Canoe

[canoe]

Good evening,

I do actually read the forum, I do reply and have posted my personnel email for anyone that would like to contact me. Thank you all for your comments, good, bad and otherwise. Regarding having a time limit on how long you can dine. I have never a will never have a time limit on how long a guest can or wants to sit at a table. We ask that specific question on very busy nights when we have reservations at open tables. For instance, a party of four walks in at 5:30pm, the only table or table available has a reservation at 7pm at them, the question arises is an hour and a half enough time for you, we have a reservation at 7 pm at that table which is available right now, is this going to be enough time for you to enjoy your dinner. If it is not I may not be able to sit you at this time, you may have to wait for another table that does not have a reservation waiting. All we are trying to do is accommodate all of our guest and MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY..Which we all now is not easy, but I think we do a damn good job at it…
I will say with 100% confidence I have never asked a table to leave or please finish up we have customers waiting, I have had CUSTOMERS ask people at tables to hurry up because they are waiting. Better yet you get customer telling you they will never come back because the table next to them was too loud or their children were crying, of course this is my fault. The summer is busy and so are the weekends, the season is short and we do our absolute best to accommodate all of our guests needs. Am I going to make every single person happy, apparently not, but you can best my last dollar I will try,,,, I am not in this business to make people unhappy, nor are my servers. We all rely on the quality of our food, service and the atmosphere we give to customers for our income.
For the notice about help, seriously we have never had as much of a problem getting help. We are actually turning away business because of the lack of servers and bartenders. This is a problem that has been going on for years, but never this bad, why work when you can sit at home and make more money, but don’t get me started… I think someone said if a business has been around that long with a good reputation they should have no problem with help. I wish that was the case. We are one of the few industries that you require your staff to work WEEKENDS, NIGHTS, HOLIDAYS, CHRISTMAS, NEW YEARS EVE, VACATION WEEKS, SONS, DAUGHTERS AND SPOUCES BIRTHDAYS IF IT FALLS ON ONE OF THOSE DAYS, ETC….you name it, any days the regular 8-6 working person has off we work, why: because we love the business, love making people happy with our food, service and atmosphere.
Again I thank all of you for your comments.
Scott Ouellette
Owner/ Chef

PS. The Capital Club is not a restaurant, just part of O Steaks in Concord

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by canoe

Good evening,

I do actually read the forum, I do reply and have posted my personnel email for anyone that would like to contact me. Thank you all for your comments, good, bad and otherwise. Regarding having a time limit on how long you can dine. I have never a will never have a time limit on how long a guest can or wants to sit at a table. We ask that specific question on very busy nights when we have reservations at open tables. For instance, a party of four walks in at 5:30pm, the only table or table available has a reservation at 7pm at them, the question arises is an hour and a half enough time for you, we have a reservation at 7 pm at that table which is available right now, is this going to be enough time for you to enjoy your dinner. If it is not I may not be able to sit you at this time, you may have to wait for another table that does not have a reservation waiting. All we are trying to do is accommodate all of our guest and MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY..Which we all now is not easy, but I think we do a damn good job at it…
I will say with 100% confidence I have never asked a table to leave or please finish up we have customers waiting, I have had CUSTOMERS ask people at tables to hurry up because they are waiting. Better yet you get customer telling you they will never come back because the table next to them was too loud or their children were crying, of course this is my fault. The summer is busy and so are the weekends, the season is short and we do our absolute best to accommodate all of our guests needs. Am I going to make every single person happy, apparently not, but you can best my last dollar I will try,,,, I am not in this business to make people unhappy, nor are my servers. We all rely on the quality of our food, service and the atmosphere we give to customers for our income.
For the notice about help, seriously we have never had as much of a problem getting help. We are actually turning away business because of the lack of servers and bartenders. This is a problem that has been going on for years, but never this bad, why work when you can sit at home and make more money, but don’t get me started… I think someone said if a business has been around that long with a good reputation they should have no problem with help. I wish that was the case. We are one of the few industries that you require your staff to work WEEKENDS, NIGHTS, HOLIDAYS, CHRISTMAS, NEW YEARS EVE, VACATION WEEKS, SONS, DAUGHTERS AND SPOUCES BIRTHDAYS IF IT FALLS ON ONE OF THOSE DAYS, ETC….you name it, any days the regular 8-6 working person has off we work, why: because we love the business, love making people happy with our food, service and atmosphere.
Again I thank all of you for your comments.
Scott Ouellette
Owner/ Chef

