Faro Italian Grille

[Bumble2249]

Faro has set the bar for authentic italian restaurants in the lakes region. Real homemade pasta. Homemade sauces. Best of the best meats, cheeses, breads and desserts! There are other good restaurants here but as far as Italian cuisine is concerned, this is it.


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[Rattlesnake Gal]

Faro Italian Grille
70 Endicott Street N
Laconia, NH
866-654-5565

[webmaster]

There's also information about Faro (the old Lobster Pound) in this thread:

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...ad.php?t=18391

Please post any reviews of Faro here in this thread.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Thanks, Don. I overlooked The Lobster Pound thread on my visit this morning because historically speaking, past LP threads have not been my kind of discussions. I wish them well in their new endeavor! 🇮🇹

[dpg]

For those that have been to both how does this place stack up against Rossi's?

[Jeanzb1]

Never went to the LP, but we did go to Faro's on Saturday night. It was very good, not over-the-top fantastic, but very good. There are many pasta dishes on the menu, reasonably priced. My only complaint is that a salad is not included, so you have to pay extra for that. The bread was good, and there was a nice dessert tray presented for you to choose from. We will definitely return!

[dpg]

Coming up between Xmas and new years. Where's my money better spent in your opinion Rossi's or Faro's. Don't worry won't hold anyone accountable - hahaha...

[Happy Gourmand]

Not sure about Faro's as I haven't been yet, but you can't go wrong at Rossi's.

[mcdude]

Originally Posted by Bumble2249

Faro has set the bar for authentic italian restaurants in the lakes region. Real homemade pasta. Homemade sauces. Best of the best meats, cheeses, breads and desserts! There are other good restaurants here but as far as Italian cuisine is concerned, this is it.

Bumble they've used your quote (above) in an article on Faro's Italian Grille today in the Laconia Daily sun!

[Bumble2249]

Originally Posted by mcdude

Bumble they've used your quote (above) in an article on Faro's Italian Grille today in the Laconia Daily sun!

Did they really? What was the article? A write up in the restaurant or something? I haven't had a chance to read the sun today. Thats pretty cool! Thanks for letting me know. I'll be sure to check it out!


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[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Bumble2249

Did they really? What was the article? A write up in the restaurant or something? I haven't had a chance to read the sun today. Thats pretty cool! Thanks for letting me know. I'll be sure to check it out!


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This is what the article said about you and you can read one page of the article below:

A week after it opened, an enthusiastic customer who identified him-or-her self as Bumble 2249 wrote in the Winnipesaukee Forum, ‘’Faro has set the
bar for authentic Italian restaurants in the Lakes Region. Real homemade pasta. Homemade sauces. Best of the best meats, cheeses, breads and desserts! There are other good restaurants here but as far as Italian cuisine is concerned, this is it.’’
Those kinds of endorsements are music to the ears of Richard Ray, whose family had operated the Lobster Pound since 2007 and has operated an Italian
restaurant in Boston’s North End for decades.

[sum-r breeze]

Just an observation ..... This place was packed on Saturday night! So much so that we passed on dinner there until maybe another "not so busy" night to try them out. They must be doing something right to be THAT busy on a late March night. Good news for the Weirs Beach neighborhood BIGTIME!! Can't wait to finally try them.

The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by sum-r breeze

Just an observation ..... This place was packed on Saturday night! So much so that we passed on dinner there until maybe another "not so busy" night to try them out. They must be doing something right to be THAT busy on a late March night. Good news for the Weirs Beach neighborhood BIGTIME!! Can't wait to finally try them.

The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

They have a help wanted ad in at least the Laconia Daily Sun for cooks, waitstaff, etc. Must be getting ready to gear up for summer,

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[Phantom]

In discussing with the staff on our last visit (and it is kind of obvious) ... when the warmer weather arrives they plan on having outdoor seating. this will increase seating capacity by ??? (15-20%?)

