Bayside Grill and Tavern
Ate at the Bayside Grill and Tavern last night with three adults and nine children. Preliminary impressions:
1) The new space is much better. The wall between the bar and the front dining area has been removed. The walls are lighter - 51 Mill Street was always a bit on the dark and gloomy side. The main dining area has what looks like a dance floor, although it had tables on it last night. The porch is, more or less, the same.
2) The food is, for the most part, pub food. I had a steak and cheese sub which was pretty close to the real thing. Steak and seafood entrees are totally conventional, priced up to $19.99 with one or two in the mid $20s.
3) The drinks/beer/wine selections are pretty limited. Corona and Heinekin are about as fancy as it gets, Bud Light is more the flavor of the day.
4) Greeters and wait staff were very friendly and enthusiastic, but, man, was it SLOW! Appetizers in 45 minutes, entrees in an hour+. To be fair, it was mobbed. The parking lot was full, which I've never seen before. I'm sure the first night isn't the time to judge the smoothness of the operation, but that will need to get better.
Where does it fit in? Good atmosphere, casual, relaxed. Pub food is the order of the day, but you can get a strip steak or scallops if you want. Not competition for Garwoods or The Restaurant, definitely not for Mis en Place.
I haven't been to Jo Greens in a million years, but it might be straightup competition for them. As a family place it will be better than the Front Porch.
I finally tried the Wolfeboro Inn a month ago, and the service was so bad I will never go back, so I can't compare the two.
Congratulations to the owners on getting it up and running. When Mom is tired and the kids deserve a treat, it's a good choice.
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