Christmas Island Steakhouse 2019

Phantom · 08-22-2019, 11:43 AM

Anyone been to the "New Christmas Island" Steakhouse lately ?

GRAVELY disappointing.

Went there week before last around 7:00pm on Friday, sat at the bar and was immediately told that the "kitchen" is not taking any food orders for another 2 hours (WHAT !?).

Figuring it was a fluke and that perhaps during that particular visit the kitchen got slammed for some reason last Saturday evening we went once again. I have to admit, I like their menu selections & the bar area is quite nice.........… This time, noticeably less people as we were able to quickly get a bar seat only to be told the same thing AGAIN !!

That's Strike two in my book …… someone please tell me when they get their act together as I would truly like not to put them into the "3 strikes your out" category.

Hillcountry · 08-22-2019, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phantom

Anyone been to the "New Christmas Island" Steakhouse lately ?

GRAVELY disappointing.

Went there week before last around 7:00pm on Friday, sat at the bar and was immediately told that the "kitchen" is not taking any food orders for another 2 hours (WHAT !?).

Figuring it was a fluke and that perhaps during that particular visit the kitchen got slammed for some reason last Saturday evening we went once again. I have to admit, I like their menu selections & the bar area is quite nice.........… This time, noticeably less people as we were able to quickly get a bar seat only to be told the same thing AGAIN !!

That's Strike two in my book …… someone please tell me when they get their act together as I would truly like not to put them into the "3 strikes your out" category.

I’ve never heard of such a thing. Seems as if the place is OPEN and it’s a RESTAURANT you should be able to order food until the kitchen closes.
Something rotten in Denmark on X-mas island...

Biggd · 08-22-2019, 12:45 PM

I've been a couple times in the past few years and I won't be returning. I was very disappointed in the food, the service, and I didn't think the place was all that clean, JMO.
It's a fellow Waltham resident that bought it and I was hoping for better results but not so.

Phantom · 08-22-2019, 01:17 PM

Biggd - can’t argue your point as far as the seating area- but (personally) we found the bar area quite clean - looks redone- but I hadn’t been there in years.

Shame of it was they had their opportunity to steal a life long “Friday nighter” from Faro’s

Still in search of our new Friday night “haunt”. Where the people are friendly,the food is diverse & good, you can make light hearted conversation with the folks either side of you and MOST importantly - you can get a seat.

We will give it a few weeks & see if it recovers. Unlike Faro’s we don’t know any of the staff or management to get a “real” story.

Biggd · 08-22-2019, 02:06 PM

Try T-Bones, the food is great and you can usually get a spot at the bar. The bartenders are very friendly and we've had great conversation with other bar patrons. And I'm not usually one to strike up a conversation.
It's always busy but after Labor Day it may be easier to get a parking space.

Phantom · 08-22-2019, 03:31 PM

No argument with this choice …… getting a bar seat during season is impossible (Spinnaker) ….and lately we find Sean's attitude grating more often than not.

Woody38 · 08-22-2019, 04:53 PM

I second T-Bones. Excellent food, good service and pleasant atmosphere.
My only problem is I always order the same thing. Cannot get enough of the baked stuffed haddock. When at the lake I eat fish.

____________________________________

I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic

rick35 · 08-22-2019, 06:26 PM

We haven’t been to the Steakhouse this year but thought it was ok when we went last year. It was warm when we went and I think their ac was struggling. I think it’s interesting where you can watch the chef in action but he looked like he was dying from the heat. He was really cranking out the orders. We went by the other day and it made me think they’re struggling to find their identity. There’s nothing Christmas about the place and their signage doesn’t make me want to stop. If we’re out that way and we want steak we go to TBones. Or fish. Or their Ruben. We went to the Bedford restaurant Monday and I had their T-bone steak. It was great!

upthesaukee · 08-22-2019, 09:34 PM

Last weekend, friends of ours went to Christmas Island Steakhouse, and told us not to bother going. Mediocre food, service ok, just not what the restaurant had been in years gone by. Very disappointed and won't waste their time or money going back.

