Foster’s Tavern

Mr. V · 05-23-2022, 04:54 PM

Opening for Memorial Day: Foster's Tavern, in the newly remodeled space in Alton Bay once occupied by JP China.

By report their soft opening went well: I heard the meat loaf in particular is excellent.

It takes guts and optimism to open a new business these days: good luck guys!

TheTimeTraveler · 05-23-2022, 06:58 PM

Let's hope they succeed!

I think someone else initially went into J.P. China and were totally done within a few months.

I think the traffic count is high at that corner location so it's a great spot.

Dad207 · 05-23-2022, 09:28 PM

Yes, I am hoping that they offer something new to the food landscape, and that they succeed. "Downtown Alton", such as it is, needs more attractions, more support, and more year-round venues. I'll be there.

upthesaukee · 05-23-2022, 10:34 PM

Had dinner tonight there. I had a classic cheeseburger with bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Had clam chowder to start. Tasty and a large portion. Being local, it's nice to have a new place with a new menu.

They have a large TV over what was the stage at the front of the building, 3 over the bar, and at least two on the opposite wall.

They will have entertainment on the weekend.

We will definitely go back. All hands were working well with each other on what became a very busy night.

Dave

mcdude · 05-24-2022, 07:22 AM

Best of luck to the niece and nephew of Barbara Foster who are opening this new restaurant. Barbara was known on this forum as "Pepper" and was the owner of Waldo Peppers in Weirs Beach. Surely the food will be as good as that served at Waldo Peppers and should be a great success!

garysanfran · 05-24-2022, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcdude

Best of luck to the niece and nephew of Barbara Foster who are opening this new restaurant. Barbara was known on this forum as "Pepper" and was the owner of Waldo Peppers in Weirs Beach. Surely the food will be as good as that served at Waldo Peppers and should be a great success!

WOW...Pepper is back, kind of?

Now, if you want some real added nostalgia, put an airplane on the roof!!!

Slickcraft · 05-24-2022, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garysanfran

WOW...Pepper is back, kind of?

Now, if you want some real added nostalgia, put an airplane on the roof!!!

https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums...d.php?p=331074

phoenix · 05-24-2022, 12:54 PM

maybe a lobster roll

Cobaltdeadhead · 06-06-2022, 11:44 AM

We ate there Saturday and rather enjoyed it. The menu was a bit limited, but we understand that that is a function of limited kitchen help. I respect keeping things simple and doing them well until fully staffed.

Really nice bar area. Something that the Bay needs.

We will be back for sure.

retired · 09-05-2022, 10:18 AM

We have eaten there three times so far. Have tried the Julie's Jersey Devil, the turkey club, and the burger. All were excellent. Great quality ingredients prepared right. My wife had a special the last visit, a cheddar grilled cheese with a cup of smoked tomato bisque. I tried some and it was fantastic.
Can't wait to go back for the rest of the menu.

Mr. V · 09-05-2022, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retired

We have eaten there three times so far. Have tried the Julie's Jersey Devil, the turkey club, and the burger. All were excellent. Great quality ingredients prepared right. My wife had a special the last visit, a cheddar grilled cheese with a cup of smoked tomato bisque. I tried some and it was fantastic.
Can't wait to go back for the rest of the menu.

These folks are kin to the folks who owned and ran Waldo Peppers so I'd expect it to be good.

Can't wait to try it next time I am lakeside.

Cobaltdeadhead · 10-17-2022, 03:20 PM

We've been a couple more times this season and found the food and service to be great every time.

Only complaint / critique is that some sort of noise mitigation would really benefit the place. Hoping the owners might read this. It gets very loud in the restaurant. So, if you are having lunch, conversation can be a challenge. Hanging some acoustic panels from the ceiling or heavy drapes around windows would help.

Other than that, I think it's a great fit for the Bay.

Mr. V · 07-28-2023, 03:35 PM

I'll soon be lakeside for the first time in years and am looking forward to checking this place out.

Any updates on Foster's Tavern from forum patrons?

gravy boat · 08-14-2023, 07:23 AM

Fosters seems to be busy all summer. Glad there is a new(er) spot in the bay to watch sports and chill out…multiple TVs throughout and can see a big screen from every seat. Been there several times and liked it a lot. My favorites:

The chop-chop salad (I get with grilled chicken or chicken tenders on top).
The club sandwiches are huge and can feed two.
Pizza pretty good, too - we had a pepperoni and an eggplant pie and both very good.
Chicken tenders excellent.
Burgers very good.

