servers have really lightened up over the past year - they take their jobs seriously but aren't quite as stiff and formal as before. We love this place! One thing though, their wine prices are really high, that's the only down side..
(5)
Thomas M.
I have been to the Stanford grill two times in the last few months and I find it to be columbia Maryland's best restaurant by quite a bit. The decor, music, service and the food - the food was excellent each and every time I went. Elegant in my opinion compared to the rest. A must experience!
(5)
Nicole W.
From start to finish.... I had a great time here and the food was great! I wish the menu had more, but what was there was amazing! I will sooo be back :0)
(5)
Keisha C.
Went here at the end of May with my family. The food was delicious (especially the guacamole!), the portions were large (the salads really are meals), the jazz was nice and the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. I will definitely go back in the future to try the drinks!
(5)
Susan D.
Yet another overwhelmingly positive review for Stanford Grill! Looking for a local, non-chain place to celebrate a promotion, I found Stanford on the internet. Ambiance was casual American with live jazz. Prices were very reasonable given the quality of the food and service. We made a reservation for a party of 4 online on the morning of the event and were seated immediately on arrival. Staff is very friendly and let us chat for over an hour after we finished our meal, even emphasizing that we should take our time and enjoy ourselves. The menu is not huge, but I personally appreciated this because too many choices can be overwhelming. I think the restaurant tries to focus on doing a few things very well. Desserts are huge; we shared one between 4. The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because the live jazz sometimes made it difficult to talk in a normal voice. Don't get me wrong-- the music added to the scene and wasn't overwhelming, but if you're into the perfect experience this might get on your nerves.
(4)
Meliphocent M.
I've been to Stanford Grill twice. Both times it was delicious. It is a little strange to get to because it seems like you're heading to a hotel instead of to a restaurant. They have a patio with a fireplace which is very nice to eat in. Both times I've sat outside and it is nice, the cars on 175 aren't too loud even though it runs next to the restaurant. Their menu is small but everything I've had on it was very good. The chicken is their house specialty which I've never had, but I have had the prime rib, Ribeye steak, pork chops, chicken avocado club, french dip, macaroni and cheese and rotisseri chicken salad. The fresh green beans were yummy, they still had a little bit to them. I can't stand when restaurants over cook the green beans and they serve you limp soggy beans. The food is fantastic. The food is also fresh, they get their food supplied in twice a day. They have a large selection of wine and several beers on tap. All the employees were friendly and helpful if we had questions. I will definitely be returning.
(4)
Bill K.
Arrived at 5:50 on a Friday and the restaurant was already nearly full. We were seated in the loud bar area. The live jazz trio was a nice touch. They were playing at a comfortable level so we could enjoy the music. As the server was telling us about the evening's specials she spoke too fast for me. There were three specials, which she described in detail. With that much information to pass on, it should be written out and tacked to the menu. We ordered the skillet cornbread as an appetizer. It came with jalapeño peppers in it and was too hot for me. I couldn't eat it. I got the hickory tenderloin filet with red mashed taters and sauteed spinach. The filet was wonderful, except for the underside being charred, which I had to cut away. The potatoes were OK, albeit a bit too loaded with skins. The spinach I could barely eat it as it was over-seasoned with too much black pepper and garlic. My wife ordered the ribs and was brought a huge rack which she could barely eat half of - it went home with us. This is a place for celebrations, due to high scale decor and prices. The menu is limited, there aren't very many dishes on it. We didn't have room for dessert. Maybe next time, if there is a next time.
(3)
John H.
Nice place - live jazz - great service and good food
(4)
Terry H.
I met a friend for dinner last night at the Stanford Grill. We arrived around 7pm and were told that there would be a 10-15 minute wait for a table. We decided to sit at the bar and have a drink while waiting. We waited for well over 30 minutes and after checking with the hostess, the manager came over and said that it would be another couple of minutes and offered us chips and salsa while we waited. Shortly after that we were told that our table was ready. I asked if we could have the drinks added to our dinner check was told that they didn't do that and we could need to pay for our drinks at the bar. I didn't understand why that could be done but no big deal we paid and were shown to our table. Our waiter greeted us and told us the specials. I couldn't decide between the tenderloin or the lobster and ended up getting the tenderloin. My friend got the crab cakes. When our dinners arrived they looked great. My friend said that her crab cakes were OK and really like the remoulade sauce that came with them. My tenderloin was tender and a little over cooked but the gorgonzola bleu cheese butter and cabernet sauce that was served on top of it was totally inedible...extremely salty. When the waiter came over to check on us I told him that the sauce was too salty and he took it back. I asked if the sauce could be placed on the side and not on the steak itself and he said yes. When he returned with another plate the sauce was on the side but the steak was charred. I didn't eat it and didn't complain. When the waiter came to retrieve our plates he asked if the steak was Ok and I said no but it wasn't a problem. He brought the check back and when he came to pick it up my friend asked if the steak could be taken off the bill since I didn't eat it. He said he'd have to check with the manager. He came back and said the manager said no because he'd already thrown one tenderloin away when I sent it back the first time. My friend was a little taken aback by his answer but I said whatever and just paid the bill. My conclusion is that there are too many choices of restaurants to receive the type of service that we got regarding the steak. And, this from a manager of a restaurant where the food is just OK....not great....I don't plan on returning!
(2)
Connie S.
First of all, I enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant (live Jazz was a bonus) and they make a good martini-I'm pretty picky about those. My whole family ordered the rotisserie chicken. We all finished it even though the portions were huge. The salad I had before dinner was also large and full of yummy things like candied pecans cornbread croutons and goat cheese. My husband had a black bean soup which he also enjoyed immensely. Even dessert was well received by all. Definitely worth searching out.
(4)
Katherine P.
I've had a great experience here every time. They have the best chicken and the banana pudding is to die for.
(5)
Darius C.
This place is a hidden gem in Columbia. We shared the tenderloin and it was probably top 3 best steaks I have had in my life. The bleu cheese gorgonzola sauce was superb. The ambiance is intimate and very well done and our server was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. We will definitely be back to dine here again.
(5)
Dave F.
Excellent service. The waiter knew his wine and made sure the table was comfortable most of the time. He only slipped up on not watching the water glasses that well, but other than that he was good. Had the rotisserie chicken and the plate was full of food. My friend had the prime rib, which looked pretty good. It also came with a mound of mashed potatoes and vegetables. The mashed potatoes did not need gravy and the vegetables (mostly green beans and chopped peppers) were also pretty good. The chicken was very moist and the skin was very tasty. It was a tad salty, but it was good with the peppercorn as well. Was going to try to get a piece of Key Lime Pie, but the manager came out and said that the pie was not ready and that she did not feel comfortable serving a piece from a pie that was not ready and gave us a card for a free piece on them the next time we come there. It wasn't too hard to find. You basically come to a roundabout and go past the extended stay america and its up there on the right before another hotel. Plenty of parking. Atmosphere was pretty dim and classy. They had live jazz music too that was intermittent throughout the night.
(5)
Scott S.
Great for a family meal, a business lunch, or a romantic dinner. Great food and excellent service.
(5)
John G.
My daughter had a small family lunch for her daughter's graduation party at the Stanford Grill. What a wonderful place. There were other families there also. It was like a country club without having to pay the dues. The food and service were as good as we have ever had. I had the fish tacos and my wife had a salad with very large grilled shrimp . The seasoning on the food was good. Spicy but not overly so and very interesting. The portions were more than anyone would want. The wait staff kept bringing me more ice tea each time the glass became empty. None of us had room for dessert, including my teenage grandson who eats like a horse!
(5)
Karl M.
Ate here for the first time last week and very much enjoyed it, a bit pricey, but the food and service was excellent. Both my date and I had seafood dishes. Very nice atmosphere. As others have mentioned it is tricky to find. I'll be back.
(5)
Tony R.
Been there twice now, my wife and I. First time visit, chicken and fish entrees and sides were thoroughly enjoyed. It was a weeknight, slow and quiet there, service and food prep great. Last night, Saturday night, I went with the ribs and my honey went with the fish again, but this time drum. When I asked server about ribs, she replied it's one of our specialties, just like the chicken. That is true, but it made my expectations soar because their chicken is so good. Alas, the ribs were standard restaurant pork ribs, with too much sauce. Drum was a little better, but not nearly as good as the fish dish the first visit, which I can't remember what it was unfortunately. 35 minute wait to be seated also on Saturday, but that was cool with the nice bar and great jazz trio. Pet peeve from Saturday visit: Green bean side was wonderfully fresh green beans, but covered with oil. Need to remember to ask them to hold the oil next time. I think my third visit will be for chicken on a weeknight!
(3)
Chris C.
I feel compelled to write a follow-up. Since the early visits, I've been here probably over 50 times, possibly more - it's a regular lunch destination. I really feel the food has gone a bit south lately... I've seen alot of low-grade ingredients (frozen tomatoes, unripened avocados, etc.) and the tired, same ole' menu for a LONG time. It's always the same with some sort of asian-fusion coleslaw, or overly sweet dressing... okay, so I'm being a bit critical here, since I still think this is one of the better places in Columbia - but therein lies the problem, it's slim-pickin's in Columbia. I feel like the exec chef, if there is one, needs to vary up the style some... and some of the 'experiments' are just flat out bad - think too sweet or just bad combinations of ingredients. The burger still rocks, and the mac 'n cheese is still superior.
(3)
Pano P.
Amazing food, great atmosphere, great live jazz, everything 5 stars!
(5)
Patrick H.
Went for Dinner on Saturday night with friends Mark and Gina J. Really enjoyed the outdoor couches in front of the fire. Reminded me of chilling out on the patio of the Phoenician in Arizona. Service was spectacular. Had a young surfer type dude named Andy who was very attentive. Everyone's food was A plus. Only issue was Andy brought me TROUT when I thought I was getting Tuna. The specials are not printed so wait staff must go off memory and he made a booboo. He made up for it but giving me the trout for free which I ate. Wasn't really the mouth watering tuna I saw on the internet before we went but I'm not a picky eater and it filled me up. I give it 4 stars. 5 stars if I rate the ambiance of the outdoor patio only.
(4)
Kevin W.
Just found out about this place (referred as the old Lone Star) today from a friend and had to try it. Standford Grill had a great atmosphere with live jazz piano, fire pits, and awesome food. First impression was a mix of Grey Stone and the Iron Bridge Wine and Cheese. The menu had a decent selection with just as many specials off the menu. The Surf and Turf was excellent. 6 oz. very tender Filet, awesome lump crab cake, with spinach and mashed potatoes. Great Atmosphere, Great Food, Great Service! I especially likes the live piano and fire pits.
(5)
Karen O.
I selected Stanford Grill as a place to meet with friends I hadn't seen in a while. The ambiance was nice - especially the fireplace - and it was mostly, if not all, booths. The service was good and we spent a long time sitting there and didn't feel rushed to leave. The food was good - not excellent. I ordered the vegetable platter and was most impressed with the honey glazed carrots, and I don't typically like carrots. The rest were fine. My friends ordered burgers and like them. One of the biggest drawbacks is actually finding the place. Pad your travel time to allow yourself to get lost.
(4)
Elizabeth F.
We took a chance on this restaurant after I read about it online. A group of us met there for lunch on a Sunday. The food was very good and the ambiance perfect. We really enjoyed the live jazz and the fact we could still have quiet conversation. We all agreed we would go back. The service was also very good.
(4)
Kaye C.
I'd like to be able to rate this restaurant, but alas, I can not. I called to make a reservation for a large party for Father's Day, was told that I needed to meet an $800 minimum for food and beverage. No problem was my response....with 18 people, this would have been a breeze. I provided credit card information to hold the space. Great I thought - we're all set. I was happy to have found a place that was pleased to have the guarantee of 18 people. I was happy for about an hour later when the same person that I spoke to called me back to say that they wouldn't be able to honor my reservation. By the way, she was the banquet manager! So after calling around I found another restaurant closeby that was more than willing to accomodate my crowd! I even asked if he was going to be calling me back in an hour to tell me th at they couldn't honor my reservation. He laughed when i told him about my experience with Stanford Grill. Maybe I'll try it some day with my husband, but this left me disappointed and I wont be rushing over to try.
(1)
Steve K.
I want to give this a little better a review. I used to like some things on the menu consistently - the steak salad, the fish sandwich. But somehow it's getting old and I'm not liking the concept as much anymore. I don't need a quarter pie of cornbread with my (entree-sized) side salad. And I would like that salad better if it were a lot subtler. I'd like a little flavor out of the fish and toppings in my fish sandwich, and it just never has it. Service is always friendly and professional.
(3)
Ira B.
I went here with my girlfriend one weekend. For the price the food is very good. The service is good also. One of the waiters spilled food on the floor and it ended up splashing on my girlfriend's jacket and the table, but the waiters were right there to help with the situation and get it taken care of. Good price, good food.
(4)
Robert P.
Went here for brunch a couple months ago. Had the Crabcakes over Corn Tamales Benedict. Simply amazing. Girlfriend had the Filet Mignon Benedict which might have been even better. Everything was cooked well, service was attentive and great, got timely refills on my coffee. All around great and can't wait to go back.
(5)
Milton F.
I've had lunch and dinner here several times. I'm impressed with their consistency. The place is beautiful, always neat, with attentive service, and pleasant ambience. It does get a bit loud during the busiest times. But, if you go after the crowds, you can enjoy the soft music (sometimes live jazz), and the relaxing views of the two fireplaces or the gardens. The food is well prepared, served in abundant portions, and they use better quality ingredients than your usual chain restaurants (An example were the outstanding tomatoes in our salads, during the dead of winter). In contrast to the tasteless, unripe "Sysco" garbage you get elsewhere). The wine selections are very good, though illogically overpriced by the glass. The restrooms are always spotless, but lack a baby changing table when we go for late lunch with my grandson.
A very solid restaurant. I order the smoked salmon almost every time I go, it is delicious. My girlfriend tries something new each time and this is probably one of her favorite places to go. We don't go that often because it is quite pricy given our budgets (about $30 per person), but we do try to go at least once a month. The service is always great and I absolutely LOVE their attention to detail. Watch how they clean the booths if you get a chance. They get down with a flash light to make certain there is no food under the table. The management at this place is doing a really great job, the waiters and waitresses look and act very professional.
(5)
Cinnamon S.
I would call this a Woodmont Grill (Houston's) wannabe. Everything seems to be based upon the Woodmont Grill in Bethesda: restaurant layout; atmosphere; open kitchen; team service approach; - and from what I remember, even the same MENU LAYOUT and FONT!!!! And although the meal was the same price, they came up FAR short on food quality!!!! We went with the tigerfish special.... The fish was tasty, but poor presentation. Flavors of associated sides didn't go with each other at all. The spaghetti squash was a train wreck of flavors even by itself. Steamed spinach side order was an almost. Wine was good. Key-lime-type pie was good by itself - but the topping was ridiculous. Ceiling lights did not align with the table layout. And there were no candles. It was nearly impossible to read the menu. However, the recessed floor lamps at the entrance canopy were blinding upon exit. Jazz was a nice idea but too loud for venue. Our server got an A++ for effort, but C- on delivery. When I pulled up the Yelp map to find the place, it showed being located adjacent to a cemetery. Should have paid attention to the bad feng shui from the start. If you plan on spending over $100 for dinner, save your money for another place.
(2)
Gabrielle N.
Good, consistent food and menu as well as great service. Their roasted chicken is to die for! I recommend anyone go for a great meal.
(4)
Nick F.
This is a fantastic place. Great ambiance, the food is spot on every time. The bread pudding is a favorite dish and the specials always ensure a different dining experience. I have never been disappointed going there.
(5)
Sheila s.
Me and my friends went there a couple of weeks ago, we actually went there by accident. I had low expectations when i first saw it, but then when we walked in, nice people, nice atmosphere, our waiter was nice, i thought the prices would be outrageous but they everything was reasonably priced. We all got different things, their burgers looked awesome, mac n cheese was good, not the best, but good, i loved the artichoke dip, the rotisserie chicken was really good moist and full of flavor, the steak was nice and juicy. I would defiantly go back...if only it wasnt so far!
(4)
Elissa O.
I just went there for lunch and while it is hard to get to, the restaurant does have signs up to help you navigate your way there. The restaurant itself is very attractive and it has a nice outdoor area that I cannot wait to take advantage of. Like its sister restaurants, Red Rock Canyon/Copper Canyon, Stanford Grill is very good American food and I am very glad there is now one closer to my home. My meat eating husband says they have an excellent rotisserie chicken and ribs. We both really love the sides like the redskin mashed potatoes and glazed carrots. I give two thumbs up to the warm jalepeno cornbread in the skillet. It is so good. I liked the flavor of the veggie burger although it was very oddly colored and did not hold together at all. In fact, it looked like raw hamburger meat, which is not really the look that vegetarians generally appreciate. I think it would behoove them to color the veggie mix so it does not have that raw meat look to it. The service was good, but a little slow, although to be fair, we were there at 3 pm so that is an off time. However, I did notice 5 greeters compared to 4 wait staff. That was sort of a strange distribution of staff. Despite that, it was an enjoyable experience with very tasty food and we will definitely return. This is a great addition to the Columbia restaurant scene that one ups the many chains in the area.
(4)
Kathy M.
This place is a great alternative to chain restaurant eating. It's located in a weird spot off Snowden River Pkwy, but it's worth a look. Nice, casual atmosphere. The bar is just ok, and the servers are a bit pretentious, but the have a decent wine selection and some good beers also. I tried a cilantro margarita there once and it was kind of gross. I've also had their "refillable" margarita, which was tasty but I dare say not very strong at all. Next time, I will stick with beer or wine. The service at the tables is average. We've had both slow service and excellent service there, so I think it depends on the night. The servers are friendly and the menu is limited, which I like because there's less chance for them to screw something up. The appetizers I've tried are all good. The shrimp is tasty and plump, the smoked salmon is very flavorful, and the spinach artichoke dip was impressive. The main courses I have tasted are all fantastic. Steaks are cooked just right, rotisserie chicken is to die for, and fish entrees are fresh. The mashed potatoes and green beans are awesome. The one change I'd make to the food in general is adding less salt. Everything is quite salty, but tasty none the less. Overall, I'd highly recommend this place for dinner or drinks with friends or a date. Very nice.
(4)
Kip H.
My wife and I had a great dinner at the bar. Food and service by Rocky and Jeff were great!
(4)
Fernando A.
We were looking around for a place to take my old man to eat for his birthday and went to yelp for some suggestions. I have to say everyones reviews were right on the money! I made reservations as suggested and when we got there, our table was ready and within a couple of minutes of sitting down our waitress took care of our drinks and appetizers. The staff is super friendly, very helpful and they work like a fine tuned watch. Don't be fooled by the small and simple menu.... the food is delicious and fresh!! Everything is made from scratch and you can definitely taste the yumminess!! Loved it overall!
(5)
Tara J.
I made a reservation for 6pm on a Saturday after reading a few of the reviews on Yelp. We had a party of 4 and needed to be done dinner by 7:30 in order to make a play at 8. I made sure to write on my open table reservation that we needed to be out by 7:30 and even told our server upon arrival that we had tickets to an 8pm play. Based on the reviews on yelp, I was expecting average food and service and honestly, that is what we got. The ambiance was nice, the place is a little hidden so if you do not know Columbia well you should definitely try to look it up before you attempt to try and find it. Our server appeared to be friendly and knowledgeable. They stress "working as a team" of servers where you have one "head" server who takes your main order but you can basically wave down any server you want and make a request for food or drink. This philosophy for running a restaurant seems like a good idea IF the servers actually work as a team. We were not lucky enough to go on a night when they were doing that. Our food came out great - we ordered the chicken (they are known for it), a filet, and surf and turf. Beware, if you order the chicken and request white meat, they will charge you an additional $2 which they don't tell you or advertise on the menu. My filet was cooked perfect. The crab cake on the surf and turf was lacking in flavor and honestly could have been skipped and was not worth the additional $10 markup from the regular filet price. We finished dinner at 6:50 and asked for the dessert specials. Our server recited them and then left...and never returned. We tried "flagging down" a few servers who appeared to be busy with their own tables while we watched our server socialize with her other tables a few rows over. At 7:20 we were able to get her attention where we let her know we were going to order dessert but we were forgotten about so now we would just take our check. Her response was "well for future reference, we work as a team. You can flag anyone else down. You do not have to wait for me". Gotcha. I think there are better restaurants in Howard county that are worth the money this one costs.
(2)
Roxann M.
The bartender was great, he introduced himself to us and shook our hands, he was very attentive while we were waiting for our table. When we were seated, we sat on the patio, it was a little chilly. We ordered and waited at least 20 minutes before we asked for some bread. When we received our food, the crab was cold but the rest of the food was hot. Overall, the food was tasty and the service OK
(3)
Rosalyn T.
Stanford Grill is my favorite restaurant among the very many in Columbia. The service is great and the food never disappoints. I like the diversity in selections, with homemade desserts and "fish of the day." Everything is fresh. The atmosphere is also very nice, both at lunch time and dinner time.
(5)
Drew W.
As a lifelong resident of Columbia, I am all too aware that we are in the land of chain restaurants - usually badly managed. There are quite a few locally-owned casual restaurants, and one decent upscale (Kings Contrivance of course), but hasn't been much in between. Enter Stanford Grill. But for a TERRIBLE location, this place is nearly perfect. Food, service, atmosphere all top notch. If enough people can find them, they will go back and this place will rank among the top restaurants in Columbia quickly.
(5)
Brette D.
This place has a great running start for such a new restaurant. I could say a lot of the same things as previous reviews in regards to the food, however I would like to say some things about it from a design/concept standpoint: ~Atmosphere of the outside seating area is worth the wait! Intimate seating inside also very nicely spaced out, does not feel cramped. ~The live music is great! I really hope this is not going to disappear as the restaurant gets more developed--sometimes the live entertainment seems to be the first thing to go when restaurants get busier and tend to forget to book musicians. ~it would be nice if they had a more extensive drink list. The wines had many options and they obviously gave a lot of thought to that, but I would like to see them give more thought to specialty drinks. I know that every restaurant seems to make a martini with different names, yet they seem all very familiar...but they should give it a good shot to make something that is an original to the Stanford Grill. Overall, I think that this place has a few kinks to iron out, but I will be going back to see how they improve. Its also nice that it is not just another chain restaurant!
(4)
Harold M.
Great atmosphere and understated style. Food is quite good. The Chef loves to bring the heat. Great first date place. It really impresses the ladies.
(4)
Aryn E.
I LOVE Stanford Grill. My husband and I go here for almost every "special" occasion. The wait staff are always friendly and the service is always amazing. I recommend the New York Strip Steak and the rotisserie chicken, both are favorites! Also the iron skillet corn bread is the BEST! We will continue to be frequent visitors!
(5)
Pam L.
Went there today for lunch. That location used to be a Lone star Restaurant. But it is no Lone star! I was quite surprised by the decor when I walked in. Looks very chic. A nice place to take clients. I ordered the Chicken Caesar Salad and it came with a side of side of skillet cornbread! Yummy. My boss ordered the Pork BBQ Sandwich meal. The pork BBQ was very good. Could taste the smoke and it had excellent flavor. A bit pricey if you are just grabbing a bite to eat for lunch but great if you want to reward yourself at lunch for making it halfway through the day!
This was a great place to eat and go on a date. I highly recommend this place and the food was great The atmosphere was wonderful and the waitress answered all my questions and was very knowledgeable about the menu
(5)
Nicole B.
I stopped by for brunch last weekend with two girlfriends. Personally I was a little disappointed at how limited their brunch menu was, I had hoped for more options besides 4 Benedicts and 4 or so other standard options like French toast (they did also have a selection of lunch items on the menu, but being 10am, I really wanted breakfast). I selected the Crab Benedict (two sweet corn cakes, each topped with a crab cake, poached egg, and spicy "hollandaise"). It was good, but the sweet of the corn cake just took away from the dish for me. The hollandaise did not taste like hollandaise, it seemed to be a spicier sauce which was tasty, but disappointing to the hollandaise addict in me. The complimentary drink everyone got was a nice touch! I thoroughly enjoyed my grapefruit juice. My friends got the French toast and regular Benedict, both of which they said were tasty.
(4)
Suzanne B.
The restaurant is beautifully appointed. Our meal was wonderful. The wait staff, professional and accommodating. Might be my new favorite. A five star experience from start to finish.
(5)
Patti Y.
We had the opportunity to eat there recently while we were traveling with family. My beau and I were thrilled to have an evening alone for a quiet romantic dinner alone. The ambiance is lovely, and things started off very well with amazing table service. They work in "teams" and the premise is that there will always someone being around to attend to you. Since we both LOVE wood grilled food I decided to have the house specialty Wood Grilled Rotisserie chicken with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans. My beau chose the Wood Grilled steak salad. We wound up being horribly disappointed though. My chicken was lovely, but had no essence of wood smoke whatsoever. The Steak salad was not good at all. My beau had me taste it because he was wondering if it was just his taste or not. The steak had no wood flavor either, some of the lettuce in the salad was browning, and the dressing that they pre dress the salad with had a very odd taste to it. It was supposed to be Asian sesame, but there was some other odd bitter taste to it. That's where the aggravation began.....our "team approach" turned into not being able to find ANYONE to report the salad to. My beau actually had to raise his arms up and wave them around like a fool to finally get SOMEONE to acknowledge us. To make a long and aggravating dinner story shorter, the manager finally came over and offered to remove the food from the bill. Ok, well.....so we went back to the hotel and got microwave popcorn in the lobby to take back to our room so we weren't hungry.
(2)
Bill B.
I brought the family with me and we all had something different. There was a 40 minute wait which was okay. Waits are typical in Columbia. The waitress was attentive. There was no beer list but she knew them from memory. I settled on a beer before she went through a long list (I assume). Appetizers came out quick and were good. Entrees were god too. The desserts we had were tremendous. They did forget a few things we ordered bu quickly replaced them and comped our desserts because of it.
(4)
Maylynne R.
AMAZZZZING! I was in Baltimore this week for a 24 business trip and was starving by the time I got to the hotel. My boss and I knew that this was the only restaurant in the area. Literally 100 feet from our hotel. The ambiance is great! The lights were dimmed for dinner and they had a patio with firepits. Very nice! From the ambiance, I assumed that it was going to be super expensive (which is fine when your company is paying for it LOL), but it actually wasn't too bad. My boss ordered the cobb salad and I ordered the prime rib (woot woot!). When we got our food, I didn't know that the portions were made for giants! These plates were HUGE! So even if it was a little pricey, it was well worth it!!! And the food was super duper good! In addition to the food being good, our waiter was awesome. He said "Anyone that's dressed like me can help you when you need anything. We work as a 'team service', so it's not just me as your waiter." How cool is that approach?! Great customer service, even better food! Highly recommended.
(5)
Eng P.
I frequent this spot a lot. Over time, I've witnessed the little "games" they play. What I've found about the service industry in the US is that businesses really aren't into "serving" you. They want to get $ out of you for a mediocre product. I really liked the bartender but pouring 3/4 cocktails and filling the rest with juice at $10 a pop and looking at me while I'm looking at you do this....ummm NO! I'm not that drunk! Actually I don't think she realized how sober I was watching her do this, sober enough to write this review while sitting at the bar! Managers hire these teeny boppers to run the place. And when they get these types of reviews they send you a 'I'm so sorry what can we do that rectify the issue" type message. And they offer something, but we're used to it, at least I am! They really couldn't give a sh*t about what you think of them. It doesn't show you care. How about hire staff who are really interested in service and get rid of the ones who try to get over on paying customers. Michael, the tall young white guy, is the only server that I've sensed is really "into" people. Now he may be just trying to get good tips I don't know, but he's really good with people. By the way the salmon appetizer is amazing and most of the servers are nice, but they try to get you on the drinks! I'm a little smarter than that! So I've wasted the last $ on Stanford. It's just simply better to drink at home. Bars try to overcharge you for less product. I chatted with two waitresses who seem to "get it," but who knows. But I've spent the last on Stanford. As I did with Victoria's so long!
(1)
Angelica E.
Took my mom there last month. We ordered BBQ rib, pork chops which was special menu and Korean BBQ bulgogi for appetizer which was the best dish I had over there. The rib was so dry and the pork chops were too tough to chew, it was too thick of a cut. I was recommended to go to this restaurant and I was kinda disappointed with the food. Anyway, the service was great and I like the vibe inside the restaurant, though.
(3)
Leneen S.
Food was good but service was excellent. Cindy was very attentive. Burger was the best part. Bread pudding was good but had alot of raisins. Will be back.
(4)
Sherine And David G.
Went there for lunch today. I had the rotisserie wood fire chicken, one of their specialties, and it was everything I hoped it would be, and more. Moist, tender, fantastically flavorful, seasoned perfectly. I chose thin matchstick fries and glazed carrots as my sides, both excellent, too. My husband had the bacon cheeseburger with Jack cheese, and from the grunts of satisfaction emanating from his seat as he was inhaling his burger, I'd say it was really good, too. We also added a side of bacon mac and cheese that were excellent. I'd go back in a heartbeat. The only issue was with service. Although our waitress was quick, she was not knowledgeable at all. The spareribs on the menu were described as babybacks, and when asked if it was one or the other, the answer was "it's the same thing, babybacks just have the fat part trimmed"... then later when asked if the orzo rice was orzo, rice, or orzo and rice, the answer was "it's just made as a pilaf", which answered exactly nothing at all, and just told us that once again, she didn't have a clue. Note to waiters and waitresses: it's ok no not know. Go, ask someone who does. Or, simply say you don't know. Just don't feed us bull. It's really annoying.
(5)
Sherri G.
The five star rating is directly related to the service provided by our server Colleen. The food was delicious and the wine was tasty. We would go back again for special occasions. The cheesecake was yummy. However, without the exceptional attention provided by our server, we wouldn't have enjoyed the evening as much. She knew the menu well. She had a smile that helped erase the craziness of a long Monday work day. Definitely a step up from the Lonestar.
(5)
Jane F.
Fabulous! This was my first time at the Stanford Grill, having eaten at it's "sister" restaurant, Copper Canyon-never again! But that's a different review! The restaurant itself if very nice, wait staff excellent, and went out of their way to accommodate our 90 year old dining companion. We had five in our party, and we each ordered something different, salads, fish tacos, chicken pot pie. We all raved about our meals!! I ordered coffee after my meal, and was presented with a French Press all to my self! Excellent! 5 Stars for service, food, ambiance, will defiantly return.
(5)
Sharon P.
The lobster mac-n-cheese is literally the best ever in life. Wait staff is amazing, food is always perfect! Can't go wrong with this place.
(5)
R S.
Lovw this place! I normally get the smoked salmon, it's like no other salmon I've ever had. AMAZING!! Service is always great here too!
(5)
Nikki W.
Nice dim, romantic atmosphere. I had marinaded steak salad with dressing on the side and it was really good. The best salad I've had in a while. I had two different wines...a red Zinfandel, which I admit was the cheapest glass of red Zin available, and it wasn't all that great. Too much of a bite of cheap wine. My mistake. After dinner, we had bread pudding, which was wonderful. I also tried the "tears of dew" moscato for dessert, and found this particular moscato to be too sweet. All in all, the food is pretty good. Service was good. My drink choices were not so good, but hopefully the rest of the wine options are good! Try it out.
(4)
Ruth C.
Another chain restaurant that's overrated. This was or second time attempting to dine here. The first time we walked away due to the long wait but this time we figured we'd give it a shot (even though the wait was still long, 1.15hr+). We decided to sit at the bar and have a couple drinks. The mixed drinks were okay, nothing special. I'd say stick to a wine or beer that you prefer. Also, the bar service was subpar. I had an empty glass in front of me and had to notify the bartender I wanted another. In my opinion it should be the other way around. So after our 1.15hr wait we got sat at our table. We sat for a while without a server even approaching our table. We noticed the table that was directly next to us and got sat after us was approached by our server first. Mistake #1! When our server finally came over we basically knew what we wanted since we had 1.15 hrs to review the menu while waiting at the bar. So we placed our order and asked for 2 waters since we had beverages we brought with us from the bar. The food came out rather quickly which is nice but it felt rushed. We hadn't even gotten our waters yet. Mistake #2! So I asked again for our waters when the food was dropped off and the server comes back with only one water for me. Rude! I stated he would like a water as well. What server only brings one water???? Mistake #3! Honestly the only reason they get two stars is because you have to give at least one star with your rating (so that's the first) and one of our dishes was decent (so that's the second star). I ordered the crabcakes and they were not great, had no flavor and the mustard sauce they put under them is garbage. He ordered the ribs which we good and the sides of coleslaw and fries were on point. Overall opinion, the service was terrible and waiting that long for a semi-decent meal isn't worth it. Restaurants are considered part of the service industry and Stanford Grill totally neglects the "service" factor, sorry good food won't keep me coming back but awesome service will.
(2)
Renee V.
Went last night to meet some friends and being from Harford County, went here based on a recommendation by a friend who lived in the area. Everyone in our party loved the place! Service, food and general ambiance and vibe of the place was awesome. I will definitely go back to this place even though I have to fight 95 traffic and travel at least an hour to do it!
(5)
Ron G.
Live music is great, and I had a great piece of fish (Atlantic char special). Everything else we had was mediocre, especially on the ingredient side, so I don't agree with the 4 star rating. My wife's Bloody Mary was made from a grocery store mix, the key lime pie was syrupy sweet. Also staff forgot to deliver my smoked salmon appetizer. Make portion sizes smaller and compensate with better ingredients would be my advise. Keep up the live music :)
(3)
Daniel G.
I was really dissapointed, I had high expectations for this place. Our pasta was cold and it didnt have much flavor. It was so loud I could barely here myself think in there, I couldn't hear my family or the waitress. The staff was polite, the spinach dip was really good. I don't think I will be going back, which kinda stinks because it is a really nice place, fire pit and seating area is laid back but that's about it.
(2)
Michelle C.
Had dinner here about a week ago. There were 6 of us and every single one of us absolutely loved our food. We started with spinach artichoke dip and fried calamari. The sauce that came with the calamari was really good. To the point that my friend started dipping the chips that came with the dip into it. For dinner, I had the vegetable plate (huge portion of beautifully cooked vegetables) and enough left for lunch the next day. The rest of my group enjoyed steaks (cooked perfectly and melt in your mouth delicious- my friend gave me a piece in exchange for some vegetables) and the chicken, which the person who ordered it said it was "the best" he'd ever had. One of us ordered the flour less chocolate cake for dessert and of course we all had a bite. It was rich and moist. I recommend you give it a try. Throughout the meal, we enjoyed impeccable service from our server. Drinks were never empty and his recommendations were right on point. The ambiance was lovely, we were seated next to a fireplace which made for a very cozy dinner on a chilly night. The only downside to my meal was the specialty martini I ordered. It was way too sweet for me (orange something, I think?) but someone else at the table enjoyed it. I plan on returning soon. There were many more dishes I'd like to try.
(5)
Scott S.
Came here for a business lunch. I have a feeling that the food here is normally a lot better than the burger that I had. Unfortunately the burger was pretty overcooked and the bun was really hard and "bready" (for lack of a better word). However everyone else at the table looked like they had excellent lunches. I will try it again and not order the burger, and I will update my review if things end up better!
(2)
Lynie H.
Great food and drinks every time! Brunch is also great but limited selection but still good enough that u find something good to eat. Free drink with brunch. Great patio seating available as well.
(5)
Margaret N.
Columbia's hidden treasure! Located behind Columbia's office buildings and next to hotels. Restaurant was packed and parking lot was completely full! Thankfully there's space near corporate offices! Perfect ambiance! Live jazz music and dim lights. Service was friendly, but a tad bit overbearing. Had their salmon for my meal and it was amazing! Had a nice grilled taste and came with orzo rice and spinach. Salmon was a tad on the saltier side though, but I liked the mustard cream sauce on top. My friend had their prime rib and it was a huge slab of meat! Perfectly prepared and came with a huge plate of green beans. Was a bit salty for my liking though. Tried their infamous bread pudding for dessert. It was nice and warm. Wish it came with more vanilla sauce and/or ice cream though. Was a little bland after you eat the top part. Overall experience was good and food was good, but on the saltier side. And portions are huge so go hungry!
As far as fancy restaurants that Maryland has to offer, Stanford Grill is a very nice place to go. I've been here on two separate occasions, and once, they had an old man playing live music, and both times I felt out of place wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and boat shoes. Service is above par, and the food is fantastic. I guess you get what you pay for. I had the New York Strip the first time around. It was pretty fantastic. It tasted better because someone paid for my meal, but still, it tasted great and was cooked very well. The second time I visited, I ordered the Rattlesnake pasta, and I remember not being able to finish it. I don't recall if we got an appetizer or not, but I remember the portions being a bit bigger than usual (almost to that of Cheesecake Factory's pasta dishes). It's a short review, and I can't say much on the food, but I can definitely tell you that I leave here very full and a not-so-full wallet. But it's definitely worth it. I guess it'd be a pretty cool place for a date as well. But I haven't been on one of those in a while. Oops.
(5)
Amy M.
I frequent this place a few times a month and have LOVED it. The food has always been great. Their salads are AMAZING and their chicken is DELICIOUS! There hasn't been a dish we ordered (we don't venture from our normal picks because if it isn't broke....) The atmosphere is great and at night there usually is jazz playing in the background. I would give this place 5 stars, had I wrote a review 5 months ago, but lately the service seems to be lacking lately. Also, the portions have decreased without a decrease in price. I would still highly recommend this place because it has yet to really disappoint!
My family and I came here for dinner in honor of my dad's birthday. My brother has been here a few times before but it was the first time for the rest of us. First impressions: I loved the fireplace near the back of the restaurant and I especially loved the live jazz music that was playing. It made the wait less painful :) We made a reservation but when our reservation time came around, we were seated at a small table right next to the entrance. The entire restaurant seemed to have more booths than tables and you'd think that with a reservation made ahead of time, we'd get seated at a booth... But that wasn't too much of a problem. We waited about ten more minutes for better seating. The food experience, however, was phenomenal. We ordered a caesar salad to start and later ordered the house salad. I had asked for the dressing on the side but our waiter must have missed that part. I didn't mind at all though because it was a busy night and a different waitress served the salad. For our entrees, three of us got the prime rib and my dad ordered the rattlesnake pasta. It was probably the best prime rib I have ever had. I also had a bite of my dad's pasta and that, too, was just so good. Everything we had ordered that night was amazing. I will definitely be coming back!
(5)
Lameka A.
We went here for New Year's Eve. This is our second time here and this restaurant is superb!!! The ambience is great! The food is outstanding. They give you generous portions. I love their key lime pie and bread pudding. The bread pudding could really be shared among three people. You will bring leftover homes if you have eaten prior. I suggest no eating before you come.
(5)
Holly W.
Date night for my love and I. I made a reservation which I highly recommend as the restaurant, although a wonderfully hidden gem in Columbia, is always packed! The service was wonderful (Mark was our waiter). The wine selection is great, portions are huge! I had the Rotisserie chicken salad, he the 16 oz sirloin... A nice bottle of Apothic Red, and key lime pie for dessert. All was amazing. We were seated directly in front of the fireplace as requested. The atmosphere is bustling, so it is a little loud, however the Jazz is really nice in the evening after 6pm and the service is superb! I've been here three times, there will be a 4th...5th...
(4)
Eric L.
We had a pretty disappointing dinner here recently. The best part of our meal was the appetizer, a special consisting of three dips (guacamole, blue fish and cheese). The chicken pot pie was very disappointing, pretty dry and mostly filled with potatoes, little chicken. The california cobb salad and french dip sandwich were also very average. Maybe the more expensive entrees would have been better, but I'm glad I didn't waste my money. The service was very good, what you would expect in a higher end restaurant.
(2)
Molly A.
This is my family's favorite brunch spot! It's a hidden gem tucked away behind a group of hotels in Columbia. It's never packed, so we're usually seated immediately. Somehow we often get the same server, and he is polite, attentive, and fast. We've ordered most of the items on the brunch menu, and our favorites are the French toast, farmer's omelette, the blueberry pancakes, and any eggs benedict option. The banana pancakes are okay, but we found maybe 5 slices of banana. I also appreciate the one free bellini or mimosa per person. A little something to sip on plus a live jazz band in the background makes for great Sunday afternoon ambiance!
(5)
Sandy H.
Wow is all I can say. I give them 5 stars! The food is just awesome from the entree to the dessert! I love the reservation option. The atmosphere is dark and romantic with a fireplace and live music. Nice bar area too to order drinks while waiting to be seated. Everything and I mean everything on the menu is just splendid!!!!!
(5)
Victor R.
This place is excellent. I discovered it about a year ago. Everything from the customer service to the ambiance, to the live music being played is nice. The food is delicious and plentiful. I enjoyed how the wait staff was very attentive. The food does not take long to come out now of course this was 5 p.m. so I can see it getting busier in the evening. Th lounge are with the fire place was very nice. I recommend this place to anyone thst enjoys good food and fine wine. A little pricey but you get what you pay for and its worth the price.
(5)
Ben G.
My family came here this past Tuesday for my brother's high school graduation. I had heard great things about Stanford Grill, but wow! What a great dining experience. From the moment we walked in, we were taken care of by our notably tall server, Ryan, who was attentive, informative, helpful, and humorous; he seemed to almost have a sixth sense concerning when we needed something, provided excellent recommendations, and was a consummate professional. If you ever have the chance to eat here, ask for Ryan! Our party of 9 people specifically enjoyed the crabcakes (to die for), the chicken pot pie (my personal favorite), the salmon (you've never tasted salmon like this), and the keylime pie- hands down, one of the best dining experiences of my life. A nice touch was the coffee, french pressed at the table for flavor like nothing else. What a cup of joe! The Duke martini was also great, as was the Uptown Old Fashioned- that bartender knew his stuff. Thanks to Ryan and the great team at Stanford Grill, our family enjoyed a special occasion in an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. I hope to return soon, and cannot sing their praises enough.
(5)
Sarah W.
Decided on a fine dining experience and this seemed to be a good choice based on other reviews. Let me say those other reviews COMPLETELY undersold how great this restaurant is. I had 7:15 reservations and we walked in about 7:10 and were in our seats by 7:15 - the parking lot was packed so give yourself extra time. The waiter came over and we told him we had never been there before so he explained how they make everything from scratch, told us about the daily specials and was very affable and knowledgeable. He brought us water while we tried to pick just one thing off the menu and wipe the drool from our salivating mouths as everything looked just amazingly delicious. He was able to recommend a great wine for my boyfriend's grouper and our order was out within under 10 minutes. I had their famous rotisserie chicken which was half the chicken, mashed potatoes and crisped green beans, the bf had grouper in a saffron-butter sauce with orzo rice and red cabbage braised in sherry. That sentence alone should tell you how exquisite the food was and how much preparation went into our meals. Needless to say our food was out of this world delicious and we couldn't get over how good it was - we kept exchanging bites between raving "Oh you HAVE to try this". The portions were surprisingly large and we both left with to go boxes. I absolutely recommend this place and have NO IDEA what some of these other people are on about.
(5)
Rummy V.
This place is exactly what Columbia needed! Best restaurant in Columbia it's a must to try! Great place, great people and the food is amazing!!!! Very impressive!
(5)
Junior V.
Despite the 30 minute wait we had a great time. I used open table to make a reservation so the 30 minute wait definitely was not a good first impression. Let's dive into the calamari, fillet, chicken and pasta, and bread pudding! All of the food was amazing. The service was top notch and the price point was fine. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Tom B.
Amazing restaurant! I was traveling and asked the hotel clerk where the best place in town was and she said Stanford Grill! She was right. I will be back next year.
(5)
Ashwin M.
All in all we had a pretty good Mother's Day brunch experience at Stanford Grill. I really liked the setting and ambience, and the guys playing music in the front bar area was a nice touch. On nice days like this, sitting outside on their back deck is also a must! Food was solid, but the service was lacking. They were noticeably busy of course, and managed to mess up my brother-in-law's chicken salad TWICE by giving him ALL the ingredients he said he didn't want. In general they were slow and not on top of things like refills, bringing extra plates, etc. Crab cake benedict was exceptional, and basil/goat cheese/tomato omelet was simple but done very well. My mom really enjoyed her portabella sandwich too. Chicken pot pie was so rich and heavy as expected, but tasted incredible. Great weather made for an overall good brunch experience!
(3)
Sean H.
