Peyton Place Restaurant

First off, a disclaimer. While old farm houses can be charming, I want and need them to be functional in the 21^st century. I know this is a very personal sentiment. I have a hard time hanging my expensive and heavy wool coat on pointy little coat hooks. I find old uneven wide board floors dangerous, not charming.
The service was good and attentive. Everyone was kind and welcoming. The menu was very varied and interesting, but since it was hand written on a chalkboard, it was impossible to decipher without the help and guide from a waitstaff. All dishes was just simply stated on the menu with NO description. For example, the tuna dish was simply written as Fresh Tuna, $ 24. That is of little to no help! How is it prepared? What are the sides and starch. How are those prepared?
It was hard to know which are apps and which are entrees. At least our waitress was honest to remark that the chalk board left a lot to be desired. While I am sure she would be happy to describe each item in details, was I supposed to take notes? Was I supposed to recite everything she told me so that I can make an informed judgment? Worst yet, this is the ONLY chalkboard in the restaurant. I started feeling bad that I was hogging it from other diners. This system just doesn’t work.
My wife and I shared the Caesar Salad. The Asiago tuile on top of the greens was very pretty and tasty. While the salad was lightly dressed, it was well balanced and fresh. Not the best I have had but good enough.
We shared the Shrimp and Pork shrimp rolls. A cute surprise when the waitress brought out chop sticks to use with the spring rolls. My wife thought that they were excellent. The deep fried crust was light and crunchy. Good job. I tasted the pork, but not the shrimp. Perhaps that was my palette’s bias.
For entrée, my wife ordered the haddock and I had the duck. She also loved her haddock and I agree. The fish was cooked perfectly and nicely meaty. The crust was also light and crunchy. My duck breast was cooked mid rare, closer to medium. It was tasty and tender, except the two ends of the piece was burnt, tough and chewy. The pan was a tad too hot. My duck came with wild rice. Unfortunately, that was inedible. Totally dried out and overlooked. Someone was not paying attention in cooking AND plating.
For desert, my wife order the crème brûlée and I ordered the apple crisp. My apple crisp was the highlight of my meal. Nicely balanced in sweetness and tartness. The crust was oh so flaky. My wife’s crème brûlée was a disaster. For someone who rarely complains about her food, she sent it back. The custard was totally loose and the center was nearly frozen! Out waitress actually told us that this is a French version and it is supposed to be loose. French version of crème brûlée??? Isn’t crème brûlée French???
My three stars should really be 2.5. Despite some very disappointment elements, we generally had a good time. The check was $ 130 including a $ 34 nice Guwrztraminer. There are just of many nice options in the area, within 30 minutes drive from Hanvoer/​Lebanon. I suppose if you are coming from the way north, then you might settle here. But it is unlikely that I was make the trek again.

I don’t know why everyone is butchering this place? I never ate at their first establishment, but my experience was pleasurable. Good service. I don’t know how often then menu changes, but my wife and I both enjoyed our food. Would visit again.

This place is evidently a «Once was great» place. We had eaten at their restaurant in Vermont years ago. With this knowledge and a recommendation from friends who had recently eaten at Peyton Place we made a reservation. We went with another couple who are part of our local gourmet club. The place is charming but in poor repair. The staff was very pleasant and helpful. The menu was varied and interesting. We each chose different appetizers and main courses. We all agreed that the food was mediocre at best. The portions were tiny. One of the entrees chosen was a Lamburger and fries. There were only 8 fries on the plate. We are putting this on our «must miss» list.

This restaurant is on Unilocal twice, copying my review from the other listing:
I’ll go with two stars, based on how wonderful they used to be. Peyton Place began in the basement of the post office in Bradford, VT. Back then, the menu was small and excellent. They didn’t have a license to sell liquor, so it was BYO beer or wine. They had wine glasses and openers, so it was still very classy.
Since the move to Orford, the quality of the service and food has really been compromised. The portions used to be sized perfectly, just right. You didn’t mind that they were a little expensive, because you were getting an outrageously delicious meal and the size was just right. The prices have gone waaay up, the size down and the meal itself is just ‘meh“
I just can’t bring myself to go back. There are a lot of places in the Upper Valley where you can get a much better meal and not have to spend a lot of money.
Peyton Place — go back to your roots.

