Lobster Pound Disaster

[gtagrip]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

I assumed when you mentioned 400 meals you were talking about DINNER....which was when the unhappy customer was there. NB

Yup, and the original poster has slammed the LP before and this time as well, and then is never heard from again to defend his/her position once it is made and he/she is challenged on it. Basically a one trick pony.

[Winnipesaukee Divers]

Originally Posted by gtagrip

Yup, and the original poster has slammed the LP before and this time as well, and then is never heard from again to defend his/her position once it is made and he/she is challenged on it. Basically a one trick pony.

Yup, my thoughts exactly, "Let’s stir up a little controversy, it's good for business..." It seems a little odd that Mr. Mike knew all the particulars of just what the poster had the exact times and had the right response after he admitted he had over four hundred customs that night. Now he’s got the sympathy vote of the forum after this terrible injustice. That’s got to be helping business.

I don't know Mike Ray or the Lobster Pound or the poster. I've never been to LP and will never go there, not because of this farce, but more to the point that I can't eat seafood. All the more for you.

I find any thread linked to the Lobster Pound will always be interesting reading and have to check in often for the latest installment. However, as a businessman I know the value of keeping your name out in front of the public's eye and find this just a little too odd.

I'm just saying... not accusing

[Irrigation Guy]

WD....i think you got it wrong, but good conspiracy theory though. I think MR went back and reviewed the information in question with the particular server from that evening. He then had all the details from the server and the bill for that particualr dinner to review with.

Go back and read the others posts from the original poster and let us know if you still feel that way.

Never been there myself either, nor am I friends with any restaurant owners or employees, so no reason to have an agenda.

[Resident 2B]

Although I have only been to the Lobster Pound a few times, I enjoyed each visit. The food was good and the service has been resonably prompt and friendly.

No idea why someone would expect to have a sit down dinner on a busy night in 45 minutes or less. That makes no sense to me.

R2B

[no-engine]

I drive by often between 8:30 - 9:30 am, northbound, 4-6 days a week yearround.
During and the week before bike week, I could not even see that there was ever a restaurant building behind all the temporary tents and vinyl signs. I could not even see a pedestrian opening. Where would clients park a vehicle?

I hope they had a decent week!
Of course I admit that I have two opposing opinions of the entire event:
1. good for the region. Bikers will return with family for other events.
2. It's positive for only those businesses that are in direct proximity to events.

I personally know several restaurants (8-15 miles from the hub) who's regular clients stay away, therefore it's a down week for many. It's a "live with it" down week for many unrelated businesses.

It's all about "customer service"!

[VtSteve]

I've been to the LP and thoroughly enjoy the place. I know what it is, and I like it. Nice bar, good menu, I love the ribs, and the staff has served me well.

What I don;t get is why every thread about the LP is so contentious

There's nothing even remotely close to a hot button topic here. It's a big restaurant in a tourist area. It is what it is. I think Mike and company have done a good job, but opinions differ.

I'm really curious why their are actual attacks all the time on the LP, I guess I really don't get it

[dpg]

HUH????? What the heck did I miss. Did this thread totally do a 360 or am I just totally asleep at the wheel?

[Lucky1]

Here's the thing. We went to a local restaurant recently and both of us had a poor tasting swordfish dinner. The fish just did not taste good at all. Neither of us wanted to disturb the other four in our group all of whom seemed pleased with their dinners so we let it go and kept our mouths shut.

I have already voted with my feet on that restaurand and rarely go there any more. If you do not like the Lobster Pound, then don't go there anymore. If you like the Lobster Pound, go. It is very simple really. I had the double lobster there earlier in the summer and it was a good dinner. I wrote an honest review and let it go at that. I have not gone back because it ended up costing much more than simply cooking the lobsters at home and one can have a potato and corn and dessert etc. The lobster came only with one side and the dessert was five dollars and it just was too expensive for something that is easily cooked at home. It was a nice enough meal and a nice atmosphere though.

