Lavinia's
 

New to posting...sorry! ;)

Just try it again. I'm sure the additional visit will be worth the $100. Just my opinion..


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Looking forward to it
 

Looking forward to dinning with you I'm walking distance away.Love the bar area and the outside patio in the summer. Good luck . Please make an OUTSTANDING Prime Rib with twice baked potato and a nice vegetable and I'll be their every time :):):)

Ditto...
 

With the loss of the Woodshed, I'm looking for the "outstanding prime rib", fairly local to me. Would be a good niche.

Here's the menu beginning tonight:
http://on.fb.me/1lcqCYh

Take a breath
 

First reaction to this thread was "ridiculous". It starts out discussing a change of hands in a restaurant and ends up focusing on one unpopular comment a member makes. The entire thread turned into an unwarranted attack on Eric for clarifying a title. Sometimes it's just best to let a comment slide.

I'd love to hear more about Lavinia's as it opens up under new ownership. And perhaps some of the more frequent commenters could take a breath before they attack and allow the forum to be a little more friendly.

I have to take issue with you that Eric was the victum of an "unwarranted attack".His unprovoked criticism of a fellow chef was unprofessional and disrespectful and the first time it has ever been done on this forum.
He certainly has the right to brag about his experience and accomplishments but to do it in order to demean someone else in the business was uncalled for.

Tonight
 

Went over tonight and had the skirt steak and the wife had the burger and I have to say it was very good. Had the clam chowder for an app and the wife had the house salad (love the cherries in it) and both tasted great. The service was good and most of the staff I have seen before all in all a good experience. Bring on that prime rib on a Friday and Saturday special and you got me. Still love the bar area. Good soft opening glad I went, I'll be back.:):)

Thanks for the kind words and prime rib suggestion!

$18 for a pulled pork sandwich! Yikes!

The prices seem a bit high,but so are the food prices at the supermarket. I bought ground beef on Friday at Heath's ( their meat is wonderful ) in a Center Harbor. Prices were- 85% lean $4.99/lb. and 90% lean $5.99/lb. I am glad their meat sale is Wednesday. I can see why restaurants have to charge prices that are a bit high.

$16 burger is an ouch also.:eek:

would agree . to survive the non nine months that tourist are around a restaurant needs a draw. A good bar scene , good food at reasonable prices, something unique like woodshed was. I hope it works out but yes to me seems high .

Chef in the mix
 

It is awesome that Lavinia's Chef has joined into the discussion. Otherwise, all our criticism and praise would be just another semi-useful way for people to vent and for some to decide whether or not they want to eat there. Now that the chef has bravely entered in, we can go somewhere.

I agree. Prime rib is a serious boon to a menu around here.

So happy to be here (both in the kitchen and on this forum!)

Suggestions
 

Lavinia's has had the reputation of being expensive and providing variable service/quality. As such, the baseline perception of the menu by most will be that it is a bit pricey. In fact this may not be the case based upon portions, food quality and service. The only way to know is to actually try it. :)

The menu seems a bit limited (perhaps to maintain quality) and it does not have what I would call "signature items". Pulled pork sandwiches, burgers and fish & chips are lower fare dining and readily available in the area. Yet, they comprise a high percentage of the menu offerings.

So, the question is where in the overall ecosystem does Lavinia's want to fit? Personally, I think that there is a dearth of high end options in the lakes region. I am sure that the members of this forum will be happy to give you their feedback. Perhaps, you might solicit suggestions for dishes as a way to test the market. I would suggest that you add a baked brie starter to the menu...that is always hard to find in the lakes region. ...and don't get me started on wines...:D

Jetskier:cool:

You make a good point here. Tavern 27/Ray started off doing just that on here. He is the benchmark for soliciting feedback on this forum and then going on to great success.

Coe House
 

Just a little reminder of the historical significance of Lavinia's and it's namesake from the Lake Winnipesaukee Historical Society's archives.

"John Coe was born in Durham, New Hampshire on November 3, 1797. He was one of eight children whose genealogy dates back to England in the sixteenth century. He was educated in the common schools of the town and worked for his brother in a country store. About 1819, John Coe moved to Center Harbor and purchased his own store in town where he bought, sold, and bartered for articles in common use at that time.

Mr. Coe was united in marriage with Lavinia T. Senter, the pretty daughter of Samuel and Lettice Senter, owners of the Senter House Hotel overlooking Center Harbor Bay. As was the custom of the day, the institution of marriage was “cried in church” by the uncle of the bride, he being Town Clerk at the time. The next step was building their home, and the site selected was the one with the most extended view of the surrounding mountains and the “Great Pond” (Lake Winnipesaukee) as it was called by the early settlers.

