Oxford House Inn & Restaurant — Restaurant in Fryeburg

My first and last experience with this place. The service here was abysmal, so bad in fact that I think the Chef/Owner Jonathan Spark needs to either re-train, or completely fire the whole FOH staff. This was a Birthday reservation for my wife, a special occasion, ruined by whatever drama was going on with the whole FOH staff. They were rude, unpleasant, disingenuous and could care less that we were there. First thing through the door, we were not greeted, but treated with hostility and disdain. Table we reserved was not ready, and we were made to wait 10 minutes after the reservation time. When seated, we waited almost 20 minutes just to be able to have the ability to order a simple cocktail. My wife doesn't drink, however, I brought her here because there was supposed to be a suffucient mocktail menu. When we asked if a juice on one of the mocktails could be made with something else, since she didn't want passionfruit, it was like asking a scientist if they could adjust the formula for rocket fuel. What kind of Bartender can't make adjustments to a recipe as simple as juice? The Central Provisions bartenders would be ROTFL at a bartender of this caliber. Which begs the question as to why they were hired in the first place to tend bar? After that? You guessed it, more waiting, for a simple cocktail for me, and an organic lemonade for my Wife. Not what she wanted. Wait of almost 20 for two really simple things. We weren't checked on. There was very very poor communication from our server. Again, treated with complete disdain. Food was the only thing that was decent. Not Fore Street Restaurant good, but decent. The last thing I will say is this, I worked for the aforementioned Fore Street for 4 years. These servers would have been fired immediately for this type of behavior and lack of professionalism. There is always a maître d' to greet and take care of you, to make you feel welcome. Sadly, the standard for this at Oxford is non-existent.

I see the co-owner replied below. The only reason to be this upset over a review is if it speaks the truth. Mean spirited, hardly. If anything, it should be a reason to prove my wife and I wrong, that they truly were having an off night. I will mention again, this was a Birthday event. Something special. High caliber places normally want to keep customers and change perception if things were amiss or not up to par. (Lark Hotels come to mind, made the last Birthday incredibly special, top service)

Sadly not the case here. I will tell everyone here, while it isn't the normal for them to have poor reviews based on their record of reviews, they do have them. Please take the time to consider other people's not so great experience with them. I will end by saying that, if you are looking to experience the epitome of the word Pretentious, you may have found your place. 85% chance it may be a good, but the 15% where its bad, its bad bad.

"Good service can save a bad meal, but there is no level of food that can save bad service" -Alton...

My first and last experience with this place. The service here was abysmal, so bad in fact that I think the Chef/Owner Jonathan Spark needs to either re-train, or completely fire the whole FOH staff. This was a Birthday reservation for my wife, a special occasion, ruined by whatever drama was going on with the whole FOH staff. They were rude, unpleasant, disingenuous and could care less that we were there.|First thing through the door, we were not greeted, but treated with hostility and disdain. Table we reserved was not ready, and we were made to wait 10 minutes after the reservation time. When seated, we waited almost 20 minutes just to be able to have the ability to order a simple cocktail. |My wife doesn't drink, however, I brought her here because there was supposed to be a suffucient mocktail menu. When we asked if a juice on one of the mocktails could be made with something else, since she didn't want passionfruit, it was like asking a scientist if they could adjust the formula for rocket fuel. What kind of Bartender can't make adjustments to a recipe as simple as juice? The Central Provisions bartenders would be ROTFL at a bartender of this caliber. Which begs the question as to why they were hired in the first place to tend bar? |After that? You guessed it, more waiting, for a simple cocktail for me, and an organic lemonade for my Wife. Not what she wanted. Wait of almost 20 for two really simple things. We weren't checked on. There was very very poor communication from our server. Again, treated with complete disdain. Food was the only thing that was decent. Not Fore Street Restaurant good, but decent. The last thing I will say is this, I worked for the aforementioned Fore Street for 4 years. These servers would have been fired immediately for this type of behavior and lack of professionalism. There is always a maître d' to greet and take care of you, to make you feel welcome. Sadly, the standard for this at Oxford is non-existent....

My first and last experience with this place. The service here was abysmal, so bad in fact that I think the Chef/Owner Jonathan Spark needs to either re-train, or completely fire the whole FOH staff. This was a Birthday reservation for my wife, a special occasion, ruined by whatever drama was going on with the whole FOH staff. They were rude, unpleasant, disingenuous and could care less that we were there.|First thing through the door, we were not greeted, but treated with hostility and disdain. Table we reserved was not ready, and we were made to wait 10 minutes after the reservation time. When seated, we waited almost 20 minutes just to be able to have the ability to order a simple cocktail. |My wife doesn't drink, however, I brought her here because there was supposed to be a suffucient mocktail menu. When we asked if a juice on one of the mocktails could be made with something else, since she didn't want passionfruit, it was like asking a scientist if they could adjust the formula for rocket fuel. What kind of Bartender can't make adjustments to a recipe as simple as juice? The Central Provisions bartenders would be ROTFL at a bartender of this caliber. Which begs the question as to why they were hired in the first place to tend bar? |After that? You guessed it, more waiting, for a simple cocktail for me, and an organic lemonade for my Wife. Not what she wanted. Wait of almost 20 for two really simple things. We weren't checked on. There was very very poor communication from our server. Again, treated with complete disdain. Food was the only thing that was decent. Not Fore Street Restaurant good, but decent. The last thing I will say is this, I worked for the aforementioned Fore Street for 4 years. These servers would have been fired immediately for this type of behavior and lack of professionalism. There is always a maître d' to greet and take care of you, to make you feel welcome. Sadly, the standard for this at Oxford is non-existent....