Fratello's

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by IrishEyes

First, I just want to say that I understand the issues restaurants are having with staffing, etc. and usually will not post negative comments. However, I’ve worked in that industry, so I tend to be a little more critical when it comes to service and food quality.
A group of 8 went to Fratello’s on Saturday evening at 5:45pm. Called earlier to make a reservation but they do not accept reservations even for large groups. We waited almost 40 minutes for a table. Once seated and ordered, it took over an hour to receive our food. I had the eggplant appetizer, which used to be very good, but on Saturday it was dry and overcooked with very little marinara sauce underneath the eggplant, none on top. I ordered a side of gluten free pasta to go with it – and was charged $10! Are you kidding me? I could purchase 3-4 lbs. of GF pasta for that price. I don’t mind paying for good service and quality food, but dislike price gauging especially after waiting over an hour for the food. We told our server we were going to the Opera House at 8pm and needed to be served soon or we would cancel. No attempt to placate us when we asked about the wait; just got an attitude from the server that she was doing all she could and then avoided coming by our table. The food finally arrived at 7:35 and we asked for our checks at the same time!
Overall, very disappointing meal, service and wait time. Their seating capacity (they now have tables in their parking lot, upstairs outside patio, etc.) is far more than their small kitchen can handle so hence the hour+ wait for food. If their attempt is to make more money by having more tables, they will end up losing more business with bad service and wait times. Won’t be going back anytime soon.

I cant speak to you specific situation, but I have learned the hard way that food service on Friday and Saturday nights almost anywhere in the lakes region and during peek vacation season is not a good choice.

Sorry but anywhere that is even just decent is overcrowded, staff are over worked, customers have unrealistic expectations, customers want to pay reasonable home based prices in a vacation setting, and yes food quality varies and too often is under-par for that same place on a Thursday or some other day.

If you do not want to pay Vacation Resort prices, wait longer than normal periods of time, and if you have ANY expectation for food quality, cook at home, or risk disappointment.

Sorry, thats just they way it has been for the last 20 years now. I do not come up to Winnipesaukee for day trips on Saturdays any more! And if I were renting for a week of more, I would NOT attempt to go out during prime vacation season on a Saturday, its not going to end well. Might not be a disaster, but just not a good choice. Any weekday will be better.

ATB

[IrishEyes]

Originally Posted by XCR-700

I cant speak to you specific situation, but I have learned the hard way that food service on Friday and Saturday nights almost anywhere in the lakes region and during peek vacation season is not a good choice.

Sorry but anywhere that is even just decent is overcrowded, staff are over worked, customers have unrealistic expectations, customers want to pay reasonable home based prices in a vacation setting, and yes food quality varies and too often is under-par for that same place on a Thursday or some other day.

If you do not want to pay Vacation Resort prices, wait longer than normal periods of time, and if you have ANY expectation for food quality, cook at home, or risk disappointment.

Sorry, thats just they way it has been for the last 20 years now. I do not come up to Winnipesaukee for day trips on Saturdays any more! And if I were renting for a week of more, I would NOT attempt to go out during prime vacation season on a Saturday, its not going to end well. Might not be a disaster, but just not a good choice. Any weekday will be better.

ATB

I agree with everything you said about the vacation resort prices and service on weekends. People that move here from urban areas (myself included) are surprised by the prices and expect them to be lower since you can dine in Boston for less!
Fratello's problem is easy to fix - eliminate 1/3 of the tables and accept reservations so you will know what to expect for guests on any given evening. Oh and putting tables in your parking lot and then asking guests to go park at O's is not acceptable! If I have to go park at another restaurant, I will be dining there! They were not lacking for wait staff; they just couldn't handle the volume of diners. Sorry for the rant!