Today, the famous house John & Lavinia built is a popular restaurant."

The lobster pound has an unbelievable prime rib meal on Sat nights!


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It would be great if it was every night, like the Woodshed had...

I would like to go on a whim, not on a specified night.

At our core, our goal is to source regional ingredients and make fresh, inviting and approachable food. That can take a lot of different directions over time, and we are always open to suggestions for menu items and feedback on how we are doing with our service and food. We might not ever get into a formal solicitation process, but we read this forum and will always listen to a customer idea at the restaurant!

look I am just one diner and only around for four months but would suggest a special night like Corner House does on Monday and Kevin's does where you give an incentive to come. It attracts people when there may not be a buzz other nights just a thought

I think it's a real struggle for high end restaurants to make it in the lakes region, especially in the winter months when the tourists are gone and the snow birds have gone south. My favorite high end restaurant is Mise En Place in Wolfeboro. I wish I could go weekly, but the budget doesn't allow!! It's our go to special occasion treat. If Terry didn't have a successful catering component to her business, I don't know if she would have made it all these years, especially through the winter.

I welcome new everyday kind of restaurants with great food and atmosphere. Infeel lucky that we have a number if them in Wolfeboro.

Is the "new" Lavinias going to cater to high end or casual dining?

It is easy and intimidating to see such an upscale buiilding and just assume its high end... I wouldn't even think of going in just for a burger; on the flip side, putting up "open" or "lunch specials" flags and banners can be tacky.

It would be nice to have a reasonably priced casual place.

Upscale Restuarants.
 

many upscale restaurants in NH have a cozy bar area that is far from upscale. The Pub menu and drinks should be reasonable for those to stop by when in the area. Now that Lavinia has a 'Pub' menu I am going to make it a point to stop by when I am in the area!

nice could not agree more:)

Three of us took your advice and now have little trust in your opinion.

To start the pork belly sliders were only about 4oz total and way over priced at $12. Wild salmon lacked color for "wild" and was way over cooked and over priced for such small portion. Short ribs were tasty nut theere was only one on the plate. Ouch again! Skirt steak was tough as shoe leather and also over priced.

The wine was $35 and the total came to $176 before tip for mediocre service.

Just try it again. I'm sure the additional visit will be worth the $176. Just my opinion. :laugh:

Encouragement: On your next visit...Rusty will pick up the Tab...:D :D NB

I couldn't afford the tip on $176. :D

3 meals, 1 app, 1 bottle of wine...$176? Drinks or dessert?

Hey guys it was my opinion... You ever have an opinion that wasn't necessarily someone else's? Thats why I thought the word exists in the first place!? I believe I said "opinion" not "guarantee" I happen to like the place. The food is great! Unfortunately there is and always will be restaurants that don't necessarily "fit" everybody's budget. ;(


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Macallan 12 for $15, a couple coffees for $6, side salad $9, In my opinion the
bread pudding was the only reasonably priced item for $6

What concerns me...
 

I would say that $176 for a complete meal for 3 is not out of the domain of reason for a higher end restaurant especially with wine and dessert. When my wife an I go out the bill ranges from $50 to over $100...but...

The posting from belly_button_biter of small portions, low quality and mediocre service is pretty damning. I would love to see Lavinia's thrive; great location and charming building. However, the formula seems off the mark. I would expect that with a limited menu and fairly simple dishes that value/quality would be utmost. I am hoping that this is an aberration...it would be appreciated if anyone else trying Lavinia'a would post their impressions. I am losing my zeal to drive up from Laconia to try them without some sort of positive posting.

Jetskier:cool:

You said: "I happen to like the place. The food is great!"

What did you have when you went there?

I'm wondering if this limited menu is a temporary menu, until the new chef puts out his spring/summer fare? Additionally, the rumor we heard is that there is a new name coming...so, maybe they want to wait for signage, logo, etc. before putting out a completely new menu? Either way, I hope they iron out their quality issues asap. Thinking we'll give them a little time to get into their groove, and then we'll give it a try. :)

Temporary Menu
 

We ate there Saturday night. The waitress told us the menu was temporary and would be replaced soon.

Review?
 

Can you share your experience? Inquiring minds want to know. :D

Jetskier:cool:

Rusty, my wife had the filet and I had the confit. Both very good. I've been there by myself once and I had the burger which was good as well. However I'd expect to pay the $16 for a USDA Prime burger not your regular burger. ;) The atmosphere is great though and it always has been.


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Rusty have you been there? Were you one of the three that went with belly button guy?


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