While in town on business I gave the Stanford Grill a try on the suggestion of a local colleague. I ordered the New York strip medium rare. The steak I received was slightly over well done and dry.
(2)
Phil S.
per their recommendation, went with a couple of colleagues for the first time. they both ordered salads and i had a burger special -- angus beef cooked to medium with fried tomatoes and other veggies. came with steak fries, which were done perfectly. burger was good, too. i've had better but there was absolutely nothing wrong with theirs. i was told they had a sister restaurant near where i live with basically the same menu as theirs. same chef creates both menus apparently. i'll be checking them out next time and get them another star.
(4)
Brendan F.
This classy establishment is one of the best restruants I have ever been to in Columbia. Everything on the menu is great, so there is no bad choice. The bathrooms are a resounding 9\10, where each stall feels like a tiny slice of heaven. All of the waiters and servers work like a well oiled machine. They work as a team to give you the best experience possible and promptly serve you your food. I had a great time and I highly recommend it.
I really enjoy this place for a nice, quiet , memorable meal. I've been a handful of times and each time I was pleased. Salmon has been amazing each time and braised cabbage was out of this world good (not on regular menu). Dessert was a wonderful ending to a really good meal. Restaurant is oddly very dark (lighting)
(4)
Gloria B.
I went during happy hour with no reservations on a Friday night. Bar was free so we sat there till our table was ready. About a 39 min wait. Apple martini was great and salmon was yummy! Live music also!Perfect atmosphere to unwind!
(5)
Phi N.
Kind of fancy for columbia... split the coconut shrimp and smoked salmon to start off. The salmon plus it's dipping sauce is prob the best I've had in terms of that. Shrimp was nothing special. For my main course I got the filet & crabcake special of the day. Crabcake was oh so delicious! Can't say the same about my steak though... one, it wasn't super tender. Two, it was cooked medium rather than medium-rare. and three, the sauce wasn't very tasty. I was able to get full off the spinach and mashed potatoes though (huge portion). My friend got the veggie burger and requested I add her review of it... it tasted really good but was very sloppy and hard to eat. As for the fries, they may look thin, but there are so many. (The sauce was too sweet for my liking). Hostess & server were very friendly and the food came out quick.
(3)
Maurice R.
I've been here a handful of times in the past, but my previous visit will be my last. Stanford Grill gives the impression of a fancy restaurant. Dimly-lit interior...check. Upbeat jazz band....check. Cozy booth and fireplace... double-check. On the merit of the interior alone, I would give this place four stars. While Stanford Grill excels in ambiance, it's food does not live up to it's decor. On my last visit, I opted for the salmon special. It consisted of ok-seasoned piece of salmon, and some slices of what I was assuming were the largest tomatoes ever. It wasnt very good and at nearly $40, I was expecting more (at least in taste.) I was still kind of hungry, so I ordered the coconut shrimp and chips with guacamole. Neither were terrible. Neither were very good either. Like I said before, I've been here a couple times for dinner and lunch. Each time, I've left disappointed. There are considerably better places to eat in the area. While nice, Stanford Grill simply isn't worth it.
(2)
Kellie L.
Yesterday my boyfriend took me on a surprise date here for our one year anniversary. This place is beautiful and I couldn't have asked for a better place to spend our special day on. The waiter was extremely friendly and very attentive, and he seemed to know the whole menu inside out. The food was incredible and very well-made and overall my experience here was phenomenal! My boyfriend made reservations and we got seated as soon as we got there. The place itself is very lovely and the lights are dim but it was perfect for the mood. I had the delicious Ahi Tuna Steak and writing this review right now makes me want to go back and experience it all over again! This place is truly a treasure and I hope to come back to it someday!
(5)
Santana Ross W.
The food here is delicious. I had a better experience here than Copper Canyon Grill in Gaithersburg (They are owned by the same restaurateur). I've been here for dinner and brunch and was totally satisfied. I recommend the calamari, bread pudding, French toast and crab scramble.
(5)
Kendal M.
Here again for lunch and just as great! Live piano playing in the background and complimentary mimosa for our first round! Lovely! Food was great again. Tyler who was our waiter in the bar area...awesome! Come on in and make yourself at home!
(5)
D'Arcy F.
Ok let just start by saying that we were seated swiftly and prompt. The ambience was very nice and the sound of live jazz in the back was excellent. We were greeted by our server mike one of the tall servers there and trust me their were quit a few lol. Drinks were offered and came promptly he explained all the apps so that we can get things started. I was testing him as usual its in my nature lol so I'm like is this good ( spinach dip ) and he was honest thank god he wasn't a robot server that would have pissed me off. He recommended the fiesta roll which were freaking awesome points there. Then came the entree presentation which he went full detail with everything, I was going for the salmon until he mentioned the mahi mahi lol favorite by the way. Two people in our party changed there minds on what to get so points for presentation. My friends also loved the gin martinis extra dirty cold and prompt. Entrees were prompt and hot, know I'm not exaggerating that fish was like freaking butter I devoured it like I was starving or something lol. My friends Also loved there dishes crab cakes, scallops, and a veggie burger was what they ordered. Had a glass of artessa Chardonnay to compliment the fish which was a great move. Then dessert was amazing the bread pudding is supposedly legendary so we all decided to share one. Put it like this I took the rest of it home lol. To sum things up this was a wonderful establishment and will be returning. Oh yeah and your support staff is awesome
(5)
Wayne G.
We came expecting the full menu however on Sundays it's brunch prior to 2pm. We had the Portobello sandwich and the chicken pot pie. Both were good and served at the appropriate temperature. The pot pie has a hint of cayenne. The music is nice, there's a lot of diner chatter, and the service is good. The menu is simple with food on the front page and wine on the back. We'll try it again for dinner.
(3)
Michael Z.
I've been to Stanford dozens of times. It used to be a five star restaurant easily but in the past year I have to deduct a star because of their ever inflating prices. It feels like every time I go to Stanford everything is a couple dollars more expensive. What used to be an amazing value with steaks in the mid 20's is slowly become less and less so now that the steak entrees are approaching the mid $30 price. That being said the food in Stanford is still some of the best of what Columbia has to offer. The servers all seem knowledgeable and well trained. The kitchen seems to pump out entrees at a speedy pace. The desserts are phenomenal and huge. I'd recommend Stanford for special occasions but as the price point creeps up I hesitate to suggest to a couple just looking for a solid date night spot as other places in the area offer equally nice experiences at a much better value.
(4)
Food L.
I've brought clients here a few times for lunch. The food is always stellar. The service is typically wonderful. My latest trip the server was a bit slow in the beginning, but stepped up her game by the end. The atmosphere is nice and the decor contemporary and clean. I would recommend dressing up a bit. This isn't the type of restaurant you roll in wearing shorts...think of a Houston's or Clyde's Bottom Line - If you're in the area and looking for a great meal, Stanford Grill has never let me down.
Ribs, cole slaw and fries, enough said! But everything is great. This place is always busy, so call ahead for reservations, even mid-week. Food is very upscale as well as the pricing. What makes this place special is the staff. I have eaten there several times and everyone is very nice, funny, makes you feel comfortable is the best way to put it. If you have the $$$ to drop, make this place a planned stop. Also, if you are staying at the Courtyard Marriott, dessert is free.
(4)
Dale B.
To me this was a pretty average restaurant, but an above-average chain. The atmosphere is really nice, well-lit, I liked the fireplaces, etc. What was disappointing to me was the food. It resembles good food, it tries to be good food, but it's very average tasting. I had their signature dish, the roasted chicken with green beans and red cabbage. The chicken was good, I ate it, but didn't love it. The green beans were not crisp and starting to brown, clearly not fresh. The red cabbage too lacked freshness and flavor. Everything was definitely edible, but I think people come here with the expectation that this is a high-class, fancy place based on the outside and inside appearances. The professionalism of the staff too lends this place to having the appearance of an upper scale restaurant, but once that food hits your mouth, I guarantee you'll feel like you're at an Outback Steakhouse.
(3)
K G.
I tried this place last night. For Wednesday night it was packed. I had to wait 15 minutes! That was a good sign, becasue you don't see that many restaurants that are full on Wednesday night. The staff were all friendly and attentive. Our server was David who was great and knowledgable about the menu. He consistantly refilled our drink even when we paid for the food. I meant to say that he did not stop his service just becasue we were done with food and paid for it. The food was great. We had Rotissarie chicken, Filet, and Trout. They were all tasty, well seasoned, and hot. There was nothing in a plate that was not good. The dessert was excellent. You can't get such a dessert for $8 anywhere. It was chocolate uprising which had ice cream, chocolate cake, warm melted chocolate, and cream. All in one dessert! I don't know why other reviewers disagree with child friendly, because I have two years old son and they were very child friendly. They brought us a booster sit right away and they clear the way when we were going to the bathroom. I agree that it's a expensive restaurant, but you won't regret for your money.
(5)
Olivia M.
I really really enjoyed my first experience here! My dad had rotisserie chicken which was amazing with mashed potatoes and green beans. I had some type of fish that was horrible. It was square and almost plastic looking/tasting. It caught my attention because of the sauces the waiter mentioned. Then he offered to serve it naked and dip the sauces. I don't know why I thought that could have been a good idea but it wasn't. Marinated fish would have been amazing. Dipping fish? Not so much. HOWEVER, my platter redeemed itself with the butternut squash which I couldn't get enough of! Delicious and I'm still drooling over it. The green beans were crisp and perfect. Next time I plan to get the rotisserie chicken, butternut squash & green beans...
(3)
Jackie R.
We love this place. The rotisserie chicken is awesome and a salad with the chicken is the best!
(5)
Nancy T.
This place is an oasis in a desert of chain restaurants. The ambiance was absolutely gorgeous, the live jazz band when I was there played beautifully, and the food was really delicious. Also, the service is top notch. I loved our server. She was absolutely perfect. Some minor quibbles: I wish they would offer a cocktail menu and I wish they'd put avocados on the cobb salad. That would take it from a 9 to a 10. I rarely order dessert, but all the Yelp recs convinced me to try the bread pudding. I am so glad I did. Easily the best bread pudding I've ever had. It was enormous and I took half home and had it for breakfast the next morning. I really want to go back and order the rotisserie chicken dinner. I had some on my cobb salad and it was so delicious I can't wait to have it again. Update: I finally had the rotisserie chicken!! Amazing. Also loved the martini and fried oysters. Just consistently incredible food and service pushed me over the top so I had to go from 4 to 5 stars.
(5)
S C.
Prime rib was fantastic. We ordered alot of food and nothing was less than fantastic. We sat in the bar and even bar service was good. A female manager even offered me a chair to sit in while we waited as I was holding my son. Extra touches are the point of the buisness. 5 star coming from someone working fine dining 10+ years.
(5)
TaVida R.
Great service!! Beyond expections. My steak came out not cooked right. They took it back and apologized, then re did the steak!! Not just put it back in for a few more mins. And then they gave me a sorry gift. The manager came over and brought me the steak himself. All the waiters/waitresses were extremely nice. I'll be back. Our waitress was Sarah, Thanks!
(5)
Toya D.
Today was our second (and last) visit to Stanford Grill. We've decided to stick with the sister restaurant Copper Canyon Grill from now on. First visit: December Dinner - The food wasn't warm, but the portions were decent. It wasn't bad enough not to give it another shot. LAST visit: Sunday Brunch - There wasn't that long of a wait for our food, so that was a plus. However, ONCE AGAIN, the food wasn't piping hot and there was more peppers and onions in my breakfast burrito than meat, potatoes and salsa. Very disappointing.
(2)
Mary M.
Great work lunch spot. Good for groups. They are very accommodating and helpful. I love the fireplace in the back room. Food is delicious - I've never had anything bad here.
(4)
Victoria S.
This was a great place to find in Columbia. The ambiance was warm and cozy. The servers were fantastic, attentive and helpful giving menu recommendations. We ordered coffee which was brought out in a French press and fantastic. Calamari to start which was flash fried with a small amount of batter. I had the Wood grilled fish that had a large filet of trout. It was delicious! I really enjoyed this place and would love to go back. I loved the warmth that this place had. Sure there was a fire place but just the entire restaurant was inviting. Wood paneling. Huge comfy booths. It was just a very nice experience. I highly recommend!
(5)
Neal M.
Service is a strong point here; servers are highly trained, know the menu well, & work as a team to meet your every needs. The specialty cocktails were all around $10, & the peartini was excellent. Wines are very good & also reasonably priced. Food, however, can vary. This can be an expensive restaurant, with some entrees running as much as $38. They have some lower priced entrees, burgers, sandwiches, & salads, & those are usually what I order. On a previous visit I ordered the rotisserie chicken ($20), but it was tough. This time I ordered a cheeseburger & French fries ($16), but they willingly substituted a fresh vegetable (a side salad upgrade was available at $3.50). The cheeseburger was outstanding, the handmade patty was lean, tender, cooked as ordered, & had a smoky taste from the hardwood in the grill; it came with a long list of toppings, all shredded & piled on the burger. Delicious! The French dip ($19) was also excellent, with lots of really good beef. (The au jus was flavorless.) French fries were thin "McDonalds-style", except cold & tough, served with a tiny cup of ketchup. So, mostly hits, & the crowds on most nights make it clear that there are a lot of folks who like it here.
(4)
David S.
Can't believe how this place has fallen off. Their customer service used to be top notch, but now it's subpar! The food used to be great now is just ok. We did make a formal complaint about the service and was offered free desert. We turned it down because we didn't want them to think that was all we want it. The manager assured us that someone would definitely give us a call within a few days. It's been about 45 days now and we still haven't heard from anyone. It's okay because we will never go back again. For this level of service we expect the prices to be equivalent to Burger King or TGI Friday! DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!
(1)
Michael C.
This is probably the best restaurant in Columbia. It's a bit on the pricey side but the food and service is always top notch. The parking lot is normally pretty full, so it can be difficult to find a parking space. The steak salad is my favorite entree here.
(5)
Nicky D.
If you haven't been here, you are missing out!! The restaurant has a beautiful atmosphere with live jazz every night. The staff is superb and very attentive. Now let's talk about the food. We went to Stanford Grill to celebrate a birthday. Due to the size of our party, we ordered a variety of appetizers. The calamari was tender and flavorful! The spinach dip with homemade chips was addictive! Unfortunately, I was not a fan of the deviled eggs. They had no flavor whatsoever. It's my understanding they aren't a menu staple any way so I won't hold that against them. The entrees come with nice size salads. They aren't to die for, but c'mon it's a salad! The awesome thing about the salad is the delicious iron skillet cornbread that comes with it. My dad got the prime rib. It was so juicy and tender!! It came with a side of spaghetti squash that was out of this world!!! My stepmother got the Rattlesnake Pasta. I didn't try it but she enjoyed it and had plenty leftover for lunch the next day. Another family member got the wood-fired rotisserie chicken that happens to be the chef's specialty. It was moist, flavorful, and downright amazing! The rest of us got the crab cakes! The dinner comes with 2 crab cakes and each contains 4 oz. of lump crab meat...a half pound of crab...SCORE!! The crab cakes were delicious! Not the best I've had but I would definitely order them again. The glazed carrots were perfect! The side that stole the show was the Mac, bacon & cheese!! Omg!! I couldn't stop eating it!! I make a great Mac & cheese, but theirs puts mine to shame!! Creamy, delicious, superb, and amazing aren't enough to describe it!! Finally, we get to the dessert. Everyone was pretty full at this point but we wanted something sweet to accompany our thick, rich, French pressed coffee. We ordered the Chocolate Uprising (basically a huge ice cream sandwich) and the bread pudding. The Chocolate Uprising was enjoyed by all but it was the bread pudding that had our eyes rolling into the back of our heads!! It was warm, moist, not too sweet, and very addictive!! I was stuffed but I couldn't stop eating it!! Stanford Grill is an amazing restaurant with an excellent staff and high quality food!! I totally recommend it!!
(5)
Wizards F.
This place is looking the part but sadly the food does not live up to those same standards. Our waiter was new and nice but like other before me have mentioned the food was disappointing. I am comparing this to other nicer restaurants like Capital Grill, The Palm and Ruths.
(2)
Phil S.
Damn this place is good. And I disagree with the $$$, I think its actually a bargain for the amount of food that you get. I come here for lunch and dinner and my work holiday parties are here. The rotisserie chicken is a ton of food - same with many of the entrees. The cornbread is fantastic and so is the coconut shrimp. Crabcakes and fries were great also. And the ribs were fantastic. The only meal I ever had here which wasnt fantastic was the lobster mac and cheese special - way too much wine that didnt reduce. And the dessert portions are huge. My wife and I are at the point where when we come here we can get an appetizer to share, a meal to share, and a dessert to share and be stuffed with a $40 dollar check. Jackpot!
(5)
Sherri J.
We visited this spot recently and were impressed. Nice atmosphere that seemed very similar to Copper Canyon (turns out they are owned by the same company) but that wasn't a bad thing. Restaurant was stylish and comfortable. The dinner menu starts at 2pm on Sundays preceded by brunch. We had the rare fortune of being able to order the soft shell crab as an entree and it was amazingly good. This is served with couscous and chilled tomato salad. I swapped the couscous out for mashed potatoes (which were delicious) and didn't care for the chilled tomato salad. My boyfriend had the prime rib cooked medium well and it was so good that I wished I'd ordered it myself! Steak was juicy, tender, and flavorful. Very impressive steak. Service was average--not abysmal but not very attentive either. Probably because we ate when they were transitioning from brunch. Overall we very happy with our choice to visit here.
(4)
Julia F.
It was WAY over priced. The food is ok. I prefer Longhorn. When we asked if we could make a reservation for 8 on Valentine's Day we were told that it was booked - which was 100% understandable. What was weird was that we couldn't make a reservation for ANY time for 8 to sit at one table. What?! They can't put 8 together unless you rent/reserve/pay for the patio area. Great service!
(2)
Howard A.
One of those places where you eat every crumb on your plate because it is all so yummy. They have daily specials that aren't on the menu. I had one of those - a New York steak with mashed potatoes and broccoli. The live jazz provides a great ambiance and our waitress was great. The desserts were huge, you might consider sharing one.
(5)
Katherine W.
Uses olive oil and butter, fries I in canola oil. A few items are prepared, they said I should check with my server.
(3)
Marc A.
New Year's Eve at Stanford Grill was outstanding. Our server Laura was amazing. She knew so much after only being their for two months. She described every special with accuracy. My friend Mike had the best steak he ever had thanks to the Chef who we would love to meet. My wife and I had delicious meals also. I know the Stanford Grill is the best restaurant in Columbia, Md. Thx for a wonderful New Year's Eve. All three of us will be back at least once a month for 2015.
(5)
Brooke T.
So I've never heard of this place before. Never known it existed in thee good old Columbia. First of I thought it was fairly odd to find. It is on Stanford Rd but a winding road. I came in the restaurant and wowza. It's absolutely beautiful inside! They had a jazz duo playing right at the front. The dining area is really nice, they have comfy booths and a lovely fireplace. Definitely romantical, if you're there for that. Guys got that...lol So for an appetizer I had the skillet cornbread with the jalapenos. I thought it was pretty good and had a nice kick too. Initially my eyes zoomed in on that rattlesnake pasta, but I was talked out of it and got the special instead. Baked chicken, red skin mashed potatoes and spinach. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a hefty portion and the chicken was seasoned just right. For dessert, bread pudding #nomnomnom!!! Flippin awesome! In regards to service, it was awesome, everyone was so attentive. However I would definitely come back and request our primary server Neil. He was just so into the food and provided thee best explanations about everything, he was animated and superbly enthused and excited about his job. Thanks!! Oh yea I noticed that they have brunch. Thee best of both worlds....Stanford Grill, I will be seeing you again....
(4)
ML V.
I actually stumbled upon this place by looking at yelp reviews. I agree with the crowd, it's a great place to eat. It has a mix of different groups, including families, business men/women and friends. The atmosphere was very warm, homey and inviting. The server was also very friendly and knowledgeable about items on the menu. My whole group enjoyed their entrees. I specifically ordered the rotisserie chicken. Let me just tell you, it was made to perfection. I have no complaints at all. I actually had to force myself to stop eating, so I could save and cherish the last couple of bites for lunch the next day. I'm coming back soon!
(5)
Janice L.
As many times as we've been to Stanford...we've never left disappointed. This is one genuine and amazing restaurant! Was able to try their brunch menu too. Do yourself a favor and get the filet mignon benedict!!! OMG!!!! The french toast was a tad too sweet for my husband and I...and we loveee sweets. The offer complimentary mimosa, champagne or bloody mary. We just love this place. Just sad now we've moved away from Maryland.
(5)
Ken M.
I met a colleague here for lunch and even though this place is a little out of the way and not that easy to find, it was packed. There are a bunch of office parks nearby so my guess is this is where business happens. The place is clean and well appointed with friendly wait staff. The people who seat you could be a little more enthusiastic. The young women who sat us looked a little bored. The food itself is good and served in huge portions which can be a downside. I had the Woodside Grill Steak Salad. It was very nice. I finished it off with the Key Lime Pie. Also huge and also very tasty. I understand all the desserts are made "in house" which, if it's true, is a nice touch. All in all, i really liked the place and once it had emptied out a little it was actually pleasant enough and quiet enough to be able to talk to the person across the table from me. They also have a nice "outside" area which is covered and protected against the rain. Prices are reasonable and service is friendly and efficient.
(4)
B J.
So obviously the draw here is supposed to be the Rotisserie chicken. It was ok. Nothing special. I ordered a salad with chicken in it and it was huge. But the dressing choices were limited and not good. The Tomato Basil soup is delicious. The mashed potatoes were good. My friend ordered a chicken pot pie but she sent it back because the crust was doughy and it had no flavor. Our Server, Korinne, was the most irritating I've had. She thought she was being so cute by practically singing through what sounded like a well rehearsed and practiced review of the menu. Zip and zang this and that. Ugh. She was literally snapping her fingers and rolling her neck. It was just too much. Then she started strangely removing our utensils in the middle of the meal. She took my uneaten cornbread before I could say anything. I could tell that she wanted us to leave so she could get the next group and the next tip. She just got on our nerves. I don't think we will return.
(3)
Carrie W.
Started with five people stuck in a 4 person booth. Steak was just OK. Cooked to order but just not a great piece of beef. Dessert was not great. An Amaretto up was served as a sour, sent back and finally arrived correct with the check. This was a business dinner that did not go well.
(2)
Patsy H.
The food is consistently great. This was our fifth time dining here. My only complaint would be with our surly server JESSE. Everyone else, including the hosts and runners, were friendly however our server was very unfriendly. Wouldn't crack a smile and didn't thank us or anything. Having a server with an attitude for no apparent reason definitely lessens an otherwise positive experience. Please speak with him about this.
(3)
Kisha S.
I attended for a Blog Networking event and the servers and hostess were welcoming and pleasant.
(3)
Kyndra B.
I'm a little ashamed at how much I actually eat here! Oftentimes, this is our Friday night date spot WEEKLY! The service is always phenomenal (make sure you call ahead or there will be a 30-40 minute wait). The calamari is delicious! The BEST I've ever had. The burger is very tasty and juicy as well.
(5)
Tara G.
Pretty good food, good size portions, and very comfortable atmosphere with live Jazz and fireplace! I had to knock a star for having to wait 20 min past our reservation time, and while the rotisserie chicken salad was huge, it was a little on the dull side in terms of flavor, including the chicken. But other dishes looked very tasty!
(4)
Chris D.
Reminded me of a J Alexanders. Got a tortilla soup to start. Excellent. Not the easiest soup to eat gracefully. Ribs, with mashed pototoas and slaw was a nice combo. Note that a normal human would not be able to consumer all of said food. I'm normal. Dessert passed on
(4)
David W.
they are busy but worth it.
(4)
Cindi M.
One of my absolute favorite restaurants in the area. As soon as you walk in, you are treated with the best customer service. The food is always good, even during the happy hours and special event parties. The ambiance that they have created make for a great date night with the live jazz bands.
(5)
Jamie B.
Very impressed by this place. The service was top notch. Not the best steak I ever had. But I will be back next time in town for sure to try their chicken. Excellent service!
(4)
Mark E.
Our second visit was even better than our first. It was Super Bowl night, and the small crowd made for particularly top notch service. Our waitress recited am lengthy list of imaginative specials verbatim, which got things off to an inspiring start. The food did not disappoint at all. As I said last time, "Delicious and imaginative entrees, but the less adventuresome will find much happiness too. Not for the thin-of-wallet, but we'll definitely be back. " Note to ownership and management: Don't you dare change what is not broken. And waitress Rachel deserves a nice raise!
(5)
Stephanie D.
My first visit. Parking lot was full which is always a great sign. Musical Entertainment along with the fire gives a great atmosphere. The service was exceptional!!!! Great job Michael. I had the fiesta egg rolls & rotisserie chicken, melts in your mouth. And top it off the key lime pie. If your in the area it is a must.
(5)
Joi E.
Food is awesome, great atmosphere, and great service. I highly recommend the rattlesnake pasta!!
(5)
Ky T.
Stanford Grill is definitely good. It is currently however, also OVERrated. Four or five stars is absolutely within the potential of this place, but an A-Ok rating was what was warranted during my visit. The Good: The ambiance here is fantastic. Live Jazz, rich mahogany wood panels, and real lit fireplaces make the setting awesome for date night. The fried oysters appetizer was fresh and cooked perfectly. The bread pudding was some of the BEST I've ever had, EVER. Portion sizes are large enough for leftovers which is always a plus in my book :) The Bad: The crabcake entree was just alright. The crabcakes literally seemed like ones I could have gotten from Long John Silver's fast food chain. The ribeye cooked medium was tough in texture, although well seasoned. The eggrolls were very ordinary, as well ...like ones TGIFridays packages & sells in the frozen food aisle. The ugly: Service has room for improvement. I was advised by one server that SG executes a service style allowing for all the waitstaff to tend to your table rather than just one person. I imagined this would mean I'd receive 3 to 4 times more attention this way... not the case. Instead I saw a lot of hustle and bustle with lots of servers rushing around but none taking notice of my empty glass or flatware needing to be removed from the table. I did not enjoy feeling like I was alllllwaaaaaysss waiting on something or someone to notice me. Staff attentiveness wss definitely the stand out area of opportunity. I will give SG a shot at redemption one day for brunch, since as I mentioned the place has great potential.
(3)
Jimmy A.
One of the few fine dining places in Columbia. Great & friendly service. The food is delicious, but a little pricy for a burger or sandwich. However, it's all definitely worth every dime if you're looking for a place to have a good time and relax. Salads and seafood are great menu options. I always get their fresh brewed tea!
(5)
Jess B.
RUDEST MANAGER AND SERVICE - we made a reservation for 8 people and two high chairs 3 months prior and we had room for 6 people total and somehow have the kids and two other people at the corners. The manager was REALLY rude and unaccommodating telling us that's what we get for having children. ARE U JOKING ME!? This was a big celebration for our family and we were treated like SCUM! I had to steal a 4 top to make it work and they finally said fine and we sat and ate-should have left but we already waited AN HOUR to get the seat situation figured out-where can we go with 10 people? Also the service is finicky with what you're allowed to keep on the table..we were told by the server we could only keep the knife for a couple more seconds and then she HAD to take it. Uh what? We can't keep our knife!? These people suck and we are never returning and always going to bash this place to others. GET A NEW MANAGER WHO cares ABOUT HIS GUESTS AND ISN'T a total DICK!
(1)
Ellen M.
I have eaten here 4 times-taking friends and family with me after our first visit. Everyone has enjoyed the food and ambiance. Atmosphere is great and so is the menu and food.
(5)
Lola L.
Ugh, what can I say. I love love love this place. My bf and I come here a lot, and I've never been disappointed. The last time we went, I don't really remember what my bf got because I was so fixated on my own meal. It was one of their specials; lobster themidor. Thumbs up to our server who recommended I get it, because otherwise I would've gone with my usual steak order, which are also consistently delicious. The only negative thing I have to add is about one of their sides, the broccolini, wasn't my favorite, and I probably wouldn't be getting again.
(5)
Victor P.
Skipped appetizers and ordered seared sea scallops with grilled asparagus on pearl couscous -- oh so delicious, and so was the key lime pie (shared with my sweetie because portion size was humongous). Washed everything down with a full bodied merlot (Velvet Devil) -- a meal to remember fondly, because of attentive, efficient service (our server quickly and capably took two photos of our 14-person group with my camera). A civilized way to enjoy a relaxed Sunday evening with live jazz in the background. Highly recommended.
(5)
Beekeeni N.
Brunch was AWEEEEESOME! I really enjoyed the live jazz cello man, he was gettin' it! Great cozy setting with big spacious booths. There's also a fireplace and a BIG rotisserie oven that was spinning like 30 pleasantly plumped chickens that I could not stop starring at.... Drool* They have a big open kitchen and a fancy little bar area that was to the side from the dining room. Service was on point. I am a fan! CANNOT wait to come back for dinner service.
(5)
Donna Y.
This place is a little difficult to get to because it's surrounded by hotels but it's a little gem in the rough. The hostess was a little snooty. She wouldn't let me sit at my table even after I made a reservation until my guest arrived. :( I'd recommend getting the au jus sauce sandwich. They give a nice warm toasted sandwich with plenty of meat. The au jus sauce really helps kick the sandwich up a whole new notch. Occasionally, they will have an awesome live band playing near the front.
(4)
John H.
Always a great experience. I normally get the ribs with mashed potatoes and cole slaw, which is excellent. Plenty of food no matter what you order. The roasted chicken is also very good and the vegetables are crisp. The real star is the deserts. The bread pudding is the best I have had, including any I have tried while living in the New Orleans area for three years. The key lime pie is light and tangy with a great whipped cream on top. Highly recommended!
(5)
Samia K.
In love with the food. We missed brunch which ends at 2pm on the dot. Lunch was excellent. I had the smoked salmon with spinach. Really good! My cousin had the rattle snake pasta. Bomb.com !!! Service was excellent as well. Definitely a place to try out! I believe their breakfast will be on point also. Will definitely go back :)
(5)
Kem W.
Had a good meal with family. I had the ribeye marinated in teriyaki. Very nice. The house salad was good but a lot bigger than I was expecting. Order it and you won't have room to finish your entree. Ribs, New York strip, chicken, and French dip sandwich were also deemed good to excellent. There was a small jazz combo (bass and piano) playing while we dined. Not intrusive. Service was good. Recommended for a nice dinner out in Columbia.
(4)
Trinity L.
Stanford Grill never fails! Love this place and it's great if you want to have a fancy dinner date. Literally everything on the menu is scrumptious. Can't wait till I go back.
(5)
Roger L.
First the good: Nice atmosphere, but dark.... Great Jazz music Quality food Good Service Bad: Everything has Tumeric (Southwestern/Indian type taste, kinda spicy for my taste) Really expensive ($19 for 1/2 rotisserie chicken) - It's $5 for a whole chicken across the street at BJ's... Stanford's would be $40 for whole chix... I know its not BJs but $20 for 1/2 chicken, it aint THAT good. Average price was $24 - $34 dollars per entree, mostly $30+ Very limited menu - only about 10 entree's - that's it. So, Caveat Emptor - nice place, high prices, limited choices.....
(2)
Yimei W.
Here's a place you can't judge by its cover. It appeared to be an upscale steak-house with live, classy music (piano and cello mixed with jazz). I expected a decorative, but expensive plate of food, which is what you usually get with places like this. But when the plates came out, I was floored. The story is: Stanford Grill is where an upscale atmosphere, excellent service, and a full stomach of food worth your dollar can coexist. I ordered a steak with two sides. They were willing to substitute my side of mashed potatoes for spaghetti squash without extra cost--and let me tell you--that was so worth it. I had a heaping ball of julienned squash and sauteed spinach with garlic. Both were bigger than my two fists put together! The steak was huge too; it was at least 6-8 inches long and about 3 inches wide. If you like the mesquite taste of black pepper--you will like this place as we noted black pepper notes dominated in the meat as well as the sides. I was able to eat myself full and still have plenty left over to take home. The desserts were also quite large (bread pudding was good) and you get coffee in a french press--which means you can usually get 2 cups worth. Bottomline: expensive, but you get your money's worth! I would definitely come again for steak.
(5)
Cheryl P.
Great food! Very sizeable portions. The bread pudding is ah-freakin-may-zing!
(4)
N I.
Stanford Grill is a great restaurant for special occasions or if you're in a mood for a good steak. The only negative is evident immediately as you arrive, and that's the shortage of parking in the restaurant lot. While annoying, it's an indicator of popularity of this place. The rest of the restaurant experience was great. The hostess staff was friendly, attentive, and accommodating. The wait staff was great. They were prompt, attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly. Their calamari appetizer was very good. Calamari is always a gamble, as many restaurants overcook them making them extremely chewy. At Stanford Grill calamari were cooked to perfection, and the accompanying sauce was delicious. Their corn bread was tasty as well. For the main course I had the evening special rib eye with mashed potatoes. The steak was cooked to perfection and the overall portion was massive. My wife requested plain carrots on the side and they tasted amazing. Overall this place is well worth the price and I look forward to coming back to it soon.
(5)
T N.
Found this place by accident, and I was impressed... Very fresh and the service was great. My friend had fish tacos, and I had their chicken pot pie.
(4)
Tammy P.
It's now my favorite place in Columbia. It can be pricey but the portions are so largeI I get two meals for the price of one so be careful what you order or your refrigerator will be full of leftovers . Two people could easily split one entree. The food is excellent ! Some of the best steaks around. The ambiance is perfect. The whole place is comfortable and relaxing. What I love the most is the service. The wait staff is spot on in knowledge, professionalism and personality. I strongly recommend this restaurant .
(5)
Cindie W.
I went here for dinner last Saturday with a few friends as my belated birthday dinner. We had a 7p reservation but were late (I was not driving) and we were seated right away. The parking lot was packed and we waited for someone to leave so that we could park. Our server was friendly, took our drink orders and gave us time to look at the menu. I hadn't been before (well, I've been to the bar but had never ordered food) and decided to get the crabcakes. Our server came back to the table with our drinks (I had a glass of moscato. mmmm) and asked if we were ready to order. Another person at our table asked if there were specials and she said replied, yes I didn't tell you those, did I? and proceeded to tell us what they were. I ordered the crabcakes, one person ordered the salmon and the other the rotisserre chicken. We also ordered the coconut shrimp appetizer to share. The appetizer came out quick, and I found the shrimp to be a tad on the tough side but the flavor was nice. My crabcakes came with french fries and coleslaw, and some kind of sauce. They were pretty tasty, not a lot of filler and mucho jumbo lump crab. I did not try the coleslaw as I am not a fan of coleslaw. The fries were thinly sliced and all seemed a consistent size and thickness. They weren't the bomb but they weren't bad either. My friend that had the salmon said it was "ok" and my friend that had the rotisserre chicken said that it was good. We got a piece of key lime pie to split three ways for dessert. It is definitely a huge slice of pie that can be split three ways. I am indifferent about key lime pie, I can take it or leave it, but it was good. My only complaint was that our waitress never asked us if we wanted another drink but at least the runners kept our water glasses full.
(4)
Rebekah S.
Love the ambiance, love the jazz, love the prime rib, love the carrot cake, love the service, love, love, love. It's a love-fest ovuh he-ah!
(5)
Nicole M.
Stanford Grill never disappoints it was unusually crowded for a Monday night had a 25 minute wait, the service was seriously lacking though, this was definitely a first. I will just chalk it up to a bad server.
(4)
Sondra j.
If you're looking for ambiance..this is the place. If you're in search of great cuisine...keep driving. I've been here twice...and twice I've been disappointed. Price is not my major problem and although they;re on the high side, I'll dig deep if the food is up to par. My problem is the food is not up to par....seasoning ? mediocre...vegetables? somebody needs to return to culinary school..portion size? teeny tiny. Columbia does not have the greatest choice of restaurants but Stanford Grill is not on my "keeper" list.
(2)
Taia C.
Delicious! I loved everything! I was treated to Stanford Grill for my birthday. Yum! The ambiance (piano, fire pits)...GORGEOUS! The roasted chicken was so good. It's a half-chicken with a ton of herbs. The cornbread and mac n cheese were good as well. I have a sweet-tooth, so I couldn't pass up dessert. I was not disappointed!
(5)
Leah D.
The food was excellent. The atmosphere was great too.
(5)
Jessica F.
I have been pestered for days to find a good French dip sandwich. My boyfriend was a man obsessed and would not be satisfied until we found one. Like trying to find decent Filipino food, my search for the ultimate French dip was coming up short. Add this to the list of food this side of the country is lacking because I was not having much luck and Arby's doesn't count. Initially, we overlooked Stanford Grill because it was a little more money that we were willing to spend. I guess he got over that last night and the obsession outweighed the cost because we ended up here anyway. My first impression was, "Swanky!" We entered to a dimly lit restaurant with a bar to the left, dining tables to the right and a jazz band in the corner. My second thought: "Perhaps flip flops were not the best idea..." We both joked that we still have an Austin state of mind where dressing up means putting your nice flip flops on. So, eventually I decided, "Screw it! We are eating here and putting this French Dip Sandwich thing to rest. I will hear no more of it." We started with the calamari which were delicious and came with a tangy chili sauce. I ordered the Ahi Tuna salad and there were a ton of flavors in that: salty ahi, spicy cornbread croutons, tangy goat cheese and sweet spiced pecans. My boyfriend did get his French Dip sandwich and basically inhaled it. I took that as a good sign. On to the next obsession and continuing the hunt for some decent Filipino food...
(4)
Shiehan C.
I had their Short Smoked Atlantic Salmon for weekday lunch and loved it. The staff's "team" system came up a bit short when they were serving because they had to figure out who ordered which dish. Then collecting separate bills was a bit messed up because they assigned different people to different servers and it was not done timely. I would consider coming back here, albeit with a much smaller group, 5 people max.
(3)
TheMissses10 ..
This restaurant is amazing. My idea of fine dining at its best. The staff is polite, attentive and thorough. The food is cooked perfectly. My husband said the steak was impeccable. Mikelle was my server, she was able to customize my vegetarian lifestyle and bring me a meal from the head chef that was perfect. I had roasted potatoes, spinach, asparagus, mushrooms, and red onion with a side of fresh sweet juicy fruit. She is charming and very accommodating. I cant complain about anything, this service was fantabulous.
(5)
Henry C.
Been meaning to take the wife out for dinner and I saw this place on yelp so we called and made a same day reservation and when we got their the service was great. Our server was very attentive and made sure we were happy with everything. The food was cooked very well and like we asked. Had the calamari and fiesta egg rolls to start and the surf and turf 9 ounce fillet with crab cake for our main course and other than pricing if you don't wanna spend money it's not the place to go but if you wanna splurge 4 out of 5 stars.
(4)
Bob S.
Dined last week with a party of 5 for dinner. Between the table we had steak, salad, fish, appetizers and desserts. Everyone's dish was great. Portions were large, so we had some to take home. Our server took a while to initially visit us, but afterwards service was quick. For the reviewers talking about price, yes, this is more expensive than Outback or Fridays, but it's completely reasonable all things considered. Parking was limited, so we parked in the adjoining parking lot for the office building which had very visible no parking/tow signs. We had no trouble though, probably because it was dinner time and not business hours.
(5)
Rick G.
I used to come here when it first opened but i moved out of Columbia. I decided to come back to see if it was as good as I remembered. It was. I got the 20 oz bone in cowboy steak (which isn't on the menu) cooked medium and it was exactly what a guy wants when he says,"I want a steak!". It came with lobster mac and cheese which was a more than adequate complement. My favorite bartender was Tyler although Jessica and Jeff were cool too. It was a great experience and that's not the bottle of Syrah talking. I'll be back for the prime rib which my buddy said was outstanding.
(5)
Dustin S.
Ever since they opened a few years ago, this place had been my favorite restaurant in the area. The prime rib is amazing, as is the chicken. Don't forget to leave room for the chocolate uprising -- super tasty dessert of chocolate brownies sandwiching ice cream topped by fudge -- big enough to share.
(5)
David K.
Great place to go if you are tired of the usual Columbia fare. While pricey and a bit over-spiced, it is great restaurant with great service and excellent food. I have eaten here at least 5 times in the last year and will continue to do so. Ask for Mark - he is the best server I have had in a long time at any restaurant.
(4)
Kathy M.
Stanford Grill is pretty fantastic. I went on the recommendation of a friend and this dining experience did not disappoint. The waiter was on-point, taking just as much pride in their menu offerings as if he had prepared them himself. The wine list is substantial and the food is prepared really well. It's a cool, rich, dining experience that will leave you wanting to run home and get on Yelp to talk all about it. :)
(5)
Dave W.
Food: salty, and mediocre...and huge portions of it Atmosphere: noisy Service: nothing special Question: is it a good thing where portions are so huge that wait staff goes around scaping excess into take home boxes?
(2)
Jarrod F.
I'll agree with my fellow reviewers in reiterating the fact The Stanford Grill excels in the service department. Every time I eat here I am privy to another waiter or waitress who makes the experience all the more special. Whoever does the hiring here is doing a great job I have to say. I've yet to have anything but exceptional service here. They always accommodate us and bend over backwards to make our experience pleasant and smooth. The interior is very well done and the atmosphere is eerily similar to that of a former restaurant I used to eat in called Houston's tin Rockville, MD. Lots of deep, dark tones... dim lighting, dark ceilings, dark bar, etc. The layout is rather interesting as most of the seating is in booths. There's also a really cool bar with a nightly jazz band.The place itself is located in a business park, adjacent to a Marriott hotel and is a tad difficult to find at night. Now, to the food... its a small menu, maybe about a dozen entree choices to pick from. The crab cakes are lump (about 6oz) and are proportionately sized with 2 sides for around $25. I've also had the salmon, which is always well seasoned, generous in size and cooked to perfection. The 'famous' rotisseries chicken is the real highlight here though. We also love the Calamari and Southwestern Egg rolls as apps. I do think the prices overall are a tad high for the kind of food being served here. However, the food is definitely high quality and the sides are way better than your typical side dishes at similar establishments. The carrots and spaghetti squash for one thing, are really delicious. The Rotisseries Caesar salad is awesome too. Finally, we get to desserts. I think I've only actually had the Carrot Cake and molten lava cake, both of which are huge and extremely rich. Every time I leave this place I think I gain about a pound. My one real issue is that the menu here is standard. Don't expect to come here and find artistic creations or dishes that are outside the box per say. This is American classic cuisine... its comfort food and its done well. I like the crowd here as its typically older, no kids, laid back and fairly quiet. I usually go at around 7-8pm and I've never waited for more than a minute when I make a reservation in advance.
(4)
Leah H.
It was my best friend's birthday and Stanford Grill is one of her favorite restaurants so this was her choice to celebrate here (I'd never been). The food was good enough (the Bread Pudding is AMAZING!), but certainly not worth the price paid. The service was very good and our waiter was very attentive to the four of us. Do I have any complaints about this dining experiences? No. Would I dine there again? Not by choice simply because there are better restaurants with cheaper prices.
A friend and I decided to check out Stanford Grill for lunch on a Saturday afternoon after reading some rave reviews for it. The location is a little off the beaten path but once inside it's more upscale than I would have imagined (and very inviting.) I had previously read reviews that stated the restaurant gets crowded or noisy at times but at 12:30 on a Saturday we had no trouble being seated immediately without a reservation. The service from the wait staff was on point and the manager was clearly visible on the floor helping to run food to and from tables. We had the calamari appetizer which could not have been better. The calamari was fresh and tender and the sweet & sour sauce served with it wasn't overpowering. For our entrees we split the crab cakes and swordfish tacos, no complaints for either and once again the seafood was very fresh. The star of the show was the desert, chocolate uprising, which was big enough to feed 4. Brownies, ice cream, and homemade whipped cream, I would go back again just for that and coffee. Overall I think the food and service were top notch (and the prices were very reasonable for what we served) and I'm looking forward to going back again soon.
(5)
Allison L.
This is the best service, atmosphere and food you will find off of 175. I went for an early Saturday lunch with my family and we had the place to ourselves sat outside, which I highly recommend as the view is better than you would think considering the proximity to the road. Our server was attentive and the food was delicious. I had the chicken avocado club sandwich, the avocado was fresh and the bread and cheese were high quality. I will warn you, the portions are large, so I would plan on sharing a sandwich or entree if you are not a big eater. I hear the Key Lime Pie is wonderful.
