The food quality of The Grove Cafe was excellent. The service was warm, welcoming and attentive. However...
For the price point being the same as a full service restaurant ...at The Grove Cafe when you enter there is a large menu an an easel at the door next to a host stand. You wait awkwardly, as a group, reading the billboard style menu then placing your order with the host; to which, you receive a plastic number card which you then display on the table you pick in the dining area. It felt very Sizzler-esque.
The space is that of a dining hall. Red checkered table cloths are covered with parchment paper. The banquet tables are each set with 8 chairs, so as a deuce we had plenty of room . Beverages and silverware roll-ups are on a banquet table at the front of the room for self service.
As I mentioned breakfast came out in a timely manner and was very tasty...
What do you tip a server that doesn't present or talk about the menu? She was very nice and inquired how the meal was but was simply a food runner/bus person.
Check out was prohibitive as well for the host who took your order as you came in was the only person to check you out as well. There was enough of a line when we wanted to leave that we sat for a while to wait for the line to have their orders taken before we tried to cash out.
I'm sure it is a lot prettier when the weather is nice to sit outside, but for my dollar if I'm going out I like to be served; especially at a similar price point. I can go to The Farm only minutes down the road to achieve this end.
5 Star breakfast/staff / 1 star ambiance