PS. The Capital Club is not a restaurant, just part of O Steaks in Concord

GOOD EVENING to you as well. Haven't been to your restaurant yet: YOU SIR have not done your business any favors with your most arrogant and ill concieved post. NB

PS: Try to break up your text into paragraphs so we old coots (with money and an inclination to eat out) can read it without going crosseyed.. Thanks.

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

GOOD EVENING to you as well. Haven't been to your restaurant yet: YOU SIR have not done your business any favors with your most arrogant and ill concieved post. NB

PS: Try to break up your text into paragraphs so we old coots (with money and an inclination to eat out) can read it without going crosseyed.. Thanks.

I thought his post was pretty decent. Not going to win any literary awards, but it didn't seem arrogant to me. Just a basic to-the-point response to a lot of drama and hype in this thread.

I've never been to Canoe, but his post certainly didn't do anything to discourage me from wanting to go. In fact, just the opposite, he made a clear statement that these rumored policies and issues are not in fact conscious decisions by the business.

[WakeboardMom]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

GOOD EVENING to you as well. Haven't been to your restaurant yet: YOU SIR have not done your business any favors with your most arrogant and ill concieved post. NB

Well put, NB. I think perhaps Mr. Ouellete should've re-read and considered his note before he hit "post."

Mr.Ouellete says that he would never impose a time limit, and the scenario he describes for a time limit is plausible. However, based on several (many?) people's experience, not all of his hosts/hostesses are as diplomatic as that note suggests.

[Acrossamerica]

Ah the internet and its marvelous opportunities to spread the word about your business so very inexpensively. But also the place where one or two of your customer's well placed reviews can sink your business before you have a chance to even respond. And then when you do respond - Maybe that was not always the best idea either. Surely only the devil would invent so nasty a thing as the internet and allow everyone to chime in even if they do not have an oar in the water. And be able to do it with nary a care about being uncovered as to name, place or credentials.

Years from now we as a society who have not yet totally figured out how to deal with the industrial revolution of 150 years ago will look back on how stupidly we handled the information and internet revolution.

[NoBozo]

In retrospect, I was the one who made an ill concieved post. While I still have my opinion, just as the owner of the restaurant has his, I should have kept mine to myself. NB

[tbonies]

Canoe, thanks for the reply. We frequent all the time and think you all do fine. Hang in there with all the negative comments. Usually it is the same squeaky minority that think they are some kind of royalty or fine dining experts. A better gauge is the number of cars in your parking lot. Keep after it!

[WakeboardMom]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

In retrospect, I was the one who made an ill concieved post. While I still have my opinion, just as the owner of the restaurant has his, I should have kept mine to myself. NB

Sometimes things look different in the morning.

[Pontoon Goon]

NoBo, You stated that you have never been to Canoe but maybe you should get a job in the kitchen because you sure like to stir the pot. The owner responds with a concise explanation as to what and why policies are in place and your response is to call this man arrogant. How about forthcoming. Running a small business these days are difficult enough without somebody that has never even patronized the place taking potshots from the clock tower.

[CozbyDog]

My wife and I are celebrating our 12th wedding anniversary this week and when the question of dinner came up, without hesitation we said "Canoe". This will be the first time we have been out for dinner in a long time, it seems like logistics of a babysitter and some extra cash is a difficult thing to coordinate, but I have never left there feeling like I should have gone somewhere else.
My .02...

[4Fun]

We have been to Canoe a ton of times and still consider it a favorite. The Lobster Mac and Calamari makes for a great meal. We recently went to O as well and enjoyed the food there too. You can't please everyone.

