The Woodshed?

[offmycloud]

I had a fatty prime rib there, too. At this point they seem to be just milking the old stellar reputation. When Lynn Seley owned it she would visit every table asking for comments. No more, they basically ignore you there. I went in November and it took forever to get a server to recognize us. We were ignored for most of the meal and had to flag him down when he was needed. Bucky's rocks as always and that's because the owners care.

[The Eagle]

Dear Offmycloud,
It was this November ,when we went also. I sent an email to the "Woodshed." explaining my disappointment and every thing that happened, since there was "no one there," that night, and thus far I have not heard a word in relpy. No appology, no explaination, no nothing. We always ranted about the Woodshed, the service, the waitresses, and people. However, it is going to be a VERY long time before I'll even consider going there ever again, and I definitely would not recomend them to anyone, anymore. Isn't it funny how a great place, can become a great disappointment, just by changing hands? Buckies, is by far, the best place to go in Moultonborough. Very inexpensive, great food, great service, and it won't cost you your mortgage payment, to enjoy an evening out. I've been going to Buckies, since it opened and I have NEVER been disappointed with their restaurant! In fact, I'll be going there the weekend after next, to enjoy the evening!
"The Eagle"

[SAMIAM]

I don't often jump in to the restaurant thread but I just want to put in my .02 on the "fatty prime rib" complaint.That big circle of fat that comes right in the middle,as well as the surrounding fat cap and the marbling, is the result of the steer being "finished" or fattened on corn,grain and oats in the months before it is processed.It is what gives the rib it's flavor and tenderness.The higher the grade....the more fat.Eagle would be dissapointed to get a USDA Prime cut,since it has the most fat of all.I would suggest that he finds a low end supermarket and buys something ungraded or USDA Commercial,since that comes from a steer that has been fed on grass and not fattened for market.It looks like it has been painted red with very little fat.

[dpg]

Bucky's is awesome....

[The Eagle]

Dear Samiam,
I am very familiar with what makes Prim Rib get it's flavor. HOWEVER, when it's advertised as "Quality Prime Rib," and they serve you mostly FAT and at $29.00+ a serving, the customer deserves better, not to even mention the poor service. I think your comment, telling me I should to go to a "Low end Supermarket," was WAY out of line. If you like to eat "Lard" at the price of Prime Rib, be my guest! Have a can of "Chrisco," and some cold veggies, with dried out mashed Potatoes, and send me the money. I'll go to Buckies, and get an "ALL BEEF," Bucky Burger, and enjoy it 100%. There was much more the Woodshed, need to address in my post, besides the Prim Rib, and they did nothing!
"The Eagle"

[SteveA]

I agree with Samiam and his comments on the marbling of Prime Rib.. ( I apply the same standard to Rib Eye) The more the better. maybe yours was excessive.. but here is a discripton from no less authority than Lobels.. NYC.

"Prime Ribs of Beef

Rib roasts are the most desirable and tender of all beef roasts. The ribs are from the rib section of the forequarter. The meat is very juicy and well marbled with a layer of fat on the outside. The size of the roast is flexible, and can be cut to serve a small family or a large dinner party.

There are four ways we prepare prime ribs:

* Standing Rib Roast: The roast is slightly trimmed and the short ribs are cracked.
* Half Standing Rib Roast No. 1: Trimmed lightly with the short ribs completely removed.
* Half Standing Rib Roast No 2: Trimmed lightly with short ribs removed. All bones are removed from meat and then tied back in place. After roasting, the strings are cut, bones are removed and the roast is sliced with ease.
* Rolled Rib Roast: The roast is well trimmed and the short ribs are cut off. Then the roast is completely boned and rolled and tied over the outside layer of fat.

Best cooking method: Oven Roast or grill with indirect heat."

Any problem you have with the way he delivered the message is between you and he..

PS... As soon as they plow my road I may have to get a Roast for tonight... hmmmmm.. this discussion has made me hungry!

