Highly recommended by other whose opinions we value. Food was outstanding, but my experience was terrible. We had reservations, but still had to wait a while. While eating my risotto, I bit into something hard. It turned out to be a broken peice of china from a cup or plate. I notified the server, who offered to replace it, with the same or something else. Too late. The slow service had already taken time, and my wife was more than halfway through her meal. She apologized, and took the charge off the bill for the one item which I expected at the least. Since the place is small, and the owners run the kitchen, I honestly expected a little more concern to be shown. The recovery was poorly handled in my mind, and we won't be back because I didn't feel like they valued my business or my experience. Their food was well prepared, but obviously not carefully prepared. It's too bad, because the country drive, and old building atmosphere was very pleasing. Outside of my experience, you will probably enjoy the food, and the atmosphere. Plan on a long night.
We had been told such wonderful things about this very fancy and very expensive local place. Indeed, typically you must make reservations at least a week in advance. We went this past Saturday and were able to get last minute reservations because of bad weather. We were disappointed. The food was OK, but not amazing and at these prices we expect amazing. The "amuse" was the only item that really impressed us. For the vegetarian at our table it was an artichoke salad which he liked very much. For the rest of us it was a bite of seafood sausage which might sound awful - but it was lovely - a little taste of everything wonderful about seafood. The salad was good, the dressings nothing very special. I had tilapia with a citris/artichoke angle - it was ok, again, nothing particular special and the serving size was too large. The different flavors (citris, fish, artichoke) were just placed next to each other on the plate - fried fish in the middle with a pile of cold (jarred?!?) artichoke hearts alongside and honestly I don't even remember tasting much citris at all, there were supposed to actually be oranges on the plate but I don't think there were. Boring. . . The special vegetarian dish was sort of a deep fried roll with cheese and spinach in it, he reported that is was ok, prepared correctly, but not anything special and not very flavorful. For dessert we ordered a walnut pear turnover with vanilla ice cream. It would have made an AMAZING breakfast danish, the pastry was perfect, but was too light on the walnuts, sweetness and flavor to be a satisfying dessert. I did wake up the next morning thinking to myself that one of them would be really yumming for breakfast! The service was a touch spotty as well - at times very good and yet other things completely overlooked. We sat for some time without drinks - not even water. We got our amuse and our bread (the bread was good! but no butter.) and still didn't have our water or drinks. On the other hand - we were a divided party and the waitress took the two credit cards and divided the bill without asking a single question - very artfully avoiding any of the awkwardness that sometimes happens with that. Total bill for the two of us (four drinks, two entrees, 1 dessert) was about $140. Overall we don't see what all the excitement is about.
(3)
Eli G.
It has been a long time since I've enjoyed a meal as completely as I enjoyed my meal tonight. Everything was made with such care and purpose. Each plate, full and complete. My wife said the same. We picked completely different things -- she got quail with grits, fillet and a crab cake, and cinnamon caramel ice cream; I got pouched mussels, lamb chops, and fruit and nut baklava with vanilla ice cream -- and we both loved everything on the plate. Even the things we didn't necessarily enjoy (I don't like cinnamon for example) we could appreciate the quality. Expensive. But portions are large and quality is through the roof. Worth it.
(5)
David A.
Who is the chef here? I've been here three times and have been blown away each and every time. Highly recommend.
(5)
Brian D.
Excellent. Excellent. Excellent. Service. Execution. Creativity. Passion goes into everything they do here.
(5)
John S.
After a long drive with the kids and serching for several dinner spots we decided to try this cozy little grill. it was a bit fancier than we were expecting, but they were very accommodating of the kids and the meal was top notch. My wife and daughter split the chicken breast, my son had the fillet, and I had the lamb chops. All perfectly done. It was a great start to our ski weekend :)
(5)
Angela P.
Visiting a friend who lives nearby and this is her favorite restaurant. And now it's one of mine. Delicious food, outstanding service, warm and welcoming ambiance. The menu offers a great variety of flavors to satisfy any craving. I will be talking about my dessert for years: walnut cake with maple cream cheese frosting topped by a piece of candied bacon. Heavenly!
(5)
Bill S.
4 of us had dinner there last night. Place was completely full, so reservations are recommended. Two of us had the seared sea scallops, and we both agreed they were the best we've ever had. Beautifully garnished and presented. My wife had twin petite beef filets. She shared one with me and it was excellent meat perfectly prepared.we skipped the appetizers but the meal came with a salad, and we had just the right amount of food. We all had different drink desires so we ordered by the glass/bottle. We may ask about a corkage charge next time as we liked the wine selection the least. Overall, this was the best meal we have had in the Lehigh Valley.
(5)
Michael D.