Too bad. We had been years ago and liked the place. Seems like it had gone way down hill.

Dave

thinkxingu · 08-23-2019, 03:35 AM

We went a few years ago, and it was awesome. The recent reviews (here and at Google, etc.) have kept us away.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

joey2665 · 08-23-2019, 05:38 AM

That too bad it’s a very nostalgic looking restaurant in a great location. Never been I’ve always stayed away due to the reviews.

Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

WinnisquamZ · 08-23-2019, 06:57 AM

Like many of the restaurants around this area it has its locals. It’s ok. Service has been a big issue for everyone this past year, but, unlike others then not seem to care as much. The regulars at most of the bars in the area can be down right nasty if you intrude. Stopped in at the “Mug” one Thursday evening and it was like, who are you and why are you here! Food was good and fair price. Felt very unwelcomed

Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

AC2717 · 08-23-2019, 07:50 AM

Want a steak, hit up O's, absolutely the best!

WinnisquamZ · 08-23-2019, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC2717

Want a steak, hit up O's, absolutely the best!

Agree, also the best burger in the area

Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Biggd · 08-23-2019, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC2717

Want a steak, hit up O's, absolutely the best!

Absolutely the best steak in the area but I don't know if it would be an every weekend place, not for me anyway. It's a little pricy but the steak there is worth the money.
From the description of what the OP is looking for, a regular Friday night haunt, I don't O's is that place.

Major · 08-23-2019, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phantom

No argument with this choice …… getting a bar seat during season is impossible (Spinnaker) ….and lately we find Sean's attitude grating more often than not.

Give the Brick Front a try. My parents have been going there for years (10 or so) on Friday nights. My wife and I sometimes join them.

The Brick Front is our go to during the summer when you can't get a seat anywhere else. They have good, consistent food, good mixed drinks, and good value.

WinnisquamZ · 08-23-2019, 03:09 PM

Heard the same about Brick Front.

Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Phantom · 08-26-2019, 07:02 AM

Never heard of it — where’s it located?

Woodsy · 08-26-2019, 07:32 AM

I love going to a Brick Front! Very good food, very reasonably priced! Great little bar!

Here is their FB page!

https://www.facebook.com/Brick-Front...-370760243159/

Woodsy

MeredithMan · 08-26-2019, 08:54 AM

….where St. Pierre's restaurant used to be, back in the middle ages? OK, maybe not the middle ages, but the 1970's....

Major · 08-26-2019, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeredithMan

….where St. Pierre's restaurant used to be, back in the middle ages? OK, maybe not the middle ages, but the 1970's....

The Brick Front is in fact the old St. Pierre's. It's located on Church Street in Laconia.

Witch One · 08-28-2019, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phantom

Biggd - can’t argue your point as far as the seating area- but (personally) we found the bar area quite clean - looks redone- but I hadn’t been there in years.

Shame of it was they had their opportunity to steal a life long “Friday nighter” from Faro’s

Still in search of our new Friday night “haunt”. Where the people are friendly,the food is diverse & good, you can make light hearted conversation with the folks either side of you and MOST importantly - you can get a seat.

We will give it a few weeks & see if it recovers. Unlike Faro’s we don’t know any of the staff or management to get a “real” story.

Phantom, just an FYI Jess the bartender from Faro is bartending at Christmas Island now. We stopped in last Thursday and were very happy to see her!

Phantom · 08-29-2019, 04:54 PM

Thank you Witch !

Yes, we were quite aware.... but still thanks.

SteveO123 · 08-29-2019, 08:46 PM

Based on this...We did the Brick Front tonight.. Haddock in lobster sauce and turkey dinner.. don’t tell anybody it was GREAT !! Al fresco on the deck...

Thanks Forum! Shhh. It’s a secret !!!

