The Foundry Restaurant

Beautiful restaurant. Great service. Called ahead so we waited maybe 10 min to be seated. Ordered:
Wings — average, nothing spectacular
Caesar salads were good
Steak Frites, steak was very tasty, fries were UNBELIEVABLE, spinach was eh just a pile of raw spinach
Seared Tuna– fish was very good, sides were bland and basic.
The best part was the cake of the day– Almond Joy cake. It was a soft, light almond cake with a coconut cream in the middle– it was by far on of the best cakes I have ever had. All in all we will definitely be coming back! Enjoy :)

We went to the fairly new Foundry in Manchester.
Love the old mill space, water view, and concept.
Service was excellent and the communicated with us very well regarding the wait to get seated. They have a system to text us when our table was great which was cool.
I liked the menu– mostly farm to table concept.
Most everyone enjoyed their meals– for the most part.
I started with the fried brussel spouts which I thought were overdone and greasy. Overly sweet and sauced.
The risotto with short rib was just eh. Very bland and not seasoned well. I would not order it again.
Husband got the pork ragout which was delicious.
Its pricey. Not sure I would return for just an okay meal.

Popped into the Foundry last night. They did a great job refurb-​ing the place, it looks great!
They don’t take reservations. I called an hour ahead at 6 pm (there was 8 of us), and was advised that we would probably have to wait 30 minutes if we arrived at 6:30 pm. Ok, no biggy, we’ll hang at the bar & indulge in some cocktails.
Cocktails were tasty! The service (while sitting at the bar) was horrible. Bartenders were NOT friendly and were NOT even attempting to take care of us, and keep our drinks full… wouldn’t even clear our empty glasses! We waited 1 ½ hours (asking multiple times when we could expect to be seated), and apparently we were waiting on ONE table to accommodate our party of 8… Seriously? At 8:15 pm they still said it was still going to be awhile. We eyed an empty table for over 20 minutes, and asked the hostesses why we couldn’t sit there??? Finally they agreed, and sat us. Again, seriously?
I get this is a relatively new place, but they do NOT have it together at all! The food… NOT great. I was expecting the food (supposedly farm-​to-​table) to be fresh and spectacular… and it was just Meh… NOTHING spectacular! Definitely NOT worth the hassle.
Glad we tried it, now we know. I MIGHT go back for a drink… but they need to hire bartenders that know how to bartend, and make customers happy… I can think of tons of other places I’d rather spend my money!
Good try, but no! They have a lot of kinks to work out if they expect to survive and thrive!

Loved it when it opened. Now food is just so so. Been 3 times prior to updating review just to be sure but now I would only suggest a burger! Great wine list by the glass so that’s a plus!

This restaurant is absolutely beautiful and the drinks are amazing.
The food — not so much. Everything I had, along with my friend, was disgusting. The mussels had french fries and brown sugar sauce mixed in and the mussels were HUGE. That was probably the worst combination ever. And bigger isn’t always better. The mixed green salad only had the mixed greens and pumpkin seeds. The menu options weren’t really lacking, however the descriptions weren’t appealing at all.
If you go — do go on a full belly and enjoy the drinks. Otherwise, don’t waste your time.

Food was very good, and I enjoyed the use of seasonal ingredients. My duck breast was cooked absolutely perfectly. Appetizer portions, specifically of soup or salad, are a little large, and it was difficult to make it through my entrée after the huge bowl of split pea soup I’d just eaten. That said though, that vat of soup was only $ 6, which is great if you’re price conscious.
The bad part is that the place is LOUD LOUD LOUD. Our server had to come around to each person individually to take our orders, and even then it was difficult to hear her. Definitely not recommended for a date night unless you don’t plan to talk to each other.

What a pleasant surprise! This place is absolutely beautiful inside. It’s hard to believe it was previously Jillian’s.
Great beer and wine selection and a creative menu supporting local purveyors.
Unfortunately the chefs have a little work to do, to get the kinks out. We had the Brussels sprouts which were good, but would’ve been even better if some of them weren’t burnt. I had the scallops which were tasty but also over cooked. For dessert we had the nachos. Super creative, fun idea. We really enjoyed them.
Wouldn’t mind going back to give them another shot.

A group of friends and I gathered at the Foundry for a going-​away party and couldn’t be happier with the food or service. As a party of 6 on a busy Saturday night, The Foundry was accommodating when the majority of our party arrived late. Our waitress, Meghan, was attentive, friendly, and delightful.
I had the spring green salad and butternut squash bisque. The spring greens were perfectly dressed and fresh. The bisque was rich but maintained the integrity of the flavor of the squash. Looking around the table, all the dishes were enviable.
Save room for the chocolate pudding cake. Seriously.

The Foundry has done a very good job using the former mill space once occupied by the World Sports Grill (essentially, a billiards club). The exposed wood and brick fit the restaurant really well and create a nice ambiance. Service here was very friendly and very good. They have an excellent selection of cocktails, too. The food here has a farm-​to-​table concept, and they execute very well on it. The only complaint about The Foundry is they are charging Boston /​New York City level prices in Southern New Hampshire.

Very delicious! Got the foundry burger! Was a little disappointed the bacon was burned! I would of rathered anything else be burnt I mean who would do that to bacon! Our server was amazing! Service was fast. My other half had beef tenderloin which was cooked to perfection and tasted great! Our waitress even found me their version of honey mustard!