Probably the 7th or 8th time I've been and it somehow keeps getting better. Shawn is a masterful chef who has a passion for food and his customers. Last night was no exception. The braised pork cheeks were fork tender and flavor-packed, complemented by tempura-fried cheese curds -- just brilliant. My entree -- buffalo skirt steak -- was exquisite: perfectly grilled with a robust and slightly tart cabernet reduction sauce, grilled ramps (oh, yeah!) and the best thick-cut frites I've had in years. My wife's soft shell crab was divine -- light, tasty and so very fresh. We sat in the Arbor Room, where a cool summer breeze gently drifted across our table all evening. Perfection throughout!
(5)
Annette W.
My husband and I have been to the Savory Grille 5 times - most recently to celebrate his birthday. This place is a gem if you appreciate delicious food and spectacular presentation. We were lucky enough to have discovered it during a fall weekend trip to Bear Creek and we have been vexed ever since. Favorites include - foie gras, escargot, quail and of course, the pork cheeks. We highly recommend the Savory Grille for a truly wonderful gastronomical experience!
(5)
Paula T.
"Awesome food and service" The chef is willing and more than able to make things off-menu for people with special dietary needs. I am especially appreciative to have a restaurant to which I can go an not have to eat 'yet another salad' as my meal to adhere to my dietary needs. Wonderful, tasty, no fuss food and friendly service. Yay!
(5)
Kerry C.
Having eating at Savory Grille several times, last night's experience was one of the best. Our waitress was wonderful, truly knowledgeable about the menu and so friendly. The food, from appetizer to dessert, was truly one of our best meals ever. Thank you for such an enjoyable evening.
(5)
Candi K.
One of the most interesting, best executed fusion menus in the Valley, but a slow start drops them a star. We went early on a Wednesday without a reservation. Seating us was not a problem. Getting us started was. The server gave us a table, handed us our menus, and then didn't come back for 10 minutes. We ordered drinks and asked for a few more minutes since we had questions on the menu that we had to wait to ask. Fifteen minutes later, our drinks arrive. I know that it is small & intimate, but 25 minutes from seating to drink is kind of ridiculous. Anyways, life was fine after that...other than the fact that the service improved, the lady was never what you would call personable or friendly. The amuse bouche was a good snapshot of what was to come. I started with the cauliflower soup (I think it ranks up there with the best soups of my life) while my husband had the breaded duck tenderloin (loved the little pickled blueberries). The bread basket was well executed and refilled as necessary. Then lovely piles of salad (included with your entree purchase) with a selection of housemade dressings. At this point, I was full, but there was more food to go! I took a "risk" and had the grilled pork tenderloin. I normally shy away from pork while dining out (unless it's bacon or sausage...) but the quinoa, pancetta & apple chutney was calling to me. Totally worth the risk. The pork was perfectly seasoned and juicy, and I didn't even miss being potato-less (a huge feat for his midwestern girl). The portion was decently sized, to the point that the leftovers made two lunches for me. My husband had the grouper with the crab, which I didn't get to taste (dang shellfish allergy), but he was bragging from his side of the table. I had a chocolate cake for dessert that was good, but ot the most impressive thing ever. My overtly fully stomach may have been to blame. Drinks were amazing...the wine by the glass list is a bit short, but I can understand the reasoning. Cocktails were well executed & delicious. Bill with tax & tip was well over $200, making it one of the priciest meals we've had in the Valley. If we hadn't had the service issue at the beginning, I'd be swooning. I'm hoping it was a bad night, because it's difficult to swallow being ignored for so long when you are paying that kind of moolah. The Valley is not NYC.
(4)
Al B.
After talking about Savory Grille for two years, we finally went this evening for a seven-course dinner featuring pork. We were seated on the patio at 4:30 pm and left the restaurant at 7:45 pm. What happened between those times was a wonderful experience for us. In order of presentation, our dishes were: Pork and Berry trio Pulled pork steamed bun with pickled shitake and hoisin sauce Offal Native American Indian soup House made trotter chorizo with squash gnocchi and white royal trumpets Pork rib confit: Frissee and mache, quince vinaigrette, and pomegranates Porchetta - Broccoli rabe and Locatelli Candied pork mince meat pie with Maple ice cream We liked everything, though my favorite was the soup and chorizo and my wife's favorite was the chorizo and the pork and berry trio. There were 23 people served by several servers. Our iced tea, water, and bread was refilled often without us needing to ask. Shawn, the owner and our chef for the evening, came out at each presentation to talk about what he used, why he used different items, and what he hoped to accomplish with his overall presentation. It was welcomed and well received. Shawn and his spouse, Dorothy, spent time talking with us and they were incredibly nice. While some would be put off by the slower service (three hours to complete the meal), we throughly enjoyed it. Instead of wolfing food down, we actually talked, contemplated the food, and savored the nuances of the preparations. We were quite surprised by the bill: only $104 for the two of us, including our tea and water. We look forward to going back soon. Five stars.
