Lafayette House — Restaurant in Foxborough

(be sure to check the updates at the end of my review for the response from Lafayette House) When I made my reservation for Easter the woman was SO rude I should have known not to go....But we did. I chose the Lafayette House because I like the atmosphere and even though expensive, wanted a nice experience. We were literally herded like cattle to our table...woman at desk rude and wouldn't look up when she barked 'Wait at the bar or the entrance"...we waited in the bar and the man who came to 'round up up' literally did the 'wrap it up sign' and said rudely...'wrap this up I have a table for 6 ready'. :( everyone in my party was put off...tables were so jam packed into the room it was not enjoyable...servers were frazzled and there were so many people you couldn't walk. I felt like I was in a crowded cafeteria. They should not take so many reservations if they are compromising the service and experience like that. Not sure I got a smile from any staff there....bus boy came to our table so casual like dinner in my kitchen saying "you done?? YOU done??" as he reached across the table to get the plates. So upset....We pay for experience sometimes and if I wanted cafeteria experience I would have found one. I have to believe the staff would have been nicer. Actually the waitress did smile and did her best...but she was frazzled and didn't come back to check on us so I could tell her there was no bernnaise (sp?) sauce on my filet. But she did smile. The restaurant had a dirty smell or something that had 3 people in my party almost gagging.....I hear the Men's room was something really awful and disgusting AND then someone threw up walking out past 2 people in my party....not the restaurants fault but really added to the experience. Never again. UPDATE: I sent this review to the restaurant to let them know of my experience. The only response I got was from 'Ron" entitled Men's Room "Three kids were in the bath room at different times and threw up from eating to much Easter candy , did our best with that also some guest turned the fan off Sent from my iPhone " WOW. UPDATE AGAIN: I did not respond to Ron's response and he sent me another email this morning: "By the way get the rest of the facts one waitress was in a car accident Saturday night and did not work , and one of our waitresses who worked on Sunday just buried her husband the previous week ! Yes I love people who always so quick to judge

Sent...

Food was ok. Service was fine. Atmosphere was minimal. It was a Thursday night at 7 PM, and the place was almost empty. But the real issue was something very strange....

It all started when we were handed the specials menu. We noticed that for each item on the daily specials menu, the pricing had two numbers. There was one price if you paid by cash, and another price if you paid by credit card.

At first, we thought it was a joke, because the regular menu only had one price on there for each item. We had already placed our orders, but figured we'd ask the waitress what the joke was. She sheepishly told us it wasn't a joke and that there was a different price if you paid by credit card. WHAT?!?!?!?!?! I mentioned the regular menu only had one price. She said it was a mistake by the restaurant and they were trying to fix it... but that the regular menu also had a higher price per item if you pay by credit card.

My jaw dropped.

I kindly explained that aside from gas stations (and even that is rare nowadays), I'd never seen another establishment, and definitely NEVER a restaurant... charge more if paying by credit card. We agreed it was not her fault, and she was very nice about it, but but what an embarrassment for the Lafayette House.

I also explained that even if they are doing something that is potentially illegal (yes, only potentially, depending upon how they word it), that having the regular menu NOT show the other pricing was definitely illegal. You can't tell someone their dish will cost $35, and then charge them $37 without them knowing in advance.

Anyways, the poor waitress was certainly patient and calm, and this was not her fault. that being said, the Lafayette House should be ashamed of themselves.... not only charging more if paying by credit card, but also doing it somewhat surreptitiously.

If the food were incredible, or the atmosphere amazing, I'd consider ignoring this rather shady practice..... but it wasn't. Any restaurant that thinks they should try and start the practice of giving a credit card surcharge, is not a restaurant you...

Haven’t been since Covid began and wanted to give it a go last night. Always thought the food was pretty good and had enjoyed the old New England atmosphere.

We had 7pm reservations and were seated rather promptly. We were excited as the place was busier than years past and I was looking forward to a nice dinner. Well, unfortunately we were a bit disappointed.

They were understaffed yet continued to seat guests which was mistake number one. They also had a larger group gathering further challenging the staff. Poorly managed capacity that most restaurants seem to have figured out.

The waitress was nice enough but was clearly annoyed with the situation. I felt bad on one hand but also think it’s poor form to signal one’s irritation with the situation. A simple apology to start with brief explanation on the short staffing was all that was needed.

Ended up being a nearly two hour experience. Long waits between service but was expected under the circumstances but could have been managed a bit better. Our first course was Caesar salad high was fine. We than had baked scrod and steak tips. Both overcooked but my scrod was also dry. It’s too bad because the quality of the food itself was high and the fish was fresh. But overcooking, letting it sit and cool off and then reheating will ruin most foods, especially delicate fish. The waitress did take it off the bill and admitted that she had to reheat it and apologized. She was hoping it would be fine.

Finished with a coffee and chocolate cake which was very good. Also had a take home order of chicken parm for my son who was sick and he said it was pretty good as well.

We will go again someday but not for a while. I really like the atmosphere there but management is poor. We eat out all the time and many different places and most have seemed to figure out staffing by now. Maybe this was a fluke, but considering the waitress said they are short staffed across the board I think management needs to reevaluate...