[benzguy]

I actually respect the owner of Canoe having "the you know what" to actually get on this forum and defend and explain his establishments policies and views.
Oh by the way, I have lived here for 25 years, the local help in any business around this area is substandard, ... I was at the grocery store the other day and the person bagging just stood there with a blank look on their face like they were in a daze, probably on drugs... I ended up bagging my own groceries. Most restaurant servers change restaurants often because they get fired for missing work, lying, stealing, etc..., so I believe the owner when he says its hard to keep employees. But I guess it doesn't matter to some idiots..... example- see Nobozo post. You obviously have so much money, don't need to work and obviously have no friends or a life because you have never been to this restaurant but will bash it and try giving a grammar lesson at the same time. How many other forum discussions do you frequent and add your 2 cents in about something you have absolutely no clue or experience in????
Nobozo, Have I used enough paragraphs for you???
Anyway, I want to apologize to this forum for directing comments to individuals, but maybe they will understand what it feels like, as they don't seem to care when they post in the first place towards others.
This forum is not designed to slander and bash local business's, which is what a lot of people on this forum seem to often do. I had a bad experience at the local grocery store, but you don't see me posting the name of the grocery store, when it happened, who it was, and state I'm not ever going back to that grocery store. Some people need a reality check.

[Happy Gourmand]

Originally Posted by benzguy

I actually respect the owner of Canoe having "the you know what" to actually get on this forum and defend and explain his establishments policies and views.
Oh by the way, I have lived here for 25 years, the local help in any business around this area is substandard, ... I was at the grocery store the other day and the person bagging just stood there with a blank look on their face like they were in a daze, probably on drugs... I ended up bagging my own groceries. Most restaurant servers change restaurants often because they get fired for missing work, lying, stealing, etc..., so I believe the owner when he says its hard to keep employees. But I guess it doesn't matter to some idiots..... example- see Nobozo post. You obviously have so much money, don't need to work and obviously have no friends or a life because you have never been to this restaurant but will bash it and try giving a grammar lesson at the same time. How many other forum discussions do you frequent and add your 2 cents in about something you have absolutely no clue or experience in????
Nobozo, Have I used enough paragraphs for you???
Anyway, I want to apologize to this forum for directing comments to individuals, but maybe they will understand what it feels like, as they don't seem to care when they post in the first place towards others.
This forum is not designed to slander and bash local business's, which is what a lot of people on this forum seem to often do. I had a bad experience at the local grocery store, but you don't see me posting the name of the grocery store, when it happened, who it was, and state I'm not ever going back to that grocery store. Some people need a reality check.

WOW!! Tell us how you really feel about baggers and wait staff.

[CozbyDog]

Oh by the way, I have lived here for 25 years, the local help in any business around this area is substandard, ...

Benzguy, this quote confuses me- if you have lived here for 25 years and I assume you have a job, then I think you know where I am going with this...

BTW- My employer who has been in business for 93 years thinks I have been an employee with high standards for the last 18 years... and we're both local, imagine that.

[Pineedles]

I stand corrected! Canoe does answer posts on this forum but since our Webmaster pointed out that the last activity was in January of 2012, I should have said, In a timely manner".

Scott's response was reasonable, and as long as all the staff informs potential diners of the policy, then it was OK. I however have no problem with canoe, just the chef/owner.

I still stand by my perception of the rude and self-serving manner in which Scott handled a problem at O's Steak. For those who are curious, here is the link. I, nor any of my relatvives have been to either establishment since the incident, two of which have moved into the area in the past year. Two people won't make a difference, but it's a start.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...ighlight=scott

[Lakesrider]

Originally Posted by benzguy

I actually respect the owner of Canoe having "the you know what" to actually get on this forum and defend and explain his establishments policies and views.
Oh by the way, I have lived here for 25 years, the local help in any business around this area is substandard, ... I was at the grocery store the other day and the person bagging just stood there with a blank look on their face like they were in a daze, probably on drugs... I ended up bagging my own groceries. Most restaurant servers change restaurants often because they get fired for missing work, lying, stealing, etc..., so I believe the owner when he says its hard to keep employees. But I guess it doesn't matter to some idiots..... example- see Nobozo post. You obviously have so much money, don't need to work and obviously have no friends or a life because you have never been to this restaurant but will bash it and try giving a grammar lesson at the same time. How many other forum discussions do you frequent and add your 2 cents in about something you have absolutely no clue or experience in????
Nobozo, Have I used enough paragraphs for you???
Anyway, I want to apologize to this forum for directing comments to individuals, but maybe they will understand what it feels like, as they don't seem to care when they post in the first place towards others.
This forum is not designed to slander and bash local business's, which is what a lot of people on this forum seem to often do. I had a bad experience at the local grocery store, but you don't see me posting the name of the grocery store, when it happened, who it was, and state I'm not ever going back to that grocery store. Some people need a reality check.

