Roundabout Diner and Lounge

Reviews 4

A

A Private User

My friend & I stopped at the Roundabout Diner on the way back from shopping at the Kittery Outlet Stores. I want to agree with the other reviewer, the diner decor is NOT 50s cheesy, but very sleek & clean, and surprisingly warm & friendly! We sat down at the counter and was told by our server that it was Restaurant Week in Portsmouth and that they had a special lunch menu for that event if we were interested. The special menu had a selection of appetizers, entrees & desserts. You could select 1 item from each category for $16. My friend and I were planning on sharing a meal & saving room for dessert ( I saw the Phantom Gourmet video about the Pastry Chef that makes all the desserts). I asked if we could share the special, and we were told yes. So we ordered the panko crusted scallops w/aoli mayonnaise. The crust was light and crispy just as you would suspect with panko crumbs - very tasty. But the aoli was out of this world! In fact I saved some to have with my entree. My friend & I thought - well, the appetizer was great, but what is the french dip sandwich we chose going to be like. When the server placed it on the counter, my mouth fell open! The meat was so moist, you could see it glistening, and med-rare, just how we like it. The sandwich came with saute onions, borsin cheese, & roasted plumb tomatoes (we got borsin & tomatoes on the side). The crusty, yet soft chewy roll was a perfect vehicle to use to get this tender, juicy thin sliced prime rib beef into our mouths! I alternated a dab of aoli and borsin with each bite and used the au-jus to dip my fries in! My friend wanted nothing on his 1/2 sandwich, chosing to just dip his in the au-jus broth. We were in food heaven! Then our server asked us which dessert we wanted? The choices were Pumpkin tiramisu, a chocolate dessert or a coconut cheesecake. I chose the pumpkin tiramisu. My friend is kinda of a diner guy (Agwam, Maine Diner, ect.) His dessert choices are usually Indian pudding or Boston Cream Pie. He seemed disinterested in any of these choices. We both figured the chances of having 3 delicious courses was out of the question, rarely do we ever go somewhere and not have a unsatisfactory portion of something! Well, we were wrong - the dessert was delectable. I dont much care for pumpkin desserts, but I like tiramisu. The layered flavors of this dessert was unbelievable! First, it was topped with these crunchy crumbly pieces, (sorta like little pieces of pastry), and the mascarpone cheese was soooo creamy, but not too sweet. The cake layer was moist and the pumpkin layer was also creamy. All I know is that we were both full, but neither of us could stop eating this incredible dessert! No, we didnt lick the plate but, it was so good you could have! I almost didnt go there because of the reviews, but Im so glad we did! Granted it was mid afternoon, not very busy, but I think a new restaurant needs a few months before they get into their groove, and what can you really expect when you visit restaurants at their busiest times, I know I dont expect much at those times. P.S. We also got a $5. gift certificate because of Restaurant Week, so we will definitely be going back! Our server was great too!

SH

Shirley Kathios

I visited the diner largely due in part to the reviews. I have to be honest, the first time I went there...about a week ago, I ordered the breakfast....pancakes...ham, potatoes... for $10.00 and I was very pleased with the breakfast and my server was great.... However, I went there last evening and asked the waitress who was adored with jewerly coming out of her tongue....lol....what she recommended....? She quickly replied...."the lobster mac and cheese" she went on to say it was her favorite and the portions are huge and a good amount of lobster in the dish. Cost $20.00....no salad or bread.... I decided to take her advice and order the lobster mac and cheese.... The entree arrived in about 10 minutes. I seriously doubt that it was made from scratch. Appeared to be heated up. The waitress placed the plate of food on my table and asked if I needed anything else to which I replied no.... I was appalled.....seriously. A small portion greeted me with literally 3 pieces of lobster on top of the mac and cheese. There was a crab claw and two tiny pieces that I had to look for among the macaroni. The first thing that came to mind was....they charge $20.00 bucks for this. I did not touch the plate. Did not even try it. I promptly got out of my chair because my waitress was nowhere to be found. I started to explain to the hostess why I was leaving, then my waitress appeared and I told her that I was leaving w my plate un touched. If other patrons have had the mac and cheese w lobster and were satisfied....that is great. I really dont know why they served me that small plate w 3 small pieces of lobster....the waitress assured me the portion was huge and a good amount of lobster. I was too disgusted to even ask to speak to the manager and/or cook on duty last night....But....if this establishment ever does read their reviews.....all I have to say is....you would not pay 20 bucks for what I received or should I say did not receive. I will not be coming back and/or recommending this place. P.S. I did go to State Street restaurant and ordered a lobster roll for $7.00. Roll was good, more lobster in it than macdonalds.....got chips and a pickle....a good bargain for the seacoast. Bar was extremely dark and the waitress had her hands full with serving a lot of patrons by herself. I also got to hear the 72 year old owner speaking w patrons and swearing like a trucker. Not a classy place, in my opinion....but that is just my opinion.

ST

Steven Barrett

Old fashioned themed Diners are a dying breed in the United States, but this wonderful restaurant will really bring you back to the good old days. Absolutely INCREDIBLE food, absolutely INCREDIBLE service, and an absolutely INCREDIBLE experience. You walk in and you feel like youre in the 50s with coffee pots roasting and old fashioned bar stools. You are always greeted with a warm, friendly welcome. The dish that we were told to drive about 2 hours for (from Rhode Island to Portsmouth New Hampshire) include the Patty Melt, which is 8 onces of grilled Angus Beef, cheese, sugar-cured Apple wood smoked bacon, and a fresh sour dough bun. No matter how far you have to come to get here, it is well worth it if you get the Patty Melt. And make sure that you get an Oreo cookie pie. Its deadly. This food is outstanding and I need to reiterate it, go to the Roundabout, no matter how far you have to go! Its worth it. The Roundabout Diner is home to a meal I will never forget.

AA

Aaron H

My wife and I had dined here in the past and enjoyed ourselves each time. What I am about to recount though is the last time we ever set foot in the restaurant. We had come in late at night, beleaguered from a long trip. My wifes food was wholly inedible. She asked me to try it and make sure it wasnt just her. I am mind you a pretty easy going person and will eat just about anything, but I too agreed that the food was spoiled and not edible. She didnt eat at all and left her plate untouched. When the waiter came back and asked how the meal was my wife said "It was terrible, and I couldnt even eat it. The food was spoiled" the response we got was "Well you win some, and you lose some..." and the waiter walked away. I thought about dining and dashing that night. Instead I left no tip, and a very angry comment card. We have never set foot in this establishment again.