Food was amazing! We sat at the bar the bartenders were attentive and welcoming.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christine Davis
We had a lovely evening in a beautiful setting with delicious food and good service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jillian Doherty
The drinks, service, and atmosphere were great, but the food was a major disappointment—especially for a $500+ dinner. My steak was overcooked, my wife’s chicken was dry and completely bland, and there was a hair in the Brussels sprouts, which was unacceptable. The crab cakes were the only food item that stood out in a positive way. To their credit, the staff applied discounts to our bill without us asking, which was appreciated and handled professionally. However, based on this experience, if I return, it would only be for drinks, not for the food.
FWIW - I did already reach out directly but have heard nothing back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 4
Tarek Said
My girlfriend and I were in town visiting and wanted to enjoy a romantic, yet cozy holiday meal - it was perfect. From the front of house, to the back of house, everything was spot on. Extremely professional. Melissa was attentive and helpful. The cocktails were mixologist level. The alchemist was spicy and peppery, but really good. The garlic bread was great. The bang bang shrimp was honestly amazing and not what you would typically expect. Lobster Mac and cheese was great and the Australian wagyu steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare with an amazing crust. For dessert, we shared the peanut butter cake and it was super tasty. The library steakhouse is an absolute gem and we can’t wait to return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Johanna Norman
Wow, blown away by the historic, stunning and memorable dining experience. Food was cooked to perfection. Cocktails were on point. Our lovely waitress was so kind and attentive. We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vasil Loli
The restaurant is timeless, unfortunately they overcrowded the dining room which made it a tight squeeze for dinner.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Violet K
Absolutely amazing resturant! Expensive, but definitely worth it. The service is top notch- very professional and personable. I put 4 stars for atmosphere only because when it's crowded- it takes away from the beauty of the dining area. Everyone is seated fairly close and you become privy to alot of off-handed conversations.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Julia Shaw
The steak was top tier, and the drink menu was engaging. That said, the food wasn't consistently amazing. The charcuterie board in particular was not a good value or much to share. The sides were ok but just ok-- mushrooms that were supermarket fare, and the potatoes in the au gratin seemed slightly underdone. Had mousse for desert that was quite heavy. The waiter was good but the hostesses weren't the best. When we showed up at our reserved time we had to wait awkwardly with several other people in an area with no space where waiters were constantly squeezing through. Perhaps that can't be helped, but the hostesses really didn't communicate and there was a wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Marcia Steidle
The Library continues to be one of the best restaurants on the Seacoast - spectacular menu (my filet mignon & the classic Bernaise sauce was amazing), ambience (my 2 friends & I ate in the lounge where the bar is located and the fireplace was going), and exceptional service! Highly recommended!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
C Hudson
We always have a great experience at the Library. Great food, great service, great ambiance.
A lovely spot for a date, though the food quality doesn’t justify the price.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Ken Mills
Amazing dinner w/ fantastic service in a very cool location.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ivette Boutilier
I had an excellent meal with my in laws and husband at Library. We all really enjoyed our meals, each getting the steak. We had some small hiccups with service (waitress had some confusion over a side, mocktail ingredients and did serve us the wrong wine but we enjoyed the wine she brought and overall it was not a huge deal) that knocked off the service rating but overall I really enjoyed the ambience so much and I cannot wait to return. I adored how the desserts were presented at the end, very easy way to encourage us to indulge!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Mashed Potatoes
Donna Ritchie
Initially, we were impressed when we were able to change tables due to personal preference. There was ample time to enjoy our drinks and appetizers before our main course. Our meals, we were a party of six, came at one time, were cooked to perfection and delicious. The wait staff was personable and helpful. Our reunion was a success thanks in part to The Library.
We’ve marked some wonderful occasions and “just because” dinners at the Library. Most recently was my birthday dinner with our two small children. I was anxious despite our oldest having eaten in restaurants in Paris, London, New York- we work hard to teach her restaurant etiquette but she’s 5 and her baby sister only 7 months. I worried the staff wouldn’t be friendly to them but everyone was wonderful. We enjoyed drinks, an extra large plate of garlic bread (my daughter’s request), and she adored the Wagyu steak she ordered. I mean, who wouldn’t. I had a mild stroke when they brought her chocolate milk out in a giant glass but she remembered 2 hands and did great. My only disappointment was we ordered the truffle fries but asked they be completely plain because I doubted she’d like truffle (I’m not a huge fan myself) and they came out doused in cracked pepper. She didn’t like them and I’ll say I don’t blame her. No fuss though, it just would have been nice if they were truly plain with just salt. Otherwise we enjoyed more steak, cocktails (just the grownups :), scalloped potatoes, and wine. The Mac and cheese was a disappointment but I’m a Mac and cheese snob and never think it’s good enough, so I don’t hold it against them. I got a lovely little dessert for my birthday. Everyone was so nice to our baby as well, oohing and aahing over her. She was such a delight and didn’t make a peep looking around at all the interesting items on the shelves and walls. My husband was so touched as we were leaving the host held the door open for him (in 5° weather, no less) as he had the baby carrier and said “you have a beautiful family.” That really made his night. Such a treasure, this restaurant.
