Peter Christian's Tavern — Restaurant in New London

Stopped in for the first time since the remodel and ate in the bar area. New interior looks amazing- great mid-century modern/industrial decor in the bar. TVs and audio keep the ambiance lively without overpowering casual conversation around drinks and food. Our server was prompt, friendly and attentive to our needs- keeping drinks full and food coming without us needing to request any assistance. We selected the chicken tenders, French dip, shepherd’s pie and sesame ginger chicken salad. The chicken tenders were crisp and juicy- freshly cut to order in house then quickly breaded and fried for amazing fresh flavor. Numerous dipping sauces available include ranch, honey mustard, buffalo and others. The French dip featured thin slices of hot and juicy roast beef generously topped with melted cheddar cheese accompanied by a hot cup of delicious broth. The shepherd’s pie came out piping hot in a white oval ceramic dish full of savory meat and vegetables topped with fluffy mashed potatoes and garnished with slices of flavorful green bean. The sesame ginger chicken salad was large and tasty with a light dressing that cools and refreshes- perfect after a long day on a hot golf course. Beverages were great as well. The delicious rhuby mule perfectly balances tart rhubarb flavor with sweet strawberries and zesty ginger to accomplish a truly enjoyable experience and is served in a stout pewter-looking mug with plenty of ice and mint garnish. Lavender lemonade is another light refreshing option- bright tart lemon flavor mixes with Tito’s to wake up your taste buds and is followed by a smooth mellow lavender finish that will keep you sipping for more long after only ice is left. very much enjoyed our visit. Hoping next time we come by the dining room is available for us...

I used to work at PC's, 46 years ago (started my restaurant career there actually), and was hoping to recapture a few happy memories with lunch today. It's been 15 or so years since we were last there... and today was a disappointment.

While the sandwiches and service were good (nothing special about the service really, other than warm smiles that made up for waiting a long time for a simple order), almost all vestiges of the once charming restaurant were gone. Out with the crockery, and in with the long skinny rectangular plate.

Most of the deep wooden booths were there, but the menu has been stripped of former Peter Christian's whimsy (and some of its classics)--now it's just common type design and unexpectedly and painfully high prices.

That part hurt the worst, in that PC's used to be an affordable place to gather with family or friends, share a huge bread & cheese board and some beer, and tuck into super-sized salads or soups or sandwiches. The prices then were the right balance against food (and other operating) costs and affordability, so that you left the restaurant feeling like you got a very good value for the money.

It's not about 70's or 80's, etc. costs/standard of living being so different vs. 2024's--today, charging $10 for a glass of wine, and $19 for a sandwich and fries, is indefensible. Your costs are nowhere near those prices, and being short-staffed does the opposite of helping any "special occasion" vibe cover for the price. To top it all off, there's a 3% surcharge for credit card use! Taking plastic has always been a cost of doing business in the restaurant business--so removing that from the restaurant's side of the value equation makes the value-for-money dry up even more.

We...

Yo, Peter Christian, time to get back to your tavern. A remedial Customer Service 101 course is needed, fast! Went there at 3pm. The hostess said we could eat in the bar. We went into the bar and were chastised for not coming in without the hostess and that she (the bartender) was short-handed (the hostess is the one that directed us to go in). Bartender had all of 10 people in the bar. She was truly not happy to see us and made it known. She said she had to wipe the table. Okay, no problem. She was doing all sorts of other things besides cleaning our table. Seemingly to make a point that she was too busy. The hostess happens to walk into the bar, and the bartender immediately scolds her for letting us in, in front of the patrons. The hostess then tells us the table we were waiting to be wiped is closed. Huh? Next, Broomhilda, I mean the bartender, wipes the table, leaves, and never invites us to sit down at the table. Dumbfounded, we went to the dining room and asked the hostess to send out a manager. I apologized to the hostess for the rude bartender scolding her so publicly. It took the manager what seemed like forever to make an appearance. What I explained seemed to fall on deaf ears. He let me know that the bartender and hostess are a mother and daughter duo. I let him know that bad behavior cost him a sale. We went down to street to Flying Goose and had a delightful bartender handling an absolutely full bar, by himself, and doing it with a smile on his face. He made a sale of $108 in an hour's time. He was happy to do his job. He was happy we were there. I was happy to spend my money on a place that appreciates that I'm choosing to dine in their...