My favorite restaurant in the Lehigh Valley. The seafood is always top notch and very fresh. Rack of lamb was described as "wonderful" from one of my dining companions who is very picky. Service is attentive but slow at times. Remember perfect takes time.
(5)
Doug J.
We've had this place on our list to try for over a year. Since its about an hour away, we had hoped it was all the reviewers said it would be. Alas...not so much. The food was very good...and huge portions with lots of sides. Service did not match the food. We had a server who was not pleasant at all. We had expected during the holidays that we'd have a few smiles...not. Lastly, the place itself needs to be decorated and classed up. It's like sitting in a 1965 ski lodge in one place and a crowded bar in the other. Bottom line...good food, but very pricey place.
(3)
Lara D.
I don't ever write restaurant reviews, so this is a first. My husband and I had dinner here last night and everything from the Amuse To our desserts and cordials was perfect. The service was outstanding, the warmth and intimacy was refreshing and the food was prepared exactly. This is definitely one of our favorites now and we didn't have to travel to Philly to get a fine meal!
(5)
Jason K.
Reviewing high end restaurants is tough. When you're spending so much money for a night out the bar gets set very high and when the bill for dinner for two with no alcohol hits $155 with tip it can only take a few minor missteps to change a five star review to a lower rating. That was the case for our dinner here a few weeks ago. The food presentation was outstanding, some of the best I've seen in years, the portions aren't stingy and the food was cooked expertly. Unfortunately some of the flavors were slightly disappointing for us. The panned Quail appetizer was tasty with nice flavors, though more caramelization would have made it perfect, but the pear soup with brie croutons was just ok - nothing to write home about. For the entrees the pan seared fish with lump crab, mango salsa and pesto was very good, however the delicate flavor of the battered veal tenderloin medallions was overpowered by the tapenade on them. For dessert the creme brulee was outstanding but the candied pear with ice cream was a surprise when the pear was served ice cold - I assume this was intended and not a mistake. The flavors of the pear would have been so much brighter if it had been warmed even just a bit. Service was the let down and what makes this a three star review instead of a four. At this price point impeccable service is the name of the game. A waitress that barely cracks a smile, is a tad dry and gives the impression she's all business is more suited to a diner, not fine dining. Then having her lean over the table right in front of you and reach her arm straight across your face when putting down your plates and drop silverware on the floor is off-putting. Also a couple times we sat with empty glasses for over 10 minutes before they were refilled and once our entrees were down she never checked on us again until we were finished our meals. The menu here seems to change often so they're clearly trying to keep things from getting tired. My wife and I both agreed that while it was a good experience overall, when considering the whole picture we weren't blown away like we were hoping to be.
(3)
Kristen W.
I'm surprised at the few number of reviews (because it is always brimming with people) and some of the negative feelings toward this place. I've been to Savory Grille several times with a variety of people, and nothing has been short of wonderful. Service is always top-notch, and the slow, deliberate pacing really makes the meal feel like more of an event. Too often at other restaurants I've been presented with my salad immedately after my appetizer, then the entree comes before I'm finished with the salad. Here, you're given time to rest between courses, and reflect on and discuss the dish you've just eaten. The focus on fresh, local ingredients is appreciated and the quality is highlighted in each dish. Some highlights from the ever-changing menu I can remember are the sweet potato gnocchi appetizer in a sage brown butter sauce (I shared it as an appetizer but wish I had ordered 2 for my entree instead), and a giant grilled pork sirloin steak, the best pork dish I have had to date. I've also tried their veal, duck, scallops, and other various proteins, every time cooked and seasoned perfectly. And I can't forget the creme brulee, which is the house specialty dessert, and one of the best desserts I've ever had. I'm not one for repeating a dish (I like to try new things), but it is a must everytime I go. We've never had problems getting a reservation when we called about a week in advance, but the very small dining room is always full when we're there. If you sit at a table close to the bar on a busy night, it gets tricky for waitresses to get to the tables because of the close proximity of barstools to tables, but overall the small atmosphere is charming, and it makes it almost impossible to be forgotten about by your waitress or passed up by the man dishing out the bread (which is made in-house). Perhaps people are hesitant to share the greatness of the place because they're afraid of losing their tables (there seem to be a lot of regulars here), but I can't stand to see this place in bad yelp graces. It is a wonderful restaurant I would recommend to anyone.