Wow...Just wow.
So it is not OK to say anything bad about the businesses but perfectly OK to tell people that the employees are thieves, drug addicts and degenerates. Man are you one sad individual. Two posts in and the locals are all scumbags.
Reality check? Here is one. I am a local. I go to work every day, I show up early and I stay late when needed. I don't steal, I don't lie and I don't use drugs. Well, Yes I do. I take blood pressure medicine of which I will now have to take another dose thanks to your post. And as far as servers not staying in one place very long I guess it simply couldn't be because of the instability in the restaurant business, the low pay. The lack of health insurance, the terrible hours, the walking fifteen miles a day, waiting on people that think 15% is too much....Nope....It's because they are are all degenerates. yep that's why they don't stay. Post number 2? Geesh.

For you to make a remark like you did about ANYONE is beyond reproach. I take my work ethic very personally, and for you to belittle us locals, is highly offensive. You owe everyone of us an apology.
BTW....
If someone has a bad experience some place, they are fully within their right to tell everyone about it so that people are informed. To do that you need to name names or we won't have a clue what you're talking about. Many of the people who write a bad review about one place or another, will be the ones who write a nice review about some other place. I have written bad reviews about one place and then after going back have written a good review about the very same place. I can't just say I went someplace and not give the name, because it would be completely pointless. So, THAT is the purpose of internet forums. Whether you use that information or not is completely up to you. If I listened to everyone on the Dodge truck forum I never would have bought my Dodge Ram. I love my truck and have not had any of the issues that some seem to have had. Just like the fact that some people like the Canoe and others don't. I won't go back and I doubt they give a rats butt. When you post about someone not caring about what they post and then name a forum members name and call people "idiots" just because you don't like what they said, your doing the exact same thing. Talk about calling the kettle black. Reality check for sure.
I guess everything will be back to usual at the Canoe. People that like it will keep going and those of us who have not had good experiences there will not. And the world goes round and round and round, like the Circle Game.

[wifi]

The personal attacks recently have gotten a bit much. I tune into this site to learn and enjoy others experiences and personalities, that's not what I'm seeing lately. Why pollute some topic others might be interested in reading about, start one of your own on how much you hate xyz so we all know where its going? Maybe this is the sign of the coming 12/21/12? (chuckle)

[baygo]

Originally Posted by Acrossamerica

Ah the internet and its marvelous opportunities to spread the word about your business so very inexpensively. But also the place where one or two of your customer's well placed reviews can sink your business before you have a chance to even respond. And then when you do respond - Maybe that was not always the best idea either. Surely only the devil would invent so nasty a thing as the internet and allow everyone to chime in even if they do not have an oar in the water. And be able to do it with nary a care about being uncovered as to name, place or credentials.

Years from now we as a society who have not yet totally figured out how to deal with the industrial revolution of 150 years ago will look back on how stupidly we handled the information and internet revolution.

The Internet is the most powerful tool ever presented to man-kind. The power of the pen is no longer monopolized by a select/privileged few. The skill we all need to develop is an ability to quickly qualify an author.

I am a restaurateur with solid positive reviews on every restaurant review website. Recently an author blemished our near perfect (4 1/2 star) ratings on yelp with a 2 star review. Those who take the time to look further will learn that the same yelpster gave a hot dog stand a 4 star review. Was this yelpstter qualified to review our restaurant? Absolutely! Based on the author's standards, I'd have been more concerned had the review been parallel to the hot dog stand.

