Weathervane Restaurant at the Weirs?

Don · 06-26-2011, 05:16 PM

I had lunch at the new Weathervane restaurant at Weirs Beach today and wanted to post my review and a few pictures.

When you first walk in the open kitchen is visible on the right and you are greeted by a host or hostess is the small entryway. There are some tables downstairs but to really appreciate the renovations you have to visit the upstairs dining room. It is large and open with cathedral ceilings, ceiling fans and flat screen TVs. The views of the Weirs all around through the many windows are surprisingly good. I don't know what was up there before but it's a great spot.

It was about 1 o'clock on a Sunday and they had many occupied tables, although it was still less than half full. All the staff had their smiles on and everyone said hello and gave us a friendly greeting. After choosing a booth our waitress Maria greeted us promptly and delivered their unusual wood framed menus.

I ordered the lobster roll (picture below) and my daughter ordered chicken fingers. Our drinks arrived in a few minutes and soon after our meals were there.

The lobster roll ($14.99) was served in a cute basket with french fries ($1 extra) and a pickle. As you can see in the picture Weathervane's lobster roll is a hot dog roll filled with lettuce and topped with a layer of lobster claws and meat. It looked like Maine or Canadian lobster, definitely not langostino. The lobster was tasty and was mixed with a light mayonnaise sauce. I asked for a little drawn butter on the side and that really brought out the flavor. I would rate it very good. If I was going to nitpick I'd prefer a little less lettuce and a little more lobster but maybe that's because I still dream about the double stuffed rolls at the old Waldo Peppers. For me WP lobster rolls set the standard that all others will forever be judged by.

My daughter's chicken fingers and fries ($9.99) were also good and they were gobbled up quickly.

Overall the meal was very good and I'll definitely return with the entire family to try some other menu items. The location is great, the restaurant is very clean and inviting and the service was excellent. It's a great addition to Weirs Beach.

VitaBene · 06-27-2011, 05:59 AM

Nice review and pics Don!

Thank you

NHBoat70 · 06-28-2011, 09:30 AM

I went there for the first time last weekend and it was just as I stated in the title, "OK". The menu is not very diverse, if you a healthy nut, you will not be able to eat here since 80 percent of the food is fried. The other non-fried food has very little flavor and it particularly over-priced in my personal opinion. I must say the upstairs is nice, however, the table I sat at was very wobbly and it could not be fixed. I went there once and I'm in no rush to go back.

Happy Gourmand · 06-28-2011, 09:42 AM

We stopped in a week or so ago for a quick lunch with our grandson. Very attentive and friendly wait staff.
Everything we got was fresh and well prepared...excellent.
The menu is quite limited though...I would imagine that they will expand it at some point.
Great views from the second floor dining room.

baja-mama · 06-28-2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NHBoat70

if you a healthy nut, you will not be able to eat here since 80 percent of the food is fried. The other non-fried food has very little flavor and it particularly over-priced in my personal opinion.

That is my biggest problem in eating out because my husband is a major healthy nut and would always prefer to eat at home since then he knows exactly what he is eating. Fried food and sauteed in butter is poison to him. If more restaurants offered some healthy choice menu options that tasted good, then maybe it would bring in more customers like us. Let me know if you know of some because I'd love to eat out more. Thanks!

cillovely · 06-28-2011, 03:03 PM

Another lobster "hater" here. I've tried it and at a decent place, that my picky friend loves, but just don't like it. Too chewy. I'm all about texture of food. Hate shrimp, too, same reason.

A few of you mentioned Newicks. Oh I loved that place. I used to go to the Merrimack NH one when I lived about 30 minutes away in MA. Sadly that one is gone and I don't live that close to the NH border anymore.

I've been to two Weathervanes in my life and not impressed with either. When I come up for my week this summer, I don't think I'll make the trip. I am very much looking forward to checking Pop's out based on someone's earlier post with a fabulous looking dinner.

VtSteve · 07-03-2011, 07:55 PM

Very cool review Don, and one of the best food pics I've seen to date. I'd prefer chips rather than fries. Nice looking roll there. Looks like a more appropriate restaurant for the Weirs than many. Great addition, hope they do well.

