The Woodshed on Park — Restaurant in Town of Tupper Lake

After a wonderful day exploring the Wild Center’s winter lights, my date and I were excited to find a great spot for dinner nearby. We stumbled upon The Woodshed, a beautifully decorated restaurant with a warm and inviting ambiance. While the setting and food were lovely, our experience with the service left us feeling unwelcome.

The evening started off well. My date ordered a coffee liqueur-based cocktail, but the version made with their local liqueur was weak and flavorless. She politely expressed her dissatisfaction, and to the bartender’s credit, she personally came over, engaged with her, and crafted a new cocktail that was truly delicious. We both appreciated her effort and expressed that to her.

Where things went downhill was when I moved to sit next to my date on the long, pew-style bench seating. I checked in with the guests beside us, ensuring they were comfortable, and they had no issue with it. Despite this, a waitress soon asked me to return to my original seat to give them space. The couple reassured her that they had no problem, making the request feel unnecessary. We brushed it off—until it happened again.

Halfway through our entrées, a different staff member (who we later learned was the owner, Siobhan) again asked us to move. This time, she framed it as a general policy, stating that some guests feel uncomfortable asking for more space. Again, the couple next to us insisted they were fine, but by this point, the whole situation felt awkward for everyone involved. When I hesitated, confused by the repeated requests, her tone became dismissive, saying, "I don't know what the problem is, I'm just asking you to move."

Feeling uncomfortable, we decided to skip dessert and request the check. When I mentioned that we felt poorly treated, the owner finally came over to apologize. However, instead of offering a genuine apology, she immediately became defensive, stating she didn’t realize anyone else had already spoken to us and that they "have this problem quite a bit in that section." If that’s the case, why not fix the seating arrangement rather than making paying customers feel unwelcome?

After the coffee cocktail mishap, I felt like we were targets for the rest of the evening, which is a shame because we both work in the hospitality and customer service industry. We understand how important it is to make guests feel valued, and the way we were treated did the exact opposite.

As a fellow business owner, I understand that mistakes happen, but how you handle them matters. A sincere apology without defensiveness would have gone a long way. Instead, she dismissed us, huffed, and walked away. I would never have left a guest who spent their money to walk out the door feeling that dissatisfied.

I rarely, rarely leave bad reviews, but I sincerely believe this needs to be used as a learning lesson for the restaurant, and I truly hope they utilize it. The food, atmosphere, and other guests were great, but hospitality is about more than just what’s on the plate—it’s about how you make people feel, and unfortunately, this place...

I'm so elated to have a new addition to Tupper Lake's restaurant scene– The Woodshed on Park. An establishment that truly stands out, not only for the exquisite flavors and creative cocktails on its menu but also for its commitment to customer satisfaction.

Starting off the night with their eclectic mix of cocktails, my wife and I were pleasantly surprised. The Bee's Knees was an exquisite blend of sweetness, acidity, and alcohol, perfectly balanced to create a cocktail that excites and soothes at the same time. The playful clothespin holding the lemon peel garnish added a delightful touch that showed their dedication to presentation.

We then sampled the Garden Soda, a light, fragrant, and balanced concoction that tasted like a summer's day in a glass. It was refreshing, crisp, and left us anticipating more.

Rounding out our drinks was the intriguing Bird of Prey Milk Punch. While it was not our top pick for the night, it was still a tasty medley of flavors that would make for a unique treat during the upcoming heat of summer.

Next up was the starter, a simple yet satisfying country bread with fresh ricotta & thyme. The wonderful sweetness of the ricotta was beautifully paired with the warm, crusty bread, showcasing how even simple dishes can be elevated to a delightful experience.

We were fortunate enough to sample the Split Pea Bisque, a dish that packed an unexpected depth of flavor. The addition of the crème fraîche added a gentle surprise during the course of the dish, making every spoonful a journey of taste discovery.

Our main courses, Fried Chicken and Chicken and Biscuits, did encounter a small hiccup in preparation. But true to their commitment to customer satisfaction, the attentive staff swiftly remedied the situation, recreating our entrees to perfection. The dishes were full of excellent flavors, with generous portion sizes that left us feeling utterly content.

All of these were enjoyed in an intimate atmosphere, adding an extra layer of warmth to the overall dining experience. The Woodshed on Park has indeed set a high bar for dining in Tupper Lake.

If you're looking for a memorable culinary experience that pairs creativity with superb customer service, then a visit to The Woodshed on Park should be high on your list. Not only will you be indulging in some tantalizing dishes, but you'll also be supporting a local establishment in its quest to make Tupper Lake a culinary...

The burger and fries were very good. But that you could say about a million diners and such in the area. This place wants to be special but isn't. The beet salad was way too cold. It seemed like it was done beforehand and then put in a way too cold fridge. That way you can't taste many flavors. The soup btw didn't have many of those. The same can be said about the dip offered to the beans (starter). The oat meal stout they serve in a can is very good. If you decide anyhow to come here for dinner leave your kids at home. They don't like kids in their restaurant and they tell it to you in many ways but directly. When we entered we were informed they don't have kids' chairs and no kid menu. That was totally fine for us. After we ordered we were told that "there is no running around". That before our son did any of that. Supposedly because a big group would show up and the waitress didn't want to fall over. The group never showed up in the one hour we stayed there and it was obviously just an excuse. The same must be said about the explanation why the kid couldn't have fries: they would "need all of the fries to accompany the burgers" for that night.

We found this place pretentious. If you are looking for a special dinner in the area you will find some good options in Saranac Lake...