A couple of years ago there was a thread on this forum that contained negative posts about our restaurant and we weren't even open yet. Fact is: those negative posts helped us. We were a hot topic for several weeks prior to opening. "Canoe"has been atop the restaurant thread for about 3 weeks now. There are over 7k views and nearly 100 posts. Like Carnege said "I don't care what they are saying about me as long as they are talking"

I personally chuckle at the attacks on the owner. Old adage; "don't judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes". I believe that a great restaurant is not created base on how good the great moments are but instead on how good the bad moments are. I've not walked in Scott's shoes but I feel safe assuming that his restaurant(s) would not still be here and he would not be growing if he did not have the ability to consistently deliver. A bad moment in his establishment(s) is still much better than the best moment many of his competitors can deliver.

[benzguy]

I can assure you that I am not the Canoe. Also I am not the only
one that responded to your last post. So feel free to respond to the others
that feel your comments were not justified as well. This entire
topic has spun out of control. I'm done.

[jetskier]

Hi all,

We decided to go to the Canoe this evening and I thought that I would report back here.

It might have been the long weekend, but the Canoe was completely packed. We did see the sign in the lobby essentially requesting patience in that seating could be a bit slower than normal due to staff turnover. The sign has been posted here previously. Anyhow, we were told that the wait was 50 minutes and we found 4 seats at the bar downstairs instead. The service was impeccable and the food was great. I opted for the baked stuffed lobster and my wife got the lobster Mac & Cheese.

At no time were we rushed or felt that we needed to hurry our dining experience. Overall, everything was great on a very busy night. So, I would have no trepidations returning and would expect that it will be a bit easier to get in as the leaf season draws to a close.

jetskier

[Shreddy]

Personally, Canoe is hands down my favorite restaurant in the Lakes Region. From the service to the food all the way down to the ambience and price, I have never had an issue. I feel you get what you pay for and PERSONALLY I have always gotten what I've paid for at Canoe. I will continue to patronize and talk about my positive experiences at this establishment.

Also, I believe Scott O's response was respectable and justified. He didn't bash, yet told it like it was. He's not here to be your best friend but rather to run a business. He took the time to respond and clarify some of the FALSE RUMORS about his establishment. I think that some need to LIGHTEN up.

Lakesrider, not that I don't love the VK and their impeccably fast service, maybe you should realize other people like to go out to dinner for enjoyment. If I wanted fast food when I went out, I'd go to McDonald's. Comparing the VK to Canoe is unrealistic. Can you get a NY Prime Strip steak oscar style with a bottle of vino at the VK? This isn't meant to be a personal attack, I'm simply trying to justify the fact that some of your comparisons are completely out of line. I won't speak on service...I love the service at VK but I've also had immaculate service while being at Canoe.

Again, just to reiterate...if Canoe's not for you, then don't go. They're doing something right where their parking lot is always filled and clearly management is proactive with the criticism. I commend them and look forward to going back and also The Woodshed.

[Lakesrider]

Originally Posted by Shreddy

Lakesrider, not that I don't love the VK and their impeccably fast service, maybe you should realize other people like to go out to dinner for enjoyment.[B] If I wanted fast food when I went out, I'd go to McDonald's. [/B] Comparing the VK to Canoe is unrealistic. Can you get a NY Prime Strip steak oscar style with a bottle of vino at the VK? This isn't meant to be a personal attack, I'm simply trying to justify the fact that some of your comparisons are completely out of line. I won't speak on service...I love the service at VK but I've also had immaculate service while being at Canoe.

Again, just to reiterate...if Canoe's not for you, then don't go. They're doing something right where their parking lot is always filled and clearly management is proactive with the criticism. I commend them and look forward to going back and also The Woodshed.

Ummm, you need to re-read my reply. Where did I ever compare one places food to another, or say anything about food? I just mentioned where I would rather go for good service. Never said anything about food. The Canoes food is excellent.
I do enjoy going out. I go out to eat two or three times a week. I support local business the best I can.
Am I however supposed to ENJOY waiting an hour for my drinks as the waiter walks by my table time and time again too serve others their drinks that came in after I did. I don't think so. Am I supposed to enjoy it when I flag him down and he sighs when I ask where our drinks are....Like I am bothering him? Those are some of the experiences I have had. Why is it just me? I have no idea. I don't have
any Swastikas tattooed on my forehead, Hells Angles Jackets, or horns coming out of my skull.