(5)
Brian C.
Great food. Jazz musicians could only be heard from the entrance area or bar so not a benefit to most diners. They try to get away with assigning too many tables per waiter by having other staff help serve. This ended up in it taking longer to order as well as a lesser feeling of getting personal service. The food itself was very good. We enjoyed everything we ordered.
(4)
Jonathan P.
By far the best restaurant I've ever been to. Me and my wife have been to this restaurant multiple times and every time the food and service is outstanding. The ambiance is really nice (great for a date, anniversary, even a wedding!). The servers are friendly and attentive. On my first visit, after dinner I was reluctant to try the Carrot cake because I never usually eat dessert. The server brought us a free serving and it truly was the BEST carrot cake I've ever had. Kudos to the chefs because everything on the menu is delicious.
(5)
Alliebug G.
Absolutely fantastic. My family and I have eaten here a few times. We remember when the building used to be a Lone Star, so we had no issues finding the Stanford. Let me start by saying Columbia is lucky to have a place like this. It's classy, great food, and our service was impeccable. Our waitress, Danielle, was top notch. She was friendly, got our drinks quickly and checked in on us frequently. The table we were seated at was comfortable enough for 5, but still spacious enough to enjoy the atmosphere. We will certainly be back!
(5)
Toya J.
Friends took me to Stanford Grill for my birthday. Here I am waiting for the weekend and they're like no TODAY is your birthday so come on! I had heard a lot of good things about this restaurant and it seems everyone had been here, but me. The decor is very nice, modern dark chocolate furnishings, flush mounted big round lighting, indoor gas fireplaces set in the wall, oh you can do better than a pair of jeans when you hit this spot! The bartenders are excellent. The quality of the cocktails just reminded me of restaurants in Manhattan where the competition is so stiff they always get it right. For dinner I had the wood grilled fish, forgot what it was, something light and flaky with an all lump crab cake with no filler. Both were pretty good, but on the verge of being dried out. Part of me wish I had done the Surf n' Turf, because from what I saw steak, chicken, and chops are really their specialty. I felt like they did not pay as much attention to the preparation of the seafood as the other meats. The pairing was odd, they sent a sauteed purple cabbage, which was flavorfully rustic in taste , but I don't think it complimented my seafood too well. I think there were a few potatoes, but you can't really mess that up. Looking over I saw where they had an outdoor porch with fire pits facing some lovely green lush woods. I think I will come out here again for a brunch on a nice warm day and sit outside. This definitely is the place to celebrate a special occasion.
(4)
Angie M.
Went here based on a recommendation from a good friend. There were six of us and we had a reservation. This restaurant is warm, dimly-lit, and inviting. There is a piano guy and he's really good! We had a great waitress (very difficult name to pronounce) who got us our drinks/food quickly. We ordered the filet, prime rib, Cesar salads, rib-eye. All the meat was cooked perfectly and so tender/flavorful! The sides were excellent and the bread pudding was perfect! It was a great night with great friends and the food/service added the right touch! Will return again!!! Visited September 2011
(5)
Parichat D.
The servers here are very pretentious- there is an odd phoniness here that can make anyone uncomfortable. This restaurant appears to be a poor copy of a certain chain which I will not name, but has the initials JA. We've been told the food here apparently used to be better at some point in the past, but is now mediocre at best. The so called famous french dip we ordered was all pieces of disgusting fat and served cold. Because the server never cared to check back, we were stuck with it. Food: Hit or miss. Service: Could care less attitude Overall: Aging restaurant with poor staff and management
(1)
Elena I.
My favorite restaurant in columbia! Great food and service every time! The portions are huge so we usually share a salad and get our own entrees! The prime rib is a must as well as their crab cakes. They don't charge a corkage fee so we like to bring our own bottle of wine and save on cocktails!
(5)
Jody Z.
I've been to Stanford Grill a few times now so I figured I'm overdue for a review. This place will make you feel like you are not next to a hotel, near a shopping center, overlooking Route 175. I mean, I saw this place when it first opened from the highway and I couldn't even figure out how to get there! But once you do get there, the atmosphere is awesome. Low lighting, fireplace, jazz band...very nice! I mean I love me a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, but every once in a while its nice to go out to a fancier place without having to leave the county. My husband & I tend not to plan ahead so we've never made reservations (which I'd recommend) and there is usually a bit of a wait. No worries as they have a great bar area with numerous tables around the bar and we've never had a problem snagging one of those. The menu is on the smaller side, but there are plenty of good options. I'm a fan of their rotisserie chicken and my husband loves the prime rib. Both are served with their awesome mashed potatoes and veggies. A bonus is that both of those items are already prepared when you order them so our food comes out super fast. The food is consistent and delicious and we've always had good service here. We split a dessert once, which was great, but HUGE! So next time I'll hold off on dessert unless we have 4 people to split it with us. I really like having Stanford as an option when I want a nice atmosphere and a good meal without leaving HoCo or breaking the bank. I really need to go back to try their brunch and also sit on the patio.
(4)
Noor B.
I have to give this place 5 stars. From the service to the food very good. I ordered the rattlesnake pasta without the lime and thought it was very good. My cousin got the smoked salmon with spinach and orzo. It was so good. The smoked flavor in the salmon is delicious. My uncle ordered the ahi tuna salad and kept praising the salad that it was so delicious. We didn't get a chance to get brunch because we got there literally at 2:05 and they said they shut it down at 2:00 pm on the dot on Sunday. Try to get there early I'm sure the breakfast is the bomb.com .
(5)
Jason S.
Stanford Grill surpassed my expectations. You could tell that the food was fresh. I brought my wife here for Valentine's Day. They had a number of specials. The lobster Mac n cheese was simply delicious! The steaks were cooked perfectly. The side dishes were also good as well as plentiful. We shared their Chocolate Uprising for desert....it was amazing! I highly recommend the Stanford Grill. The prices were fair for the portions that were served. We will certainly be returning.
(5)
Stephanie M.
This place is awesome! I have been multiple times for lunch and dinner. They have reasonably priced sandwiches and salads. The dinners are great. The prime rib is expensive but huge. You will have leftovers! The chicken is tender and comes with veggies and a potato. I have enjoyed everything I have eaten. They have an upscale bar area and the restaurant side with a fireplace. They have outside seating which is closed in with the plastic walls during the winter. I have been with large groups and we have sat outside. They have someone come in and play piano later in the evenings.
(5)
Trelly P.
Love the ambience here with the live jazz, fireplace, and lighting. Their rotisserie chicken is their specialty and is amazing. Prime rib was not that great (thus, deduct a star). I really do love this place and return again and again, but always get the chicken.
(4)
Steve C.
Wanted to like it, as we are HUGE Houston's fans. Unfortunately is is nothing but a very poorly done, blatant Houston's ripoff. Atmosphere is nice but the food is mediocre at best. Funny how much they tried to imitate the Houston's experience, right down to the menu font, too bad they are nowhere close in terms of quality. Go to Victoria's if you are in that area.
(2)
Heather A.
This is my first review..I will give it another shot, but I was a little disappointed on my first visit..I love the atmosphere and ambience of the restaurant, and it would be a great place for a date...but I was informed that rotisserie chicken was the specialty...and to the side, I could see the chickens roasting...BUT the person that picked apart the chicken for my rattlesnake pasta is either lazy, in too much of a hurry, or does not eat chicken and is unaware of the edible parts of the chicken...cartilage and fat was ALL in my pasta..enough where I stopped eating the chicken and just ate the noodles...now, on the good side, I also tried the chicken tortilla soup and it was incredible!!! Thank goodness the restaurant is dark, bc I probably wouldn't have eaten as much of the soup...I'm a very picky eater when it comes to vegetables, and I like to be able to identify what is in each bite..so, I had to put my big girl britches on and eat like an adult...and it was delicious...and the rotisserie chicken in it was fine...I will go back, but I will definitely be passing on the chicken dishes..
(3)
Kate C.
We have been to Stanford Grill several times now and have always been greeted with excellent food and outstanding service! We love the ambiance - live jazz music and a fire place. The servers are all outstanding - very friendly and helpful. But, the real star here is the food. We've tried many different menu items - steak, chicken, lamb (a special), hamburger, ribs, etc and have never been disappointed. The food is very fresh and flavorful. Ever time we leave we say - this is how all restaurants should be!
(5)
John W.
An absolutely fantastic dining experience! We stumbled upon this jewel of a restaurant while traveling to Columbia, MD for the annual "Wine in the Woods" festival. My wife used Yelp to find a place for dinner and voila, here we are. The reviews were spot on. The food, service and ambiance were nothing short of perfect. We placed a reservation and although we did not need it for the time we chose, it is evident that they are nice to have for later timeframes as the crowd did get larger as the evening progressed. We were met by our lovely and courteous waitress Jessica and she provided us with the most exceptional service I have ever had. Not only did she not need to refer to a menu but she was able to give us the lowdown on all of their signature plates and specials. My wife and I chose the baby back ribs preceded with an appetizer of their egg rolls and we thoroughly enjoyed them both. The portions are plentiful and the preparation was superb. The selection of wines was also beyond our imagination. My wife chose a bottle of Twenty Bench Cabernet Sauvignon which accented the meal very well. The atmosphere was casual and engaging with lite jazz ensemble playing. The decor was warm and inviting as well with the din of conversation wafting throughout. My wife and I are always looking for that unique restaurant outside of a chain establishment and this one is one that we would recommend to anyone. Check them out and I guarantee that you will keep coming back.
(5)
Ginger S.
Carefully follow the directions to the Stanford because if you go too quickly, you will miss the entrance. My husband, daughter and I went to Stanford Grill on Saturday night for dinner. We shared the millionare shrimp appetizer. He ordered the french dip, she ordered the ribs and I ordered the catch of the day which was rainbow trout with a mango salsa infusion. For dessert we shared the key lime pie and bread pudding. Our server was Jessica The appetizer was ok as the 'cocktail' sauce seemed to overwhelm the shrimp. I'd like that sauce on a salmon or even a swordfish. We all agreed that the size of the shrimp was excellent - 2-bite sized. The ribs were 'fall off the bone' tender which made eating them a bit challenging. My daughter substituted the mac-n-cheese instead of the coleslaw ($2.50 upcharge) and was not disappointed. The fries were a huge let down as julienne fries just don't go with ribs. The french dip had an excellent au jus except the container it comes in makes it difficult to dip the sandwich; a soup bowl would be better. The meat was very good and again, the julienne fries just don't work with this kind of sandwich. The trout was excellent. It was flavorful, kinda small for $23 but I took a chance as I'm not a big trout fan and was glad that I did. When I placed my dinner order, I asked for a glass of wine and it arrived shortly after my entree. Dessert. OMG. Save room for dessert. I dislike bread pudding. My husband is a bread pudding connosuier. I loved THIS bread pudding. It was absolutely delicious. The key lime pie had fresh made whipped cream on top and was declared the most delicious she'd ever eaten by my daughter our key lime pie expert. Coffee is served by French press and was tasty but you know there are always grinds when made in a restaurant so use caution when emptying your cup. Service was a bit on the slow end but not annoyingly slow. We had time to digest our food and the other servers in the area removed dirty dishes from each others' tables. Based on the other reviews here it seems like they're listening to what people are saying and tweaking as they go along. This was not an inexpensive dinner so it will be a special occasion restaurant for us, however, we will return.
More a special occasion place than somewhere I would go on the regular. Went on a Friday evening with resevations...Great ambiance, great service, they come around just often enough without being bothersome. The food was superb to me. Small menu but everyone in the party loved what they had. Entrees range in the 26-37 dollar range but are well worth it! I had the hickory fillet with Gorgonzola and red wine sauce that comes with redskin garlic mash and spinach...was excellent! Perfectly cooked, the fillet simply melted. Had the key lime pie for dessert and wow! Best I've ever had and I love key lime and scrutinize it heavily. The perfect balance of tartness and mild sweetness...the crust is incredible. everything is made from scratch and it's very apparent. Nice wine selection as well, and the location by the fireplace was nice. I also liked the live music...we were opposite where the player was so the volume was perfect not noisy at all. Great experience, highly recommended!
(4)
Laura T.
I loved this place. My husband and I travel often and like to eat at nice restaurants. I was sent to Stanford Grill by a patient. The soft jazz music, the flawless waitressing, and the sublime food made this one of the best places I have at in months. My husband and I both got the ribs and chickens and they were both cooked perfect. Not to mention the leftovers heated up perfectly! This place is great for adults and kids and has a moderate noise level. If you like ribs and chicken...GO do not wait!!!
(5)
Jude S.
Entering the restaurant was the best part of the evening. The ambiance is really nice, but it was quite loud, and not because of the live jazz in the bar. We had reservations and were seated right away. We ordered the calamari appetizer. It was well cooked and fresh, and it came with a sauce, but the sauce was too sweet and needed something else, maybe a little heat... I've had better calamari. Since nothing seemed too appetizing on the menu, I decided to order the Prime Rib. I was quite concerned when the server asked me how I wanted it cooked, but it came out fine, and it was fine, no better or worse than any prime rib I've ever had. My husband ordered the red snapper with buerre blanc. I tried it, and I felt again that it had no flavor. Very boring food. What I did not like was that each vegetable came out cooked with bell pepper. I hate bell pepper! My green beans were overcooked, and my husband's broccolini was cooked well, but I could still taste the bell pepper. As we were ordering our after dinner drinks, a server put a basket of bread on the table. Our server told him to take it away. I was quite confused, as we never received any bread, and when I looked around, all the other tables around us had bread. I asked our server, and she said that we had to order it, it is not automatically brought to us, and I will know for the next time I come. Like there will be a next time! I was quite annoyed because I had told her at the beginning this was my first time. Why did she not offer bread??? She asked if I wanted a box and I said yes, my husband also asked for a box, but she took his meal away, and never brought it back. We ordered the bread pudding for dessert. It was average. I've had much better, but it did seem fresh. We had almost half of it left, but she just took it away, and did not offer to wrap it up. I was very disappointed in the whole experience, and I will not be returning to this restaurant.
(2)
Taryn K.
I would highly recommend AVOIDING this restaurant. Aside from being tricky to find, the food is average, very expensive, and the service is marginal. We went on a recommendation from a friend for a birthday celebration. We were a party of five that was squeezed into a booth designed for four people. There were two larger booths available - one of which we requested to move to. The waiter said no problem and proceeded to move us when the hostess said absolutely not and forced us to move back - as they were reserved. We said okay and stayed in the smaller booth (three six foot tall men and two women). The food arrived very quickly. We had appetizers which were good. Before we were even finished the appetizers, the entrees arrived. When we ordered dessert, it, too, arrived before the dinner dishes were cleared. We had to lift dishes from the table to accommodate the new ones being served. We felt rushed, cramped, and totally unwelcome. I believe our experience was made worse by the fact that the larger booth (right next to us) sat empty the entire time we were there. An overall very disappointing experience. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone. There are much better options...where customers are appreciated.
(1)
Rachael W.
My girlfriend and I went there this afternoon for lunch. This was our second time visiting the restaurant. Our first visit was very pleasant, the staff was polite and the food was delicious. We both ordered the ribs with french fries and cole slaw. They were absolutely delicious and I couldn't wait to go back and try them again. Well today, I ordered the ribs and and my friend ordered the trout. We received our meals and I noticed that the ribs looked over cooked and they looked like they had been sitting out for a while. I addressed my concerns (tactfully) with the waitress and asked for another rack of ribs. She apologized and said she would have them bring me a new rack of ribs. So my friend and I continued our conversation and all of a sudden Rob comes to our table. He asked why we returned the ribs. I told him that the ribs did not seem fresh and they were overcooked. He said that he disagreed and try to explain how they cooked the ribs. I told him that this was my second time visiting the restaurant and the ribs I received before were not overcooked. The ribs he served me were black and the top layer was crispy. He continued to disagree with me! Note, the restaurant was full of people and the confrontation was attracting attention to our table. So I immediately cut him off and told him that I was not going to argue with him. He said that he would bring me out another rack of ribs. At this point, I lost my appetite and my friend asked for the manager. I can't believe Rob came to our table and verbally attacked me! Rob comes back with the ribs which were cooked correctly. He asked if the ribs were fine and I said yes. I asked him if he could see the difference between the ribs he served before and the new rack of ribs and he said yes. Which proved my point that the ribs were overcooked. Then he said that he heard that we wanted to speak with a manager and that he was the manager. I chuckled and told him to disregard. I called the waitress over and told her that I needed to pay for the my friend's meal and the drinks. She asked if I would like for her to box the ribs and I politely declined. I told her that Rob was unprofessional and we will not be returning to the restaurant. I plan on discussing my visit with the general manager as Rob was totally out of line and could cost them business with his attitude! Perhaps, they should post signs in the parking lot and front door, BEWARE OF ROB!!!
(1)
Jeremy J.
Went for dinner tonight. First, the atmosphere is quite nice for a place in the suburbs. The live jazz music was a nice touch. We started with the spinach artichoke dip, which was not the best I've ever had, but was quite good. My wife had the chili (Saturday's soup) which was surprisingly good, and a large portion at that. For entrees, I had the fish sandwich (blackened catfish) and my wife had the rotisserie chicken. The waiter said the chicken was their most popular item and it did not disappoint. It was probably the best rotisserie chicken I've ever had - moist, flavorful, and well-seasoned. I ordered the key lime pie for dessert, but they were out of it, so I got the bread pudding instead, which was really good, but way too heavy for me. So we both really enjoyed the experience. My only complaint would be that the menu is not particularly unusual or innovative, so hopefully they will adjust their menu over time to keep it interesting.
(4)
Rob W.
I had some family come in to visit and I wanted to give a local, non-major chain restaurant a try since I recently moved to Columbia. After doing some Yelping research, I decided on the Stanford. First thing is first - as others have said, it is very awkward to find since it is visible from 175 yet getting there requires you to do some navigating. That said, it's worth it. I went in on a weeknight at 6pm and it was just starting to get busy, but by a little after 7 every seat in the house was taken with others waiting. It's obvious that people are willing to take the time to find the place. There was also plenty of families and non-business related dining, so what I am trying to say is that people obviously come here because they like it, and not as an expense account destination despite the office complexes and hotels surrounding it. As far as the food, as others have said the menu is rather small. They really seem to specialize in a few areas and that's it. However, their drinks and wine selection is generous. I chose the Wood-fired rotisserie chicken as they proudly have them on display and the waitress highly recommended it as their main specialty. The chicken was excellent, very moist, and generous in portion (approx. half a chicken, white meat). It came served with redskin mashed potatoes & green beans which were fantastic. Service was definitely great, as they are very attentive to your needs, promptly take your order, are very knowledgeable about the menu and what specials they have available or adjustments you can make, and they immediately tell you that you will receive two waiters per table. If you can manage to save room, I had the home made key lime pie which was absolutely amazing and a must for anyone who even remotely likes key lime pie. I have tried several key lime pies, but none were as good as this. And there is more than enough to share for at least two people. Overall my experience with the Stanford Grill was excellent. The food and service were fantastic, and the pricing is absolutely a bargain. My father and I had actually spent more for two people at Union Jack's the day before then we did here at Stanford Grill which is bizarre. Our total bill wasn't even $60. I'd really like to see Stanford get a broader menu, you're really not going to find a lot of options if you aren't in the mood for chicken or a steak. But it is still a very satisfying experience and a restaurant I will definitely go back to.
(4)
Ann K.
The only frozen food served here is ice cream. My family and I love this place. The ambience is very nice with warm modern fireplace and great decor with live jazz band at night. It is perfect for business and romantic night out. I love the rotisserie chicken and happy with other dishes except the salty backfin crabcake. The break pudding is awesome, if you have room after the meal. The salad should be shared. It is too big. There should be a better selection of wine by the glass. Please check out the wine bar on 108 to improve your wine list.
(4)
G K.
We've been here twice, and only for brunch. The atmosphere is quite classy with live piano, a gorgeous fireplace and lots of natural light. As another reviewer indicated, it is difficult to find from the street, but once you get inside you realize it's worth it. The brunch selections are fairly extensive, with a section providing a take different styles of eggs benedict: crab cake benedict, filet mignon eggs benedict, etc. The first time we visited, I had the crab cake benedict, and verdict is: mythic. The egg is poached perfectly, and the crab cake is decently sized and delicious. The potatoes are a done well & portioned generously. On our second visit, I had the rotisserie chicken salad, accompanied by a large brick of spicy corn bread. The salad is well-mixed, filled with delicious pulled chicken, and surprisingly, BBQ sauce, which works surprisingly well with the blue-cheese dressing. All flavors mix very well. My daughter loves the prime rib sandwich au jus with shoestring fries. Best of all, each item on the brunch menu comes with a lovely drink from the bar. I have had the bloody mary, which, if there is a tiny complaint, they haven't figured out yet that 3 olives doesn't qualify as extra olives. Also - it lacks any other garnish, so not the best bloody mary out there, but it comes with the brunch, so it's wonderful. We opted for a dessert this time: some kind of super rich brownie with ice cream, hot fudge, caramel, cinnamon and about 4 inches of whipped cream. In both width and height, this brick of a dessert was almost as big as my head. Top that off with a pot of french press, and it was a divine experience over all.
(4)
Hehe H.
My friend and I came here base on the review when we were looking for some good steak around the area. We came out disappointed. I ordered prime ribs and my friend ordered ny strip both medium rare. My prime rib came out around medium and chewy. I think it has to do with the grade of meat was used. My friend's NY strip came out medium well with no redness whatsoever. We let the manager know and he promptly changed it for my friend, that is why I gave the two stars for the good service otherwise would be 0. Overall it is a fairly over price dinner with fairly low end steak. Our bill was 42 for each of us with a beer($7) each. I would not recommend this place if you are looking for some good steak. I don't mind paying for a good steak dinner but don't charge that kind of price when you can't provide the value.
(2)
Hunnie P.
I used to love Stanford Grill. However, something has changed in the last year or so and it's just not as good as it used to be. In the first two years it kind of leaned more towards a steakhouse. Everything, and I mean Everything was awesome. But now it's just good to eh. I miss the ribeye dearly and my husband misses the basic overall quality of the steaks (blah ny strip) and menu selection. Unfortunately, the service isn't as impressive as it used to be either. The ambiance is still nice and like I said the food is generally good, but I no longer rave about it like I used to. It's no longer a steak-type place. It's more the ubiquitous American fare that you find in national chains, but the dishes are done better than the everyday Friday's by far. There was a time when I didn't mind the price but now I only go occasionally and certainly don't spend $30 per entree on anything. Btw, it breaks my heart to write this review...Stanford really was a great restaurant.
(3)
Courtney C.
We went back and sat at the bar. The bartenders were great. I had another delicious side salad and some of my husband's spinach dip. Everything was very good. If I ate out often, I would add this to my regular list.
(4)
Tim C.
I ate here with some business colleagues on a Wednesday night. Service was prompt, but not overly pushy. The restaurant was crowded, but it didn't seem like we were rushed. Our group enjoyed a wide variety of menu options from fish, to chicken to prime cuts of beef. All were pleased. I would definitely return if I was in the area anytime soon.
(5)
Fred H.
Being married to a vegan, I really, REALLY cherish those occasional opportunities when I can go out and satisfy my carnivorous urges. Stanford Grill has an excellent, attentive staff, nice decor and atmosphere, and great service. I've eaten here a dozen times or so, and have never had a complaint. The steaks here are excellent, on a par with any of the high-end (and higher priced) steak houses in Baltimore or DC. Portions sizes are quite good. If I still have room left after lunch or dinner, I always order the bread pudding with vanilla sauce for dessert, along with some French press coffee.
(5)
Allison L.
I'd been to their sister restaurant, Copper Canyon Grill, in Gaithersburg a few times before and absolutely loved it. I was looking for somewhere for lunch on Labor that A. was open, and B. had at least a few relatively "soft" (for lack of a better word) entrees since I was nursing a horrible sore throat and wanted another option besides soup. There were only a few other people when we came in for a late lunch, and the wait staff was very attentive. The restaurant is nice and cozy inside... lots of dark wood, fireplace (this was even in use when we came on a hot summer day), The menu is small, and while I prefer the one in Gaithersburg (because they have awesome crab dip and an awesome salmon caesar salad), but their menu has plenty of options. We started off with the skillet cornbread, which was huge, and very good. It had a little bit of a kick to it with chopped jalapenos. I got the chicken pot pie, which seemed like a safe enough option, and it was one of the biggest meals I've ever gotten at a restaurant. I ate maybe 1/6 and got the rest to go (getting it to go was a pain, because I essentially just had to dump it out of the skillet it was in and it was no longer in any sort of pie form) and ate the leftovers three separate times, and still didn't finish it before I figured it was time to throw out. I came with my mother, and she got one of the sandwiches which comes with the super skinny and super crispy shoestring fries. Prices are extremely reasonable for the amount of food you get. The desserts also looked really good, as I blatantly ogled another table's choices, but absolutely no room for them. Next time! FYI... Stanford Boulevard is one of the most confusing roads in Columbia. I had a vague idea where this was so I wasn't using a GPS, but there's been times I've driven around that circle multiple times.
(4)
Ernest P.
This place is a pretty authentic Houston's clone, but not up to Houston's 4 star food. Dark and fairly noisy atmosphere, they accommodated our party of nine quite well in the enclosed patio area. Portions are quite large, though that is not always a good thing. Spinach dip pretty good but not quite Houston's level. Tortilla soup was very thick but flavorful. Crab tower was terrible with nasty shredded claw meat overpowered by herbs, we sent it back. The calamari replacement was very crispy and good. Main courses were hit and miss. Rotisserie chicken and strip steak huge and well cooked but the potatoes were bland and not creamy buttery or at all interesting. The mound was huge though. Veggie burger should have been sent back. MUSHY patty of rice and beans. One bite and it squished out the sides of the bun. I hate that! Equally sad was vegetable plate as main course. Odd mix of cucumber salad, glazed carrot, green beans, huge slabs of almost raw squash and zucchini all DROWNED in balsamic. Who came up with this insult to vegetRians? Scallops were cooked perfectly medium, large sweet and tasty. Desserts were good and worth it (warm carrot cake and brownie sundae) and French press coffee. All in all a nice experience with above average service but not quite on par with Houston's, it's obvious model and inspiration.
(3)
Amanda K.
This place is GREAT! I loved everything about it. Beautiful, upscale atmosphere really surprised and impressed me. It's tucked away almost hidden but worth the drive. Amazing service. Nice little outside area. I love the famous roasted chicken it's TO DIE FOR! And the portion sizes were very generous. Even the green beans were delicious. The entire menu looks sooooo good. I can't wait to go back and try everything. A new favorite.
(5)
A P.
The food is always very good. The service is great and the entire staff is friendly. Great prices for the quality of food. I always enjoy lunch and dinner at this place. Highly recommend!
(5)
Nathan C.
We were originally intending to hit Noodles Corner but saw this through the trees while driving down 175. After winding through an office park and hotel parking lot, we found it. Stanford Grill is gorgeous inside, and if you can get a seat by the fire, do. We were sort of stuck away from it a bit; they seemed to be segregating families with kids (us) away from those without (by the fire). I do not begrudge them this in the least. I ordered the French Dip, which was pretty much the best one I've ever had. The waitress recommended to add pepper jack, which turned out to be a Very Good Idea. The meat was cooked medium-rare (how many places ask you how you want your French Dip cooked? Not enough!) and the jus it came with was beefy but not salty - perfect. My wife had the pulled pork sandwich - delicious. The pork was smoky and tender, and the barbecue sauce it's stirred with is great. The kids got the rotisserie chicken, which was good but needed more time on the rotisserie to crisp the skin. We were there very early, so I am guessing that's why. They also make killer shoestring-type fries. At some point soon they are adding Sunday brunch, with live jazz, which could be a lot of fun. All in all, a happy experience!
(4)
Tony G.
This is a great find! Stopped by tonight based on Yelp reviews. Great wine-by-the-glass menu. I had the Rattlesnake pasta, which was great! Sat at the bar (couldn't get a single seat for 20-30 minutes), and the bartenders were great: friendly and efficient! Atmosphere was lively and the live jazz (bass & piano) was a terrific touch!
(5)
Kelly H.
Never knew that I would end up in Columbia MD, but I did. And, we were so happy to find the Standford Grill. From the pictures in yelp page, I did not expect much, but the restaurant was much spacious and nicer than I thought. We were there for brunch/lunch with family. The menu was quite simple but well designed. I had crab benedict, and my husband had portabella mushroom sandwich. My crab benedict was superior! Perfectly poached eggs and almost all crabmeat crab cakes. It came with home fries that were very tasty, but slightly greasy. My husband's portabella mushroom sandwich disappeared in a few seconds into his mouth, so I assumed that it was excellent. I did get a chance to eat his fries, and OH BOY the fries were very good. I think they make it garlic fries, and it was so so yummy! The restaurant is kind of hard to find and tucked in among all these value hotels. But, when you find it, it has a large parking space. The service was quite good. Although I think it could have been better. We were there sitting down chatting for about an hour after lunch because our guests had driven a long distance, and we had driven 45 minutes to meet them there. The staff did not say anything, but we could feel that the staff wanted us out (despite the fact that the restaurant wasn't full). Overall, a good experience and good find. If you are around Columbia MD, I would recommend that you check this place out.
(4)
Jessica S.
Prime ribs are absolutely great. But I gave four stars because it was too salty for me.
(4)
Walt C.
Yelp comes through again! In town for work and couldn't decide on a place, turned to Yelp and off we went. Called in for a reservation for 6. We arrived a bit late, but they still had the table for us. Food was great and so was the service. Staff was super friendly and worked like a well-oiled machine (always love seeing good teamwork and happy folks working). Place was also packed (another good sign). =) Portions were more than enough. Desserts all seemed to be super-sized, bread pudding was very yummy! Price was also fair. Live band was a nice element. The only real complaint would be that it was really noisy, but if you're there with a good group, it won't bother you. Will definitely come back again the next time I'm in town!
(5)
Chris D.
Live jazz. Consistently excellent service. Close your eyes and just point to something on the menu and order it, you'll like it. Decent range of prices so you can spend as little or as much as you'd like. I strongly recommend making a reservation.
(5)
Ken R.
Was good but wouldn't go out of my way for it. A bit pricey.
(3)
Rhonda S.
Nice place with live jazz music. You can't really hear the music over the crowd though. The menu is pretty much the same as Copper Canyon which is their sister restaurant. My favorite food here is the bread pudding. I rarely if ever have liked bread pudding, but it's to die for here! It's large though, almost too big for 2 people. The freshness is what stands out, I don't think they use stale bread to bake it. Overall it's a nice getaway in Columbia.
(4)
Robert G.
This was our third trip to the restaurant and as usual, the food and service were wonderful. Being our anniversary, we mentioned to Danielle, our waitress, that we wanted to take our time. She thanked us for mentioning it and then slowed down, waiting for us to signal our readiness for the next course. The food remains plentiful and sumptuous. While on the pricey side, it is well worth the expense for special occasions.
(5)
Dan S.
Take an scosh (sp?) of steakhouse, a pinch of modern cafe, a bit of bar and stir vigorously. Add in some corporate initiatives to thin, and serve. As far as I can tell, there is only one Stanford Grill (at least owned and operated by these folks), but you won't be surprised when I tell you it is a Restaurant Group that owns this place. For your own safety, do not attempt to interrupt the Reciting of the Specials (or the desserts, or the recommendations, or anything else) while your server is helping you. You are being helped, you understand? Our group of five found the undeterred, memorized speeches by the staff a bit silly, but not enough to ruin the evening. It was a big loud also. The food was fine. I had the crab cakes (land-locked Denverite in MD equals crab cakes) and enjoyed them. They were a good size, nice overall meal. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their food also. It was a good experience. The noise bothered me, but I think I am more bothered than most when it comes to that. Also, there is at least one entree "with au jus" which drives me up a wall.
(3)
Michael Q.
Basically mimicking Houstons. Little cheaper, almost identical menu. Not quite same quality as Houstons or what became woodmont grill in Bethesda. What you see is what you get
(3)
Leslie J.
We enjoyed very friendly & helpful service. We also had a nice view of their fireplace on a cold evening. The steak & scallop entrees were reportedly excellent. As an annual visitor (born & raised in MD a long time ago), I am always looking for the perfect crabcake, The ones at Stanford were ample & tasted good but they were not comparable to the best I've had in recent years.
(4)
Meagan C.
From the moment we walked in the door we knew we were gonna have a great time. I love how the resturant is set up. It was very relaxing. Our waiter was amazing! He did a great job! The appetizers were amazing! I deff recommend trying the smoked salmon! Our meals came out perfect! The banana pudding was to die for! I recommend getting that! Also the drinks were great! I will deff be coming back again.
(5)
Danny M.
After a friend on Yelp gave a glowing review of this restaurant, I decided to give it a try last night and invited four guys from my church small group. The atmosphere was nice, with the fireplaces, polished oak tables, live jazz band, and the tungsten lamps overhead adding to a relaxed if upscale ambiance. The spacing between tables was just enough that we could all hear each other speak. We ordered and the food arrived to our table in less than 15 minutes. Now, for me, the highlight of any restaurant is the food. I'm an active guy who works out regularly AND happens to have a sensitive pallet. Therefore, I look for both quantity and quality. My plate was a chicken and guacamole sandwich and a side of fries for $13. In fact, it was really four sandwiches, filling a large plate. The chicken was moist and tasty and merged perfectly with the other ingredients; the bread was a perfect crispness. I ate every last crumb. Two more interesting food highlights: My buddy Jo ordered two appetizers for his meal that were large enough to substitute for a whole dinner. One of those appetizers was macaroni and cheese. After one bite, Jo's eyes got wide and he said between bites, "I think that's the best mac and cheese I've ever tasted!" Of course, I tried a bite, and immediately agreed. It was creamy, rich, and full of a variety of cheeses, and the pasta would make a pasta chef's mouth water. Since the waiter assured us that, like the entrees, the desert portions were huge (he was right), my friend Luke and I split the bread pudding desert. When Luke and I tasted it, our eyes nearly rolled up in the back of our heads! This was the first time he's ever eaten bread pudding, but not me! Once again, I can say (Scouts honor!) it was the best bread pudding I've ever tasted! Two "bests" in one night is not bad for a meal that costs less than $20. Highly recommended. The only down side for me was finding this restaurant. The Android (Google) navigation system brought me down Stanford Blvd to the traffic circle at the end, but no further. It is a quarter of a mile away from the restaurant, but the traffic circle has three turn possibilities: right, straight, and left. If you get to this point and wonder which way to go, do NOT turn right or go straight. You will drive around for 15 minutes, like me. Instead, go LEFT, and it will be on your right. It would be nice if managers could work with navigation companies to correct this problem.
(5)
Bryan M.
Yummy rubs (some of the best I've ever had) and a live jazz band. Lawrence the bartender took care of my drinks and food with ease.
(4)
agnes c.
If i were to compare this restaurant to another, it is very similar to Houston's. The decor, menu, and food are similar to each other. I would go back!
(4)
V B.
Food is solid but not for the price. Ambiance and service is tremendous. Coconut prawns and steaks are good.
(3)
Mike W.
One of my favorite restaurants in the area. Casual to business casual dress. Wonderful atmosphere with a large fireplace. Large bar area. The food is very good and I have never had a meal that I didn't like. The staff is very accommodating. Live jazz in the evenings.
I love this place! It has become my favorite place to eat in Columbia! I absolutely crave the Rotisserie Chicken Salad, it is so so good. The atomosphere is very nice and if you're lucky to be there when they have live jazz, you're in for a treat. They have outside covered patio seating too, which is nice as well. Don't forget dessert, they have the best key lime pie ever! Give it a try, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Natalie L.
Very nice place, although a little difficult to find. I've only been here a few times, but they had good food, a pleasant atmosphere, and the wait was not too long. Will definitely go back soon!
(4)
Punahele S.
1st time was great when I was with a co-worker. Waitress engaged in banter and had fun. Food was great. This time was alone and the food was good but for a $42 meal one would expect getting some attention at any point before the check. Drink ran out 1/2 way through the meal. Wouldn't you think someone eating alone is on a business trip and on an expense account? Very annoyed. Looks like many of the other reviewers have issues with the wait staff.
(2)
Eric S.
I've been fortunate enough to eat at some fine dining establishments across the country via my profession. I've never heard of, nor experienced, what happened last night at The Stanford Grill. My experience there would be in a ranking area below a Ruby Tuesdays or TGI Fridays (and I would put those two at about average for food quality and expected service), but I've experienced far better service at fast food restaurants, which is really, really a bad and sad reflection on the attitude at the Stanford Grill. A reservation was made for 8 people and two kids with high chairs about three months ago. A call was made about 3 days prior to the reservation date to the restaurant to confirm the reservation and then 2 of the people in the party arrived early to ensure that everything was set (we were celebrating a set of twins birthday's). Unfortunately, the restaurant had set up two square tables with room for a total of 6 people on the long sides and a chair AND a high chair on each of the short ends. By square table, I mean the table measured about 2.5 feet square. There was a large space of about 6-7 feet between our table and the next larger set of tables (which evenutally turned out to be a 12 top). Neither the hostesses, nor the manager (Phil), seemed to understand you cannot fit an adult AND a toddler in a high chair at the end of a table with room for both to eat. Realistically, even folks that don't have kids can somewhat understand this (or you would hope at least one person in a set of people could figure it out with logical thinking). We asked if there would be a possibility that another table could be put with ours so we would have the space for all 8 adults and the 2 kids. Phil actually told us there was "nothing I could do, I don't have anymore tables". Unfortunately for Phil, 1/2 of the restarant was empty and there were 2 empty four tops next to our table set. The entire situation took 40 minutes to resolve itself. By resolve itself, I mean that one of our party members physically moved one of the 4 tops herself to our set of tables. With reservations 3 months ahead of time AND a half empty restaurant AND a party of 8 plus two kids, even the mose naive business person would say to themselves that they should take care of the larger party firstm, but hey, maybe management prefers a complete rookie to run their restaurant. Once seated, the server was ok, but not fantastic. She had been given the rest of the tables (about 4-5 if I saw correctly) in our section, plus our large party, so I think they were understaffed to handle the volume for that Sunday night. Like I said, the service from the server was ok, but I don't believe she's a large party handler. She stacked up all the dirty plates and silverware in front of me in 4 large stacks, including the steak knives and other flatware. The knives and flatware were jammed into glasses of ice and sitting loosely scattered on plates and then she left them in clear reach of my two year old sitting across from me (I ended up having to move all the dirty dishes myself out of the way of my daughter and line them all up in front of me). There's more, but really, if you can't figure out that you should NOT spend your money here, then your name might be Phil...
(1)
Brian F.
A good upscale restaurant, rather unusual for Columbia. Me and some friends went here for lunch. The restaurant is mostly populated by white collar workers on a typical weekday, so we didn't exactly blend in with the crowd. I ordered the chicken avocado sandwich and I was very pleased. If I had more money I might have come here for dinner and got a real entree instead; they all sounded really delicious. I will try to come back here next time, hopefully I can get my parents to take me so they foot the bill.
(5)
Terri M.
We eat at Stanford at least once a month, sometimes more. While it is pricey, most of the menu items are worth it. I am giving it 4/5 stars instead of 5 because of the price. I understand it is a more 'classy' place, but $7 or $8 for a small cup of soup is just a BIT much in my opinion, especially if it is a tomato or chicken noodle soup! I have tried most of the menu items and have only had one that I wasn't super fond of; everything else you can tell is very fresh, and made from scratch. Their french dip sandwhich is amazing, as is their homemade pot pie. Their wine list is also FABULOUS! I had been searching around at different restaurants to find a particular wine company and so far have only found it at Stanford. If you are a wine brat, you are guaranteed to find something you enjoy that isn't 'typical' Sutter Home or 'House' type wines like you will find at places such as Olive Garden. They also have live music, which is always an added bonus.
(4)
Melanie R.
Wow this was a nice surprise right here in Columbia. I trusted Yelp on this one to take a friend from AZ out for the night. He had just came off the long flight and we met here. The service was impeccable. The wine list was amazing..something for all price points! The waitress rattled off all specials as if she memorized them for weeks. She didn't even stumble! They must crack the whip on communication there. We had a jumbo shrimp cocktail appetizer and we both got filet for dinner. The steak was so tender it did not need a knife. It was served with spinach and killer red bliss mashed potatoes. We both ate every bite..almost to the point of embarrassment. All the while, our wine glasses never reached an empty limit. It was great!!! I am reluctant to admit dessert..we had Key Lime Pie, which was amazing! This place was great!!! For all you locals...this was very similar to Houston's, even complete with live music. If you can FIND it...try it!!! It was totally worth the several people I cut off and made furious while trying to read my GPS.
(4)
Jenny V.
My parents picked this place for my birthday. My mom called ahead, made reservations and arrangements for my dessert to have birthday candles or sparklers of the sort. Our waitress, while very sweet, was not knowledgable about the menu. Our food did take pretty long, but my parents said it would be worth the wait. My date and my father said their food was fine, but my Mom's prime rib dinner was cold. My scallops were only warm. The waitress wasn't coming back to the table but the manager did. I informed him about the cold meal my mom had and he did take it away to be fixed. The new one she received was warm, again not hot. My scallops were gristly. We then ordered dessert, because I knew my mom would do something, even though we were full. The waitress told us about the brownie sundae special. I asked if there were nuts in it. She said only in the fudge topping. So I asked for it on the side. Of course when it came the brownies were full of nuts. I did not eat it, oh and the arrangements my mother had made for the dessert for my bday did not happen either. When the check was dropped she didn't say anything. She just left it and walked away. I have been a server on and off for many years. You should always try to make a connection with the table, especially when it's a nice place like this and quite expensive. It was not the special birthday dinner I had hoped for.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Connie L.
I was SO excited to have my brother's birthday dinner here and it was supposed to be by "cheat meal" for the week. After reading reviews, I knew I wanted to order the tenderloin filet because I was craving steak and the bread pudding for dessert! The dinner started off to a good start. Ambiance was nice, our server was nice, the bread was warm and soft. For the appetizer we got the special which was crab tator tots. These were super delicious.. chunks of crab with cream cheese and deep fried. The marmalade sauce that came with it was way too sweet, however, and none of us touched it. The crab tator tots were delicious enough without the sauce. So all was going well, but then the main entrees came out and they were SO disappointing. My sister had been to Stanford Grill previously and she said she had loved the filet but today, she said something was different about the sauce. The steak was still tender and cooked well so it was okay, but it was not hitting the spot. My brother's prime rib was actually really good, tender, and with the horseradish it was amazing! But we had lots of issues with all of the sides and seasoning. The spinach was SO bland and it just needed salt. The green beans, however, were way too salty.. almost inedible. My sister's crab cakes were SO salty that we could not take more than two bites. I have never been to a restaurant with so many issues with seasoning. When the server asked us how the food was, I honestly told her that the crab cakes were way too salty. She called the manager over and I told him they were salty to which he just responded that they use an Old Bay seasoning which is why it may seem salty. Umm.. I grew up in Maryland all of my life and I LOVE Old Bay. I put them on my fries, etc and I don't think that's why the crab cakes were overly salty. Then I told him in general I was disappointed with the entire meal because everything was either too bland or too salty. I guess he thought I was just complaining to get free food because he seemed annoyed and said something along the lines of "I'll make the adjustments to your check." After this, our server completely changed her attitude towards us and she dropped off our check without a single word. We just paid and left. I did not even get the bread pudding which i was looking forward to :[ I left the restaurant annoyed that the manager and server seemed to think we just wanted "adjustments to our bill" and I left SUPER upset that I WASTED my cheat meal on this awful food. What a waste of money and calories! My coworkers told me this place had been getting worse and worse and I should have listened to them. Overall, Pros: Prime Rib-- delicious Cons: everything was either TOO salty or bland... i would expect at least their sides to be perfect totally wanted to try this place out for brunch.. but one of the worst meals ever and WILL NOT RETURN!
(1)Joe G.
The jazz band and the decor is 5 stars but my burger was 2 star by most. The chocolate uprising was the BEST part of our meal!
(4)Capri M.
Great setting for a date night. The low lighting and constant jazz music playing- such an amazing ambiance. Only thing I didn't like was how it was situated behind a hotel and trees. Didn't know it was back there. I ordered the onion ring blossom for an appetizer and when I say that you can't eat that alone, I mean it! For my entree we ordered the rattlesnake pasta- amazing!!!!! For dessert we ordered the cinnamon brownie and ice cream. Talk about colossal!! Will I be back- indeed!
