Stonehedge Inn in Tyngsborough
Michael Willett
a big restaurant review by their restaurant
critic Robert Levey entitled "Posh Pleasures in
Pastoral Tyngsborough." It describes the Stonehedge
Inn near the New Hampshire border. He rated the
restaurant as three stars or "very good."
Has anyone eaten there and if so what do they think?
Is it really as great as he describes?
John Delaney
restaurant (Silks), and its wine club. In fact, I had dinner there
just this Monday. My familiarity comes from my involvement with their
wine club. I say that because it biases both my exposure to the Inn
and how I rate it (I may count a good cellar more than some others
would).
First, the food. Very well prepared in a Continental style (mostly
French, but some Swiss and Italian influence) with very good sauces.
The regular menu is a bit conservative in its offerings (one could
also say "traditional" or even "unimaginative"). But the specials are
more interesting and the monthly wine dinners (5 to 7 courses with
different wines) show considerable range. Not cheap, though. I cannot
remember the regular menu prices; I guess them to be 15-25$ per
entree. The wine dinners are typically 65$.
Second, the wine. A very broad and deep cellar with a European
orientation but some excellent California wines. Generally good prices
for aged wines. Young wines may be less of a bargain. Nothing cheap
but some interesting wines by the glass. Monthly wine club meetings
with (usually) 4-5 wines each meeting. Typically 15$ per meeting (plus
a 25$ initiation fee).
Third, the atmosphere. Posh, bordering on snooty. The senior staff are
all European in origin and many of the regular help are Europeans on
18 month visas. There is a doorman (but in a tux, not a uniform). The
furnishings are (or look) expensive. Real towels, not paper, in the
washroom. I haven't been in any of the guest rooms, but the meeting
rooms and dining room are well appointed.
Negative points. (I feel I should say some critical things lest I
sound too fulsome.) I would prefer a more varied and electic menu. But
that may reflect time spent living in Northern California. To really
impress me, a meal must not only be well prepared, it must also
surprise me. A full-up dinner there with a nice wine is pricey,
period. And, because of the atmosphere, the (non-wine-dinner)
clientele tends to a suburban/middle-class/big-night-out crowd that
adds emphasis to the "snooty" feel. I like a more relaxed feel,
perhaps again the Northern Californian influence. Anyone out there
familiar with the Flea Street Cafe in Menlo Park will know what I mean
about the first and last points.
If you have more specific questions, I will try to answer them by
email. But let me anticipate one.
Directions: Take Rte. 3 north toward Nashua to the Rte 113
interchange. Take Rte. 113 east toward Lowell. The Inn will be on your
left as you travel alone the northeast bank on the Merrimack River.
Approach from that direction, you will first see a large, white-fenced
horse pasture (with no horses that I have ever noticed). The entrance
is around the next bend to the left.
Enjoy,
John
--
Michael Willett
review of the Stonehedge Inn in Tyngsborough, confirming last week's
Boston Globe review. It does sound like a great place to go. Maybe we
should start taking our customers there! Since you didn't get a
copy of the Boston Globe review last week, I'll be happy to
(US) mail you a copy, if you like. (Maybe you could get a part-time
evening job as the backup restaurant reviewer for the Globe!)
I'll let you know what I think after I try out the restaurant!