Obviously you don't like the Village Kitchen's food by your remarks comparing them to McDonald's, and have no problem expressing so. Yet my comments about the Canoe's service are unacceptable to you. Using your example in comparing the VK to McDonalds, it is just as unrealistic. Can you get Prime Rib at McDonalds? Pot Roast? Haddock? All in the same amount of time practically as getting a Big Mac?

If ever I do go to the Canoe again, and walk a 1/4 mile from the church parking lot again, in the rain, I'll be certain to wear a shirt that says "Shreddy" on it. Maybe I'll have better luck getting better service......

Re-read my reply....S-e-r-v-i-c-e....Nothing about....F-o-o-d......

[Shreddy]

Originally Posted by Lakesrider

Ummm, you need to re-read my reply. Where did I ever compare one places food to another, or say anything about food? I just mentioned where I would rather go for good service. Never said anything about food. The Canoes food is excellent.
I do enjoy going out. I go out to eat two or three times a week. I support local business the best I can.
Am I however supposed to ENJOY waiting an hour for my drinks as the waiter walks by my table time and time again too serve others their drinks that came in after I did. I don't think so. Am I supposed to enjoy it when I flag him down and he sighs when I ask where our drinks are....Like I am bothering him? Those are some of the experiences I have had. Why is it just me? I have no idea. I don't have
any Swastikas tattooed on my forehead, Hells Angles Jackets, or horns coming out of my skull.

Obviously you don't like the Village Kitchen's food by your remarks comparing them to McDonald's, and have no problem expressing so. Yet my comments about the Canoe's service are unacceptable to you. Using your example in comparing the VK to McDonalds, it is just as unrealistic. Can you get Prime Rib at McDonalds? Pot Roast? Haddock? All in the same amount of time practically as getting a Big Mac?

If ever I do go to the Canoe again, and walk a 1/4 mile from the church parking lot again, in the rain, I'll be certain to wear a shirt that says "Shreddy" on it. Maybe I'll have better luck getting better service......

Re-read my reply....S-e-r-v-i-c-e....Nothing about....F-o-o-d......

One to talk...had you read my post I believe I stated pretty clearly, "not that I don't love the VK..." I have no complaints with the VK. My comparison to fast food was in reference to your off topic bragging about how you're a local who gets their food in five minutes.

I'm SOOOO Sorry that when you go to Canoe everything goes wrong. As I said, if it's not for you then don't go. But to make remarks bragging about the VK in a Canoe thread seems off topic and does not add any value to the debate.

BTW, you act like it's Canoe's fault that it rained out when you went or that you had to walk because their parking lot was full. Had you called or waited I am almost positive they have a shuttle that will escort you. Seriously, do you really think Canoe was like, "Lakesrider's coming, make sure he walks in the rain and we give him our worst service".

At the end of it all, I still support Canoe and I have nothing short of the service I would have expected in my visits.

[Lakesrider]

You love it. I don't. Glad we can agree to disagree.

[SIKSUKR]

Lock,lock,lock,lock.

[wifi]

Maybe Shreddy and Lakesrider can meet there for dinner some night, see whose luck works out the best

[Shreddy]

Originally Posted by wifi

Maybe Shreddy and Lakesrider can meet there for dinner some night, see whose luck works out the best

Hey, I don't have anything to complain about! I've gotten great service and am content with business in general around the Lakes Region. I just hate when people making personal attacks on business based on one or two bad experiences. Usually I don't care so much and probably shouldn't because it generates publicity, but I do really enjoy Canoe so felt obliged to voice my experience.

For what it's worth, I recently bought a Restaurant.com gift certificate to a local restaurant, the next day I attempted to use it and the waitress was not overly kind or explanatory in telling me that they weren't honoring them. I bit my tongue, enjoyed my meal, paid the bill and figured there's worse things to complain about. Will I go back? Even with the sub-par service? Yup.