[KonaChick]

I too have posted my disappointment over The Woodshed. I wonder how this place stays in business.

[SIKSUKR]

Samiam knows what he is talking about and so do I.I used to purchase $10 million of meat a year for our family business.Prime is based on the amount of marbeled fat.Less is not "more prime".How it was served may be a different story.Most restaraunts will serve you the whole slice fat chunks and all.Some might cut that fat portion out because it doesnt look so good.The bottom line is how the muscle portion eats and tastes.Nobody would eat 100% lean beef unless it was loaded with sauces.The natural flavor of beef that most people want,comes from the fat,period.

[offmycloud]

The trouble is that it is not a marbling issue with the Woodshed's prime rib, it's solid fat. I love marbling but more than one quarter of the prime rib I ordered was a big hunk of solid, gristly, white fat. It probably doesn't have to do with the quality of the meat but just careless cutting or something. More proof that they don't give a darn anymore or the chef/owner can't handle the micro-managing necessary to run a decent restaurant.

[DREAMS]

I wonder if the new owners have been reading the forum. This weekends paper showed ads in search of a new Restaurant Manager as well as kitchen staff and waitstaff. If they have so many years of experience at this restaurant and are locals who consciously realize the importance and reputation built for this local legend, how can they let themselves fail and deliver such poor food and service! I find it very sad that I personally would enjoy a visit for a taste of good history or would like to consider the Woodshed for a gift certificate but the embarassment of such a visit by friends or family would be insulting!

It is time for the locals to force these owners to recognize their failure to deliver the necessities of quality food, reasonable and affordable prices and superb and memorable service that drives the customer back for more good times! Keep the pressure on and voice your feelings while dining and demand refunds for poor service and meals!

[The Eagle]

I agree with "Offmycloud," 100%. My father worked as a butcher, and I DO know the difference between Marbeled fat, left to do flavoring, and plain white, grizzley FAT! When you are served "Prime Rib" with next to NO meat and all FAT, that's not, what a good restaurant serves, to it's customers. That is, unless they don't give a hoot! My plate was left, with more than half the plate covered with just plain, white, unhealthy, discustingly nasty tasting FAT! Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and thier own tastes. I do not like excessive FAT! When you pay for beef, that's what you expect to get the most of. STILL, the issue of fat, does not fully address the hour wait between ordering and getting served the appitizers. It does not address the cold veggies, (and I Do know the difference between steamed veggies, and veggies that have been sitting, under a heat lamp) and the dried out mashed potatoes? (See my last remark about sitting under a heat lamp too long.) And it definitely does not address the fact the Woodshed NEVER answered my email, when I found no one to complain to. Maybe if you SAW, were, served, and had to PAY for that same plate of food, your opinion would be totally different.

[offmycloud]

Eagle - imagine if they had just answered your email with a a quick "sorry, please come back". Instead, nothing. They obviously don't care that you spent a lot of money there and felt taken. I am somewhat obsessed about this topic as I worked there as a teenager in the late 70's and early 80's and remember what a funky and classy joint it was. I met Henry Fonda there when they were filming "you know what" movie. Lynn Seley probably couldn't boil water but she could run a restaurant and obsessed about "details" like steamed veggies and mashed potatoes. It's sad to see the place becoming another aloof, tourist rip-off.

[Dave M]

Could somebody tell me where Buckies is located. Is this place new?
I'll have to try it on my next trip up.

Dave M

[offmycloud]

On 109 in Moultonboro at the corner of Lee Road and rte 109, right near the sign for the Woodshed Restaurant. WARNING - DO NOT GO TO THE WOODSHED, HEAD STRAIGHT FOR BUCKY'S. It's been around for awhile, probably ten years (?). Always dependable and cheap, the food is good there but nothing fancy.

[SAMIAM]

The "low in supermarket" comment was just a little ragging,Eagle.You have every right to complain about service problems and cold food,but it's just not humanly possible for a prime rib to be mostly fat.Think you might have exaggerated that just a bit.