This may be my first full 5-star rating. This small cottage-like bar and grill was amazing. I'm not much for the country decor being in close proximaty to the other 20 people eating, but the food well made up for it. Unlike traditional bread starters, we were first presented with a salmon hummus on toast that was unlike anything I have ever had. Then came the bread...whole grain and white. I enjoyed a glass of Pinot, but wasnt blown away. For my main course I ordered Kobe Ribeye which came with carmelized onions and a Jack Daniels sauce. When it came out I knew I had a long journey ahead...the ribeye covered almost my whole plate(my dad estimates 10-12 oz.) and was accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes, carrot slivers and asparagus. The meat was cooked to perfection and melted in my mouth. I obviously couldnt eat it all so I got some help, which no one seemed to mind, ha. My parents got nocchi with scallops and filet mignon...both equally delicious. We closed the night out with homade chocolate icecream with a pistachio shell, bananas foster and my pick...bailys cheesecake(yes seriously it was amazing). The portions are surprisingly big and the attention to small details is not to be missed. Make a reservation though, we did at 6:30 and within the hour the place was totally full. Also expect to make a night of it, it is in the middle of nowhere and the service is very slow. We were out around 9:00. Pricing is mid-higher end with meals generally between $30-$35. Our bill was $150 without tip which included dinner, wine and dessert for three people...I thought that was pretty good considering what we had.
(5)
Elizabeth F.
I've been itching to try the Savory Grille and finally made it there for the first time last weekend. Our reservation was for 6:30 and we only had to wait a few minutes before being seated. However, the dining area is just one mid-sized room, negative for atmosphere. And we were forced to wait next to the 5-stool bar which made it a little cramped for a few minutes. We were very cozy next to the tables surrounding us when we were finally seated and the temperature throughout the meal was a little too warm for me. Not a super start to the evening but the food made up for it ten-fold. I ordered a Pinot Grigio which was pretty tasty, however the by-the-glass wine list wasn't too extensive. I had been hoping for a Pinot NOIR and that was not an option. Boo. We probably waited about ten minutes for water to be brought to the table and that is a bit of a pet peeve of mine so points deducted for that. Homemade tomato basil and Italian breads were brought to the table along with the 'amuse bouche', homemade bite-sized potato chips topped with chicken salad. They were YUM! I split an appetizer with my dining partner; veal meatballs... tiny but five of them so the two of us easily were able to sample and they were def delic. Our salads came with a choice of homemade dressings; honey mustard or lemongrass and scallion. I opted for the scallion, happy with my decision and not too scalliony afterward. The salad was mostly composed of fresh greens, (they were actually fresh!) and barley kernels at the bottom were a surprising and satisfying twist. For my main course I ordered the duck. Although fatty, like most duck, it was cooked to perfection. A few too many carrots as part of my vegetable medley but the bok choy and asparagus were tasty, although a tad undercooked. Homemade french fries were my designated starch and they were a lovely complement to my duck. My friend ordered grouper breaded with panko crumbs. The grouper was amazing; also cooked to perfection and I was jealous. Her cous cous was just eh. Nothing to complain about; also nothing to brag about. Everything we ordered was superbly fresh. The items all had obviously been prepared by someone who was concerned about the presentation and took pride in his work. I'll definitely be back for more of the deliciousness but I'll make sure to dress in layers next time.
(4)
Ken K.
I'm not a food snob but have had the pleasure of enjoying one of the best meals in quite some time, maybe years. Somehow it's diminutive size makes for an intimate environment. Great wait service. Creative menu. Excellent wine. Hence, five stars.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : No Attire : Dressy Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Bill S.
Highly recommended by other whose opinions we value. Food was outstanding, but my experience was terrible. We had reservations, but still had to wait a while. While eating my risotto, I bit into something hard. It turned out to be a broken peice of china from a cup or plate. I notified the server, who offered to replace it, with the same or something else. Too late. The slow service had already taken time, and my wife was more than halfway through her meal. She apologized, and took the charge off the bill for the one item which I expected at the least. Since the place is small, and the owners run the kitchen, I honestly expected a little more concern to be shown. The recovery was poorly handled in my mind, and we won't be back because I didn't feel like they valued my business or my experience. Their food was well prepared, but obviously not carefully prepared. It's too bad, because the country drive, and old building atmosphere was very pleasing. Outside of my experience, you will probably enjoy the food, and the atmosphere. Plan on a long night.
(3)Roger Y.
