The Stage Restaurant & Cafe

A rather disappointing experience. We were seated on the left side of the restaurant for some reason, and we were the only table there for a while, and between the sounds of the hostesses talking behind us, the traffic of other customers regularly walking past us to be seated on the pleasant right side of the restaurant (separated by a windowed wall), and the sounds of the kitchen beyond us, it felt like we were sitting in a hallway. It was also a very dark area, while the other part of the restaurant was well lit.
Our waitress was quite friendly and took good care of us. She didn’t know what kinds of beers they sold (i.e., when we asked her about specific types of beer on the menu, she didn’t know what kind of beers they were), and for one when she went to ask the baretender what type of ale it was, the bartender told her it was «just regular ale,» even though there are tons of types of ales. I suggested to the waitress that she carry a cheat sheet of beer descriptions (I know I would forget too!). Besides that, she was great and very warm.
We split the salmon with gnocci under a ragu, and the salmon was not very good (maybe overcooked? Frozen and then reheated?). The gnocci was a different texture than we have had anywhere else — like it was air dried outside and then sauteed. Just overall the food was plain and we would not return for that reason. Service was very prompt.

My favorite place to visit when Sue is working! She is friendly, makes the best drinks and is awesome!

Eggs benedict with cheese sauce, side of kielbasa and whole wheat toast. Every time.
Love the new layout!!!

The Up Country Salad I had for lunch was simply delicious! So much taste and highly recommended! The service was a little slow but I would go back again for sure!

Great menu and the food and service is always top notch. The new renovations make for a much more inviting atmosphere. I highly recommend Pasta Tuesdays!

Renovations completed — the new space is classy with a cozy city vibe… Same friendly and quick service and a whole bunch of subtle changes — all of which. I think are for the better. Draft beer, streamlined menu, new server aprons, stunning bar and chic lighting and furniture.

Just enjoyed a perfect lunch with 4 of my closest friends.
Wait till you see the newly remodeled «Stage» ! They did a fantastic job…

The Pokemon Masters are obsessed with the stage. It is one of the best places in Keene to get breakfast, lunch or dinner. We go pretty much every weekend for brunch. The brunch is absolutely fantastic. We have also been several times for dinner which is just as great.
We love the menu options. They have your classic brunch and/​or American bistro items plus creative and original options. Everything we’ve tried has been great. We especially love the Mediterranean omelet, the huevos rancheros, the veggie frittata, and ONE of us loves the eggs flo. The other one of us is repulsed by runny eggs (she’s a grass and fire type so oddly enough, water is super effective against her). Definitely good options for grass (vegetarian) type Pokemon like us!
The dinner menu is good too. The dish that sticks out in my mind is the penne alla vodka. We go for brunch more often because it’s very inexpensive for the fantastic meal you get.
The service is always great, even when they’re busy. They’re friendly, they get the orders right, and they get the food out quickly. The presentation of the food AND drinks is also well above average.
The décor is broadway/​New York themed. They did a good job with it and it doesn’t feel tacky at all. We hate tacky, we like classy, and this fits the bill! They are as powerful as Red from the end of Pokemon Gold and Silver.

Meh. Surprised it is as popular as it is. The food is very heavy and high fat — if that bothers your digestion then skip this place. If it doesn’t I will say it is very popular.

I went to the stage last night with my boyfriend for my birthday dinner and we had an amazing experience there. Our waitress was kind, professional, and attentive without being overbearing. We split a bottle of wine and started with two delicious Caesar salads. We both ordered the rubbed New York strip steak which was amazing. Tender and flavorful and cooked exactly as requested. The steak came with a delicious sauce, Gouda mashed potatoes which were to die for, and green beans. The waitress also brought out a chocolate molten cake with a candle in it for my birthday and we were not charged for it. The pasta specials were an amazing deal as well. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone in the Keene area. I am looking forward to coming back again (hopefully very soon!)

Have dined there often, and have never been disappointed.
Last visit was last Friday. Had the Flank Steak sandwich. Would recommend it highly.

The Bouillabaisse was an unexpected treat, fresh seafood, but the sauce is what made it. Spicy, but not overpowering. My wife loved her steak Morgan, it was cooked exactly as she requested it. My daughter was very happy with her kid’s menu pizza, which was freshly made. (They both dug into my Bouillabaisse sauce when they were done with their own dishes) Service was prompt, but not rushed.

I eat only plant-​based, no oil or salt and I’m allergic to dairy so I don’t enjoy eating out. The rest of our party, including my daughter, dines off the menu. I searched the menu for something I could eat and found a chicken penne dish I could convert to my needs by leaving out the chicken, feta and olive oil. Speaking to the wait-​staff I asked her if she could omit those items and double up on the veggies, especially the spinach and I ended the order by mentioning my one allergy of dairy.
When our meals arrived, I was dismayed to see my food was glistening with oil and when I mentioned that observation she proudly said the chef didn’t use any olive oil but used another oil! It hadn’t occurred to me to list all the oils to not use. I wasn’t going to eat it. But then she saw my face and said they could redo it quickly, «no problem». I happily agreed — with the caution, no oil of any kind. It reappeared in mere minutes, piping hot and only shining from hot water, not oil! It was delicious, simple and cooked perfectly al dente.
The others were happy with their choices and I saw them trading bites. The portions were not monster sized, how nice for a change. And oddly to me at least, they chose to have a pineapple-​Jalapeño drink for their dessert. We were seated on the raised «stage» and enjoyed the overall view of the rest of the restaurant which is pleasant, quiet and tastefully decorated. I especially appreciated the manner in which our server graciously set me at ease and quickly corrected my meal without making me feel conspicuous and embarrassed. I look forward to returning.

Best of Keene! Delicious up country salad, flank steak sandwich & grilled chicken sandwich. Fresh salty fries and Brianna — our smart, personable efficient server! See you next weekend! Cannot believe I waited to post this review!

Wow our meals were incredible. Very well done. Gary’s Virtual Fish was perfect. Flavorful fresh and perfectly cooked. My Bouillabaisse was to die for. Jimmy was a wonderful bartender helpful and charming.

Ate: beef flank crostini, fried brussel sprouts, white heat chili
Drank: Cali sauvignon blanc, Sam Adams summer, Stoneface Ipa
Liked: well seasoned, big portions! We cleaned our plates!
Disliked: none really
Chicken: the meat in the chili was chicken. It was sublime
Would mom like it?: yes, she would be attracted to the portion sizes, not unlike me
Would I go back: fo’ shure, if I’m ever back here
Recommend: didn’t try any cocktails but they also look huge! !

Nice spot in the center of Keene, casual and a nice vibe. Super friendly service, eclectic menu. Calamari was outstanding! I went for a cheeseburger after seeing one the next table over. My wife went for the carbonara, which was just ok, just not what we were expecting of classic carbonara flavor. Steaks looked pretty good as well, but I wanted that cheeseburger!

Best calamari Ive ever had! Crab fritters a little gritty. Tomato cheese soup was great! Spicy chicken fingers were good. The Big Sexy martini was excellent!

Best place in town to eat. Order the flank steak and mushrooms on garlic toast. Add grilled onions to top it off. BEST open face sandwich I’ve EVER had.

It’s a fine find.
A fabulously fine fantastic find that will pleasantly put your plump or petite person perfectly into paradise. Parking aside, you’ll manage.