The Coe House

Newbiesaukee · 06-08-2007, 09:24 AM

I echo Lucky2Bhere. The decor is beautiful and the view and location can't be beat ( I can sit and eat and see Heath's Hardware which is where I spend my time and money!). We were there last night for the first time. Menu is creative and all we had was excellent. Lobster salad, duck breast, swordfish as well as gelato dessert. The drinks were interesting and a good wine list and liquor selection. Someone clearly put some thought into the restaurant.

My only gripe is that there are no reservations ( although there is a call ahead system which doesn't help me if I want to plan ahead). This is no problem if it is just the two of us. The difficulty is that the Coe House is definitely a special occasion place and our special occasions are usually when we have visitors; this is exactly when we would like reservations so we can plan in advance. For this reason, I will not go with any of our visitors which is a shame. Admittedly, this may just be my quirk. I am empathetic with the difficulties of the restaurant business; and "no-shows" and other abusive customers are a problem. Nonetheless,many other "upscale" restaurants do take reservations.

For those of you not as bothered as I am by this, the Coe House is excellent.

SAMIAM · 06-08-2007, 12:30 PM

Newbie,obviously you are a knowledgeable diner who would show up on time for a reservation but,generally ,reservations can be a huge problem.
#1 Parties that show up 45 minutes late and you have a second party booked for that table.Now,the party scheduled later for that table is waiting 45 minutes after their time and they get upset.
#2 Parties that change...such as a 6 turns up with 8 or 9 turns into 6 (after you've rearranged the dining room to accomodate them(these folks usually become very angry if you can't fit them in)
#3 No shows...Durring the season,large parties will often make reservations at two or three different restaurants and decide (after a few cocktails) which one to go to and do a no show at the others.This not only robs the restaurant of a couple of turnovers on that table,but hurts the staff as well.
Restaurant owners would LOVE to know exactly how many patrons to expect
but I totally understand the new owners going with the call ahead system.At least they can get set up for a large party without worrying about losing that table.

SIKSUKR · 06-08-2007, 12:40 PM

Isn't call ahead almost like making a reservation?I'm not sure I see why that's a problem.Maybe I don't understand how it works.

Newbiesaukee · 06-08-2007, 01:09 PM

As I stressed, I do understand the difficulties that restaurants face with reservations. However, as the consumer that is not my problem.

The difficulty with the call-ahead system is that I am talking about planning a special meal with guests a week or two in advance. The call ahead system lets you "call ahead" a short period of time, say 30 minutes and the restaurant puts you on the waiting list. It does shorten waiting time, but does not allow you to make plans as I have described.

Again, I understand the problems; it is just that the system does not work for me most of the time when I most need it. It is certainly not a fatal error and I plan to return to the Coe House. Just not with guests at peak times.

KonaChick · 06-08-2007, 01:18 PM

The old Coe House was one of my all time favorites in the lakes region and I am anxious to get up there to try out the new one. I too am disappointed they have a no reservation policy. I'm not sure why it doesn't work as the Coe House was NEVER empty when we were there (many times over the years) so obviouly the reservation system worked for them. One of the restaurants in Center Harbor (shall not name it in case their policy has changed) had a system whereby you would "reserve" your reservation with a credit card and would be charged some amount in case you failed to show. A simple 15 minute no show policy would certainly work for often tardy dinners and they would get the message when they showed up late and their table was gone. I agree reservations are the way to go..Coe House please reconsider if you're reading this!!

CarybchLvr · 06-08-2007, 11:04 PM

Do you think they will they will still accept gift certificates from two years ago?

Sent our son and daughter in law an anniversary gift for dinner...........then the place closed.....
now it's open again. Do the new owners have to honor the gift certificate?

Don't know what the "rules" are in NH......help, anyone?

TomC · 06-09-2007, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarybchLvr

Do you think they will they will still accept gift certificates from two years ago?

Sent our son and daughter in law an anniversary gift for dinner...........then the place closed.....
now it's open again. Do the new owners have to honor the gift certificate?

Don't know what the "rules" are in NH......help, anyone?

i inquired (of the old owner who knows the new owner) and was assured that Gift Certs will be honored.. old owner is a forum member and he can add more info if he desires

SAMIAM · 06-09-2007, 07:47 AM

Tom is correct...the new owners welcome any old gift certificates.They view it as a chance to make a new friend.
Also,Newbiesaukee,I see your point about planning a family get together a week or two ahead and I'm wondering if some restaurants wouldn't make an exception in a case like that.....wouldn't hurt to ask.
I've never used the call ahead system myself,but it sounds like a good idea.As I see it,it's like getting your name on the waiting list and also allows them to set the table up with the right amount of seats which should solve Newbiesaukee's concern.

BlackCatIslander · 06-20-2007, 08:00 PM

My wife and I ate at the Coe House on Monday and had a wonderful meal. The new owners have done a great job in the decor and with new carpeting the noise level is not bothersome anymore. The chef is creative and we enjoyed the soup, different but delicious salads, excellent entrees, and great deserts. Fine dining is not cheap and our meal for two including a tip was $150. We definitely will be back.