(5)Jinsoo L.
I love the Stanford Grill. Without trusty Yelp, I would have probably NEVER found this place. The restaurant is in a very obscure location behind an office park and 2 star hotels so I dunno how anyone could find it if it wasn't for yelp or you're a local Columbian. I've ate here four times in the past year (3 times for dinner and 1 time for after-dinner drinks/dessert). One thing you don't have to worry about is portion sizes because you will get your money's worth. The first time I came here, apparently they got us confused with another party who had their dinner reservations ignored cuz the manager came by to apologize and gave us 2 cocktails for free. I dunno about you but I never say no to free booze although my gf and I did kinda feel like Steve Carrell and Tina Fey from Date Night. I've had the ribs, filet mignon, ribs again and my gf had rattlesnake pasta, roasted chicken and chicken pot pie. All meals were fantastic and I would order them again. The dessert is also monstrous portions but I don't think the key lime pie is THAT good as they make it out to be. Maybe I'm just not a key lime pie type of person, who knows. The clientele is on the older side. You'll see a lot of cougars and creepy old consultants trying to pick up cougars but that doesn't take away from the fact that everything they serve is top notch quality at a very reasonable price. If you want to save money and still get the full experience, you should probably order an appetizer, 1 entrée to share and 1 dessert to share. That should be plenty of food unless you are a total pig.
(5)Samuel C.
My sister birthday dinner. Great food. Party for 4. First time eating here. Heard about great views from this place. The restaurant is nice and fancy. The staff are nice and friendly. Staff answers all your questions about deserts and food. All the staff works together and the move quick as possible. Great services. The have a nice patio seat outside, nice booth seating and dim lights inside.
(4)Jason B.
The steak salad was good if you only consider the steak. The salad part lacked imagination. If fact, I was rather disappointed to find so much iceberg lettuce shoved into it with only hints of romaine. Next time I want a steak salad, I'll go to Clyde's. Service was spectacular though.
(3)Brian R.
Best restaurant in Columbia. Period. Only upscale place to go. Smooth live jazz paired with great food and drink. Many of the staff have been there for years. Roasted chix is amazing, works on salad at lunch or as main at night. Frites and skin on mash are great. Excellent crab cakes and generally all fish specials. Recently been adding more specials, worth a try. Enclosed patio with fireplace and separate bar great for group events.
(5)Lisa G.
Met a cousin that I hadn't seen in some time here for lunch. I have one girlfriend that raves about Stanford Grill and I now see why. Overall the atmosphere is great and it is a fairly large space considering how small some restaurants are in this area. We started with the house made guacamole which was delish! I had a burger which is a treat for me and my cousin had fish tacos. Everything was excellent. I will go back although it is a drive for me from Silver Spring. Highly recommend this as a dining option. Too bad I didn't get to browse the Wegman's grocery store that I passed enroute.
(4)Paul S.
When the Stanford Grill first opened, it was an amazing restaurant. The food, service and ambiance could not be beat, and we used to dine there at least once a month Then, in 2013, we noticed a distinct downward spiral in food quality and service and cut back on our visits, hoping that the management would get it together. On our most recent visit, the first in a year, we discovered that the menu prices had gone up considerably, yet the food and service remained at the level of a chain restaurant. Our fried green tomato appetizer was overpowered by a strong vinaigrette that dressed the salad underneath. Our entrees were overpriced disasters--both the crab cake and trout were bland and overcooked. The accompanying red cabbage was overdone and mushy. The orzo had no taste and was left uneaten. The server, while engaging, never came to check on us after the entrees were served until it was time to clear the plates, an unforgivable oversight given that these entrees were priced at $30 or more. Unfortunately this is the fourth bad dining experience we have had in a row at Stanford, so we will not be coming back. I believe that the only reason that diners continue to rate this place highly has more to do with the fireplace and enormous portions than any culinary mastery by the kitchen staff. If you are looking for a truly wonderful dining experience in Howard County for about the same money (or less), you owe it to yourself to seek out Bistro Blanc in Glenelg or Ananda in Maple Lawn. Both provide excellent, complex menu offerings, first-rate service and warm and inviting dining spaces. And they are consistently good!
(2)RobnKris K.
Our staple when on business travel in the Baltimore area. The meals are always perfect. The wait staff is top notch. The live music is a classic touch. We love this place and eat here at least one time per visit!
(5)Caroline P.
This was our last night in Maryland where we had our family supper. We were pleasantly suprised to find a jazz piano player and bass player performing near the foyer. They were quick to accomodate our large group of 14 on a Sunday night, even though we didn't make any reservations. Our server was friendly and efficient--she quickly took our orders for drinks and then informed us about several of the specials without skipping a beat. Boy, the portions are huge! Our son tried the skillet cornbread as a starter--it was a bit too spicy for his taste, so he only managed to finish one slice. The rest of the clan loved it, though. I ordered the prime rib(which was cooked medium rare) with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The prime rib was juicy, tender, and sooo delicious! Hubby had the grilled scallops special with couscous and asparagus. Our son managed to finish a large Stanford cheeseburger with a generous portion of crispy fries and he still had room for dessert. Pineapple sorbet, watch out for my son! Hubby and I shared a huge slice of key lime pie which was absolutely divine--not too tart, not too sweet. The crust was very light, yet heavy enough to hold the filling. Great choice for a family dinner!
(5)Daniella H.
This is a great little hidden gem in Columbia, tucked back behind the Green Turtle nxt to the new Wegmans. We've been to the Stanford Grill twice for Sunday Brunch and once for a birthday party. The Sunday Brunch has been delicious on both occasions and it's great that one drink item (mimosa, bloody mary, fresh squeezed OJ, French press coffee, etc) comes along with the meal of choice. I've had the Eggs Benedict on both occasions and have definitely enjoyed it. The most recent time we were here, our 3yo was with us and they brought her a mini magna doodle to play with at the table. Needless to say she's ready to go back again! For the birthday party, friends of ours had rented the back patio porch which is screened in and heated. The food was great, but the service was just ok. They should have been more attentive and spent less time chatting in the corner and more time refilling our glasses. We had to ask for drinks multiple times before receiving them and water glasses were regularly kept full. Regardless we had a great time with friends and they were flexible with us bringing in cupcakes for dessert. The ambiance of this restaurant is fabulous. It's very warm and cozy with a fireplace and live music. Inside table service has been great both times we were there for brunch. We'll definitely be back.
(4)Jennifer V.
My girlfriend and I came in here for dinner since we were staying at the hotel that was in walking distance. We had reservations but decided to sit at the bar to watch the football game. We were greeted by the best bartender I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I was skeptical about ordering the pear martini because she explained it was really sweet. However she took the time to make the drink so it was to sweet. She also made my girlfriends cocktail to perfection. She also gave us her recommendations of what to eat. She was spot on! The lobster mac and cheeses was awesome! My girlfriend at the prime rib which was not to bad and I had the roasted chicken which was great. The food I would give 4 stars (I am from NYC area and nothing beats the food up there) but the service was by far one of the best I have ever had. I am sorry to the bartender I cannot remember her name (the cocktails were a tad strong) because I would give her a shoutout! If we ever find ourselves in the area again we will not hesitate to come back.
(5)Michele W.
FYI this place is popular. It's near hotels, busy, and parking is limited. We arrived at about 7:45 Friday night and there was still a 35-45 minute wait. However, the tables in the bar are up for grabs as people leave. The atmosphere is somewhat romantic with a gas fireplace in the dining area and dimmed lights. It is very loud in there though. I really don't think that I have ever given a chain restaurant a rating this high before. The food was absolutely perfect. Both cuts of steaks that we ordered were cooked like we prefer medium rare towards rare. Meals are paired with freshly made vegetables. You can switch them out if you like. We opted for the listed pairings. The vegetables were cooked perfectly and the portions were huge. Count on taking home leftovers. The steak portions were standard but the vegetables were enough for 2-3 meals. It makes you wonder if they make the huge plates to make you feel like you got your moneys worth. Service was friendly and the waitress knew the menu. However, we ordered an appetizer and no silverware was brought. we had to flag her down for that and there seemed to be a bit of a delay with getting our check. Despite those things it was a very pleasant experience
(5)Fred J.
Stanford Grill is a nice, somewhat upscale restaurant. Despite its name, it's part of the Copper Canyon chain. The service was quite good. The food was fresh. The live jazz was pleasant. My one concern was the over reliance on black and cayenne pepper. While I like spicy food it can be overdone. My wife, who doesn't like spicy food, ordered chicken pot pie. Turns out that the recipe included cayenne pepper - unexpected and too much for her tastes. The manager very kindly took it back and brought her rotisserie chicken which was good, but the accompanying mashed potatoes were spicy. So, in short, a good restaurant unless you don't like spicy in which case you might want to try someplace else.
(3)Brian L.
Great ambiance with live jazz musicians playing regularly. The food is decent. The chicken and ribs are my favorite. They also give huge portions for certain dishes.
(4)Jordan B.
I've eaten here about a half dozen times at this point. Their food, for the most part, is delicious and you receive massive portions. Aside from a stinker or two on the menu and their tendency towards heavy/buttery dishes, this place is a true crowd pleaser. My wife and I recently had our rehearsal dinner here (for about 40 people) and they were extremely accommodating and attentive and every hot dish came out hot. Everyone had a great time and loved the food and it's worth noting that the typically classy and comfortable atmosphere extended into the patio area they put our group in. I'd highly recommended considering Stanford Grill for one of your future special events.
(4)William M.
Went here for brunch this morning and seriously loved it! The ambience is very classy (live jazz musicians). The service at this place is exceptional, and while I've heard it can be pretty pricey for dinner, the brunch prices are totally reasonable. Every choice comes with a free drink. I went with the French toast, and it was without doubt the best French toast I've had ever! The creamy sauce they put on top solidifies the dish. My goodness..still thinking about it.
(5)DJ P.
Great quality meat at a reasonable price. Some sauce and seasoning are not your normal flavors with entrees. The box booths are very comfortable. Live Jazz makes this a grown-up gatherings hot spot.
(4)XIN Z.
Fancy restaurantwith great service. The food is tasty, but for this price, you would probably expect more.
(4)Dean T.
I frequent Stanford Grill about once a month. I really like it. Everything from a "lowly" hamburger to the filet mignon has been fantastic. Why only 4 stars? There is one menu item which is not very good. I've had 4 different people I've been with tell me. I never ate it as I always eat "turf", no surf for me. That item is the crab cakes. Again, everything else is fantastic. For some reason though, the crab cake is mediocre to bad. On every occasion that I've been there with someone that ate it, they said it was bad. After the 4th time, I just tell people to not eat the crab cake.
(4)Charles M.
Another fabulous meal at the Stanford Grill. This time it was brunch and all six of us had something different. Each meal was beautifully prepared with fresh ingredients and all were served hot and at the same exact time. Never had even a complaint at this exceptional restaurant.
(5)Adolfo M.
Loved the place! Very welcoming and with a great staff and inviting open bar. The food so far outstanding and I am giving 4 stars because I want to go back soon and try it again to see if the quality stays the same and change that to 5 stars. The generous 9oz. tenderloin filet hickory smoker cooked to perfection. The grouper with the crunchy brocolini nicely done. The Rotisserie chicken was delicious and large enough to take left overs home. We did not have dessert due to the portions of the entrees, but had French pressed coffee that left us a very satisfying ending to our meal. Thanks to the bartender for the nice Spanish Tempranillo. We will be back to give you the 5 stars that you all deserve. And, I agree with another review, this place reminds me if Houston's. Great job!
(4)Jacob S.
Great food, huge portion sizes, and even entertainment every now and then.
(5)Al E.
Hard to find location. Arrived around 8:30 on Friday night. 20 minute wait for a table but there were tables available in the bar area. Waitress was extremely stressed out and told us she had 9 tables. After promising she would be right with us and then disappearing, she asked a colleague to get our order - good thing. Had the spinach artichoke dip which you will recognize if you're a fan of Houston's, only served without the salsa. Gf had the veggie burger, also a Houston's fave of ours, served with the excellent shoestring fries but not the yummy cole slaw. I tried the grilled fish -- chose mahi instead of grouper -- served with orzo with rice and braised red cabbage -- and lemon butter sauce on the fish (there are 2 other options). The mahi was ok, a little bland. The orzo and rice were well-seasoned. The cabbage was a little odd. Shared the key lime pie. Excellent pecan and graham cracker crust, pretty good filling. Obscenely huge portion with a truly outrageous amount of whipped cream. I was drawn to it because the menu reminded me of Houston's. They don't have the Houston's grilled fish sandwich, unfortunately, and it's a bit of a hike from Baltimore. The live jazz was nice.
(3)Clint T.
Best place in howard county. Bang for your buck wise you won't beat it. There are places that might eek out a better overall experience but it'll be twice as much. My wife and I just ate and drank like royalty with live jazz and a fire and amazing service from korinne for 80 bucks. That won't get you two glasses of wine and a salad at ruths Chris and the atmosphere here is better. Love it love it.
(5)Grace C.
SO.GOOD. I was staying at the Courtyard Marriott, where the staff told me that the steak place near the hotel was really good, and any seafood they got was received that very day. I wanted to meet up with a friend, and he wanted to go here, so we came by on a Wednesday night. We initially had reservations for 9pm, but we were running late. At 8:55pm, I called the restaurant once I had cell phone reception, apologized for the late time, but was wondering if we could change the reservation to 9:30pm. The employee was a perfect sweetheart, said it was no problem, and that 9:30pm would be fine. Parking lot was still a bit full when we rolled in at around 9:30pm. Seated right away after giving our name. Atmosphere is good for dates, or just a good amount of people. The more intimate the party, the better. The interior was very clean, very spacious, very nice. We were seated at our table, the server provided us with our menus, and told us that someone would be with us shortly. Our main attendant came by, recited some of the specials for the day, took our drink orders, and we browsed the menu while waiting for her. In the end, we ordered one of the special appetizers of the day: the fried oysters. DE-LISH. Was fried perfectly, with not too much oil, and the salsa it had on it was complimented with the lemon that we would squeeze on top. Only regret was that we should have ordered a wine to pair with it. For our entrees, my friend ordered their steak, medium rare, which also came with sauteed vegetables and mashed potatoes. I ordered the ahi tuna salad, as I needed to be on a plane in a few hours, and didn't want too much in my stomach with the risk of purging everything out... Regardless, our foods came out really well. The steak was this nice juicy steak, grilled properly and with the nice pink center that screamed medium rare. Mashed potatoes and sauteed veggies were plentiful on his plate, and he had butter and au jus for the steak. He definitely enjoyed his steak. For my salad, there was a perfect amount of dressing, and the candied nuts were so good. I was surprised on how the goat cheese was mixed in to create a different taste and texture to the salad. Brilliant mix. As for the Ahi tuna, it was seared well, but I wasn't sure if the pairing of it with the salad was the best it could be. It was definitely good by itself, but was a little strange if I tried to combine it with the salad. For the dessert, we had the key lime pie. The whipped cream was brilliant. Nice and thick that it almost tasted like vanilla ice cream. May have been one of the best key lime pies I ever had, as well. Overall, every food we had was perfect or near-perfect. Everything tasted great, everything came out the way we ordered, and the staff was excellent. Prices can be high, so be prepared. But, the food is definitely worth the prices. Had enough for leftovers, too. And for it to be around 30 feet from my hotel? Talk about a bonus =) Will definitely be back if I'm in the area again.
(5)Autumn W.
We love Stanford Grill. It is really expensive though. Food and dessert are always delicious.
(4)Brian L.
I recommend the rotisserie chicken. Good food good ambiance.
(4)Clint O.
Crabcakes were awesome. $10 each, yikes! Got some to go after eating a few. Service was great too.
(5)Dawn A.
One of my ace's took me for a birthday outing. We had reservations(wha..) for a Friday at 12 pm. When we pulled up, I was like are they giving out free food - the joint was pizacked(emphasis). My friend(she's too sweet) got us the best table in the place; we were right in front of the fire place. The menu looked really good and as girlfriends often do, we decided to share our meals. We ordered the following: Crab tower(crab, mango, avocado) appetizer - this was okay, but I'm an Island girl(GRENADA) and that mango was NOT ripe(- 1 STAR) The salmon burger - Bill, the waiter, explained that this is from the salmon that they cook daily. The burger was just meh; someone forgot the seasoning. I was literrally - the scraps from the salmon that they cook daily. After requesting bbq, ketchup and mustard the sandwich was PERFECT. Crab cakes - ooooohhhh these two cakes were the bomb! We also had spinach, I didn't like it, but my girlfriend lOVED it. The glazed carrots - perfect and the asparagus - can't go wrong. Additionally, our season less salmon burger came with coleslaw. I am NOT a mayo fan at all so I attempted to push it over, but some of it got on my fork and boy was a HAPPY. I had me some mayo that day. All in all I'd visit again and would HIGHLY recommend that you make reservations. They are a sister establishment to COPPER CANYON Grill(I frequent the SSpring location b/c it's close to my job), but they(S. Grill) seem a little more classy. I was happy with my food and I was down 2.4 lbs on my weekly weigh ins - yes as the de-fluff mission is always continuing.
(3)Brian M.
I'd give 3.5 stars if I could., but since dinner last night was very good, I'll round up for this review. Really they do a pretty good job. Service is friendly and attentive, borderline pretentious. The menu is straigtforward with a good mix of chicken, beef, and fish. Last night DW and I dined with friends. We shared skillet cornbread and fiesta egg rolls. Both were nicely portioned and very tastie. Entrees among the group included filet and crab cake, rib eye, chicken pot pie. All entrees were excellent and all steaks were cooked to temp spot on. So DW and I have now eaten at Stanford twice. The first time was about a 2 star, this visit was definitely an improvement. Perhaps this will start to be a go to location for us.
(4)Chi O.
Godawful service. I was attempting to get a giftcard for my inlaws to dine here for Christmas and my not living in the area and need to have a physical email confirmation to give during Christmas were so hard to do that the manager refused. Had to either come in.. Which I cannot cuz I don't live there or buy it online with the only option that it be mailed in which case it would arrive too late. Simply allowing me to purchase it over the phone and have my inlaws pick it up - with ID's on the day of their choosing was way too much to ask. All I got was cutting into my sentences and requests and a straight up refusal for something so simple- and over the holidays too. Awful awful service.
(1)Andy A.
First time there and everything was wonderful . The food was great and the service was outstanding .
(4)Eric H.
Amazing! Great food! Expensive but generally worth it. Average service. Bar staff is young and inexperienced. Love the reward system. The fresh fish board never disappoints! Looking for the sleeper menu items!? The Salmon and the Rotisserie Chicken.
(4)Alyssa M.
Yummmmmmm! Let me start in reverse order. The dessert is SOOOOOO GOOD. Key lime pie... divine. Bread pudding... DELISSSHHH!!!!!!!! Everything is homemade that comes out of the kitchen. The steak... I got well-done... and it was "WELL done..." ...Almost too much but I still ate it. Ambiance is very nice... very upscare looking. I would not say this is the best restaurant that I've been to like I hear ppl saying but it def is a good choice.... Service was THE BEST SERVICE I'VE had ANYWHERE!!
(4)Trenae H.
Stanford Grill is a hidden GEM!!! It is not on any main roads so be sure to use Mapquest. The ambience is nice with dim lighting and they have a fireplace inside. It gives off a warm and cozy feel. They also have an outdoor patio. I have tasted several dishes . The rotisserie chicken is superb. You can actually see them making it with 32 seasonings (I think). The Hickory Grilled Tenderloin Filet was amazing and the salmon is seasoned to perfection. The staff is very helpful nad nice. During holidays I order from them too. My family loves the food and the prices are reasonable. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Michael D.
The 4 star rating was spot on. The ambiance was delightful. I'm a sucker for live music that fits the setting. I ordered the crab cakes ( hey it's Maryland) and subbed out the fries for a caesars salad. When the bartender asked if I was ok with the red peppers in it I said no problem but was a tad bit nervous. What she didn't say was it had sweet cornbread croutons. The combo of the red peppers and the cornbread croutons what wonderful. The description of the crab cakes made them seem bigger than it actually was. The flavor of the crab cakes was exactly what I expected. The Dijon mustard that accompanies the dish really helped. The thing I didn't expect was the flavor of the cole slaw. Fresh and tangy with a slight bit of sweetness. Next time I will make sure to try the ahi tuna salad. A woman at the bar next to me ordered that. It almost made me regret my order. But the cole slaw ended any regret I might have felt.
(4)Ashley N.
I'm going to start with dessert because holy jizzballs, it was delicious and enormous! The bread pudding was so yummy. It was dense, creamy, raisiny and sweet. If you like light and fluffy bread pudding, this ain't for you. Anyways, we had a reservation and they sat us about 20 minutes after the reservation time. Apparently this happens a lot here. We came with another couple and the ladies got the filet and the lobster mac! The men got prime rib and crab cakes. The filet was very delicious, mine was a bit overdone, but still had great flavor and juice to steak ratio. The mac was divine! It was creamy, sharp, lobstery and amazing. Hubby liked the prime rib, and it was fatty in all the right places. Crab cakes looked okay, wouldn't be something I order at this type of place, but he finished his dinner. The mashed potatoes were okay-- they had a spicy peppery, as in overly peppery taste. Gross, not my favorite. We had beers and cocktails and they were fresh and good. And we got spinach artichoke dip for an app, and it was plenty to share between four people. The food is big portions! Now for the service, the manager, drew came over and apologized for the late seating. Kudos, Drew! The waiter who shall remain nameless was okay. He forgot about bringing water refills, and talked a lot about his job, and things that go along with serving there, and beyond. It was okay in the beginning, but it got real lame toward the end. Like, I didn't wanna hear it toward the end. So here's where I dock a star, for his service. The food came out pretty quickly though, by the runners. Food was good. The inside is very romantic/ on the darker side. It's also very clean. I'll definitely be back. I hear the service is better than what we received.
(4)Spencer H.
So, if you've EVER dined at Copper Canyon then you have dined at Stanford Grill! LITERALLY!!!! This by no means is a bad thing as my 4 stars would indicate! For those that have never eaten at either, this is what Stanford Grill aka "Copper Canyon" is. A place that has a high end steakhouse feel, from the Baby Grand piano to the Bass player to the rich wood accents, plush seating, huge fireplace and extremely attentive service. The food is exceptional but unlike high end restaurants, their meals include side dishes and are all under $40 bucks! I had the all meat Crabcake/ Filet Mignon combo with asparagus and spinach. This meal is not on the menu but thanks to my date who has eaten at Stanford Grill before, she allowed me follow her lead! Everything was prepared perfectly! I have never had a bad meal at Copper Canyon and Stanford Grill lived up to Copper Canyon's standard! Roundup: If you want a fine dining experience without breaking the bank, then either of these two outstanding establishments are EXACTLY what you're looking for. You would have easily accomplished your goal!!!
(4)Bianca F.
Where do I begin besides go here!?! I love this restaurant! It's a sister restaurant to Copper Canyon. They have a great menu. My favorite items are the ahi tuna salad and the pumpkin cheesecake. The pumpkin cheesecake is divine because it looks like a giant Reese's peanut butter cup & the serving size is 1/4 of a whole cheesecake. Oh yea! That dish sells out early so put in your order upon arrival.
(5)Sylvia B.
Oh wow I don't know where to start. This is a very upscale restaurant. The atmosphere and surroundings is definitely a place that i enjoyed being at. We went on a Saturday evening. We had reservations. I would definitely recommend making reservations especially on the weekend. We were seated right away. We had booth seating. Near the entrance. They had a live performance of jazz. So soothing and relaxing. They played their instruments with so much class. Our waiter name was Jesse he gave us excellent service and Constantly checked on us. He explained all the chef recommendations which I took advantage of. I had the swordfish for my main dish which came with a very yummy Rice pilaf, and Broccoli Rabe which was superb. The fish probably could have used a bit more salt but I'm supposed to be watching my salt intake so l left that alone lol. Heck i might have to give up regular broccoli for another taste of the Broccoli Rabe. It was my first time having it and I loved it. It reminded me of kale greens but still had the taste of broccoli but so much tender. We ordered the cheese plate for the appetizer which paired very well with the wine. Which i loveee red wine so i took my chances with the layered Cake wine. Oh it did not disappoint. It's a semi sweet red wine. Very tasteful we both enjoyed it very much. My finace let me try some of his spareribs. Omgggg they were so tender and mouth watering falling of the bones good! Every one there was so nice and the service and music was excellent. This was the perfect Date night. Just know that you get what you pay for and this is as I said before a very high class upscale restaurant. And it definitely show in the prices but its so worth it. The food is great and plentiful. . Unfortunately they had an emergency issue with the fire department coming so everyone had to vacate. I was so glad i had a chance to finish my meal and dine there. Because of the mishap everyone got their food free of charge and we were offered by the manager $50.00 off our next dine in service with them and of course we are looking forward to it. As I stated before the food and service was Excellent in my opinion. Looking forward to our next visit so if you have not tried them out and are willing to pay for excellent food and service. Give them a try. I'm so glad we did!
(5)Dave W.
We enjoyed a business dinner In this busy American food locale! Luckily, someone had thought ahead and procured us reservations. The best part was truly the service, both enthusiastic and knowledgable. Customizations were gracefully recorded and everything for our party of five was exactly as ordered. For those that know one of my food weaknesses, I can confidently report that the Mac and Cheese with bacon was creamy and cheesy goodness. The rest was well made but not overly spectacular.
(3)Sean C.
Today my coworkers and I had a cocktail party at the Stanford Grill in Columbia. The service all around was exceptional for the whole staff that was given to us, particularly the bartenders, Evan and Michael. They were personable, entertaining and very efficient. They kept the drinks full and flowing throughout and maintained their humor and smile. As long as those two are helping us out, we would be happy to bring our party business back to Stanford and would also recommend anyone else to do the same. Thanks again to Evan and Michael and their whole crew!!
(5)Thomas J.
This place replaced an old steak house that was kinda funky with a western theme. I was impressed the first time I came here for a party. The place is very busy with lots of lovely faces and people. The atmosphere is some what electric a with people really enjoying themselves and the company of friends, Family, or just a good meal. On this day was brunch Sunday. The had a small jazz band that played and were very good. I ordered a salad. I am not big on crutons but the corn bread crutons were very crunchy and added a bit of sweetness to the meal that made it very well balanced and delicious. I was a little put off on the cost of the salad which was $15 plus tip. But all in all everyone in my party enjoyed their meal and I would return here. Suggestions: 1) Management should think about parking this place is very popular and the parking is lot is full. With small parking spaces. Very tight for SUV 2) More signs Directing you to the place. Hey your in an office park and people get lost even at night.
(4)Andrew R.
Not 5 stars because it's overpriced. My first time here. I had the prime rib($32). Very good, big piece of meat that had a tasty rub on it that added a little heat. It came with green beans and mash potatoes. I'd say this meal is probably 5 to 7 dollars overpriced, but still yummy. The restaurant itself is very clean and upscale. Nice big bar. Higher end clientele. Clean/well dressed staff. I'll be returning for a burger and a beer. Not a large beer selection but adequate. I can tell the ladies love this place.
(4)Syreeta B.
My family and I came here for brunch. It was a party of 5. I reserved table was ready as soon as we arrived. Definite plus. Our servers came to our table immediately to take our drink orders. I ordered the Bellini. A Sunday brunch staple, It was just right. Actually I ordered several Bellini's. I was in the mood for breakfast, I had the French toast with caramelized bananas, grand mariner sauce and fresh berries with a side of Applewood Bacon. Others at the table ordered the steak and eggs as well as the grilled cheeseburger. We had a very slight mishap during our brunch and the manager was so gracious to give us a dessert on the house. The setup at The Stanford Grill is very cozy. The open kitchen the fireplace and live piano playing make for a wonderful and comfortable dining experience.
(4)Tenisha D.
Omg! One of THE best restaurants I've ever been to. The food is amazing, the ambiance is amazing, the decor is amazing, the wait staff is amazing, everything about it is amazing! I went for the second time this past Easter Weekend and before that was about a year ago. I ordered the pot pie which was still delicious. My friends and I ordered appetizers. We had the western egg rolls and guacamole and chips. One friend ordered the rattlesnake pasta for an entree and the other ordered the pork shank special with mashed potatoes and the bacon Mac and Cheese. She said her dish would very good as well. Then we topped off dinner with dessert, of course I had the bread pudding which was amazing as well (even though I don't like raisins, I took them out but was still delicious). My friend had the flourless chocolate cake which I tasted as well and it was so rich and delicious I could only eat a few bites. The raspberry sauce made it extra special too! I love this place and will be back again when I visit Maryland!
(5)Elle H.
My mother and I ate here for the first time last week. We were in the area for a doctor's appointment. I searched on my phone for nearby restaurants for lunch. This place had a great rating, and I liked what I saw on the menu, so naturally we wanted to try it! We (embarrassingly) arrived right as they were opening. The hostess was on the phone when we came in, so we stood there and waited. She didn't make eye contact with us or acknowledge we were there until she hung up. Another hostess came up to seat us. We requested a table. We were shown to a booth and politely repeated we wanted a table. We were shown to a table on the right side along the wall - perfect! There was only one booth occupied when we were seated. Our server Kelly (I hope I'm spelling his name right) was friendly and had a smile on his face. He asked us if we had been to the restaurant before, and proceeded to tell us how the restaurant worked. Everything is fresh and to cooked to order, so we prepared for our lunch to be a little longer than normal. He also informed us that all the servers work as a team, meaning we could stop and ask any server walking by for whatever we needed. He told us the specials, took our drink order, and gave us some time to look over the menu. The hardest part was trying to figure out what yummy dish I wanted to try! We ordered the guacamole appetizer (the "official" name escapes me), the Crispy Canyon Sandwich, and the Famous French Dip Sandwich. The guacamole appetizer was AMAZING - completely fresh, seasoned perfectly, and came with chips and salsa. The salsa had a smokey flavor and was delicious mixed with the guac. We saved half of the dish to take home. Trust me, I wanted to gobble up the whole thing! After we put our main order in, a manager came over to our table and said he heard we were first timers to the restaurant. He asked us if we would fill out a card after our meal, and upon completion, we would receive a coupon for a free appetizer that could be applied to the appetizer we ordered that day or a future appetizer. We were more than happy to fill out the card. The manager constantly walked around the restaurant during our meal, making sure everything was running smoothly. The Crispy Canyon Sandwich is chicken pan seared with a basil-cracker crust, with mayo, dressed kale, tomato, and Monterrey Jack cheese on a sesame seed bun, and came with thin french fries - my favorite! The sandwich was delicious. I loved the crust on the chicken and the dressing on the kale had a bit of a kick. The sandwich was cut in half when it arrived, which I appreciated. It allowed me to take the other portion home, and I didn't have to struggle with everything falling off my sandwich if I attempted to cut it myself. The Famous French Dip Sandwich is slow roasted prime rib, thinly sliced, with creamy horseradish sauce, on a baguette, served with a cup of au jus and thin french fries. My mother ordered her meat medium well and it was cooked perfectly. The meat was tender and juicy. My mother loved it and said it was one of the best french dip sandwiches she's had. At the end of our meal, we filled out the card the manager brought to us. The card asked our name and address, how much we spent on our meal, what made us decide to stop in, how we would rate the food and service, and what other comparable restaurants we dined at in the last 30 days. We turned in our card to Kelly and he returned with a free appetizer coupon. The restaurant was completely packed when we left! Lunch was pretty pricey (a little over $50) but everything was fresh, delicious, and worth it, in my opinion. Great service, amazing food, and a full stomach... You can't get any better than that! We will definitely return to this restaurant!
(5)Jackie A.
Personally, I believe the Stanford Grill sets too high of a standard that not even itself can reach. The ambiance is there - slate floors, intimate booths, lit candles - an appealing, homey menu, with lots of comfort food (though a tad pricey) - a wait staff, dependent upon one another, in providing efficient and effortless customer service and the fact that the menu is comprised solely of house-made foods. With all this going for it, I'm anticipating and expecting a scrumptious meal. Unfortunately, this was not the case, but it is the reason for the two star rating. The food isn't bad, mind you, but it's not exceptional either. We started off with the salsa and tortilla chips. I enjoyed the salsa, with it's zip from the fresh lime juice, diced tomatoes and onions and enough fresh pepper, to leave a lasting tingle on your tongue. The chips were warm and a tad thicker, than I would have liked - but, that's just a preference. I ordered the touted rotisserie chicken, a side of lobster mac and cheese, and sautéed spinach. The chicken was.. well, chicken. Nothing spectacular, in my mind. My convection oven at home, could have made this chicken, but tastier (in my opinion). A rub of olive oil onto the skin, with some fresh thyme, tucked underneath, along with seasoned butter - would have marinated and basted the meat, leaving the skin to crisp up. As it was, the only prominent flavor, was over powered by salt. Our waiter boasted about this chicken and its many spices, it's a shame I couldn't discern them. The side of mac and cheese tasted more like Lobster Newburg, with noodles - too much sherry, too much salt. Sure wish I could have tasted that cheese. I kept wondering, how this dish might have tasted, had it not been doused with sherry. My lightly sautéed spinach was sublime. My husband got one of the house specials, a pulled rotisserie chicken, with barbecue sauce, atop a sesame seed bun. Hard to believe that a restaurant, boasting of a completely house-made menu, would put out a sauce that tasted as if it came out of a bottle. On the bright side, our waiter Mike, was wonderful - a tad cheeky, informative and immensely efficient. He knew the menu and the prices, well.
(2)Shyla K.
OMG it's freaking amazing. Great food, magnificent atmosphere, and its my favorite restaurant in Columbia. The outside patio provides a romantic atmosphere in the winter especially. Coconut shrimp is good, of course steak is tasty, and the wine selection is plentiful. This place makes me very happy....it will make you happy too, and the special lady or man in your life too.
(5)Melissa M.
There is a reason we have been here every New Year's Eve for the past 4 years. Even the pickiest of eaters can appreciate their perfectly cooked steaks and gourmet mac and cheese.
(4)Karen L.
The food is amazing here and the service is wonderful. I got one of the best salads I have ever had on one visit and cheesecake on another visit. In both visits the service was terrific and consistent and the food was amazing. I love this place!
(5)Nikeita P.
Very long review, but as a frequent visitor since 2012 (before I started yelping) my reflections have honestly downgraded Stanford from five stars to one star. Read below to find out why I was gracious with a three star review and how bad customer service was, the spotting of a mouse, the quality of food as well as my husband's experience with food poisoning. We absolutely love this place so it was a no brainier that we would celebrate my husband's birthday here on Friday, May 15th. I could not confirm if it was Amina or Sasha at the hostess stand with Shanelle, but whichever one it was absolutely disappointed me. I had a reservation set for 9pm and while we did arrive a little after 8:30 pm, Shanelle told us they were running behind on their 8:30 pm reservations so they would be able to seat us closer to 9pm. After standing for a while, I informed Shanelle that we would sit outside until our table was ready and she stated that she could seat us now and asked either Amina or Sasha to check if the table was ready. Amina or Sasha tried to seat us somewhere other than where Shanelle wanted to assign us, but Shanelle insisted that we should be sat at the original table assigned and Amina or Sasha left to check on the table but never came back. Shanelle asked us to wait outside and she would come get us when the table was ready. We came back into the restaurant a little after 9pm and Shanelle asked Amina or Sasha again to see if the table she chose for us was ready. Like before she disappeared and a semi frustrated Shanelle decided to abandon the hostess stand to seat us. While impressed I was very disappointed because I highly regard Stanford's food, service and experience. I've supported both of Woodfire's establishments since 2012 (Copper Canyon & Stanford Grill), so tonight I knew something was off and very wrong. When I booked the reservation on 5/14/15, the female hostess who answered the phone was very rude, not personable and short. To make matters worse, we spotted a mouse during dinner and flagged down the nearest server to inform her. She apologized, told us it happens every spring due to the outdoor dining area. She stated that traps are set outside and exterminators come frequently in an attempt to ward off mice. Our meal today was not as delicious and appealing as it usually is. My husband enjoyed his meal of Prime Rib and I had my usual the rotisserie chicken. My green beans came out lukewarm, undercooked and bland. The mashed potatoes was a tiny bit warmer and the meal overall was just okay. In the pit of my stomach, I knew something was not right, but I couldn't place my finger on it and I did not want to ruin my husband's birthday dinner as this was the final event of a fully planned birthday. As I type/finalize this review at 4:11 am on 5/16/15, I am nursing my husband back to health with what we believe to be a case of food poisoning. He isn't feeling good at all and for a lack of descriptive images, he is relieving himself through both ends. I am very thoroughly disappointed in Stanford and never expected it to come to this. I do not believe that we will frequent this establishment for a very long time. Today's review would be rated as a one star review, but I gave it three stars solely based on past experiences.
(3)Gabrielle L.
First off Stanford Grill isn't a bad restaurant. Food was pretty good the other times I've been there, but my latest experience kind of has me wondering why there's such a different between the lunch and dinner experiences I've had. So let me explain: I came in for lunch because I've been craving their Caesar salad. Strange, I know but to each their own and before you ask why I don't just order "real food", I don't normally eat lunch not because I don't want to but there is no time for me normally. And so when I do eat lunch I don't eat a lot or else I get really tired and sluggish. Anyways came in without a reservation, got seated immediately because the lunch group was probably mostly done. Sat for around 10-15 minutes waiting for the waiter/ waitress. This feels like forever when you're hungry and it's strange because normally someone comes by, introduces themselves and asks for drink orders. There were only maybe 4 other tables and there were probably 6-7 different waiters and waitresses in the back. I don't know what happened but when the waitress did come I just ordered my salad. I could tell the waitress was not necessarily pleased we ordered so little. Anyways she put in the order and it come out reasonably fast. When a salad comes out and you find wilted, pink tinged lettuce along with the inedible end thrown in, it kinda annoys you. And when it's at a "nice", more expensive restaurant it just makes me mad. And confuses me. My friend got better lettuce from the Wegmens salad bar. I hate conflict with waiters or waitresses. I hate complaining and making a stink. So I just picked out the bad pieces and ate the rest, which was not bad. I wasn't sure whether to say something once I finished but when the waitress brought the check and a little container for "left overs" I pointed the wilted pieces and huge end chunk to her and said I'm not taking anything home. I didn't think my tone was nasty, maybe it came across that way because she didn't apologize, instead asking if I needed change for the cash I left for the bill. Apparently she also gave me a look. I didn't even know how to respond, but I've never not tipped so I just told her no and left. She only came to the table to take the order and to "see if things were ok" when I was basically already done. I paid tip for someone to basically bring me a bad salad and then look at me like I was dumb. I guess I'm supposed to order a lot to make someone happy. This is the last time I come for lunch, if ever for a while. I won't not recommend this place but I will recommend other places over this one. You can always find other places that serve just as good American food.
(3)Amanda Z.
This place used to require that men wear a jacket or sports xoat for dinner service. They do not anymore but the rest of the ambiance that goes along with restaurant's that have a dress code remains. The waiters work in teams so you never have to swivel or wonder when your water will be refilled There special is their roasted chicken which is so juicy and flavorful. My boyfriend had the skirt steak and he said that it was one of the best prepared steaks he has ever had
(4)Jessica C.
I recently went for my second time at Stanford Grill and both times I really enjoyed it. The restaurant is a classic American dining establishment who really prides themselves on, seemingly, just about everything. The décor is very rich and romantic, the food is all fresh and made to order, and the staff is amazing. Our waiter, Mike, told us a little bit about the training that the waitstaff has to go through - they have to eat everything and know a lot about all of it. And it really does show! The first time my fiancé and I went here (in February) it was for our anniversary and we stuck pretty standard. We got the fried calamari appetizer and we both ordered steaks. It was all delicious.... and the portions were ridiculous. I decided to switch it up a bit last night and split two entrees with someone else. First I ordered the rattlesnake pasta, because it sounded like an awesome way to try their much talked about rotisserie chicken. The pasta comes with linguini in a Cajun alfredo sauce, with the chicken, garlic, bell peppers, mushroom, and lime juice tossed in. They top it with smoked mozzarella and chopped cilantro. And I can say now: it was awesome! Of all of the things I've tried at Stanford, this dish is by far the best! (Which is kind of funny, because when you think about delicious steaks and seafood and things like that versus a little linguini and chicken dish you would definitely think the former would be really leaving more of an impression!) We also had one of the specials for that night, which was 2 soft shell crabs with a really good spaghetti squash and pearled Israeli couscous. It was very good but I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the pasta. Someone else ordered another special for the night, which was a pork chop, and it was the biggest pork chop I have ever seen in my life! It could easily be a full meal for 2 full grown adults. Speaking of portion sizes - dessert. The chocolate uprising. It's essentially a really well made GIANT brownie ice cream sundae. We had 4 people splitting it this time, and we have leftovers in our freezer. (The first time we ordered it we barely made a dent - with the leftovers we basically had dessert for the week!) All of their desserts sound incredible, but if you have a sweet tooth you will want to check this out. The next time we go back (which I'm sure will be soon) I want to try the bread pudding with Grand Marnier in it. The downsides to going to Stanford fortunately have nothing to do with food or service. It's really pretty difficult to find, especially at night (it's a little bit off of the beaten path, kind of between a Marriott and an office park.) So if you don't know exactly where you're going make sure to have a GPS ready. Parking is TERRIBLE. It's probably because this place is always busy but really there are just not enough parking spots. We parked in the office parking lot next door and crossed our fingers that we wouldn't get towed because it was after hours. I don't know what people do during lunch hours. And finally the restaurant can get pretty loud. The acoustics just aren't great. I think they had live jazz music, but I couldn't hear it at all. It was sometimes hard to hear one another just talking across the table. When we went in February it wasn't very crowded and was much quieter, so it was pretty romantic. But on a crowded night like earlier this week some of the romantic ambiance is lost by the sheer volume. Not a terrible thing - just something to be aware of.
(4)Nicole W.
After reading 'yelp' reviews, we gave this place a try for our dinner date. Came in on a Saturday at 3:30 and it was not too busy. Main waitress was 'Johnna' and she was fantastic (very friendly and checked with us often without disturbing our meal. She asked after each item and is was nice to know she wanted to make sure we were pleased with it). The atmosphere was great for a date and we sat by the fireplace; on this cold of a day it was perfect. Their salad dressing is delicious and while others may not enjoy it being pre mixed in, we liked it. I had the avocado-ranch and my fiance had the one that was similar to a thousand island. My fiance had their wood fire rotisserie chicken, with bacon mac and cheese. The meat of the chicken was juicy and full of flavor. Mac and cheese was very smooth and creamy. I had the new york strip and it was cooked exactly as I had asked. I am a cowgirl at heart and the fact that they put their steak on a real grill to give it a little charcoal flavoring to it was epic. I love A1 sauce, but found myself loving their in house made sauce more. It was thick like a gravy and stuck to the meat. The sides were cooked perfectly as well. We had their chocolate up rise for dessert and it was a great topper for the meal and more then two people could eat!! Well are already planning a return visit.
(5)Carolyn C.
I have always noticed this restaurant up on the hill from the highway when driving by; however, I just thought it was a part of the hotels that are located back there. I wish I would have found this gem earlier! Due to their location being so off the beaten path and basically between a small building park and multiple hotels this hotel is a bit hard to find! If it wasn't for a girlfriend who was absolutely obsessed with this place I would have never been here! Therefore, if you can find it, TRY IT! **Please note that proper attire is required!** Stanford Grill is owned by the Blueridge Restaurant Group and also has a partner restaurant called Copper Canyon Grill. The group is actually headquartered in Columbia, Maryland and is locally owned and operated. The restaurant feature fresh ingredients from local farmers and vendors. I hear that they are in the works of opening another location in Tower Oaks! The restaurant has an abundant amount of parking available most likely due to the amount of hotels around this location. The building looks welcoming and architecture is contemporary. The ambiance of the inside is wholehearted, warm, cozy, comfortable, and very appealing. There is wood paneling, elegant lighting, large windows and relaxing booths .There is a bar to the immediate right of the door and the rest floor plan is entirely designated for table seating. Please note that if you get hot quickly or just do not like being toasty make sure you request to sit away from the fire. The fireplace is relatively large and the heat it gives off is overpowering. Also, sometimes they have live music such as piano or soft jazz. The servers, runners and bartenders are observant, attentive, accommodating, helpful and overall fantastic. The service at this restaurant is impeccable. The menu is large, from the wine list, beer list, food and all the way to their luscious desserts. There is something at each price point so it makes it affordable to all. Each night there are different special which the servers memorize so well! If I had to rattle that information off to a table I would lose my train of thought. If I could eat and spend money like this often, I would do so here! I would totally be a regular. In fact I would love if I could rent the chef and his team out to make all my meals. That would be epic. This year I purchased gift cards for all my family members to come here!
