[skisox24]

I am sorry for not having responded to the many posts since mine of July 31. I have not logged onto Winnepesaukee.com since August 1st.

NonVotingTaxpayer noted that I had a previous post criticizing the Lobster Pound. That is probably true and, if my memory serves me correctly, I complained about the outrageous cost of one pound of steamers compared with the same quantity of steamers at two other lakes region restaurants in the area at that time. I also appreciate his acknowledgment of my positive post for another seafood restaurant in the area. I do not enjoy slamming a restaurant in public and would much prefer promoting a good experience. And, I have had several complimentary posts on Winnepesaukee.com. But my party's experience that night of July 30 was exactly as I had described.

With respect to Mike Ray's August 3rd reply to my post, I did not see his statement until tonight. As for Mike Ray's assertions, I am shocked at the misrepresentations that he presents. The very first thing that I stated to our waitress when seated was that we had time constraints because of our Meadowbrook tickets. I will grant the possibility that she was so busy that evening that she may have forgotten that we told her of our schedule. I will not, however, allow Mike Ray or the waitress to escape a total lie. I ate one peel-and-eat shrimp and my son had two. I don't recall how many shrimp are contained in a one pound serving, but will guess at somewhere between eight and fourteen. We conumed no more than three and the rest were left untouched. For the waitress to report that all were eaten tells me a great deal either about her credibility or Mike Ray's inability to accept accountability.

Mike Ray is correct in that we chose not to complain to the waitress about the shrimp, nor did we complain about my fish entree, or my son's ahi tuna. We chose to make our statement with a 10% gratuity (and we always leave 20% of the gross amount of a restaurant tab). And, I will acknowledge that following the inedible shrimp which was delivered unacceptably late, that our level of disappointment was transitioning into anxiety. How can a restaurant acknowledge as acceptable a practice whereby the waitress never stops by the table a short period after the delivery of food to check on the level of customer satisfaction? That is waitressing 101. Not only did she not stop by, but we had to seek her out by asking two other employees to please have her sent over to our table. This was after a lengthy period of our failed visible search for her presence anywhere near our table.

I am always willing to excuse a restaurant from good service when they are excessively busy. However, the total lack of attention to our specific request for attentive service because of our concert arrangements, and the waitress's failure to check back in with us at least once is inexcusable.

Several posters stated that our time sensitive goal at the Lobster Pound on a Friday night in mid-season was unrealistic. On that point, I will accept responsibility for a bad decision on our part. Actually our first choice was Patrick's Pub, and when we arrived in their parking lot we discovered that there was more than an hour wait. We then drove to the Lobster Pound where we were sat at a table immediately....no waiting at all. Does that support the contention that the restaurant was unusually busy and, therefore, unable to deliver routine restaurant services?

Look, my post was inspired by the fact that my experience that night represented the worst dining experience that I can ever recall in my adult life. I am sure that we were victims of a perfect storm of events that caused us to be treated with inferior attention. My goal was to share our experience with others for whatever benefit that might serve future customers of this restaurant. At the same time I will acknowledge having dined at the Lobster Pound three or four other times in recent years where service was totally fine and the food, while not exceptional, was quite acceptable. And, the Lobster Pound's outdoor seating venue is one of the best in the lakes region. It was a bad night for sure, but to me the most disturbing aspect of this entire controversy is the unfounded defense of Mike Ray with his inaccurate contentions that totally fly in the face of the truth. I am sorry that he feels that it is necessary to resort to that level of self-advocacy.

The internet and forums like Winnepesaukee.com can be an excellent medium for sharing information with members of the public. At the same time, I recognize the anonymity of internet postings and the potential for malicious abuse of the internet medium for unethical purposes. I assure everyone on the forum that our representations are totally accurate and I truly felt that my posting was warranted due to our treatment that evening. I have no intentions of hiding behind my anonymous "user name." I would be more than willing to meet with Mike Ray to discuss our experience directly with him, face to face. I am not looking for any special treatment, favors, or gifts from the Lobster Pound, and, in fact, I would refuse to accept any if offered. However, I am uncomfortable continuing this discussion with only one side of this dispute having a real identity. So, if Mike Ray would like me to stop by his business to discuss our complaint, I would be totally agreeable to doing so at a time convenient to us both.