Not much of a Fried food eater myself, but I do love the clams.

MaidenCove07 · 07-24-2011, 08:51 AM

I hope more Forum members will give these folks a chance.

I too had frequented the Bedford Weathervane and found them to be lacking the motivation to keep their quality, but the Chester spot has always been consistently good (though I only get there perhaps once a year).

Since Lobster in the Rough opened, I've been there twice to give it a try. Once during Bike Week which isn't necessarily the best time to get food in the Weirs, but I was delighted by the service and the food. The lobster is Out of this world. Steaming it rather than boiling it makes more of a difference that I ever knew. It was tender and juicy, sweet and delicious. My friends had the haddock plates and raved about the fish.

Last night we needed a spot for a late diner and stopped in again as we didn't want to have to drive anywhere, so we strolled up and they were still open. The service was again outstanding even though we were just on the edge of closing time. We never felt rushed and because we were last in the place, we got a tag-team of servers each as friendly as the last.

This time, my dining partner had the ribs. I was very, very concerned about ordering non-seafood meals in a seafood specialty restaurant, but the sauce was described as tangy, but not spicy, full of flavor. The meat didn't necessarily fall off the bone, but was very good and she'd have them again.

I had the clam strip special and my other pal had a lobster roll (it was too late and we'd had a few too many cocktails to fight with the shell of a whole lobster

).

The clam strips were very obviously fresh not frozen, and were so sweet and tender! YUMMY! The onion nuggets that came with the lobster roll were also hand battered, not frozen and very tender. My lobster roll was superb. Mostly claw and knuckle meat, but very juicy and sweet, not too much mayo or greenery, and a well toasted roll.

Like some of you, I too was concerned about a chain restaurant, but it seems that Lobster in the Rough is trying to make it's own name with the Weathervane brand as back up.

We asked a few questions of the gals there and they have started with a base menu and are asking for suggestions as to what else customers want on the menu. I was asked to fill out a comment card and was asked to be specific about the things we were looking for. I thought it maybe good to have a la carte orders of seafood in pint and quart sizes so you can mix and match the foods you like. A surf and turf plate with ribs and seafood would also be a good idea if the ribs continue to be as good.

We're definitely going back and will keep you posted if we fail to have a good experience, but again, I have been delighted with both visits.

Hope y'all give them a try too.

topwater · 07-24-2011, 10:15 AM

I had the clam strip special and my other pal had a lobster roll (it was too late and we'd had a few too many cocktails to fight with the shell of a whole lobster

Just a quick question? You say you had to many cocktails to deal with a lobster shell.... SO, were you driving a BOAT, a CAR, or do you live within walking distance to the restaurant? I'm hopeing you don't get behind a wheel of either after haveing that many cocktails that makes a lobster shell a hazard.

sa meredith · 07-24-2011, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topwater

I had the clam strip special and my other pal had a lobster roll (it was too late and we'd had a few too many cocktails to fight with the shell of a whole lobster

Just a quick question? You say you had to many cocktails to deal with a lobster shell.... SO, were you driving a BOAT, a CAR, or do you live within walking distance to the restaurant? I'm hopeing you don't get behind a wheel of either after haveing that many cocktails that makes a lobster shell a hazard.

Wow...a nice, positive, descriptive, review...and you make that comment and give a thumbs down?!
Thumbs down to you, I say!
Two reasons....
READ THE DARN POST...she stated that they did not want to drive, so they took a stroll.
Secondly...if responsible adults enjoy getting a litte tippsy once in a while, who are you to judge?
I'm sure the reason is that some type of OUI has played a roll in your life, but her review had nothing to do with OUI.

Skip · 07-24-2011, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sa meredith

Wow...a nice, positive, descriptive, review...and you make that comment and give a thumbs down?!
Thumbs down to you, I say!
Two reasons....
READ THE DARN POST...she stated that they did not want to drive, so they took a stroll.
Secondly...if responsible adults enjoy getting a litte tippsy once in a while, who are you to judge?
I'm sure the reason is that some type of OUI has played a roll in your life, but her review had nothing to do with OUI.

