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-   -   Where To Eat Pre-Flight (https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27069)

thinkxingu 06-02-2021 12:03 PM

Where To Eat Pre-Flight
 
Holla!

Saturday evening is the Emerson scenic flight I booked for my brother and me. Arrival time is 6:45 at the Gilford airport, so we'll be eating at ~5.

We're non-poofy, big-eating steak and seafood and pizza and wings people, so what would your choice of where to eat on that side be?

Go!

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gillygirl 06-02-2021 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu (Post 356433)
Holla!

Saturday evening is the Emerson scenic flight I booked for my brother and me. Arrival time is 6:45 at the Gilford airport, so we'll be eating at ~5.

We're non-poofy, big-eating steak and seafood and pizza and wings people, so what would your choice of where to eat on that side be?

Go!

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Patrick’s or Ellacoya Barn and Grille. I’d say Lyon’s Den, but I don’t want you to take my table. [emoji6]


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Slickcraft 06-02-2021 02:08 PM

Yes either Patrick's or Ellacoya. And you will fly right over Patrick's either taking off or landing. Based on the wind forecast, probably landing.

thinkxingu 06-02-2021 02:13 PM

I've not been to Patrick's in long enough to forget what they had—would they be more wings and pizza or steak and seafood?

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joey2665 06-02-2021 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu (Post 356441)
I've not been to Patrick's in long enough to forget what they had—would they be more wings and pizza or steak and seafood?

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More wings, ribs burgers. Pub type


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thinkxingu 06-02-2021 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joey2665 (Post 356442)
More wings, ribs burgers. Pub type


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What would be the best non-poofy steak & seafood place in that area?

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mcdude 06-02-2021 03:34 PM

Non-poofy? The Union Diner comes to mind :liplick:

Descant 06-02-2021 03:48 PM

Steak
 
Schuster's Tavern features steaks and the Lodge at Smith Point has been good. Unfortunately, both are not currently open. I agree with the others, Ellacoya or Patrick's.

CowTimes 06-02-2021 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu (Post 356443)
What would be the best non-poofy steak & seafood place in that area?

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O’s in Laconia, but not sure if that is too poofy for what you’re looking for. Food is always great (particularly lobster Mac n’ cheese). Ellacoya also has good steaks and a surprising amount of seafood dishes. The prices at the two are fairly comparable, actually.

thinkxingu 06-02-2021 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CowTimes (Post 356448)
O’s in Laconia, but not sure if that is too poofy for what you’re looking for. Food is always great (particularly lobster Mac n’ cheese). Ellacoya also has good steaks and a surprising amount of seafood dishes. The prices at the two are fairly comparable, actually.

Tell me about O, since I've never been. Clean t-shirt and shorts appropriate? I'm not worried about price (within reason), but I don't want to be in a tiny-steak-served-in-the-middle-with-sprigs-of-garn-taking-up-real-estate-that-could-be-filled-with-more-steak kinda place, ya dig?

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joey2665 06-02-2021 06:29 PM

Where To Eat Pre-Flight
 
1 Attachment(s)
Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu (Post 356452)
Tell me about O, since I've never been. Clean t-shirt and shorts appropriate? I'm not worried about price (within reason), but I don't want to be in a tiny-steak-served-in-the-middle-with-sprigs-of-garn-taking-up-real-estate-that-could-be-filled-with-more-steak kinda place, ya dig?

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Shorts are fine I would wear something a little nicer than a clean tee but I have seen many with clean tees. Steak sizes are excellent here’s the current menu. They usually have steak specials also

Attachment 17045


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Heaven 06-02-2021 06:44 PM

Eat after, not before

thinkxingu 06-02-2021 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heaven (Post 356463)
Eat after, not before

This has been proposed (behind the scenes), but it'll be too late—the flight is at 7 and is 1.5 hours.

We've done a few things like this—mostly helicopters—so we have some experience!

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Diana 06-02-2021 07:24 PM

Heaven is right. Depending on turbulence you might want to eat light before.

Descant 06-02-2021 07:57 PM

dress code?
 
I've never figured this out. A guy in a tee shirt is a slob and a woman in a tee shirt is chic. If a guy wants to go "casual" he should at least wear a collared ("polo") shirt.

thinkxingu 06-03-2021 06:07 AM

Looks like we'll be hitting Ellacoya up—bro likes the barn building. Hopefully, they take reservations!

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thinkxingu 06-05-2021 01:37 PM

Hold the phone, people. It occurred to me that I've never tried the prime rib everyone raves about at Dockside, and it's only 20 minutes from the airport AND they take reservations, sooo...we'll be going there later today!

