Foundation Kitchen and Bar — Restaurant in Derry

Now let me preface this , that the food we were able to try was very good.

My complaint is about managing/customer service. We had a group of 3. I made a 7pm reservation. We got there early and checked in. Another group of 3 with the same reservation time checked in 5 minutes after us. ( we heard their reservation time when they were checking in with the host). Not only did they get seated before us, but we didn't get seated until 25 minutes past our reservation. Which normally I would never complain because I know it's hard for staffing.

My frustration came during that long wait, not one person informed us that they were out of a lot of food by 7:00pm on a Saturday night. We finally get seated. We order the mocktails, but we were told their homemade lemonade was out and they would have to use the lemonade through the fountain machine (assuming minute maid). We chose to try the sangria mocktail. Our waitress (who was nice) came back and said they were out of the juice for the sangria. So we went back to the fountain soda Minute Maid option. Yet they still charged the full price even though it was minute maid and not their homemade agave lemonade.

Then we get to order small plates. We were told then everything they were out of (scallops, short ribs, chicken and their steak). They have a small menu to begin with. It would have been beneficial for the host to inform those who have been waiting awhile that a good amount of the menu is sold out. When we left I had to pick up food from a neighboring restaurant. I was pretty bummed by this whole experience.

To me its just absurd to seat a group with the same time reservation, and group size before the group that got their first. Also that they couldn't advise the groups (there were more than just us waiting a good amount of time) that they were running out of a good portion of their menu.

On a positive side, the pork belly was good,...

Last night, we visited the Foundation Tavern in Derry, NH. The parking lot was small and tight, which may make alternative parking options preferable. Upon entering, the music volume was high; as a hearing aid user, I found the sound sensitivity increased. The hostess confirmed there was live music and accommodated our request to be seated away from it, so we sat in the main dining room. Our server introduced herself and promptly took our drink order, despite the dining room being busy and her serving alone. Having dined at many restaurants over the years, we were understanding of any minor mistakes. I requested a different bottle of wine after initially ordering the wrong one, and the change was handled without issue. When she inquired about appetizers, we declined and ordered dinner. My wife chose the burger, while I selected the Bolognese. Our meals arrived quickly; however, my wife's burger was served without a bun. This was due to the assumption that her side salad indicated a low-carb preference instead of fries. Morgan, our server, checked in and corrected the plating promptly. My wife noted that the burger was especially well-prepared, and I found the Bolognese comparable to those of high-end Italian restaurants. The evening was enjoyable overall. Other customers contributed to a positive atmosphere, including a nearby birthday celebration and a guest complimenting my wife's outfit. Pricing was about 20% higher than average local restaurants, which we considered justified based on the quality provided. We will visit again. Probably on a Wednesday night because they offer half price bottle of wine with dinner and we are...

I had an incredible experience at Foundation, easily one of the best meals I’ve had in a long time! The menu was farm to table and it was so creative, fresh, and full of vibrant flavors that really showcased the quality of their ingredients. You can tell everything was thoughtfully sourced and prepared with care. every dish felt like a true celebration of local produce and seasonal ingredients. (loved all the pumpkin and squash ingredients for october!) Although the food took a hot minute to come out, it was worth it because you can just taste the difference in quality so you just know it’s prepared fresh.

The atmosphere was excellent . Warm, lively, and welcoming without feeling crowded. The interior had a rustic yet modern feel, with cozy lighting that gave it a genuine, down to earth charm. It struck that perfect balance between relaxed and elevated, making it a great spot for both a casual night out and a special occasion.

The service was friendly and attentive. Drinks and food took a little longer than expected to arrive, but it honestly didn’t take away from the experience it just gave us more time to enjoy the ambiance and conversation. When everything did arrive, it was absolutely worth the wait.

Overall, this restaurant nailed it. From the farm fresh ingredients to the thoughtful presentation, the atmosphere, and the authenticity of the entire experience. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for an unforgettable, locally inspired...