Food was amazing! We sat at the bar the bartenders were attentive and welcoming.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had a lovely evening in a beautiful setting with delicious food and good service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The drinks, service, and atmosphere were great, but the food was a major disappointment—especially for a $500+ dinner. My steak was overcooked, my wife’s chicken was dry and completely bland, and there was a hair in the Brussels sprouts, which was unacceptable. The crab cakes were the only food item that stood out in a positive way.
To their credit, the staff applied discounts to our bill without us asking, which was appreciated and handled professionally. However, based on this experience, if I return, it would only be for drinks, not for the food.
FWIW - I did already reach out directly but have heard nothing back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 4
My girlfriend and I were in town visiting and wanted to enjoy a romantic, yet cozy holiday meal - it was perfect. From the front of house, to the back of house, everything was spot on. Extremely professional. Melissa was attentive and helpful. The cocktails were mixologist level. The alchemist was spicy and peppery, but really good. The garlic bread was great. The bang bang shrimp was honestly amazing and not what you would typically expect. Lobster Mac and cheese was great and the Australian wagyu steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare with an amazing crust. For dessert, we shared the peanut butter cake and it was super tasty. The library steakhouse is an absolute gem and we can’t wait to return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wow, blown away by the historic, stunning and memorable dining experience. Food was cooked to perfection. Cocktails were on point. Our lovely waitress was so kind and attentive. We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The restaurant is timeless, unfortunately they overcrowded the dining room which made it a tight squeeze for dinner.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Absolutely amazing resturant! Expensive, but definitely worth it. The service is top notch- very professional and personable. I put 4 stars for atmosphere only because when it's crowded- it takes away from the beauty of the dining area. Everyone is seated fairly close and you become privy to alot of off-handed conversations.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
The steak was top tier, and the drink menu was engaging. That said, the food wasn't consistently amazing. The charcuterie board in particular was not a good value or much to share. The sides were ok but just ok-- mushrooms that were supermarket fare, and the potatoes in the au gratin seemed slightly underdone. Had mousse for desert that was quite heavy. The waiter was good but the hostesses weren't the best. When we showed up at our reserved time we had to wait awkwardly with several other people in an area with no space where waiters were constantly squeezing through. Perhaps that can't be helped, but the hostesses really didn't communicate and there was a wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
The Library continues to be one of the best restaurants on the Seacoast - spectacular menu (my filet mignon & the classic Bernaise sauce was amazing), ambience (my 2 friends & I ate in the lounge where the bar is located and the fireplace was going), and exceptional service! Highly recommended!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We always have a great experience at the Library. Great food, great service, great ambiance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
A lovely spot for a date, though the food quality doesn’t justify the price.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Amazing dinner w/ fantastic service in a very cool location.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had an excellent meal with my in laws and husband at Library. We all really enjoyed our meals, each getting the steak. We had some small hiccups with service (waitress had some confusion over a side, mocktail ingredients and did serve us the wrong wine but we enjoyed the wine she brought and overall it was not a huge deal) that knocked off the service rating but overall I really enjoyed the ambience so much and I cannot wait to return. I adored how the desserts were presented at the end, very easy way to encourage us to indulge!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Mashed Potatoes
Initially, we were impressed when we were able to change tables due to personal preference. There was ample time to enjoy our drinks and appetizers before our main course. Our meals, we were a party of six, came at one time, were cooked to perfection and delicious. The wait staff was personable and helpful. Our reunion was a success thanks in part to The Library.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Complimentary Garlic Bread, Salad, Potatoes Au Gratin, Wedge Salad, Crème Brûlée
We’ve marked some wonderful occasions and “just because” dinners at the Library. Most recently was my birthday dinner with our two small children. I was anxious despite our oldest having eaten in restaurants in Paris, London, New York- we work hard to teach her restaurant etiquette but she’s 5 and her baby sister only 7 months. I worried the staff wouldn’t be friendly to them but everyone was wonderful. We enjoyed drinks, an extra large plate of garlic bread (my daughter’s request), and she adored the Wagyu steak she ordered. I mean, who wouldn’t. I had a mild stroke when they brought her chocolate milk out in a giant glass but she remembered 2 hands and did great. My only disappointment was we ordered the truffle fries but asked they be completely plain because I doubted she’d like truffle (I’m not a huge fan myself) and they came out doused in cracked pepper. She didn’t like them and I’ll say I don’t blame her. No fuss though, it just would have been nice if they were truly plain with just salt. Otherwise we enjoyed more steak, cocktails (just the grownups :), scalloped potatoes, and wine. The Mac and cheese was a disappointment but I’m a Mac and cheese snob and never think it’s good enough, so I don’t hold it against them. I got a lovely little dessert for my birthday. Everyone was so nice to our baby as well, oohing and aahing over her. She was such a delight and didn’t make a peep looking around at all the interesting items on the shelves and walls. My husband was so touched as we were leaving the host held the door open for him (in 5° weather, no less) as he had the baby carrier and said “you have a beautiful family.” That really made his night. Such a treasure, this restaurant.
Food: 5
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