Hobbs - Ossipee

[VitaBene]

I am looking forward to the opening of Hobbs http://www.nhmagazine.com/October-20...st-Ossipee-NH/

Soft opening is this week, then I believe they are open for business starting Sunday or Monday. This is in the building that housed the old Whittier House. I have not been in yet, but I understand it was completely renovated. One of the owners is Rob from the former "Restaurant" in downtown Wolfeboro.

It is great to have another dining option in the area! Best of luck to them!

[Greene's Basin Girl]

One of my friends called me a few hours ago and she wanted to know if I could meet her there. Unfortunately I couldn't. She is calling me later to tell me how the restaurant was.

[SAB1]

Also waiting. I just saw this place last week when I went up to white lake state park to snowmobile.

[Tired of Waiting]

I wonder if they will have the breakfast buffet on the weekend like the Whittier House did. We always enjoyed going to breakfast there.

ToW

[VitaBene]

We made it to Hobbs for their soft opening this past weekend and I was blown away by both the facility and the food.

We were greeted warmly by Dawn (formerly of the Restaurant in Wolfeboro) when we entered and shown to our table on the main level. Kelly was our server for the evening and she was fantastic (many restaurant jobs, but her first stint waiting tables).

The entire place has been gutted and remodeled. All of the wood ceiling and walls were burnt and are beautiful. There is a beautiful stone fireplace (real logs) in the dining area. We took a tour up to the second floor and, if possible, puts the first floor to shame. Vaulted ceilings, another bar and fireplace along with a giant screen and projector for sports, etc. It also has a lot of hightops which I like.

They have a nice wine list and GOOD glasses (I am a wine glass snob) so we had a couple of bottles of Decoy Cab which was the right temp and priced fairly. Rob, the manager/ co-owner stopped by and chatted for a bit. He also showed us the reserve wine list which had some real nice bottles, again priced fairly. They brew their own beer and will be doing so on site very soon. I believe all beer is on tap and I do not believe they carry any of the domestic stalwarts like Bud.

The food was fantastic. Because it was our first visit we all chose different meals to share and try. Starters were Caesar salad, wings, and crabcakes. All were very good. Entrees included:
1) strip steak- cooked perfectly with good marbling
2) cold smoked, then grilled, prime rib- very good, though I have to say that I am partial to traditional prime rib.
3) Seared scallops- awesome and huge!
4) Grilled pork chop- again very good.

Pricing was fair, especially given the quality. See the menu on their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/hobbstavern

I have nothing but great things to say about Hobbs, their staff and food. I highly recommend a visit. FYI, for those wondering about the drive, it took us 14 minutes door to door from our house in Moultonborough (near the old country store). I know it will become a regular spot for us!

Congratulations Hobbs!!

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

We made it to Hobbs for their soft opening this past weekend and I was blown away by both the facility and the food.

We were greeted warmly by Dawn (formerly of the Restaurant in Wolfeboro) when we entered and shown to our table on the main level. Kelly was our server for the evening and she was fantastic (many restaurant jobs, but her first stint waiting tables).

The entire place has been gutted and remodeled. All of the wood ceiling and walls were burnt and are beautiful. There is a beautiful stone fireplace (real logs) in the dining area. We took a tour up to the second floor and, if possible, puts the first floor to shame. Vaulted ceilings, another bar and fireplace along with a giant screen and projector for sports, etc. It also has a lot of hightops which I like.

They have a nice wine list and GOOD glasses (I am a wine glass snob) so we had a couple of bottles of Decoy Cab which was the right temp and priced fairly. Rob, the manager/ co-owner stopped by and chatted for a bit. He also showed us the reserve wine list which had some real nice bottles, again priced fairly. They brew their own beer and will be doing so on site very soon. I believe all beer is on tap and I do not believe they carry any of the domestic stalwarts like Bud.

The food was fantastic. Because it was our first visit we all chose different meals to share and try. Starters were Caesar salad, wings, and crabcakes. All were very good. Entrees included:
1) strip steak- cooked perfectly with good marbling
2) cold smoked, then grilled, prime rib- very good, though I have to say that I am partial to traditional prime rib.
3) Seared scallops- awesome and huge!
4) Grilled pork chop- again very good.

Pricing was fair, especially given the quality. See the menu on their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/hobbstavern

I have nothing but great things to say about Hobbs, their staff and food. I highly recommend a visit. FYI, for those wondering about the drive, it took us 14 minutes door to door from our house in Moultonborough (near the old country store). I know it will become a regular spot for us!

Congratulations Hobbs!!

Very helpful information. It is nice to see such a large investment in the restaurant and such a good review. Maybe this is my Woodshed replacement this summer?

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Maybe this is my Woodshed replacement this summer?

