I just about NEVER bother with ANY kind of Yelp Review, however, this restaurant experience deserved comment. The Chop House at The Equinox Hotel and Resort was overall pretty awful -- a huge disappointment. It's sad to have to write this because the food itself (when it finally arrived) was actually pretty good -- well executed, well presented, tasty. However, the service was so disastrous that it completely took away from the meal in every way. The place is small -- not that many tables to have to take care of, and they DID insist on very-difficult-to-obtain dinner reservations, so you would think they took overall timing into account.... but No. Waitstaff ranged from ignoring you to non-existent. We sat there for over an hour and a half before entrees came, at which point, it was so late in the evening, that you just ate because you figured you needed some supper before going to bed. Ruined the whole experience. AND for this kind of treatment, we had to pay prices which were unusually high for a non-urban/city restaurant. We've eaten dinner in Manhattan and in Boston for FAR less. Yes -- it was the long weekend in February, but I'm sorry -- it's a hotel in VERMONT -- you KNOW what's coming, and you plan for it. Whoever is their Dining Manager needs to be replaced. Really too bad. Margaret B.
kaelin
Went here for a lunch for my moms birthday and was very disappointed. The service was not very good and slow. The roasted pumpkin salad was EXTREMELY small like they ran out of ingredients (literally 5 pieces of arugula) it was finished in 2 bites and was very mediocre. The Nashville Hot Smoked Tofu was unbearably spicy you couldn’t taste the rest of the sandwich and the rest of the food was sadly mediocre. Anywhere else in Manchester is better for lunch.
Marilyn T.
Do not waste your time or money here. We ate lunch here today. First off, I am a local and realize this place caters to tourists, BUT it was awful. We paid $77 for 2 pumpkin salads and 2 old fashions. The pumpkin salad consisted of 1/2 cup ricotta cheese, 8-10 pieces of arugala, 4 one inch pieces of pumpkin and some tasteless squishy things we could not identify. The whole "salad" would have not even taken up a 1 cup measuring cup. The Vermont maple old fashions had zero maple flavor and tasted like gasoline, literally burning your throat. The waitress was as slow as molasses and didn't even come close to cracking a smile once, she was surly and rude. There was only one other table and it took 17 minutes to get her to come take our drink order. Thank goodness we had a gift certificate because I cannot justify spending my hard earned money at this place. I don't mind paying good money for good food, drinks and service. You will not find that here.
Shauncey Malin
I’m so glad we gave this place a chance regardless of sub-par reviews. Atmosphere was cozy and sweet. There was a good mix of people: couples, larger parties, and families. Food was pretty good, service was great, atmosphere was even better. We had 7:00 reservations and were able to be seated right away. The hostess recognized on our reservation that it was our anniversary and wished us a happy anniversary. Drinks were great, appetizers were great, meals were pretty good. All food was garnished and presented beautifully. Scallops were a little under cooked but overall delish. Moral of the story: don’t let the negative reviews steer you away!!What we got to eat:Cocktails: bees kneesApps: bread service & fried goat cheese (10/10 recommend, highlight of our meal easily!)Mains: diver sea scallops & grilled wagyu burger.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Shauncey M.
I'm so glad we gave this place a chance regardless of sub-par reviews. Atmosphere was cozy and sweet. There was a good mix of people: couples, larger parties, and families. Food was pretty good, service was great, atmosphere was even better. We had 7:00 reservations and were able to be seated right away. The hostess recognized on our reservation that it was our anniversary and wished us a happy anniversary. Drinks were great, appetizers were great, meals were pretty good. All food was garnished and presented beautifully. Scallops were a little under cooked but overall delish. Moral of the story: don't let the negative reviews steer you away!! What we got to eat: Cocktails: bees knees Apps: bread service & fried goat cheese (10/10 recommend, highlight of our meal easily!) Mains: diver sea scallops & grilled wagyu burger.
Dallas Kinard
While a bit pricey, this was the highlight of our trip. One of the best burger's I've ever had ($30). Crab cake was very good too. Service was superb and the atmosphere was very cozy. Highly recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Omalley
11/3/23. Took my girlfriend to the chop house for a nice birthday dinner. What a mistake. had to wait almost an hour for our food from the time we ordered. During that time the server was never to be found. I had to get up and ask to speak to the host. I asked for some bread at the very least while waiting. I was told the bread is a separate cost. I really don't care about the cost but it was never mentioned or even offered. The food finally arrived and my girls Wagyu ribeye was almost raw on the inside. Sent it back and it was difficult to slice. Never had a bad ribeye before. My mail of a a roasted stuffed chicken was mostly stuffing on the inside and not very good. Finally the cost. Way overpriced for the quality. This was the worst experience I have had all things considered in 30 years of dining. It's attached the Equinox Hotel and Spa.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Tracey M.
