ffrost Sawyer Tavern

First of all the Ffrost Tavern seating assignment set up is a nightmare. Guests staying at the inn should have priority seating with a reservation, although the it didn’t seem that was the case. The hostess appeared confused and left us wondering what was going on. Second, the place runs between 800 and 1500 degrees inside (sarc) and my wife has a medical condition in which she is heat sensitive, so we could not even stay to eat in the tavern. Yet Lexi, at the front desk of the inn offered to provide us with room service. She was extremely attentive and came to our room multiple times making sure everything was just as it should be, including dessert. She really made us appreciate her efforts, and she saved the day! The menu has gotten safer over the years, shying away from more adventurous meal choices, yet the food continues to be of good quality and very tasty. But once again if not for Lexi’s efforts we would question dining here again.

We have been coming here for perhaps twenty years. Many of the more interesting menu items disappeared a few years ago. What remains is adequate, but not terribly inventive. Appetizers and desserts are good. The bar has a fairly good selection, but the drinks are rather ferociously overpriced. Service is good when the place is not too full, but can get a little chaotic when the place is busy.

What a gem for a college town. Several years ago my wife and I began coming here for Thanksgiving dinner. The best buffet I have ever eaten at. We planned to have our engagement party here. It was magical. The staff sat with us as we described what we wanted for passed appetizers, entrees and our cake for dessert. Everything went smoothly and their staff was professional, accommodating, and very happy to make our special day indeed special. Accommodations were arranged for some of our guests who wanted to stay the night. The only problem came at 10:00 when they informed us tha they were closing. There were 12 of us and we convinced them that 12 people drinking and still eating, would pay off for them staying open. They stayed open for another hour.
The dining room food is so good. Great presentation and nice upscale touches on American fare. You really can’t go wrong here, either for dining or lodging. We keep returning each year and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. I would rank my dinner here one of the top ten meals that I have ever eaten.
Fine food, outstanding service, relaxing atmosphere, this place has it all.

Agree with other posters. Why do we have such a great space in Durham that could transform from an impersonal and disjointed serving area into a great cozy and comfortable hangout lounge for locals in town or visitors to UNH. The food is terribly overpriced and regrettably forgettable. Drinks are good however but that won’t keep me coming back.
Suggestions — lower prices, remodel the inside to make it an actual tavern like atmosphere (think British pub) and get rid off all the knick knacks around the room in favor of more tasteful antiques from the area.

The food here is very good, the service is confused and disjointed.
Started with the Jefferson chicken appetizer. Boneless chicken rolled in pecans with a maple bourbon dipping sauce. Must try this. They could only improve it if they had it as on entrée. For my entrée had the duck special, excellent. Cooked to perfection with a tasty cherry sauce on top and wedges of sweet potato on the side.
The confusion with the service starts before you’re even seated. When you check in to be seated they’re a bit bewildered with what to do next. We were 15 mins early and were told they we didn’t have an assigned table (whatever that meant) so it was unknown when we’d be seated. 2 mins later we were seated in what looked like a check-​in table for the large group in the nearby Madbury room. Strangest table I’ve ever had at a restaurant. The table was next to the tavern dining and literally in the aisle. Took quite awhile for a server to recognize we were there as well. Apps came out fairly fast, but the entrees took quite awhile.
All in all, good food and may be worth a visit on a less busy night. Suggest you request a table upstairs