It will be for me

[Cindido]

Stopped at Hobbs today on the way back from the hiking in White Mountains- strictly based on the reviews here. Beautiful place. Very friendly staff and delicious food. Being new to the area, I'm always looking to this forum for reviews on area restaurants. Thanks everyone and for those that haven't been there yet, be sure to check out Hobbs!

[secondcurve]

I stopped by for lunch yesterday and sat at the downstairs bar. Everyone at the restaurant was attentive and happy. I had a house salad with scallops. Not huge portions but quite good. I also had an IPA and the bartender offered me a sample of Hobbs' house IPA which was excellent. It was mentioned that they will be brewing on site in the near term.

The facility is amazing. Someone spent a lot of money to renovate the place. Maybe a couple million would be my guess? Lots of attention to detail.

After I finished lunch I checked out the upstairs which was closed since it is only open during peak times. This portion of the restaurant was spectacular. A massive bar with soaring ceilings and lots of exposed wood beams. A ton of atmosphere up there is the best way to describe it. Vitabene's pictures don't do it full justice. The bartender told me that Friday evening the downstairs restaurant was so packed that they opened the upstairs bar to allow folks a comfortable spot to relax while waiting for dinner. In summary, I would't hesitate to recommend this restaurant and I think it will only get better as the kinks are worked out.

[Barbara]

We, a group of six, had lunch at Hobbs on Saturday. It was great. It was wonderful to see Rob. We're looking forward to a return trip for dinner soon.

[SAB1]

Finally made to Hobbs last night and boy was it worth it. Not the normal pub fare I expected but man it was good. I had a scallop and shrimp scampi and my wife a squash lagsina and both were outstanding. Was great to leave and feel full. Portions were healthy size. Can't wait to taste their own brews which are not far off. This was probably the best meal I have had in many years up here. I would give it a 5 out of 5 and will definitely be back.

[Lakegeezer]

Reviews sound good, but I checked out the menu and while the selection is great the prices are WOW! For example, on the lunch menu, a fancy grilled cheese sandwich with fries is $12 and a steak sandwich is $14. On the dinner menu, meatloaf for $19 and grilled prime rib is $32. We'll try it, but will wait for a very special occasion.

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by Lakegeezer

Reviews sound good, but I checked out the menu and while the selection is great the prices are WOW! For example, on the lunch menu, a fancy grilled cheese sandwich with fries is $12 and a steak sandwich is $14. On the dinner menu, meatloaf for $19 and grilled prime rib is $32. We'll try it, but will wait for a very special occasion.

I agree it isn't cheap. But as noted previously the food is excellent as is the atmosphere. In short, you get what you pay for. We took the kids out to dinner tonight and they insisted on Hobbs. I wanted to go to Nolan's or the Pine Cone but no go. We got there early and the place was jammed. Food was excellent. I asked the hostess when they would be serving dinner upstairs and she said maybe this summer. They don't want to overwhelm the kitchen right now. I also noticed that they are now open seven days a week. It is nice to see the owners doing so well after such a monstrous investment.

[SAB1]

I think you will like lake geezer. It's very hard to find a good meal up here IMO. I'll spend a little extra for something good. It's not really any pricier than the corner house and the food and portions are better.

[camp guy]

People who mention the price of going out to a fine restaurant need to realize that going out to dinner is an experience, not just a way to consume food. And, because of this, all of the factors of going out to dinner need to be cconsidered, i. e., is the restaurant easily found, convenience of getting there, is there an adequate and safe parking lot, is the restaurant accessible, is there a front desk greeter who makes you feel like they are glad you are there, are the rest rooms appropriate, does the interior grab your attention, how are you treated by your server, are the chairs comfortable, and... you get the point, then comes the food.

So, the bill at the end of the evening represents ALL of these items, and more, I'm sure.

Just my input.

[Tired of Waiting]

Originally Posted by camp guy

People who mention the price of going out to a fine restaurant need to realize that going out to dinner is an experience, not just a way to consume food. And, because of this, all of the factors of going out to dinner need to be cconsidered, i. e., is the restaurant easily found, convenience of getting there, is there an adequate and safe parking lot, is the restaurant accessible, is there a front desk greeter who makes you feel like they are glad you are there, are the rest rooms appropriate, does the interior grab your attention, how are you treated by your server, are the chairs comfortable, and... you get the point, then comes the food.

So, the bill at the end of the evening represents ALL of these items, and more, I'm sure.

Just my input.

CG I agree to a point.

I don't mind spending extra for all that you mention if I go out on a special occasion. However a restaurant can't survive on folks who only go there for "special occasions."

Most folks will go out and have a $32 prime rib for a special occasion but will not do it on a regular basis. Once you have experienced the "factors" you mention a couple times then they loose their price utility. The place becomes just a restaurant to you. If you like prime rib and can get a good one for $18 over the $32 most folks will do it.

The restaurant will do well over the vacation seasons, summer/ski, but it's the locals that will determine if the place survives. And I just don't think the locals will go there for the high priced food just because the place looks nice.

ToW