Introducing....Lavinia's Relaxed Dining

[Newbiesaukee]

We always liked the Coe House, but recently...when it was good it was very VERY good, but when it was bad, it wasn't.

Best of luck in the new venture.

[phoenix]

i have to say i won't miss Coe house found it over priced and eratic and with so many great resturants I stopped going a couple of years ago. Good luck with the new venture

[fatlazyless]

Is there any chance the new Lavinia's could have a lounge somewhere in the basement or someplace that sells three dollar, 16oz cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon and a big tv w/ the www.tennischannel.com?

[MooseRiverMan]

It will be interesting to see. Experience at Coe house was never anygood. One time was told could only have a 5:30 reservation and when we got there sitted at a four place table (we were six) and there was no one else in the place. Asked to change and said NO. Didn't go back for several years. Went last year and told had to be there by 5:30 pm and same thing. One table taken in room, we were only ones for rest of of our stay. Granted the food was pretty good but that didn't make up for the way we were handled.

Doubt I will go to Lavinas unless see Great reviews from here.

[Pineedles]

Although I am very thankful that Lavinia's is going to sink their heart and soul into this, I have no harsh words for the Coe House. I thought that the wait staff were excellent, and I never had less than an excellent dinner there.

This is a historic site and no one should draw any conclusions about a new venture based upon past experiences with past ventures. The one thing that we can surmise that has a connection from one enterprise to the next, is that given the site, I bet the rent is pretty steep.

[LongBay]

My one time visit to the Coe House was also very nice. I'll give it a try If future reports are favorable. Canoe is getting old and it would be nice to have some more places to choose from.

[laviniasdining]

Originally Posted by MooseRiverMan

It will be interesting to see. Experience at Coe house was never anygood. One time was told could only have a 5:30 reservation and when we got there sitted at a four place table (we were six) and there was no one else in the place. Asked to change and said NO. Didn't go back for several years. Went last year and told had to be there by 5:30 pm and same thing. One table taken in room, we were only ones for rest of of our stay. Granted the food was pretty good but that didn't make up for the way we were handled.

Doubt I will go to Lavinas unless see Great reviews from here.

MooseRiverMan, we couldn't agree with you more. Why is it so often so difficult at restaurants to honor a simple guest request, like changing a table? Honoring reservations, while sometimes a tricky thing (i.e. no-shows, fewer/more than reserved appear, specific table requests, etc..), it's certainly not terribly difficult to change things up. After all, those in the restaurant business should be capable of (and willing to) shoot-from-the-hip at times, and to expect the unexpected...and frankly, to just accommodate, however and whenever possible. Unfortunately, when you don't have the right people in the right positions, these simple yet integral things get missed.

Come visit Lavinia's--we'd be thrilled to have an opportunity to show you that these comments of yours and others are exactly what convinced us to get back to our roots of plain & simple delicious food and great service, without all the 'rules' and certainly without the 'no'.

[donnamatrix]

So basically, the folks at Home Comfort - who owned and ran The Coe House - are making some changes: to the name of the restaurant and, it appears, adding a new chef. I liked The Coe House - the grilled polenta was awesome. Bring it back!

[Barbara]

The menu looks great as do the prices. i am looking forward to trying it.