*24 hour update* I was stricken was absolutely awful gastric distress within 24 hours of eating here. Was it from their smelly mussels? I'll never know for sure, but it's certainly possible...
It pains me to give such a low rating to The Fair Haven Inn, it really does. I almost feel like I'm betraying my family and community, as so many have been so loyal to this restaurant for many, many years. The sad fact is that the Fair Haven Inn is but a shadow of its former self ever since previous owners John (RIP) and Faith sold it several years ago, there's no denying it. It may not matter, as they have a dedicated, long-time client base that either doesn't know any better or is living in the past.
Tonight's visit in summary:
Ambiance:
VERY quiet. This was expected as it's a mid-week after Labor Day. No reservations needed at all. We sat in the dining room, but the bar area was even quieter. You can sit in either side of the house and get the same food. Going inside the bar gives you certain specials, but you lose out on a couple niceties such as cloth napkins and hot towel service post-meal.
Parking is plentiful and it's handicapped accessible.
Service:
We had a couple of different servers and they were both friendly and efficient. No complaints here. The appetizers and main courses can take a long time to come out, so expect that. Salads were brought out while we were still having appetizers, however they set them aside and came back later to serve when we were ready.
The food:
Mom got the moussaka, which she normally loves. This time, she said it was burnt and appeared like it had been reheated. She thinks they flipped the burnt top over and tried to hide it. But hey, she was hungry and ate most of it. She also didn't like her salad or her clams (which she said were rubbery and inedible). The waitress did comp a dessert for her but that's it. She should've complained more in my opinion, but she doesn't like to.
The chocolate cake she had tasted stale. Of note, The dessert cart contents are entirely out in the open air and get stale as the night progresses. It's also not sanitary, as they'll pull things off the cart to show patrons and then put them back on.
Dad had the Greek salad to start. It's pretty much exactly the same as the included house salad, so it amounts to a $5 up-charge for some feta cheese.
He ordered his ribeye steak (a special of the day) "Pittsburgh style," and it only came out medium rare. He still enjoyed it and had some left to bring home.
I ordered mussels in white wine & garlic to start off. The sauce tasted a bit "off," but all the mussels were opened up and I ate em! It was a very nice sized portion for $9.99, but it did have of an off odor and I question the freshness. My hands still smell as we speak.
They'll give you a relish tray that's got sliced beets, chickpeas, and sometimes cottage cheese (none of the latter this time, fine by me). The chickpeas were edible, but drier than normal, lacking the marinade they used to have. The bread they bring out is enjoyable, the table easily went through 2 loaves. Nice Cabot butter is served with it.
My ribeye steak was also ordered rare and was served a bit more cooked than that. I didn't taste much of the red wine demi-glaze it was purported to have, and it was fatty even for ribeye. The plate was easily half gristle and scraps. House salad was fresh, I enjoyed it.
Dessert for me was the "last" piece of flourless chocolate torte. Like everything preceding, I ate it, but was hardly blown away. It tasted mass-produced, not made in house.
Drinks:
House Merlot was drinkable, a half carafe goes for $18.95. My vodka tonic was good, it had some liquor in it for sure, but the glass was small. I'm not sure of the price. Espresso wasn't bad and had a nice crema to it.
The end result:
Total bill after tip for 3 people was about $200! Hardly a value for the hard-earned money. If you come between 5 and 6 PM Monday-Saturday, you can get their lower priced "prudential menu," which they don't publish on their website. I wish we'd gotten here in time for it, as the prices are more in line with the product.
The Fair Haven Inn used to be worth the "nice ride from anywhere," unfortunately it no longer is. The product simply isn't the same. For example, they used to serve cheesecake from the nuns of New Skete, now it tastes like it's from Sysco. Other than the steak, the food didn't taste fresh. Meanwhile, prices have gone up.
I hate to say it, but drive the extra 15 minutes to Rutland, where you'll spend the same $ (or less) and enjoy true fine dining. read more