The Restaurant

[lovetheforum]

Does anyone know what's going on at The Restuarant? Last Saturday we went there and just got our drinks, when our server came over and told us that they would not be serving any more meals and that we had to leave. I've watched enough Kitchen Nightmares not to ask any questions and just leave.

[Heaven]

Did you have to leave immediately or could you stay for drinks? Last Saturday, it is surprising it has been a week with no other mention of the issue.

[Old Hubbard Rd]

Where is "The Restaurant"?

[upthesaukee]

So maybe it is two questions. What time did you get there and what time do they close. Not familiar with them.

[Winnisquamguy]

Originally Posted by Old Hubbard Rd

Where is "The Restaurant"?

The Restaurant 03894, INC
P.O. Box 2115
37 North Main Street
Wolfeboro, NH 03894
603.569.3000

http://www.therestaurant03894.com/

[tis]

They are at the Markeplace in Wolfeboro, beside where the pottery shop used to be. Sort of across from Strawberry Patch, next to Nordic Skiier, Colonial Arms building. Does any of that help?

They were open yesterday as I know someone who went for lunch. I did hear they are closing for two weeks to do some renovations or something.

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by lovetheforum

Does anyone know what's going on at The Restuarant? Last Saturday we went there and just got our drinks, when our server came over and told us that they would not be serving any more meals and that we had to leave. I've watched enough Kitchen Nightmares not to ask any questions and just leave.

Sounds like you went too close to the closing time. That seems like the only reasonable explanation.

[upthesaukee]

...and they post their dinner hours as from 5-close....makes it easy to close early...but also serves to confuse customers.

[gokart-mozart]

Originally Posted by lovetheforum

Does anyone know what's going on at The Restuarant? Last Saturday we went there and just got our drinks, when our server came over and told us that they would not be serving any more meals and that we had to leave. I've watched enough Kitchen Nightmares not to ask any questions and just leave.

I think that, since the head chef (Siobahn) and the manager (Rob) have both left, a lot of what made The Restaurant what it was has left as well.

They may be able to re-invent themselves, or they may not. The food was good but not great, but the ambiance was terrific.

Best of luck to them in a tough, tough business.

[Highlander]

We have not been to The Restaurant since last fall and was unaware that they have had staff changes. Hope it does not have any negative impact on the quality of the food and the service but usually with the Chef goes the food. Wishing them the best it is a great location and enjoyable summer option that is accessible by water.

[VitaBene]

I heard through the rumor mill that Kirk, formerly of teh Woodshed may be headed there as the chef.

[tis]

This was on Facebook. Looks like the rumors are true.


The Restaurant
Its almost been four years since we opened and we look forward to many more.
Thank you to all of out loyal customers and great staff, we could not do it without you.
Closed for two weeks to do some big projects and spring cleaning as we approach our fifth summer season.
We can't wait to see you soon to show you all of the exciting changes.
Stay tuned for some big news.

[Patiently Watching]

There are indeed many positive changes going on at 'the restaurant' and the next two weeks closed will be well worth the wait.
In addition to kitchen repairs and spring cleaning, among the biggest news is that Kirk Daniels has joined the team bringing his years of experience (4yrs/Bald Peak, 12yrs/The Woodshed) to the food service and will be working along with current chef Nick McGuire (who was the original chef at the opening in 2009 and is responsible for many of the favorite menu items) starting.
Sadly, Lydia's Meeting House did not work out in the space next door, so it has opened up the opportunity for expansion and will become the pub side of 'the restaurant' when it all reopens in early April.

[Billy Bob]

well the Woodshed ended up on the forclosure auction block. mostly because of the decline in food quality and service . Good luck with the change

[BrownstoneNorth]

Originally Posted by Patiently Watching

There are indeed many positive changes going on at 'the restaurant' and the next two weeks closed will be well worth the wait.
In addition to kitchen repairs and spring cleaning, among the biggest news is that Kirk Daniels has joined the team bringing his years of experience (4yrs/Bald Peak, 12yrs/The Woodshed) to the food service and will be working along with current chef Nick McGuire (who was the original chef at the opening in 2009 and is responsible for many of the favorite menu items) starting.
Sadly, Lydia's Meeting House did not work out in the space next door, so it has opened up the opportunity for expansion and will become the pub side of 'the restaurant' when it all reopens in early April.

Nothing about this latest development in the musical chairs game that's been going on over there with The Restaurant, Lydia's, and Café Olé sounds "positive" to me. A popular little establishment expands and supposedly improves itself in the bigger space while a promising little new one opens in its former space, and both abruptly close about three months after opening in the off-season with rotten weather because the reinvented Lydia's "did not work out"?