(5)Barry B.
I like money. I like what money can do for you most of all. A median amount of it can expose you to places like The Stanford Grill. There are some places in the world that reflect money without being obnoxious about it. The Stanford Grill accomplishes its subtle "you have arrived" ambiance without any of the stuffy pretense of places that cost much more and are not half as nice. Its location is a little off the beaten path, not hard to get to; just not where you would expect an oasis of class. It's beside one of those non-descript hotel chains and on a slight hill. You pass by some dingy government buildings and semi-industrial flat buildings. The only thing missing is a lake and this place would be perfect. Perhaps they can buy the vacant grassy lot that the patio overlooks and put in a water feature, with a path and two perfect little benches. That would make it a little slice of suburban paradise. I went with my Angels. Four of the most lovely and delightful co-workers I have ever had the privilege of working with. It was our own office luncheon minus the "forced fun" of the White Elephant gift exchange. I am their Boseley (the Bernie Mac version of course- not the inimitable David Doyle). There is no possible way for a guy to have a bad time with four beautiful ladies-thank you Angels. Our server was prompt, knowledgeable and engaging. She impressed right away with her lay down of the numerous specials being offered that day. Many, even good, waitstaff can fumble their way through that first impression. For me that is the first real display of skill. Anyone can walk up, greet a table and ask for a drink order. It's selling the specials without selling the specials that impresses me. Others have covered the food so I won't linger. I think it's enough to say-straightforward high-end American Fare done right and well presented. The two young one's immediately whipped out their phones to share the bounty with Instagram...that's a thing I've been told. It was charming, I liked it. This is a great place for any of those slightly special occasions. I saw people in jeans, however I think it's a space, an ambiance that deserves business casual at least. A gentleman would not be overdressed in a jacket and tie, and ladies a dress and some heels are not just for Sunday. I will be back.
(5)Kay B.
I would come back here for the food and libations, but it's the noise when full-house that earned Stanford Grill a 3. They appear to have NO acoustic absorption at all and it sounds more like a busy bazzar than a nice restaurant. The atmosphere is understated and classy. They had live jazz playing when we came in at 8:45pm on a Saturday. It did not last too much longer. Rotisserie chicken and ribs here are the specialty. The chicken was very tender and tasty. It was overseasoned, but after being dunked in the broth was just fine. They have thin-style fries here, about the size of potato stick chips. Try the fleur de lis cocktail. Elderflower liquer and vodka.
(3)Sandy T.
I cannot tell you how many times I've been here--too many. This sister restaurant of Cooper Canyon embraces a romantic atmosphere/venue with the piano and bass players, dark interior with rich wood accents and fire places. Service have always been great, but after being here so many times and trying a large portion of their menus, I can confidently say their food is average. Don't get me wrong, I definitely do recommend trying this restaurant if you haven't, especially since it is a nice & chic dinning area. Been here for brunch and dinner before, and not once have I encounter bad service. The staffs are very attentive and friendly making every visit worthwhile. The food... it's pretty bland and I think many people speak a bit too highly of it. Of all my visits, I haven't encounter any dish that was memorable and worth trying again. Everything seems average; there's always something missing in their dishes. I cannot pinpoint what it is exactly. On a better note, they have a huge list of wine to choose from and a full bar! A great location for romantic dates and Happy hour.
(3)Karen K.
Dinner at the Stanford Grill was excellent in all respects - food, ambiance, service. The team approach to serving each table was explained immediately. Ask anyone and they will bring you what you want. Our main server, Mandy, was informative, attentive, not intrusive and very helpful. Two diners enjoyed the prime rib - one medium rare and one medium well. Both arrived at the perfect doneness and deliciousness. Not a bite left. The crab cakes were also yummy with lumps of crabmeat and not much filler. Perfect for a Marylander. I am looking forward to dining at Stanford Grill again with the opening in Rockville coming soon.
(5)N S.
Don't believe the hype. This is a fake-me-out Houston's (that fails) and was just okay meaning I will not return. They do have a nice patio and the key lime pie is tasty, But overall, nothing special. Plus, the appetizer spinach artichoke dip is $15.00 which is even higher priced than Houston's/Woodmont Grill.
(3)Shawn S.
Columbia - This place was recommended by a friend so I decided to take my significant other on a date and try them out. The atmosphere was inviting and they had a live 3 man Jazz band playing. Candlelit tables and a nice fireplace sets a real mild mood. Ordered the Spinach Dip n chip for appetizers and that was great !!!! For the entrée we ordered The Salmon and Crab Cakes dinners and no complaints at all. Highly recommend this as a date night place to eat
(5)Jen N.
Went there for lunch again, excellent experience. Our waitress, alexandr was attentive and fast. We were in and out in under an hour for lunch. Food was hot and delicious, cooked to our specifications.
(5)Catherine S.
wish they had one closer to me, oh wait they do- it's called copper canyon. Never had a meal fail here. Came here for yet another birthday brunch. Had an omlet that was ginourmous (it was my lunch and dinner). Brunch comes with one free drink (I chose a tasty bellini). The service was a bit sketchy (dropped drinks, wrong orderes) but I will forgive them, they were friendly. The place isn't the easiest to find. Its off the road and back some however it is a nice dark, woodsy look to it that I like. Oh and two words- pumkin cheesecake- get it, you must! I had only one bite of a friends order (looked like a quarter of the cake). Naturally, when another friend went to order her own they were all sold out. so that tells ya sumthin!
(4)Emily F.
Salsa and guacamole were amazing, the tomatoes are smoked in house and you can taste the smoky flavor. The chicken pot pie was very good as well but the starters stole the show. The place was mobbed on Saturday at 8, I'd definitely recommend making a reservation.
(4)Amy S.
My family had a reservation for a large party that we made months ago. We got there and waited 50 minutes to be seated because they had nothing for us. We had two toddlers, and someone who drove really far to be there, so waiting that long was really really hard on everyone (if you have a toddler you understand). What is the point of a reservation if you aren't given a table when you arrive? The manager on duty was named Phil he should not have a job with the way he treated our family. It got worse! Our waitress, Korinne, was just as rude and acted like we were troubling her all night long and rushed to get us out as soon as she could. The way she spoke to us was unprofessional to say the least. She kept taking our drinks and wouldn't bring them back and kept taking or plates and utensils and napkins, so almost all of us were drinkless before we were even done eating, and all our napkins were gone so I was unable to even wipe my hands. She then started boxing up our food before we were even done, and we were trying to hold conversations, so it was hard to pay attention to what she was doing and she tossed food we were still eating! For the large $400 bill we had and the amount of money we made them, you would have though we'd at least be treated like customers...they were rude and unprofessional and I would not recommend them to anyone who wants to be treated well at dinner. After all we went through I figured they would at least comp an appetizer or a dessert, but they didn't. The rude manager never even checked on us, but we watched him check on every other table. Also, Korrine, TOLD us she expected more than her "base service charge" as she called it. Wow...I wish I could get my parents' hard earned money back from these thieves. I just had to edit my post because ALMOST ALL OF THE PEOPLE I ATE WITH LAST NIGHT AT THE STANFORD GRILL ARE SICK TODAY, WE MAY HAVE FOOD POISONING!
(1)Clyde M.
Really good Jazz, atmosphere and service are really nice. Something has changed: Every dish we had was really really spicy with pepper, I mean every dish from the Pot Pie, chicken, and steak was really peppery!! We used to frequent this place, but way too much pepper.
(2)Laurel K.
Stanford Grille is rather like a more upscale Applebees. The food is Americana with a splash of elegance. I wasn't overly impressed by the food (things were a bit too salty for my taste), but I would go back. The live jazz adds quite a bit to the atmosphere, and the servers are top notch. I would definitely recommend a reservation on a weekend night. Dress is all the way from jeans casual to fairly dressy. The menu isn't super pricey, but not exactly inexpensive either. Expect to spend about $20 (maybe more) on your entree.
(4)Empress Miko E.
Always have food left on my plate...large portions. Fantastic dinning experience
(5)Lee S.
What would we do without YELP? On our return trip to PA from VA I was assigned the task of finding dinner as my wife was driving. Knowing Columbia, MD is full of restaurants I started Yelping. I kept coming back to the Stanford Grill reviews and made the decision this is where dinner was going to be. Our experience was pretty much just as the reviews had stated. Excellent! Atmosphere was very nice and relaxing with spacious tables and booths. Live music added to the ambiance. Staff, Rob, was very attentive, explaining the "made from scratch" menu philosophy. He stated they only have a small freezer for ice cream. The menu is American and some may consider a bit small, I personally would rather have quality over quantity and it is exactly that. We chose to pass on starters in hopes of having room for desert. In addition to the menu items there are daily specials. Both specials sounded excellent, one being a NY Strip top with asiago cheese and a few other ingredients and King Clip, fish similar to Grouper, with Jerk season, mango fruit salsa, and rum butter prepared over the wood grill. My wife and I both had the fish. What a meal, the fish was perfectly done and exactly as described, the rice very good and the red brazed cabbage, I am not sure how the Chef makes this but it was outstanding. Yes, I know how can brazed cabbage be that good, all I can say is it was. Rob also did an excellent job helping select the prefect wine with us. On to desert, what a way to end the meal. All of the selections sounded great and we decided to split the Key Lime pie. I am not sure how anyone could handle this on their own, it was one fifth in size - huge. It was definitely from scratch and no less than five stars. As I watched other deserts being served they all looked five star and very big. We would definitely recommend Stanford Grill. SG is one of those places where you can go and enjoy great food and service in a relaxed atmosphere. It would be a great place to take friends of business colleges.
(5)Tee B.
Decor superb. Waiter dressed appropriately and knowledgeable. Food great
(5)Elizabeth C.
We enjoyed the beautiful interior listening to some mellow jazz with romantic fire blazing. I had a generous serving of delicious Rotisserie Chicken Salad with the most addictive corn bread I've ever tasted. The service was phenomenal.
(5)Debby C.
This is my all time favorite restaurant! Service and food are always excellent. Be sure and reserve a day or two ahead of time. I like the chicken, but the specials are always excellent. They do use a lot of pepper, which I like, but some people might not want that much pepper.
(5)Jeff M.
This is one of my favorite new restaurants to hit Columbia in a while. The atmosphere is top notch and the food is very good. I get the ahi tuna salad every time, but my other dinner guests dance around the menu and haven't been disappointed yet. They could stand to expand their appetizer menu to attract a happy hour crowd, but I go back again and again regardless. Regarding one of the above posts....there are NO cemeteries located in Columbia, so I'm not sure that person even ate there.
(4)Catherine B.
What a horrible experience. Made reservations 3 months in advance for our family of ten (including) two high chairs to celebrate our twins 30th birthday. Showed up 15 minutes early to an almost empty restaurant to make sure everything was okay. The hostess couldn't have been sweeter but half an hour later with two hungry children they couldn't figure out how to seat 10 of us because they also had another party of 12 expected an hour later. They first tried to split us up between a booth and table nearby but not connected, then they tried to seat us at 2 small tables pushed together with 3 on each side and 1 at each end. The 2 year old and 18 month old were expected to sit in standard restaurant high chairs with no trays, not up to the table but set off to the side. We explained that they'd have no way to eat without access to the table. The answer was that they couldn't seat us. They just couldn't pull over an empty table next to ours and that seating and reservations were on a first come first served basis, but the table for 12 next to us still sat empty. We waited patiently until yen manager finally came out and said there was nothing they could do. We explained that the children couldn't eat without access to the table and he said that children weren't entitled a seat. We were all very upset. We tried to show them his they could move over a smaller table but they refused. I fought back tears as my twins became more and more upset. Finally I told my husband in front of the manager that our daughter was calling other restaurants for seating. Suddenly the manager said they would make it work and moved the table as we suggested. It continued downhill as the waitress refused to take the appetizer order and children's food order to put in first so we could feed the children quickly. She said we had to order all the food at once and the menus had to be removed before she could submit the order "what?". She asked my daughter for her knife, trying to clear the table mid-meal, my daughter said she needed it to continue to cut her sons food and the waitress said she could have it for just a few more seconds. Seriously? I went to the restroom after dinner but before dessert and returned to find my drink and napkin gone and was told she thought I was finished. Some of our dinners were fine, others (some identical meals) were so over-peppered they couldn't be eaten. When we were given the check the waitress pointed out a couple of times that the service charge (tip) was included but was the base (18%). A $400 bill and believe me we added no additional tip as she was suggesting. If you have something special to celebrate, stay away from this place.
(1)KJ P.
The food is always excellent; however, the last time I was in the service lacked slightly and couldn't keep my table's drinks filled--- and we all had waters.
(4)Aimee L.
A good venue for small party
(5)Crissy T.
I went yesterday for the first time (for the Jazz Brunch) with a party of eight. The jazz band consisted of a piano and bass player. Nice music, not too loud, enjoybale. We had to sit at two tables of four because they wouldn't push the tables together. Odd. The three ladies at my table ordered the Crab Scramble (scrambled eggs, chives, cream cheese and crab). Not one of them liked the dish...but agreed the breakfast potatoes were delicious. At the next table: three ladies ordered the brunch special, steak and eggs, and raved about their dishes. The fourth woman ordered the Spinach and Mushroom Omelet, and was very pleased. I thought I wanted the Crab Benedict (crabcakes over corn tamale), but at the last minute switched to Eggs Florentine (cream and sautéed spinach with crab meat) but with the eggs scrambled, hard because I didn't want the tamale. The waitress accidentally mixed up my order and I got the cream and sauteed spinach with crab meat over the corn tamale. It was wonderful!! (And it came with breakfast potatoes). I could only eat one of the eggs, and shared the other with two women at my table. The atmosphere is great...the staff was very friendly...I truly enjoyed this restaurant and will definitely go back.
(4)Steve E.
Stanford Grill is a great place to grab a tasty, filling meal at a very reasonable price. The environment was very welcoming and the staff was extremely friendly. I sat at the bar for dinner and was promptly welcomed and drink order taken. I got the chicken avocado club, I know nothing fancy, but it was delicious. The shoestring fries are amazing! I think it is worth coming back just for the fries. This is a place worth coming back to.
(4)John R.
Amazing all round. I have been here many times and will keep coming back. Food is always fresh and delicious. Service is amazing, friendly staff ready to make your experience the most enjoyable. Live jazz style music to set a perfect atmosphere.
(5)Alex C.
Great food and environment, easily one of the best restaurants in the Columbia area. Highly recommend the ribs and the mashed potatoes. If you have room for dessert, the bread pudding is amazing.
(5)Christine H.
The service here is top notched. The prime ribs are prepared the way it should be- melts in your mouth goodness. But don't miss the Skillet cornbread, it even satisfied my finicky sister in law. Finish the dinner with French pressed coffee and dessert. Not to be missed are the Uprising Chocolate and Bread Pudding. You'll come back to the restaurant just for the desserts. There's a band nightly that plays jazz music. Try to get a seat far from it as it can be loud, or better yet, try the outdoor patio seating during fair weather.
(5)Rene R.
Went last night for Hubby's birthday dinner. Warmly greeted and taken to our table right away (we had a reservation but I doubt it was necessary on a Monday night!) Our waiter was Ali and after he introduced himself, he told us about the restaurant - a team atmosphere where he was our primary server but the other service staff was available if we needed anything. All fresh food never frozen. He gave us the specials and when we asked, he gave us his thoughts on a few of the dishes along with a recommendation, which we took and we ordered the Oyster appetizer. Husband said they were amazing (I'm not an oyster fan) He ordered the Shark that came on a bed of rice and a side of Brussel Sprouts w/butter and bacon pieces. I had the Surf and Turf. 6oz sirloin w/Gorgonzola butter (medium-well), crab cake, mashed red skin potatoes and spinach and we added a side of mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was different - made with either sour cream or cream cheese I can't remember which but it was delicious and creamy. It could have used a bit more cheese though! The potatoes were perfect and plentiful, the spinach was good (not my fav veggie) and my steak was perfection! Perfectly cooked so juicy and flavorful! Husband's shark meal - I had to try the shark and it was pretty good. Not super fishy and a little tougher than a regular piece of fish. The rice was great and according to him the brussel sprouts were tasty. For dessert we had the ice cream sandwich. Sounds simple right? It was amazing. It was a big scoop of bryers vanilla bean ice cream between two cinnamon chocolate brownies, homemade whipped cream (yummy) and chocolate and caramel sauces. Was it pricey? YES but it was great. Drinks were refilled promptly, plates cleared and everything was presented beautifully! Service was wonderful. And when reheated as breakfast this morning, my food was great! While we won't be regulars there, for special occasions or celebrations we'll be back!
(4)Marian C.
Brunch was delicious! I ordered the French toast and it had lots of berries, bananas, and walnuts with the toast. This went perfectly with my bellini (all brunch orders come with a complementary drink!) And to top it off, the service was excellent. I would most definitely come back!
(3)Bill P.
Great food, excellent service. Took what is normal a bland Easter dinner at home and turned it into something great. Love the outdoor dinning area with the fire pit.
(5)Kenneth P.
Went for dinner in 6/29 and service as always was outstanding. The fresh trout and bread pudding were off the chart.
(4)Adam S.
Went here on a night where we were just looking to try something new. We enjoyed some greats martinis while we waited for a table (about 15-25 minutes). The wait didn't even seem that long as they had a three piece jazz band playing and they were amazing. The lights are dimly lit to set the mood and the service was A+. We actually tried shark which was a dry, but the waitress brought us free dessert and removed the shark from our bill. The manager even came by to chat with us to apologize for the shark which definitely took us by surprise. They really do strive for excellent customer satisfaction. It is a little pricey, but definitely worth it for a night out!
(4)Marisa F.
Stanford Grill can be a tricky place to find, but once you are there you will be glad you hunted it down. I have been quite a few times and I almost always order their rotisserie chicken. Now most people would probably turn up their nose to boring ordinary rotisserie chicken compared to other things they have on their menu, but if you order it you will not be disappointed. It's amazing and you probably won't be able to do any talking during your meal because you will be too busy stuffing your face. You can also watch all the other little birds of deliciousness roasting through a window near the kitchen. There is also a patio with a nice fireplace and it is a great place to sit when the weather is nice. They also have jazz and brunch. It's not a great place for big groups because unless you are outdoors, you will probably have to be split up. The selection isn't huge, but everything they have on the menu is delicious. Also you might want to share dessert, every time I have ordered a dessert it has come out twice as big as I thought it would. The only drawback is that I think their wine is severely overpriced. I know restaurants mark up their wine, but ordering a glass that is $12-$13 and then finding the bottle in a wine store and seeing that it costs about $16? Not priceless.
(4)Courtney F.
I've had a good experience here every time I've visited.
(5)Christopher K.
My first time here several months ago I had the wood-fired rotisserie chicken -- their "speciality" -- and it sucked. I gave them a second try earlier this week while on business and things took a big turn for the better. The fiesta eggroll appetizer sounded pretty ghetto for a nice joint, but damn... they were awesome. I couldn't stop eating them, and I really didn't want to like them, but alas... they were awesome. I then ordered the 9 oz. tenderloin steak, gorgonzola bleu cheese butter & cabernet sauce -- cooked perfectly medium rare and served hot, just the way it should be. It was served with redskin mashed potatoes & sautéed spinach that were equally good. I probably would hold the blue cheese butter & cabernet sauce next time. The steak is a good enough quality to not need to hide under any sauce. The portions here are ginormous. You really don't need this much food in one setting. I couldn't even finish my entire plate. But I did leave room for plenty of Manhattans along the way, and they make a decent one here -- just ask for it stirred, not shaken, as it should be.
(4)Laura P.
As always on our way home from soccer exploring new destinations off of 95 and we found a real gem!! Stanford is outstanding! Great service, warm/inviting atmosphere, and delicious food. House salad is great w/pecans and goat cheese- yes I said house salad. Green fried tomatoes were tender, sweet and topped with crab. St. Louis ribs, a specialty, were tender juicy and literally fell off the rib. Finally my favorite - crab cakes 99% crab!!! So incredibly fresh!! You must give it a try. Did I mention they had a live jazz band and a great wine list??
(4)Nicholas C.
Veggie Burger? More like "Vegg-eh Burger". What the burger gained in size, it lost in flavor. The fries, thin julienned, were pretty good. We went during a workday lunch and the place was packed. Not sure if that is normal, as it was my first time visiting.
(2)Elizabeth E.
I've had two very different experiences here. The first time I visited, I was not impressed. It was a group function, which was held on the enclosed patio. When we arrived, the space was elegant and I enjoyed the fireplace. Chairs were lined up around the room and there were a few standing tables, and a few sitting tables. It was convenient to have a bar area on the patio, just for our group. The event lasted from 6-8 p.m., and we had paid $25 per person in advance, so we expected dinner. In reality, a buffet was set up with hot meats and dips on one side of the room, and veggies, fruit, and cheese on the other side -- a generous appetizer spread, but not a full dinner by any means. We were provided with bread and butter plates, dinner forks and steak knives. After getting a glass of wine (a cash bar in addition to what we had pre-paid), and an appetizer plate of veggies, I realized there was no place available at either the standing or seated tables, so I sat on a chair, put my glass of wine on the floor, and attempted to eat from the tiny plate with huge utensils. I would have preferred fewer chairs in the room, and more standing tables, because at least I could have set my drink down (there wasn't even an empty tray on which to place our used dishes). In total, I ate a slice of red pepper, a slice of tomato, one asparagus stalk, a bite of chicken, and three tortilla chips - after paying $25! It's possible that more people came to the event than had been anticipated, but the restaurant should have known the head count, based on the payments they received in advance (there were about 80-100 people). There just simply wasn't enough room for everyone to eat at a table, so it was very odd to be given steak knives, and then eat off our laps. To be perfectly honest, we went through a fast food drive-through on our way home, because no one had enough to eat. Despite that experience, the few bites of food we did eat were quite good, so we decided to give it a second chance and return for dinner about a week later. As a party of two, we had a wonderful dinner (we got the steak salad and the chicken avocado club sandwich) and the service was stellar. I got the "petite" salad, and I could only eat half of it -- the regular size must be huge. The live music was awesome, and made a weeknight meal feel like a special occasion. It just so happened that there was another group event on the patio that night, and with only about 15 people, it looked like a success. The bottom line: great for dinner, but I wouldn't recommend it for a group event.
(4)Christine J.
We went to Stanford Grill for an adult dinner night. The food was great. I had sea scallops and my husband the filet. Yummy!!! Will be back again. :) FYI Live Jazz every night.
(4)Rachel B.
Very Good and have the best best burger in town!! you also can't beat the patio for a great "chill" spot.
(4)Ken K.
Pretty decent place. I came here on a lunch date a few days ago. We decided to meet at the bar. Being as attractive as I am women tend to need a drink to calm their nerves. Either that or it was the easiest place to meet arriving at separate times in the restaurant. Anyways, this would be the choice to take clients out for a business lunch. I, however, was on a date. She may have thought I was a potential client for her business but the chemistry was there. Now since I was playing the part of a potential customer and important business man I had a few martinis to give the appearance of being a GENTLEMAN I got them dirty and they were pretty Delicious. However the bartender... I think her name was Toni put a shrimp on the rim as a garnish. Now she many have gone to one of those on-line hipster bar schools but that is just downright nasty. Olives are the only garnish, maybe even stuffed with bleu cheese if you feel like being an artisan but that's it. I mean how do you expect me to close the deal with this woman if I smell like a wharf in locust point? So after berating the bartender to the brink of tears ( shows confidence girls like that) she stopped with the shrimp and we were ready to get our meals. Since I wasn't paying I started with their homemade ( ? ) smoked salmon with toast points. If you are into smoked salmon I suggest you try this, very good. For my main course I had to try their prime rib. Ever since eating prime rib at Lewnes in Annapolis I have been trying to find something half as good more conveniently located to me. This was about half as good as Lewnes. That is an actual compliment. The meat was cooked properly and was very flavorful. The woman ordered their Cesar salad with chicken. Although she was taken aback when I swiftly thrusted my fork into her entree to taste her meal I think she dug my assertiveness. Oh and the salad was pretty good also. Good place for lunch and service is also decent.
(4)Arnus M.
If you are looking for a little ambience in Columbia, there are a growing number of options for you. This is probably one of the better ones as of this writing. Price - This is a bit upscale, but roughly an equal price to other restaurants in the area. Family/Singles - Either works here; the bar is sufficiently distinct for singles to get their groove on. Selection - Not broad, but what they do is pretty good. The bulgogi appetizers are good (a happy hour special), as is the cornbread. Steaks are very serviceable, as is the rotisserie chicken. Don't expect a lot of breadth in the menu. THe bar staff can give you a good wine pairing. Service - one to five, a 3.5. The waitstaff are friendly and welcoming and work in teams to get your food to you quickly. Parking - Free, and a fair amount of it. Location - A little tricky, just shoot straight back from Apple Ford and through the circle, don't get caught on the hotel turn. Ambience - A nice patio and fire pit outside. The bar is pretty good on the meet and greet, 30 and 40 somethings. Eye candy is variable: on my visits, about 40/60 female to male, tending toward upscale. Nightly jazz is a nice touch, and adds to the groove. Points to ponder - Remember, this is up the street from the Greene Turtle and around the corner from Nottingham's, so bring a DD and avoid any Hazzard County issues. Also, per another poster: There is an old graveyard near the edge of the parking lot, hard to see but a curiosity nonetheless.
(4)Miranda C.
I have been debating about writing a review for this place, as I would have very readily given it 5 stars if it hadn't been for a few serious issues... My family (about 10 people) went there a few months ago for dinner as my father had been there before and really liked it. When we got there, we were treated very kindly by the attentive waitstaff and seated at our table very quickly. The ambiance is great at this restaurant- great colors and seating arrangements. We proceeded to order dinner and my uncle and I had some type of fish (the name escapes me at the moment). Everyone enjoyed their food as did I, until about 30 minutes after eating it... Immediately I began to feel incredibly flush and decided to leave dinner early to return home. About 2 1/2 hrs. later after arriving at home, my face was bright red and I felt sicker than I had ever felt before. After getting sick (I'll spare you the gorey details) I realized that the only other thing I had eaten was a 100 calorie pack (would that have gotten me this sick- no!) and the fish was only lightly cooked (I do not know the term for this, pardon my lack of culinary knowledge as well!). I proceeded to call my GP who told me that it was very likely food poisoning, as some types of fish carry bacteria that can make you immediately ill. After calling my father as well, I heard that my uncle who also had the fish, was ill. I decided that I needed to call the restaurant to let them know what had happened. My purpose for calling was purely out of concern for other diners, and I made that very clear when I spoke with one of the waitresses. She took my name and number, and said that the manager would call me back shortly. After not hearing back for some time, I called again, considering that tainted fish (in my opinion) is a serious issue needing to be addressed. After being put on hold, I was able to speak to the manager about the issue. Although he was nice at first, he began to argue with me that it couldn't possibly have been the fish as food poisoning takes longer to "show up". I told him that my uncle had the same dish with the same symptoms as I had yet he continued to deny it. The manager was rude and condescending which is ridiculous as an accusation of food-poisoning should always be taken seriously. He offered to pay for a doctors visit which I appreciated, but refused to address the issue any further. All in all, the dining experience was great, the ambiance and the waitstaff were excellent, but there is no way I will be eating here again. I can forgive the fact that I got sick as the quality of food is excellent, but I refuse to be mistreated by a manager who denies the possibility of me getting sick from his food. Sorry Stanford Grill, I would have really loved to give you 5 stars! Get a new manager!!!
(3)Lauren W.
I wanted to like this place, I really did. I had seen it multiple times and finally ventured over with my family. Things were off to a great start (the menu looked very promising) until our waiter WALKED OUT on us after taking our order. We waited a good 15-20 minutes before we realized what had happened and finally right as we were about to leave, a waitress picked up where our initial waiter left off. While our meals arrived, the bread we ordered as a side did not. I always get dessert, and rank restaurants based on the dessert. Needless to say, we didn't even make it to dessert at this place. While I may be biased, based upon my experience, no manger ever graced us with their presence to apologize for our terrible service, obviously I won't be rushing back to try again with the abundance of restaurants in the area!
(1)John S.
I ate here last Sunday night with my parents. I immediately liked the place when I walked in and was greeted by a cozy fireplace and a pianist playing wonderful music (and taking requests). The decor is very homey feeling, almost like you are at your log cabin getaway. I had the tenderloin filet paired with a nice Irish dry stout. The steak was exquisite and cooked to perfectly to my request. My sides were spinach and fries (I subbed out the mashed potatoes). The spinach was tasty and the fries, which soaked up some of the steak's juices, were out of this world. My stout, was Dark Starr Stout, which drank more like a chocolate stout, was very good and complemented the bravado of the steak. I really enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant the most. I might come here every few Sundays to enjoy their newest craft beer and unwind.
(5)Jason C.
Limited menu selection, but what they do, they do well. Steak house menu with some twists. They offer surprisingly well executed seafood choices. The ahi-tuna salad (which I've had twice) is consistently excellent. The cornbread croutons are delicious. The rotisserie chicken looks very good but I haven't tried it. Excellent location for business lunches or dinners. Looking forward to returning in the spring/summer when the patio is open. Business casual is recommended for attire, in my opinion.
(4)Jessica A.
Margaritas are no longer $5. Bummer.
(3)Scott Y.
I had a business dinner at Stanford Grill, and was pleasantly surprised. Coming to Charm City from New York, and not liking crabs, I expected to be disappointed by my meals. I actually really enjoyed Stanford Grill, though. I had the prime rib, which was cooked perfectly, although perhaps a tad bland. What really impressed me, however, were the desserts. I'm a big fan of asking my server for a recommendation between two items, but I find that when I do this with a brownie sundae and a bread pudding, I always get a brownie sundae recommendation. So I was pretty excited when my waitress recommended the bread pudding with a plethora of enthusiasm, and zero hesitation. I was more excited when I took my first bite. This was hands down the best tasting bread pudding that I have ever had. It was also gigantic!
(4)Ali G.
Really great service. Our waitress was a hoot. Excellent food, esp the rotisserie chicken salad.
(5)Sameer S.
I've been looking around lately for good veggie burgers and had high hopes for this place since it looked like a nice restaurant. But I'll agree with Nicholas C. that it was just "meh". While I don't like places that obviously just microwave a patty, this one was just too soft and oozed out past the bun. I was also excited to try the mac and cheese side by the description but it was lacking in any kind of real taste. Lot of good ideas not executed well. And the service, while not bad at all, was still a little lacking. While I appreciate servers not hovering around it took longer than expected to get our check and pay even though we were one of the only people there. I don't think I need to flag the staff down. On a good note, she was very pleasant. And the fries were good.
(2)Frank G.
Would Houston's by any other name be just as sweet? In the case of the Stanford Grill -- a nearly identical copy of Houston's/Woodmont Grill, but without the drive to Bethesda -- the answer is yes. Almost everything about this place is the same, including the decor and food, right down to the menu font. In my book, this is a very good thing, as Houston's was one out favorite restaurants when we lived in the area. In any case, we had a great dinner here. Both the appetizers (a special Caprese salad and chili) and entrees (French dip and roasted chicken with mashed potatoes & beans) delivered on taste, freshness, and quite honestly, value. We shared a bread pudding for dessert, which was fantastic; large chunks bread maintained their shape and firmness, but were imbued with just the right amount of creamy sweetness. Often, bread pudding is a gloppy mess, but not here. If I had to have a quibble, it would be with the coffee. It was served in a French press (too fussy) and incredibly strong, even for my tastes. It would have been a nice kick in the pants first thing in the morning, but was not suitable for dessert. For some reason, it didn't show up on our bill, so I felt no reason to make a note of it to our incredibly friendly and attentive waiter, Dave. Reservations are recommended on the weekends. We were able to be seated immediately in the bar area, otherwise it was going to be a 45 minute wait for a table.
(4)Richard L.
I am amazed and appalled at an incident that occurred over the weekend. It was a friend's anniversary and we were going to meet up for drinks to celebrate. While on my way to the Grill I received a from the couple that they were treated terribly by the bartender. Apparently they were having trouble remembering the bartender's name, having been there before and had a lovely time then with the same gentleman. When my friends couldn't remember his exact name, he became rude and refused to serve them. Embarrassed and made unwelcome by the bartender they left, ruining for them a place they absolutely enjoyed.
(1)David R.
Chicken pot pie seemed homemade and was pretty bangin'. Eric was a very thorough bartender. Live jazz. Roll Tide.
(4)Carl T.
My friend and I had so much fun here. The food is delicious! I got a steak salad, and I recommend it. The most memorable part is the service. The servers have a very sincere script they perform, and it is quite a performance. The restaurant is very stylish on the inside.
(5)Sharon B.
Great food, awesome service. I see some here have already mentioned Ali. He was great. I now have a new "favorite place" to take friends to or have a business dinner.
(5)Tiffani N.
Went to Stanford Grill to celebrate my birthday with a few family members. It was a Monday night, so the place was fairy empty. However, they did have a large group sitting out on the patio area and a few patrons at the bar- left over from happy hour. My first impression was that this place was a carbon copy of my beloved Houston's. Down to the details of dimmed lighting, sleek cherrywood booths and the simple, straightforward American fare on their menu. I even asked the waiter if they were the reincarnation of Houston's (I wish!) and he informed me their sister company is Copper Canyon Grill- which I like, as well. I guess Stanford Grill is their better dressed, more sophisticated sister. The service was excellent from the moment we sat down. Our server went out of his way to be extra attentive, which of course made me feel even more special on my birthday. He even brought me a fabulous dessert without anyone in my party asking him to. As I said, the food is pretty simple and includes the typical American staples: rotisserie chicken, crab cakes, angus burgers, fish of the day and a few different cuts of steak. I decided to treat myself to the tenderloin filet. It was cooked to perfection, yet the beef was overpowered by the strong flavors of gorgonzola, blue cheese and cabernet sauce. Not a good combination at all. Tasted much better when I added a gourmet teriyaki sauce at home the next day to cut the bitterness. The sides were very good. Everyone else enjoyed their food. I give the food 3.5 stars and the service/ambiance 4 stars. I'm sure I'd enjoy their nightly jazz trio. We left before they began playing. Overall, Stanford Grill is the perfect place to take a date or enjoy a special occasion by celebrating with a small party.
(4)Avocado N.
Awesome place!! OMG! Adam was our server, very engaging ambiance was great, food outstanding....great for dates.....business meetings.....a little dark in deer .....will definitely return!
(5)Danielle L.
Great Place, Great Food, Great Live Jazz, Great Service, Great $$ for the food. The food and menu is very similiar to the Redrock Canyon/Copper Canyon Grill menu and food.
(4)NK B.
Excellent service and awesome food. We went at 6:30 PM on a Tuesday and the restaurant was almost full. The steak was juicy and succulent....with mashed potato and spinach sides. My colleague had ordered burger without cheese. But by mistake they got the burger with cheese already in it. The manager personally came to apologize and they took care of it. They did not charge us for the burger. We personally felt so surprised and respectful. Awesome! Will go again to try the bread pudding...
(4)Jack R.
did dinner for 12 on short notice here recently. The service was excellent and the menu was diverse enough to offer something for everyone. The crab cakes were among the best ive had. the salads were fresh, tasty and plentiful.. I'd recommend this place to all, large groups or small.. check the wine list as well. Im told it's excellent.
(5)David L.
This place is really a nice spot. The ambiance is excellent. Went on a business lunch and would return for a nice romantic evening. The staff and service was great. Stanford's strives on their freshness, and it was brought. The calamari was a great start and cooked to perfection. Onward to the pan seared Wasabi Grilled Salmon. WOW this was the BEST piece of salmon that I had in a long time. Just the right crust crispness and salmon cooked perfectly. The sweet glaze was a bit much so a good part of it was moved the the other side of the plate. After it was deglazed every bit was savored. The spinach was excellent as was the spaghetti squash. I didnt get desert but WOW the portion of the chocolate cake, had to be 1200 calories itself. Will definitely be returning........
(5)Elizabeth B.
I've rewritten my review because over time they have gotten better. The bbq chicken salad is the best salad I've ever had. Pieces of their wonderful bbq chicken breast on lettuce with corn, jicama, avocado other veggies. The chipotle ranch dressing and bbq sauce they put on it is awesome. The bbq ribs are amazing, fall off the bone and again the bbq sauce is very good. The filet was good but a bit salty. The garlic mashed potatoes and jalapeno cornbread, delicious. The key lime pie and creme brulee also awesome! The atmosphere is really nice, like a winter lodge, they have a huge fireplace both inside and outside on their porch. On the porch, there is comfy couch seating in front of the fireplace and a bar. Their other bar is very nice, often with a jazz band , and the bartenders are a lot of fun and do a great job. The service is semi-formal, and the servers have really lightened up over the past year - they take their jobs seriously but aren't quite as stiff and formal as before. We love this place! One thing though, their wine prices are really high, that's the only down side..
(5)Thomas M.
I have been to the Stanford grill two times in the last few months and I find it to be columbia Maryland's best restaurant by quite a bit. The decor, music, service and the food - the food was excellent each and every time I went. Elegant in my opinion compared to the rest. A must experience!
(5)Nicole W.
From start to finish.... I had a great time here and the food was great! I wish the menu had more, but what was there was amazing! I will sooo be back :0)
(5)Keisha C.
Went here at the end of May with my family. The food was delicious (especially the guacamole!), the portions were large (the salads really are meals), the jazz was nice and the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. I will definitely go back in the future to try the drinks!
(5)Susan D.
Yet another overwhelmingly positive review for Stanford Grill! Looking for a local, non-chain place to celebrate a promotion, I found Stanford on the internet. Ambiance was casual American with live jazz. Prices were very reasonable given the quality of the food and service. We made a reservation for a party of 4 online on the morning of the event and were seated immediately on arrival. Staff is very friendly and let us chat for over an hour after we finished our meal, even emphasizing that we should take our time and enjoy ourselves. The menu is not huge, but I personally appreciated this because too many choices can be overwhelming. I think the restaurant tries to focus on doing a few things very well. Desserts are huge; we shared one between 4. The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because the live jazz sometimes made it difficult to talk in a normal voice. Don't get me wrong-- the music added to the scene and wasn't overwhelming, but if you're into the perfect experience this might get on your nerves.
(4)Meliphocent M.
I've been to Stanford Grill twice. Both times it was delicious. It is a little strange to get to because it seems like you're heading to a hotel instead of to a restaurant. They have a patio with a fireplace which is very nice to eat in. Both times I've sat outside and it is nice, the cars on 175 aren't too loud even though it runs next to the restaurant. Their menu is small but everything I've had on it was very good. The chicken is their house specialty which I've never had, but I have had the prime rib, Ribeye steak, pork chops, chicken avocado club, french dip, macaroni and cheese and rotisseri chicken salad. The fresh green beans were yummy, they still had a little bit to them. I can't stand when restaurants over cook the green beans and they serve you limp soggy beans. The food is fantastic. The food is also fresh, they get their food supplied in twice a day. They have a large selection of wine and several beers on tap. All the employees were friendly and helpful if we had questions. I will definitely be returning.
(4)Bill K.
Arrived at 5:50 on a Friday and the restaurant was already nearly full. We were seated in the loud bar area. The live jazz trio was a nice touch. They were playing at a comfortable level so we could enjoy the music. As the server was telling us about the evening's specials she spoke too fast for me. There were three specials, which she described in detail. With that much information to pass on, it should be written out and tacked to the menu. We ordered the skillet cornbread as an appetizer. It came with jalapeño peppers in it and was too hot for me. I couldn't eat it. I got the hickory tenderloin filet with red mashed taters and sauteed spinach. The filet was wonderful, except for the underside being charred, which I had to cut away. The potatoes were OK, albeit a bit too loaded with skins. The spinach I could barely eat it as it was over-seasoned with too much black pepper and garlic. My wife ordered the ribs and was brought a huge rack which she could barely eat half of - it went home with us. This is a place for celebrations, due to high scale decor and prices. The menu is limited, there aren't very many dishes on it. We didn't have room for dessert. Maybe next time, if there is a next time.
(3)John H.
Nice place - live jazz - great service and good food
(4)Terry H.
I met a friend for dinner last night at the Stanford Grill. We arrived around 7pm and were told that there would be a 10-15 minute wait for a table. We decided to sit at the bar and have a drink while waiting. We waited for well over 30 minutes and after checking with the hostess, the manager came over and said that it would be another couple of minutes and offered us chips and salsa while we waited. Shortly after that we were told that our table was ready. I asked if we could have the drinks added to our dinner check was told that they didn't do that and we could need to pay for our drinks at the bar. I didn't understand why that could be done but no big deal we paid and were shown to our table. Our waiter greeted us and told us the specials. I couldn't decide between the tenderloin or the lobster and ended up getting the tenderloin. My friend got the crab cakes. When our dinners arrived they looked great. My friend said that her crab cakes were OK and really like the remoulade sauce that came with them. My tenderloin was tender and a little over cooked but the gorgonzola bleu cheese butter and cabernet sauce that was served on top of it was totally inedible...extremely salty. When the waiter came over to check on us I told him that the sauce was too salty and he took it back. I asked if the sauce could be placed on the side and not on the steak itself and he said yes. When he returned with another plate the sauce was on the side but the steak was charred. I didn't eat it and didn't complain. When the waiter came to retrieve our plates he asked if the steak was Ok and I said no but it wasn't a problem. He brought the check back and when he came to pick it up my friend asked if the steak could be taken off the bill since I didn't eat it. He said he'd have to check with the manager. He came back and said the manager said no because he'd already thrown one tenderloin away when I sent it back the first time. My friend was a little taken aback by his answer but I said whatever and just paid the bill. My conclusion is that there are too many choices of restaurants to receive the type of service that we got regarding the steak. And, this from a manager of a restaurant where the food is just OK....not great....I don't plan on returning!
(2)Connie S.
First of all, I enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant (live Jazz was a bonus) and they make a good martini-I'm pretty picky about those. My whole family ordered the rotisserie chicken. We all finished it even though the portions were huge. The salad I had before dinner was also large and full of yummy things like candied pecans cornbread croutons and goat cheese. My husband had a black bean soup which he also enjoyed immensely. Even dessert was well received by all. Definitely worth searching out.
(4)Katherine P.
I've had a great experience here every time. They have the best chicken and the banana pudding is to die for.
(5)Darius C.
This place is a hidden gem in Columbia. We shared the tenderloin and it was probably top 3 best steaks I have had in my life. The bleu cheese gorgonzola sauce was superb. The ambiance is intimate and very well done and our server was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. We will definitely be back to dine here again.
(5)Dave F.
Excellent service. The waiter knew his wine and made sure the table was comfortable most of the time. He only slipped up on not watching the water glasses that well, but other than that he was good. Had the rotisserie chicken and the plate was full of food. My friend had the prime rib, which looked pretty good. It also came with a mound of mashed potatoes and vegetables. The mashed potatoes did not need gravy and the vegetables (mostly green beans and chopped peppers) were also pretty good. The chicken was very moist and the skin was very tasty. It was a tad salty, but it was good with the peppercorn as well. Was going to try to get a piece of Key Lime Pie, but the manager came out and said that the pie was not ready and that she did not feel comfortable serving a piece from a pie that was not ready and gave us a card for a free piece on them the next time we come there. It wasn't too hard to find. You basically come to a roundabout and go past the extended stay america and its up there on the right before another hotel. Plenty of parking. Atmosphere was pretty dim and classy. They had live jazz music too that was intermittent throughout the night.
(5)Scott S.
Great for a family meal, a business lunch, or a romantic dinner. Great food and excellent service.
(5)John G.