[The Eagle]

Hi Samiam,
I wasn't exaggerating one bit. If I had four or five decent bites of good meat, it was a blessing. I don't complain unless a "Complaint is in order." Over the years, my wife and I only went to the Woodshed for special occasions, since it was a treat. Wedding Anniversary, birthdays, or if we invited friends up. In the winter, when you could get reservations easily, we used to go quite often, and were never disappointed. We raved about the Woodshed, recomended it to friends, and always looked forward to going there. The last few times, were less than desired, with the last time being the absloute worst. (You can look back and see posts from me giving the Woodshed 5 stars!) I never just "bad mouth," any business, unless it deserves it. Like I said, if you saw it, and tried to eat it, "seeing is believing!" However the fat still does not address the poor service, and the lack of response from the Woodshed. The quality of service, and the expectations that we paying for, do not exist anymore. In fact, I am surprised someone from the woodshed, has not responded to this "web site," either. They know it exists! It just shows lack of concern. Sad to say, It has become just another "Tourist Trap."

[offmycloud]

Eagle - if you are looking for a decent place going forward. Try Mis En Place in Wolfeboro. Sort of french/modern cuisine. It's expensive but worth it and is a treat to find a restaurant like that up there. It's a lot quieter than the Woodshed so no party atmosphere but perfect for the date night with the wife. Here's the address:

96 Lehner St
Wolfeboro, NH 03894
(603) 569-5788

[BlackCatIslander]

Let's not over do it! We have been going to the Woodshed since the mid seventies and have always enjoyed it. Although I have never had a complaint in well over 200 visits, my wife had two unhappy experiences a number of years ago. Quite frankly, we haven't seen a drop off thus far this year. Any restaurant, such as the Woodshed, that is upscale creates expectations that can be hard to meet with a critical audience all the time. As we all know, tastes and opinions vary all over the lot. If Eagle or anyone has an issue, they really should mention it to management at the time. As Canoe pointed out, the restaurant owner has many other things on their plate besides monitoring our forum. I do hope that the Woodshed and all the other area restaurants continue to provide good food and excellent service so that we will have the choices that we currently enjoy. Just my two cents!

[jeffk]

BlackCatIslander,

Please read The Eagle's post carefully. He did try to address the problems directly. The managers made themselves scarce during his visit and the email he sent was not responded to. When a restaurant chooses to ignore the negative experiences of it's patrons, especially those who in the past have been supporters, they risk their reputation.

I, like others, have commented on the perceived decline in the food and service at the Woodshed. 14 years ago when we started going to the lake regularly it was our goto restaurant. We had many WOW meals there. Now we go there maybe once a year and its just another place to go.

The Woodshed, by price and positioning, is a high end restaurant. Food and service slips that get a pass at a lesser quality place are simply not acceptable. The high expectations come with the positioning of the restaurant and if they are unable or unwilling to deliver on those expectations they will pay the price over time. There are several high end restaurants that reliably deliver high food and service quality and I now choose those rather than the Woodshed.

I'm glad that your experiences have been positive and you can frequent whoever you want to, but myself and others have not been as fortunate or maybe are more demanding of a high end restaurant, and are making other choices.

[offmycloud]

JeffK - would you name the nice restaurants you go to? The only one my wife likes is Mis En Place and I think Canoe. I'm in Moultonboro, too, so would love some recommendations. So far, the wheels have fallen off the Woodshed and Morriseys.
Thanks

[fatlazyless]

This is a little off topic since it is about steak from a super market and not a restaurant, but what the heck.

Stopped into the Plymouth Hannafords today and they have these real good looking steaks on special, USDA Choice Beef Shoulder London Broil Steaks at $2.29/lb. For 16.87. I got six steaks. For 1.99, I got 10lbs of good Maine potatoes.

For 19.88. I get about 10 meals plus left-overs, cooking them totally frozen in a small crockpot at 300 degrees for 3 hours on a stainless rack.