Typical tavern fare but very good so far.

Rumor is they will try a Sunday brunch soon with brunch menu only during that time and specialty brunch cocktails. (Personally I like a well-garnished bloody and hope they have some fun options!)

tis · 08-14-2023, 07:38 AM

Nice to hear this. When we go by it does always seem busy. Is the building still for sale. I think there is a sign there, isn't there?

Chef Tony · 11-19-2023, 06:20 PM

I hear they have a new chef

gravy boat · 11-26-2023, 11:29 AM

Heard there was someone new. Have not been for a month or so, so can’t comment on the quality or if better than the last chef.

The last chef is a hard act to follow…always very good, always delivered as ordered.

Plan to go this week.

retired · 12-03-2023, 12:14 PM

It looks like along with a new chef, they have a new menu. I see they also have a new website www.fosterstavernbythebay.com

gravy boat · 12-04-2023, 07:28 PM

Three of us swung in on Sunday afternoon for the first time in a bit (been traveling).

Brussels sprout special was so good we ordered a second. Onion soup was very good - someone there mentioned the new chef is a soup guy. Caprese salad, Caesar salad and tenders very good, as well.

Sadly they were out of the butternut squash bisque as I really wanted to try it. Guess it’s a good sign they sold out of it. But very happy with the onion soup.

Chef Tony · 12-07-2023, 05:08 PM

Thanks for shopping by..I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Mr. V · 12-08-2023, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef Tony

Thanks for shopping by..I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Let me speculate...might YOU be the new chef?

upthesaukee · 12-09-2023, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. V

Let me speculate...might YOU be the new chef?

Dave

Chef Tony · 12-10-2023, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. V

Let me speculate...might YOU be the new chef?

Perhaps

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Mr. V · 12-10-2023, 02:51 PM

Chef Tony, let me guess...you aren't originally from New Jersey, are you?

The reason I ask is because when I ate there in August I ordered the pork roll, aka Taylor Ham sandwich, and it is no longer offered.

A pity...cut thicker than it was that day, fried, and garnished with catsup it evoks strong "Garden State" memories.

But I understand: new chef, new approach to doing things: no worries.

Good luck, I hope you guys live long and prosper.

Chef Tony · 12-11-2023, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. V

Chef Tony, let me guess...you aren't originally from New Jersey, are you?

The reason I ask is because when I ate there in August I ordered the pork roll, aka Taylor Ham sandwich, and it is no longer offered.

A pity...cut thicker than it was that day, fried, and garnished with catsup it evoks strong "Garden State" memories.

But I understand: new chef, new approach to doing things: no worries.

Good luck, I hope you guys live long and prosper.

I actually am from jersey but was not there for the porkroll sandwiches or the jersey devil pizza but they will return in the summer and I take my pork roll seriously.

And it's spicy mustard on a triple or quadrupal bypass not ketchup

Slickcraft · 12-23-2023, 09:13 AM

We stopped by for lunch yesterday, first time in quite a while. The menu has expanded quite a bit. There must have been a group there Thursday evening as most of the special had sold out including the turkey veg soup that my wife had wanted. So the specials are popular.

I had the crab cake salad which was excellent. My wife had wings which were just OK and she shared some of the salad. There is a good draft beer selection. Her Tuckerman's was $8 but my Maine Lunch IPA was $10.

We will be back.

Alan

codeman671 · 03-24-2025, 08:59 AM

Pulling up another old thread.

Fosters has been our go to lately. We are there either Friday or Saturday nights. The music is always good and you can't beat the $25 prime rib.

retired · 03-28-2025, 10:23 AM

My favorite thing there has to be the Aqua Vue Haze beer. Very tasty.

ishoot308 · 03-28-2025, 12:55 PM

Went to Foster’s last night for the first time…Had their short ribs and it was great!