Our favorite restaurant for dinner when we are in town! Scrumptious food, great service and the ambiance is perfect!
NorthStar47006149312
There were 20 family members in Manchester for our daughters wedding. Many of us were from out of state and wanted to have a breakfast together before the drive home. Chop House not only accommodated us they also served one of the best breakfasts we’ve ever had. On top of that their service was second to none. Well done Chop House!!
We had a reservation and checked in 5 mins early (we are guests at the hotel) and were told to wait. The host forgot about us until we reminded him we had already checked in earlier. We were finally seated and the server was disinterested and not friendly at all. The cocktails were flavorful, but not dinner. My husband's steak was tough and I paid over $30 for what was supposed to be grilled butternut squash with mushrooms and asparagus. Well, what I got was a small mound of what looked like microwaved butternut squash with four extremely thin pieces of asparagus. No mushrooms at all. Hardly worth the cost. Dessert was fine - peanut butter pie. Not going back.
S D
We haven’t been to the Chop House in awhile and we are happy to report that the food has improved significantly. Andre waited on us and was fantastic. Overall a good experience.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Farro Salmon Fillet
CTRazz
We have been coming here for over 10 years. Our waitress was unfortunately extremely inexperienced and the lack of training showed. She didn’t check in and others had to pick up her slack. She was unfortunately over exerted by merely walking. I ordered the chicken which came with stuffing. The stuffing was hands down stove top. When we asked for dessert menus it was as though it was a surprise to ask. Get it together. $200 for 3 for terrible experience.
Jennifer
We are staying at the resort and we were hesitant to eat here because of the bad reviews. I’m glad we tried it. The food was excellent. We had short rib, meatloaf, shrimp, fried goat cheese, etc. Excellent service, food, experience. We will definitely be going back!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meatloaf
Russ V.
Worst food and we are locals.....services was ok but definitely not "fine" dining. Not a good choice
Bad all around.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1
I just about NEVER bother with ANY kind of Yelp Review, however, this restaurant experience deserved comment. The Chop House at The Equinox Hotel and Resort was overall pretty awful -- a huge disappointment. It's sad to have to write this because the food itself (when it finally arrived) was actually pretty good -- well executed, well presented, tasty. However, the service was so disastrous that it completely took away from the meal in every way. The place is small -- not that many tables to have to take care of, and they DID insist on very-difficult-to-obtain dinner reservations, so you would think they took overall timing into account.... but No. Waitstaff ranged from ignoring you to non-existent. We sat there for over an hour and a half before entrees came, at which point, it was so late in the evening, that you just ate because you figured you needed some supper before going to bed. Ruined the whole experience. AND for this kind of treatment, we had to pay prices which were unusually high for a non-urban/city restaurant. We've eaten dinner in Manhattan and in Boston for FAR less. Yes -- it was the long weekend in February, but I'm sorry -- it's a hotel in VERMONT -- you KNOW what's coming, and you plan for it. Whoever is their Dining Manager needs to be replaced. Really too bad. Margaret B.
Went here for a lunch for my moms birthday and was very disappointed. The service was not very good and slow. The roasted pumpkin salad was EXTREMELY small like they ran out of ingredients (literally 5 pieces of arugula) it was finished in 2 bites and was very mediocre. The Nashville Hot Smoked Tofu was unbearably spicy you couldn’t taste the rest of the sandwich and the rest of the food was sadly mediocre. Anywhere else in Manchester is better for lunch.
Do not waste your time or money here. We ate lunch here today. First off, I am a local and realize this place caters to tourists, BUT it was awful. We paid $77 for 2 pumpkin salads and 2 old fashions. The pumpkin salad consisted of 1/2 cup ricotta cheese, 8-10 pieces of arugala, 4 one inch pieces of pumpkin and some tasteless squishy things we could not identify. The whole "salad" would have not even taken up a 1 cup measuring cup. The Vermont maple old fashions had zero maple flavor and tasted like gasoline, literally burning your throat. The waitress was as slow as molasses and didn't even come close to cracking a smile once, she was surly and rude. There was only one other table and it took 17 minutes to get her to come take our drink order. Thank goodness we had a gift certificate because I cannot justify spending my hard earned money at this place. I don't mind paying good money for good food, drinks and service. You will not find that here.