My daughter had a small family lunch for her daughter's graduation party at the Stanford Grill. What a wonderful place. There were other families there also. It was like a country club without having to pay the dues. The food and service were as good as we have ever had. I had the fish tacos and my wife had a salad with very large grilled shrimp . The seasoning on the food was good. Spicy but not overly so and very interesting. The portions were more than anyone would want. The wait staff kept bringing me more ice tea each time the glass became empty. None of us had room for dessert, including my teenage grandson who eats like a horse!
(5)Karl M.
Ate here for the first time last week and very much enjoyed it, a bit pricey, but the food and service was excellent. Both my date and I had seafood dishes. Very nice atmosphere. As others have mentioned it is tricky to find. I'll be back.
(5)Tony R.
Been there twice now, my wife and I. First time visit, chicken and fish entrees and sides were thoroughly enjoyed. It was a weeknight, slow and quiet there, service and food prep great. Last night, Saturday night, I went with the ribs and my honey went with the fish again, but this time drum. When I asked server about ribs, she replied it's one of our specialties, just like the chicken. That is true, but it made my expectations soar because their chicken is so good. Alas, the ribs were standard restaurant pork ribs, with too much sauce. Drum was a little better, but not nearly as good as the fish dish the first visit, which I can't remember what it was unfortunately. 35 minute wait to be seated also on Saturday, but that was cool with the nice bar and great jazz trio. Pet peeve from Saturday visit: Green bean side was wonderfully fresh green beans, but covered with oil. Need to remember to ask them to hold the oil next time. I think my third visit will be for chicken on a weeknight!
(3)Chris C.
I feel compelled to write a follow-up. Since the early visits, I've been here probably over 50 times, possibly more - it's a regular lunch destination. I really feel the food has gone a bit south lately... I've seen alot of low-grade ingredients (frozen tomatoes, unripened avocados, etc.) and the tired, same ole' menu for a LONG time. It's always the same with some sort of asian-fusion coleslaw, or overly sweet dressing... okay, so I'm being a bit critical here, since I still think this is one of the better places in Columbia - but therein lies the problem, it's slim-pickin's in Columbia. I feel like the exec chef, if there is one, needs to vary up the style some... and some of the 'experiments' are just flat out bad - think too sweet or just bad combinations of ingredients. The burger still rocks, and the mac 'n cheese is still superior.
(3)Pano P.
Amazing food, great atmosphere, great live jazz, everything 5 stars!
(5)Patrick H.
Went for Dinner on Saturday night with friends Mark and Gina J. Really enjoyed the outdoor couches in front of the fire. Reminded me of chilling out on the patio of the Phoenician in Arizona. Service was spectacular. Had a young surfer type dude named Andy who was very attentive. Everyone's food was A plus. Only issue was Andy brought me TROUT when I thought I was getting Tuna. The specials are not printed so wait staff must go off memory and he made a booboo. He made up for it but giving me the trout for free which I ate. Wasn't really the mouth watering tuna I saw on the internet before we went but I'm not a picky eater and it filled me up. I give it 4 stars. 5 stars if I rate the ambiance of the outdoor patio only.
(4)Kevin W.
Just found out about this place (referred as the old Lone Star) today from a friend and had to try it. Standford Grill had a great atmosphere with live jazz piano, fire pits, and awesome food. First impression was a mix of Grey Stone and the Iron Bridge Wine and Cheese. The menu had a decent selection with just as many specials off the menu. The Surf and Turf was excellent. 6 oz. very tender Filet, awesome lump crab cake, with spinach and mashed potatoes. Great Atmosphere, Great Food, Great Service! I especially likes the live piano and fire pits.
(5)Karen O.
I selected Stanford Grill as a place to meet with friends I hadn't seen in a while. The ambiance was nice - especially the fireplace - and it was mostly, if not all, booths. The service was good and we spent a long time sitting there and didn't feel rushed to leave. The food was good - not excellent. I ordered the vegetable platter and was most impressed with the honey glazed carrots, and I don't typically like carrots. The rest were fine. My friends ordered burgers and like them. One of the biggest drawbacks is actually finding the place. Pad your travel time to allow yourself to get lost.
(4)Elizabeth F.
We took a chance on this restaurant after I read about it online. A group of us met there for lunch on a Sunday. The food was very good and the ambiance perfect. We really enjoyed the live jazz and the fact we could still have quiet conversation. We all agreed we would go back. The service was also very good.
(4)Kaye C.
I'd like to be able to rate this restaurant, but alas, I can not. I called to make a reservation for a large party for Father's Day, was told that I needed to meet an $800 minimum for food and beverage. No problem was my response....with 18 people, this would have been a breeze. I provided credit card information to hold the space. Great I thought - we're all set. I was happy to have found a place that was pleased to have the guarantee of 18 people. I was happy for about an hour later when the same person that I spoke to called me back to say that they wouldn't be able to honor my reservation. By the way, she was the banquet manager! So after calling around I found another restaurant closeby that was more than willing to accomodate my crowd! I even asked if he was going to be calling me back in an hour to tell me th at they couldn't honor my reservation. He laughed when i told him about my experience with Stanford Grill. Maybe I'll try it some day with my husband, but this left me disappointed and I wont be rushing over to try.
(1)Steve K.
I want to give this a little better a review. I used to like some things on the menu consistently - the steak salad, the fish sandwich. But somehow it's getting old and I'm not liking the concept as much anymore. I don't need a quarter pie of cornbread with my (entree-sized) side salad. And I would like that salad better if it were a lot subtler. I'd like a little flavor out of the fish and toppings in my fish sandwich, and it just never has it. Service is always friendly and professional.
(3)Ira B.
I went here with my girlfriend one weekend. For the price the food is very good. The service is good also. One of the waiters spilled food on the floor and it ended up splashing on my girlfriend's jacket and the table, but the waiters were right there to help with the situation and get it taken care of. Good price, good food.
(4)Robert P.
Went here for brunch a couple months ago. Had the Crabcakes over Corn Tamales Benedict. Simply amazing. Girlfriend had the Filet Mignon Benedict which might have been even better. Everything was cooked well, service was attentive and great, got timely refills on my coffee. All around great and can't wait to go back.
(5)Milton F.
I've had lunch and dinner here several times. I'm impressed with their consistency. The place is beautiful, always neat, with attentive service, and pleasant ambience. It does get a bit loud during the busiest times. But, if you go after the crowds, you can enjoy the soft music (sometimes live jazz), and the relaxing views of the two fireplaces or the gardens. The food is well prepared, served in abundant portions, and they use better quality ingredients than your usual chain restaurants (An example were the outstanding tomatoes in our salads, during the dead of winter). In contrast to the tasteless, unripe "Sysco" garbage you get elsewhere). The wine selections are very good, though illogically overpriced by the glass. The restrooms are always spotless, but lack a baby changing table when we go for late lunch with my grandson.
(4)Vanessa D.
Seriously AMAZING dinner. Definitely try the calamari app so delicious! Everything from the appetizer to the dessert (crem brûlée) with French press coffee was perfect. Nice ambiance with the music and decor. Great staff very attentive. A DEFINITE go and try this place out for.
(5)James J.
A very solid restaurant. I order the smoked salmon almost every time I go, it is delicious. My girlfriend tries something new each time and this is probably one of her favorite places to go. We don't go that often because it is quite pricy given our budgets (about $30 per person), but we do try to go at least once a month. The service is always great and I absolutely LOVE their attention to detail. Watch how they clean the booths if you get a chance. They get down with a flash light to make certain there is no food under the table. The management at this place is doing a really great job, the waiters and waitresses look and act very professional.
(5)Cinnamon S.
I would call this a Woodmont Grill (Houston's) wannabe. Everything seems to be based upon the Woodmont Grill in Bethesda: restaurant layout; atmosphere; open kitchen; team service approach; - and from what I remember, even the same MENU LAYOUT and FONT!!!! And although the meal was the same price, they came up FAR short on food quality!!!! We went with the tigerfish special.... The fish was tasty, but poor presentation. Flavors of associated sides didn't go with each other at all. The spaghetti squash was a train wreck of flavors even by itself. Steamed spinach side order was an almost. Wine was good. Key-lime-type pie was good by itself - but the topping was ridiculous. Ceiling lights did not align with the table layout. And there were no candles. It was nearly impossible to read the menu. However, the recessed floor lamps at the entrance canopy were blinding upon exit. Jazz was a nice idea but too loud for venue. Our server got an A++ for effort, but C- on delivery. When I pulled up the Yelp map to find the place, it showed being located adjacent to a cemetery. Should have paid attention to the bad feng shui from the start. If you plan on spending over $100 for dinner, save your money for another place.
(2)Gabrielle N.
Good, consistent food and menu as well as great service. Their roasted chicken is to die for! I recommend anyone go for a great meal.
(4)Nick F.
This is a fantastic place. Great ambiance, the food is spot on every time. The bread pudding is a favorite dish and the specials always ensure a different dining experience. I have never been disappointed going there.
(5)Sheila s.
Me and my friends went there a couple of weeks ago, we actually went there by accident. I had low expectations when i first saw it, but then when we walked in, nice people, nice atmosphere, our waiter was nice, i thought the prices would be outrageous but they everything was reasonably priced. We all got different things, their burgers looked awesome, mac n cheese was good, not the best, but good, i loved the artichoke dip, the rotisserie chicken was really good moist and full of flavor, the steak was nice and juicy. I would defiantly go back...if only it wasnt so far!
(4)Elissa O.
I just went there for lunch and while it is hard to get to, the restaurant does have signs up to help you navigate your way there. The restaurant itself is very attractive and it has a nice outdoor area that I cannot wait to take advantage of. Like its sister restaurants, Red Rock Canyon/Copper Canyon, Stanford Grill is very good American food and I am very glad there is now one closer to my home. My meat eating husband says they have an excellent rotisserie chicken and ribs. We both really love the sides like the redskin mashed potatoes and glazed carrots. I give two thumbs up to the warm jalepeno cornbread in the skillet. It is so good. I liked the flavor of the veggie burger although it was very oddly colored and did not hold together at all. In fact, it looked like raw hamburger meat, which is not really the look that vegetarians generally appreciate. I think it would behoove them to color the veggie mix so it does not have that raw meat look to it. The service was good, but a little slow, although to be fair, we were there at 3 pm so that is an off time. However, I did notice 5 greeters compared to 4 wait staff. That was sort of a strange distribution of staff. Despite that, it was an enjoyable experience with very tasty food and we will definitely return. This is a great addition to the Columbia restaurant scene that one ups the many chains in the area.
(4)Kathy M.
This place is a great alternative to chain restaurant eating. It's located in a weird spot off Snowden River Pkwy, but it's worth a look. Nice, casual atmosphere. The bar is just ok, and the servers are a bit pretentious, but the have a decent wine selection and some good beers also. I tried a cilantro margarita there once and it was kind of gross. I've also had their "refillable" margarita, which was tasty but I dare say not very strong at all. Next time, I will stick with beer or wine. The service at the tables is average. We've had both slow service and excellent service there, so I think it depends on the night. The servers are friendly and the menu is limited, which I like because there's less chance for them to screw something up. The appetizers I've tried are all good. The shrimp is tasty and plump, the smoked salmon is very flavorful, and the spinach artichoke dip was impressive. The main courses I have tasted are all fantastic. Steaks are cooked just right, rotisserie chicken is to die for, and fish entrees are fresh. The mashed potatoes and green beans are awesome. The one change I'd make to the food in general is adding less salt. Everything is quite salty, but tasty none the less. Overall, I'd highly recommend this place for dinner or drinks with friends or a date. Very nice.
(4)Kip H.
My wife and I had a great dinner at the bar. Food and service by Rocky and Jeff were great!
(4)Fernando A.
We were looking around for a place to take my old man to eat for his birthday and went to yelp for some suggestions. I have to say everyones reviews were right on the money! I made reservations as suggested and when we got there, our table was ready and within a couple of minutes of sitting down our waitress took care of our drinks and appetizers. The staff is super friendly, very helpful and they work like a fine tuned watch. Don't be fooled by the small and simple menu.... the food is delicious and fresh!! Everything is made from scratch and you can definitely taste the yumminess!! Loved it overall!
(5)Tara J.
I made a reservation for 6pm on a Saturday after reading a few of the reviews on Yelp. We had a party of 4 and needed to be done dinner by 7:30 in order to make a play at 8. I made sure to write on my open table reservation that we needed to be out by 7:30 and even told our server upon arrival that we had tickets to an 8pm play. Based on the reviews on yelp, I was expecting average food and service and honestly, that is what we got. The ambiance was nice, the place is a little hidden so if you do not know Columbia well you should definitely try to look it up before you attempt to try and find it. Our server appeared to be friendly and knowledgeable. They stress "working as a team" of servers where you have one "head" server who takes your main order but you can basically wave down any server you want and make a request for food or drink. This philosophy for running a restaurant seems like a good idea IF the servers actually work as a team. We were not lucky enough to go on a night when they were doing that. Our food came out great - we ordered the chicken (they are known for it), a filet, and surf and turf. Beware, if you order the chicken and request white meat, they will charge you an additional $2 which they don't tell you or advertise on the menu. My filet was cooked perfect. The crab cake on the surf and turf was lacking in flavor and honestly could have been skipped and was not worth the additional $10 markup from the regular filet price. We finished dinner at 6:50 and asked for the dessert specials. Our server recited them and then left...and never returned. We tried "flagging down" a few servers who appeared to be busy with their own tables while we watched our server socialize with her other tables a few rows over. At 7:20 we were able to get her attention where we let her know we were going to order dessert but we were forgotten about so now we would just take our check. Her response was "well for future reference, we work as a team. You can flag anyone else down. You do not have to wait for me". Gotcha. I think there are better restaurants in Howard county that are worth the money this one costs.
(2)Roxann M.
The bartender was great, he introduced himself to us and shook our hands, he was very attentive while we were waiting for our table. When we were seated, we sat on the patio, it was a little chilly. We ordered and waited at least 20 minutes before we asked for some bread. When we received our food, the crab was cold but the rest of the food was hot. Overall, the food was tasty and the service OK
(3)Rosalyn T.
Stanford Grill is my favorite restaurant among the very many in Columbia. The service is great and the food never disappoints. I like the diversity in selections, with homemade desserts and "fish of the day." Everything is fresh. The atmosphere is also very nice, both at lunch time and dinner time.
(5)Drew W.
As a lifelong resident of Columbia, I am all too aware that we are in the land of chain restaurants - usually badly managed. There are quite a few locally-owned casual restaurants, and one decent upscale (Kings Contrivance of course), but hasn't been much in between. Enter Stanford Grill. But for a TERRIBLE location, this place is nearly perfect. Food, service, atmosphere all top notch. If enough people can find them, they will go back and this place will rank among the top restaurants in Columbia quickly.
(5)Brette D.
This place has a great running start for such a new restaurant. I could say a lot of the same things as previous reviews in regards to the food, however I would like to say some things about it from a design/concept standpoint: ~Atmosphere of the outside seating area is worth the wait! Intimate seating inside also very nicely spaced out, does not feel cramped. ~The live music is great! I really hope this is not going to disappear as the restaurant gets more developed--sometimes the live entertainment seems to be the first thing to go when restaurants get busier and tend to forget to book musicians. ~it would be nice if they had a more extensive drink list. The wines had many options and they obviously gave a lot of thought to that, but I would like to see them give more thought to specialty drinks. I know that every restaurant seems to make a martini with different names, yet they seem all very familiar...but they should give it a good shot to make something that is an original to the Stanford Grill. Overall, I think that this place has a few kinks to iron out, but I will be going back to see how they improve. Its also nice that it is not just another chain restaurant!
(4)Harold M.
Great atmosphere and understated style. Food is quite good. The Chef loves to bring the heat. Great first date place. It really impresses the ladies.
(4)Aryn E.
I LOVE Stanford Grill. My husband and I go here for almost every "special" occasion. The wait staff are always friendly and the service is always amazing. I recommend the New York Strip Steak and the rotisserie chicken, both are favorites! Also the iron skillet corn bread is the BEST! We will continue to be frequent visitors!
(5)Pam L.
Went there today for lunch. That location used to be a Lone star Restaurant. But it is no Lone star! I was quite surprised by the decor when I walked in. Looks very chic. A nice place to take clients. I ordered the Chicken Caesar Salad and it came with a side of side of skillet cornbread! Yummy. My boss ordered the Pork BBQ Sandwich meal. The pork BBQ was very good. Could taste the smoke and it had excellent flavor. A bit pricey if you are just grabbing a bite to eat for lunch but great if you want to reward yourself at lunch for making it halfway through the day!
(4)Danielle H.
This was my second visit and I really like it here! Jazz starts at 6, just in time for dinner from the well-rounded menu. Soft jazz, excellent food, dark wood, and slightly dimmed lighting throughout make this place the perfect backdrop for a date night. I inquired about a possible surf and turf pairing since there wasn't one offered on the menu. My server was more than happy to oblige. I decided to have filet and add a crab cake. It usually comes with creamed spinach and mashed potatoes, but again, my server was more than willing to accommodate when I asked to substitute asparagus tips for the spinach. While waiting for the meal, our server and other members of the wait staff visited the table several times to refill our water glasses and offer a refill on drinks from the bar as well. They were all very attentive. When my entrée arrived, the plate presentation was everything I expected it would be. A colorful display of asparagus and julienned red bell peppers and red skinned mashed potatoes. They were the perfect compliments to the main course. My filet came out with just the right amount of pink in the center and was very tender. 'm not a fan of the gorgonzola bleu cheese butter that was drizzled atop the filet but forgot to ask them to serve it on the side. I wiped it off before digging in. The cabernet sauce more than made up for it. This was the second time I had the crab cake. Both times it had a good meat to filler ratio (not much filler), lumps and all. It was an ample size as served with the filet. The seasoning was subtle but sufficient. My only gripe with the crab cakes is that both times they were just warm when served. When I cut into the center they were barely lukewarm. All in all, I enjoy dining here and I plan to visit again to sample the rotisserie chicken. That and the bread pudding. It's made from French baguettes and you can taste the butter in each rich bite. I'll definitely have that again for sure.
(4)K33shawn W.
This was a great place to eat and go on a date. I highly recommend this place and the food was great The atmosphere was wonderful and the waitress answered all my questions and was very knowledgeable about the menu
(5)Nicole B.
I stopped by for brunch last weekend with two girlfriends. Personally I was a little disappointed at how limited their brunch menu was, I had hoped for more options besides 4 Benedicts and 4 or so other standard options like French toast (they did also have a selection of lunch items on the menu, but being 10am, I really wanted breakfast). I selected the Crab Benedict (two sweet corn cakes, each topped with a crab cake, poached egg, and spicy "hollandaise"). It was good, but the sweet of the corn cake just took away from the dish for me. The hollandaise did not taste like hollandaise, it seemed to be a spicier sauce which was tasty, but disappointing to the hollandaise addict in me. The complimentary drink everyone got was a nice touch! I thoroughly enjoyed my grapefruit juice. My friends got the French toast and regular Benedict, both of which they said were tasty.
(4)Suzanne B.
The restaurant is beautifully appointed. Our meal was wonderful. The wait staff, professional and accommodating. Might be my new favorite. A five star experience from start to finish.
(5)Patti Y.
We had the opportunity to eat there recently while we were traveling with family. My beau and I were thrilled to have an evening alone for a quiet romantic dinner alone. The ambiance is lovely, and things started off very well with amazing table service. They work in "teams" and the premise is that there will always someone being around to attend to you. Since we both LOVE wood grilled food I decided to have the house specialty Wood Grilled Rotisserie chicken with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans. My beau chose the Wood Grilled steak salad. We wound up being horribly disappointed though. My chicken was lovely, but had no essence of wood smoke whatsoever. The Steak salad was not good at all. My beau had me taste it because he was wondering if it was just his taste or not. The steak had no wood flavor either, some of the lettuce in the salad was browning, and the dressing that they pre dress the salad with had a very odd taste to it. It was supposed to be Asian sesame, but there was some other odd bitter taste to it. That's where the aggravation began.....our "team approach" turned into not being able to find ANYONE to report the salad to. My beau actually had to raise his arms up and wave them around like a fool to finally get SOMEONE to acknowledge us. To make a long and aggravating dinner story shorter, the manager finally came over and offered to remove the food from the bill. Ok, well.....so we went back to the hotel and got microwave popcorn in the lobby to take back to our room so we weren't hungry.
(2)Bill B.
I brought the family with me and we all had something different. There was a 40 minute wait which was okay. Waits are typical in Columbia. The waitress was attentive. There was no beer list but she knew them from memory. I settled on a beer before she went through a long list (I assume). Appetizers came out quick and were good. Entrees were god too. The desserts we had were tremendous. They did forget a few things we ordered bu quickly replaced them and comped our desserts because of it.
(4)Maylynne R.
AMAZZZZING! I was in Baltimore this week for a 24 business trip and was starving by the time I got to the hotel. My boss and I knew that this was the only restaurant in the area. Literally 100 feet from our hotel. The ambiance is great! The lights were dimmed for dinner and they had a patio with firepits. Very nice! From the ambiance, I assumed that it was going to be super expensive (which is fine when your company is paying for it LOL), but it actually wasn't too bad. My boss ordered the cobb salad and I ordered the prime rib (woot woot!). When we got our food, I didn't know that the portions were made for giants! These plates were HUGE! So even if it was a little pricey, it was well worth it!!! And the food was super duper good! In addition to the food being good, our waiter was awesome. He said "Anyone that's dressed like me can help you when you need anything. We work as a 'team service', so it's not just me as your waiter." How cool is that approach?! Great customer service, even better food! Highly recommended.
(5)Eng P.
I frequent this spot a lot. Over time, I've witnessed the little "games" they play. What I've found about the service industry in the US is that businesses really aren't into "serving" you. They want to get $ out of you for a mediocre product. I really liked the bartender but pouring 3/4 cocktails and filling the rest with juice at $10 a pop and looking at me while I'm looking at you do this....ummm NO! I'm not that drunk! Actually I don't think she realized how sober I was watching her do this, sober enough to write this review while sitting at the bar! Managers hire these teeny boppers to run the place. And when they get these types of reviews they send you a 'I'm so sorry what can we do that rectify the issue" type message. And they offer something, but we're used to it, at least I am! They really couldn't give a sh*t about what you think of them. It doesn't show you care. How about hire staff who are really interested in service and get rid of the ones who try to get over on paying customers. Michael, the tall young white guy, is the only server that I've sensed is really "into" people. Now he may be just trying to get good tips I don't know, but he's really good with people. By the way the salmon appetizer is amazing and most of the servers are nice, but they try to get you on the drinks! I'm a little smarter than that! So I've wasted the last $ on Stanford. It's just simply better to drink at home. Bars try to overcharge you for less product. I chatted with two waitresses who seem to "get it," but who knows. But I've spent the last on Stanford. As I did with Victoria's so long!
(1)Angelica E.
Took my mom there last month. We ordered BBQ rib, pork chops which was special menu and Korean BBQ bulgogi for appetizer which was the best dish I had over there. The rib was so dry and the pork chops were too tough to chew, it was too thick of a cut. I was recommended to go to this restaurant and I was kinda disappointed with the food. Anyway, the service was great and I like the vibe inside the restaurant, though.
(3)Leneen S.
Food was good but service was excellent. Cindy was very attentive. Burger was the best part. Bread pudding was good but had alot of raisins. Will be back.
(4)Sherine And David G.
Went there for lunch today. I had the rotisserie wood fire chicken, one of their specialties, and it was everything I hoped it would be, and more. Moist, tender, fantastically flavorful, seasoned perfectly. I chose thin matchstick fries and glazed carrots as my sides, both excellent, too. My husband had the bacon cheeseburger with Jack cheese, and from the grunts of satisfaction emanating from his seat as he was inhaling his burger, I'd say it was really good, too. We also added a side of bacon mac and cheese that were excellent. I'd go back in a heartbeat. The only issue was with service. Although our waitress was quick, she was not knowledgeable at all. The spareribs on the menu were described as babybacks, and when asked if it was one or the other, the answer was "it's the same thing, babybacks just have the fat part trimmed"... then later when asked if the orzo rice was orzo, rice, or orzo and rice, the answer was "it's just made as a pilaf", which answered exactly nothing at all, and just told us that once again, she didn't have a clue. Note to waiters and waitresses: it's ok no not know. Go, ask someone who does. Or, simply say you don't know. Just don't feed us bull. It's really annoying.
(5)Sherri G.
The five star rating is directly related to the service provided by our server Colleen. The food was delicious and the wine was tasty. We would go back again for special occasions. The cheesecake was yummy. However, without the exceptional attention provided by our server, we wouldn't have enjoyed the evening as much. She knew the menu well. She had a smile that helped erase the craziness of a long Monday work day. Definitely a step up from the Lonestar.
(5)Jane F.
Fabulous! This was my first time at the Stanford Grill, having eaten at it's "sister" restaurant, Copper Canyon-never again! But that's a different review! The restaurant itself if very nice, wait staff excellent, and went out of their way to accommodate our 90 year old dining companion. We had five in our party, and we each ordered something different, salads, fish tacos, chicken pot pie. We all raved about our meals!! I ordered coffee after my meal, and was presented with a French Press all to my self! Excellent! 5 Stars for service, food, ambiance, will defiantly return.
(5)Sharon P.
The lobster mac-n-cheese is literally the best ever in life. Wait staff is amazing, food is always perfect! Can't go wrong with this place.
(5)R S.
Lovw this place! I normally get the smoked salmon, it's like no other salmon I've ever had. AMAZING!! Service is always great here too!
(5)Nikki W.
Nice dim, romantic atmosphere. I had marinaded steak salad with dressing on the side and it was really good. The best salad I've had in a while. I had two different wines...a red Zinfandel, which I admit was the cheapest glass of red Zin available, and it wasn't all that great. Too much of a bite of cheap wine. My mistake. After dinner, we had bread pudding, which was wonderful. I also tried the "tears of dew" moscato for dessert, and found this particular moscato to be too sweet. All in all, the food is pretty good. Service was good. My drink choices were not so good, but hopefully the rest of the wine options are good! Try it out.
(4)Ruth C.
Another chain restaurant that's overrated. This was or second time attempting to dine here. The first time we walked away due to the long wait but this time we figured we'd give it a shot (even though the wait was still long, 1.15hr+). We decided to sit at the bar and have a couple drinks. The mixed drinks were okay, nothing special. I'd say stick to a wine or beer that you prefer. Also, the bar service was subpar. I had an empty glass in front of me and had to notify the bartender I wanted another. In my opinion it should be the other way around. So after our 1.15hr wait we got sat at our table. We sat for a while without a server even approaching our table. We noticed the table that was directly next to us and got sat after us was approached by our server first. Mistake #1! When our server finally came over we basically knew what we wanted since we had 1.15 hrs to review the menu while waiting at the bar. So we placed our order and asked for 2 waters since we had beverages we brought with us from the bar. The food came out rather quickly which is nice but it felt rushed. We hadn't even gotten our waters yet. Mistake #2! So I asked again for our waters when the food was dropped off and the server comes back with only one water for me. Rude! I stated he would like a water as well. What server only brings one water???? Mistake #3! Honestly the only reason they get two stars is because you have to give at least one star with your rating (so that's the first) and one of our dishes was decent (so that's the second star). I ordered the crabcakes and they were not great, had no flavor and the mustard sauce they put under them is garbage. He ordered the ribs which we good and the sides of coleslaw and fries were on point. Overall opinion, the service was terrible and waiting that long for a semi-decent meal isn't worth it. Restaurants are considered part of the service industry and Stanford Grill totally neglects the "service" factor, sorry good food won't keep me coming back but awesome service will.
(2)Renee V.
Went last night to meet some friends and being from Harford County, went here based on a recommendation by a friend who lived in the area. Everyone in our party loved the place! Service, food and general ambiance and vibe of the place was awesome. I will definitely go back to this place even though I have to fight 95 traffic and travel at least an hour to do it!
(5)Ron G.
Live music is great, and I had a great piece of fish (Atlantic char special). Everything else we had was mediocre, especially on the ingredient side, so I don't agree with the 4 star rating. My wife's Bloody Mary was made from a grocery store mix, the key lime pie was syrupy sweet. Also staff forgot to deliver my smoked salmon appetizer. Make portion sizes smaller and compensate with better ingredients would be my advise. Keep up the live music :)
(3)Daniel G.
I was really dissapointed, I had high expectations for this place. Our pasta was cold and it didnt have much flavor. It was so loud I could barely here myself think in there, I couldn't hear my family or the waitress. The staff was polite, the spinach dip was really good. I don't think I will be going back, which kinda stinks because it is a really nice place, fire pit and seating area is laid back but that's about it.
(2)Michelle C.
Had dinner here about a week ago. There were 6 of us and every single one of us absolutely loved our food. We started with spinach artichoke dip and fried calamari. The sauce that came with the calamari was really good. To the point that my friend started dipping the chips that came with the dip into it. For dinner, I had the vegetable plate (huge portion of beautifully cooked vegetables) and enough left for lunch the next day. The rest of my group enjoyed steaks (cooked perfectly and melt in your mouth delicious- my friend gave me a piece in exchange for some vegetables) and the chicken, which the person who ordered it said it was "the best" he'd ever had. One of us ordered the flour less chocolate cake for dessert and of course we all had a bite. It was rich and moist. I recommend you give it a try. Throughout the meal, we enjoyed impeccable service from our server. Drinks were never empty and his recommendations were right on point. The ambiance was lovely, we were seated next to a fireplace which made for a very cozy dinner on a chilly night. The only downside to my meal was the specialty martini I ordered. It was way too sweet for me (orange something, I think?) but someone else at the table enjoyed it. I plan on returning soon. There were many more dishes I'd like to try.
(5)Scott S.
Came here for a business lunch. I have a feeling that the food here is normally a lot better than the burger that I had. Unfortunately the burger was pretty overcooked and the bun was really hard and "bready" (for lack of a better word). However everyone else at the table looked like they had excellent lunches. I will try it again and not order the burger, and I will update my review if things end up better!
(2)Lynie H.
Great food and drinks every time! Brunch is also great but limited selection but still good enough that u find something good to eat. Free drink with brunch. Great patio seating available as well.
(5)Margaret N.
Columbia's hidden treasure! Located behind Columbia's office buildings and next to hotels. Restaurant was packed and parking lot was completely full! Thankfully there's space near corporate offices! Perfect ambiance! Live jazz music and dim lights. Service was friendly, but a tad bit overbearing. Had their salmon for my meal and it was amazing! Had a nice grilled taste and came with orzo rice and spinach. Salmon was a tad on the saltier side though, but I liked the mustard cream sauce on top. My friend had their prime rib and it was a huge slab of meat! Perfectly prepared and came with a huge plate of green beans. Was a bit salty for my liking though. Tried their infamous bread pudding for dessert. It was nice and warm. Wish it came with more vanilla sauce and/or ice cream though. Was a little bland after you eat the top part. Overall experience was good and food was good, but on the saltier side. And portions are huge so go hungry!
(4)Niran A.
Stanford Grill is a great neighborhood style spot, with good ambiance and a nice menu. The décor and vibe is similar to Houston's, if you've ever been there, with thick wood booths aligned by row with a semi-open kitchen in towards the back. You will also notice the large rotisserie oven spinning with chickens off to the corner of the dining room. The menu has many things from large enticing salads, to steak and seasonal seafood options, to burgers/sandwiches, and their signature chicken dishes. When you have a rotisserie oven like that, you know the chicken will be great - and it is. I recommend the "wood-fire roasted chicken", which is a half chicken platter served skin on and on the bone. Before you get grossed out because your not used to eating the skin or meat off the bone, let me tell you those are the components that make the dish. The skin gets very crispy from the fire roasting and tastes delicious thanks to liberal amounts of coarse black pepper and salt as the primary seasoning. The meat stays super juicy from being on the bone, even the white meat. In addition to the chicken you get two sides of choice (red skin mashed potatoes recommended) for only $19. Some other items on the menu also feature the rotisserie chicken but it is usually off the bone for those occasions, such as being in the rotisserie chicken salad - also very good. The steak and seafood options are also good, although I personally think the steaks are a bit overpriced. In one of my visits my fiancée ordered the surf and turf (NY Strip and crab cake), which was a special for the night. When the bill came I was surprised it had a $39 price tag. It's just a bit much for a place not specializing in steak. Brunch is also very very good here. The eggs benedict, particularly the crab cake benedict, is delectable. The benedict is served on corn cakes (a tad too sweet for my tooth but most will love) and a spicy hollandaise sauce. It's a very rich dish, but a great value for the size, quality and the fact it comes with one free morning beverage of choice (coffee, tea, juice, champagne, mimosa, etc.). The breakfast burrito also deserves an honorable mention as does their French press coffee. Desserts are constantly changing, but always served in large "shareable" portions, and always good. This place is a hit in my opinion and pretty consistent for the most part. Some dishes are better than other but I have never been disappointed there.
(4)Sam A.
As far as fancy restaurants that Maryland has to offer, Stanford Grill is a very nice place to go. I've been here on two separate occasions, and once, they had an old man playing live music, and both times I felt out of place wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and boat shoes. Service is above par, and the food is fantastic. I guess you get what you pay for. I had the New York Strip the first time around. It was pretty fantastic. It tasted better because someone paid for my meal, but still, it tasted great and was cooked very well. The second time I visited, I ordered the Rattlesnake pasta, and I remember not being able to finish it. I don't recall if we got an appetizer or not, but I remember the portions being a bit bigger than usual (almost to that of Cheesecake Factory's pasta dishes). It's a short review, and I can't say much on the food, but I can definitely tell you that I leave here very full and a not-so-full wallet. But it's definitely worth it. I guess it'd be a pretty cool place for a date as well. But I haven't been on one of those in a while. Oops.
(5)Amy M.
I frequent this place a few times a month and have LOVED it. The food has always been great. Their salads are AMAZING and their chicken is DELICIOUS! There hasn't been a dish we ordered (we don't venture from our normal picks because if it isn't broke....) The atmosphere is great and at night there usually is jazz playing in the background. I would give this place 5 stars, had I wrote a review 5 months ago, but lately the service seems to be lacking lately. Also, the portions have decreased without a decrease in price. I would still highly recommend this place because it has yet to really disappoint!
(4)Lauren A.
We did get off to a bit of a rough start. Despite having reservations, we waited about 15 minutes to be seated. Although our waitress quickly introduced herself and told us the appetizers, she quickly became absentee. 20 minutes later, no water, no drinks, orders not taken. I called the hostess over to ask that she grab our waitress to take our orders. Instead she took over and delivered us exceptional service. She explained the specials in vivid details. Her personality was engaging and upbeat and in less than 5 minutes we had our orders taken, waters delivered and bread/cornbread at the table. Our dishes were quickly delivered (within 10 minutes afterwards) My Seared Sea Scallops with Brocollini was delicious. The scallops delivered a faint taste of lemon and garlic, the searing left a barely detectable smoke flavor. The Brocollini was sautéed with garlic and red pepper. It could have used a bit less salt, but was very edible. The cornbread.... I have it every time that it comes and it never fails to please. Stanford did recently update their bread and butter. The cinnamon sugar in the butter is a sweet treat. The bread however is a little too crisp. We asked for a lightly toasted replacement that was quickly delivered and devoured. I am a frequent customer of Stanford Grill for a reason: typically good seafood and service. If our hostess had been our primary server from the beginning, this would definitely be a 4-star review. For 5, the restaurant needs to make their menu a bit more exciting.
(3)Jessica K.
My family and I came here for dinner in honor of my dad's birthday. My brother has been here a few times before but it was the first time for the rest of us. First impressions: I loved the fireplace near the back of the restaurant and I especially loved the live jazz music that was playing. It made the wait less painful :) We made a reservation but when our reservation time came around, we were seated at a small table right next to the entrance. The entire restaurant seemed to have more booths than tables and you'd think that with a reservation made ahead of time, we'd get seated at a booth... But that wasn't too much of a problem. We waited about ten more minutes for better seating. The food experience, however, was phenomenal. We ordered a caesar salad to start and later ordered the house salad. I had asked for the dressing on the side but our waiter must have missed that part. I didn't mind at all though because it was a busy night and a different waitress served the salad. For our entrees, three of us got the prime rib and my dad ordered the rattlesnake pasta. It was probably the best prime rib I have ever had. I also had a bite of my dad's pasta and that, too, was just so good. Everything we had ordered that night was amazing. I will definitely be coming back!
(5)Lameka A.
We went here for New Year's Eve. This is our second time here and this restaurant is superb!!! The ambience is great! The food is outstanding. They give you generous portions. I love their key lime pie and bread pudding. The bread pudding could really be shared among three people. You will bring leftover homes if you have eaten prior. I suggest no eating before you come.
(5)Holly W.
Date night for my love and I. I made a reservation which I highly recommend as the restaurant, although a wonderfully hidden gem in Columbia, is always packed! The service was wonderful (Mark was our waiter). The wine selection is great, portions are huge! I had the Rotisserie chicken salad, he the 16 oz sirloin... A nice bottle of Apothic Red, and key lime pie for dessert. All was amazing. We were seated directly in front of the fireplace as requested. The atmosphere is bustling, so it is a little loud, however the Jazz is really nice in the evening after 6pm and the service is superb! I've been here three times, there will be a 4th...5th...
(4)Eric L.
We had a pretty disappointing dinner here recently. The best part of our meal was the appetizer, a special consisting of three dips (guacamole, blue fish and cheese). The chicken pot pie was very disappointing, pretty dry and mostly filled with potatoes, little chicken. The california cobb salad and french dip sandwich were also very average. Maybe the more expensive entrees would have been better, but I'm glad I didn't waste my money. The service was very good, what you would expect in a higher end restaurant.
(2)Molly A.
This is my family's favorite brunch spot! It's a hidden gem tucked away behind a group of hotels in Columbia. It's never packed, so we're usually seated immediately. Somehow we often get the same server, and he is polite, attentive, and fast. We've ordered most of the items on the brunch menu, and our favorites are the French toast, farmer's omelette, the blueberry pancakes, and any eggs benedict option. The banana pancakes are okay, but we found maybe 5 slices of banana. I also appreciate the one free bellini or mimosa per person. A little something to sip on plus a live jazz band in the background makes for great Sunday afternoon ambiance!
(5)Sandy H.
Wow is all I can say. I give them 5 stars! The food is just awesome from the entree to the dessert! I love the reservation option. The atmosphere is dark and romantic with a fireplace and live music. Nice bar area too to order drinks while waiting to be seated. Everything and I mean everything on the menu is just splendid!!!!!
(5)Victor R.
This place is excellent. I discovered it about a year ago. Everything from the customer service to the ambiance, to the live music being played is nice. The food is delicious and plentiful. I enjoyed how the wait staff was very attentive. The food does not take long to come out now of course this was 5 p.m. so I can see it getting busier in the evening. Th lounge are with the fire place was very nice. I recommend this place to anyone thst enjoys good food and fine wine. A little pricey but you get what you pay for and its worth the price.
(5)Ben G.
My family came here this past Tuesday for my brother's high school graduation. I had heard great things about Stanford Grill, but wow! What a great dining experience. From the moment we walked in, we were taken care of by our notably tall server, Ryan, who was attentive, informative, helpful, and humorous; he seemed to almost have a sixth sense concerning when we needed something, provided excellent recommendations, and was a consummate professional. If you ever have the chance to eat here, ask for Ryan! Our party of 9 people specifically enjoyed the crabcakes (to die for), the chicken pot pie (my personal favorite), the salmon (you've never tasted salmon like this), and the keylime pie- hands down, one of the best dining experiences of my life. A nice touch was the coffee, french pressed at the table for flavor like nothing else. What a cup of joe! The Duke martini was also great, as was the Uptown Old Fashioned- that bartender knew his stuff. Thanks to Ryan and the great team at Stanford Grill, our family enjoyed a special occasion in an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. I hope to return soon, and cannot sing their praises enough.
(5)Sarah W.
Decided on a fine dining experience and this seemed to be a good choice based on other reviews. Let me say those other reviews COMPLETELY undersold how great this restaurant is. I had 7:15 reservations and we walked in about 7:10 and were in our seats by 7:15 - the parking lot was packed so give yourself extra time. The waiter came over and we told him we had never been there before so he explained how they make everything from scratch, told us about the daily specials and was very affable and knowledgeable. He brought us water while we tried to pick just one thing off the menu and wipe the drool from our salivating mouths as everything looked just amazingly delicious. He was able to recommend a great wine for my boyfriend's grouper and our order was out within under 10 minutes. I had their famous rotisserie chicken which was half the chicken, mashed potatoes and crisped green beans, the bf had grouper in a saffron-butter sauce with orzo rice and red cabbage braised in sherry. That sentence alone should tell you how exquisite the food was and how much preparation went into our meals. Needless to say our food was out of this world delicious and we couldn't get over how good it was - we kept exchanging bites between raving "Oh you HAVE to try this". The portions were surprisingly large and we both left with to go boxes. I absolutely recommend this place and have NO IDEA what some of these other people are on about.
(5)Rummy V.
This place is exactly what Columbia needed! Best restaurant in Columbia it's a must to try! Great place, great people and the food is amazing!!!! Very impressive!
(5)Junior V.
Despite the 30 minute wait we had a great time. I used open table to make a reservation so the 30 minute wait definitely was not a good first impression. Let's dive into the calamari, fillet, chicken and pasta, and bread pudding! All of the food was amazing. The service was top notch and the price point was fine. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Tom B.
Amazing restaurant! I was traveling and asked the hotel clerk where the best place in town was and she said Stanford Grill! She was right. I will be back next year.
(5)Ashwin M.
All in all we had a pretty good Mother's Day brunch experience at Stanford Grill. I really liked the setting and ambience, and the guys playing music in the front bar area was a nice touch. On nice days like this, sitting outside on their back deck is also a must! Food was solid, but the service was lacking. They were noticeably busy of course, and managed to mess up my brother-in-law's chicken salad TWICE by giving him ALL the ingredients he said he didn't want. In general they were slow and not on top of things like refills, bringing extra plates, etc. Crab cake benedict was exceptional, and basil/goat cheese/tomato omelet was simple but done very well. My mom really enjoyed her portabella sandwich too. Chicken pot pie was so rich and heavy as expected, but tasted incredible. Great weather made for an overall good brunch experience!
(3)Sean H.
While in town on business I gave the Stanford Grill a try on the suggestion of a local colleague. I ordered the New York strip medium rare. The steak I received was slightly over well done and dry.
(2)Phil S.
per their recommendation, went with a couple of colleagues for the first time. they both ordered salads and i had a burger special -- angus beef cooked to medium with fried tomatoes and other veggies. came with steak fries, which were done perfectly. burger was good, too. i've had better but there was absolutely nothing wrong with theirs. i was told they had a sister restaurant near where i live with basically the same menu as theirs. same chef creates both menus apparently. i'll be checking them out next time and get them another star.
(4)Brendan F.
This classy establishment is one of the best restruants I have ever been to in Columbia. Everything on the menu is great, so there is no bad choice. The bathrooms are a resounding 9\10, where each stall feels like a tiny slice of heaven. All of the waiters and servers work like a well oiled machine. They work as a team to give you the best experience possible and promptly serve you your food. I had a great time and I highly recommend it.
(5)Sean Y.
Highly recommended! I have visited The Stanford Grill on three different trips here to the Baltimore-DC Metro area. It has consistently been excellent! The music and ambiance are very trendy and the food is always awesome! I enjoy the rattlesnake pasta, but I have also tried the crab cakes which are great! My fiancé greatly enjoyed the trout special. The fish was HUGE!!!!!!! We will certainly come back to bring our friends and family in the future.
(5)Michele C.
I really enjoy this place for a nice, quiet , memorable meal. I've been a handful of times and each time I was pleased. Salmon has been amazing each time and braised cabbage was out of this world good (not on regular menu). Dessert was a wonderful ending to a really good meal. Restaurant is oddly very dark (lighting)
(4)Gloria B.
I went during happy hour with no reservations on a Friday night. Bar was free so we sat there till our table was ready. About a 39 min wait. Apple martini was great and salmon was yummy! Live music also!Perfect atmosphere to unwind!
(5)Phi N.
Kind of fancy for columbia... split the coconut shrimp and smoked salmon to start off. The salmon plus it's dipping sauce is prob the best I've had in terms of that. Shrimp was nothing special. For my main course I got the filet & crabcake special of the day. Crabcake was oh so delicious! Can't say the same about my steak though... one, it wasn't super tender. Two, it was cooked medium rather than medium-rare. and three, the sauce wasn't very tasty. I was able to get full off the spinach and mashed potatoes though (huge portion). My friend got the veggie burger and requested I add her review of it... it tasted really good but was very sloppy and hard to eat. As for the fries, they may look thin, but there are so many. (The sauce was too sweet for my liking). Hostess & server were very friendly and the food came out quick.