I see a difference between mentioning a bad meal and going over it and over it. I would not write a bad review on this Forum about a restaurant even though it might save a restaurant in the long run. If no one complains, and people vote with their feet, the customer base falls off. This is not good for the restaurant. When I hear groupies all rush in to protect their favorite restaurant, I wonder how the restaurant will know that the food was not good and look into it. The restaurant may just think that the economy is off.

I think we all know that whoever it was did not like their dinner at the Lobster Pound. Were I that owner, I would offer another meal in good faith. Say I am sorry that you did not like the meal and want to have you come back and write after you eat when you are not so rushed and we are not so rushed. These things happen. It isn't brain cancer. Obviously if it goes on then no good will come of this experience. Show this lad that you can cook a good meal and try to improve if you can, but in the end the buck stops with you, the restaurant owners. If most people are satisfied you will not have a problem. Any person who complains in the fashion of this poster, needs to immediately be invited back with a olive branch not a list of excuses. That is just good business.

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by VtSteve

I've been to the LP and thoroughly enjoy the place. I know what it is, and I like it. Nice bar, good menu, I love the ribs, and the staff has served me well.

What I don;t get is why every thread about the LP is so contentious

There's nothing even remotely close to a hot button topic here. It's a big restaurant in a tourist area. It is what it is. I think Mike and company have done a good job, but opinions differ.

I'm really curious why their are actual attacks all the time on the LP, I guess I really don't get it

Steve,

You are correct- the LP does seem to be polarizing. Perhaps because diners seem to have (based on the posts above and in other threads) widely varying experiences.

I stop in from time to time when out on the bike and have lunch. It can take a few minutes longer than I would like but if you are sitting on the roof deck, the views outweigh the wait!

[robmac]

I agree,the veiw from the deck is great which is where I go. And when it comes to food as long as it's good (which I have always found it to be there ) I don't mind it abit. I think tomorrow will be a great day for some time with my daughter on the deck.

[twoplustwo]

We were seated at a table on the deck at the Lobster Pound at Weirs Beach at 6:55PM. We told our waitress that we had concert tickets and would like to be given attentive service.

Showing up without reservations at 7pm on a weekend night at the height of the season and expecting anything other than waiting your turn makes you one of the many amateurs who show up at area restaurants around here. Were it my restaurant and I expected a 400+ head count that night, you would have been shown the door as your expectations are clearly warped. Next time pack a sandwich. They are workers, not wizards.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by twoplustwo

"...They are workers, not wizards..."

A bit brusque, but nicely worded. It reminds me of an annoying sign put up by a secretary in my office:

"Your lack of planning is not my emergency."

[This'nThat]

The Lobster Pound is the one and only restaraunt I avoid in the Lakes Region. I've been coming to the Lake for more than 20 years. In the beginning, we always managed to bring the whole family to the LP for a very enjoyable dinner. Beginning a few years back, the food quality took a dive for the worst. Initially, we thought it might be a bad day -- but the same poor quality was present the following two times we went there -- and now I avoid it altogether. Too much money for poor food.

So, I thank people like Skisox for their reports. Because I believe him. When the reports start to turn positive, I might take my $100 and give it another spin. But not till then.

[VtSteve]

My last meal there was at the bar for lunch, during a driving rainstorm. I had some of the best ribs I've had in a long time. I really love ribs, and I was surprised to see how good they were at a lobster restaurant. I ate the entire rack, then proceeded to head home.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by Acres per Second

A bit brusque, but nicely worded. It reminds me of an annoying sign put up by a secretary in my office:

Small world!

I have a sign in my office that reads:

"Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine!".

[Rose]

Originally Posted by Skip

Small world!

I have a sign in my office that reads:

"Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine!".

That's exactly the one I use....except there's another word that begins with P in front of "poor."

[This'nThat]

Originally Posted by VtSteve

What I don;t get is why every thread about the LP is so contentious

I'm really curious why their are actual attacks all the time on the LP, I guess I really don't get it

I haven't read anything from anyone yet that leads me to believe there is a conspiracy against the LP. Just the opposite. People want to go to the LP -- but when they do, and drop big money there -- they expect something in return.

