Smashing Grapes - Columbia

Review summary

1. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Baltimore

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Hidden Gem 10/10 experience, this will not be our last visit.
   

   Smashing Grapes - ColumbiaResponded today

   Thank you so much for your 5-star review! We are thrilled to learn that you enjoyed the exceptional dining experience we strive for and you deserve and we can't wait to serve you again very soon! With Gratitude, The Team at Smashing Grapes Columbia
   

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2. S

   Shirley

   Greater Boston

   2 reviews

   2.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 4

   Service was extremely slow and poor. Food was okay, but we had to leave without enjoying the meal because of the slow service.
   

   Smashing Grapes - ColumbiaResponded today

   Shirley, thank you for your review-we are disappointed to learn about this negative service experience, for which we can offer no excuse, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to let us know so we can address our team and improve. If you would kindly email us at columbia@smashinggrapes.c0m with a copy of your review, date dined & location, we will work hard to remedy this and prove we can do better. With Gratitude & Apologies, The Team at Smashing Grapes Columbia
   

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3. C

   Cindy

   Baltimore

   29 reviews

   5.0

   29 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Lovely place, great food and wine menu and charming wait staff.
   

   Smashing Grapes - ColumbiaResponded 1 day ago

   Cindy, thank you so much for your 5-star review! We are delighted to hear that your experience dining with us was top-notch and we look forward to welcoming you back to our table again very soon! With Gratitude, The Team at Smashing Grapes Columbia
   

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4. J

   Jarmaine

   Baltimore

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   The main reason you go to restaurant is for great food everything after is marginally important the food was okay everything else was good to great but I wouldn’t recommend visiting unless you just care about scenery
   

   Smashing Grapes - ColumbiaResponded 2 days ago

   Jarmaine, thank you for your review-we agree that the food should be exceptional and we are sorry that it was not for you. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback so we can work hard to improve, and we hope to have the opportunity to serve you again soon to prove we can earn those 5 stars! With Gratitude, The Team at Smashing Grapes Columbia
   

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5. T

   Tiffany

   Washington DC

   13 reviews

   2.0

   13 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

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

   Smashing Grapes - ColumbiaResponded 5 days ago

   Tiffany, thank you for your review-we are disappointed to learn that you did not enjoy the excellent dining experience we strive to provide, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback so we can work hard to improve. If you would kindly email us at columbia@smashinggrapes.c0m with a copy of your review, date dined & location, we will work hard to remedy this and prove we can do better. With Gratitude & Apologies, The Team at Smashing Grapes Columbia
   

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6. C

   Christel

   VIP

   Baltimore

   13 reviews

   5.0

   13 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Service & food was excellent. We sat in the bar area.
   

   Smashing Grapes - ColumbiaResponded 5 days ago

   Christel, thank you so much for your 5-star review! We are delighted to hear that your experience dining with us was top-notch and we truly appreciate you taking the time to share your positive experience & offer your recommendation! Thank you, and we look forward to welcoming you back to our table again very soon! With Gratitude, The Team at Smashing Grapes Columbia
   

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7. K

   Kaigh

   Baltimore

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   On a Sunday night in February, I went to the. Smashing Grapes - Columbia restaurant, and I had the Alfredo with lump crab meat, shrimp, and two slices of cheesey garlic bread. The meal was delicious, our server was courteous and helpful. My cousin had the Shrimp Scampi, and she agreed that her food was also very good. The menu had a lot of good choices. This restaurant is a great place to take a date or friends you want to impress.
   

   Smashing Grapes - ColumbiaResponded 6 days ago

   Kaigh, thank you so much for your excellent review! We are so pleased to learn you enjoyed a wonderful dining experience with us and we truly appreciate you taking the time to share your positive experience & offer your recommendation! Thank you, and we look forward to serving you again soon to prove we can earn those 5 stars! With Gratitude, The Team at Smashing Grapes Columbia
   

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8. B

   Benita

   VIP

   Richmond

   7 reviews

   4.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on 2 February 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   It was nice restaurant & atmosphere was nice. The food was very tasty & delicious.
   

   Smashing Grapes - ColumbiaResponded on 4 February 2025

   Benita, thank you so much for your excellent review! We are delighted to hear that your experience dining with us was top-notch and we look forward to welcoming you back to our table again very soon to prove we can offer you a 5-star dining experience! With Gratitude, The Team at Smashing Grapes Columbia
   

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9. A

   Aleecia

   Washington DC

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 2 February 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   I am THOROUGHLY impressed. The service, ambiance, and food were amazing! Kayla explained everything perfectly…shared her favorites and had such a beautiful personality. She made the experience for sure. Every single meal was great. The white wine flight was a perfect touch. Andreas checked on us and even left his card. I cannot wait to come back again. 10/10 for sure.
   

   Smashing Grapes - ColumbiaResponded on 3 February 2025

   Aleecia, thank you so much for your 5-star review! We are thrilled to learn that you enjoyed the exceptional dining experience we strive for and you deserve from a delicious meal to such outstanding service from our amazing team! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your positive experience & offer your recommendation, and we can't wait to serve you again very soon! With Gratitude, The Team at Smashing Grapes Columbia
   

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10. M

    Mary

    Baltimore

    35 reviews

    5.0

    35 reviews

    Dined on 31 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    First time at Smashing Grapes. Went for lunch on a rainy day to celebrate a friend's birthday. Pretty nice selection of options. A little on the pricey side but everything was A+. Lobster bisque was best ever. Short rib parpadelle was so, so aromatic, savory and satisfying. Took half home. Service couldn't be beat.
    

    Smashing Grapes - ColumbiaResponded on 1 February 2025

    Mary, thank you so much for your 5-star review! We are so pleased to learn you enjoyed a wonderful first dining experience with us and we truly appreciate you taking the time to share your positive experience & offer your recommendation! Thank you, and we look forward to serving you again soon! With Gratitude, The Team at Smashing Grapes Columbia
    

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