Canoe

Acrossamerica · 09-27-2012, 03:26 PM

There are restaurants all over the world that actually try to insult and make it difficult for the guest to actually attend and enjoy the meal. It would appear that the owners of both of these establishments are trying to do that. And amazingly enough there are a lot of people that enjoy this level of abuse so they can tell their friends that "they" dine at such and such a restaurant even though it is so difficult. Take away the touristas and I doubt there are enough year round folks willing to put up with that attitude but given the location of Canoe, I may be quite wrong in that assumption.

NickNH · 09-27-2012, 04:35 PM

We must hit Canoe at the right times......we've always been seated promptly, never been told of a time limit and the food has always been great.....granted we don't go often , 2 or 3 times a year and with an elderly mother-in-law we go on the early side. The breadsticks are the best!

Hermit Cover · 09-27-2012, 05:21 PM

I have heard that the owner of Canoe is a partner in the new purchase of the Woodshed. Maybe someone can confirm...

Newbiesaukee · 09-27-2012, 05:35 PM

I have heard this is not true, but this is also just a rumor.

VitaBene · 09-27-2012, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hermit Cover

I have heard that the owner of Canoe is a partner in the new purchase of the Woodshed. Maybe someone can confirm...

Scott Oulette is part owner of the Woodshed now.

Regarding Canoe and some of the negative comments- it is easily one of the finest restaurants in our area and I feel fortunate to have it and the Woodshed in my neighborhood!

A restaurant will never make everyone happy every time. Let them know your issue and most will try to fix it. I am not happy with all of teh changes at the Woodshed but I am happy with others. In both cases, I gave feedback. Scott is very approachable and explained the whys behind the decisions.

LIforrelaxin · 09-28-2012, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VitaBene

Scott Oulette is part owner of the Woodshed now.

...........................

Scott is very approachable and explained the whys behind the decisions.

I have sent emails back and forth with Scott... And as I said in an early post, we simply just don't see eye to eye on what are good restaurant operating policies. He however has always discussed my grievances with me, and explained why he operates his business the way he does. His business exceed because of his dedication, and that is commendable...

Back to what I said earlier.... this is a tough time of year for any business in a tourist area... The college kids have headed back to school...and business is still busy and won't really settle down until after Columbus day... In short people have to have some patience.

Belmont Resident · 09-28-2012, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

I have sent emails back and forth with Scott... And as I said in an early post, we simply just don't see eye to eye on what are good restaurant operating policies. He however has always discussed my grievances with me, and explained why he operates his business the way he does. His business exceed because of his dedication, and that is commendable...

Back to what I said earlier.... this is a tough time of year for any business in a tourist area... The college kids have headed back to school...and business is still busy and won't really settle down until after Columbus day... In short people have to have some patience.

Patience what is that? Road rage, boat rage, bike rage etc., etc..

I honestly believe that very few people know what that word means.

And I do not mean just during tourist season, I mean people in general.

Rusty · 09-28-2012, 02:31 PM

Scott Ouellette seems to be expanding at a pretty fast pace in NH

These are the ones that I know about:

O Steaks & Seafood Restaurant in Concord

O Steaks & Seafood Restaurant in Laconia

Canoe Restaurant in Center Harbor

Magic Food Productions Catering in Center Harbor

Capital Club in Concord

The North End in Moultonborough

Also from what was said here he is now part owner of the Woodshed Restaurant in Moultonborough

I wish him a lot of luck. Running one successful restaurant is difficult enough in this area, so he sure does have a challenge on his hands. We just might need to have some "patience" until he gets them all running smoothly.

Irrigation Guy · 09-28-2012, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

Scott Ouellette seems to be expanding at a pretty fast pace in NH

These are the ones that I know about:

O Steaks & Seafood Restaurant in Concord

O Steaks & Seafood Restaurant in Laconia

Canoe Restaurant in Center Harbor

Magic Food Productions Catering in Center Harbor

Capital Club in Concord

Also from what was said here he is now part owner of the Woodshed Restaurant in Moultonborough

I wish him a lot of luck. Running one successful restaurant is difficult enough in this area, so he sure does have a challenge on his hands. We just might need to have some "patience" until he gets them all running smoothly.

The places on the list have been active businesses for a few years in some cases and several or more years for others. I'd imagine the startup challenges are behind him.

gokart-mozart · 09-30-2012, 01:26 PM

FWIW: Had a great meal there Friday night, excellent service, too. Arrived at 8:45, place was half empty.

Wanted to try the Woodshed, website says 9:30 close on Fridays, but they said they were closing when we arrived at 8:30.

hilltopper · 09-28-2012, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickNH

We must hit Canoe at the right times......we've always been seated promptly, never been told of a time limit and the food has always been great.....granted we don't go often , 2 or 3 times a year and with an elderly mother-in-law we go on the early side. The breadsticks are the best!

