Wolfeboro Inn Food Tasting

[Quilt Lady]

It has been several years since I last visited the Wolfeboro Inn for dinner. At that time the food was mediocre at best and the service less than average. Since there were many other places to spend my "dining out dollars", I have not been back.

Friday night I was one of the lucky "tasters" at the Wolfeboro Inn. It was one of the most interesting dining experiences I have ever had. We sat around a large table (away from the regular diners) and sampled selections from the current menu and dishes being considered for the menu. If what we were served is an indication of the overall menu, the Wolfeboro Inn is worth trying again. I could go all "foodie" describing it all but I'll just say that everything I tasted was a treat for the taste buds. I can not pick a favorite . . . except maybe dessert (fabulous!).

But what really impressed me the most was the enthusiasm of our host and the staff. They seemed very excited about what they were doing. They wanted feedback . . . good and bad. They want this venture to succeed and are geared up to make it the best. With that kind of enthusiasm at the upper levels, it should inspire the rest of the staff to put forth their best efforts as well. Sounds like a winning recipe to me!

Thank you, George, for the chance to change my mind about the Wolfeboro Inn. I will be back, with a bunch of friends!

[Greene's Basin Girl]

My husband and I were also fortunate enough to attend the food tasting at the Wolfeboro Inn. George Soderberg not only greeted us, but he was also the quintessential host. The chefs were equally enjoyable. We tasted so many delightful luncheon and dinner menu items as well as numerous scrumptious desserts. Some of our favorites were the cuban pulled pork panini; the asparagus fries;the eggplant crostini;the bear island blue burger;the roasted pear,bacon and goat cheese salad;and the short rib shepherd pie. The entire event was a wonderful experience. We will definitely be going the the Inn for lunch and dinner. I certainly hope you will give the restaurant a try. You will be glad you did. You might want to try it on Valentine's Day. The upcoming menu was read to us and everything sounded yummy.

[DRH]

I agree with the previous comments about the "tasting" event at the Wolfeboro Inn/Wolfe's Tavern last evening. George Soderberg is a true professional (as well as a real gentleman), who wants very much to correct the previous shortcomings at the Inn, which he fully acknowledged, and do whatever he can to provide an appealing menu and excellent service to the Inn's patrons.

The table for the 10 of us who participated was right in the kitchen, which gave us the opportunity to meet and converse directly with the head chef about the dishes he served to us. George spent the entire time with us as the sample dishes were presented and fully described. He sincerely wanted our honest comments, both pro and con, about each dish, as did the head chef. Actually, there were many "pros" and very few "cons".

My favorite dishes were the "Short Rib Shepherd Pie" and the "Pan Bronzed Duck Breast". Both were delicious, although the "Turkey Panini" and "Cuban Pulled Pork Panini" samples, which are proposed luncheon menu items, were also excellent. (Actually, every sample we tasted was excellent!)

I would recommend that anyone who may have been less than enthusiastic about a previous meal at the Inn to give it another try. I can tell you that QL and I will be back!

[CateP]

I too was one of the fortunate people to attend the menu tasting at the Wolfeboro Inn and I felt like we should have been on the Food channel. Amazing experience. I encouraged George to invite a different group next time so everyone who is interested gets a chance to do this. (I was having a generous moment and hope I get some karma points for that).

Anyway since no one has given details about what we tasted here it is, direct from the tasting menu. (PDF)
I personally LOVED everything, especially the chicken, which I will now have a craving for. I think the only thing the group wasn't thrilled about was the tuna.

As far as I'm concerned the Wolfeboro Inn will be a first choice for dining this year.

And to my forum friends who dined with me last night...you are all wonderful people. Very fun, interesting, funny people.

[Tir Na Nog]

I just wanted to add my agreement to those posting about last night's tasting event. George and his management team did an excellent job, starting with the menu selections, the incredible execution of those selections, great service and open minds welcoming all comments and suggestions. The Inn is striving for a somewhat unique and challenging balance of offering traditional and welcome New England fare, while allowing the Chef to show his incredible talents. Based on last nights menu and execution, I believe they can and have achieved that balance. In addition, George expressed and ardent and sincere desire to ensure any service issues of the past are well behind and not to return. I would suggest that any visitors to the Inn ask for George or any of his management team if ever a service issue should arise so they can address it immediately, rather than suffer in silence and post later, something I have done myself. As I have said, I always want to like this place and believe I can safely say we have another great option in Wolfeboro. I will have to disagee with Cate's comments on the Tuna. I thought it was an incredibly tasty, fresh, sushi grade tuna (as good and fresh a grade of tuna I have had, and I have tasted tuna fresh pulled from the sea on my brother's fishing charter). My only thought was that it could have been improved by being sliced differently. All in all a great evening, with great food and company

[Hermit Cover]

A very unique experience is that of being served by management and the executive chef at the "chef's table". Books have been written about the word famous Chef's Table experiences at Chef Thomas Keller's French Laundry in Napa Valley and Chef Tory McPhail's legendary kitchen dining experience at New Orlean's Commander's Palace. Last nite 12 of us Forum People were invited to taste and test Chef Hoke Wilson's culinary art and sample potential new menu items at the Wolfeboro Inn...specifically the Wolfe's Tavern Restaurant. The results are written in the above Forum entries......a superb effort, by Gen. Mgr. George Soderberg and his staff. The Chef's Table at the Wolfeboro Inn was great.....the Tavern was nearly full at 7PM when we left.....and so were we! The food was generally very good...it's refreshing to see a restaurant doing things to be better.