Bravo....well said!

topwater · 07-24-2011, 05:47 PM

Rusty(aka BOB), there is another country heard from....

My bad, I missed the STROLLING part, I even double read it looking for something like that. Sorry about that Maidencove. But Sa meredith, I DO NOT and never will CONDONE drinking at ALL period( not even one cocktail )and getting behind a wheel of anything. It happen way to much and so easily overlooked.
Tipsy is one thing but thinking a lobster shell is to much to handle is another thing.
I'm glad Maiden made that call and S T R O L L E D down to have a bite.

Topwater...

ishoot308 · 07-24-2011, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topwater

Rusty(aka BOB), there is another country heard from....

My bad, I missed the STROLLING part, I even double read it looking for something like that. Sorry about that Maidencove. But Sa meredith, I DO NOT and never will CONDONE drinking at ALL period( not even one cocktail )and getting behind a wheel of anything. It happen way to much and so easily overlooked.
Tipsy is one thing but thinking a lobster shell is to much to handle is another thing.
I'm glad Maiden made that call and S T R O L L E D down to have a bite.

Topwater...

So let me ask you a question Topwater, do you think if a husband and wife go to a nice restaurant and are celebrating their 25th anniversary and have a glass of wine to toast this special occasion then drive home that is somehow wrong??...

Just curious...

topwater · 07-24-2011, 07:35 PM

ishoot... I stick to my guns on it. You want to drink, knock your self out. I don't believe you should drink and drive. Thats MY opinion, don't like it don't listen. And yes, we just celebrated our 22nd and my wife had wine and I had diet coke. You might think its fine, I don't. Asked and Answered.
Sa when you drink your self into oblivion at the lobster pound which you must own stock in, because you cannot fathom anyone having a bad meal there. Please have a DD, or better then that call me, I'll make sure you get home safely.

ishoot308 · 07-24-2011, 07:51 PM

Thanks Topwater, but I'll follow the laws of the road instead. Never cared much for preaching...

Have a nice day!

Dan

jkjoshuatree · 07-24-2011, 09:42 PM

...this should turn very interesting.

Bigstan · 07-24-2011, 10:20 PM

I assume it was an earlier trip where you had the lobster roll? As you stated you started with clam strips and ended up saying you had a lobster roll (and you describe both quite nicely btw).

JFYI - I had a Sawyers lobster roll earlier (and brought home a quart of ice cream) and it was great!

Happy Summer!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaidenCove07

I had the clam strip special and my other pal had a lobster roll (it was too late and we'd had a few too many cocktails to fight with the shell of a whole lobster

).

The clam strips were very obviously fresh not frozen, and were so sweet and tender! YUMMY! The onion nuggets that came with the lobster roll were also hand battered, not frozen and very tender. My lobster roll was superb. Mostly claw and knuckle meat, but very juicy and sweet, not too much mayo or greenery, and a well toasted roll.

06-26-2011, 05:16 PM	#1
Don Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 34 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 6 Thanked 15 Times in 7 Posts	Weathervane Review I had lunch at the new Weathervane restaurant at Weirs Beach today and wanted to post my review and a few pictures. When you first walk in the open kitchen is visible on the right and you are greeted by a host or hostess is the small entryway. There are some tables downstairs but to really appreciate the renovations you have to visit the upstairs dining room. It is large and open with cathedral ceilings, ceiling fans and flat screen TVs. The views of the Weirs all around through the many windows are surprisingly good. I don't know what was up there before but it's a great spot. It was about 1 o'clock on a Sunday and they had many occupied tables, although it was still less than half full. All the staff had their smiles on and everyone said hello and gave us a friendly greeting. After choosing a booth our waitress Maria greeted us promptly and delivered their unusual wood framed menus. I ordered the lobster roll (picture below) and my daughter ordered chicken fingers. Our drinks arrived in a few minutes and soon after our meals were there. The lobster roll ($14.99) was served in a cute basket with french fries ($1 extra) and a pickle. As you can see in the picture Weathervane's lobster roll is a hot dog roll filled with lettuce and topped with a layer of lobster claws and meat. It looked like Maine or Canadian lobster, definitely not langostino. The lobster was tasty and was mixed with a light mayonnaise sauce. I asked for a little drawn butter on the side and that really brought out the flavor. I would rate it very good. If I was going to nitpick I'd prefer a little less lettuce and a little more lobster but maybe that's because I still dream about the double stuffed rolls at the old Waldo Peppers. For me WP lobster rolls set the standard that all others will forever be judged by. My daughter's chicken fingers and fries ($9.99) were also good and they were gobbled up quickly. Overall the meal was very good and I'll definitely return with the entire family to try some other menu items. The location is great, the restaurant is very clean and inviting and the service was excellent. It's a great addition to Weirs Beach. Attached Images

