The Corner House — Restaurant in Sandwich

I'm so sad. We've been vacationing in Moultonborough every summer for 12 years. We stumbled across the Corner House our first year and returned at least once every year after, except last summer, so we didn't know it had changed hands. We loved the vibe of the place - always packed on the weekends with great music - and fun for our kids every time we went. We all LOVED the fresh baked bread assortment and great menu with so many options. I know it's a weird time with the pandemic and all, so I'll cut them some slack on the incredibly poor service (took one whole hour to get our entrees after we ordered them and the inside - downstairs and up - was pretty much empty!!) No bread offered at all, not even crackers. My daughter and I ordered the Lobster Ravioli - $26. Pretty typical price, but when we finally got our meals, there were only 4 regular sized raviolis on the plate covered in a super thick cheesy alfredo sauce (gross). Way too much sauce. Mine was barely room temperature so the sauce was already curdling on my plate when it arrived. The chunks of lobster were completely overdone and chewy - even my 16YO daughter knew it and said the lobster chunks weren't even good... My raviolis looked like they sat in the colander too long; the pasta was rubbery and starting to harden. My younger daughter had the house salad. It too was swimming in dressing (the maple vinegrette) so it was overwhelmed by sweetness. She hardly touched it. After our meals, my daughters wanted to try a dessert. The waitress comes over - not with dessert menus or to ask if we want coffee - but to hand us the check!! What?!? Ok, guess we're not allowed to have dessert. It was after 8pm, and I guess they close at 8 (on a Friday night, really?) but it's not like we were the problem. We sat down at 7pm and didn't get our meals until after 8pm. I should also mention too, and this probably has something to do with the pandemic and low staff, but we walked in and there was no one at the door. I waited a few minutes, and just finally walked upstairs and sat ourselves (which I know you do seat yourself upstairs, but what if I had a reservation downstairs? I would need to be seated. When we left, still no one there. In the past, Jane (former owner) AND a hostess would always be there to greet you when you came in. She would also circulate and stop at our table every time. No personal touch like that now. Ugh. So many fond memories of this place over the years. I don't think we'll return unless it changes hands again. My sister owns the place we stay when we come up. Her family agrees that the Corner House has sadly changed for the worse and they will not be returning...

I have been coming to this restaurant for over 30 years. The new owners that have purchased it a few years ago still have not managed to maintain its status. We waited two hours for dinner and never got it, even though the restaurant was 1/3 full! . We ended up all walking out. Others got served and we didn’t. The food is so mediocre and it’s run by a bunch of kids. It’s very sad to see such a legacy and landmark restaurant go downhill. They need a professional chef staff and a manager. One of the worst experiences we’ve ever had in dining. Most importantly we are sorry to see such a beautiful historic restaurant be taken down by inexperience. And the menu is unappealing. We even had to send a cocktail back because it tasted like turpentine. Let’s hope the owner finds some professional managers and chefs to run the place as it deserves better than this. ** In response to the response by the owner:

First, you have none of the facts correct. Never was there any manager around. We asked for the manager and were told there was none present. We never met you, saw you...we only dealt with our server. So, we are not sure what you are talking about. We were NOT a large party, but merely a party of 5. We were NOT there on the 4th of July...but there way before that. We are in our 60's and 70's in age...so not rowdy. We waited 2 hours for dinner and never got it. We are saddened because the community has lost a great establishment, where the owners cared about customers. I understand how hard it is to maintain a restaurant -especially during COVID, BUT, leaving us for 2 hours after ordering dinner, with a restaurant 1/3 full, is a sign that you need support. Lastly, instead of insulting a customer, who already had a poor experience, try some compassion. We had many restaurants to choose from and we chose yours. Waiting 2 hours for food AFTER ordering our dinners in a half-full restaurant is a sign that your restaurant needs support. The bar is fine, I am sure. But to dine there, well, we will not go back. We are all locals who have been dining there for decades. I hope that you can improve your capacity/efficiency in the kitchen. we wish you the...

Went out to grab a burger and a beer at the Corner House, which was once one of our favorite places in the area. Under new ownership the last few months, each time we’ve gone we’ve been disappointed. This last visit I feel removed the Corner House from our list of favorites. Burgers and beer is setting the bar low for a Wednesday night out. The wait staff has been nearly completely replaced and unfortunately that service has been compromised and is now lacking, except for one waitress, Erin, who seemed to be doing everything including mixing drinks and serving tables. The wait for our medium done burgers was over 45 minutes in a half empty upstairs tavern. As the only burger on the menu at $14, it was boring, and well done to the point the cheddar cheese was nearly melted away completely. The added mushrooms came uncooked! You can sense the disorganization as there were other complaints from other tables within earshot of ours. Sad to say the magic of the Corner House is gone for us after being patrons for 14...