The Savory is a small, tucked-away gem. So called fine dining can be a clichéd experience-- haughty wait staff affecting cultured accents, self-consciously bizarre dishes, and inflated prices. But this restaurant, occupying the former stable of the long since vanished Seisholtzville Hotel, is unaffected and straightforward. The tariff seemed a trifle steep to us (we usually hit inexpensive ethnic eateries) until we considered that our made-to-order vegetarian dishes consisted of at least a half-dozen elements-- a lot of labor and ingredients for about 24 dollars. If you aren't into eating meat and fish, don't be put off by all the livestock and seafood on the menu-- if alerted when you make reservations, the owners will put together an improvised feast. Our daughter, who has checked out many vegetarian and vegan restaurants while living in Philadelphia and the DC area, declares the Savory Grille her favorite. Yes, the seating is cheek by jowl, but we found that to be cozy and convivial, not crowded. The service isn't lightning quick, but assuming you want to carry on a conversation with the people at your table, the pacing strikes us as an asset. And the background burble of conversation was far better than piped-in light jazz or easy-listening oldies. No beers on tap, but the bottled selection is good and the cocktail list is highly inventive (we went for a gin Martini incorporating plum wine and violet liqueur, with the rim dipped in lavender sugar). As we dined my wife took three pages of notes on the ingredients, trying to figure out how to approach our vegetarian dishes (both were distinctly different) at home, but that'll be a stretch for us. All of which is to say that the Savory is highly recommended.
(5)Mary T.
We had been told such wonderful things about this very fancy and very expensive local place. Indeed, typically you must make reservations at least a week in advance. We went this past Saturday and were able to get last minute reservations because of bad weather. We were disappointed. The food was OK, but not amazing and at these prices we expect amazing. The "amuse" was the only item that really impressed us. For the vegetarian at our table it was an artichoke salad which he liked very much. For the rest of us it was a bite of seafood sausage which might sound awful - but it was lovely - a little taste of everything wonderful about seafood. The salad was good, the dressings nothing very special. I had tilapia with a citris/artichoke angle - it was ok, again, nothing particular special and the serving size was too large. The different flavors (citris, fish, artichoke) were just placed next to each other on the plate - fried fish in the middle with a pile of cold (jarred?!?) artichoke hearts alongside and honestly I don't even remember tasting much citris at all, there were supposed to actually be oranges on the plate but I don't think there were. Boring. . . The special vegetarian dish was sort of a deep fried roll with cheese and spinach in it, he reported that is was ok, prepared correctly, but not anything special and not very flavorful. For dessert we ordered a walnut pear turnover with vanilla ice cream. It would have made an AMAZING breakfast danish, the pastry was perfect, but was too light on the walnuts, sweetness and flavor to be a satisfying dessert. I did wake up the next morning thinking to myself that one of them would be really yumming for breakfast! The service was a touch spotty as well - at times very good and yet other things completely overlooked. We sat for some time without drinks - not even water. We got our amuse and our bread (the bread was good! but no butter.) and still didn't have our water or drinks. On the other hand - we were a divided party and the waitress took the two credit cards and divided the bill without asking a single question - very artfully avoiding any of the awkwardness that sometimes happens with that. Total bill for the two of us (four drinks, two entrees, 1 dessert) was about $140. Overall we don't see what all the excitement is about.
(3)Eli G.
It has been a long time since I've enjoyed a meal as completely as I enjoyed my meal tonight. Everything was made with such care and purpose. Each plate, full and complete. My wife said the same. We picked completely different things -- she got quail with grits, fillet and a crab cake, and cinnamon caramel ice cream; I got pouched mussels, lamb chops, and fruit and nut baklava with vanilla ice cream -- and we both loved everything on the plate. Even the things we didn't necessarily enjoy (I don't like cinnamon for example) we could appreciate the quality. Expensive. But portions are large and quality is through the roof. Worth it.
(5)David A.
Who is the chef here? I've been here three times and have been blown away each and every time. Highly recommend.
(5)Brian D.
Excellent. Excellent. Excellent. Service. Execution. Creativity. Passion goes into everything they do here.
(5)John S.
After a long drive with the kids and serching for several dinner spots we decided to try this cozy little grill. it was a bit fancier than we were expecting, but they were very accommodating of the kids and the meal was top notch. My wife and daughter split the chicken breast, my son had the fillet, and I had the lamb chops. All perfectly done. It was a great start to our ski weekend :)
(5)Angela P.
Visiting a friend who lives nearby and this is her favorite restaurant. And now it's one of mine. Delicious food, outstanding service, warm and welcoming ambiance. The menu offers a great variety of flavors to satisfy any craving. I will be talking about my dessert for years: walnut cake with maple cream cheese frosting topped by a piece of candied bacon. Heavenly!
(5)Bill S.
4 of us had dinner there last night. Place was completely full, so reservations are recommended. Two of us had the seared sea scallops, and we both agreed they were the best we've ever had. Beautifully garnished and presented. My wife had twin petite beef filets. She shared one with me and it was excellent meat perfectly prepared.we skipped the appetizers but the meal came with a salad, and we had just the right amount of food. We all had different drink desires so we ordered by the glass/bottle. We may ask about a corkage charge next time as we liked the wine selection the least. Overall, this was the best meal we have had in the Lehigh Valley.
