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Resident 2B · 10-03-2005, 08:16 PM

When I posted to this forum, I was sharing our experiences with Canoe.

Although we had been at this restraunt many times before and had a great dining experience each time, we had a completely different experience on two visits this year, one in late July the other in September. For the record, I did not start this thread. I was posting to the existing thread about Coe House. This thread was broken off that thread from what it appears.

The facts are we were treated rudely on two ocasions this summer. It appears that other people on this forum had the same experience, so it was not an isolated case. There seems to be some unpublished decision tree about who gets a good table and who does not.

Our concern is that with two children, ages 10 and 16, we asked for seating for dinner. We did not specify, nor were we asked to specify, a particular dining room at the time they took our name. After lenghtly waits in the parking lot, our choice on warm nights and well out of the way of other guests, we waited more than 30 minutes over the projected times, then we were told we had to sit in the bar area at a high table no more that 28 inches in diameter. When we very nicely asked if we could get a different table we were told we had to go back on the bottom of the waiting list. The first time, we waited another 40 minutes and were still only offered the same type of bar table. The second time we decided enough was enough and decided to spend our money at a different establishment. This was after trying to find out why we were being treated this way and being told by the senior hostess at the front desk that if we did not like it we could go somewhere else.

For the record, we come up from the area of the lake between Weirs Beach and Governor's Island. As a result we pass through Meredith. We are able to make reservations at many establishments in Meredith and without mentioning any names, we will do this often and will continue to do this in the future. We have traveled to Canoe because of our good past experiences there.

Also for the record, we go to the turkey farm in Meredith once a year because we have been doing that for 30 years now. In fact, we enjoy it mainly due to family tradition. We have never been treated rudely at that establishment. I do not see what eating at the turkey farm has to do with anything, but it appears there is at least one forum member, The Big Kahuna, that feels this has some merit. He seems to suggest in his recent post that people not as classy as he and his friends should eat there or at an unspecified fried food trailer instead of at Canoe. Some very nice people eat at the turkey farm and some very nice people work there as well. The plus is it seems you will not run into the Big Kahuna and his friends as I did one night recently at the Ellacoya Tavern. The Big K himself gave his version of this evening in a post to this forum.

We have no hidden agenda. We only wanted to share our experience with our fellow forum members. I do hope the Canoe management more clearly posts their seating decision making tree in the future so that everyone knows the deal. We liked Canoe a lot, but we do not like to spend money to be treated rudely by the hostess. Her main job is to welcome people. There is something wrong with this picture!

To be fair. we want to acknowledge: the staff in the parking lot are great, the food is great and the wait staff is great. However, a family of four cannot enjoy the dining experience when seated at a 28 inch diameter table with a lot of very loud bar patrons within five feet of that little table. I feel they should tell you up front that that is what you are going to get. You should not have to wait 40 minutes to find out. Reasonable seating at a good eating establishment should not be a game of chance.

I am impressed by the response from the Canoe Owner/Chef. I will no longer post to this thread. Scott, contact me via PM if you want more details. I have a few ideas that may help you.

Scott, I do hope you address this opportunity to improve the overall dining experience for all your guests. I realize you do not really need me or my family as patrons because you have a great business, but over time you will lose more than us. In the past, we account for only 20 to 30 dinners a season. Staying on top involves listening to your customers.

Resident 2B

10-03-2005, 08:16 PM	#19
Resident 2B Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Shore, MA Posts: 1,357 Thanks: 993 Thanked 313 Times in 163 Posts	Relating our experience When I posted to this forum, I was sharing our experiences with Canoe. Although we had been at this restraunt many times before and had a great dining experience each time, we had a completely different experience on two visits this year, one in late July the other in September. For the record, I did not start this thread. I was posting to the existing thread about Coe House. This thread was broken off that thread from what it appears. The facts are we were treated rudely on two ocasions this summer. It appears that other people on this forum had the same experience, so it was not an isolated case. There seems to be some unpublished decision tree about who gets a good table and who does not. Our concern is that with two children, ages 10 and 16, we asked for seating for dinner. We did not specify, nor were we asked to specify, a particular dining room at the time they took our name. After lenghtly waits in the parking lot, our choice on warm nights and well out of the way of other guests, we waited more than 30 minutes over the projected times, then we were told we had to sit in the bar area at a high table no more that 28 inches in diameter. When we very nicely asked if we could get a different table we were told we had to go back on the bottom of the waiting list. The first time, we waited another 40 minutes and were still only offered the same type of bar table. The second time we decided enough was enough and decided to spend our money at a different establishment. This was after trying to find out why we were being treated this way and being told by the senior hostess at the front desk that if we did not like it we could go somewhere else. For the record, we come up from the area of the lake between Weirs Beach and Governor's Island. As a result we pass through Meredith. We are able to make reservations at many establishments in Meredith and without mentioning any names, we will do this often and will continue to do this in the future. We have traveled to Canoe because of our good past experiences there. Also for the record, we go to the turkey farm in Meredith once a year because we have been doing that for 30 years now. In fact, we enjoy it mainly due to family tradition. We have never been treated rudely at that establishment. I do not see what eating at the turkey farm has to do with anything, but it appears there is at least one forum member, The Big Kahuna, that feels this has some merit. He seems to suggest in his recent post that people not as classy as he and his friends should eat there or at an unspecified fried food trailer instead of at Canoe. Some very nice people eat at the turkey farm and some very nice people work there as well. The plus is it seems you will not run into the Big Kahuna and his friends as I did one night recently at the Ellacoya Tavern. The Big K himself gave his version of this evening in a post to this forum. We have no hidden agenda. We only wanted to share our experience with our fellow forum members. I do hope the Canoe management more clearly posts their seating decision making tree in the future so that everyone knows the deal. We liked Canoe a lot, but we do not like to spend money to be treated rudely by the hostess. Her main job is to welcome people. There is something wrong with this picture! To be fair. we want to acknowledge: the staff in the parking lot are great, the food is great and the wait staff is great. However, a family of four cannot enjoy the dining experience when seated at a 28 inch diameter table with a lot of very loud bar patrons within five feet of that little table. I feel they should tell you up front that that is what you are going to get. You should not have to wait 40 minutes to find out. Reasonable seating at a good eating establishment should not be a game of chance. I am impressed by the response from the Canoe Owner/Chef. I will no longer post to this thread. Scott, contact me via PM if you want more details. I have a few ideas that may help you. Scott, I do hope you address this opportunity to improve the overall dining experience for all your guests. I realize you do not really need me or my family as patrons because you have a great business, but over time you will lose more than us. In the past, we account for only 20 to 30 dinners a season. Staying on top involves listening to your customers. Resident 2B Last edited by Resident 2B; 10-03-2005 at 11:58 PM.