Sandy’s Downtown Grille
By Nancy Tujague, freelance writer
It is easy to make a good impression on your customers when everything goes as it should, when all of the food is prepared perfectly and your servers can dedicate their time to the customers at their tables. What is challenging, though, is managing to make a good impression when mistakes are made.
Not long after taking our order, our waitress came to our table with our wines. It happened in an instant. The clanking of glasses, a sharp inhale of breath, and a little yelp. As my friend, Sarah, opened her eyes, she took in what had happened. She was covered in red wine. The waitress, apologizing profusely, proceeded to do every single thing she could to make it up to us. The resulting mess was immediately cleaned, our drinks were quickly replaced, the manager came to offer apologies and to pay the bill on whatever dry-cleaning was necessary, and my friend’s meal was on the house. The staff handled the incident with such professionalism and our experience there for the rest of the night was so flawless that we were able to forget the about the accident entirely and enjoy our time there.
With its exposed brick walls, tall ceilings, and chandeliers of soft lighting, the intimate atmosphere at Sandy’s leaves nothing to be desired. Crisp white linens and a tastefully decorated interior are highlighted by a unique collection of original artwork with paintings that are scattered throughout the two-room complex.
The food at Sandy’s is undeniably some of the best that Franklin has to offer. The dishes were a simple yet elegant combination of ingredients that maintained the individual flavors while working to accent each other. The dishes were arranged with some obvious creative effort, the kind that seems a shame to eat. Often, in this case, the presentation is indicative of a weakness in the kitchen. One bite and it was clear that it was not the case here; Sandy’s food had style without compromising substance. Make sure you pay close attention to the specials of the day, as they tend to be more than satisfactory.
The service was exactly as it should be for a restaurant of its caliber: attentive without being overbearing. Our server was knowledgeable and friendly, managing to do her job without interrupting our meal. During our dinner there, the restaurant was filled with many of Franklin High School’s attendees of the Junior/Senior Prom. Even with the addition of such a large crowd, Sandy’s somehow maintained its atmospheric qualities and level of service, a feat that proved to me the restaurant’s ability to accommodate and adapt to any situation.
Sandy’s is also a great place to meet for drinks, either before or after dinnner. It has a full bar with an extensive wine list and the setting and service are exactly in line with the rest of the restaurant. It is chic but not ostentatious or kitschy, and it has a feeling of warmth and intimacy that is perfect for meeting friends or a romantic getaway. It is one of the few bars in downtown Franklin that is open for after-dinner drinking.
Sandy‘s, while somewhat expensive compared to some of its neighbors, is well worth a visit. Its combination of service and atmosphere along with some truly fine cooking make the prices seem reasonable and modest, a small price to pay for a memorable night out in charming downtown.
Getting there…
Sandys Downtown Grille
108 4th Ave S, Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 794-8208
www.sandysdowntowngrille.com
