Fairways

When I first showed up at fairways I didn't know what to expect.. it's a part of the gas station next door! Considering some friends told me about it, I was cautiously optimistic! The restaurant/bar is a small but cool place that has fantastic food and really solid service. Their steaks are made just right and the lobster Mac is the bomb. Definitely suggest going there and don't judge the book by it's cover.

I can't quite put my finger on what's wrong here. Staff is attentive & friendly. Food is good. Prices aren't too bad, considering the quantity served. Everything appears fresh & clean. They have one of the most varied wine lists I've seen anywhere, taking up two entire pages of menu. There's just something off.

Maybe it's the fact the place is trying to be upscale, but it's attached to a convenience store/gas station. Maybe it's the fact it's called Fairways (based on its locale near a golf course), but nothing inside alludes to any one motif; heavy on a Marilyn Monroe theme, big screens galore like a sports bar, random Easter decorations even though it's May 7th, upscale appearance but 12" square tile flooring like a cafeteria, etc. I'm not saying it isn't "nice" inside, just ever-so-slightly bizarre. Like someone couldn't decide which direction they wanted to take with decorating the place.

After looking at the variety of choices available, the menu being both varied & eclectic (Mexican, Greek, Seafood, & American dishes represented fairly equally), and the prices wildly fluctuating from one entree to another (from $8 Caesar salad to lobster ravioli hovering around $23), I settled on a Chicken Quesadilla, which came with tortilla chips (don't know why I didn't choose steak as it was only $1 more?). My wife wanted Shrimp Scampi Pasta, but it was no longer offered (yet the menu didn't reflect the change). She ordered the Greek Salad instead. We both ordered soft drinks to wash it all down. Both of our dishes were very large portions, and neither of us could eat our whole meal. Both meals were very good, but then again, neither of us ordered anything complicated. Around $24 for both meals & drinks, plus a $5 tip. I consider that moderately priced, considering the meals we ordered. Hence my dilemma on this review.

I always make a serious attempt at a fair review. In this one instance I'm completely bewildered. I feel as if prices are set arbitrarily here, and I feel like some of that originates with the area in which it's located. Affluent neighborhoods abound here. I can say you won't be disappointed with the staff or the food. If I were only rating the food, it'd been an easy 4, maybe a 5. But with all things considered, I'm giving it a strong 3. I doubt seriously I'll ever return, just because I simply wasn't impressed, and nothing stood out as excellent or unique. I have no idea what their signature dish(s) is, or if they even have one. Their strong suit may be the fact they offer a little something for everyone.

Great little restaurant and bar! Good food and drinks!

A very nice little bar with great service and very good food and drinks.

Good craft beer and wine selection. I had a burger with homemade chips. Both were good. My husband said the wings with fairway sauce were great. Will visit again!