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by IrishEyes

I agree with everything you said about the vacation resort prices and service on weekends. People that move here from urban areas (myself included) are surprised by the prices and expect them to be lower since you can dine in Boston for less!
Fratello's problem is easy to fix - eliminate 1/3 of the tables and accept reservations so you will know what to expect for guests on any given evening. Oh and putting tables in your parking lot and then asking guests to go park at O's is not acceptable! If I have to go park at another restaurant, I will be dining there! They were not lacking for wait staff; they just couldn't handle the volume of diners. Sorry for the rant!

Its not the world we grew up in, businesses have little concern for these problems or their impact on their business.

And way too many staff are resentful for even having to do this kind of work, as if everyone wants to live fake pretend wealthy lives like the internet influencers. If Washington wants to accomplishing something meaningful, it would be to rid us of influencers.

Just a bunch of kids who dont actually know very much, but who have an over inflated sense of self-importance and are desperate to gain celebrity-like status but based on NOTHING!

Hows that for a rant ;-)

Apologies to anyone here with a child who aspires to be an influencer, NOT!

[Descant]

Originally Posted by XCR-700

Its not the world we grew up in, businesses have little concern for these problems or their impact on their business.

And way too many staff are resentful for even having to do this kind of work, as if everyone want to live fake pretend wealthy lives like the internet influencers. If Washington wants to accomplishing something meaningful, it would be to rid us of influencers.

Just a bunch of kids who dont actually know very much, but who have an over inflated sense of self-importance and are desperate to gain celebrity-like status but based on NOTHING!

Hows that for a rant ;-)

Apologies to anyone here with a child who aspires to be an influencer, NOT!

WOW! Please leaver all that bitterness in MA. NH is a happy, tolerant place.

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by Descant

WOW! Please leaver all that bitterness in MA. NH is a happy, tolerant place.

HA, sorry but not sorry.

No respect for "influencers" its a made up profession that benefits no one but the people doing it.

As for restaurant workers, I understand some of why of them are disgruntled, as way too many customers are demanding and unappreciative and cheap. No one wants to deal with that! But if you can tell me with a straight face you observe the same kind of hustle and sense of commitment to such work as you saw 30, 40, 50 years ago, then you need to point me to that restaurant. I will be a regular! Otherwise I am entitled to my observations just as much as the last/next person.

ATB

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by IrishEyes

I agree with everything you said about the vacation resort prices and service on weekends. People that move here from urban areas (myself included) are surprised by the prices and expect them to be lower since you can dine in Boston for less!
Fratello's problem is easy to fix - eliminate 1/3 of the tables and accept reservations so you will know what to expect for guests on any given evening. Oh and putting tables in your parking lot and then asking guests to go park at O's is not acceptable! If I have to go park at another restaurant, I will be dining there! They were not lacking for wait staff; they just couldn't handle the volume of diners. Sorry for the rant!

Two items come to mind...
Too many tables for the kitchen staff to handle; and too many customers wanting to come in at the same time.

Since you are a tourist... Saturday would be appropriate. But for too many locals, they would just crowd in even when knowing that it was tourist season and weekends should be left to the tourists.

I have my favorite restaurant, that I happen to know generally has a slow Wednesday, so being local... I support them on Wednesdays.

[Woody38]

We were at Fratello,s sometime around 2015-16. At that time, we found the wait very long although the restaurant was less than half full and the server was not pleasant. The food ws OK albeit expensive for what was served. Consequently, we have never returned. Look like nothing much has changed. Sure, wish we had another restaurant like the Lyons Den available. We miss them so much.

_______________________________________

I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic

[winniwannabe]

My family was up to visit us a couple of weeks ago, and we went out
to Patrick's Pub, like we do every year. Never been disappointed . It
was a Thurs. early evening and we called ahead to get seating for 9.
Average price of dinners are 15-18 dollars, which is reasonable. Service
was excellent, and my 7 month old grandson declared it a hit with his
voracious appetite. Bon Appetit!

[Sue Doe-Nym]

It’s really a chore to try eating out, especially during the season, so we are quite happy doing easy grilling right here at home….no reservations, no waiting for a table, no stress. I recommend it! Our friends and family agree 100% because they do the same thing.