We came here for an early dinner after Dartmouth graduation, based on an enthusiastic recommendation from a local business owner in Hanover.
Our food was good (I had the vegetarian ravioli) but portions were unexpectedly tiny for the price. I have a healthy appetite but my mother-​in-​law eats like a bird and even she commented on the small portion size.
I didn’t enjoy the patio seating; it was a little shabby with a less-​than-​inspiring view of the back of the house, which needs some maintenance work. Our table had no shade and it was a hot day so it wasn’t very comfortable until the end of the meal when the sun began to set. The inside tables were probably a more pleasant dining experience. Service was great — very welcoming and attentive.
Food: 2 – 3
Service: 4
Décor: 1

Recently tried this restaurant. While the food is good, the service is S.L.O.W… We arrived at 7:35, order taken at 8:00. Food arrived at table at 9:00. So, be aware of the really slow service if you go.

I have been going to Peyton Place ever since they were in Bradford. The food is excellent but if you plan on going don’t plan to have your meal in less than 2 hours. Suggestion, pack a cheat sheet of stuff to talk about for the long, long wait.
I must agree to some extent with the other reviewer on the «charm» issue. It is ALWAYS a bad sigh when the wait staff opens a conversation with how overworked the chef is and there will be a delay… yikes.
I have never had a bad meal there, service glacially slow but if you have good conversation, good wine and fine cocktails it matters less. If the eclectic chairs were more comfortable perhaps the time would not matter as much.

Quaint place with a rustic, cozy feel. Great ambience for a romantic evening out. Not the most attentive service you’ll find.
More importantly, the food selection and quality were really disappointing — lacking in both flavor and imagination. Overall, the $ 60+ spent for a meal for two left me rather dissatisfied and I don’t think I’ll be going to this place again anytime soon unless I hear otherwise.

stay away.
I have been here many times, and have been quite pleased, but tonight was one of the worst restaurant experiences I have ever endured.
The staff was utterly charmless. We were a party of four, and had burgers and appetizers, which Camembert nearly 2 hours later. A drunken revelery was seated nearby, making the noise level obnoxious and horrendous. When I inquired as to three timing of our meal, the server, unapologetically informed me that the kit haas simply busy. No contrition, no sense of customer relations. The meal was passable, but not memorable. Please stay away. There ere many other dining options in there Upper Valley.

Was visiting the family earlier this year and my mom picked this place, I grew up in Hanover but never knew about it.
It is a restaurant located on the first floor of a huge house (I’m assuming the family lives above) situated on a large green field. You walk in and feel the comforts of being insides someones old house. The wood floors are creaking, you are walking through low doors, the ceiling beams are lined with homemade baskets. It’s pure NH :) and I love it.
You sit down and they bring over the menu which has been hand written that day on a chalk board, after you make your selection it is taken away for the next table.
Everyone was friendly and attentive, food was hot, fresh and flavorful. I would recommend this to anyone looking to give friends or family a true country restaurant experience.

Beautiful setting in the historic Mann Tavern. Inside is candle lit and very romantic. The service is quite attentive. Wine list is a bit on the short side. The menu is extensive, focusing on fresh local ingredients. The food was good but fell a bit short of excellent. I had veal and it was a bit too tough.
My friends say this is the best restaurant in the area and I certainly believe them. Definitely worth a dinner.

We have dined at this restaurant on three occasions and after the last time we won’t be returning. Our first experience, my wife and I had the pleasure of having Heidi greet us and as our server. Heidi was very knowledgable and pleasant. The meal was very good but took extremely long. I don’t know if the were under staffed or if over one hour from being seated to the first coarse arriving is acceptable. The menu we were told was written every day on a portable chalk board and was quite nice.
Three weeks later we returned expecting a great meal that we had prior and were ready to spend some additional time dining based on the previous experience. Seemed to be the same menu which was fine, however we did not get Heidi this time (Heidi is one of the owners) we did get a waitress that was not only not attentive but kind of rude. The food was great, the service was horrible pairing the two would be a definite failing grade.
Having very good food experiences both times we booked a end of summer dinner on a Sunday evening with two other couples, a ten year old and my father. This dinner was very out of sync. We had made reservations and were on time and the table was ready but we stood in a small entrance way while dodging the employee after employee while receiving looks that I and our party interpreted that why are we in the way. It seemed as though everyone had tunnel vision. We were finally seated and this is when I can positively give a recommendation to owners of this restaurant, replace you staff they are horrible. They are driving business away, in a restaurant that has the quality of food that you serve a professional server is a must. To shell out $ 50 to $ 60 per head with drinks, wine, apps, main, and desserts deserves a professional server.