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Library Restaurant At the Rockingham House
Rating Details »
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good for:
- Dinner
11 reviews for Library Restaurant At the Rockingham House
Two words for you... Go here.
According to my bank account, The Library is only a special occasion type place, however it was one of the best meals I've ever had.
We made reservations (which I highly recommend because it's a bit small) and our waitress was perfect. She realized that we were going to be there for a while and did not rush us along in the least.
We had the Spinach and Artichoke dip to start. We devoured the whole thing within minutes (it comes with crackers and is in a bread bowl... sooooo good!). I then had the filet, a friend had the chicken with mashed taters w/ crab. Another friend had a different cut of steak. We had mac n cheese as a side, and I highly recommend it. It was cheesey-licious!!! The desserts were also fantastic. I can't wait for the next occasion so we can go again!
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A most atmospheric and enjoyable dining experience (yes, even for the non-bookworms).
A slightly "stuffy" steakhouse, but I didn't feel out of place wearing designer jeans and a nice buttondown. Atmosphere is on the romantic side. Decor is pretty cool, really enjoyed looking at some of the woodwork in the dinning area and books. Had apps and dessert at other places that night so just got steaks and a bottle of wine.
I ordered a 24 oz ribeye and the GF got a filet. Both were very good. Reasonable prices on bottles of wine (~$30) for the place. The mashed potatoes weren't anything to write home about, but average. Bill was around $100 for 2 dinners and a bottle of wine.
They use old books for check holders, thought that was an interesting touch. I'd say I've probably had better food/service at ruth's chris or flemings in Boston, but this was also very good.
Worst service around, this place almost ruined my birthday. My girlfriend took me there for an early dinner on my birthday. I've been there many times and loved the food. I was in the mood for a cheeseburger so I suggested we go to the Library because they have a good burger, but also because of the BBQ Shrimp appetizer. I love the shrimp, its basically the same appetizer from Flemings. The shrimp was the reason we went to the library rather than Long Horns or the Outback. So I ordered the shrimp and we both got burgers. About a half hour after ordering, I see the shrimp on the end of the bar (we were sitting at the bar and other than the other couple sitting a few chairs down, the only people in the place, it was like 4:30ish) and I started to get excited. I look back a few seconds later and it is gone off the bar, not sure where they took it but it was gone. So about 10-15 minutes later (about 45 minutes after we ordered) the burgers come out. I ask about the shrimp and the girl had no good explanation where it was. She said she could reorder it, but I said forget it I already had the burger.
Now here is the kicker and the reason I will never go back.... we get our bill and they took the shrimp off, but also took one of my drinks off (I was thinking it was because they screwed up the shrimp and trying to make up for it). So my girlfriend signs the check and we leave a good tip because I thought they tried to make up for their mistake. We get home and were waiting for our friends to show up to go out to the bars and my girlfriend checks her account on-line and she noticed they charged her card twice, once for the amount she authorized then they cancelled that and put through one for a higher amount. Isn't that illegal?? My girlfriend called her bank and they credited her account the money in dispute (it was only like $10, but still it's the principle). The Library said it was because they gave her the other couple's bill, and ours was higher because we had one more drink (the one I thought they took off because they screwed up our order). The manager didn't sound too contrite when I called to complain and she said the next time I go in the shrimp is on the house (not refund the extra money they charged to the card without authorization). She also tried to make it seem like it was my girlfriends fault. I will never go in there again and for what, a refund of the $10 they snuck on the credit card bill and a sound apology would have been nice... and I would have probably gone back and would have given it favorable word of mouth advertising, now I tell everyone not to go there and I will never go there again.
I would have given it 1 star, but I couldn't because the food is pretty good, when you are actually served it!!
F the Library!!
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Delish!
Went in for late lunch and left stuffed and satisfied. Both of us had the full sirloin steak for lunch. It was perfect. Sirloin is my favorite steak and I thought they did an excellent job.