WinnisquamZ · 08-29-2019, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveO123

Based on this...We did the Brick Front tonight.. Haddock in lobster sauce and turkey dinner.. don’t tell anybody it was GREAT !! Al fresco on the deck...

Thanks Forum! Shhh. It’s a secret !!!

Great to hear

Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Major · 08-30-2019, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveO123

Based on this...We did the Brick Front tonight.. Haddock in lobster sauce and turkey dinner.. don’t tell anybody it was GREAT !! Al fresco on the deck...

Thanks Forum! Shhh. It’s a secret !!!

I was reluctant to mention it for this very reason!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08-22-2019, 11:43 AM	#1
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,934 Thanks: 450 Thanked 605 Times in 341 Posts	Christmas Island Steakhouse 2019 Anyone been to the "New Christmas Island" Steakhouse lately ? GRAVELY disappointing. Went there week before last around 7:00pm on Friday, sat at the bar and was immediately told that the "kitchen" is not taking any food orders for another 2 hours (WHAT !?). Figuring it was a fluke and that perhaps during that particular visit the kitchen got slammed for some reason last Saturday evening we went once again. I have to admit, I like their menu selections & the bar area is quite nice.........… This time, noticeably less people as we were able to quickly get a bar seat only to be told the same thing AGAIN !! That's Strike two in my book …… someone please tell me when they get their act together as I would truly like not to put them into the "3 strikes your out" category. __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

08-22-2019, 01:17 PM	#4
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,934 Thanks: 450 Thanked 605 Times in 341 Posts	Biggd - can’t argue your point as far as the seating area- but (personally) we found the bar area quite clean - looks redone- but I hadn’t been there in years. Shame of it was they had their opportunity to steal a life long “Friday nighter” from Faro’s Still in search of our new Friday night “haunt”. Where the people are friendly,the food is diverse & good, you can make light hearted conversation with the folks either side of you and MOST importantly - you can get a seat. We will give it a few weeks & see if it recovers. Unlike Faro’s we don’t know any of the staff or management to get a “real” story. __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

08-22-2019, 03:31 PM	#6
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,934 Thanks: 450 Thanked 605 Times in 341 Posts	No argument with this choice …… getting a bar seat during season is impossible (Spinnaker) ….and lately we find Sean's attitude grating more often than not. __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

08-22-2019, 09:34 PM	#9
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,598 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,457 Thanked 1,980 Times in 1,081 Posts	Last weekend Last weekend, friends of ours went to Christmas Island Steakhouse, and told us not to bother going. Mediocre food, service ok, just not what the restaurant had been in years gone by. Very disappointed and won't waste their time or money going back. Too bad. We had been years ago and liked the place. Seems like it had gone way down hill. Dave __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!! Last edited by upthesaukee; 08-23-2019 at 05:30 AM.

08-23-2019, 07:50 AM	#13
AC2717 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 2,575 Thanks: 753 Thanked 354 Times in 266 Posts	Want a steak, hit up O's, absolutely the best! __________________ Capt. of the "No Worries"

08-22-2019, 12:45 PM	#3
Biggd Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Waltham Ma./Meredith NH Posts: 4,120 Thanks: 2,226 Thanked 1,190 Times in 757 Posts	I've been a couple times in the past few years and I won't be returning. I was very disappointed in the food, the service, and I didn't think the place was all that clean, JMO. It's a fellow Waltham resident that bought it and I was hoping for better results but not so.

08-22-2019, 02:06 PM	#5
Biggd Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Waltham Ma./Meredith NH Posts: 4,120 Thanks: 2,226 Thanked 1,190 Times in 757 Posts	Try T-Bones, the food is great and you can usually get a spot at the bar. The bartenders are very friendly and we've had great conversation with other bar patrons. And I'm not usually one to strike up a conversation. It's always busy but after Labor Day it may be easier to get a parking space.

