New Woodshed posting

[guntrain44]

Thanks....we had hoped that our visit was going to the special evening, we heard from other regular guests that things had changed, but we have been loyal customers for years and we believed in the Woodshed, so we went anyways....and with an open mind.

Nothing will ever bring the many folks who have been disappointed back. Many friends were departing from the early seating and mentioned the food was not as good and they would not return again. Still...we kept an open mind because we loved the place....sadly the folks were correct in their assessment. Best of luck to the owners in the future...action on changes speak louder than promises !! Enough said....each need to try it for themselves....just not us !!

[NoBozo]

This is sad news for the Woodshed. It was our favorite. Coincidentally, One can't help but notice the Uptick in the Plus Ratings for the Wolfeboro Inn. What with the changes in the Woodshed managment of late.....You don't suppose the Wolfeboro Inn has a stealth NEW HIRE..That knows how to run a restaurant.. Just a thought. NB

[Pineedles]

Interesting theory NB. Cosmic balance and all that, huh?

[wifi]

To counter this, I went early December for my birthday. I sat at the bar and had my favorite Prime Rib. I was alone, there were a few other tables and people around, but certainly not a NYE event. Things were great, just as I remember from decades ago. Perhaps the current crew is not equipped for a busy night.... not sure, but I will go back for next years birthday

One side comment, meant for the owners, if they read this. Everyone has there preferences. I noticed, this year, spices were added to the Prime Rib, I prefer it just straight up, and I'll add my own.... I tasted rosemary.... I use rosemary when I cook other things, just leave flavoring to the customer.


All in all, I still give a thumbs up... Its remarkable that most every owner of the place has some matrimonial problems.... the rosemary? LOL.

[LongBay]

I have not been to the Woodshed in years and based on the reviews I have read this past year, I will take a pass. Lately, I have been passing on a lot of restaurants in the Lakes Region of NH. With a 9% food tax, I plan to spend my money from now on back home eating in Boston where the food tax rate is 6.25% and you have hundreds of restaurants to choose from.

[trfour]

Originally Posted by LongBay

I have not been to the Woodshed in years and based on the reviews I have read this past year, I will take a pass. Lately, I have been passing on a lot of restaurants in the Lakes Region of NH. With a 9% food tax, I plan to spend my money from now on back home eating in Boston where the food tax rate is 6.25% and you have hundreds of restaurants to choose from.

[/Quote] " Not many good places to dine in the Lakes Region"...

I 'wood totally disagree with you! Now and however, should your taste buds require an 3.25% savings on your food tax, you are always more than welcome to drive where ever you wish.

The Lakes Region of New Hampshire has always had some of the very finest eateries and Restaurants in our entire Country!!!!
Terry
________________________________

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by LongBay

I have not been to the Woodshed in years and based on the reviews I have read this past year, I will take a pass. Lately, I have been passing on a lot of restaurants in the Lakes Region of NH. With a 9% food tax, I plan to spend my money from now on back home eating in Boston where the food tax rate is 6.25% and you have hundreds of restaurants to choose from.

Interesting approach but it must make for some awful unpleasant weekends in NH!

[WakeboardMom]

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Interesting approach but it must make for some awful unpleasant weekends in NH!

I don't completely agree. With our hectic weekday schedules, once we get to the house at the lake, we don't like to leave. While we do enjoy an occasional night out, we try to do it when we can sneak up on a weeknight.

On a Saturday night, we like to have guests. We serve appetizers and martinis (that don't cost $9 each) on our lakefront patio, and dinner is enjoyed watching the sunset from dining room that overlooks the lake.

: ) To each his own, but to forego dining out on a Winnipesaukee weekend is far from unpleasant. ( :

Edit to say: As a mom of kids who worked as waitstaff at various establishments around the lake, I APPRECIATE those of you who frequent the restaurants and tip generously!!! ; )

[Pineedles]

$9.00 martinis? Wow, I'm coming over for cocktails. What kind of gin do you use? Or do you use Chateau Lafite Rothschild '61 for vermouth?

[WakeboardMom]

Originally Posted by Pineedles

$9.00 martinis? Wow, I'm coming over for cocktails. What kind of gin do you use? Or do you use Chateau Lafite Rothschild '61 for vermouth?

See examples below. And then, c'mon over...are you a good tipper?



http://www.durbinspub.com/food/spirits/martinis.html

[sa meredith]

Originally Posted by Pineedles

$9.00 martinis? Wow, I'm coming over for cocktails. What kind of gin do you use? Or do you use Chateau Lafite Rothschild '61 for vermouth?

A $9/10 martini is fairly common, IMO. Top shelf anyway. Just the way it is now. Order a Bombay, or a Tanqueray #10, and it's going to set you back 10 bucks easy. Even a Goose, staight up, is 9/10...

