Lavinia's

Crusty · 09-05-2014, 12:08 PM

I have worked (many years ago), and still eat in many restaurants of various types and price ranges. It is my considered opinion that the following two axioms apply to all restaurants, but more so as the average tab increases:

1) No matter how wrong, the customer is ALWAYS right.

2) The Golden Rule: He who has the gold, makes the rules.

For example. I'll put up with a lot from a restaurant that serves good food for $10 a person and go back regularly. However, if I'm being charged $30+ for a meal, they better not seat me next to the rest room or kitchen and my water glass better be kept full. --And anything else I can think of at the time. [For $50+ I demand tap-dancing waiters.]

As for Lavinia's...

My wife and I were in the neighborhood last year and stopped in slightly before opening. We were seated at the bar. Because we were time-constrained, we each ordered a salad (don't remember the particulars). The wait staff was attentive to our needs and the kitchen prepared two very excellent salads before opening (the croutons were exceptional and actually enhanced the salad for a change). Although priced toward the high end, the total package was well worth it and we will stop in again when in the area at dinner time.

Orion · 09-05-2014, 12:43 PM

We stopped in Lavinias a few nights ago, arriving around 6pm. It was very quiet and wait staff was very friendly and attentive. Got the clam chowder and think it is one of the top three I've ever had, with a very nice smoked-bacon flavor. I followed that with the fish tacos and they were delicious! They are also the cheapest thing on the menu. They use blackened fish and have a LOT of flavor, and certainly not fishy. They are very spicy, so I'd recommend getting the hot spicy mayo on side and not on the taco so you can dip it to the level you can stand (did I say it was hot-spicy?

). I will be getting those again. My wife had the salmon and really liked it. The somewhat high cost of the salmon averaged out the whole bill to make it overall a fair transaction, IMHO. I will be back.

JTA · 09-08-2014, 01:54 PM

I was with a group of eight last night at Lavinia's (4 couples). We asked ahead of time for separate checks. My meal was fabulous! Tomato bisque soup, the scallops (served on sautéed spinach and onions) and smashed baby potatoes (very tasty). When the checks came they were accurate to the penny. We don't go out a lot but this meal was the best this season.

polarisman14 · 09-11-2014, 12:25 PM

Just wanted to add to the pile of positive press that Lavinia's has earned itself. My wife and I headed out there last night for an early reservation for our anniversary. Prices were comparable, the restaurant was clean (and had a really neat layout!), and service was attentive but not overbearing.

The quality of food was great--we split the house salad, I got the Pork Ragout for a main dish and the wifey got the Belknap Burger. The Ragout had freshly made pasta and great flavors throughout and the burger (though cooked to my wife's medium well taste instead of my preference, medium rare) was juicy and very flavorful as were the fries. Dessert was pecan pie for me and the almond cake for her, both of which were great.

We had that and a drink apiece and it came to about a hundred including tip which I'd consider a pretty decent value for an upscale dining experience on the water. Cheers!

Pine Island Guy · 09-15-2014, 03:44 PM

we went Saturday evening about 7:30pm, it was packed, but found two seats at the bar and treated superbly by the bartender Kayliegh!!

The clam chowder was yummy, as previous posters have pointed out it has a nice smoked bacon flavor, but it wasn't overwhelming...

I had the duck, which was locally raised, very tender and great flavor...

My delightful date had the salmon, which was cooked perfectly (slightly rare), very moist and also great flavor.

The braised vegtables were very good, but I actually preferred the risotto that came with the salmon and managed to hijack most of it off my wife's plate

Kayliegh made a great martini and cosmo, and although she was busy pouring drinks for the rest of the restaurant, also made sure we were well taken care of.