08-22-2019, 04:53 PM	#7
Woody38 Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 578 Thanks: 46 Thanked 110 Times in 81 Posts	I second T-Bones. Excellent food, good service and pleasant atmosphere. My only problem is I always order the same thing. Cannot get enough of the baked stuffed haddock. When at the lake I eat fish. ____________________________________ I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic

08-22-2019, 06:26 PM	#8
rick35 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bear Island/Merrimack Posts: 807 Thanks: 58 Thanked 203 Times in 130 Posts	We haven’t been to the Steakhouse this year but thought it was ok when we went last year. It was warm when we went and I think their ac was struggling. I think it’s interesting where you can watch the chef in action but he looked like he was dying from the heat. He was really cranking out the orders. We went by the other day and it made me think they’re struggling to find their identity. There’s nothing Christmas about the place and their signage doesn’t make me want to stop. If we’re out that way and we want steak we go to TBones. Or fish. Or their Ruben. We went to the Bedford restaurant Monday and I had their T-bone steak. It was great!

08-23-2019, 03:35 AM	#10
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,242 Thanks: 1,172 Thanked 2,060 Times in 1,278 Posts	We went a few years ago, and it was awesome. The recent reviews (here and at Google, etc.) have kept us away. Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

08-23-2019, 05:38 AM	#11
joey2665 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Meredith Bay & LI, NY Posts: 3,222 Thanks: 1,219 Thanked 1,009 Times in 649 Posts	That too bad it’s a very nostalgic looking restaurant in a great location. Never been I’ve always stayed away due to the reviews. Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

08-23-2019, 06:57 AM	#12
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,060 Thanks: 210 Thanked 656 Times in 437 Posts	Like many of the restaurants around this area it has its locals. It’s ok. Service has been a big issue for everyone this past year, but, unlike others then not seem to care as much. The regulars at most of the bars in the area can be down right nasty if you intrude. Stopped in at the “Mug” one Thursday evening and it was like, who are you and why are you here! Food was good and fair price. Felt very unwelcomed Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

The Following User Says Thank You to Biggd For This Useful Post:
Phantom (08-23-2019)

The Following User Says Thank You to Major For This Useful Post:
garysanfran (08-26-2019)

08-23-2019, 03:09 PM	#17
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,060 Thanks: 210 Thanked 656 Times in 437 Posts	Heard the same about Brick Front. Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

08-26-2019, 07:02 AM	#18
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,934 Thanks: 450 Thanked 605 Times in 341 Posts	Never heard of it — where’s it located? __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

08-26-2019, 07:32 AM	#19
Woodsy Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Weirs Beach Posts: 1,966 Thanks: 80 Thanked 980 Times in 440 Posts	Brick Front is AWESOME! I love going to a Brick Front! Very good food, very reasonably priced! Great little bar! Here is their FB page! https://www.facebook.com/Brick-Front...-370760243159/ Woodsy __________________ The only way to eliminate ignorant behavior is through education. You can't fix stupid.

08-26-2019, 08:54 AM	#20
MeredithMan Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Bedford, NH; Meredith, NH Posts: 950 Thanks: 263 Thanked 812 Times in 331 Posts	Is Brick Front... ….where St. Pierre's restaurant used to be, back in the middle ages? OK, maybe not the middle ages, but the 1970's....

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Major For This Useful Post:
MeredithMan (08-26-2019), Phantom (08-27-2019)

08-29-2019, 04:54 PM	#23
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,934 Thanks: 450 Thanked 605 Times in 341 Posts	Thank you Witch ! Yes, we were quite aware.... but still thanks. __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

08-29-2019, 08:46 PM	#24
SteveO123 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Laconia, Lake Opechee Posts: 187 Thanks: 286 Thanked 90 Times in 48 Posts	Based on this...We did the Brick Front tonight.. Haddock in lobster sauce and turkey dinner.. don’t tell anybody it was GREAT !! Al fresco on the deck... Thanks Forum! Shhh. It’s a secret !!!

The Following User Says Thank You to SteveO123 For This Useful Post:
Phantom (08-30-2019)