It's what the other half does who cannot afford The Woodshed, or the big money Canoe or Coe House restaurants.

Am I off base to think that the Hannaford's low price of 2.29 is only available in Plymouth because there they have to compete with the nearby Wal-Mart Supercenter?

[Skip]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

...This is a little off topic... but what the heck...

Look at the bright side FLL, with all that frugality you are exhibiting you'll have no problem writing that 8k check for your property taxes and you'll still have change in your pocket for a mega bucks ticket or two, if you don't squire it away beforehand at the nearest McDonalds.

Judd Gregg will be proud!

[GWC...]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

This is a little off topic since it is about steak from a super market and not a restaurant, but what the heck.

Stopped into the Plymouth Hannafords today and they have these real good looking steaks on special, USDA Choice Beef Shoulder London Broil Steaks at $2.29/lb. For 16.87. I got six steaks. For 1.99, I got 10lbs of good Maine potatoes.

Am I off base to think that the Hannaford's low price of 2.29 is only available in Plymouth because there they have to compete with the nearby Wal-Mart Supercenter?

Stop and Shop has that beat...

Guess you need to ask Santa for a Stop and Shop in the area...

[jeffk]

High end
Abondante in Meredith
Grille 25 in Moultonboro (they can range from very good to OK)
Canoe in Center Harbor
Coe House in Center Harbor
Lyon's Den in Gilford
Walter's Basin on Squam
Mame's in Meredith for lunch (dinner menu looks good but we haven't tried dinner there)
Haven't been to O's in Lakeport yet but have heard good things and know someone who works there.


Good food, good prices
Buckeys in Moultonboro
Village Kitchen in Moultonboro
Wolfe's Tavern, Garwoods, or Jo Greens for lunch (not down there for dinner so I can't say)

This is obviously not meant to be a comprehensive list. We tend to frequent the area around our house in Moultonborough. We continue to try new places, especially those mentioned on the forum. Some new ones get added to our list and unfortunately some old ones go out of business or go downhill.

I look forward to giving Mis En Place in Wolfeboro a try.

One our biggest beefs lately has been places with good food but foreign wait staff that have difficulty with english. You have to struggle to make yourself understood and sometimes get wrong things. Again, not acceptable for a high end meal, I shouldn't have to work for my meal and then pay for it too. It also prevents chit chat which often can add a pleasant touch to an already nice meal. For example, this summer when we were at the Coe House our waitress was a Criminal Justice student with whom we had a delightful conversation. I would be thrilled to have such a conversation with a person from another country, and have, but they need to have reasonable english skills. Unfortunately many can barely get by.

[SAMIAM]

Jeez,Eagle...guess I judged you too harshly.You do sound pretty convincing.I hate to see anyone getting beat up but, hopefully, they will address the problems.The fact that you used to give them good ratings gives sincerity to your post.

[offmycloud]

Jeff K - thank you! I had not heard of the Meredith, Gilford or Squam restaurants. We rarely venture too far away when we are up there so are Wolfe/Moult centric. Too bad about that Woodshed!

[SIKSUKR]

IT would be nice to read a thread without the everpresent FLL hijacking it to give us his political view of the world.

[State]

Originally Posted by jeffk

[Fourteen] years ago when we started going to the lake regularly it was our goto restaurant. We had many WOW meals there. Now we go there maybe once a year and its just another place to go.

That's when my wife worked there.

One time she came home with an enormous tip from what she claimed were a group of football players. I jokingly accused her of dancing on the table.

Lynn ran a very tight ship. She married the chef, Bob, after her divorce. I tried to get a job there, but failed.

But she appreciated when I went as a customer on repeated occasions wearing a suit and tie amongst the summah people wearing flip-flops and tank tops driving SUVs worth a mint. I think she has class. She used to own two dogs.

That's reason enough for me.

The new regime...I'm not so sure they'll be as successful. I'm not drawn to the place anymore.