Like good, reasonable service.
...And quality food.

It's when these expectations aren't met, that very frank and detailed comments are presented. And I think this forum is a good place to point this out.

So I ask these simple questions:

1. Why can't the food be good?
2. Why must the service be poor? After all, if a restaraunt can't handle 400 people, why do they insist on seating 400 people? In the old days, the LP actually closed off part of their restaraunt if they didn't have the staff on hand. Yeah, you might have had to wait to get seated; or maybe go to another place. But once seated -- you got great service, and really good food.

Why can't it be like that again? I'd be willing to bet the complaints disappear entirely under those conditions.

[sa meredith]

I never really gave this any thought, but an earlier post sparked my curiousity...
But first, let me state that they obviously must be doing things somewhat correctly over there, as the place is always packed and I, too, enjoy it there.
However... Why is that LP seems to get 1 or 2 really, really bad reviews each year..really bad. Stuff that makes people stir a bit...and then Mike Ray signs in, and posts that what actually took place IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE of what was written in the negative post...and then the original poster never returns to defend himself/herself...and the thread goes on and on and on for weeks, sometimes. Very strange. And let me be clear...I'm not insinuating the negative posters just let it fade away...I wonder if something else is at work here...
File under: "No such thing as bad publicity"????????

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by sa meredith

I never really gave this any thought, but an earlier post sparked my curiousity...

It sounds like you're implying he has sock puppet accounts. Go back and look at the posting history of the OP in this thread. I think it would take far more effort than it is worth for Mike (or anyone associated with the Lobster Pound) to create a sock puppet account to that extent, just to then use it to start a bashing thread.

It does seem like the LP has a fair bit of controversy surrounding them, but I think the threads are all legitimate.

[sa meredith]

Originally Posted by brk-lnt

It sounds like you're implying he has sock puppet accounts. Go back and look at the posting history of the OP in this thread. I think it would take far more effort than it is worth for Mike (or anyone associated with the Lobster Pound) to create a sock puppet account to that extent, just to then use it to start a bashing thread.

It does seem like the LP has a fair bit of controversy surrounding them, but I think the threads are all legitimate.

Yeah...I agree. It's just that how can the OP say one thing, and Mike say the exact opposite, and the OP not make one peep. I mean, they either ate the shrimp, or they didn't...no grey area.
He either ate his grouper, or he didn't. The plate was half full in one post, and licked clean in the next. Just seems strange...that's all.
Put me in the corner of saying I enjoy LP, and like their food. However, I find it a bit pricey, and think that they become overwhelmed at peak times, and service drops off a bit more than it should. But, who am I to say??? That parking lot always seems packed to me.

[jetskier]

I have been watching this thread and it is no wonder that this person has not spoken up again. Any one who brings up a critique is promptly shouted down. Whether his experience was indicative or reasonable does not matter, it was his experience. If I were the owner of the LP, I would send him a private email and offer him a dinner on the house. That would be a gesture of good faith. Shouting down people who have put down their money in good faith and have a reasonable complaint is not particularly productive for the patron or the establishment.

It is nice that the LP is busy, good for them. Personally, I was unhappy with my last meal and as they say, " you are only as good as your last meal." My decision is to take my business elsewhere. You may love the LP, good for you. Luckily there are still lots of choices here in the lake region and my favorite might not be yours, but you are entitled to your opinion.

Jetskier

[gtagrip]

Originally Posted by sa meredith

I never really gave this any thought, but an earlier post sparked my curiousity...
But first, let me state that they obviously must be doing things somewhat correctly over there, as the place is always packed and I, too, enjoy it there.
However... Why is that LP seems to get 1 or 2 really, really bad reviews each year..really bad. Stuff that makes people stir a bit...and then Mike Ray signs in, and posts that what actually took place IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE of what was written in the negative post...and then the original poster never returns to defend himself/herself...and the thread goes on and on and on for weeks, sometimes. Very strange. And let me be clear...I'm not insinuating the negative posters just let it fade away...I wonder if something else is at work here...
File under: "No such thing as bad publicity"????????