(3)Maurice R.
I've been here a handful of times in the past, but my previous visit will be my last. Stanford Grill gives the impression of a fancy restaurant. Dimly-lit interior...check. Upbeat jazz band....check. Cozy booth and fireplace... double-check. On the merit of the interior alone, I would give this place four stars. While Stanford Grill excels in ambiance, it's food does not live up to it's decor. On my last visit, I opted for the salmon special. It consisted of ok-seasoned piece of salmon, and some slices of what I was assuming were the largest tomatoes ever. It wasnt very good and at nearly $40, I was expecting more (at least in taste.) I was still kind of hungry, so I ordered the coconut shrimp and chips with guacamole. Neither were terrible. Neither were very good either. Like I said before, I've been here a couple times for dinner and lunch. Each time, I've left disappointed. There are considerably better places to eat in the area. While nice, Stanford Grill simply isn't worth it.
(2)Kellie L.
Yesterday my boyfriend took me on a surprise date here for our one year anniversary. This place is beautiful and I couldn't have asked for a better place to spend our special day on. The waiter was extremely friendly and very attentive, and he seemed to know the whole menu inside out. The food was incredible and very well-made and overall my experience here was phenomenal! My boyfriend made reservations and we got seated as soon as we got there. The place itself is very lovely and the lights are dim but it was perfect for the mood. I had the delicious Ahi Tuna Steak and writing this review right now makes me want to go back and experience it all over again! This place is truly a treasure and I hope to come back to it someday!
(5)Santana Ross W.
The food here is delicious. I had a better experience here than Copper Canyon Grill in Gaithersburg (They are owned by the same restaurateur). I've been here for dinner and brunch and was totally satisfied. I recommend the calamari, bread pudding, French toast and crab scramble.
(5)Kendal M.
Here again for lunch and just as great! Live piano playing in the background and complimentary mimosa for our first round! Lovely! Food was great again. Tyler who was our waiter in the bar area...awesome! Come on in and make yourself at home!
(5)D'Arcy F.
Ok let just start by saying that we were seated swiftly and prompt. The ambience was very nice and the sound of live jazz in the back was excellent. We were greeted by our server mike one of the tall servers there and trust me their were quit a few lol. Drinks were offered and came promptly he explained all the apps so that we can get things started. I was testing him as usual its in my nature lol so I'm like is this good ( spinach dip ) and he was honest thank god he wasn't a robot server that would have pissed me off. He recommended the fiesta roll which were freaking awesome points there. Then came the entree presentation which he went full detail with everything, I was going for the salmon until he mentioned the mahi mahi lol favorite by the way. Two people in our party changed there minds on what to get so points for presentation. My friends also loved the gin martinis extra dirty cold and prompt. Entrees were prompt and hot, know I'm not exaggerating that fish was like freaking butter I devoured it like I was starving or something lol. My friends Also loved there dishes crab cakes, scallops, and a veggie burger was what they ordered. Had a glass of artessa Chardonnay to compliment the fish which was a great move. Then dessert was amazing the bread pudding is supposedly legendary so we all decided to share one. Put it like this I took the rest of it home lol. To sum things up this was a wonderful establishment and will be returning. Oh yeah and your support staff is awesome
(5)Wayne G.
We came expecting the full menu however on Sundays it's brunch prior to 2pm. We had the Portobello sandwich and the chicken pot pie. Both were good and served at the appropriate temperature. The pot pie has a hint of cayenne. The music is nice, there's a lot of diner chatter, and the service is good. The menu is simple with food on the front page and wine on the back. We'll try it again for dinner.
(3)Michael Z.
I've been to Stanford dozens of times. It used to be a five star restaurant easily but in the past year I have to deduct a star because of their ever inflating prices. It feels like every time I go to Stanford everything is a couple dollars more expensive. What used to be an amazing value with steaks in the mid 20's is slowly become less and less so now that the steak entrees are approaching the mid $30 price. That being said the food in Stanford is still some of the best of what Columbia has to offer. The servers all seem knowledgeable and well trained. The kitchen seems to pump out entrees at a speedy pace. The desserts are phenomenal and huge. I'd recommend Stanford for special occasions but as the price point creeps up I hesitate to suggest to a couple just looking for a solid date night spot as other places in the area offer equally nice experiences at a much better value.
(4)Food L.
I've brought clients here a few times for lunch. The food is always stellar. The service is typically wonderful. My latest trip the server was a bit slow in the beginning, but stepped up her game by the end. The atmosphere is nice and the decor contemporary and clean. I would recommend dressing up a bit. This isn't the type of restaurant you roll in wearing shorts...think of a Houston's or Clyde's Bottom Line - If you're in the area and looking for a great meal, Stanford Grill has never let me down.
(4)Yiping W.
After reading a few of the really negative reviews dated 6/1/14 by the same party of ten people, I was hesitant on going to Stanford Grill for my birthday today. To my delight, my boyfriend and I had an awesome experience right from the start. We got there some time between 5:30 and 5:45, and were seated right away. The maître d asked for our names which I thought was odd, since we didn't make a reservation, but it was made clear they ask so they could actually address us properly. It was a really nice touch to their service. Our server, Corin, was very knowledgable, attentive, and personable. She made us feel at ease and comfortable throughout the dining experience. Keep in mind this was our very first time here so we weren't sure what to expect! We got the cornbread to start - delicious and satisfying! Then came our entrees - my bf got the roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans and I got the tenderloin filet with a side of crab cake and two veggies (sautéed spinach and broccolinni). I loved every bite of my dish! I got my steak medium and it was done perfectly - Corin even asked me as she brought out the plate to check if my idea of "medium" was the same as theirs. I loved the blue cheese sauce that's over the filet - scrumptious! The crab cake was nicely seasoned and filled with jumbo lump crab meat. It was an awesome birthday meal for me! Now onto the less positive - the roasted chicken meal my bf had was good, but I think almost anyone could probably creat the same meal at home for less than $5, as opposed to the $19 they charge.. Aside from that, the lighting in the restaurant was too dim in my personal opinion and the noise level was quite loud so it was hard to have a conversation while we sat across our booth. Overall, I'd go back to Stanford Grill for special occasions, but it probably won't be a regular place to grab a bite on a date night, though, due to the price and noise level.
(4)Greg M.
Ribs, cole slaw and fries, enough said! But everything is great. This place is always busy, so call ahead for reservations, even mid-week. Food is very upscale as well as the pricing. What makes this place special is the staff. I have eaten there several times and everyone is very nice, funny, makes you feel comfortable is the best way to put it. If you have the $$$ to drop, make this place a planned stop. Also, if you are staying at the Courtyard Marriott, dessert is free.
(4)Dale B.
To me this was a pretty average restaurant, but an above-average chain. The atmosphere is really nice, well-lit, I liked the fireplaces, etc. What was disappointing to me was the food. It resembles good food, it tries to be good food, but it's very average tasting. I had their signature dish, the roasted chicken with green beans and red cabbage. The chicken was good, I ate it, but didn't love it. The green beans were not crisp and starting to brown, clearly not fresh. The red cabbage too lacked freshness and flavor. Everything was definitely edible, but I think people come here with the expectation that this is a high-class, fancy place based on the outside and inside appearances. The professionalism of the staff too lends this place to having the appearance of an upper scale restaurant, but once that food hits your mouth, I guarantee you'll feel like you're at an Outback Steakhouse.
(3)K G.
I tried this place last night. For Wednesday night it was packed. I had to wait 15 minutes! That was a good sign, becasue you don't see that many restaurants that are full on Wednesday night. The staff were all friendly and attentive. Our server was David who was great and knowledgable about the menu. He consistantly refilled our drink even when we paid for the food. I meant to say that he did not stop his service just becasue we were done with food and paid for it. The food was great. We had Rotissarie chicken, Filet, and Trout. They were all tasty, well seasoned, and hot. There was nothing in a plate that was not good. The dessert was excellent. You can't get such a dessert for $8 anywhere. It was chocolate uprising which had ice cream, chocolate cake, warm melted chocolate, and cream. All in one dessert! I don't know why other reviewers disagree with child friendly, because I have two years old son and they were very child friendly. They brought us a booster sit right away and they clear the way when we were going to the bathroom. I agree that it's a expensive restaurant, but you won't regret for your money.
(5)Olivia M.
I really really enjoyed my first experience here! My dad had rotisserie chicken which was amazing with mashed potatoes and green beans. I had some type of fish that was horrible. It was square and almost plastic looking/tasting. It caught my attention because of the sauces the waiter mentioned. Then he offered to serve it naked and dip the sauces. I don't know why I thought that could have been a good idea but it wasn't. Marinated fish would have been amazing. Dipping fish? Not so much. HOWEVER, my platter redeemed itself with the butternut squash which I couldn't get enough of! Delicious and I'm still drooling over it. The green beans were crisp and perfect. Next time I plan to get the rotisserie chicken, butternut squash & green beans...
(3)Jackie R.
We love this place. The rotisserie chicken is awesome and a salad with the chicken is the best!
(5)Nancy T.
This place is an oasis in a desert of chain restaurants. The ambiance was absolutely gorgeous, the live jazz band when I was there played beautifully, and the food was really delicious. Also, the service is top notch. I loved our server. She was absolutely perfect. Some minor quibbles: I wish they would offer a cocktail menu and I wish they'd put avocados on the cobb salad. That would take it from a 9 to a 10. I rarely order dessert, but all the Yelp recs convinced me to try the bread pudding. I am so glad I did. Easily the best bread pudding I've ever had. It was enormous and I took half home and had it for breakfast the next morning. I really want to go back and order the rotisserie chicken dinner. I had some on my cobb salad and it was so delicious I can't wait to have it again. Update: I finally had the rotisserie chicken!! Amazing. Also loved the martini and fried oysters. Just consistently incredible food and service pushed me over the top so I had to go from 4 to 5 stars.
(5)S C.
Prime rib was fantastic. We ordered alot of food and nothing was less than fantastic. We sat in the bar and even bar service was good. A female manager even offered me a chair to sit in while we waited as I was holding my son. Extra touches are the point of the buisness. 5 star coming from someone working fine dining 10+ years.
(5)TaVida R.
Great service!! Beyond expections. My steak came out not cooked right. They took it back and apologized, then re did the steak!! Not just put it back in for a few more mins. And then they gave me a sorry gift. The manager came over and brought me the steak himself. All the waiters/waitresses were extremely nice. I'll be back. Our waitress was Sarah, Thanks!
(5)Toya D.
Today was our second (and last) visit to Stanford Grill. We've decided to stick with the sister restaurant Copper Canyon Grill from now on. First visit: December Dinner - The food wasn't warm, but the portions were decent. It wasn't bad enough not to give it another shot. LAST visit: Sunday Brunch - There wasn't that long of a wait for our food, so that was a plus. However, ONCE AGAIN, the food wasn't piping hot and there was more peppers and onions in my breakfast burrito than meat, potatoes and salsa. Very disappointing.
(2)Mary M.
Great work lunch spot. Good for groups. They are very accommodating and helpful. I love the fireplace in the back room. Food is delicious - I've never had anything bad here.
(4)Victoria S.
This was a great place to find in Columbia. The ambiance was warm and cozy. The servers were fantastic, attentive and helpful giving menu recommendations. We ordered coffee which was brought out in a French press and fantastic. Calamari to start which was flash fried with a small amount of batter. I had the Wood grilled fish that had a large filet of trout. It was delicious! I really enjoyed this place and would love to go back. I loved the warmth that this place had. Sure there was a fire place but just the entire restaurant was inviting. Wood paneling. Huge comfy booths. It was just a very nice experience. I highly recommend!
(5)Neal M.
Service is a strong point here; servers are highly trained, know the menu well, & work as a team to meet your every needs. The specialty cocktails were all around $10, & the peartini was excellent. Wines are very good & also reasonably priced. Food, however, can vary. This can be an expensive restaurant, with some entrees running as much as $38. They have some lower priced entrees, burgers, sandwiches, & salads, & those are usually what I order. On a previous visit I ordered the rotisserie chicken ($20), but it was tough. This time I ordered a cheeseburger & French fries ($16), but they willingly substituted a fresh vegetable (a side salad upgrade was available at $3.50). The cheeseburger was outstanding, the handmade patty was lean, tender, cooked as ordered, & had a smoky taste from the hardwood in the grill; it came with a long list of toppings, all shredded & piled on the burger. Delicious! The French dip ($19) was also excellent, with lots of really good beef. (The au jus was flavorless.) French fries were thin "McDonalds-style", except cold & tough, served with a tiny cup of ketchup. So, mostly hits, & the crowds on most nights make it clear that there are a lot of folks who like it here.
(4)David S.
Can't believe how this place has fallen off. Their customer service used to be top notch, but now it's subpar! The food used to be great now is just ok. We did make a formal complaint about the service and was offered free desert. We turned it down because we didn't want them to think that was all we want it. The manager assured us that someone would definitely give us a call within a few days. It's been about 45 days now and we still haven't heard from anyone. It's okay because we will never go back again. For this level of service we expect the prices to be equivalent to Burger King or TGI Friday! DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!
(1)Michael C.
This is probably the best restaurant in Columbia. It's a bit on the pricey side but the food and service is always top notch. The parking lot is normally pretty full, so it can be difficult to find a parking space. The steak salad is my favorite entree here.
(5)Nicky D.
If you haven't been here, you are missing out!! The restaurant has a beautiful atmosphere with live jazz every night. The staff is superb and very attentive. Now let's talk about the food. We went to Stanford Grill to celebrate a birthday. Due to the size of our party, we ordered a variety of appetizers. The calamari was tender and flavorful! The spinach dip with homemade chips was addictive! Unfortunately, I was not a fan of the deviled eggs. They had no flavor whatsoever. It's my understanding they aren't a menu staple any way so I won't hold that against them. The entrees come with nice size salads. They aren't to die for, but c'mon it's a salad! The awesome thing about the salad is the delicious iron skillet cornbread that comes with it. My dad got the prime rib. It was so juicy and tender!! It came with a side of spaghetti squash that was out of this world!!! My stepmother got the Rattlesnake Pasta. I didn't try it but she enjoyed it and had plenty leftover for lunch the next day. Another family member got the wood-fired rotisserie chicken that happens to be the chef's specialty. It was moist, flavorful, and downright amazing! The rest of us got the crab cakes! The dinner comes with 2 crab cakes and each contains 4 oz. of lump crab meat...a half pound of crab...SCORE!! The crab cakes were delicious! Not the best I've had but I would definitely order them again. The glazed carrots were perfect! The side that stole the show was the Mac, bacon & cheese!! Omg!! I couldn't stop eating it!! I make a great Mac & cheese, but theirs puts mine to shame!! Creamy, delicious, superb, and amazing aren't enough to describe it!! Finally, we get to the dessert. Everyone was pretty full at this point but we wanted something sweet to accompany our thick, rich, French pressed coffee. We ordered the Chocolate Uprising (basically a huge ice cream sandwich) and the bread pudding. The Chocolate Uprising was enjoyed by all but it was the bread pudding that had our eyes rolling into the back of our heads!! It was warm, moist, not too sweet, and very addictive!! I was stuffed but I couldn't stop eating it!! Stanford Grill is an amazing restaurant with an excellent staff and high quality food!! I totally recommend it!!
(5)Wizards F.
This place is looking the part but sadly the food does not live up to those same standards. Our waiter was new and nice but like other before me have mentioned the food was disappointing. I am comparing this to other nicer restaurants like Capital Grill, The Palm and Ruths.
(2)Phil S.
Damn this place is good. And I disagree with the $$$, I think its actually a bargain for the amount of food that you get. I come here for lunch and dinner and my work holiday parties are here. The rotisserie chicken is a ton of food - same with many of the entrees. The cornbread is fantastic and so is the coconut shrimp. Crabcakes and fries were great also. And the ribs were fantastic. The only meal I ever had here which wasnt fantastic was the lobster mac and cheese special - way too much wine that didnt reduce. And the dessert portions are huge. My wife and I are at the point where when we come here we can get an appetizer to share, a meal to share, and a dessert to share and be stuffed with a $40 dollar check. Jackpot!
(5)Sherri J.
We visited this spot recently and were impressed. Nice atmosphere that seemed very similar to Copper Canyon (turns out they are owned by the same company) but that wasn't a bad thing. Restaurant was stylish and comfortable. The dinner menu starts at 2pm on Sundays preceded by brunch. We had the rare fortune of being able to order the soft shell crab as an entree and it was amazingly good. This is served with couscous and chilled tomato salad. I swapped the couscous out for mashed potatoes (which were delicious) and didn't care for the chilled tomato salad. My boyfriend had the prime rib cooked medium well and it was so good that I wished I'd ordered it myself! Steak was juicy, tender, and flavorful. Very impressive steak. Service was average--not abysmal but not very attentive either. Probably because we ate when they were transitioning from brunch. Overall we very happy with our choice to visit here.
(4)Julia F.
It was WAY over priced. The food is ok. I prefer Longhorn. When we asked if we could make a reservation for 8 on Valentine's Day we were told that it was booked - which was 100% understandable. What was weird was that we couldn't make a reservation for ANY time for 8 to sit at one table. What?! They can't put 8 together unless you rent/reserve/pay for the patio area. Great service!
(2)Howard A.
One of those places where you eat every crumb on your plate because it is all so yummy. They have daily specials that aren't on the menu. I had one of those - a New York steak with mashed potatoes and broccoli. The live jazz provides a great ambiance and our waitress was great. The desserts were huge, you might consider sharing one.
(5)Katherine W.
Uses olive oil and butter, fries I in canola oil. A few items are prepared, they said I should check with my server.
(3)Marc A.
New Year's Eve at Stanford Grill was outstanding. Our server Laura was amazing. She knew so much after only being their for two months. She described every special with accuracy. My friend Mike had the best steak he ever had thanks to the Chef who we would love to meet. My wife and I had delicious meals also. I know the Stanford Grill is the best restaurant in Columbia, Md. Thx for a wonderful New Year's Eve. All three of us will be back at least once a month for 2015.
(5)Brooke T.
So I've never heard of this place before. Never known it existed in thee good old Columbia. First of I thought it was fairly odd to find. It is on Stanford Rd but a winding road. I came in the restaurant and wowza. It's absolutely beautiful inside! They had a jazz duo playing right at the front. The dining area is really nice, they have comfy booths and a lovely fireplace. Definitely romantical, if you're there for that. Guys got that...lol So for an appetizer I had the skillet cornbread with the jalapenos. I thought it was pretty good and had a nice kick too. Initially my eyes zoomed in on that rattlesnake pasta, but I was talked out of it and got the special instead. Baked chicken, red skin mashed potatoes and spinach. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a hefty portion and the chicken was seasoned just right. For dessert, bread pudding #nomnomnom!!! Flippin awesome! In regards to service, it was awesome, everyone was so attentive. However I would definitely come back and request our primary server Neil. He was just so into the food and provided thee best explanations about everything, he was animated and superbly enthused and excited about his job. Thanks!! Oh yea I noticed that they have brunch. Thee best of both worlds....Stanford Grill, I will be seeing you again....
(4)ML V.
I actually stumbled upon this place by looking at yelp reviews. I agree with the crowd, it's a great place to eat. It has a mix of different groups, including families, business men/women and friends. The atmosphere was very warm, homey and inviting. The server was also very friendly and knowledgeable about items on the menu. My whole group enjoyed their entrees. I specifically ordered the rotisserie chicken. Let me just tell you, it was made to perfection. I have no complaints at all. I actually had to force myself to stop eating, so I could save and cherish the last couple of bites for lunch the next day. I'm coming back soon!
(5)Janice L.
As many times as we've been to Stanford...we've never left disappointed. This is one genuine and amazing restaurant! Was able to try their brunch menu too. Do yourself a favor and get the filet mignon benedict!!! OMG!!!! The french toast was a tad too sweet for my husband and I...and we loveee sweets. The offer complimentary mimosa, champagne or bloody mary. We just love this place. Just sad now we've moved away from Maryland.
(5)Ken M.
I met a colleague here for lunch and even though this place is a little out of the way and not that easy to find, it was packed. There are a bunch of office parks nearby so my guess is this is where business happens. The place is clean and well appointed with friendly wait staff. The people who seat you could be a little more enthusiastic. The young women who sat us looked a little bored. The food itself is good and served in huge portions which can be a downside. I had the Woodside Grill Steak Salad. It was very nice. I finished it off with the Key Lime Pie. Also huge and also very tasty. I understand all the desserts are made "in house" which, if it's true, is a nice touch. All in all, i really liked the place and once it had emptied out a little it was actually pleasant enough and quiet enough to be able to talk to the person across the table from me. They also have a nice "outside" area which is covered and protected against the rain. Prices are reasonable and service is friendly and efficient.
(4)B J.
So obviously the draw here is supposed to be the Rotisserie chicken. It was ok. Nothing special. I ordered a salad with chicken in it and it was huge. But the dressing choices were limited and not good. The Tomato Basil soup is delicious. The mashed potatoes were good. My friend ordered a chicken pot pie but she sent it back because the crust was doughy and it had no flavor. Our Server, Korinne, was the most irritating I've had. She thought she was being so cute by practically singing through what sounded like a well rehearsed and practiced review of the menu. Zip and zang this and that. Ugh. She was literally snapping her fingers and rolling her neck. It was just too much. Then she started strangely removing our utensils in the middle of the meal. She took my uneaten cornbread before I could say anything. I could tell that she wanted us to leave so she could get the next group and the next tip. She just got on our nerves. I don't think we will return.
(3)Carrie W.
Started with five people stuck in a 4 person booth. Steak was just OK. Cooked to order but just not a great piece of beef. Dessert was not great. An Amaretto up was served as a sour, sent back and finally arrived correct with the check. This was a business dinner that did not go well.
(2)Patsy H.
The food is consistently great. This was our fifth time dining here. My only complaint would be with our surly server JESSE. Everyone else, including the hosts and runners, were friendly however our server was very unfriendly. Wouldn't crack a smile and didn't thank us or anything. Having a server with an attitude for no apparent reason definitely lessens an otherwise positive experience. Please speak with him about this.
(3)Kisha S.
I attended for a Blog Networking event and the servers and hostess were welcoming and pleasant.
(3)Kyndra B.
I'm a little ashamed at how much I actually eat here! Oftentimes, this is our Friday night date spot WEEKLY! The service is always phenomenal (make sure you call ahead or there will be a 30-40 minute wait). The calamari is delicious! The BEST I've ever had. The burger is very tasty and juicy as well.
(5)Tara G.
Pretty good food, good size portions, and very comfortable atmosphere with live Jazz and fireplace! I had to knock a star for having to wait 20 min past our reservation time, and while the rotisserie chicken salad was huge, it was a little on the dull side in terms of flavor, including the chicken. But other dishes looked very tasty!
(4)Chris D.
Reminded me of a J Alexanders. Got a tortilla soup to start. Excellent. Not the easiest soup to eat gracefully. Ribs, with mashed pototoas and slaw was a nice combo. Note that a normal human would not be able to consumer all of said food. I'm normal. Dessert passed on
(4)David W.
they are busy but worth it.
(4)Cindi M.
One of my absolute favorite restaurants in the area. As soon as you walk in, you are treated with the best customer service. The food is always good, even during the happy hours and special event parties. The ambiance that they have created make for a great date night with the live jazz bands.
(5)Jamie B.
Very impressed by this place. The service was top notch. Not the best steak I ever had. But I will be back next time in town for sure to try their chicken. Excellent service!
(4)Mark E.
Our second visit was even better than our first. It was Super Bowl night, and the small crowd made for particularly top notch service. Our waitress recited am lengthy list of imaginative specials verbatim, which got things off to an inspiring start. The food did not disappoint at all. As I said last time, "Delicious and imaginative entrees, but the less adventuresome will find much happiness too. Not for the thin-of-wallet, but we'll definitely be back. " Note to ownership and management: Don't you dare change what is not broken. And waitress Rachel deserves a nice raise!
(5)Stephanie D.
My first visit. Parking lot was full which is always a great sign. Musical Entertainment along with the fire gives a great atmosphere. The service was exceptional!!!! Great job Michael. I had the fiesta egg rolls & rotisserie chicken, melts in your mouth. And top it off the key lime pie. If your in the area it is a must.
(5)Joi E.
Food is awesome, great atmosphere, and great service. I highly recommend the rattlesnake pasta!!
(5)Ky T.
Stanford Grill is definitely good. It is currently however, also OVERrated. Four or five stars is absolutely within the potential of this place, but an A-Ok rating was what was warranted during my visit. The Good: The ambiance here is fantastic. Live Jazz, rich mahogany wood panels, and real lit fireplaces make the setting awesome for date night. The fried oysters appetizer was fresh and cooked perfectly. The bread pudding was some of the BEST I've ever had, EVER. Portion sizes are large enough for leftovers which is always a plus in my book :) The Bad: The crabcake entree was just alright. The crabcakes literally seemed like ones I could have gotten from Long John Silver's fast food chain. The ribeye cooked medium was tough in texture, although well seasoned. The eggrolls were very ordinary, as well ...like ones TGIFridays packages & sells in the frozen food aisle. The ugly: Service has room for improvement. I was advised by one server that SG executes a service style allowing for all the waitstaff to tend to your table rather than just one person. I imagined this would mean I'd receive 3 to 4 times more attention this way... not the case. Instead I saw a lot of hustle and bustle with lots of servers rushing around but none taking notice of my empty glass or flatware needing to be removed from the table. I did not enjoy feeling like I was alllllwaaaaaysss waiting on something or someone to notice me. Staff attentiveness wss definitely the stand out area of opportunity. I will give SG a shot at redemption one day for brunch, since as I mentioned the place has great potential.
(3)Jimmy A.
One of the few fine dining places in Columbia. Great & friendly service. The food is delicious, but a little pricy for a burger or sandwich. However, it's all definitely worth every dime if you're looking for a place to have a good time and relax. Salads and seafood are great menu options. I always get their fresh brewed tea!
(5)Jess B.
RUDEST MANAGER AND SERVICE - we made a reservation for 8 people and two high chairs 3 months prior and we had room for 6 people total and somehow have the kids and two other people at the corners. The manager was REALLY rude and unaccommodating telling us that's what we get for having children. ARE U JOKING ME!? This was a big celebration for our family and we were treated like SCUM! I had to steal a 4 top to make it work and they finally said fine and we sat and ate-should have left but we already waited AN HOUR to get the seat situation figured out-where can we go with 10 people? Also the service is finicky with what you're allowed to keep on the table..we were told by the server we could only keep the knife for a couple more seconds and then she HAD to take it. Uh what? We can't keep our knife!? These people suck and we are never returning and always going to bash this place to others. GET A NEW MANAGER WHO cares ABOUT HIS GUESTS AND ISN'T a total DICK!
(1)Ellen M.
I have eaten here 4 times-taking friends and family with me after our first visit. Everyone has enjoyed the food and ambiance. Atmosphere is great and so is the menu and food.
(5)Lola L.
Ugh, what can I say. I love love love this place. My bf and I come here a lot, and I've never been disappointed. The last time we went, I don't really remember what my bf got because I was so fixated on my own meal. It was one of their specials; lobster themidor. Thumbs up to our server who recommended I get it, because otherwise I would've gone with my usual steak order, which are also consistently delicious. The only negative thing I have to add is about one of their sides, the broccolini, wasn't my favorite, and I probably wouldn't be getting again.
(5)Victor P.
Skipped appetizers and ordered seared sea scallops with grilled asparagus on pearl couscous -- oh so delicious, and so was the key lime pie (shared with my sweetie because portion size was humongous). Washed everything down with a full bodied merlot (Velvet Devil) -- a meal to remember fondly, because of attentive, efficient service (our server quickly and capably took two photos of our 14-person group with my camera). A civilized way to enjoy a relaxed Sunday evening with live jazz in the background. Highly recommended.
(5)Beekeeni N.
Brunch was AWEEEEESOME! I really enjoyed the live jazz cello man, he was gettin' it! Great cozy setting with big spacious booths. There's also a fireplace and a BIG rotisserie oven that was spinning like 30 pleasantly plumped chickens that I could not stop starring at.... Drool* They have a big open kitchen and a fancy little bar area that was to the side from the dining room. Service was on point. I am a fan! CANNOT wait to come back for dinner service.
(5)Donna Y.
This place is a little difficult to get to because it's surrounded by hotels but it's a little gem in the rough. The hostess was a little snooty. She wouldn't let me sit at my table even after I made a reservation until my guest arrived. :( I'd recommend getting the au jus sauce sandwich. They give a nice warm toasted sandwich with plenty of meat. The au jus sauce really helps kick the sandwich up a whole new notch. Occasionally, they will have an awesome live band playing near the front.
(4)John H.
Always a great experience. I normally get the ribs with mashed potatoes and cole slaw, which is excellent. Plenty of food no matter what you order. The roasted chicken is also very good and the vegetables are crisp. The real star is the deserts. The bread pudding is the best I have had, including any I have tried while living in the New Orleans area for three years. The key lime pie is light and tangy with a great whipped cream on top. Highly recommended!
(5)Samia K.
In love with the food. We missed brunch which ends at 2pm on the dot. Lunch was excellent. I had the smoked salmon with spinach. Really good! My cousin had the rattle snake pasta. Bomb.com !!! Service was excellent as well. Definitely a place to try out! I believe their breakfast will be on point also. Will definitely go back :)
(5)Kem W.
Had a good meal with family. I had the ribeye marinated in teriyaki. Very nice. The house salad was good but a lot bigger than I was expecting. Order it and you won't have room to finish your entree. Ribs, New York strip, chicken, and French dip sandwich were also deemed good to excellent. There was a small jazz combo (bass and piano) playing while we dined. Not intrusive. Service was good. Recommended for a nice dinner out in Columbia.
(4)Trinity L.
Stanford Grill never fails! Love this place and it's great if you want to have a fancy dinner date. Literally everything on the menu is scrumptious. Can't wait till I go back.
(5)Roger L.
First the good: Nice atmosphere, but dark.... Great Jazz music Quality food Good Service Bad: Everything has Tumeric (Southwestern/Indian type taste, kinda spicy for my taste) Really expensive ($19 for 1/2 rotisserie chicken) - It's $5 for a whole chicken across the street at BJ's... Stanford's would be $40 for whole chix... I know its not BJs but $20 for 1/2 chicken, it aint THAT good. Average price was $24 - $34 dollars per entree, mostly $30+ Very limited menu - only about 10 entree's - that's it. So, Caveat Emptor - nice place, high prices, limited choices.....
(2)Yimei W.
Here's a place you can't judge by its cover. It appeared to be an upscale steak-house with live, classy music (piano and cello mixed with jazz). I expected a decorative, but expensive plate of food, which is what you usually get with places like this. But when the plates came out, I was floored. The story is: Stanford Grill is where an upscale atmosphere, excellent service, and a full stomach of food worth your dollar can coexist. I ordered a steak with two sides. They were willing to substitute my side of mashed potatoes for spaghetti squash without extra cost--and let me tell you--that was so worth it. I had a heaping ball of julienned squash and sauteed spinach with garlic. Both were bigger than my two fists put together! The steak was huge too; it was at least 6-8 inches long and about 3 inches wide. If you like the mesquite taste of black pepper--you will like this place as we noted black pepper notes dominated in the meat as well as the sides. I was able to eat myself full and still have plenty left over to take home. The desserts were also quite large (bread pudding was good) and you get coffee in a french press--which means you can usually get 2 cups worth. Bottomline: expensive, but you get your money's worth! I would definitely come again for steak.
(5)Cheryl P.
Great food! Very sizeable portions. The bread pudding is ah-freakin-may-zing!
(4)N I.
Stanford Grill is a great restaurant for special occasions or if you're in a mood for a good steak. The only negative is evident immediately as you arrive, and that's the shortage of parking in the restaurant lot. While annoying, it's an indicator of popularity of this place. The rest of the restaurant experience was great. The hostess staff was friendly, attentive, and accommodating. The wait staff was great. They were prompt, attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly. Their calamari appetizer was very good. Calamari is always a gamble, as many restaurants overcook them making them extremely chewy. At Stanford Grill calamari were cooked to perfection, and the accompanying sauce was delicious. Their corn bread was tasty as well. For the main course I had the evening special rib eye with mashed potatoes. The steak was cooked to perfection and the overall portion was massive. My wife requested plain carrots on the side and they tasted amazing. Overall this place is well worth the price and I look forward to coming back to it soon.
(5)T N.
Found this place by accident, and I was impressed... Very fresh and the service was great. My friend had fish tacos, and I had their chicken pot pie.
(4)Tammy P.
It's now my favorite place in Columbia. It can be pricey but the portions are so largeI I get two meals for the price of one so be careful what you order or your refrigerator will be full of leftovers . Two people could easily split one entree. The food is excellent ! Some of the best steaks around. The ambiance is perfect. The whole place is comfortable and relaxing. What I love the most is the service. The wait staff is spot on in knowledge, professionalism and personality. I strongly recommend this restaurant .
(5)Cindie W.
I went here for dinner last Saturday with a few friends as my belated birthday dinner. We had a 7p reservation but were late (I was not driving) and we were seated right away. The parking lot was packed and we waited for someone to leave so that we could park. Our server was friendly, took our drink orders and gave us time to look at the menu. I hadn't been before (well, I've been to the bar but had never ordered food) and decided to get the crabcakes. Our server came back to the table with our drinks (I had a glass of moscato. mmmm) and asked if we were ready to order. Another person at our table asked if there were specials and she said replied, yes I didn't tell you those, did I? and proceeded to tell us what they were. I ordered the crabcakes, one person ordered the salmon and the other the rotisserre chicken. We also ordered the coconut shrimp appetizer to share. The appetizer came out quick, and I found the shrimp to be a tad on the tough side but the flavor was nice. My crabcakes came with french fries and coleslaw, and some kind of sauce. They were pretty tasty, not a lot of filler and mucho jumbo lump crab. I did not try the coleslaw as I am not a fan of coleslaw. The fries were thinly sliced and all seemed a consistent size and thickness. They weren't the bomb but they weren't bad either. My friend that had the salmon said it was "ok" and my friend that had the rotisserre chicken said that it was good. We got a piece of key lime pie to split three ways for dessert. It is definitely a huge slice of pie that can be split three ways. I am indifferent about key lime pie, I can take it or leave it, but it was good. My only complaint was that our waitress never asked us if we wanted another drink but at least the runners kept our water glasses full.
(4)Rebekah S.
Love the ambiance, love the jazz, love the prime rib, love the carrot cake, love the service, love, love, love. It's a love-fest ovuh he-ah!
(5)Nicole M.
Stanford Grill never disappoints it was unusually crowded for a Monday night had a 25 minute wait, the service was seriously lacking though, this was definitely a first. I will just chalk it up to a bad server.
(4)Sondra j.
If you're looking for ambiance..this is the place. If you're in search of great cuisine...keep driving. I've been here twice...and twice I've been disappointed. Price is not my major problem and although they;re on the high side, I'll dig deep if the food is up to par. My problem is the food is not up to par....seasoning ? mediocre...vegetables? somebody needs to return to culinary school..portion size? teeny tiny. Columbia does not have the greatest choice of restaurants but Stanford Grill is not on my "keeper" list.
(2)Taia C.
Delicious! I loved everything! I was treated to Stanford Grill for my birthday. Yum! The ambiance (piano, fire pits)...GORGEOUS! The roasted chicken was so good. It's a half-chicken with a ton of herbs. The cornbread and mac n cheese were good as well. I have a sweet-tooth, so I couldn't pass up dessert. I was not disappointed!
(5)Leah D.
The food was excellent. The atmosphere was great too.
(5)Jessica F.
I have been pestered for days to find a good French dip sandwich. My boyfriend was a man obsessed and would not be satisfied until we found one. Like trying to find decent Filipino food, my search for the ultimate French dip was coming up short. Add this to the list of food this side of the country is lacking because I was not having much luck and Arby's doesn't count. Initially, we overlooked Stanford Grill because it was a little more money that we were willing to spend. I guess he got over that last night and the obsession outweighed the cost because we ended up here anyway. My first impression was, "Swanky!" We entered to a dimly lit restaurant with a bar to the left, dining tables to the right and a jazz band in the corner. My second thought: "Perhaps flip flops were not the best idea..." We both joked that we still have an Austin state of mind where dressing up means putting your nice flip flops on. So, eventually I decided, "Screw it! We are eating here and putting this French Dip Sandwich thing to rest. I will hear no more of it." We started with the calamari which were delicious and came with a tangy chili sauce. I ordered the Ahi Tuna salad and there were a ton of flavors in that: salty ahi, spicy cornbread croutons, tangy goat cheese and sweet spiced pecans. My boyfriend did get his French Dip sandwich and basically inhaled it. I took that as a good sign. On to the next obsession and continuing the hunt for some decent Filipino food...
(4)Shiehan C.
I had their Short Smoked Atlantic Salmon for weekday lunch and loved it. The staff's "team" system came up a bit short when they were serving because they had to figure out who ordered which dish. Then collecting separate bills was a bit messed up because they assigned different people to different servers and it was not done timely. I would consider coming back here, albeit with a much smaller group, 5 people max.
(3)TheMissses10 ..
This restaurant is amazing. My idea of fine dining at its best. The staff is polite, attentive and thorough. The food is cooked perfectly. My husband said the steak was impeccable. Mikelle was my server, she was able to customize my vegetarian lifestyle and bring me a meal from the head chef that was perfect. I had roasted potatoes, spinach, asparagus, mushrooms, and red onion with a side of fresh sweet juicy fruit. She is charming and very accommodating. I cant complain about anything, this service was fantabulous.
(5)Henry C.
Been meaning to take the wife out for dinner and I saw this place on yelp so we called and made a same day reservation and when we got their the service was great. Our server was very attentive and made sure we were happy with everything. The food was cooked very well and like we asked. Had the calamari and fiesta egg rolls to start and the surf and turf 9 ounce fillet with crab cake for our main course and other than pricing if you don't wanna spend money it's not the place to go but if you wanna splurge 4 out of 5 stars.
(4)Bob S.
Dined last week with a party of 5 for dinner. Between the table we had steak, salad, fish, appetizers and desserts. Everyone's dish was great. Portions were large, so we had some to take home. Our server took a while to initially visit us, but afterwards service was quick. For the reviewers talking about price, yes, this is more expensive than Outback or Fridays, but it's completely reasonable all things considered. Parking was limited, so we parked in the adjoining parking lot for the office building which had very visible no parking/tow signs. We had no trouble though, probably because it was dinner time and not business hours.
(5)Rick G.
I used to come here when it first opened but i moved out of Columbia. I decided to come back to see if it was as good as I remembered. It was. I got the 20 oz bone in cowboy steak (which isn't on the menu) cooked medium and it was exactly what a guy wants when he says,"I want a steak!". It came with lobster mac and cheese which was a more than adequate complement. My favorite bartender was Tyler although Jessica and Jeff were cool too. It was a great experience and that's not the bottle of Syrah talking. I'll be back for the prime rib which my buddy said was outstanding.
(5)Dustin S.
Ever since they opened a few years ago, this place had been my favorite restaurant in the area. The prime rib is amazing, as is the chicken. Don't forget to leave room for the chocolate uprising -- super tasty dessert of chocolate brownies sandwiching ice cream topped by fudge -- big enough to share.
(5)David K.
Great place to go if you are tired of the usual Columbia fare. While pricey and a bit over-spiced, it is great restaurant with great service and excellent food. I have eaten here at least 5 times in the last year and will continue to do so. Ask for Mark - he is the best server I have had in a long time at any restaurant.
(4)Kathy M.
Stanford Grill is pretty fantastic. I went on the recommendation of a friend and this dining experience did not disappoint. The waiter was on-point, taking just as much pride in their menu offerings as if he had prepared them himself. The wine list is substantial and the food is prepared really well. It's a cool, rich, dining experience that will leave you wanting to run home and get on Yelp to talk all about it. :)
(5)Dave W.
Food: salty, and mediocre...and huge portions of it Atmosphere: noisy Service: nothing special Question: is it a good thing where portions are so huge that wait staff goes around scaping excess into take home boxes?
(2)Jarrod F.
I'll agree with my fellow reviewers in reiterating the fact The Stanford Grill excels in the service department. Every time I eat here I am privy to another waiter or waitress who makes the experience all the more special. Whoever does the hiring here is doing a great job I have to say. I've yet to have anything but exceptional service here. They always accommodate us and bend over backwards to make our experience pleasant and smooth. The interior is very well done and the atmosphere is eerily similar to that of a former restaurant I used to eat in called Houston's tin Rockville, MD. Lots of deep, dark tones... dim lighting, dark ceilings, dark bar, etc. The layout is rather interesting as most of the seating is in booths. There's also a really cool bar with a nightly jazz band.The place itself is located in a business park, adjacent to a Marriott hotel and is a tad difficult to find at night. Now, to the food... its a small menu, maybe about a dozen entree choices to pick from. The crab cakes are lump (about 6oz) and are proportionately sized with 2 sides for around $25. I've also had the salmon, which is always well seasoned, generous in size and cooked to perfection. The 'famous' rotisseries chicken is the real highlight here though. We also love the Calamari and Southwestern Egg rolls as apps. I do think the prices overall are a tad high for the kind of food being served here. However, the food is definitely high quality and the sides are way better than your typical side dishes at similar establishments. The carrots and spaghetti squash for one thing, are really delicious. The Rotisseries Caesar salad is awesome too. Finally, we get to desserts. I think I've only actually had the Carrot Cake and molten lava cake, both of which are huge and extremely rich. Every time I leave this place I think I gain about a pound. My one real issue is that the menu here is standard. Don't expect to come here and find artistic creations or dishes that are outside the box per say. This is American classic cuisine... its comfort food and its done well. I like the crowd here as its typically older, no kids, laid back and fairly quiet. I usually go at around 7-8pm and I've never waited for more than a minute when I make a reservation in advance.
(4)Leah H.
It was my best friend's birthday and Stanford Grill is one of her favorite restaurants so this was her choice to celebrate here (I'd never been). The food was good enough (the Bread Pudding is AMAZING!), but certainly not worth the price paid. The service was very good and our waiter was very attentive to the four of us. Do I have any complaints about this dining experiences? No. Would I dine there again? Not by choice simply because there are better restaurants with cheaper prices.
(3)E C.
Went twice last year, the first time - it was busy so we decided to sit at a table by the bar, the corn bread was delicious and filling. I believe I got the crab cakes which I remembered wasn't bad but maybe had a little too much bread filling for my taste. Then, the second time, we had a reservation and sat in a booth near the private room for special occasions (which was nice to peek in and see people having a blast). I ordered the chicken pot pie the second time - again, it was very good but quite a large portion for an entrée. Both occasions, the ambience was very nice and always bustling, but the servers were attentive. I would go back for special occasions.
(4)Casey T.
A friend and I decided to check out Stanford Grill for lunch on a Saturday afternoon after reading some rave reviews for it. The location is a little off the beaten path but once inside it's more upscale than I would have imagined (and very inviting.) I had previously read reviews that stated the restaurant gets crowded or noisy at times but at 12:30 on a Saturday we had no trouble being seated immediately without a reservation. The service from the wait staff was on point and the manager was clearly visible on the floor helping to run food to and from tables. We had the calamari appetizer which could not have been better. The calamari was fresh and tender and the sweet & sour sauce served with it wasn't overpowering. For our entrees we split the crab cakes and swordfish tacos, no complaints for either and once again the seafood was very fresh. The star of the show was the desert, chocolate uprising, which was big enough to feed 4. Brownies, ice cream, and homemade whipped cream, I would go back again just for that and coffee. Overall I think the food and service were top notch (and the prices were very reasonable for what we served) and I'm looking forward to going back again soon.
(5)Allison L.
This is the best service, atmosphere and food you will find off of 175. I went for an early Saturday lunch with my family and we had the place to ourselves sat outside, which I highly recommend as the view is better than you would think considering the proximity to the road. Our server was attentive and the food was delicious. I had the chicken avocado club sandwich, the avocado was fresh and the bread and cheese were high quality. I will warn you, the portions are large, so I would plan on sharing a sandwich or entree if you are not a big eater. I hear the Key Lime Pie is wonderful.