[Pineedles]

Originally Posted by WakeboardMom

I don't completely agree. With our hectic weekday schedules, once we get to the house at the lake, we don't like to leave. While we do enjoy an occasional night out, we try to do it when we can sneak up on a weeknight.

On a Saturday night, we like to have guests. We serve appetizers and martinis (that don't cost $9 each) on our lakefront patio, and dinner is enjoyed watching the sunset from dining room that overlooks the lake.
: ) To each his own, but to forego dining out on a Winnipesaukee weekend is far from unpleasant. ( :

Edit to say: As a mom of kids who worked as waitstaff at various establishments around the lake, I APPRECIATE those of you who frequent the restaurants and tip generously!!! ; )

I missinterpreted your statement. I thought you were talking about at home you were serving the $9.00 martinis. I agree that commercial establishment's cost is up there.

[Frdxplorer]

Originally Posted by WakeboardMom

I don't completely agree. With our hectic weekday schedules, once we get to the house at the lake, we don't like to leave. While we do enjoy an occasional night out, we try to do it when we can sneak up on a weeknight.

On a Saturday night, we like to have guests. We serve appetizers and martinis (that don't cost $9 each) on our lakefront patio, and dinner is enjoyed watching the sunset from dining room that overlooks the lake.

: ) To each his own, but to forego dining out on a Winnipesaukee weekend is far from unpleasant. ( :

Edit to say: As a mom of kids who worked as waitstaff at various establishments around the lake, I APPRECIATE those of you who frequent the restaurants and tip generously!!! ; )

I think you're on to something here, and it might be the reason for what I think is an overall decrease in restaurant quaility around the lakes region. I have been saying for some years that I think those with places up here tend to stay in... especially with the many new houses being built around the lake with gourmet kitchens. If you pay a lot of money to put in a kitchen capable of serving many guests, why bother with the crowds and mediocre food when you go out. Of course, places like the Inn that are very reliant on tourists only need to get people through the door once. They can probably live on toursists and not be as concerned with the "regulars"

[upthesaukee]

The Woodshed is about as far from my house as any other well known restaurant and well respected restaurant. That being said, it limited our number of visits, but we always enjoyed our visits there. However, because of the long drive, we have not been there in more than just a few years, and with postings of the inconsistencies in quality and service during this time, we decided that the journey may not be worth it.

We now tend to only go to those special places for special events, and even at that, we may choose to Do It Ourselves at home. When our daughter and granddaughter both wanted lobster and steamers for their birthdays (dates are three weeks apart), we choose a date in between both, got the lobsters and steamers at a great price, used the LP cooker, had salads, corn, and drinks for far less than it would have cost to go out. A little extra time and work, had the picnic table covered in newspaper, and an easy clean up made for a great day. We had the meal during the day, cleaned up, and headed out in the boat.

So Wakeboard Mom, I agree you may well be onto something, and unlike you, I live here year round. We love to go out to eat, but cost and in some cases, unfortunately, the quality of food and/or service limits the times we choose to go out to nice restaurants.

[Sunrise Point]

I agree with WB Mom and Ford Ex. when we are up at the lake, we tend to stay pretty close to home. My "gourmet" kitchen is a 1935 original camp kitchen with about 12 sq. feet of counterspace and a stove and sink. Somehow the food and drink always seems to taste great out on the porch (no credit to my cooking skills!).

We have a few favorites that we go back to again and again. They are not high-end or gourmet establishments by any means, but then we chose them because of the atmosphere, cleanliness and overall dining experience. Some personal favorites are:

Georges
Mames
Village Kitchen
Castle in the Clouds
Town Docks

There are literally dozens more that we are looking forward to trying based on what we read in the forum.

As far as the Woodshed is concerned, we went there a few times as a rare treat, and were pleased with the food and service. However,we have not been there in the last 2 years and now hesitate to go back based on what we have read here. Hopefully they will get their act together soon.

[LongBay]

Terry,

Thank you for the "Rossi" recommendation . I will have to give it a try some time soon.

Yes, there are some very nice places in the Lakes Region I will continue to dine at when I head up to the Lake Region on weekends. If you want a great breakfast or lunch, you should try Kitchen Cravings in Gilford. Everything is home made, very tasty, served in large portions, and the owners are local. If you don't see it on the menu chances are they can whip it up for you. Another restaurant I give a thumbs up on is T-bones. We always get great service. My wife and I like sitting in the lounge looking out onto the bay. The last time we were there a bald eagle was soaring overhead and looking down at his next good meal too.

I also have family members who own a restaurant, I am a great cook (so a lot of people tell me) and once worked in a restaurant to appreciate the good, the bad and the ugly.