NoBozo, I guess this is the post I should have responded to with my comments. I hope this clarifys my position.

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by gtagrip

NoBozo, I guess this is the post I should have responded to with my comments. I hope this clarifys my position.

NOPE: You said what you said.........OR.... maybe you didn't say it. NB

[anne154]

Like SA Meredith I dropped by the Lobster Pound this summer around 4pm, went to the bar to eat. There were 4 people present, and very few in the dining room.

I waited about an hour before inquiring if my dinner was going to be served. The waitress/bartender checked, then said it would be 15 more minutes! 15 minutes later, I had to ask again. My food was brought out, tepid.

My experience is in line with others who had to wait far too long to be served, and who had little attention from the wait-staff.

[Irrigation Guy]

I don't get it. The original poster does this twice about the same place and just disappears when others ask follow up questions.

Check his history and then decide.

Here is an interesting post from 9-21-08 for those who don't want to look back.

Originally Posted by skisox24

We went into the Lobster Pound last weekend with the goal of a quick meal prior to our Meadowbrook show. This was our third time at the new Lobster Pound. We applaud the new owneres for the terrific renovation of the old facility, and have appreciated the superb view from the upstairs outdoor lounge.

The food has been uneven. My wife really enjoyed the scallops, but the other seafood and shellfish choices have been just OK. Having dined there twice before, we knew that the menu prices were excessive, but also understood that we are OK with marginally higher prices in exchange for the new atmosphere and the superlative view.

But not this time. They have one pound of steamers on the menu for $15. That is way overpriced to begin with, and on my two prior experiences, I question whether the quantity served truly equals one pound. Town Docks in Meredith and Kevin's Cafe in Moultonborough provide generous portions of steamers at a much lower cost. For example, Kevin's Cafe provides a pound and a-half at $10. Town Docks, two pounds for $14. Well, on this particular night, Lobster Pound had a little notice stapled to their menu that declared that due to the recent increase in steamer prices, that the cost listed in their menu for one pound ($15) would have to be surcharged $3!!! $18 for less than one pound of steamers? A total ripoff. The manager informed us that their supplyer had significantly increased their per-bushel steamer cost. Town Docks and Kevin's later informed me that their sourcing costs have not materially changed. So....BEWARE!!!!

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by Winnipesaukee Divers

Yup, my thoughts exactly, "Let’s stir up a little controversy, it's good for business..." It seems a little odd that Mr. Mike knew all the particulars of just what the poster had the exact times and had the right response after he admitted he had over four hundred customs that night. Now he’s got the sympathy vote of the forum after this terrible injustice. That’s got to be helping business.

I don't know Mike Ray or the Lobster Pound or the poster. I've never been to LP and will never go there, not because of this farce, but more to the point that I can't eat seafood. All the more for you.

I find any thread linked to the Lobster Pound will always be interesting reading and have to check in often for the latest installment. However, as a businessman I know the value of keeping your name out in front of the public's eye and find this just a little too odd.

I'm just saying... not accusing

This is what keeps happening. People who complain are soon seen as dishonest with an agenda of some kind?

I hope you realize that there is nothing about this thread that is going to help the LP in the long run. The sooner this ends the better. If I were Mike Rae, I would not say another word. Serve the 400 meals and do your best. If someone complains, try to remember that old rule that in business, "The Customer is Always Right!" If someone has a bad meal, replace it immediately. If it gets to be too often then I guess you would want to evaluate what you are doing. However, it seems that you do a good business and have a lot of people who like to eat there.

I have already said in an earlier post that the fellow who wrote here in the beginning should have a meal on the house and an apology. I believe that is what restaurant managers do when a customer is, or was, not satisfied. One can always refuse service if someone takes advantage of "The Customer is Always Right" rule by doing something like this more than once or twice.