This is good & bad news in my opinion .... personally, I love outdoor seating in the summer months but the kitchen is of finite size and no matter how many cooks you put in, the kitchen can only realistically produce properly prepared food to the current quality and standards at a finite rate.

I surely hope that they do not over extend themselves. It seems to be working GREAT to this point. The kitchen's capabilities in the summer will be the key ! Otherwise, in the Fall, we will be reading all the "bashes" about how bad the service was, it took forever to get our meal, our meal was cold when served ... and so on.

I wish them the best of luck & hope they succeed ... it is truly a great addition to the area.



.

[Den65]

Originally Posted by sum-r breeze

Just an observation ..... This place was packed on Saturday night! So much so that we passed on dinner there until maybe another "not so busy" night to try them out. They must be doing something right to be THAT busy on a late March night. Good news for the Weirs Beach neighborhood BIGTIME!! Can't wait to finally try them.

The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

Make a reservation you won't be disapointed, I Have been there about 10 times since they have openned. Would have been there more but the pants started not fitting..................

[belly_button_biter]

Originally Posted by Den65

Make a reservation you won't be disapointed, I Have been there about 10 times since they have openned. Would have been there more but the pants started not fitting..................

I wish I could say the same. We've tried to go 10 to 15 times. Unfortunately more often than not we've found that they close early and are maintaining very inconsistent hours. I'm very disappointed with this restaurant and have decided it's worth the extra distance to go back to Rossi's.

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by belly_button_biter

I wish I could say the same. We've tried to go 10 to 15 times. Unfortunately more often than not we've found that they close early and are maintaining very inconsistent hours. I'm very disappointed with this restaurant and have decided it's worth the extra distance to go back to Rossi's.

HUGE ERROR !!

make a reservation & you won't be disappointed.


.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

We made reservations for tonight. Looking forward to trying Faro.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by PaugusBayFireFighter

We made reservations for tonight. Looking forward to trying Faro.

PBFF,

Just an fyi... Food pics always help the review!

Let us know!

Dan

[belly_button_biter]

we have tried

Originally Posted by Phantom

HUGE ERROR !!

make a reservation & you won't be disappointed.


.

the first few times were just heading over on a whim. Their sign does say open till 10 p.m. But we found them closed.
We've called around 8 p.m. got the answering machine which said they were open till 10 p.m. Drove over there and found them to be closed. Made it difficult to catch somewhere else to eat elsewhere.

I opened this thread and I was thier loyal customer to lose.

[Bumble2249]

Originally Posted by belly_button_biter

we have tried

the first few times were just heading over on a whim. Their sign does say open till 10 p.m. But we found them closed.

We've called around 8 p.m. got the answering machine which said they were open till 10 p.m. Drove over there and found them to be closed. Made it difficult to catch somewhere else to eat elsewhere.



I opened this thread and I was thier loyal customer to lose.

Can somebody that's understands Swahili please decipher this for me??


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[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Went to Faro last night. The new decor is nice. The food presentation was excellent. Service was good with waitstaff that know their menu.
We were brought a couple complimentary appetizers to try. I didn't try them but the table was very happy with them. We also ordered the antipasto which was good.
I had the 16oz strip steak with rosemary and garlic with a side of angel hair pasta and red sauce. The steak was cooked medium but I ordered medium rare. Not a huge deal, I wouldn't send it back as I'm not really picky. The steak was, steak. Not bad, but no flavor. I've had steak lots of places, this dish looked great but disappointed me. The pasta may be home made and fresh but the red sauce was tasteless. For a minute I thought maybe it was me but the table agreed that their red sauce was also bland.

One friend ordered desert which he says was good. Cannoli from Modern Pastry.

I'm not a food critic and never complain. You wanted a review, you got it.

I will tell you we are a large crowd that eats dinner most every weekend in the North End. In fact, we were texting the rest of the family while they dined at Pagliuca's in the NE last night. We will try Faro again with the full crowd. We are looking for a Friday night regular place and Faro is very close to us. Hopefully it was just a bad night with the sauce.

