RESTAURANT REVIEW: Disappointing Lunch at Greystone Grill

The Hunt Valley Towne Centre is home to many restaurants and small eateries.  Because of the constant flow of shoppers at the outdoor mall, some establishments are able to get away with serving below average food for above average prices.  It seems Greystone Grill has got this down pat.

Being right next to Regal Cinemas movie theater, Greystone has arguably the best location in the mall. Also considering how expensive movie tickets are these days, this dinner and a movie combo is sure to have your wallet hemorrhaging from all ends.

I arrived at the restaurant a little before noon. There was already a crowd of people congregated around the hostesses' stand but it the hostess was nowhere in sight. In fact, nobody was even able to get his or her name on the wait list.

Eventually, the hostess came racing from the kitchen and quickly began seating people. Shortly afterwards, the place was packed.

Low lighting, modern architecture, navy linens and black leather booths give Greystone a high-end appeal. Be warned; this is just a façade.

The restaurant is clearly trying to be fancy, but, unfortunately, winds up looking bland and cheap.  It's like a faux Rolex or a suit from the thrift store. It may appear nice to the untrained eye, but true restaurant connoisseurs won't to be fooled.

But let's get to the part that matters most: the food.  Of course, the menu outdoes itself, boasting all kinds of seafood dishes including bacon-wrapped scallops and blue crab and artichoke fondue—for lunch!  It has everything–soups, salads, pasta, seafood, steaks, chicken, etc. Read: Jack-of-all-trades, master of none.

A bit overwhelmed, I decided to play it safe and ordered a Caesar salad and the signature Greystone burger with blue cheese, peppered bacon and fried onions on grilled ciabatta. 

The Caesar was like so many I have had in the past at even lesser reputable places.  Everything tasted pre-packed—the cheese, the greens, the dressing. I couldn't distinguish it from salads I pick up at the grocery store.  It tasted fine, but there was nothing unique about it.   

The burger that I ordered medium rare arrived medium well. I couldn't detect even the slightest bit of pink in the center.  The chef had skimped on the blue cheese, and the onions were nothing more than stringy straws.  The worst part was the bread that tasted like it had been twice baked. The fries were pretty standard. Nothing worth writing home about.

The burger ran me over $11 with tax.  It was so unsatisfactory that I nearly cringed thinking about those lavish sounding seafood dishes.  If you can't do a simple burger right, what can you do?

I'm still trying to put my finger on what kind of place Greystone Grill is.  Considering the pretentious and uppity appearance, you'd think the food would rival any spot in town.  But the quality just wasn't there.