I would suggest that the rest of us let this get resolved and go on with our lives. There is really nothing that any of us can do. Surely there must be more interesting threads than this one.

[trfour]

I will say again, LP is and will always be a favorite for myFamily for as long as they are in business here in the Lakes Region!

OH and yes, we have [ Some very negatory ??????????'s out here ]... Take the Plunge and find out for yourself!
However, DO NOT GO THERE IF YOU ARE IN A RUSH, on a Friday Night At Seven OOclock, when you have tickets, or you want to be elsewhere!



Love,
Terry
_________________________________________________

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by trfour

I will say again, LP is and will always be a favorite for myFamily for as long as they are in business here in the Lakes Region!

OH and yes, we have [ Some very negatory ??????????'s out here ]... Take the Plunge and find out for yourself!
However, DO NOT GO THERE IF YOU ARE IN A RUSH, on a Friday Night At Seven OOclock, when you have tickets, or you want to be elsewhere!

(This is where Terry ended. Don't know if I typed my message too early.)

Oh Terry,
Do you remember when they had the small stones for the floor I think and picnic benches?
My family used to love the LP. We would go and get the combination plate that came with a lobster AND ribs with corn on the cob and baked beans and maybe small side of cole slaw. My mouth is watering even as I type.

[NoBozo]

Attention: Now hear ziss: Za beatings vill continue until za Morale Improves. NB

[This'nThat]

[QUOTE=Lucky1;136123]

Originally Posted by trfour

Do you remember when they had the small stones for the floor I think and picnic benches?
My family used to love the LP. We would go and get the combination plate that came with a lobster AND ribs with corn on the cob and baked beans and maybe small side of cole slaw. My mouth is watering even as I type.

And the tables all slanted downwards. And you didn't want to get caught in there when it was raining and blowing.

That's the LP I remember. Good food. Good times. Good service.

[Rattlesnake Guy]

This is not that kind of forum getagrip.
Please consider deleting your post on this family site.

[robmac]

I agree RG,the Lobster Pound is IMHO a very good place and concerned about their customers. I am not related or affiliated with them but have gone several times and had good food and relaxed. It seems to me that a verry select few want to pick on a subject and beat it to the ground. If you go to any business and do not have a pleasant experiance that is the time to address it and if the management doesn't choose to correct it then maybe look at options. But to blast an establishment the way this was done to me just doen't sit well. I would have spoken with someone in charge and or called to voice my dilema. Agan JMHO. LP I still like the service and the food and view from the deck.

[phoenix]

have to agree with Meredith. I have never been to LP as plenty of good places futher north but as Yogi said" it is so crowded no one goes there any more". If the place is filled all the time they must be doing something right

[MikeF-NH]

Kudos for Mike replying but someone has clearly departed from the truth. It's not unlike a customer to exagerate (sp?) when being clearly upset with service BUT it's also not unlike a wait-person in a VERY busy environment to bypass "policy" in order to collect better tips (in this case, it's very possible that this good waitperson saw full plates but didn't have time to track down a manager and go through all the problems associated with a strong complaints when it was just easier to dump the uneaten food and say "it was all eaten"...especially given the low % chance that the customer would escalate).

Mike is the in tough position of either:
a.) going with "the customer is always right" and throwing the proven waitress under the bus OR
b.) standing behind the waitress and just soothing the customer without blaming the waitress when the customer will most likely never return anyways.

...can't blame him for choosing "b" to keep a proven waitress but I would warn him to keep an eye on those returning plates because most likely, most wait staff will not abide by quality control rules when things are that busy (been there/done that). The best way to do this is to have the dish washers responsible for reporting "full plates" and warn waitresses that if they are caught dumping ANY food before it gets to the dishwasher, it's immediate termination.

Tough place to be in Mike. I wish you and your establishment luck. It's a diffucult business to succeed in and the fact that you are this busy means you are doing something right.