I’m so glad we gave this place a chance regardless of sub-par reviews. Atmosphere was cozy and sweet. There was a good mix of people: couples, larger parties, and families. Food was pretty good, service was great, atmosphere was even better. We had 7:00 reservations and were able to be seated right away. The hostess recognized on our reservation that it was our anniversary and wished us a happy anniversary. Drinks were great, appetizers were great, meals were pretty good. All food was garnished and presented beautifully. Scallops were a little under cooked but overall delish. Moral of the story: don’t let the negative reviews steer you away!!What we got to eat:Cocktails: bees kneesApps: bread service & fried goat cheese (10/10 recommend, highlight of our meal easily!)Mains: diver sea scallops & grilled wagyu burger.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
I'm so glad we gave this place a chance regardless of sub-par reviews. Atmosphere was cozy and sweet. There was a good mix of people: couples, larger parties, and families. Food was pretty good, service was great, atmosphere was even better. We had 7:00 reservations and were able to be seated right away. The hostess recognized on our reservation that it was our anniversary and wished us a happy anniversary. Drinks were great, appetizers were great, meals were pretty good. All food was garnished and presented beautifully. Scallops were a little under cooked but overall delish. Moral of the story: don't let the negative reviews steer you away!! What we got to eat: Cocktails: bees knees Apps: bread service & fried goat cheese (10/10 recommend, highlight of our meal easily!) Mains: diver sea scallops & grilled wagyu burger.
While a bit pricey, this was the highlight of our trip. One of the best burger's I've ever had ($30). Crab cake was very good too. Service was superb and the atmosphere was very cozy. Highly recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
11/3/23. Took my girlfriend to the chop house for a nice birthday dinner. What a mistake. had to wait almost an hour for our food from the time we ordered. During that time the server was never to be found. I had to get up and ask to speak to the host. I asked for some bread at the very least while waiting. I was told the bread is a separate cost. I really don't care about the cost but it was never mentioned or even offered. The food finally arrived and my girls Wagyu ribeye was almost raw on the inside. Sent it back and it was difficult to slice. Never had a bad ribeye before. My mail of a a roasted stuffed chicken was mostly stuffing on the inside and not very good. Finally the cost. Way overpriced for the quality. This was the worst experience I have had all things considered in 30 years of dining. It's attached the Equinox Hotel and Spa.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Our favorite restaurant for dinner when we are in town! Scrumptious food, great service and the ambiance is perfect!
There were 20 family members in Manchester for our daughters wedding. Many of us were from out of state and wanted to have a breakfast together before the drive home. Chop House not only accommodated us they also served one of the best breakfasts we’ve ever had. On top of that their service was second to none. Well done Chop House!!
Restaurantji Recommends
We had a reservation and checked in 5 mins early (we are guests at the hotel) and were told to wait. The host forgot about us until we reminded him we had already checked in earlier. We were finally seated and the server was disinterested and not friendly at all. The cocktails were flavorful, but not dinner. My husband's steak was tough and I paid over $30 for what was supposed to be grilled butternut squash with mushrooms and asparagus. Well, what I got was a small mound of what looked like microwaved butternut squash with four extremely thin pieces of asparagus. No mushrooms at all. Hardly worth the cost. Dessert was fine - peanut butter pie. Not going back.
We haven’t been to the Chop House in awhile and we are happy to report that the food has improved significantly. Andre waited on us and was fantastic. Overall a good experience.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Farro Salmon Fillet
We have been coming here for over 10 years. Our waitress was unfortunately extremely inexperienced and the lack of training showed. She didn’t check in and others had to pick up her slack. She was unfortunately over exerted by merely walking. I ordered the chicken which came with stuffing. The stuffing was hands down stove top. When we asked for dessert menus it was as though it was a surprise to ask. Get it together. $200 for 3 for terrible experience.
We are staying at the resort and we were hesitant to eat here because of the bad reviews. I’m glad we tried it. The food was excellent. We had short rib, meatloaf, shrimp, fried goat cheese, etc. Excellent service, food, experience. We will definitely be going back!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meatloaf
Worst food and we are locals.....services was ok but definitely not "fine" dining. Not a good choice