Dan

05-23-2022, 04:54 PM	#1
Mr. V Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: the left coast (Portland)and West Alton Posts: 1,475 Thanks: 68 Thanked 265 Times in 182 Posts	Foster’s Tavern Opening for Memorial Day: Foster's Tavern, in the newly remodeled space in Alton Bay once occupied by JP China. By report their soft opening went well: I heard the meat loaf in particular is excellent. It takes guts and optimism to open a new business these days: good luck guys! __________________ basking in the benign indifference of the universe

05-23-2022, 09:28 PM	#3
Dad207 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Now residing in Echo Shores, Alton NH, originally from Baltimore MD. Posts: 121 Thanks: 207 Thanked 66 Times in 32 Posts	Foster’s Yes, I am hoping that they offer something new to the food landscape, and that they succeed. "Downtown Alton", such as it is, needs more attractions, more support, and more year-round venues. I'll be there.

05-23-2022, 10:34 PM	#4
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,616 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,483 Thanked 1,988 Times in 1,088 Posts	Dinner tonight Had dinner tonight there. I had a classic cheeseburger with bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Had clam chowder to start. Tasty and a large portion. Being local, it's nice to have a new place with a new menu. They have a large TV over what was the stage at the front of the building, 3 over the bar, and at least two on the opposite wall. They will have entertainment on the weekend. We will definitely go back. All hands were working well with each other on what became a very busy night. Dave __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

05-24-2022, 07:22 AM	#5
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,343 Thanks: 370 Thanked 1,033 Times in 480 Posts	Best of luck to the niece and nephew of Barbara Foster who are opening this new restaurant. Barbara was known on this forum as "Pepper" and was the owner of Waldo Peppers in Weirs Beach. Surely the food will be as good as that served at Waldo Peppers and should be a great success! __________________

05-24-2022, 12:54 PM	#8
phoenix Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: phoenix and moultonboro Posts: 1,592 Thanks: 65 Thanked 288 Times in 204 Posts	maybe a lobster roll __________________ it's tough to make predictions specially about the future

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05-23-2022, 06:58 PM	#2
TheTimeTraveler Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 963 Thanks: 301 Thanked 303 Times in 188 Posts	Let's hope they succeed! I think someone else initially went into J.P. China and were totally done within a few months. I think the traffic count is high at that corner location so it's a great spot.

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06-06-2022, 11:44 AM	#9
Cobaltdeadhead Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 49 Thanks: 3 Thanked 38 Times in 17 Posts	We ate there Saturday and rather enjoyed it. The menu was a bit limited, but we understand that that is a function of limited kitchen help. I respect keeping things simple and doing them well until fully staffed. Really nice bar area. Something that the Bay needs. We will be back for sure.

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09-05-2022, 10:18 AM	#10
retired Senior Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Belmont, NH Posts: 195 Thanks: 2 Thanked 78 Times in 46 Posts	good food We have eaten there three times so far. Have tried the Julie's Jersey Devil, the turkey club, and the burger. All were excellent. Great quality ingredients prepared right. My wife had a special the last visit, a cheddar grilled cheese with a cup of smoked tomato bisque. I tried some and it was fantastic. Can't wait to go back for the rest of the menu.

10-17-2022, 03:20 PM	#12
Cobaltdeadhead Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 49 Thanks: 3 Thanked 38 Times in 17 Posts	We've been a couple more times this season and found the food and service to be great every time. Only complaint / critique is that some sort of noise mitigation would really benefit the place. Hoping the owners might read this. It gets very loud in the restaurant. So, if you are having lunch, conversation can be a challenge. Hanging some acoustic panels from the ceiling or heavy drapes around windows would help. Other than that, I think it's a great fit for the Bay.

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07-28-2023, 03:35 PM	#13
Mr. V Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: the left coast (Portland)and West Alton Posts: 1,475 Thanks: 68 Thanked 265 Times in 182 Posts	I'll soon be lakeside for the first time in years and am looking forward to checking this place out. Any updates on Foster's Tavern from forum patrons? __________________ basking in the benign indifference of the universe

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08-14-2023, 07:23 AM	#14
gravy boat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Gilford year round, West Alton summers Posts: 596 Thanks: 597 Thanked 203 Times in 102 Posts	Busy Fosters seems to be busy all summer. Glad there is a new(er) spot in the bay to watch sports and chill out…multiple TVs throughout and can see a big screen from every seat. Been there several times and liked it a lot. My favorites: The chop-chop salad (I get with grilled chicken or chicken tenders on top). The club sandwiches are huge and can feed two. Pizza pretty good, too - we had a pepperoni and an eggplant pie and both very good. Chicken tenders excellent. Burgers very good. Typical tavern fare but very good so far. Rumor is they will try a Sunday brunch soon with brunch menu only during that time and specialty brunch cocktails. (Personally I like a well-garnished bloody and hope they have some fun options!)

