Foundation kitchen is always my go to in Derry for great healthy food, excellent drinks in a great atmosphere. Danny and his staff make you feel at home here! It is comfortable and enjoyable every time from a quick stop in for a drink and appetizer to a larger group for dinner and drinks! The farm to table menu plus excellent beverages is well worth exploring!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tania Dominguez
Easy to make reservations and were seated within a minute or two of arriving. Bathroom is located at the front and is single stall for both men and women.
Ordered a rum and coke which was the best I've ever had. It was very smooth. Really wanted a nice steak dinner so was slightly disappointed that they only had NY strip. Also ordered a salmon. I might be a simple person, but I felt like the garnishes took away from the dishes. The salmon had a pinnapple-mango salsa and the steak had some kind of diced tomato or salsa. The salmon was great alone, but the steak did taste more like a hamburger with a vinegar drizzle (I'm assuming from the salsa). The mashed potatoes were also made with parsnips which really changed the traditional flavor profile I'm used too.
The guacamole was better than I've had at other places, but not authentic if that's what you are looking for. The dessert was great. Brownie was well baked with crispy edges and a soft center.
If I were to go back I would not order the NY strip again, but go for a burger. I've heard they make really good ones.
For the price it was a one and done for me. I liked the atmosphere, but I just don't have a sophisticated palate.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Nick Underwood
Starting with the good…the waitress was great, the beer menu was very good and my wife’s mocktail mule was delicious. The restaurant has a nice interior, although the staff (unsure who it was) should be more mindful when they are on the phone, loud conversations and quiet restaurants do not go well together. The two of us were the only customers at 4:30 PM on Saturday.
Now onto the food…we really enjoyed the tempura cauliflower. The shrimp scampi was fine, certainly not worth the price.
The Haddack was very undercooked and translucent. We both questioned this as soon as the dish arrived since it was barely warm to the touch. We mentioned this to the waitress who offered to take the plate back, however, we both felt like, what’s really the point if it was served this way in the first place.
It came out very fast, appetizer was out in less than 10 minutes, and the food was out less than 10 minutes after that. The haddock was not eaten, I would’ve expected to at least been comped for the haddock dish since the protein was left on the plate.
I’m happy we tried this place since it has been on our bucket list for a while, however, we will not be coming back.
I forgot to take a picture of the itemized receipt…essentially that photo is showing the cost of two beers, one mocktail mule, one cauliflower appetizer, and the two main courses.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 4
Mary dervishian
Great food, cooked to perfection. The chef is great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
bob c
Great food and drink. The staff made us feel welcomed and appreciated.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Roasted Garlic Rosemary Fries
Michael Richelson
Ordered the pork chop and it was legitimately raw on the inside. My wife ordered a chicken panini that only tasted like cheese weirdly. Staff was nice but inattentive and didn’t comp the sandwich. We didn’t eat anything and left. It was mostly empty and took almost an hour to get our food.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Richard M
Martini olives were missing stuffing. No pimento or garlic?? Drinks were great otherwise.
Bananas foster - no fire at table? How do I know they were ¿fostered?
Main meals were terrific. Wait staff was scattered but fun.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Toni Carballeira
Loved it. Will definitely go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rogerio S
I want to start by saying that everyone who worked there was very friendly. The downsides were that the menu a very limited. The food was not good at all. Too fancy and no taste
Last night, we visited the Foundation Tavern in Derry, NH. The parking lot was small and tight, which may make alternative parking options preferable. Upon entering, the music volume was high; as a hearing aid user, I found the sound sensitivity increased. The hostess confirmed there was live music and accommodated our request to be seated away from it, so we sat in the main dining room. Our server introduced herself and promptly took our drink order, despite the dining room being busy and her serving alone. Having dined at many restaurants over the years, we were understanding of any minor mistakes. I requested a different bottle of wine after initially ordering the wrong one, and the change was handled without issue. When she inquired about appetizers, we declined and ordered dinner. My wife chose the burger, while I selected the Bolognese. Our meals arrived quickly; however, my wife's burger was served without a bun. This was due to the assumption that her side salad indicated a low-carb preference instead of fries. Morgan, our server, checked in and corrected the plating promptly. My wife noted that the burger was especially well-prepared, and I found the Bolognese comparable to those of high-end Italian restaurants. The evening was enjoyable overall. Other customers contributed to a positive atmosphere, including a nearby birthday celebration and a guest complimenting my wife's outfit. Pricing was about 20% higher than average local restaurants, which we considered justified based on the quality provided. We will visit again. Probably on a Wednesday night because they offer half price bottle of wine with dinner and we are wind drinkers.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Abigail O’Brien
The food was so good and Shana, our waitress, was the best! So funny, so personable, so nice! My girlfriends and I loved her, we can’t wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sean Tumblety
Absolute gem of a place in downtown Derry! Finally a place with some character. Food was incredible, staff was pleasant. Can’t wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
DJ Garcia
The food is the star of the show at Foundations. Unfortunately the AC was broken and it was brutally hot in there.
We had some signature cocktails like Smoked Peach Old Fashioned and Blackberry Sangria.
Our server was the bartender too, and servicing the whole restaurant, so it it got slow with refills and after ordering.
All the food was excellent! Wings were tasty, cauliflower was crunchy and delicious, entrees were all gobbled - Bolognese, Burger, Baked Chicken and Salmon.