Dan...I, we, all took pictures of the plates. I anticipated posting the pictures with a good review. Like I said, presentation was excellent. In this case, pictures are not worth a thousand words.

[Sal]

Try a little salt on the sauce. They're probably cooking it with little or no salt
knowing it can be added by the diners, to accommodate those who eschew salt.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by Sal

Try a little salt on the sauce. They're probably cooking it with little or no salt
knowing it can be added by the diners, to accommodate those who eschew salt.

If their intention is to make bland sauce, in order to accommodate people who abstain from salt, doesn't it make sense that every plate on the menu would be cooked without salt? I guess I could see them making a pot of sauce with low salt and offering a low sodium alternative then throwing it out every night.
There's more seasoning to sauce than just tomatoes and salt. It wasn't a tasty sauce that needed salt, it was a sauce void of flavor other than the tomato.

[thegreyghost]

I have become a regular and I love this new addition to the area. I always get a side of fresh pasta with red sauce (love the lamb shank entree), and I think the sauce is great. You can tell its home made, not to sweet and not that strong tomato taste. Maybe you are just used to Rago out of a jar?? Faro is the real deal.
-GG

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by thegreyghost

I have become a regular and I love this new addition to the area. I always get a side of fresh pasta with red sauce (love the lamb shank entree), and I think the sauce is great. You can tell its home made, not to sweet and not that strong tomato taste. Maybe you are just used to Rago out of a jar?? Faro is the real deal.
-GG

If it makes any difference, I'm Sicilian. My mother still makes a sauce every Sunday (a few on this forum would attest to that). My grandmother and aunts did the same. I make a sauce occasionally. I've eaten in plenty of restaurants (most in the North End) and plenty of Italian homes. I know the difference between jar sauce and homemade.

The sauce tasted fresh and homemade but lacked flavor.

The fact that you think Papa Gino's is the best pizza in the lakes region tells me you've had your share of ketchup and elbows.

I was expecting Bumbles reply to my review last night, what took you?

This is why others don't post reviews. It will certainly be my last.

[Bumble2249]

Originally Posted by PaugusBayFireFighter

If it makes any difference, I'm Sicilian. My mother still makes a sauce every Sunday (a few on this forum would attest to that). My grandmother and aunts did the same. I make a sauce occasionally. I've eaten in plenty of restaurants (most in the North End) and plenty of Italian homes. I know the difference between jar sauce and homemade.

The sauce tasted fresh and homemade but lacked flavor.

The fact that you think Papa Gino's is the best pizza in the lakes region tells me you've had your share of ketchup and elbows.

I was expecting Bumbles reply to my review last night, what took you?

This is why others don't post reviews. It will certainly be my last.

.What? I can't laugh at someone's post? Come on.... You expected me to comment on your post, but I didn't did I?


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[Bumble2249]

Originally Posted by thegreyghost

It always goes back to, they have an interest in the place. That couldn't be further than the truth. I have been eating in the lakes region since Gretchens was here and Nadias. I feel Faro is on a whole different level. They have raised the bar when it comes to Italian food and service. I'm a regular, and I can't get a seat unless I tell them I'm coming in, they must be doing something right. I still get the papa Gino's delivered once in awhile, but that's on Monday when Faro is closed. I might be Scottish but I know what tastes good.

GG

My thoughts exactly. I have favorite restaurants from the lakes region to North Conway. Having some kind of vested interest or whatever could not be further from reality. I just like the place. I also like the Lyons Den, Lavinias and Elyacoya and I'd speak my mind in their defense if someone started a ridiculous and unwarranted thread on this forum about them as well. Or maybe I wouldn't... Because there's no way that I could have an "interest" in FOUR restaurants!


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[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by PaugusBayFireFighter

If it makes any difference, I'm Sicilian. My mother still makes a sauce every Sunday (a few on this forum would attest to that). My grandmother and aunts did the same. I make a sauce occasionally. I've eaten in plenty of restaurants (most in the North End) and plenty of Italian homes. I know the difference between jar sauce and homemade.