06-27-2011, 05:59 AM	#2
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,532 Thanks: 1,574 Thanked 1,609 Times in 823 Posts	Good review Nice review and pics Don! Thank you

06-28-2011, 09:30 AM	#3
NHBoat70 Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Laconia Posts: 69 Thanks: 4 Thanked 17 Times in 7 Posts	Experience Ok I went there for the first time last weekend and it was just as I stated in the title, "OK". The menu is not very diverse, if you a healthy nut, you will not be able to eat here since 80 percent of the food is fried. The other non-fried food has very little flavor and it particularly over-priced in my personal opinion. I must say the upstairs is nice, however, the table I sat at was very wobbly and it could not be fixed. I went there once and I'm in no rush to go back.

06-28-2011, 09:42 AM	#4
Happy Gourmand Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ruskin FL Posts: 1,025 Thanks: 187 Thanked 322 Times in 179 Posts	Weathervane We stopped in a week or so ago for a quick lunch with our grandson. Very attentive and friendly wait staff. Everything we got was fresh and well prepared...excellent. The menu is quite limited though...I would imagine that they will expand it at some point. Great views from the second floor dining room.

07-24-2011, 08:51 AM	#8
MaidenCove07 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Manchester in Winter, Weirs Beach in Summer & Fall Posts: 132 Thanks: 29 Thanked 17 Times in 7 Posts	Pleasantly surprised and impressed I hope more Forum members will give these folks a chance. I too had frequented the Bedford Weathervane and found them to be lacking the motivation to keep their quality, but the Chester spot has always been consistently good (though I only get there perhaps once a year). Since Lobster in the Rough opened, I've been there twice to give it a try. Once during Bike Week which isn't necessarily the best time to get food in the Weirs, but I was delighted by the service and the food. The lobster is Out of this world. Steaming it rather than boiling it makes more of a difference that I ever knew. It was tender and juicy, sweet and delicious. My friends had the haddock plates and raved about the fish. Last night we needed a spot for a late diner and stopped in again as we didn't want to have to drive anywhere, so we strolled up and they were still open. The service was again outstanding even though we were just on the edge of closing time. We never felt rushed and because we were last in the place, we got a tag-team of servers each as friendly as the last. This time, my dining partner had the ribs. I was very, very concerned about ordering non-seafood meals in a seafood specialty restaurant, but the sauce was described as tangy, but not spicy, full of flavor. The meat didn't necessarily fall off the bone, but was very good and she'd have them again. I had the clam strip special and my other pal had a lobster roll (it was too late and we'd had a few too many cocktails to fight with the shell of a whole lobster ). The clam strips were very obviously fresh not frozen, and were so sweet and tender! YUMMY! The onion nuggets that came with the lobster roll were also hand battered, not frozen and very tender. My lobster roll was superb. Mostly claw and knuckle meat, but very juicy and sweet, not too much mayo or greenery, and a well toasted roll. Like some of you, I too was concerned about a chain restaurant, but it seems that Lobster in the Rough is trying to make it's own name with the Weathervane brand as back up. We asked a few questions of the gals there and they have started with a base menu and are asking for suggestions as to what else customers want on the menu. I was asked to fill out a comment card and was asked to be specific about the things we were looking for. I thought it maybe good to have a la carte orders of seafood in pint and quart sizes so you can mix and match the foods you like. A surf and turf plate with ribs and seafood would also be a good idea if the ribs continue to be as good. We're definitely going back and will keep you posted if we fail to have a good experience, but again, I have been delighted with both visits. Hope y'all give them a try too.