Foundation kitchen is always my go to in Derry for great healthy food, excellent drinks in a great atmosphere. Danny and his staff make you feel at home here! It is comfortable and enjoyable every time from a quick stop in for a drink and appetizer to a larger group for dinner and drinks! The farm to table menu plus excellent beverages is well worth exploring!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Easy to make reservations and were seated within a minute or two of arriving. Bathroom is located at the front and is single stall for both men and women.
Ordered a rum and coke which was the best I've ever had. It was very smooth. Really wanted a nice steak dinner so was slightly disappointed that they only had NY strip. Also ordered a salmon. I might be a simple person, but I felt like the garnishes took away from the dishes. The salmon had a pinnapple-mango salsa and the steak had some kind of diced tomato or salsa. The salmon was great alone, but the steak did taste more like a hamburger with a vinegar drizzle (I'm assuming from the salsa). The mashed potatoes were also made with parsnips which really changed the traditional flavor profile I'm used too.
The guacamole was better than I've had at other places, but not authentic if that's what you are looking for. The dessert was great. Brownie was well baked with crispy edges and a soft center.
If I were to go back I would not order the NY strip again, but go for a burger. I've heard they make really good ones.
For the price it was a one and done for me. I liked the atmosphere, but I just don't have a sophisticated palate.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Starting with the good…the waitress was great, the beer menu was very good and my wife’s mocktail mule was delicious. The restaurant has a nice interior, although the staff (unsure who it was) should be more mindful when they are on the phone, loud conversations and quiet restaurants do not go well together. The two of us were the only customers at 4:30 PM on Saturday.
Now onto the food…we really enjoyed the tempura cauliflower. The shrimp scampi was fine, certainly not worth the price.
The Haddack was very undercooked and translucent. We both questioned this as soon as the dish arrived since it was barely warm to the touch. We mentioned this to the waitress who offered to take the plate back, however, we both felt like, what’s really the point if it was served this way in the first place.
It came out very fast, appetizer was out in less than 10 minutes, and the food was out less than 10 minutes after that. The haddock was not eaten, I would’ve expected to at least been comped for the haddock dish since the protein was left on the plate.
I’m happy we tried this place since it has been on our bucket list for a while, however, we will not be coming back.
I forgot to take a picture of the itemized receipt…essentially that photo is showing the cost of two beers, one mocktail mule, one cauliflower appetizer, and the two main courses.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 4
Great food, cooked to perfection. The chef is great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food and drink. The staff made us feel welcomed and appreciated.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Roasted Garlic Rosemary Fries
Ordered the pork chop and it was legitimately raw on the inside. My wife ordered a chicken panini that only tasted like cheese weirdly. Staff was nice but inattentive and didn’t comp the sandwich. We didn’t eat anything and left. It was mostly empty and took almost an hour to get our food.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Martini olives were missing stuffing. No pimento or garlic?? Drinks were great otherwise.
Bananas foster - no fire at table? How do I know they were ¿fostered?
Main meals were terrific.
Wait staff was scattered but fun.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Loved it. Will definitely go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I want to start by saying that everyone who worked there was very friendly.
The downsides were that the menu a very limited. The food was not good at all. Too fancy and no taste
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
Sat at the bar, great drinks and apps
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Last night, we visited the Foundation Tavern in Derry, NH. The parking lot was small and tight, which may make alternative parking options preferable. Upon entering, the music volume was high; as a hearing aid user, I found the sound sensitivity increased. The hostess confirmed there was live music and accommodated our request to be seated away from it, so we sat in the main dining room.
Our server introduced herself and promptly took our drink order, despite the dining room being busy and her serving alone. Having dined at many restaurants over the years, we were understanding of any minor mistakes. I requested a different bottle of wine after initially ordering the wrong one, and the change was handled without issue.
When she inquired about appetizers, we declined and ordered dinner. My wife chose the burger, while I selected the Bolognese. Our meals arrived quickly; however, my wife's burger was served without a bun. This was due to the assumption that her side salad indicated a low-carb preference instead of fries. Morgan, our server, checked in and corrected the plating promptly. My wife noted that the burger was especially well-prepared, and I found the Bolognese comparable to those of high-end Italian restaurants.
The evening was enjoyable overall. Other customers contributed to a positive atmosphere, including a nearby birthday celebration and a guest complimenting my wife's outfit.
Pricing was about 20% higher than average local restaurants, which we considered justified based on the quality provided.
We will visit again. Probably on a Wednesday night because they offer half price bottle of wine with dinner and we are wind drinkers.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was so good and Shana, our waitress, was the best! So funny, so personable, so nice! My girlfriends and I loved her, we can’t wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolute gem of a place in downtown Derry! Finally a place with some character. Food was incredible, staff was pleasant. Can’t wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food is the star of the show at Foundations. Unfortunately the AC was broken and it was brutally hot in there.
We had some signature cocktails like Smoked Peach Old Fashioned and Blackberry Sangria.
Our server was the bartender too, and servicing the whole restaurant, so it it got slow with refills and after ordering.
All the food was excellent! Wings were tasty, cauliflower was crunchy and delicious, entrees were all gobbled - Bolognese, Burger, Baked Chicken and Salmon.
If you’re looking for bomb food - you found it.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Great food. Kind staff. Cool atmosphere
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