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LoveLakeLife 06-05-2021 02:50 PM

Report back Think!


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thinkxingu 06-05-2021 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoveLakeLife (Post 356650)
Report back Think!


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Alright, while I'm waiting to board for our sunset flight, here goes:

Mozzarella sticks and Hot and Honey wings for appetizers = rockin'.

I NEEDED to have both seafood and steak, so we ended up ordering a Live Free or Fry (because they wouldn't/couldn't do a three-way combo and I was looking for clams, shrimps, and scallops) for us to share and 12 oz. prime ribs for each of us.

The prime ribs were excellent—awesome cuts, tasty, fresh. The mashed and veggies were just ok.

The seafood was disappointing. Clams and scallops were undercooked and only two shrimp and three scallops, even though I "traded" the crab cakes for more other stuff.

Overall, good but not anywhere near the experiences we had the first few times. Interestingly enough, I checked out current reviews and a fair amount say similar—that things have changed.

I gotta say, given the last two experiences at Dockside, I'm not sure we'll be back. Pop's—as consistent in price and quality as it gets—being across the street will make it difficult to return.

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8gv 06-05-2021 06:43 PM

I hope the Cessna had operable wing root vents...

thinkxingu 06-05-2021 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8gv (Post 356666)
I hope the Cessna had operable wing root vents...

No idea, but good thing there was a window for me to spill out of—talk about TIGHT quarters!

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LoveLakeLife 06-05-2021 08:52 PM

I don’t like any seafood but it seems beyond dispute that Pop’s is tops. I get the chicken there and it’s excellent. I’m glad the prime rib at Dockside passed muster. I’ll have to try the mozzarella sticks.


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thinkxingu 06-06-2021 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoveLakeLife (Post 356672)
I don’t like any seafood but it seems beyond dispute that Pop’s is tops. I get the chicken there and it’s excellent. I’m glad the prime rib at Dockside passed muster. I’ll have to try the mozzarella sticks.


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Yeah, I think my overall feeling about dockside would've been different if we just had the prime rib—it was very good. In addition to the seafood being undercooked, I felt burned that for $34 I got two shrimp and scallops...and that was asking for more to replace the crab cakes I didn't get. In fact, on further reflection, I'm going to email them.

Wait, am I turning into a Karen?!

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betterthanbacon 06-06-2021 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu (Post 356441)
I've not been to Patrick's in long enough to forget what they had—would they be more wings and pizza or steak and seafood?

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I’ve had the steak tips at Patrick’s several times. Haven’t been disappointed yet. There is also T-bones in Lakeport

8gv 06-06-2021 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu (Post 356677)
Yeah, I think my overall feeling about dockside would've been different if we just had the prime rib—it was very good. In addition to the seafood being undercooked, I felt burned that for $34 I got two shrimp and scallops...and that was asking for more to replace the crab cakes I didn't get. In fact, on further reflection, I'm going to email them.

Wait, am I turning into a Karen?!

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Not a Karen, maybe an Amelia?

:D

camp guy 06-06-2021 08:01 AM

Where to eat pre flight
 
My wife and I ate at Dockside several months ago and felt the experience didn't measure up in terms of quantity/quality/ price, but I read so many favorable reports on this Forum that I stayed quiet, but, with thinks review I must say I feel Dockside is over-hyped for the experience.

thinkxingu 06-06-2021 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camp guy (Post 356688)
My wife and I ate at Dockside several months ago and felt the experience didn't measure up in terms of quantity/quality/ price, but I read so many favorable reports on this Forum that I stayed quiet, but, with thinks review I must say I feel Dockside is over-hyped for the experience.

I can't tell if we had three or four extraordinary experiences or if what we're seeing these last times is more the norm.

I've emailed and, frankly, I'm interested to see how it is received (if at all).

Update: heard back. Will report the outcome.

My father drilled into me that no business is perfect—how they remedy the imperfection, however, is the key.

One last thing: I was really bummed because 1. I hate when great things go away and 2. It was my bro's birthday gift, and I'd pumped it up for him.

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ITD 06-07-2021 11:16 AM

How was the flight? I flew Saturday morning, it was a nice day to fly.

thinkxingu 06-07-2021 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITD (Post 356749)
How was the flight? I flew Saturday morning, it was a nice day to fly.