This has been my experience also...just substitue the elderly mother-in-law with an infant/toddler daughter.

This thread is the first time I've heard of a time limit. Of course if I've been sitting in a restaurant longer than 2 hours, something has gone wrong in the kitchen or with the service.

sky's · 09-28-2012, 11:37 AM

we recently went to the Canoe and the service was not very good at all, the food was just fair. we have been there several times in the past and have great meals and great service however this last time was not so good. hopefully they were "having a bad day" we will most likely give them another chance?

NoBozo · 09-27-2012, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acrossamerica

There are restaurants all over the world that actually try to insult and make it difficult for the guest to actually attend and enjoy the meal. It would appear that the owners of both of these establishments are trying to do that. And amazingly enough there are a lot of people that enjoy this level of abuse so they can tell their friends that "they" dine at such and such a restaurant even though it is so difficult. Take away the touristas and I doubt there are enough year round folks willing to put up with that attitude but given the location of Canoe, I may be quite wrong in that assumption.

The Premier Restaurant for customer abuse is.. Durgin Park in Boston. It is a HOOT..but you better have a sense of humor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durgin-Park NB

Acrossamerica · 09-27-2012, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoBozo

The Premier Restaurant for customer abuse is.. Durgin Park in Boston. It is a HOOT..but you better have a sense of humor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durgin-Park NB

Fully agree.

AussieDog · 09-28-2012, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acrossamerica

Fully agree.

Went to Durgin Park with friends one time. One of our group finished his meal well before anyone else. He then tried to order dessert, but the waitress cut him off saying he'll get dessert when everyone else had finished eating and not before. She wasn't making anymore trips to our table than needed. Our friend was beside himself. He had never been talked to in such a manner. We assured him this was par for the course so relax and go with it.
The waitress still got a good tip. Always fun a DP.

09-27-2012, 03:26 PM	#1
Acrossamerica Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 133 Times in 66 Posts	Creating a Status Symbol There are restaurants all over the world that actually try to insult and make it difficult for the guest to actually attend and enjoy the meal. It would appear that the owners of both of these establishments are trying to do that. And amazingly enough there are a lot of people that enjoy this level of abuse so they can tell their friends that "they" dine at such and such a restaurant even though it is so difficult. Take away the touristas and I doubt there are enough year round folks willing to put up with that attitude but given the location of Canoe, I may be quite wrong in that assumption.

09-27-2012, 05:21 PM	#3
Hermit Cover Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Hermit Cove Posts: 354 Thanks: 20 Thanked 68 Times in 40 Posts	Canoe and Woodshed ownership.... I have heard that the owner of Canoe is a partner in the new purchase of the Woodshed. Maybe someone can confirm...

09-27-2012, 05:35 PM	#4
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,363 Thanks: 961 Thanked 575 Times in 300 Posts	I have heard this is not true, but this is also just a rumor. __________________ "You're only young once, but you can be immature forever."

09-28-2012, 02:31 PM	#8
Rusty Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 2,028 Thanks: 603 Thanked 687 Times in 425 Posts	Scott Ouellette seems to be expanding at a pretty fast pace in NH These are the ones that I know about: O Steaks & Seafood Restaurant in Concord O Steaks & Seafood Restaurant in Laconia Canoe Restaurant in Center Harbor Magic Food Productions Catering in Center Harbor Capital Club in Concord The North End in Moultonborough Also from what was said here he is now part owner of the Woodshed Restaurant in Moultonborough I wish him a lot of luck. Running one successful restaurant is difficult enough in this area, so he sure does have a challenge on his hands. We just might need to have some "patience" until he gets them all running smoothly. Last edited by Rusty; 09-28-2012 at 05:19 PM. Reason: I added "The North End" to the list.

09-30-2012, 01:26 PM	#10
gokart-mozart Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 199 Thanks: 2 Thanked 57 Times in 36 Posts	Canoe, FWIW FWIW: Had a great meal there Friday night, excellent service, too. Arrived at 8:45, place was half empty. Wanted to try the Woodshed, website says 9:30 close on Fridays, but they said they were closing when we arrived at 8:30.

09-27-2012, 04:35 PM	#2
NickNH Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 85 Thanks: 103 Thanked 14 Times in 11 Posts	We must hit Canoe at the right times......we've always been seated promptly, never been told of a time limit and the food has always been great.....granted we don't go often , 2 or 3 times a year and with an elderly mother-in-law we go on the early side. The breadsticks are the best!

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09-28-2012, 11:37 AM	#12
sky's Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 285 Thanks: 69 Thanked 80 Times in 56 Posts	we recently went to the Canoe and the service was not very good at all, the food was just fair. we have been there several times in the past and have great meals and great service however this last time was not so good. hopefully they were "having a bad day" we will most likely give them another chance?