We opted to share the 'Funny Bone' dessert... rich chocolate cake with peanut butter mousse and vanilla ice-cream... a nice way to end the evening!

eat on! -PIG

09-05-2014, 12:08 PM	#1
Crusty Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Columbus OH / Smiths Pt Posts: 128 Thanks: 176 Thanked 158 Times in 57 Posts	Axioms I have worked (many years ago), and still eat in many restaurants of various types and price ranges. It is my considered opinion that the following two axioms apply to all restaurants, but more so as the average tab increases: 1) No matter how wrong, the customer is ALWAYS right. 2) The Golden Rule: He who has the gold, makes the rules. For example. I'll put up with a lot from a restaurant that serves good food for $10 a person and go back regularly. However, if I'm being charged $30+ for a meal, they better not seat me next to the rest room or kitchen and my water glass better be kept full. --And anything else I can think of at the time. [For $50+ I demand tap-dancing waiters.] As for Lavinia's... My wife and I were in the neighborhood last year and stopped in slightly before opening. We were seated at the bar. Because we were time-constrained, we each ordered a salad (don't remember the particulars). The wait staff was attentive to our needs and the kitchen prepared two very excellent salads before opening (the croutons were exceptional and actually enhanced the salad for a change). Although priced toward the high end, the total package was well worth it and we will stop in again when in the area at dinner time.

09-05-2014, 12:43 PM	#2
Orion Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: MA Posts: 914 Thanks: 602 Thanked 193 Times in 91 Posts	Something for everyone We stopped in Lavinias a few nights ago, arriving around 6pm. It was very quiet and wait staff was very friendly and attentive. Got the clam chowder and think it is one of the top three I've ever had, with a very nice smoked-bacon flavor. I followed that with the fish tacos and they were delicious! They are also the cheapest thing on the menu. They use blackened fish and have a LOT of flavor, and certainly not fishy. They are very spicy, so I'd recommend getting the hot spicy mayo on side and not on the taco so you can dip it to the level you can stand (did I say it was hot-spicy?). I will be getting those again. My wife had the salmon and really liked it. The somewhat high cost of the salmon averaged out the whole bill to make it overall a fair transaction, IMHO. I will be back. Last edited by Orion; 10-17-2014 at 10:22 AM.

09-11-2014, 12:25 PM	#4
polarisman14 Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Gilmanton, NH Posts: 139 Thanks: 37 Thanked 23 Times in 20 Posts	Another Positive Experience! Just wanted to add to the pile of positive press that Lavinia's has earned itself. My wife and I headed out there last night for an early reservation for our anniversary. Prices were comparable, the restaurant was clean (and had a really neat layout!), and service was attentive but not overbearing. The quality of food was great--we split the house salad, I got the Pork Ragout for a main dish and the wifey got the Belknap Burger. The Ragout had freshly made pasta and great flavors throughout and the burger (though cooked to my wife's medium well taste instead of my preference, medium rare) was juicy and very flavorful as were the fries. Dessert was pecan pie for me and the almond cake for her, both of which were great. We had that and a drink apiece and it came to about a hundred including tip which I'd consider a pretty decent value for an upscale dining experience on the water. Cheers! __________________ >>>Matt<<< To Tow: 2007 Honda Ridgeline RTL To Float: 1977 MFG Gypsy Star 17 O/B

09-15-2014, 03:44 PM	#5
Pine Island Guy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: pine island of course! Posts: 407 Thanks: 248 Thanked 248 Times in 113 Posts	and another one! we went Saturday evening about 7:30pm, it was packed, but found two seats at the bar and treated superbly by the bartender Kayliegh!! The clam chowder was yummy, as previous posters have pointed out it has a nice smoked bacon flavor, but it wasn't overwhelming... I had the duck, which was locally raised, very tender and great flavor... My delightful date had the salmon, which was cooked perfectly (slightly rare), very moist and also great flavor. The braised vegtables were very good, but I actually preferred the risotto that came with the salmon and managed to hijack most of it off my wife's plate Kayliegh made a great martini and cosmo, and although she was busy pouring drinks for the rest of the restaurant, also made sure we were well taken care of. We opted to share the 'Funny Bone' dessert... rich chocolate cake with peanut butter mousse and vanilla ice-cream... a nice way to end the evening! eat on! -PIG

09-08-2014, 01:54 PM	#3
JTA Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Fort Pierce, Florida Posts: 233 Thanks: 34 Thanked 25 Times in 21 Posts	I was with a group of eight last night at Lavinia's (4 couples). We asked ahead of time for separate checks. My meal was fabulous! Tomato bisque soup, the scallops (served on sautéed spinach and onions) and smashed baby potatoes (very tasty). When the checks came they were accurate to the penny. We don't go out a lot but this meal was the best this season.

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