The atmosphere is all old-school steakhouse. No trendy here. The main dining room has floor to ceiling shelves of books between the windows. Think of what an old library looks like in mansions in the movies. Think of the board game Clue. It was only missing the secret door entrance way (or maybe not...) There is also private dining room and a bar area with a tv.
My addition to reviews: the bread! It comes out hot with melted butter on it. Fantastic!
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Oh, The Library's good and it knows it. The steak here was amazing, and they were perfectly accommodating with our requests to butterfly it to maximize the crispy outside. I also had the caesar salad, and part of a peanut butter pie that my dad and I devoured before my brother even got to touch it.
The drinks? Eh. That's why I'm docking it a star. I got a sex on the beach (I know, scandalous in such a nice restaurant...) and my parents both got Kirs. What came out was a watery-punch-tasting cocktails and two Kir Royales, which they promptly sent back.
All in all, it's definitely worth a return visit. I love how they deliver your bill to you in an old library book!
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A bad bathroom can spoil a great meal. Even if you've had the best martini and the best meal of your life, if you then find yourself in an ill-painted stall with echoing walls and gunk between the floor tile and wall -- you quickly forget your fabulous meal.
Every restaurant owner must realize: women also spend excessive time at the sink and mirror. Women hang out in there -- and decor matters. Give us sound-buffering textures, cleaner-than-clean floors and walls, forgiving lights and mirrors that slim. Especially when dropping $100 for an otherwise languid, decor-luxurious, two-hour stay.
And you wonder: if the bathroom is like Friday-afternoon's middle-school locker room -- what's the kitchen like...?
Stay above ground (restrooms are below) at the Library, and you'll enjoy an excellent upscale steakhouse meal. The bar/wine selection will impress any urban, seasoned dinner date. The service, often slack in Portsmouth, is fantastic. Look for Caitlin at the bar.
In fact, a great way to experience this restaurant is to order apps and drinks with Caitlin in the ambient, book-lined lounge. It's pleasant and reasonably priced. Crab cakes were a little too cakey and a bit less delicate than one might like, but the sauce was delicious and made up for it. The owner hangs out at the bar which is a little weird but it's the sort of weirdness that adds dimension to the time spent.
Good venue for happy hour with friends. A great place to take your parents or anyone else you're trying to casually impress; especially male carnivores. Avoid taking female dates. Until the restrooms are upgraded. Until then, women will come upstairs looking and feeling slightly unnerved -- and the best steaks in the world can't make up for it. Nor can Caitlin's wizardry at the bar.
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How did I forget this place? I've been to the Library several times in the last 5 or 6 years. It's more of a steak house than it used to be, but the food has been good every time. The last time was a few months ago & the four of us all had great meals. The only reason I haven't been back in the last few months is because I've been trying other restaurants for the first time. I'm thinking that I'll be going back before the end of the year and I'm looking forward to it.
The name tells you a lot about the atmosphere. It's a little bit like an old library inside, and feels like a traditional steak house.
Update (1/28/08): We had a major feast here over the weekend. 9 people, $600+ for food drinks & tip. It was well worth it.
Update (5/17/08): We brought my in laws here for Mother's Day. The food was terrific, though they decided that they could sell more with the Dinner menu than the Lunch menu so it was dinner all day. It was either a damn good dinner or an expensive lunch, depending on your attitude. Since we were so full from our 2PM lunch that we skipped dinner, I'm going to call it another great meal.
If we want a special occasion dinner, Library very naturally pops up as one of the first choices. The interiors are fabulous, the food is top-level, the service is quite good, too.
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I have reviewed many steak houses throughout the country in the last 3 years. Never have I had a better steak than the NY sirloin at The Library in Portsmouth, NH. The steak was so succulent inside and perfectly charbroiled on the outside. I have never been a fan of Sirloin in any capacity, but this was the best cut of meat I have had in quite sometime. Furthermore, the ambiance of the restaurant was in accordance with all expectations of the great steakhouses across the country
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Atmosphere was a little stuffy for me, but it wasn't excruciating. The food was far too rich for me...it gave me an upset stomach. I don't think I would go back there again!
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