[WakeboardMom]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

The Woodshed is about as far from my house as any other well known restaurant and well respected restaurant. That being said, it limited our number of visits, but we always enjoyed our visits there. However, because of the long drive, we have not been there in more than just a few years, and with postings of the inconsistencies in quality and service during this time, we decided that the journey may not be worth it.

We now tend to only go to those special places for special events, and even at that, we may choose to Do It Ourselves at home. When our daughter and granddaughter both wanted lobster and steamers for their birthdays (dates are three weeks apart), we choose a date in between both, got the lobsters and steamers at a great price, used the LP cooker, had salads, corn, and drinks for far less than it would have cost to go out. A little extra time and work, had the picnic table covered in newspaper, and an easy clean up made for a great day. We had the meal during the day, cleaned up, and headed out in the boat.

So Wakeboard Mom, I agree you may well be onto something, and unlike you, I live here year round. We love to go out to eat, but cost and in some cases, unfortunately, the quality of food and/or service limits the times we choose to go out to nice restaurants.

I live here year 'round as well, just don't sleep here 7 nights a week. On the way to Moultonborough tonight we may stop at Giuseppe's or the Bob House. On NYE we dined at Lago's (a bit disappointing) and watched the fireworks in Meredith Bay. My daughter, who is on break from Keene State, worked a few shifts at her restaurant last week.

Summer weekend evenings are best spent at home. ; )

(LOL...at home for dinner...and the occasional Saturday night at the Paradise after dinner! ; )

[Winnisquamguy]

Originally Posted by LongBay

Lately, I have been passing on a lot of restaurants in the Lakes Region of NH. With a 9% food tax, I plan to spend my money from now on back home eating in Boston where the food tax rate is 6.25% and you have hundreds of restaurants to choose from.

Where are you eating at McDonald's?

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by wifi

just leave flavoring to the customer.

Huh? They should serve everything extra-bland and then provide a tray of seasonings for the customer to apply?

Sorry, but I think you're in the minority on this one.

[dpg]

Originally Posted by brk-lnt

Huh? They should serve everything extra-bland and then provide a tray of seasonings for the customer to apply?

Sorry, but I think you're in the minority on this one.

Yes they should at least do this with salt. Salt's a killer (literally) and when I hit up a quick burger joint for lunch I don't want to taste a little bit of the french fries OVER the coating of salt. I'm not saying cook with nothing but most of us can live with a lot less salt in our diets.

[Belmont Resident]

Soooo good, but sooo bad for you. We switched to sea salt years ago because it is suppose to be better for you.
I've noticed more and more eating establishments are going that route also.

[Newbiesaukee]

A little off topic, but Sea Salt as "more healthy" is basically a scam. Sea salt is sodium chloride, same as regular salt. Different salts may have a few extra chemicals, but healthwise the difference is trivial. Costwise it is not. If you are cooking you can use less sea salt per volume because the grind is larger than table salt. That is, a teaspoon of sea salt has more sodium than a teaspoon of regular salt. By weight, there is the same amount of sodium in sea salt as in regular salt and that is the only important thing as a health issue.

[jkjoshuatree]

Sea salt and table salt have the same basic nutritional value, despite the fact that sea salt is often marketed as a more natural and healthy alternative. The real differences between sea salt and table salt are in their taste, texture and processing, not their chemical makeup.

Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
Mayo Clinic

[Pineedles]

Doesn't salt like Morton's and other "table salt" contain iodine, which is a dietary need?

[SIKSUKR]

Any salt IS sea salt,its just either taken right out of the sea or where the sea left it after it dried up.

[dpg]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Any salt IS sea salt,its just either taken right out of the sea or where the sea left it after it dried up.

Your absolutely correct no salt is better than the other. Many people believe that about sea salt, not true. And yes, we are off topic.

[XJLPS]

Originally Posted by wifi

To counter this, I went early December for my birthday. I sat at the bar and had my favorite Prime Rib. I was alone, there were a few other tables and people around, but certainly not a NYE event. Things were great, just as I remember from decades ago. Perhaps the current crew is not equipped for a busy night.... not sure, but I will go back for next years birthday

One side comment, meant for the owners, if they read this. Everyone has there preferences. I noticed, this year, spices were added to the Prime Rib, I prefer it just straight up, and I'll add my own.... I tasted rosemary.... I use rosemary when I cook other things, just leave flavoring to the customer.


All in all, I still give a thumbs up... Its remarkable that most every owner of the place has some matrimonial problems.... the rosemary? LOL.

Consider yourself lucky . We were there on a friday night with only about 15 cars in the parking lot and still waited over an hour for our meals not to mention the 20 minute wait for drinks , cold food over cooked and raw . They need to pull their heads out of their Ass or they are goining to be out of buisiness by next Fall.