Taking a Grande chance, three of us ventured in last night to the newly transformed version of the old Mick Morgan’s on Needham Street. It is now the Grande Kitchen and Bar and had just opened to the public for the first time at 5pm! It’s beautifully refurbished. It’s definitely upscale. The food is delicious. According to Tricia, the Opening Manager, The former owner has changed his restaurant concept from an Irish bar with comfort food that was always buzzing with diners, to align with his five year plan in which he predicts changes on Needham Street. He must see young, energetic and wealthy patrons stopping by for drinks and dinner. The Biltmore, The Local, The Social are his competitors. We each ordered the avocado gazpacho as appetizer, and that was magnificent. Tricia joked that she could bathe in it. I concur. It was that good, especially with the dollop of sour cream and the reservoir of chili oil floating atop that gave the cool soup a unique and enticing taste! The three of us also ate a “Grand Burger” ($18); a prosciutto wrapped cod; and a dinner salad (I forget which one my daughter ordered), and two iced teas. Bill: $115 (including tip and tax). Keep track of your iced teas, because refills are not gratis! Certainly a higher price point than Mick Morgan’s, but really good.
Grande Kitchen and Bar is OPEN on Needham Street
by Sallee Lipshutz | Jun 22, 2017 | Newton | 18 comments
Sounds like a nice place, but it’s always a turn off to me when restaurants charge you for an iced tea refill. Iced tea has such a high markup that they can afford to refill you for free. I hope they at least told you and you didn’t get a surprise when receiving the bill.
How would you rate its vegetarian/vegan friendliness?
The menu isn’t extensive, but it is well balanced. I avoid sugar and carbs and got my Grande Burger on lettuce leaves with salad instead of fries. There were several salads that the server mentioned could have protein added. They have a cheese/charcuterie selection that has antipasto-like accompaniments (described to me by our server who mentioned olives and, I think, mushrooms). You could order the cheeses and avoid ordering the meat. Their menu is online at grandekitchenbar.com
I’m surprised at the ice tea refill charge. I hate that too. I’m also surprised at the upscale redo, but look forward to trying it at some point. My favorite place on Needham Street is still the Farm Grill. It is terrific Greek food. Haven’t been in a while, but I really love it when I do. Terrific greek salads, good gyros. Can’t miss. If I was closer, I’d eat there weekly.
Always sad to see an affordable neighborhood place replaced by something upscale, when it’s not because of lack of business.
Bummer. Sorry this happened.
I quite liked McMorgans and went there with my family and my extended family also. Frequently. My floor hockey team and many others went there after our games to have a few beers. Unpretentious, reasonably priced
and informal, it fit many budgets and
lifestyles. Clearly the place didnt have enough cache and “wow” appeal to Newtonites. I won’t pay $18.00 for a burger unless someone else is paying.
I’ll go to Newbuy Street if I want to get
gouged.
The same thing was done to OHaras years ago, and it it turned into an insufferable mediocre place with overwatered drinks, overpriced food and attitude to boot, never mind the long wait.
We will spend our dining and entertainment dollars elsewhere.
My guess is the rest of whatever
else is coming on Needham St will
be some minor league version of Legacy Place. Sad!
Should be Newburyport Street
Remember, we still have 5 Guys and McDonalds. And pizza (3 places, at least). Spiga, the healthy food store whose name I forget, and Starbucks and the NE Soup Factory. Lots of choices. Not Newburyport St…. More like an identity crisis.
Oh boy, is there anything people in Newton will not complain about?
I enjoyed the food. No complaints from me!
@Sallee – there’s a need for moderately priced sit down places to eat. The ones you mention are all essentially take-out/fast food or barely a notch above. There’s a need for places in the niche Mick Morgan’s filled.
I don’t get it. The sweet spot for Newton dining is family friendly, casual, pub food. O’Hara’s, Paddy O’s, Dunn’s, The Local, Brewers, -they are all killing it. They Mint money. Go up(er)scale and the number of visits is reduced, the price friction increases, the quality/experience expectation increases and the odds of survival decrease. Good luck to “Grande Kitchen”. I will definitely try them out and root for their success, but with all the choices within five miles, an upscale spot in a strip mall is a tough row to hoe.
@Newtoner-
$18.00 for a hamburger ?
Really? That’s gouging, pure and simple.
@Terry Malloy-
Agreed.
I dined at Grande last night and had the $18.00 Grande Burger. It is a hamburger topped with Swiss Cheese, Avocado, fried Onions, Pork Belly and a house-made BBQ sauce. It is also served with Hand-cut french fries. I loved it and it is worth every penny!
I have been twice so far and had two great meals, both lunch and dinner. We got our refills for free both times. The drinks are also top notch. There is a great selection of beer on tap as well as interesting cocktails. Only the Grande Burger is $18 at dinner and it is way more than just a burger. There are lots of vegetarian and gluten free options. I would definitely encourage you to give it a try, you won’t be disappointed.
I want to be transparant…I don’t have any interest, financial or otherwise, in Grande Kitchen. I thought that one of the above reviews was a little too much for me to believe as independent and it turned out it was written by a person associated with the restaurant. If anyone who owns, manages or works at Grande wants to comment here, please identify your association with the establishment. Personally, I really liked the place and hope others will try it. The manager has now told me thst my server erred by chsrging for iced tea refills! I think that is great!
Oops! Looks like I was way wrong..
$18.00 appears to be a bargain for that burger. Sounds like it is underpriced.
Maybe someone can suggest to the staff at Grande that the price of the Grande burger should be more like
$28.00. The current price point is obviously too low.
OK, Paul…it’s not a burger place. It’s a nice restaurant with lots of choices. Don’t order the burger if you choke on the price…but it’s there if someone in your group wants it. The other items we ordered were quite good, too. I reviewed the restaurant so people would have an idea what to expect. I love trying new places and will return there because the food is really good. If you are going out for an upscale meal on a “date” (do people still date?), Grande’s sophisticated décor, and interesting food and drink won’t break the bank. I think they hit the ground running!