[Lakesrider]

I'd go have a beer with Shreddy anytime. Just because we have a difference of opinion on a restaurant doesn't make us mortal enemies. At least I certainly hope not. Life is short. Live it well....

[BrownstoneNorth]

Originally Posted by Shreddy

....For what it's worth, I recently bought a Restaurant.com gift certificate to a local restaurant, the next day I attempted to use it and the waitress was not overly kind or explanatory in telling me that they weren't honoring them. I bit my tongue, enjoyed my meal, paid the bill and figured there's worse things to complain about. Will I go back? Even with the sub-par service? Yup.

There are undoubtedly worse things to complain about but gotta ask WHY, if you know of a restaurant refusing to honor a current certificate that this restaurant is offering for purchase on Restaurant.com, you seem to think there's something noble about protecting the restaurant rather than preventing other innocent potential customers from also getting stuck with a dud.

(I'm not even going to ask why you ate at the restaurant anyway and expect to do so again despite the "sub-par service.")

I hope you at least reported it to Restaurant.com to get restitution of a sort:

http://tinyurl.com/8mngvsl

What should I do if a restaurant won't accept my Restaurant Gift Certificate?

This is an incredibly unusual situation! However, if something should happen that results in the restaurant not accepting your Restaurant Gift Certificate, we will make it right for you!

Our Customer Service department will immediately exchange your unused Restaurant Gift Certificate for equivalent credit to Restaurant.com in the form of a Restaurant.com eGift Card. You can then use your Restaurant.com eGift Card to choose another Restaurant Gift Certificate or Merchant Certificate from Restaurant.com.

Please accept our apology and Submit a Question by clicking here. Include the Restaurant Certificate number in your email. You will receive a confirmation email with the credit and instructions on how to redeem.

We really appreciate the time it takes for you to report such an event! Once you report an issue, we will also work dillegently with that restaurant to ensure there are no further problems with certificate redemption.

[Shreddy]

Originally Posted by BrownstoneNorth

There are undoubtedly worse things to complain about but gotta ask WHY, if you know of a restaurant refusing to honor a current certificate that this restaurant is offering for purchase on Restaurant.com, you seem to think there's something noble about protecting the restaurant rather than preventing other innocent potential customers from also getting stuck with a dud.

(I'm not even going to ask why you ate at the restaurant anyway and expect to do so again despite the "sub-par service.")

I hope you at least reported it to Restaurant.com to get restitution of a sort:

http://tinyurl.com/8mngvsl

What should I do if a restaurant won't accept my Restaurant Gift Certificate?

This is an incredibly unusual situation! However, if something should happen that results in the restaurant not accepting your Restaurant Gift Certificate, we will make it right for you!

Our Customer Service department will immediately exchange your unused Restaurant Gift Certificate for equivalent credit to Restaurant.com in the form of a Restaurant.com eGift Card. You can then use your Restaurant.com eGift Card to choose another Restaurant Gift Certificate or Merchant Certificate from Restaurant.com.

Please accept our apology and Submit a Question by clicking here. Include the Restaurant Certificate number in your email. You will receive a confirmation email with the credit and instructions on how to redeem.

We really appreciate the time it takes for you to report such an event! Once you report an issue, we will also work dillegently with that restaurant to ensure there are no further problems with certificate redemption.

Without attempting to get off topic because this thread is about Canoe, to answer your question, the restaurant I was at I frequent often. I would patronize the establishment regardless of whether I had the gift certificate. I meant to contact restaurant.com regarding the issue but have been too tied up (this incidence happened about a month ago). Needless to say, I received an email a few days ago from restaurant.com informing me about the issue and that they will resolve it.

Bottom line, yes I was upset I spent money on the gift certificates and couldn't use them. I knew that the minimal amount of money I spent on them was certainly not worth getting my panties in a bunch. In this case, patience ended up solving the problem for me.

Now, back onto the topic of Canoe...

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by Shreddy

Now, back onto the topic of Canoe...

I have made my feelings about Canoe known (love it and am glad it is close to home).

I do want to note that Scott and his team are very good to the Moultonboro Snowmobile Club and the Lakes Region Sail & Power Squadron, two organizations to which I belong.