Social House — Restaurant in Manchester

Sorry for the long review... My daughter and I went to Social House last night based on her interest from following Social House on Instagram. We both looked at the pics and it looked pretty great. We were really surprised that we could get a reservation at the last minute during Christmas/New Year's week. The restaurant was really crowded when we got there about 15 minutes early for an 8:00pm reservation. We were seated immediately. The servers were great. We ordered 2 glasses of wine and the waitress suggested getting a bottle instead. We're used to the upsell and decided to order a bottle. When she brought it over and was opening it, she said she was "happy" that she "was selling a lot of wine tonight". Probably not a good thing to say when you're opening my 400% mark-up wine that you upsold me. We're used to paying 2-3 times mark-up on wine. Four times is excessive even in a tourist town. As for the food, it was a 3 1/2 star restaurant. The mussels were really good. The tuna tartare was pretty weak overall. It tasted fine but it was served with bread and not cut all the way through. We has to scrape the tuna off the sinew. While we were eating our appetizers I dropped my fork on the floor. I had to ask 2 different servers to get a new one. It took almost 10 minutes.

I had the surf and turf which consisted of a "7oz NY Strip and a lobster tail". It's impossible the steak started as a 7oz piece of meat. It was pretty small when it arrived. And the lobster tail couldn't have been smaller. The best analogy I can come up with, is that it was the equivalent of 1 1/2 medium shrimp. I've never seen a lobster tail so small. We skipped dessert and got an ice cream at the nearby 7-11 since we left somewhat unsatisfied. Probably not going back. It was very corporate and really didn't feel like the comfortable Vermont vibe...

Bruce Clarkin here...3 of us had dinner tonight in Social House...it was absolutely superb... the restaurant has it exactly right with it’s concept of what comprises a great dinner...it’s a relief to be freed from the app-entree-dessert tedium...and Parker House rolls!...Social House makes way for the free flow of great tastes and an approach to dining that places quality way above quantity ...dinner tonight featured dishes that were prepared better than we’ve ever had before...Best short rib I’ve ever had!..the sorbet dessert was unparalleled...the watermelon/blue cheese/ prosciutto salad was superb..

Our server was Jillian and she exemplifies great service...the restaurant is very efficiently organized and 3 servers took good care of a packed house with delivery assistance from kitchen ...I didn’t get the name of the gentleman in the front of the house but he was excellent...

One cavil:...I like wine blends but I’m not accustomed to not knowing specifically the wine I am drinking..I liked the wine but wasn’t delighted by it ...when compared to the other aspects of Social House I was disappointed...when we definitely go back...soon....I’ll try the blends again!

I take my hat off to Social House, it is an exciting, fascinating alternative for dining in Manchester...thanks for the...

Last night’s dinner was another home run! There is no other place that comes close to Social House’s level. Nope, none like it. It’s a Broadway show in the making! The process has been very well put together. I appreciate the comfortable seating throughout the dining room. Even the outside in the summer is GORGEOUS!! Yes, I’ve been here multiple times. The bar area and the bartenders are so committed to their craft. Social House is unique, but that isn’t quite enough. This is a restaurant that belongs in all the major cities! This establishment goes about their business in a very purposeful & professional manner. You start to remind yourself, you’re in Vermont! Knowing that, you want to continue visiting the Manchester area. Ultimately there’s a place you can relax, have a great time with family/friends and leave wanting to come back! From the moment you step in, it feels comfy and you can’t wait to settle in. From how you’re welcomed, then the waiters greeting you and just seeing how it’s not just one person. It’s multiple at your table with such big smiles!! Even the people who are working in the open kitchen, they all look so vigorously in what they’re putting out. You taste the passion!!! It’s a very well run place. I can’t wait to be BACK!! Please open a place up...