There's no better advertising than word of mouth recommendations and word seems to travel fast here at the Lakes Region....Mrs. HC and I were pleasantly surprised and will surely be back with family and friends....it's well worth a short walk up from the docks( weather permitting) The new menu items have been described in detail...the results....a home run (is it OK to say that on Super Bowl weekend?) has been hit by Wolfe's Tavern... Thanks, George for including us.

[Barbara]

I think I'm the last of the tasters to weigh in. My fellow dining companions have said it all. There's nothing left for me to say. Bravo, George and Chef Hoke. We were treated like VIP's and our opinions were eagely sought and valued. Just the fact that George came up with this idea to seek the input of members of the community speaks so highly of his efforts to make the Inn the best it can be.

I enjoyed meeting all of you who participated in this event. It was such a warm and friendly group of people. Now we have a job to do. Let's spread the word to our family, friend, neighbors and acquaintances and let them know that the Inn is on it's way to being better than it's ever been.

[surfnsnow]

this is great news, when i was a kid ('70's) in melvin village it was either wolfeboro inn or the other restaurant up by allen a on 109 that was a treat.good to see a comeback for an old favorite

[barefootbay]

Do you mean the Bittersweet restaurant ?

[surfnsnow]

thats the one, could'nt remember it.

[SIKSUKR]

Wow!Talk about a 180 degree turn from the op.Good news but a controled environment as this testing was is not the bellweather of what awaits normal dinner seatings.The food sounds great.Lets hope the service matches in the future.Time will tell.

[RLW]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Wow!Talk about a 180 degree turn from the op.Good news but a controled environment as this testing was is not the bellweather of what awaits normal dinner seatings.The food sounds great.the se Lets hope service matches in the future.Time will tell.:eek:

Counting myself and my bride and if you review many of the most resent inputs before the tasting, it sure sounds to me that the under lined part of the quote has been done and hopefully it will continue. I know that there are many great comments since we were there on Christmas eve.

[Barbara]

Go to www.tripadvisor.com and read the reviews for Wolf's Tavern that have been posted in the last few months. Most have been excellent.

[Jonas Pilot]

Quote:
Originally Posted by George Soderberg View Post
We are officially sold out! Thank you for your participation and volunteering. I will be in touch with those of you who offered their time shortly on the details.

George
SOLD OUT:...?? I thought this "Tasting" was FREE......I thought All WE (Tasters) had to do... was say nice things about the INN on Winni.com. to get the Free Stuff... I guess I'm confused again. I hate being over 70... NB


Where's my Walker..?? NB

Quote:
Originally Posted by Neko View Post
George,
When are the tasters going to be notified?
Didn't you get the password....? You have to put it in the Subject line to get a response. NB


It's nice to see that some (10) people have had a good/excellent experience at the Wolfeboro Inn "Tasting". It shows that the Inn is capable.....if perhaps only on a selective basis.

I'm inclined to think that the great majority of those who read this forum however will be Un-impressed...........but reluctant to drag it down because...well... everyone here wants to see the INN succeed...Myself included. NB

PS: The Wolfeboro Inn was once our favorite place, and it will be again, under new management.

[Hermit Cover]

The the previous post mentions 10 tasters in attendance at the "new menu items" tasting last week...there were 12 good Forum Folks at the table...did two not like the experience...?? Are we missing something?? Someone?? The effort was well-received...the food was critiqued..and all seemed to enjoy the evening....I do believe the the number should be 12.

[SIKSUKR]

I believe a few members had their spouses with them.

[beagle]

You're a grouch??? Post #1 invites 10 people to try the new menu. Ten people responded and attended. I don't think it was meant to be an open invitation to free food for the whole forum, that would be too expensive. In addition, I am sure Mr. Soderberg wanted to hear everyone's opinions in detail which is why he only invited 10 people. I hope I misunderstood and you were just joking with this post . BTW, we had dinner there about a month ago and enjoyed both the food and service very much!

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by surfnsnow

this is great news, when i was a kid ('70's) in melvin village it was either wolfeboro inn or the other restaurant up by allen a on 109 that was a treat.good to see a comeback for an old favorite

I remember The Penquin Restuarant and Lounge. It was a hopping place with bands on weekends. The food was good.