The sauce tasted fresh and homemade but lacked flavor.

The fact that you think Papa Gino's is the best pizza in the lakes region tells me you've had your share of ketchup and elbows.

I was expecting Bumbles reply to my review last night, what took you?

This is why others don't post reviews. It will certainly be my last.

Don't stop posting reviews.......yours was a good one but as always not all will agree with your assessment. Keep them coming!!

[sum-r breeze]

Originally Posted by PaugusBayFireFighter

If it makes any difference, I'm Sicilian. My mother still makes a sauce every Sunday (a few on this forum would attest to that). My grandmother and aunts did the same. I make a sauce occasionally. I've eaten in plenty of restaurants (most in the North End) and plenty of Italian homes. I know the difference between jar sauce and homemade.

The sauce tasted fresh and homemade but lacked flavor.

The fact that you think Papa Gino's is the best pizza in the lakes region tells me you've had your share of ketchup and elbows.

I was expecting Bumbles reply to my review last night, what took you?

This is why others don't post reviews. It will certainly be my last.

PBFF's mother makes awesome sauce......I've had it .... a lot....just sayin....If you want proof just watch that "Summer Breeze" video he posted and you can see the chunk of beef cooking in it. OMG I'm getting hungry just thinking of it!!

Back on topic I have found that Italian sauce is a subjective thing. One person's taste expectation is not the same as someone else's. I have a business down here in Mass and have learned that you can't please all of the people all of the time. We will check out Faro soon and maybe again with the PBFF clan too if they go.

The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

[Outdoorsman]

Originally Posted by paugusbayfirefighter

this is why others don't post reviews. It will certainly be my last.

. ?

[Great Northern Cleaning]

We had our annual employee Christmas Party at Faro Italian Grille last night. The staff at Faros did an outstanding job. The food, atmosphere and attentive wait staff made for a very enjoyable evening. The whole crew of Great Northern Cleaning sends a big thank you!!

[sum-r breeze]

We were in the mood for some Italian food so we finally got to try Faro. The only word Mrs. Breeze could use for our dining experience was "magical." Our waitress (Allie) was fantastic. We were seated right away near the window for the winter view of the lake and Weirs. We are both Shrimp fanatics so we ordered their shrimp cocktail. There were only two of them in each appetizer order...THEY WERE THE SIZE OF LOBSTER TAILS!! The biggest shrimp I have ever seen and I've had shrimp all over. Wow! We both had chicken dishes, I had the marsala and Mrs. Breeze had the picata. The food quality was amazing. Allie added to our dining pleasure by giving us 2 complimentary glasses of preseco and after desert 2 complimentary glasses of lemonciello. Very nice touch! What an awesome dinner we had. It was early on Saturday night and off season so the noise level dining room was very low. We thoroughly enjoyed or visit and will definitely be going back. The Weirs got a gift when the new owners opened up Faro, the place is fantastic.

The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

[Mr. V]

Originally Posted by belly_button_biter

I wish I could say the same. We've tried to go 10 to 15 times. Unfortunately more often than not we've found that they close early and are maintaining very inconsistent hours. I'm very disappointed with this restaurant and have decided it's worth the extra distance to go back to Rossi's.

So you did get to eat on SOME of your visits: how was the food?

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by belly_button_biter

I wish I could say the same. We've tried to go 10 to 15 times. Unfortunately more often than not we've found that they close early and are maintaining very inconsistent hours. I'm very disappointed with this restaurant and have decided it's worth the extra distance to go back to Rossi's.

I have said this before on this forum, but this is the worst thing a restaurant (or any new business) can do. Even if it costs you a few $$ to stay open until your posted closing hour, you have to do it. If you want to close earlier, update your posted hours and close early. But not before.

Saving a few $$ in the short term will end up costing more $$ in the long run. I have seen and experienced it first hand.

[thegreyghost]

Why wouldn't you just call ahead and make a reservation? Restaurants won't close if they know they have people coming in. Seems like a pretty simple solution.