(5)Michael D.
Probably the 7th or 8th time I've been and it somehow keeps getting better. Shawn is a masterful chef who has a passion for food and his customers. Last night was no exception. The braised pork cheeks were fork tender and flavor-packed, complemented by tempura-fried cheese curds -- just brilliant. My entree -- buffalo skirt steak -- was exquisite: perfectly grilled with a robust and slightly tart cabernet reduction sauce, grilled ramps (oh, yeah!) and the best thick-cut frites I've had in years. My wife's soft shell crab was divine -- light, tasty and so very fresh. We sat in the Arbor Room, where a cool summer breeze gently drifted across our table all evening. Perfection throughout!
(5)Annette W.
My husband and I have been to the Savory Grille 5 times - most recently to celebrate his birthday. This place is a gem if you appreciate delicious food and spectacular presentation. We were lucky enough to have discovered it during a fall weekend trip to Bear Creek and we have been vexed ever since. Favorites include - foie gras, escargot, quail and of course, the pork cheeks. We highly recommend the Savory Grille for a truly wonderful gastronomical experience!
(5)Paula T.
"Awesome food and service" The chef is willing and more than able to make things off-menu for people with special dietary needs. I am especially appreciative to have a restaurant to which I can go an not have to eat 'yet another salad' as my meal to adhere to my dietary needs. Wonderful, tasty, no fuss food and friendly service. Yay!
(5)Kerry C.
Having eating at Savory Grille several times, last night's experience was one of the best. Our waitress was wonderful, truly knowledgeable about the menu and so friendly. The food, from appetizer to dessert, was truly one of our best meals ever. Thank you for such an enjoyable evening.
(5)Candi K.
One of the most interesting, best executed fusion menus in the Valley, but a slow start drops them a star. We went early on a Wednesday without a reservation. Seating us was not a problem. Getting us started was. The server gave us a table, handed us our menus, and then didn't come back for 10 minutes. We ordered drinks and asked for a few more minutes since we had questions on the menu that we had to wait to ask. Fifteen minutes later, our drinks arrive. I know that it is small & intimate, but 25 minutes from seating to drink is kind of ridiculous. Anyways, life was fine after that...other than the fact that the service improved, the lady was never what you would call personable or friendly. The amuse bouche was a good snapshot of what was to come. I started with the cauliflower soup (I think it ranks up there with the best soups of my life) while my husband had the breaded duck tenderloin (loved the little pickled blueberries). The bread basket was well executed and refilled as necessary. Then lovely piles of salad (included with your entree purchase) with a selection of housemade dressings. At this point, I was full, but there was more food to go! I took a "risk" and had the grilled pork tenderloin. I normally shy away from pork while dining out (unless it's bacon or sausage...) but the quinoa, pancetta & apple chutney was calling to me. Totally worth the risk. The pork was perfectly seasoned and juicy, and I didn't even miss being potato-less (a huge feat for his midwestern girl). The portion was decently sized, to the point that the leftovers made two lunches for me. My husband had the grouper with the crab, which I didn't get to taste (dang shellfish allergy), but he was bragging from his side of the table. I had a chocolate cake for dessert that was good, but ot the most impressive thing ever. My overtly fully stomach may have been to blame. Drinks were amazing...the wine by the glass list is a bit short, but I can understand the reasoning. Cocktails were well executed & delicious. Bill with tax & tip was well over $200, making it one of the priciest meals we've had in the Valley. If we hadn't had the service issue at the beginning, I'd be swooning. I'm hoping it was a bad night, because it's difficult to swallow being ignored for so long when you are paying that kind of moolah. The Valley is not NYC.
(4)Al B.
After talking about Savory Grille for two years, we finally went this evening for a seven-course dinner featuring pork. We were seated on the patio at 4:30 pm and left the restaurant at 7:45 pm. What happened between those times was a wonderful experience for us. In order of presentation, our dishes were: Pork and Berry trio Pulled pork steamed bun with pickled shitake and hoisin sauce Offal Native American Indian soup House made trotter chorizo with squash gnocchi and white royal trumpets Pork rib confit: Frissee and mache, quince vinaigrette, and pomegranates Porchetta - Broccoli rabe and Locatelli Candied pork mince meat pie with Maple ice cream We liked everything, though my favorite was the soup and chorizo and my wife's favorite was the chorizo and the pork and berry trio. There were 23 people served by several servers. Our iced tea, water, and bread was refilled often without us needing to ask. Shawn, the owner and our chef for the evening, came out at each presentation to talk about what he used, why he used different items, and what he hoped to accomplish with his overall presentation. It was welcomed and well received. Shawn and his spouse, Dorothy, spent time talking with us and they were incredibly nice. While some would be put off by the slower service (three hours to complete the meal), we throughly enjoyed it. Instead of wolfing food down, we actually talked, contemplated the food, and savored the nuances of the preparations. We were quite surprised by the bill: only $104 for the two of us, including our tea and water. We look forward to going back soon. Five stars.
