Going Downhill
By A Yahoo! Contributor, 2/22/09
It's unfortunate when an amazing restaurant is disappointing two times in a row.
My husband and I eat here for either lunch or dinner whenever we visit New Hope, an average of 7 times a years for the past 9 years. The last two times that we have gone has been a disaster. We went for dinner in mid-December, our waiter was very rude and abrupt. We were rushed and in and out of there in 50 minutes. That included drinks, appetizers, our meal and coffee. In the past we spend between an hour and a half to two hours, and and our bill is always over $120 easy. But for the rushed atmosphere on a Tuesday night and the dining room being half full, it was inexcusable. On top of it, my husband's filet was not med-rare like ordered, but dry and over-cooked. Couldn't relay this to our waiter for over 15 minutes since he was nowhere to be seen. And one small detail that should be taken care of, the very dusty and faded silk flowers have to go.
Then last Sunday, the day after Valentine's Day, we stopped in for lunch. On the posted lunch menu outside there was the usual entrees with scallops, steak and a lamb dish. We went in and were seated (on the wall was dried splatters of some drink) and we ordered a $32 bottle of Reisling. Only to be handed the replacement paper lunch menu since they were out of everything except their sandwiches. We ordered the usual lobster bisque which was overly spicy and salty, myself, the ham and cheese croissant (dried out) and my husband got the hamburger, and it was gray and tiny. When told our waiter that we were not happy, he got an attitude and came back 20 minutes later with our check. Didn't even ask if we wanted coffee or anything else.
In all, both times were a very upsetting experience and we won't be going back again to be burned three times in a row. Which is unfortunate since this is where I always take my mom for her birthday in March.
I am just so upset with whomever took over/managing this establishment. It was a place that I would tell my friends and family that you HAVE to go to at least once. Get a great bottle of wine, try some amazing food and relax in a nice atmosphere, and have superior service. But The Mansion Inn is not this type of place anymore. We'll be going somewhere else from now on. I suggest the same for you.