The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Don For This Useful Post:
bclaker (07-22-2011), bresmom82 (06-27-2011), trfour (07-03-2011), VtSteve (07-03-2011)

06-28-2011, 03:03 PM	#6
cillovely Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 106 Thanks: 17 Thanked 25 Times in 14 Posts	Another lobster "hater" here. I've tried it and at a decent place, that my picky friend loves, but just don't like it. Too chewy. I'm all about texture of food. Hate shrimp, too, same reason. A few of you mentioned Newicks. Oh I loved that place. I used to go to the Merrimack NH one when I lived about 30 minutes away in MA. Sadly that one is gone and I don't live that close to the NH border anymore. I've been to two Weathervanes in my life and not impressed with either. When I come up for my week this summer, I don't think I'll make the trip. I am very much looking forward to checking Pop's out based on someone's earlier post with a fabulous looking dinner.

07-03-2011, 07:55 PM	#7
VtSteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,320 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 230 Thanked 361 Times in 169 Posts	Very cool review Don, and one of the best food pics I've seen to date. I'd prefer chips rather than fries. Nice looking roll there. Looks like a more appropriate restaurant for the Weirs than many. Great addition, hope they do well. Not much of a Fried food eater myself, but I do love the clams.

07-24-2011, 10:15 AM	#9
topwater Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 302 Thanks: 85 Thanked 116 Times in 48 Posts	I had the clam strip special and my other pal had a lobster roll (it was too late and we'd had a few too many cocktails to fight with the shell of a whole lobster Just a quick question? You say you had to many cocktails to deal with a lobster shell.... SO, were you driving a BOAT, a CAR, or do you live within walking distance to the restaurant? I'm hopeing you don't get behind a wheel of either after haveing that many cocktails that makes a lobster shell a hazard.

The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to sa meredith For This Useful Post:
chipj29 (07-25-2011), ishoot308 (07-24-2011), Jonas Pilot (07-24-2011), Rusty (07-24-2011), Shreddy (07-25-2011), Skip (07-24-2011), Two dobys (07-24-2011), VitaBene (07-24-2011)

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Skip For This Useful Post:
ishoot308 (07-24-2011), Jmo77011 (07-24-2011), Rusty (07-24-2011)

07-24-2011, 05:47 PM	#12
topwater Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 302 Thanks: 85 Thanked 116 Times in 48 Posts	Rusty(aka BOB), there is another country heard from.... My bad, I missed the STROLLING part, I even double read it looking for something like that. Sorry about that Maidencove. But Sa meredith, I DO NOT and never will CONDONE drinking at ALL period( not even one cocktail )and getting behind a wheel of anything. It happen way to much and so easily overlooked. Tipsy is one thing but thinking a lobster shell is to much to handle is another thing. I'm glad Maiden made that call and S T R O L L E D down to have a bite. Topwater...

The Following User Says Thank You to ishoot308 For This Useful Post:
Rusty (07-24-2011)

07-24-2011, 07:35 PM	#14
topwater Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 302 Thanks: 85 Thanked 116 Times in 48 Posts	ishoot... I stick to my guns on it. You want to drink, knock your self out. I don't believe you should drink and drive. Thats MY opinion, don't like it don't listen. And yes, we just celebrated our 22nd and my wife had wine and I had diet coke. You might think its fine, I don't. Asked and Answered. Sa when you drink your self into oblivion at the lobster pound which you must own stock in, because you cannot fathom anyone having a bad meal there. Please have a DD, or better then that call me, I'll make sure you get home safely.

07-24-2011, 07:51 PM	#15
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 5,958 Thanks: 2,298 Thanked 4,959 Times in 1,924 Posts	Thanks Topwater, but I'll follow the laws of the road instead. Never cared much for preaching... Have a nice day! Dan

07-24-2011, 09:42 PM	#16
jkjoshuatree Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bear Island Posts: 642 Thanks: 349 Thanked 145 Times in 77 Posts	Got My Popcorn Ready... ...this should turn very interesting. __________________ Dream out loud.