Canoe

[jrc]

Wow, I can't imagine entering a business that had a sign warning of substandard service. Can I give a substandard tip?

Canoe is just not worth the drive from Gilford for me. I hear the food is great but tried it only once and so long ago, it may have been pre-canoe. I guess the food makes up for all the weird policies.

[Belmont Resident]

Originally Posted by jrc

Wow, I can't imagine entering a business that had a sign warning of substandard service. Can I give a substandard tip?

Canoe is just not worth the drive from Gilford for me. I hear the food is great but tried it only once and so long ago, it may have been pre-canoe. I guess the food makes up for all the weird policies.

It would not make sense to drive from Gilford with O's in Laconia.

[meredith weekender]

We also went to Canoe last Saturday night with a party of 5. We arrived promptly at 5pm which is opening time. We were greeted immediately and were informed that they had a table for us that was available to us till 7pm. We did not see the sign for subpar service. The food was great. Service was great. We did get to finish and still had 45 minutes to spare. We all thought the time limit was hilarious

[Bear247]

I have been only to Canoe once and my family enjoyed it greatly. We have been trying to get back ever since...

[WakeboardMom]

Originally Posted by meredith weekender

We also went to Canoe last Saturday night with a party of 5...We did get to finish and still had 45 minutes to spare. We all thought the time limit was hilarious

Your time limit was great. Sully's was not great. Either way, I have never, ever been to restaurant that gave me a time limit upon seating my party. it's just not cool.

[Diver Vince]

Went to O's last Sat evening and notwithstanding that we've had some excellent meals there in the past was in fact disappointed. Personally I don't like their policy of not accepting reservations for a party of 2. I did inquire that in the future if we could call in & put our name on the list, but they would not do that either. When we arrived it was an hour wait. The 14 oz strip steak I ordered was at best at room temp and was a bit overcooked (I ordered med rare). I did tell the waitress that it's a shame that a steakhouse has it's steaks eclipsed by the lobster mac & cheese. Perhaps it was just an off night. We might return, perhaps in Jan- Feb when they do not have the lines. My point, when you charge premium prices; you have to consistently deliver the quality.

[Winnisquamguy]

Originally Posted by Diver Vince

We might return, perhaps in Jan- Feb when they do not have the lines.

Coming in during those months on the weekends and you will still have the same trouble.They are a very busy place year round. Awesome food!

[CozbyDog]

I think that the note in the picture and "be patient, our service will be substandard" are very far apart.

[Newbiesaukee]

I don't particularly like Canoe; I want to, but there is usually some little annoyance that turns me off such as the time limit. I have, on occasion, been told when I've made a reservation at a restaurant that there is a time limit and I then choose not to complete the reservation. I would have also been turned off by Canoe's policy of telling you when you arrive.

On the other hand, the sign about the service is honest and well written and this IS the situation up here when many of the servers go back to school. This, by itself, wouldn't have bothered me at all.

On the other hand ( my favorite phrase ), it really would have been annoying to be warned that the service might be slow and then be told there was a time limit. Sort of, "hurry up and eat, but you won't be able to because the service will be slow."

[Belmont Resident]

Originally Posted by Newbiesaukee

I don't particularly like Canoe; I want to, but there is usually some little annoyance that turns me off such as the time limit. I have, on occasion, been told when I've made a reservation at a restaurant that there is a time limit and I then choose not to complete the reservation. I would have also been turned off by Canoe's policy of telling you when you arrive.

On the other hand, the sign about the service is honest and well written and this IS the situation up here when many of the servers go back to school. This, by itself, wouldn't have bothered me at all.

On the other hand ( my favorite phrase ), it really would have been annoying to be warned that the service might be slow and then be told there was a time limit. Sort of, "hurry up and eat, but you won't be able to because the service will be slow."

Newbiesaukee, I do agree it can be annoying but look at the other side of the coin. I'm a painter, if I spend an hour or two chatting that is time that I've wasted and not made money.
I dinning establishment that has the kind of turnaround in a tourist area doesn't make money by having guests sit around chatting while others wait at the door. I've always believed if you want to hang around chatting that is what the bar area is for.
I you were the one standing at the door watching a table of people that had eaten and the table was cleared chat it up how would you feel?
INHO that is one big difference between your chains and a high end eating establishment. These are some of the same complaints people have posted about Sandy Point yet they admit they knew that going in.
One thing we usually do when going out with friends is to time our visit to the end of the rush, this usually leaves us with a somewhat empty restaurant to take our time in. Yes we eat later but!