(5)Amy E.
My fiancée and I went here for cocktails and appetizers for our anniversary and we were very impressed! The cocktails were delicious. The appetizer we got was the pork cheek, which our server David recommended, and it was absolutely amazing! Everything is made fresh in house, including the bread, which was so good we asked if we could buy a loaf. We were able to buy a loaf, which a regular sitting next to us said was a rarity since it is fresh bread made to serve before dinner. We were there on a Sunday night near close, and they are closed Monday and Tuesday which probably helped us to get a loaf of bread. We very much enjoyed our experience there, especially our service from David, and we will be returning very soon to try the duck!
(5)Larry K.
My favorite restaurant in the Lehigh Valley. The seafood is always top notch and very fresh. Rack of lamb was described as "wonderful" from one of my dining companions who is very picky. Service is attentive but slow at times. Remember perfect takes time.
(5)Doug J.
We've had this place on our list to try for over a year. Since its about an hour away, we had hoped it was all the reviewers said it would be. Alas...not so much. The food was very good...and huge portions with lots of sides. Service did not match the food. We had a server who was not pleasant at all. We had expected during the holidays that we'd have a few smiles...not. Lastly, the place itself needs to be decorated and classed up. It's like sitting in a 1965 ski lodge in one place and a crowded bar in the other. Bottom line...good food, but very pricey place.
(3)Lara D.
I don't ever write restaurant reviews, so this is a first. My husband and I had dinner here last night and everything from the Amuse To our desserts and cordials was perfect. The service was outstanding, the warmth and intimacy was refreshing and the food was prepared exactly. This is definitely one of our favorites now and we didn't have to travel to Philly to get a fine meal!
(5)Jason K.
Reviewing high end restaurants is tough. When you're spending so much money for a night out the bar gets set very high and when the bill for dinner for two with no alcohol hits $155 with tip it can only take a few minor missteps to change a five star review to a lower rating. That was the case for our dinner here a few weeks ago. The food presentation was outstanding, some of the best I've seen in years, the portions aren't stingy and the food was cooked expertly. Unfortunately some of the flavors were slightly disappointing for us. The panned Quail appetizer was tasty with nice flavors, though more caramelization would have made it perfect, but the pear soup with brie croutons was just ok - nothing to write home about. For the entrees the pan seared fish with lump crab, mango salsa and pesto was very good, however the delicate flavor of the battered veal tenderloin medallions was overpowered by the tapenade on them. For dessert the creme brulee was outstanding but the candied pear with ice cream was a surprise when the pear was served ice cold - I assume this was intended and not a mistake. The flavors of the pear would have been so much brighter if it had been warmed even just a bit. Service was the let down and what makes this a three star review instead of a four. At this price point impeccable service is the name of the game. A waitress that barely cracks a smile, is a tad dry and gives the impression she's all business is more suited to a diner, not fine dining. Then having her lean over the table right in front of you and reach her arm straight across your face when putting down your plates and drop silverware on the floor is off-putting. Also a couple times we sat with empty glasses for over 10 minutes before they were refilled and once our entrees were down she never checked on us again until we were finished our meals. The menu here seems to change often so they're clearly trying to keep things from getting tired. My wife and I both agreed that while it was a good experience overall, when considering the whole picture we weren't blown away like we were hoping to be.
(3)Kristen W.
I'm surprised at the few number of reviews (because it is always brimming with people) and some of the negative feelings toward this place. I've been to Savory Grille several times with a variety of people, and nothing has been short of wonderful. Service is always top-notch, and the slow, deliberate pacing really makes the meal feel like more of an event. Too often at other restaurants I've been presented with my salad immedately after my appetizer, then the entree comes before I'm finished with the salad. Here, you're given time to rest between courses, and reflect on and discuss the dish you've just eaten. The focus on fresh, local ingredients is appreciated and the quality is highlighted in each dish. Some highlights from the ever-changing menu I can remember are the sweet potato gnocchi appetizer in a sage brown butter sauce (I shared it as an appetizer but wish I had ordered 2 for my entree instead), and a giant grilled pork sirloin steak, the best pork dish I have had to date. I've also tried their veal, duck, scallops, and other various proteins, every time cooked and seasoned perfectly. And I can't forget the creme brulee, which is the house specialty dessert, and one of the best desserts I've ever had. I'm not one for repeating a dish (I like to try new things), but it is a must everytime I go. We've never had problems getting a reservation when we called about a week in advance, but the very small dining room is always full when we're there. If you sit at a table close to the bar on a busy night, it gets tricky for waitresses to get to the tables because of the close proximity of barstools to tables, but overall the small atmosphere is charming, and it makes it almost impossible to be forgotten about by your waitress or passed up by the man dishing out the bread (which is made in-house). Perhaps people are hesitant to share the greatness of the place because they're afraid of losing their tables (there seem to be a lot of regulars here), but I can't stand to see this place in bad yelp graces. It is a wonderful restaurant I would recommend to anyone.