06-08-2007, 11:04 PM	#6
CarybchLvr Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Do you think they will....... Do you think they will they will still accept gift certificates from two years ago? Sent our son and daughter in law an anniversary gift for dinner...........then the place closed..... now it's open again. Do the new owners have to honor the gift certificate? Don't know what the "rules" are in NH......help, anyone?

06-20-2007, 08:00 PM	#9
BlackCatIslander Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 201 Thanks: 52 Thanked 17 Times in 11 Posts	A Great Meal My wife and I ate at the Coe House on Monday and had a wonderful meal. The new owners have done a great job in the decor and with new carpeting the noise level is not bothersome anymore. The chef is creative and we enjoyed the soup, different but delicious salads, excellent entrees, and great deserts. Fine dining is not cheap and our meal for two including a tip was $150. We definitely will be back.

06-08-2007, 09:24 AM	#1
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,363 Thanks: 962 Thanked 575 Times in 300 Posts	I echo Lucky2Bhere. The decor is beautiful and the view and location can't be beat ( I can sit and eat and see Heath's Hardware which is where I spend my time and money!). We were there last night for the first time. Menu is creative and all we had was excellent. Lobster salad, duck breast, swordfish as well as gelato dessert. The drinks were interesting and a good wine list and liquor selection. Someone clearly put some thought into the restaurant. My only gripe is that there are no reservations ( although there is a call ahead system which doesn't help me if I want to plan ahead). This is no problem if it is just the two of us. The difficulty is that the Coe House is definitely a special occasion place and our special occasions are usually when we have visitors; this is exactly when we would like reservations so we can plan in advance. For this reason, I will not go with any of our visitors which is a shame. Admittedly, this may just be my quirk. I am empathetic with the difficulties of the restaurant business; and "no-shows" and other abusive customers are a problem. Nonetheless,many other "upscale" restaurants do take reservations. For those of you not as bothered as I am by this, the Coe House is excellent.

06-08-2007, 12:30 PM	#2
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,927 Thanks: 350 Thanked 1,694 Times in 596 Posts	Newbie,obviously you are a knowledgeable diner who would show up on time for a reservation but,generally ,reservations can be a huge problem. #1 Parties that show up 45 minutes late and you have a second party booked for that table.Now,the party scheduled later for that table is waiting 45 minutes after their time and they get upset. #2 Parties that change...such as a 6 turns up with 8 or 9 turns into 6 (after you've rearranged the dining room to accomodate them(these folks usually become very angry if you can't fit them in) #3 No shows...Durring the season,large parties will often make reservations at two or three different restaurants and decide (after a few cocktails) which one to go to and do a no show at the others.This not only robs the restaurant of a couple of turnovers on that table,but hurts the staff as well. Restaurant owners would LOVE to know exactly how many patrons to expect but I totally understand the new owners going with the call ahead system.At least they can get set up for a large party without worrying about losing that table.

06-08-2007, 12:40 PM	#3
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	Isn't call ahead almost like making a reservation?I'm not sure I see why that's a problem.Maybe I don't understand how it works. __________________ SIKSUKR

06-08-2007, 01:09 PM	#4
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,363 Thanks: 962 Thanked 575 Times in 300 Posts	As I stressed, I do understand the difficulties that restaurants face with reservations. However, as the consumer that is not my problem. The difficulty with the call-ahead system is that I am talking about planning a special meal with guests a week or two in advance. The call ahead system lets you "call ahead" a short period of time, say 30 minutes and the restaurant puts you on the waiting list. It does shorten waiting time, but does not allow you to make plans as I have described. Again, I understand the problems; it is just that the system does not work for me most of the time when I most need it. It is certainly not a fatal error and I plan to return to the Coe House. Just not with guests at peak times.

06-08-2007, 01:18 PM	#5
KonaChick Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 518 Thanks: 19 Thanked 62 Times in 15 Posts	The old Coe House was one of my all time favorites in the lakes region and I am anxious to get up there to try out the new one. I too am disappointed they have a no reservation policy. I'm not sure why it doesn't work as the Coe House was NEVER empty when we were there (many times over the years) so obviouly the reservation system worked for them. One of the restaurants in Center Harbor (shall not name it in case their policy has changed) had a system whereby you would "reserve" your reservation with a credit card and would be charged some amount in case you failed to show. A simple 15 minute no show policy would certainly work for often tardy dinners and they would get the message when they showed up late and their table was gone. I agree reservations are the way to go..Coe House please reconsider if you're reading this!!

06-09-2007, 07:47 AM	#8
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,927 Thanks: 350 Thanked 1,694 Times in 596 Posts	Tom is correct...the new owners welcome any old gift certificates.They view it as a chance to make a new friend. Also,Newbiesaukee,I see your point about planning a family get together a week or two ahead and I'm wondering if some restaurants wouldn't make an exception in a case like that.....wouldn't hurt to ask. I've never used the call ahead system myself,but it sounds like a good idea.As I see it,it's like getting your name on the waiting list and also allows them to set the table up with the right amount of seats which should solve Newbiesaukee's concern.