It was great! There was a fast-moving weather system that came through while we were eating and that Emerson was keeping an eye on, but it moved along and we had clear weather. A bit overcast, though, so the sunset aspect wasn't awesome, but it was calm other than when getting close to the mountains. It was nice to just be up in the air for a bit.

I do think I like helicopters better, though. I'll be trying to set one of those up to see!

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ITD 06-07-2021 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu (Post 356750)
It was great! There was a fast-moving weather system that came through while we were eating and that Emerson was keeping an eye on, but it moved along and we had clear weather. A bit overcast, though, so the sunset aspect wasn't awesome, but it was calm other than when getting close to the mountains. It was nice to just be up in the air for a bit.

I do think I like helicopters better, though. I'll be trying to set one of those up to see!

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Helicopters are infernal machines that shouldn't be able to fly, but do.

JK, sort of, but I do like riding in one, been a long time.

I was thinking as I posted that a quick, heavy rain shower came through Saturday evening. Glad you got to go.

Descant 06-07-2021 12:27 PM

Just "Think"in
 
You asked for advice on steak and potatoes, not too pricey, not too poofy. Everybody here agreed on the Ellecoya Barn & Grill or Patrick's Pub. So you changed you mind to Prime Rib and seafood and you were disappointed in a place that nobody recommended for your criteria.
So, it really doesn't matter if you were disappointed: Did your brother have a good meal? He's the only one that matters on his birthday. Overall, it sounds like it was a great evening.

thinkxingu 06-07-2021 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Descant (Post 356753)
You asked for advice on steak and potatoes, not too pricey, not too poofy. Everybody here agreed on the Ellecoya Barn & Grill or Patrick's Pub. So you changed you mind to Prime Rib and seafood and you were disappointed in a place that nobody recommended for your criteria.
So, it really doesn't matter if you were disappointed: Did your brother have a good meal? He's the only one that matters on his birthday. Overall, it sounds like it was a great evening.

Ellacoya only takes reservations for groups of 6+, and I was confident it would be too busy to just drop in on a tight schedule. Turned out to be a good decision—when we drove by, place was jammed.

In any case, my brother very much enjoyed the evening—he'd spent the first half of the day fishing with my son on his new boat (my brother's). I think in another life with different circumstances, my brother would have become a pilot.

As for his meal, he enjoyed it but was also surprised to find only two shrimps...especially since it's the only seafood he eats!

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FlyingScot 06-07-2021 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu (Post 356754)

As for his meal, he enjoyed it but was also surprised to find only two shrimps...especially since it's the only seafood he eats!

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I resisted the first time, but since you mention again, I just gotta know, about those two shrimps...

Is chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, half a seafood dinner, 12 oz of prime rib, baked potato and a vegetable enough for a Think Brother?

Unless you guys are 17 year-old power lifters, I'm in awe :)

thinkxingu 06-07-2021 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingScot (Post 356773)
I resisted the first time, but since you mention again, I just gotta know, about those two shrimps...

Is chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, half a seafood dinner, 12 oz of prime rib, baked potato and a vegetable enough for a Think Brother?

Unless you guys are 17 year-old power lifters, I'm in awe :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingScot (Post 356773)
I resisted the first time, but since you mention again, I just gotta know, about those two shrimps...

Is chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, half a seafood dinner, 12 oz of prime rib, baked potato and a vegetable enough for a Think Brother?

Unless you guys are 17 year-old power lifters, I'm in awe :)

Y'all remember the pilot called me back to let me know 3 think bros was too much?!

I totes forgot to mention—and I'm totally serious here—that we got off the ground a bit late Saturday because...the pilot was in the air burning off fuel to get within weight range to accommodate us!

In terms of shape, my wife's mother's first question when she met my 23-year-old gym-rat self was "where's his neck?"

Seriously, though, we had leftovers. Just wasn't jazzed about $34 for two shrimps.

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ITD 06-08-2021 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu (Post 356775)
Y'all remember the pilot called me back to let me know 3 think bros was too much?!

I totes forgot to mention—and I'm totally serious here—that we got off the ground a bit late Saturday because...the pilot was in the air burning off fuel to get within weight range to accommodate us!

In terms of shape, my wife's mother's first question when she met my 23-year-old gym-rat self was "where's his neck?"

Seriously, though, we had leftovers. Just wasn't jazzed about $34 for two shrimps.

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That was a good pilot.

thinkxingu 06-17-2021 11:20 AM

Update: Dockside got back to me—loved having a chat with them and look forward to another try.

In the meantime, hit up Pop's on the first Saturday of Bike Week and it was, as always, stupid good.

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