Five Main On The River — Restaurant in Woodstock

The Woodstock/Lincoln NH area has a new contender for BEST affordable restaurant in the area. Having grown up visiting the area I have been to every place in the vicinity and tonight decided to give this recently rebranded place a try after seeing a pic on Yelp of their ribs, which are currently a special item not on their regular menu but from what I can tell will be a regular option going forward.

First off parking is limited, and I squeezed into a space close to the new construction going on and and asked the kitchen staff I saw outside taking a break if I was ok where I parked. They were friendly and said "no problem" despite I new I wasn't exactly in a normal parking spot. If the small lot is full I'm sure there is enough on street parking nearby.

Second, I was warmly greeted by staff when I went in and since I was solo and told I could sit anywhere I choose the bar as I didn't want to take up a table by myself. The bartender, Bridget, was quick to greet me and take my drink order, a delicious and fair priced "Prickly Pear Margarita".

Then I ordered the meal I saw online, a half rack of ribs which came with two sides. I choose the same sides I saw in the photo online, some crazy good garlicky mashed potatoes and some sauteed spinach. The sides were great, but the stand out was definitely the ribs. OMG they were fall off the bone perfect. Not only was the cook of these ribs perfect but the drizzled sauce over them was amazing. Was that like some kind of apple cider drizzle to finish the plate? What ever it was it was killer.

When the half rack of ribs I ordered arrived I looked at Bridget and said "That's a half rack?" The portion was huge and we realized she had rung in a full rack. Not a problem at all she quickly assured me they would only charge for the half rack. I'm stoked I got to bring home a half rack of these ribs for leftovers because they were some of the best ribs I've ever had.

The half rack, with two amazing sides, is currently only priced at $16. That's less then I would expect to pay at a food truck that makes good ribs.

While I sat at the bar I chatted a bit with a manager, "Matt" who was busy squeezing fresh limes for their margaritas. No cheap margarita mix used at this place. They squeeze a hundred or so limes for their own house margarita mix.

Not much more to say other then I am stoked they are expanding their outdoor section, offering live music often, have staff that seem genuinely happy to be their serving up excellent food and drink, and in such a great location just a few minutes away from the often over crowded restaurants of Lincoln. I will definitely be back to this spot! I didn't stay to meet the Chef but I do hope he and the owners see this review! I wouldn't take the time to write so much if I didn't truly love the meal I...

Gotta say, if a resturuant owner, rebuilds establishment : building looks real nice ... BUT--'It's ALL ABOUT PORTION, that will keep a customer returning.Ordered a : Chicken Parm sandwich....$16....I assumed I'd get a decent piece--of chicken.It was 2 cm" thick, (0) SAUCE,(O ) CHEESE...6" ROLL. TINY PIECE of flattened chicken* --I mean Gee Whiz, the roll was under 6 "inches! I OPENED sandwich up, One inch" on EACH END-- NO CHICKEN. I Alwayes give benefit of doubt...But I was very hungry. The chicken PORTION was Size of a 1/2 graham cracker, NO exxageration.Oh --I got free Sweet potatoes fries in a little cup (5) also Small Over-crisped . The waitress was greatest part of my visit.But I'm truthful, I love to try new places. I doubt I'll return anytime soon....... I mean NO SAUCE OR CHEESE, to even "FILL in the roll that lacked a good piece of Chicken... Skimping on sandwiches, NO way i'm----dumping over $20- to see what an entree looks like. Outside decor, makes it Over inviting.... They NEED to "VAMP up"-- the FOOD PORTION, that's for sure. Maybe Owner put too much emphasis on Exterior. Food MENU portion---- IS A MAIN FACTOR ,IN this buissness, for it to be successful. My you dad was a chef, he told me that...

Two of us ordered the burger medium and medium rare, and they were both totally well done and dry. There was no sauce or dressing on it either, just a burger (labeled as "wagyu" it was a cheap beef patty) on a bun and they asked if I wanted a piece of lettuce and a slice of tomato. Photo attached for reference but my camera is too generous and it doesn't really capture how brown and dry it was. Baked potato was just a potato. Fries were dry and not in a crispy way. Chicken tenders were also pretty dry and small. The soup appetizer was cold even though the bowl was steaming. This would have been a really nice place if they didn't try so hard to be so fancy. It seems they spend a lot on appearance, including a golf cart "shuttle" to get people from town to come in. But overall, what people want is good food, drinks, and comfort. Especially tourists or people who just had a hard day of hiking the local trails. The wait staff just hung around when not waiting tables. The host sat on his phone, meanwhile the menus are sticky and needed cleaning. Our suggestion would be to focus more on creating a good "comfort food" menu, with better portions, food at the right temperature and texture, and better flavors including sauces, dips,...