08-14-2023, 07:38 AM	#15
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,941 Thanks: 795 Thanked 1,493 Times in 1,040 Posts	Nice to hear this. When we go by it does always seem busy. Is the building still for sale. I think there is a sign there, isn't there?

11-19-2023, 06:20 PM	#16
Chef Tony Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 39 Thanks: 7 Thanked 47 Times in 15 Posts	I hear they have a new chef

11-26-2023, 11:29 AM	#17
gravy boat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Gilford year round, West Alton summers Posts: 596 Thanks: 597 Thanked 203 Times in 102 Posts	New chef? Heard there was someone new. Have not been for a month or so, so can’t comment on the quality or if better than the last chef. The last chef is a hard act to follow…always very good, always delivered as ordered. Plan to go this week. Last edited by gravy boat; 11-26-2023 at 06:51 PM.

12-03-2023, 12:14 PM	#18
retired Senior Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Belmont, NH Posts: 195 Thanks: 2 Thanked 78 Times in 46 Posts	new menu It looks like along with a new chef, they have a new menu. I see they also have a new website www.fosterstavernbythebay.com

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12-04-2023, 07:28 PM	#19
gravy boat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Gilford year round, West Alton summers Posts: 596 Thanks: 597 Thanked 203 Times in 102 Posts	Recent visit Three of us swung in on Sunday afternoon for the first time in a bit (been traveling). Brussels sprout special was so good we ordered a second. Onion soup was very good - someone there mentioned the new chef is a soup guy. Caprese salad, Caesar salad and tenders very good, as well. Sadly they were out of the butternut squash bisque as I really wanted to try it. Guess it’s a good sign they sold out of it. But very happy with the onion soup.

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12-07-2023, 05:08 PM	#20
Chef Tony Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 39 Thanks: 7 Thanked 47 Times in 15 Posts	Thanks for shopping by..I'm glad you enjoyed it.

12-10-2023, 02:51 PM	#24
Mr. V Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: the left coast (Portland)and West Alton Posts: 1,475 Thanks: 68 Thanked 265 Times in 182 Posts	Chef Tony, let me guess...you aren't originally from New Jersey, are you? The reason I ask is because when I ate there in August I ordered the pork roll, aka Taylor Ham sandwich, and it is no longer offered. A pity...cut thicker than it was that day, fried, and garnished with catsup it evoks strong "Garden State" memories. But I understand: new chef, new approach to doing things: no worries. Good luck, I hope you guys live long and prosper. __________________ basking in the benign indifference of the universe

12-23-2023, 09:13 AM	#26
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,385 Thanks: 1,260 Thanked 2,148 Times in 983 Posts	We stopped by for lunch yesterday, first time in quite a while. The menu has expanded quite a bit. There must have been a group there Thursday evening as most of the special had sold out including the turkey veg soup that my wife had wanted. So the specials are popular. I had the crab cake salad which was excellent. My wife had wings which were just OK and she shared some of the salad. There is a good draft beer selection. Her Tuckerman's was $8 but my Maine Lunch IPA was $10. We will be back. Alan

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03-24-2025, 08:59 AM	#27
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,604 Thanks: 223 Thanked 856 Times in 519 Posts	Pulling up another old thread. Fosters has been our go to lately. We are there either Friday or Saturday nights. The music is always good and you can't beat the $25 prime rib.

03-28-2025, 10:23 AM	#28
retired Senior Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Belmont, NH Posts: 195 Thanks: 2 Thanked 78 Times in 46 Posts	My favorite thing there has to be the Aqua Vue Haze beer. Very tasty.

03-28-2025, 12:55 PM	#29
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 6,532 Thanks: 2,454 Thanked 5,466 Times in 2,142 Posts	Fosters Went to Foster’s last night for the first time…Had their short ribs and it was great! Dan __________________ It's Always Sunny On Welch Island!!

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