[Newbiesaukee]

BR..I see your point, but putting a time limit is not normal business practice at a restaurant and is just a bad policy. I agree that some people do overstay at a table, this can be rude...but good restaurant management can account for this.

In my preretirement life as a physician, I both ran on time (mostly) and did not rush patients. It can be done. In your profession, your final result is what is important to you, not how fast you can paint ;and this is the way it should be. If you chat and waste time, it's mostly your loss, not someone else's.

A well-managed restaurant, as a policy, should not impose a time limit.

[jrc]

At one lakeside restuarant, after sitting and chatting for an hour after we ate, the manager offered to buy us a drink in the bar, so they could clear the table for the next guests. We were winding down by then and so we just left.

In Italy once, a coworker and I tried to leave a restaurant after dinner, and a few drinks, almost two hours total. We were scolded by the managment, when you eat there, you have the table for the whole evening.

[Happy Gourmand]

Originally Posted by jrc

At one lakeside restuarant, after sitting and chatting for an hour after we ate, the manager offered to buy us a drink in the bar, so they could clear the table for the next guests. We were winding down by then and so we just left.

In Italy once, a coworker and I tried to leave a restaurant after dinner, and a few drinks, almost two hours total. We were scolded by the managment, when you eat there, you have the table for the whole evening.

Now here's a great solution to Canoe's problem. I will bet that most parties would get the hint and make the table available without taking up the offer.
Does anybody from Canoe read this thread?

[RailroadJoe]

How about if Mitt or Obama stopped for dinner. Would hey have to leave by 7:30 or some other time? I don't do Canoe, can not afford it.

[Newbiesaukee]

Occupy Canoe! After the two hour limit.

(Please note: this is an attempt at nonpartisan humor and we may now return to the thread.)

[Pineedles]

Originally Posted by The Phantom Gourmand

Now here's a great solution to Canoe's problem. I will bet that most parties would get the hint and make the table available without taking up the offer.
Does anybody from Canoe read this thread?

I for one can say they don't. I am not surprised by a policy that limits dining time from this particular chef/owner. It is an ignorance of the trade, as well as a MORE PROFITS, that dictates their policies at Canoe and O's as well. These places are taking advantage of patrons, and they just don't care. I have never heard of any other restaurant limiting a diner's time at the table. I do remember Chinese restaurants in the 70's trying to rush you through the meal because of their experiences in an overcrowded country. Perhaps they are trying to re-instate this failed policy.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Pineedles

I for one can say they don't. I am not surprised by a policy that limits dining time from this particular chef/owner. It is an ignorance of the trade, as well as a MORE PROFITS, that dictates their policies at Canoe and O's as well. These places are taking advantage of patrons, and they just don't care. I have never heard of any other restaurant limiting a diner's time at the table. I do remember Chinese restaurants in the 70's trying to rush you through the meal because of their experiences in an overcrowded country. Perhaps they are trying to re-instate this failed policy.

O's does not have a time limit policy. Any restaurant that has this policy I would never go to. It's ridiculous to say the least!!

Dan

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by Pineedles

I for one can say they don't.

"canoe" is a member of this forum and has replied to threads in the past. It looks like the last time they logged in was in January. In this post they give their personal email address where you can contact them.

[SIKSUKR]

Maybe its just me but if my table is finished dining and I see a waiting line for a table I move right along and find another place (bar) to have conversation if I'm not ready to leave.I would want the same courtesy extended to myself.I bet the same people that complain about being nudged after finishing dinner are the same ones that complain when they are waiting in line that those people are just sitting there while we are standing and waiting.

[Resident 2B]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Maybe its just me but if my table is finished dining and I see a waiting line for a table I move right along and find another place (bar) to have conversation if I'm not ready to leave.I would want the same courtesy extended to myself.I bet the same people that complain about being nudged after finishing dinner are the same ones that complain when they are waiting in line that those people are just sitting there while we are standing and waiting.

I am no Canoe fan, in fact I have not been there for seven years due to past experiences and I never will set foot in the place again. However, what SIKSUKR has suggested is fair and just to all, including the owners, the wait staff and the people waiting for a table.

Often, common sense makes the most sense.

R2B

[secondcurve]

It sounds like the canoe is taking on water. I also have not had the best experiences there and have crossed it off my dining list. Based upon these reviews, it is surprising this place is still busy.

[DesertDweller]

We ate at the Canoe three times over the summer. Each and every time we were told we had until a certain time to finish dinner when we arrived. Each time we had made reservations at least a day in advance. When the hostess said it on our third trip I was expecting it and told her what I thought of their policy. If the food was not as good as it was I would never go there. It is beyond me how someone can operate a restaurant with this type of policy.........