We never thought that turning Lydia's into a big place that would compete with The Restaurant in the evenings made any sense, and the news of Rob's departure was a major bummer, but our family was really looking forward to Café Olé, based on photos and descriptions of their creative offerings and the enthusiastic reactions of customers on Facebook. Now you've apparently been told the former Café Olé, née Lydia's, or did you mean the more recently former Lydia's Meeting House, née Cornish Pottery, will serve as "the pub side" of The Restaurant?? Doesn't exactly square with these postings on the official Lydia's Meeting House and Café Olé Facebook pages, but either way, my rule of thumb is that people who don't know what they're doing...don't know what they're doing.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lydias...=wall&viewas=0
https://www.facebook.com/CafeOleWolfeboro

Tuesday
Good Tuesday Morning!
An old English proverb has it that “opportunity seldom knocks twice”. Seldom it may be, but it has happened today – an opportunity loaded with positive possibilities knocked, and walked right through a welcoming doorway.

Effective next week, Hunter Emory will bring Lydia’s Café back into the Café Olé space and offer a combination menu featuring the best of these two popular eating places – and more!

Café Olé will be closed for business as of today, but do drop by if you’re passing by and let us know which of our menu items you would like to see continue at the new Lydia’s Café. If you still have a Café Olé Gift Certificate, please know that these will be honored at Lydia’s.

The most rewarding and joyful experience at Café Olé is the enthusiastic support the community is giving to the concept of an organic, local and seasonal dining experience, and fulfilling the needs of those with special dietary needs such as gluten-free, raw and vegan. And, a happy satisfaction comes from knowing that Café Olé‘s mission is being given the possibility to continue its growth from seed to plant this Spring. Thank you for your generous support, your meaningful conversations, your helpful feedback and your warm companionship this Winter - please continue to nurture this seed with Hunter at Lydia’s Cafe!

[Den65]

Originally Posted by Patiently Watching

There are indeed many positive changes going on at 'the restaurant' and the next two weeks closed will be well worth the wait.
In addition to kitchen repairs and spring cleaning, among the biggest news is that Kirk Daniels has joined the team bringing his years of experience (4yrs/Bald Peak, 12yrs/The Woodshed) to the food service and will be working along with current chef Nick McGuire (who was the original chef at the opening in 2009 and is responsible for many of the favorite menu items) starting.
Sadly, Lydia's Meeting House did not work out in the space next door, so it has opened up the opportunity for expansion and will become the pub side of 'the restaurant' when it all reopens in early April.

I have not been to this restaurant but I am looking forward to coming when you re-open. I have been enjoying Kirk's cooking for year's and I'm sure he has not lost his touch with a peice of beef. I think he will be a great addition to your staff. I'm sure it will be worth the drive.

[emma-leigh]

It is true that Kirk Daniels formerly of The Woodshed will be the evecutive chef at The Restaurant. It is not uncommon for restaurants to close in the area for a few weeks for spring cleaning and updating in March. It is a very quiet time in the area. I have enjoyed The Restaurant the times that I have gone, but now I looking forward to going back and enjoying Kirk's food again. As for Billy Bob's comment about the Woodshed "landing on the forcloser block" do you know for a fact that it was because of the food quality, or was there other circumstances that you weren't aware of. I feel it is tacky to speculate about someone's hardship. Kirk is an amazing chef with a great reputation. Congrats to him and all The Restaurant staff. I look forward to going in again as soon as it reopens!!!

[Jeanzb1]

We've been there a few times, and I'm sure hoping that with the planned changes that they continue to have their "Baked Hummus with Deep Fried Chips." Oh my, it is sooooooo delicious!!!1

[Billy Bob]

Originally Posted by emma-leigh

It is true that Kirk Daniels formerly of The Woodshed will be the evecutive chef at The Restaurant. It is not uncommon for restaurants to close in the area for a few weeks for spring cleaning and updating in March. It is a very quiet time in the area. I have enjoyed The Restaurant the times that I have gone, but now I looking forward to going back and enjoying Kirk's food again. As for Billy Bob's comment about the Woodshed "landing on the forcloser block" do you know for a fact that it was because of the food quality, or was there other circumstances that you weren't aware of. I feel it is tacky to speculate about someone's hardship. Kirk is an amazing chef with a great reputation. Congrats to him and all The Restaurant staff. I look forward to going in again as soon as it reopens!!!

