Conference 7.286::maynard

    we just had lunch there. impressions:
    1) it's not cheap, but it's not super-expensive
    2) nice atmosphere. 
    3) extremely attentive service
    4) salad dressings are homemade
    5) they have a nonsmoking section
    6) food was quite decent
    
    we'll probably go back.
    liz

    I had lunch there this past weekend.  I was not very impressed.
    The seating hostess did not offer to take our jackets, she did
    for others.  Our server was very inexperienced.  He did not offer
    any specials and when taking the order, he did not mention choices
    that came with the meal.  I had terraki chicken.  It was dry.  The
    atmosphere was nice, but there was something that kept it from being
    really nice.  I can't put my finger on it.  And, oh yes, they are
    a bit on the high side of prices.
    
    If you decide to go, beware of the parking.  The lot next to the
    restraunt is small and it appears as if most of the spots are taken
    by employees.  They do have additional parking behind the Ace Quick
    Oil Change building.  DO NOT PARK ON POWDER MILL ROAD.  I have heard
    that the police will be handing out parking tickets and possibly
    towing cars that park on the street.
    
    Also, if there is water in the street, be careful when entering
    the building.  A puddle forms in the road near the enterence and
    when cars go by, they splash people.  I saw a couple of people get
    wet.
    
    Joel   

    My wife and I went there last night.
    
    The service was very attentive.  
    
    The main parking lot was full, and we had to hike from the spillover
    lot.  We were seated in the smoking section; the tables are small,
    but adequate.
    
    The food is a la carte.  I had French Onion soup; while not as good
    as home-made, it was obvious they were cooking it with real ingredients
    (as opposed to bullion-based soup).  The big disappointment, though,
    was the main course.  The so-cakked "Kansas City" ribs are pork,
    not beef.  In addition, they were supposedly barbecued; the sauce
    was hot and apparently had chili [!] in it.  We left the food mostly
    uneaten.
    
    We do not plan to return.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr. 

    
    Last Saturday we stopped there for some appetizers, onion rings
    and nachos.  There were six of us so they seated us in the very
    rear of the bar where there was the biggest table (picnic table
    style).  The quantity of the food was plenty, the quality was ok
    but the bill was somehow $17.00 (no beer or booze included).
    
    The two most annoying things were the giant picture that was impossible
    not to look at of the 3 stooges, each one with a finger up their
    nose (didn't do much for the appetite), and also they had an obnoxious
    parrot or some kind of bird that constantly screached and the waiter
    couldn't get him to stop.  It was like listening to a very loud,
    bad band.
    
    Other than that the owner came over to us and asked how everything
    was and the water boy and waitress were nice too.
    
    Off to a good start ?  so-so..

    What follows is a restaurant review that appeared in the July 
    issue of New England Monthly.  I am printing (without the permission
    of the author) for those of you who may be interested.
    
    It reads:
    
    'Although the new Grille 62's menu lacks any distinguishable ethnic
    identity, it exudes good cheer and variety.  Tapas, Italian
    specialities, and Kansas Bar-B-Q are unlikely but not unpleasant
    bedfellows.  Sandwiches, seafood, and burgers are also available,
    served in open rooms designed for conversation.  Several servers
    seemed to be prepubescent, and a child sat in the receptionist's
    seat - mysteries we didn't try to fathom - but the place has the
    air of a chummy fern bar.  20 Powdermill Rd (Rte 62), Maynard, (617)
    897-7111.  Open daily 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Sun brunch 11-3.  Reservations
    required for five or more.  Moderate.  AE, MC, V.'
    
    New England Monthly, "Restaurant Reviews", Edited by Susan Zesiger,
    July 1988, p. 92.
    

    We ate dinner there resently.  My daughter and I had pasta, and
    it was very good, but way too much to eat.  I would have been
    stuffed from the child's portion.  My husband had so kind
    of lobster dish, and the lobster tasted like fish.  My son had
    fish and chips, and the fish was very fishy tasting.  We had nachos
    too, but they were VERY expensive.  I might go back, but no seafood
    this time.

    has anyone been there lately?  i went there for a take-out lunch
    the other week and had the 31 special which was corn chowder and
    a 1/2 of fish sandwich.  while my girlfriend had the minestone and
    complained about it being more like bean soup and having no cheese
    i devoured the corn chowder.  it was one of the best i ever had.
    (with bacon and red potatoes and loaded with corn) and then there
    was the fish sandwich which was fresh and filling for a 1/2.  there
    new menu that came out last month (april) has reminded me to try
    it.  specially their ribs or grilled tuna steak.  any advise/updates
    would be appreciated.  thanks in advance.
    
    cja
    

    
                             Closed, I hear.
    

I was rather shocked to see this - it never occurred to me that they
may be in trouble.   I've had dinner there a few times and was always pleased
with food, service, and atmosphere.     Had I known they weren't doing
well, I might have gone more often (we don't go out that often and tend to
rotate amongst different restaurants - not all of them in town).

The newspaper article didn't impress upon me whether or not the downturn
was recent or has been building for many months.


I hope someone will be able to reopen it someday - its in a nice location.

- dave

    The Grill 62 will become Frecina??(sp) an Italian resturent should open
    so.
    art

    I read in the Beacon that Ciro's is taking over the Grill 62 building.
    This is a fantastic Italian pizzaria/restaurant. The original Ciro's is
    in Chelsmsford, owned by the same people who own Vincenzo's, a fancy
    Northern Italian restaurant next door. 
    
    Ciro's is not just another pizza place. Their pizza is really special.
    It was worth the trip to Chelmsford, now it's two miles from home!