(5)Brian C.
Great food. Jazz musicians could only be heard from the entrance area or bar so not a benefit to most diners. They try to get away with assigning too many tables per waiter by having other staff help serve. This ended up in it taking longer to order as well as a lesser feeling of getting personal service. The food itself was very good. We enjoyed everything we ordered.
(4)Jonathan P.
By far the best restaurant I've ever been to. Me and my wife have been to this restaurant multiple times and every time the food and service is outstanding. The ambiance is really nice (great for a date, anniversary, even a wedding!). The servers are friendly and attentive. On my first visit, after dinner I was reluctant to try the Carrot cake because I never usually eat dessert. The server brought us a free serving and it truly was the BEST carrot cake I've ever had. Kudos to the chefs because everything on the menu is delicious.
(5)Alliebug G.
Absolutely fantastic. My family and I have eaten here a few times. We remember when the building used to be a Lone Star, so we had no issues finding the Stanford. Let me start by saying Columbia is lucky to have a place like this. It's classy, great food, and our service was impeccable. Our waitress, Danielle, was top notch. She was friendly, got our drinks quickly and checked in on us frequently. The table we were seated at was comfortable enough for 5, but still spacious enough to enjoy the atmosphere. We will certainly be back!
(5)Toya J.
Friends took me to Stanford Grill for my birthday. Here I am waiting for the weekend and they're like no TODAY is your birthday so come on! I had heard a lot of good things about this restaurant and it seems everyone had been here, but me. The decor is very nice, modern dark chocolate furnishings, flush mounted big round lighting, indoor gas fireplaces set in the wall, oh you can do better than a pair of jeans when you hit this spot! The bartenders are excellent. The quality of the cocktails just reminded me of restaurants in Manhattan where the competition is so stiff they always get it right. For dinner I had the wood grilled fish, forgot what it was, something light and flaky with an all lump crab cake with no filler. Both were pretty good, but on the verge of being dried out. Part of me wish I had done the Surf n' Turf, because from what I saw steak, chicken, and chops are really their specialty. I felt like they did not pay as much attention to the preparation of the seafood as the other meats. The pairing was odd, they sent a sauteed purple cabbage, which was flavorfully rustic in taste , but I don't think it complimented my seafood too well. I think there were a few potatoes, but you can't really mess that up. Looking over I saw where they had an outdoor porch with fire pits facing some lovely green lush woods. I think I will come out here again for a brunch on a nice warm day and sit outside. This definitely is the place to celebrate a special occasion.
(4)Angie M.
Went here based on a recommendation from a good friend. There were six of us and we had a reservation. This restaurant is warm, dimly-lit, and inviting. There is a piano guy and he's really good! We had a great waitress (very difficult name to pronounce) who got us our drinks/food quickly. We ordered the filet, prime rib, Cesar salads, rib-eye. All the meat was cooked perfectly and so tender/flavorful! The sides were excellent and the bread pudding was perfect! It was a great night with great friends and the food/service added the right touch! Will return again!!! Visited September 2011
(5)Parichat D.
The servers here are very pretentious- there is an odd phoniness here that can make anyone uncomfortable. This restaurant appears to be a poor copy of a certain chain which I will not name, but has the initials JA. We've been told the food here apparently used to be better at some point in the past, but is now mediocre at best. The so called famous french dip we ordered was all pieces of disgusting fat and served cold. Because the server never cared to check back, we were stuck with it. Food: Hit or miss. Service: Could care less attitude Overall: Aging restaurant with poor staff and management
(1)Elena I.
My favorite restaurant in columbia! Great food and service every time! The portions are huge so we usually share a salad and get our own entrees! The prime rib is a must as well as their crab cakes. They don't charge a corkage fee so we like to bring our own bottle of wine and save on cocktails!
(5)Jody Z.
I've been to Stanford Grill a few times now so I figured I'm overdue for a review. This place will make you feel like you are not next to a hotel, near a shopping center, overlooking Route 175. I mean, I saw this place when it first opened from the highway and I couldn't even figure out how to get there! But once you do get there, the atmosphere is awesome. Low lighting, fireplace, jazz band...very nice! I mean I love me a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, but every once in a while its nice to go out to a fancier place without having to leave the county. My husband & I tend not to plan ahead so we've never made reservations (which I'd recommend) and there is usually a bit of a wait. No worries as they have a great bar area with numerous tables around the bar and we've never had a problem snagging one of those. The menu is on the smaller side, but there are plenty of good options. I'm a fan of their rotisserie chicken and my husband loves the prime rib. Both are served with their awesome mashed potatoes and veggies. A bonus is that both of those items are already prepared when you order them so our food comes out super fast. The food is consistent and delicious and we've always had good service here. We split a dessert once, which was great, but HUGE! So next time I'll hold off on dessert unless we have 4 people to split it with us. I really like having Stanford as an option when I want a nice atmosphere and a good meal without leaving HoCo or breaking the bank. I really need to go back to try their brunch and also sit on the patio.
(4)Noor B.
I have to give this place 5 stars. From the service to the food very good. I ordered the rattlesnake pasta without the lime and thought it was very good. My cousin got the smoked salmon with spinach and orzo. It was so good. The smoked flavor in the salmon is delicious. My uncle ordered the ahi tuna salad and kept praising the salad that it was so delicious. We didn't get a chance to get brunch because we got there literally at 2:05 and they said they shut it down at 2:00 pm on the dot on Sunday. Try to get there early I'm sure the breakfast is the bomb.com .
(5)Jason S.
Stanford Grill surpassed my expectations. You could tell that the food was fresh. I brought my wife here for Valentine's Day. They had a number of specials. The lobster Mac n cheese was simply delicious! The steaks were cooked perfectly. The side dishes were also good as well as plentiful. We shared their Chocolate Uprising for desert....it was amazing! I highly recommend the Stanford Grill. The prices were fair for the portions that were served. We will certainly be returning.
(5)Stephanie M.
This place is awesome! I have been multiple times for lunch and dinner. They have reasonably priced sandwiches and salads. The dinners are great. The prime rib is expensive but huge. You will have leftovers! The chicken is tender and comes with veggies and a potato. I have enjoyed everything I have eaten. They have an upscale bar area and the restaurant side with a fireplace. They have outside seating which is closed in with the plastic walls during the winter. I have been with large groups and we have sat outside. They have someone come in and play piano later in the evenings.
(5)Trelly P.
Love the ambience here with the live jazz, fireplace, and lighting. Their rotisserie chicken is their specialty and is amazing. Prime rib was not that great (thus, deduct a star). I really do love this place and return again and again, but always get the chicken.
(4)Steve C.
Wanted to like it, as we are HUGE Houston's fans. Unfortunately is is nothing but a very poorly done, blatant Houston's ripoff. Atmosphere is nice but the food is mediocre at best. Funny how much they tried to imitate the Houston's experience, right down to the menu font, too bad they are nowhere close in terms of quality. Go to Victoria's if you are in that area.
(2)Heather A.
This is my first review..I will give it another shot, but I was a little disappointed on my first visit..I love the atmosphere and ambience of the restaurant, and it would be a great place for a date...but I was informed that rotisserie chicken was the specialty...and to the side, I could see the chickens roasting...BUT the person that picked apart the chicken for my rattlesnake pasta is either lazy, in too much of a hurry, or does not eat chicken and is unaware of the edible parts of the chicken...cartilage and fat was ALL in my pasta..enough where I stopped eating the chicken and just ate the noodles...now, on the good side, I also tried the chicken tortilla soup and it was incredible!!! Thank goodness the restaurant is dark, bc I probably wouldn't have eaten as much of the soup...I'm a very picky eater when it comes to vegetables, and I like to be able to identify what is in each bite..so, I had to put my big girl britches on and eat like an adult...and it was delicious...and the rotisserie chicken in it was fine...I will go back, but I will definitely be passing on the chicken dishes..
(3)Kate C.
We have been to Stanford Grill several times now and have always been greeted with excellent food and outstanding service! We love the ambiance - live jazz music and a fire place. The servers are all outstanding - very friendly and helpful. But, the real star here is the food. We've tried many different menu items - steak, chicken, lamb (a special), hamburger, ribs, etc and have never been disappointed. The food is very fresh and flavorful. Ever time we leave we say - this is how all restaurants should be!
(5)John W.
An absolutely fantastic dining experience! We stumbled upon this jewel of a restaurant while traveling to Columbia, MD for the annual "Wine in the Woods" festival. My wife used Yelp to find a place for dinner and voila, here we are. The reviews were spot on. The food, service and ambiance were nothing short of perfect. We placed a reservation and although we did not need it for the time we chose, it is evident that they are nice to have for later timeframes as the crowd did get larger as the evening progressed. We were met by our lovely and courteous waitress Jessica and she provided us with the most exceptional service I have ever had. Not only did she not need to refer to a menu but she was able to give us the lowdown on all of their signature plates and specials. My wife and I chose the baby back ribs preceded with an appetizer of their egg rolls and we thoroughly enjoyed them both. The portions are plentiful and the preparation was superb. The selection of wines was also beyond our imagination. My wife chose a bottle of Twenty Bench Cabernet Sauvignon which accented the meal very well. The atmosphere was casual and engaging with lite jazz ensemble playing. The decor was warm and inviting as well with the din of conversation wafting throughout. My wife and I are always looking for that unique restaurant outside of a chain establishment and this one is one that we would recommend to anyone. Check them out and I guarantee that you will keep coming back.
(5)Ginger S.
Carefully follow the directions to the Stanford because if you go too quickly, you will miss the entrance. My husband, daughter and I went to Stanford Grill on Saturday night for dinner. We shared the millionare shrimp appetizer. He ordered the french dip, she ordered the ribs and I ordered the catch of the day which was rainbow trout with a mango salsa infusion. For dessert we shared the key lime pie and bread pudding. Our server was Jessica The appetizer was ok as the 'cocktail' sauce seemed to overwhelm the shrimp. I'd like that sauce on a salmon or even a swordfish. We all agreed that the size of the shrimp was excellent - 2-bite sized. The ribs were 'fall off the bone' tender which made eating them a bit challenging. My daughter substituted the mac-n-cheese instead of the coleslaw ($2.50 upcharge) and was not disappointed. The fries were a huge let down as julienne fries just don't go with ribs. The french dip had an excellent au jus except the container it comes in makes it difficult to dip the sandwich; a soup bowl would be better. The meat was very good and again, the julienne fries just don't work with this kind of sandwich. The trout was excellent. It was flavorful, kinda small for $23 but I took a chance as I'm not a big trout fan and was glad that I did. When I placed my dinner order, I asked for a glass of wine and it arrived shortly after my entree. Dessert. OMG. Save room for dessert. I dislike bread pudding. My husband is a bread pudding connosuier. I loved THIS bread pudding. It was absolutely delicious. The key lime pie had fresh made whipped cream on top and was declared the most delicious she'd ever eaten by my daughter our key lime pie expert. Coffee is served by French press and was tasty but you know there are always grinds when made in a restaurant so use caution when emptying your cup. Service was a bit on the slow end but not annoyingly slow. We had time to digest our food and the other servers in the area removed dirty dishes from each others' tables. Based on the other reviews here it seems like they're listening to what people are saying and tweaking as they go along. This was not an inexpensive dinner so it will be a special occasion restaurant for us, however, we will return.
(4)Christina S.
First impression: The waitstaff was very accommodating when we asked to switch from a booth to a table because one of our party was pregnant and the booths seemed a little tight. They were able to switch our table right away, even with it being a hopping Wednesday night - more crowded than we expected, the parking lot was nearly full! Good thing we made a reservation on Open Table! The live jazz music created a nice ambiance but was a little too loud. I felt like I had to strain to hear our waiter describe the specials over the noise. I enjoyed the ahi tuna salad very much. The tuna was seared just the right amount leaving the inside nice and pink. The adobo dressing was tasty and cornbread croutons very good. You also get a nice sized piece of corn bread with your salad (with jalapenos baked in!) They had decent microbrews on tap like Starr Hill, Flying Dog, and Heavy Seas. I also tasted a bite of my hubby's sautéed spinach which was great.Overall, a very enjoyable experience, and I'm looking forward to going back and trying more dishes! One last tip of advice, make sure you have a GPS or map on your phone to guide you to the restaurant...it is a little confusing finding it at first, as you navigate through a business and hotel park.
(4)Eric P.
More a special occasion place than somewhere I would go on the regular. Went on a Friday evening with resevations...Great ambiance, great service, they come around just often enough without being bothersome. The food was superb to me. Small menu but everyone in the party loved what they had. Entrees range in the 26-37 dollar range but are well worth it! I had the hickory fillet with Gorgonzola and red wine sauce that comes with redskin garlic mash and spinach...was excellent! Perfectly cooked, the fillet simply melted. Had the key lime pie for dessert and wow! Best I've ever had and I love key lime and scrutinize it heavily. The perfect balance of tartness and mild sweetness...the crust is incredible. everything is made from scratch and it's very apparent. Nice wine selection as well, and the location by the fireplace was nice. I also liked the live music...we were opposite where the player was so the volume was perfect not noisy at all. Great experience, highly recommended!
(4)Laura T.
I loved this place. My husband and I travel often and like to eat at nice restaurants. I was sent to Stanford Grill by a patient. The soft jazz music, the flawless waitressing, and the sublime food made this one of the best places I have at in months. My husband and I both got the ribs and chickens and they were both cooked perfect. Not to mention the leftovers heated up perfectly! This place is great for adults and kids and has a moderate noise level. If you like ribs and chicken...GO do not wait!!!
(5)Jude S.
Entering the restaurant was the best part of the evening. The ambiance is really nice, but it was quite loud, and not because of the live jazz in the bar. We had reservations and were seated right away. We ordered the calamari appetizer. It was well cooked and fresh, and it came with a sauce, but the sauce was too sweet and needed something else, maybe a little heat... I've had better calamari. Since nothing seemed too appetizing on the menu, I decided to order the Prime Rib. I was quite concerned when the server asked me how I wanted it cooked, but it came out fine, and it was fine, no better or worse than any prime rib I've ever had. My husband ordered the red snapper with buerre blanc. I tried it, and I felt again that it had no flavor. Very boring food. What I did not like was that each vegetable came out cooked with bell pepper. I hate bell pepper! My green beans were overcooked, and my husband's broccolini was cooked well, but I could still taste the bell pepper. As we were ordering our after dinner drinks, a server put a basket of bread on the table. Our server told him to take it away. I was quite confused, as we never received any bread, and when I looked around, all the other tables around us had bread. I asked our server, and she said that we had to order it, it is not automatically brought to us, and I will know for the next time I come. Like there will be a next time! I was quite annoyed because I had told her at the beginning this was my first time. Why did she not offer bread??? She asked if I wanted a box and I said yes, my husband also asked for a box, but she took his meal away, and never brought it back. We ordered the bread pudding for dessert. It was average. I've had much better, but it did seem fresh. We had almost half of it left, but she just took it away, and did not offer to wrap it up. I was very disappointed in the whole experience, and I will not be returning to this restaurant.
(2)Taryn K.
I would highly recommend AVOIDING this restaurant. Aside from being tricky to find, the food is average, very expensive, and the service is marginal. We went on a recommendation from a friend for a birthday celebration. We were a party of five that was squeezed into a booth designed for four people. There were two larger booths available - one of which we requested to move to. The waiter said no problem and proceeded to move us when the hostess said absolutely not and forced us to move back - as they were reserved. We said okay and stayed in the smaller booth (three six foot tall men and two women). The food arrived very quickly. We had appetizers which were good. Before we were even finished the appetizers, the entrees arrived. When we ordered dessert, it, too, arrived before the dinner dishes were cleared. We had to lift dishes from the table to accommodate the new ones being served. We felt rushed, cramped, and totally unwelcome. I believe our experience was made worse by the fact that the larger booth (right next to us) sat empty the entire time we were there. An overall very disappointing experience. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone. There are much better options...where customers are appreciated.
(1)Rachael W.
My girlfriend and I went there this afternoon for lunch. This was our second time visiting the restaurant. Our first visit was very pleasant, the staff was polite and the food was delicious. We both ordered the ribs with french fries and cole slaw. They were absolutely delicious and I couldn't wait to go back and try them again. Well today, I ordered the ribs and and my friend ordered the trout. We received our meals and I noticed that the ribs looked over cooked and they looked like they had been sitting out for a while. I addressed my concerns (tactfully) with the waitress and asked for another rack of ribs. She apologized and said she would have them bring me a new rack of ribs. So my friend and I continued our conversation and all of a sudden Rob comes to our table. He asked why we returned the ribs. I told him that the ribs did not seem fresh and they were overcooked. He said that he disagreed and try to explain how they cooked the ribs. I told him that this was my second time visiting the restaurant and the ribs I received before were not overcooked. The ribs he served me were black and the top layer was crispy. He continued to disagree with me! Note, the restaurant was full of people and the confrontation was attracting attention to our table. So I immediately cut him off and told him that I was not going to argue with him. He said that he would bring me out another rack of ribs. At this point, I lost my appetite and my friend asked for the manager. I can't believe Rob came to our table and verbally attacked me! Rob comes back with the ribs which were cooked correctly. He asked if the ribs were fine and I said yes. I asked him if he could see the difference between the ribs he served before and the new rack of ribs and he said yes. Which proved my point that the ribs were overcooked. Then he said that he heard that we wanted to speak with a manager and that he was the manager. I chuckled and told him to disregard. I called the waitress over and told her that I needed to pay for the my friend's meal and the drinks. She asked if I would like for her to box the ribs and I politely declined. I told her that Rob was unprofessional and we will not be returning to the restaurant. I plan on discussing my visit with the general manager as Rob was totally out of line and could cost them business with his attitude! Perhaps, they should post signs in the parking lot and front door, BEWARE OF ROB!!!
(1)Jeremy J.
Went for dinner tonight. First, the atmosphere is quite nice for a place in the suburbs. The live jazz music was a nice touch. We started with the spinach artichoke dip, which was not the best I've ever had, but was quite good. My wife had the chili (Saturday's soup) which was surprisingly good, and a large portion at that. For entrees, I had the fish sandwich (blackened catfish) and my wife had the rotisserie chicken. The waiter said the chicken was their most popular item and it did not disappoint. It was probably the best rotisserie chicken I've ever had - moist, flavorful, and well-seasoned. I ordered the key lime pie for dessert, but they were out of it, so I got the bread pudding instead, which was really good, but way too heavy for me. So we both really enjoyed the experience. My only complaint would be that the menu is not particularly unusual or innovative, so hopefully they will adjust their menu over time to keep it interesting.
(4)Rob W.
I had some family come in to visit and I wanted to give a local, non-major chain restaurant a try since I recently moved to Columbia. After doing some Yelping research, I decided on the Stanford. First thing is first - as others have said, it is very awkward to find since it is visible from 175 yet getting there requires you to do some navigating. That said, it's worth it. I went in on a weeknight at 6pm and it was just starting to get busy, but by a little after 7 every seat in the house was taken with others waiting. It's obvious that people are willing to take the time to find the place. There was also plenty of families and non-business related dining, so what I am trying to say is that people obviously come here because they like it, and not as an expense account destination despite the office complexes and hotels surrounding it. As far as the food, as others have said the menu is rather small. They really seem to specialize in a few areas and that's it. However, their drinks and wine selection is generous. I chose the Wood-fired rotisserie chicken as they proudly have them on display and the waitress highly recommended it as their main specialty. The chicken was excellent, very moist, and generous in portion (approx. half a chicken, white meat). It came served with redskin mashed potatoes & green beans which were fantastic. Service was definitely great, as they are very attentive to your needs, promptly take your order, are very knowledgeable about the menu and what specials they have available or adjustments you can make, and they immediately tell you that you will receive two waiters per table. If you can manage to save room, I had the home made key lime pie which was absolutely amazing and a must for anyone who even remotely likes key lime pie. I have tried several key lime pies, but none were as good as this. And there is more than enough to share for at least two people. Overall my experience with the Stanford Grill was excellent. The food and service were fantastic, and the pricing is absolutely a bargain. My father and I had actually spent more for two people at Union Jack's the day before then we did here at Stanford Grill which is bizarre. Our total bill wasn't even $60. I'd really like to see Stanford get a broader menu, you're really not going to find a lot of options if you aren't in the mood for chicken or a steak. But it is still a very satisfying experience and a restaurant I will definitely go back to.
(4)Ann K.
The only frozen food served here is ice cream. My family and I love this place. The ambience is very nice with warm modern fireplace and great decor with live jazz band at night. It is perfect for business and romantic night out. I love the rotisserie chicken and happy with other dishes except the salty backfin crabcake. The break pudding is awesome, if you have room after the meal. The salad should be shared. It is too big. There should be a better selection of wine by the glass. Please check out the wine bar on 108 to improve your wine list.
(4)G K.
We've been here twice, and only for brunch. The atmosphere is quite classy with live piano, a gorgeous fireplace and lots of natural light. As another reviewer indicated, it is difficult to find from the street, but once you get inside you realize it's worth it. The brunch selections are fairly extensive, with a section providing a take different styles of eggs benedict: crab cake benedict, filet mignon eggs benedict, etc. The first time we visited, I had the crab cake benedict, and verdict is: mythic. The egg is poached perfectly, and the crab cake is decently sized and delicious. The potatoes are a done well & portioned generously. On our second visit, I had the rotisserie chicken salad, accompanied by a large brick of spicy corn bread. The salad is well-mixed, filled with delicious pulled chicken, and surprisingly, BBQ sauce, which works surprisingly well with the blue-cheese dressing. All flavors mix very well. My daughter loves the prime rib sandwich au jus with shoestring fries. Best of all, each item on the brunch menu comes with a lovely drink from the bar. I have had the bloody mary, which, if there is a tiny complaint, they haven't figured out yet that 3 olives doesn't qualify as extra olives. Also - it lacks any other garnish, so not the best bloody mary out there, but it comes with the brunch, so it's wonderful. We opted for a dessert this time: some kind of super rich brownie with ice cream, hot fudge, caramel, cinnamon and about 4 inches of whipped cream. In both width and height, this brick of a dessert was almost as big as my head. Top that off with a pot of french press, and it was a divine experience over all.
(4)Hehe H.
My friend and I came here base on the review when we were looking for some good steak around the area. We came out disappointed. I ordered prime ribs and my friend ordered ny strip both medium rare. My prime rib came out around medium and chewy. I think it has to do with the grade of meat was used. My friend's NY strip came out medium well with no redness whatsoever. We let the manager know and he promptly changed it for my friend, that is why I gave the two stars for the good service otherwise would be 0. Overall it is a fairly over price dinner with fairly low end steak. Our bill was 42 for each of us with a beer($7) each. I would not recommend this place if you are looking for some good steak. I don't mind paying for a good steak dinner but don't charge that kind of price when you can't provide the value.
(2)Hunnie P.
I used to love Stanford Grill. However, something has changed in the last year or so and it's just not as good as it used to be. In the first two years it kind of leaned more towards a steakhouse. Everything, and I mean Everything was awesome. But now it's just good to eh. I miss the ribeye dearly and my husband misses the basic overall quality of the steaks (blah ny strip) and menu selection. Unfortunately, the service isn't as impressive as it used to be either. The ambiance is still nice and like I said the food is generally good, but I no longer rave about it like I used to. It's no longer a steak-type place. It's more the ubiquitous American fare that you find in national chains, but the dishes are done better than the everyday Friday's by far. There was a time when I didn't mind the price but now I only go occasionally and certainly don't spend $30 per entree on anything. Btw, it breaks my heart to write this review...Stanford really was a great restaurant.
(3)Courtney C.
We went back and sat at the bar. The bartenders were great. I had another delicious side salad and some of my husband's spinach dip. Everything was very good. If I ate out often, I would add this to my regular list.
(4)Tim C.
I ate here with some business colleagues on a Wednesday night. Service was prompt, but not overly pushy. The restaurant was crowded, but it didn't seem like we were rushed. Our group enjoyed a wide variety of menu options from fish, to chicken to prime cuts of beef. All were pleased. I would definitely return if I was in the area anytime soon.
(5)Fred H.
Being married to a vegan, I really, REALLY cherish those occasional opportunities when I can go out and satisfy my carnivorous urges. Stanford Grill has an excellent, attentive staff, nice decor and atmosphere, and great service. I've eaten here a dozen times or so, and have never had a complaint. The steaks here are excellent, on a par with any of the high-end (and higher priced) steak houses in Baltimore or DC. Portions sizes are quite good. If I still have room left after lunch or dinner, I always order the bread pudding with vanilla sauce for dessert, along with some French press coffee.
(5)Allison L.
I'd been to their sister restaurant, Copper Canyon Grill, in Gaithersburg a few times before and absolutely loved it. I was looking for somewhere for lunch on Labor that A. was open, and B. had at least a few relatively "soft" (for lack of a better word) entrees since I was nursing a horrible sore throat and wanted another option besides soup. There were only a few other people when we came in for a late lunch, and the wait staff was very attentive. The restaurant is nice and cozy inside... lots of dark wood, fireplace (this was even in use when we came on a hot summer day), The menu is small, and while I prefer the one in Gaithersburg (because they have awesome crab dip and an awesome salmon caesar salad), but their menu has plenty of options. We started off with the skillet cornbread, which was huge, and very good. It had a little bit of a kick to it with chopped jalapenos. I got the chicken pot pie, which seemed like a safe enough option, and it was one of the biggest meals I've ever gotten at a restaurant. I ate maybe 1/6 and got the rest to go (getting it to go was a pain, because I essentially just had to dump it out of the skillet it was in and it was no longer in any sort of pie form) and ate the leftovers three separate times, and still didn't finish it before I figured it was time to throw out. I came with my mother, and she got one of the sandwiches which comes with the super skinny and super crispy shoestring fries. Prices are extremely reasonable for the amount of food you get. The desserts also looked really good, as I blatantly ogled another table's choices, but absolutely no room for them. Next time! FYI... Stanford Boulevard is one of the most confusing roads in Columbia. I had a vague idea where this was so I wasn't using a GPS, but there's been times I've driven around that circle multiple times.
(4)Ernest P.
This place is a pretty authentic Houston's clone, but not up to Houston's 4 star food. Dark and fairly noisy atmosphere, they accommodated our party of nine quite well in the enclosed patio area. Portions are quite large, though that is not always a good thing. Spinach dip pretty good but not quite Houston's level. Tortilla soup was very thick but flavorful. Crab tower was terrible with nasty shredded claw meat overpowered by herbs, we sent it back. The calamari replacement was very crispy and good. Main courses were hit and miss. Rotisserie chicken and strip steak huge and well cooked but the potatoes were bland and not creamy buttery or at all interesting. The mound was huge though. Veggie burger should have been sent back. MUSHY patty of rice and beans. One bite and it squished out the sides of the bun. I hate that! Equally sad was vegetable plate as main course. Odd mix of cucumber salad, glazed carrot, green beans, huge slabs of almost raw squash and zucchini all DROWNED in balsamic. Who came up with this insult to vegetRians? Scallops were cooked perfectly medium, large sweet and tasty. Desserts were good and worth it (warm carrot cake and brownie sundae) and French press coffee. All in all a nice experience with above average service but not quite on par with Houston's, it's obvious model and inspiration.
(3)Amanda K.
This place is GREAT! I loved everything about it. Beautiful, upscale atmosphere really surprised and impressed me. It's tucked away almost hidden but worth the drive. Amazing service. Nice little outside area. I love the famous roasted chicken it's TO DIE FOR! And the portion sizes were very generous. Even the green beans were delicious. The entire menu looks sooooo good. I can't wait to go back and try everything. A new favorite.
(5)A P.
The food is always very good. The service is great and the entire staff is friendly. Great prices for the quality of food. I always enjoy lunch and dinner at this place. Highly recommend!
(5)Nathan C.
We were originally intending to hit Noodles Corner but saw this through the trees while driving down 175. After winding through an office park and hotel parking lot, we found it. Stanford Grill is gorgeous inside, and if you can get a seat by the fire, do. We were sort of stuck away from it a bit; they seemed to be segregating families with kids (us) away from those without (by the fire). I do not begrudge them this in the least. I ordered the French Dip, which was pretty much the best one I've ever had. The waitress recommended to add pepper jack, which turned out to be a Very Good Idea. The meat was cooked medium-rare (how many places ask you how you want your French Dip cooked? Not enough!) and the jus it came with was beefy but not salty - perfect. My wife had the pulled pork sandwich - delicious. The pork was smoky and tender, and the barbecue sauce it's stirred with is great. The kids got the rotisserie chicken, which was good but needed more time on the rotisserie to crisp the skin. We were there very early, so I am guessing that's why. They also make killer shoestring-type fries. At some point soon they are adding Sunday brunch, with live jazz, which could be a lot of fun. All in all, a happy experience!
(4)Tony G.
This is a great find! Stopped by tonight based on Yelp reviews. Great wine-by-the-glass menu. I had the Rattlesnake pasta, which was great! Sat at the bar (couldn't get a single seat for 20-30 minutes), and the bartenders were great: friendly and efficient! Atmosphere was lively and the live jazz (bass & piano) was a terrific touch!
(5)Kelly H.
Never knew that I would end up in Columbia MD, but I did. And, we were so happy to find the Standford Grill. From the pictures in yelp page, I did not expect much, but the restaurant was much spacious and nicer than I thought. We were there for brunch/lunch with family. The menu was quite simple but well designed. I had crab benedict, and my husband had portabella mushroom sandwich. My crab benedict was superior! Perfectly poached eggs and almost all crabmeat crab cakes. It came with home fries that were very tasty, but slightly greasy. My husband's portabella mushroom sandwich disappeared in a few seconds into his mouth, so I assumed that it was excellent. I did get a chance to eat his fries, and OH BOY the fries were very good. I think they make it garlic fries, and it was so so yummy! The restaurant is kind of hard to find and tucked in among all these value hotels. But, when you find it, it has a large parking space. The service was quite good. Although I think it could have been better. We were there sitting down chatting for about an hour after lunch because our guests had driven a long distance, and we had driven 45 minutes to meet them there. The staff did not say anything, but we could feel that the staff wanted us out (despite the fact that the restaurant wasn't full). Overall, a good experience and good find. If you are around Columbia MD, I would recommend that you check this place out.
(4)Jessica S.
Prime ribs are absolutely great. But I gave four stars because it was too salty for me.
(4)Walt C.
Yelp comes through again! In town for work and couldn't decide on a place, turned to Yelp and off we went. Called in for a reservation for 6. We arrived a bit late, but they still had the table for us. Food was great and so was the service. Staff was super friendly and worked like a well-oiled machine (always love seeing good teamwork and happy folks working). Place was also packed (another good sign). =) Portions were more than enough. Desserts all seemed to be super-sized, bread pudding was very yummy! Price was also fair. Live band was a nice element. The only real complaint would be that it was really noisy, but if you're there with a good group, it won't bother you. Will definitely come back again the next time I'm in town!
(5)Chris D.
Live jazz. Consistently excellent service. Close your eyes and just point to something on the menu and order it, you'll like it. Decent range of prices so you can spend as little or as much as you'd like. I strongly recommend making a reservation.
(5)Ken R.
Was good but wouldn't go out of my way for it. A bit pricey.
(3)Rhonda S.
Nice place with live jazz music. You can't really hear the music over the crowd though. The menu is pretty much the same as Copper Canyon which is their sister restaurant. My favorite food here is the bread pudding. I rarely if ever have liked bread pudding, but it's to die for here! It's large though, almost too big for 2 people. The freshness is what stands out, I don't think they use stale bread to bake it. Overall it's a nice getaway in Columbia.
(4)Robert G.
This was our third trip to the restaurant and as usual, the food and service were wonderful. Being our anniversary, we mentioned to Danielle, our waitress, that we wanted to take our time. She thanked us for mentioning it and then slowed down, waiting for us to signal our readiness for the next course. The food remains plentiful and sumptuous. While on the pricey side, it is well worth the expense for special occasions.
(5)Dan S.
Take an scosh (sp?) of steakhouse, a pinch of modern cafe, a bit of bar and stir vigorously. Add in some corporate initiatives to thin, and serve. As far as I can tell, there is only one Stanford Grill (at least owned and operated by these folks), but you won't be surprised when I tell you it is a Restaurant Group that owns this place. For your own safety, do not attempt to interrupt the Reciting of the Specials (or the desserts, or the recommendations, or anything else) while your server is helping you. You are being helped, you understand? Our group of five found the undeterred, memorized speeches by the staff a bit silly, but not enough to ruin the evening. It was a big loud also. The food was fine. I had the crab cakes (land-locked Denverite in MD equals crab cakes) and enjoyed them. They were a good size, nice overall meal. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their food also. It was a good experience. The noise bothered me, but I think I am more bothered than most when it comes to that. Also, there is at least one entree "with au jus" which drives me up a wall.
(3)Michael Q.
Basically mimicking Houstons. Little cheaper, almost identical menu. Not quite same quality as Houstons or what became woodmont grill in Bethesda. What you see is what you get
(3)Leslie J.
We enjoyed very friendly & helpful service. We also had a nice view of their fireplace on a cold evening. The steak & scallop entrees were reportedly excellent. As an annual visitor (born & raised in MD a long time ago), I am always looking for the perfect crabcake, The ones at Stanford were ample & tasted good but they were not comparable to the best I've had in recent years.
(4)Meagan C.
From the moment we walked in the door we knew we were gonna have a great time. I love how the resturant is set up. It was very relaxing. Our waiter was amazing! He did a great job! The appetizers were amazing! I deff recommend trying the smoked salmon! Our meals came out perfect! The banana pudding was to die for! I recommend getting that! Also the drinks were great! I will deff be coming back again.
(5)Danny M.
After a friend on Yelp gave a glowing review of this restaurant, I decided to give it a try last night and invited four guys from my church small group. The atmosphere was nice, with the fireplaces, polished oak tables, live jazz band, and the tungsten lamps overhead adding to a relaxed if upscale ambiance. The spacing between tables was just enough that we could all hear each other speak. We ordered and the food arrived to our table in less than 15 minutes. Now, for me, the highlight of any restaurant is the food. I'm an active guy who works out regularly AND happens to have a sensitive pallet. Therefore, I look for both quantity and quality. My plate was a chicken and guacamole sandwich and a side of fries for $13. In fact, it was really four sandwiches, filling a large plate. The chicken was moist and tasty and merged perfectly with the other ingredients; the bread was a perfect crispness. I ate every last crumb. Two more interesting food highlights: My buddy Jo ordered two appetizers for his meal that were large enough to substitute for a whole dinner. One of those appetizers was macaroni and cheese. After one bite, Jo's eyes got wide and he said between bites, "I think that's the best mac and cheese I've ever tasted!" Of course, I tried a bite, and immediately agreed. It was creamy, rich, and full of a variety of cheeses, and the pasta would make a pasta chef's mouth water. Since the waiter assured us that, like the entrees, the desert portions were huge (he was right), my friend Luke and I split the bread pudding desert. When Luke and I tasted it, our eyes nearly rolled up in the back of our heads! This was the first time he's ever eaten bread pudding, but not me! Once again, I can say (Scouts honor!) it was the best bread pudding I've ever tasted! Two "bests" in one night is not bad for a meal that costs less than $20. Highly recommended. The only down side for me was finding this restaurant. The Android (Google) navigation system brought me down Stanford Blvd to the traffic circle at the end, but no further. It is a quarter of a mile away from the restaurant, but the traffic circle has three turn possibilities: right, straight, and left. If you get to this point and wonder which way to go, do NOT turn right or go straight. You will drive around for 15 minutes, like me. Instead, go LEFT, and it will be on your right. It would be nice if managers could work with navigation companies to correct this problem.
(5)Bryan M.
Yummy rubs (some of the best I've ever had) and a live jazz band. Lawrence the bartender took care of my drinks and food with ease.
(4)agnes c.
If i were to compare this restaurant to another, it is very similar to Houston's. The decor, menu, and food are similar to each other. I would go back!
(4)V B.
Food is solid but not for the price. Ambiance and service is tremendous. Coconut prawns and steaks are good.
(3)Mike W.
One of my favorite restaurants in the area. Casual to business casual dress. Wonderful atmosphere with a large fireplace. Large bar area. The food is very good and I have never had a meal that I didn't like. The staff is very accommodating. Live jazz in the evenings.
(4)Scott L.
We had reservations to celebrate my fiancée and her twin sisters 30th bday as well as their mothers and her brother in laws bday. We made reservations 3 months in advance for 10 people and 2 of the seats were to be highchairs. We arrived and they had setup a 6 top with 2 highchairs about 2 feet from the corner of the table which would have made it impossible to squeeze us all in and the kids would have been just sitting a couple feet away making it impossible for them to eat. We tried to be patient why they figured it out but they did not give us any options and the manager came out and was beyond rude and very defensive and kept making up excuses why they could not accommodate our table. The frustrating part is the manager did not even walk over and look at the table but just continued making up excuses while the simple solution was to just push another table in to add the additional seats. He pretty much almost forced a 10 top out of the door but eventually we had to take a table ourselves and push it against the end to add the additional necessary seats. Once seated the server started out very friendly but by the time we got our appetizers something must have happened because she was about as rude as I have ever seen someone be continuously to my future mother in law. For example she had asked for an iced tea and the next round of drinks that came out didn't have the iced tea and the server said "I don't have enough hands to bring it out with these drinks" very matter of fact. but she just continued to be very short and talk down to her. The manager never came out at all until desert in which they just put a candle on 2 of the three items and like a bumbling fool just put it down in front of someone who did not order it and was not there birthday and just walked away. He knew we were very unhappy with the whole ordeal and did not offer us anything or even tried to at least pretend like he cared. Worthless terrible management. Food was ok but nothing to rave about. The poor service and terrible management will keep all of us away from here forever. You will get better service from Outback. It really makes me laugh when I think of that joker that they have as a manger and how poorly he handled out situation. Such a simple solution and he could have cared or less. Please don't go here.
(1)A R.
I love this place! It has become my favorite place to eat in Columbia! I absolutely crave the Rotisserie Chicken Salad, it is so so good. The atomosphere is very nice and if you're lucky to be there when they have live jazz, you're in for a treat. They have outside covered patio seating too, which is nice as well. Don't forget dessert, they have the best key lime pie ever! Give it a try, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Natalie L.
Very nice place, although a little difficult to find. I've only been here a few times, but they had good food, a pleasant atmosphere, and the wait was not too long. Will definitely go back soon!
(4)Punahele S.
1st time was great when I was with a co-worker. Waitress engaged in banter and had fun. Food was great. This time was alone and the food was good but for a $42 meal one would expect getting some attention at any point before the check. Drink ran out 1/2 way through the meal. Wouldn't you think someone eating alone is on a business trip and on an expense account? Very annoyed. Looks like many of the other reviewers have issues with the wait staff.
(2)Eric S.
I've been fortunate enough to eat at some fine dining establishments across the country via my profession. I've never heard of, nor experienced, what happened last night at The Stanford Grill. My experience there would be in a ranking area below a Ruby Tuesdays or TGI Fridays (and I would put those two at about average for food quality and expected service), but I've experienced far better service at fast food restaurants, which is really, really a bad and sad reflection on the attitude at the Stanford Grill. A reservation was made for 8 people and two kids with high chairs about three months ago. A call was made about 3 days prior to the reservation date to the restaurant to confirm the reservation and then 2 of the people in the party arrived early to ensure that everything was set (we were celebrating a set of twins birthday's). Unfortunately, the restaurant had set up two square tables with room for a total of 6 people on the long sides and a chair AND a high chair on each of the short ends. By square table, I mean the table measured about 2.5 feet square. There was a large space of about 6-7 feet between our table and the next larger set of tables (which evenutally turned out to be a 12 top). Neither the hostesses, nor the manager (Phil), seemed to understand you cannot fit an adult AND a toddler in a high chair at the end of a table with room for both to eat. Realistically, even folks that don't have kids can somewhat understand this (or you would hope at least one person in a set of people could figure it out with logical thinking). We asked if there would be a possibility that another table could be put with ours so we would have the space for all 8 adults and the 2 kids. Phil actually told us there was "nothing I could do, I don't have anymore tables". Unfortunately for Phil, 1/2 of the restarant was empty and there were 2 empty four tops next to our table set. The entire situation took 40 minutes to resolve itself. By resolve itself, I mean that one of our party members physically moved one of the 4 tops herself to our set of tables. With reservations 3 months ahead of time AND a half empty restaurant AND a party of 8 plus two kids, even the mose naive business person would say to themselves that they should take care of the larger party firstm, but hey, maybe management prefers a complete rookie to run their restaurant. Once seated, the server was ok, but not fantastic. She had been given the rest of the tables (about 4-5 if I saw correctly) in our section, plus our large party, so I think they were understaffed to handle the volume for that Sunday night. Like I said, the service from the server was ok, but I don't believe she's a large party handler. She stacked up all the dirty plates and silverware in front of me in 4 large stacks, including the steak knives and other flatware. The knives and flatware were jammed into glasses of ice and sitting loosely scattered on plates and then she left them in clear reach of my two year old sitting across from me (I ended up having to move all the dirty dishes myself out of the way of my daughter and line them all up in front of me). There's more, but really, if you can't figure out that you should NOT spend your money here, then your name might be Phil...
(1)Brian F.
A good upscale restaurant, rather unusual for Columbia. Me and some friends went here for lunch. The restaurant is mostly populated by white collar workers on a typical weekday, so we didn't exactly blend in with the crowd. I ordered the chicken avocado sandwich and I was very pleased. If I had more money I might have come here for dinner and got a real entree instead; they all sounded really delicious. I will try to come back here next time, hopefully I can get my parents to take me so they foot the bill.
(5)Terri M.
We eat at Stanford at least once a month, sometimes more. While it is pricey, most of the menu items are worth it. I am giving it 4/5 stars instead of 5 because of the price. I understand it is a more 'classy' place, but $7 or $8 for a small cup of soup is just a BIT much in my opinion, especially if it is a tomato or chicken noodle soup! I have tried most of the menu items and have only had one that I wasn't super fond of; everything else you can tell is very fresh, and made from scratch. Their french dip sandwhich is amazing, as is their homemade pot pie. Their wine list is also FABULOUS! I had been searching around at different restaurants to find a particular wine company and so far have only found it at Stanford. If you are a wine brat, you are guaranteed to find something you enjoy that isn't 'typical' Sutter Home or 'House' type wines like you will find at places such as Olive Garden. They also have live music, which is always an added bonus.
(4)Melanie R.
Wow this was a nice surprise right here in Columbia. I trusted Yelp on this one to take a friend from AZ out for the night. He had just came off the long flight and we met here. The service was impeccable. The wine list was amazing..something for all price points! The waitress rattled off all specials as if she memorized them for weeks. She didn't even stumble! They must crack the whip on communication there. We had a jumbo shrimp cocktail appetizer and we both got filet for dinner. The steak was so tender it did not need a knife. It was served with spinach and killer red bliss mashed potatoes. We both ate every bite..almost to the point of embarrassment. All the while, our wine glasses never reached an empty limit. It was great!!! I am reluctant to admit dessert..we had Key Lime Pie, which was amazing! This place was great!!! For all you locals...this was very similar to Houston's, even complete with live music. If you can FIND it...try it!!! It was totally worth the several people I cut off and made furious while trying to read my GPS.
(4)Jenny V.
My parents picked this place for my birthday. My mom called ahead, made reservations and arrangements for my dessert to have birthday candles or sparklers of the sort. Our waitress, while very sweet, was not knowledgable about the menu. Our food did take pretty long, but my parents said it would be worth the wait. My date and my father said their food was fine, but my Mom's prime rib dinner was cold. My scallops were only warm. The waitress wasn't coming back to the table but the manager did. I informed him about the cold meal my mom had and he did take it away to be fixed. The new one she received was warm, again not hot. My scallops were gristly. We then ordered dessert, because I knew my mom would do something, even though we were full. The waitress told us about the brownie sundae special. I asked if there were nuts in it. She said only in the fudge topping. So I asked for it on the side. Of course when it came the brownies were full of nuts. I did not eat it, oh and the arrangements my mother had made for the dessert for my bday did not happen either. When the check was dropped she didn't say anything. She just left it and walked away. I have been a server on and off for many years. You should always try to make a connection with the table, especially when it's a nice place like this and quite expensive. It was not the special birthday dinner I had hoped for.
(2)