"Tacky" is not the worst thing I have been accused of being. But please do a LITTLE research before you question the reason the Woodshed went under. It is and has been one of the nicest spots on the lake. Take a look at yelp and last years posts on the forum and it's very clear why folks stopped going , food and service. You will also see that the new folks have it together and the Woodshed is back.
The good news is you will be able to get in with no problem , the number of people trying to find the wood sheds old staff will probably be limited .

[camp guy]

Let's not have this discussion devolve into an unpleasant discussion. There is plenty of room in the area for many restaurants, and everyone is entitled to his or her favorite, or not so favorite, but I hate to see the commentary become negative. People need to make their own decisions based on what they like, what they experience, and how they are treated.

[lovetheforum]

Originally Posted by emma-leigh

It is true that Kirk Daniels formerly of The Woodshed will be the evecutive chef at The Restaurant. It is not uncommon for restaurants to close in the area for a few weeks for spring cleaning and updating in March. It is a very quiet time in the area. I have enjoyed The Restaurant the times that I have gone, but now I looking forward to going back and enjoying Kirk's food again. As for Billy Bob's comment about the Woodshed "landing on the forcloser block" do you know for a fact that it was because of the food quality, or was there other circumstances that you weren't aware of. I feel it is tacky to speculate about someone's hardship. Kirk is an amazing chef with a great reputation. Congrats to him and all The Restaurant staff. I look forward to going in again as soon as it reopens!!!

You are on to something about the general public may not know all the circumstances around the Woodshed going up for auction. However, it does not change the fact that Kirk was at the helm when the ship went down. I do wish Kirk and The Restaurant well and hope they can turn things around.

[emma-leigh]

Just to be clear Billy Bob, I did do my research. In 2008 it was posted on this very forum that the owners of the Woodshed divorced. Usually divorces don't end well, and that could have been part of the problem. I don't understand how this thread about the Restaurant turned into being about the Woodshed. My research shows that there are plenty of threads for the Woodshed that you and I can comment on. As for the Restaurant, I can't wait to make a reservation when they reopen and take my family in for dinner. I am also excited to experience the changes at Lydia's. Does anyone know when they will reopen?

[CateP]

As a resident of Wolfeboro and friend of Hunter's, I was really hoping Lydia's Meeting House would flourish. It was just getting started. I don't know all the details of this dining drama and I'm happy about that. I am going to give both establishments an chance after this transition. As they say, the proof is in the_____ (fill in blank with favorite food).

[patman]

I drove by today and noticed that there was a message written on the (former) meeting house door in shoepolish: "Opening Wednesday April 17th"

...

[Merrymeeting]

We were at The Restaurant for dinner on Wednesday (It was good as before).

According to the waiter, the renovations on the restaurant side were mostly in the kitchen, and not much will change there. As noted, the other side will open next week, and it will be a pub/tavern type place with some of the menu items of the restaurant but more limited.

[camp guy]

Oh, goody, just what Wolfeboro needs, another place to get drunk, and on Main Street, too. Maybe the police cars that are patrolling north Main Street will hang out nearer town and catch few more people.

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by Merrymeeting

We were at The Restaurant for dinner on Wednesday (It was good as before).

According to the waiter, the renovations on the restaurant side were mostly in the kitchen, and not much will change there. As noted, the other side will open next week, and it will be a pub/tavern type place with some of the menu items of the restaurant but more limited.

I'm looking forward to seeing what they have done with the new building. I have a feeling that it might offer the best atmosphere/food combination in Wolfeboro.

[tis]

Originally Posted by camp guy

Oh, goody, just what Wolfeboro needs, another place to get drunk, and on Main Street, too. Maybe the police cars that are patrolling north Main Street will hang out nearer town and catch few more people.

You never know, but I think it could be quite nice, maybe a lighter menu??

[MJM]

We ate there last weekend and had a great experience overall. The server was excellent, we all (5 of us) enjoyed our meals.

What's really promising is that they are very much in tune with the needs of gluten-free. Excellent GF meals, and they are expanding that aspect of their offerings (e.g. we were told they will soon have a dedicated GF fryolater).

We'll be back!

[lake_summer]

That is awful to hear! we always enjoy the food and service there. When we are at our summer home that is our go to place or yummy food.
Certainly used to beat the portion sizes of Garwoods
I did hear that since the Restaurants big move things are a little different?

[bostonjd]

When we bring family members with us on vacation, they always rave about The Restaurant. It has issues like every restaurant at times, but I think it has the best food and cool vibe. We ate their twice in July and both times were Excellent!