(5)Andrew H.
It was my fourth visit in four years, as before, it was a great! While a little too crowded (seats about 30 in the space for 15), the service is good and the food is beyond fantastic! My party of five each had a different appetizer and entrée which we all shared. Everything was amazing and the flavors are difficult to put into words, other than just incredible. It is well worth the visit!
(5)Megan D.
This may be my first full 5-star rating. This small cottage-like bar and grill was amazing. I'm not much for the country decor being in close proximaty to the other 20 people eating, but the food well made up for it. Unlike traditional bread starters, we were first presented with a salmon hummus on toast that was unlike anything I have ever had. Then came the bread...whole grain and white. I enjoyed a glass of Pinot, but wasnt blown away. For my main course I ordered Kobe Ribeye which came with carmelized onions and a Jack Daniels sauce. When it came out I knew I had a long journey ahead...the ribeye covered almost my whole plate(my dad estimates 10-12 oz.) and was accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes, carrot slivers and asparagus. The meat was cooked to perfection and melted in my mouth. I obviously couldnt eat it all so I got some help, which no one seemed to mind, ha. My parents got nocchi with scallops and filet mignon...both equally delicious. We closed the night out with homade chocolate icecream with a pistachio shell, bananas foster and my pick...bailys cheesecake(yes seriously it was amazing). The portions are surprisingly big and the attention to small details is not to be missed. Make a reservation though, we did at 6:30 and within the hour the place was totally full. Also expect to make a night of it, it is in the middle of nowhere and the service is very slow. We were out around 9:00. Pricing is mid-higher end with meals generally between $30-$35. Our bill was $150 without tip which included dinner, wine and dessert for three people...I thought that was pretty good considering what we had.
(5)Elizabeth F.
I've been itching to try the Savory Grille and finally made it there for the first time last weekend. Our reservation was for 6:30 and we only had to wait a few minutes before being seated. However, the dining area is just one mid-sized room, negative for atmosphere. And we were forced to wait next to the 5-stool bar which made it a little cramped for a few minutes. We were very cozy next to the tables surrounding us when we were finally seated and the temperature throughout the meal was a little too warm for me. Not a super start to the evening but the food made up for it ten-fold. I ordered a Pinot Grigio which was pretty tasty, however the by-the-glass wine list wasn't too extensive. I had been hoping for a Pinot NOIR and that was not an option. Boo. We probably waited about ten minutes for water to be brought to the table and that is a bit of a pet peeve of mine so points deducted for that. Homemade tomato basil and Italian breads were brought to the table along with the 'amuse bouche', homemade bite-sized potato chips topped with chicken salad. They were YUM! I split an appetizer with my dining partner; veal meatballs... tiny but five of them so the two of us easily were able to sample and they were def delic. Our salads came with a choice of homemade dressings; honey mustard or lemongrass and scallion. I opted for the scallion, happy with my decision and not too scalliony afterward. The salad was mostly composed of fresh greens, (they were actually fresh!) and barley kernels at the bottom were a surprising and satisfying twist. For my main course I ordered the duck. Although fatty, like most duck, it was cooked to perfection. A few too many carrots as part of my vegetable medley but the bok choy and asparagus were tasty, although a tad undercooked. Homemade french fries were my designated starch and they were a lovely complement to my duck. My friend ordered grouper breaded with panko crumbs. The grouper was amazing; also cooked to perfection and I was jealous. Her cous cous was just eh. Nothing to complain about; also nothing to brag about. Everything we ordered was superbly fresh. The items all had obviously been prepared by someone who was concerned about the presentation and took pride in his work. I'll definitely be back for more of the deliciousness but I'll make sure to dress in layers next time.
(4)Ken K.
I'm not a food snob but have had the pleasure of enjoying one of the best meals in quite some time, maybe years. Somehow it's diminutive size makes for an intimate environment. Great wait service. Creative menu. Excellent wine. Hence, five stars.
(5)