Tries very hard to impress but ultimately falls flat (especially at the higher end prices)
Drinks.pricey. Inexperienced bartenders.
Moved to 4 top when another couple arrived. Again. apps fall into 12 – 15 dollar range and don’t deliver. Server was a little off but warmed up to her.
Dinner.$$$ and it hurts… when your flank steak is literally 5 small precut slices and the cauliflower gratin is nothing more than cauliflower thrown into a processor and tossed in a cheese sauce. fries are the thick/​coated/​frozen kind. You can do better for the money… right down the street. Two burgers sent out cooked wrong, one sent back because it was way off. and nothing special; again, on the higher end ‘Boston prices’. You’re not Arden & Harlow, not even in the ball park, but you charge like? Bun. non descript, almost supermarket feel, beef was flavorless. Bacon was bacon.yawn.
The porchetta looked good but didn’t sample.
The bar area turns into an absolute shitshow about an hour after they open, so any attempt at ambiance goes right out the window. there was little other than dark cellar feeling anyways. so have at it if you like wasting your money.
His opened to much fanfare… all style and little substance, and the substance fades quickly. When the check hits the table reality sinks in. Pass.

This place blew me away. I came across it on Unilocal!As a «Hot & New» restaurant and decided to check it out. We started with the cheese & charcuterie board, we had the blue cheese, goats cheese and maple cheddar with the prosciutto and foundry made pork rottilles. Our main courses were the pan seared scallops with pumpkin seen pesto and the salmon with sweet potato hash that had a little kick to it, each was amazing. I will be returning here soon! The service was outstanding as well with lots of help from the waitress (Kelley) about what might fit out taste buds best. Go here! You won’t regret it!

My husband and I chose this place as a date night. We had to wait at the bar for about a half an hour which is to be expected for a Friday night in Manchester. The décor is really cool. We especially liked the sinks in the bathroom.
This restaurant seems to excell in the simple things. We had truffle fries at the bar while we were waiting. I order truffle fries almost any time I see them. These were the best. I had ever had. I normally like extra crispy fries but these weren’t and they were perfect that way. When we got to the table, we had the bread. I could have made a meal off of the rosemary bread alone. A touch of salt, the rosemary wasn’t overpowering, perfectly flaky crust.
I ordered the crab stuffed trout which was very good and exactly what I expected. My husband had the steak. Again, an amazing steak is an amazing steak. But the mashed potatoes that came with it were out of this world. I would go there again and get mashed potatoes to go. We finished the meal with a chocolate torte which was also very good. All around it was a wonder date night for the two of us.
As an added bonus, I had a friend there who was in a party of 15 and they easily accommodated her party and she told me they also had a great time.

Manchester is lucky to get this reinvestment into it’s culture by Mr. Kamen.
Currently, The Foundry is a four-​star restaurant with the potential to be five-​star.
Atmosphere: It’s brilliant. Quite honestly, it’s as if your dining in a forgotten time when Manchester was an important mill town along the Merrimack. The décor, architecture, and wine room are something to behold (and the bar is stunning). Additionally, it’s fine dining without the stuffiness or pomp, which is refreshing.
Food: Farm to table at it’s very best. 9

The location and décor is really top notch. It’s probably the nicest looking restaurant I’ve been to in New Hampshire. Obviously they put a lot of thought in to the layout and furnishings. They also use a smart phone app to alert you when your table is ready, which was great. Unfortunately, that’s where The Foundry stopped impressing me.
I look for value in my food, regardless of price. I don’t mind paying a premium for excellent food, but I really dislike paying for average food at $ 30/​plate. On top, the portions were small.
I ordered the steak frites. Meat was cooked according to my request, just seemed tough in general and lacking flavor. Portion was laughable. I believe five slices of steak. Some wet kale salad came as well. The French fries were tasty that came with, sadly they were the highlight of a $ 30 plate. Four house wines and four beers: $ 79.
Drinks are pricey. Menu is limited. And they are definitely still working the kinks out of the service end. For example, we had a member of our group who is on a very specific diet. Generally she eats a salad with grilled chicken. Truly the simplest of orders for any kitchen (especially of this cost) to make. The waiter flat out said it couldn’t be done without even consulting a manager. They sell chicken, they sell salad, but if you want to combine, you need to buy both. For $ 40+. So she ordered half a chicken with steamed vegetables that came out nearly raw. Just a poor effort.
Some in our group enjoyed the food, most felt it fell short of expectations.
I generally compare all finer restaurants around to Mint Bistro. If you are a fan of Mint, I suspect you may be disappointed.

The Foundry is nestled in the corner of the Manchester Millyard and resides in the old Jillian’s location.
It is owned by renowned inventor Dean Kamen, who obviously didn’t spare any expense in revamping the entire space and infusing it with a metallurgy theme. Everything is copper and earth toned, large antique sprockets pepper the restaurant, table lights are suspended from dark chains, and even the bathroom sinks mimic old wash basins with antique spouts (picture attached). It’s a classy looking space.
I was on the run last night, so I couldn’t stay for an entire entrée, but I had the Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates with a glass of Allagash Curieux, which they keep on tap. First, Allagash Curieux… on tap! That’s a wonderful thing and it will keep me coming back. Second –and this is not hyperbole– the stuffed dates appetizer is one of the best dishes I’ve ever tasted in a restaurant.
When I ordered the stuffed dates, I was expecting cold blue cheese stuffed into a room temperature date with a few seasonings sprinkled over it. Instead, what I received was a date wrapped in lightly smoked maple bacon and injected with some hedonistically delicious creamed blue cheese –that hardly tasted like its namesake– and the whole thing is sautéed. I detected hints of honey in the mix, but I’m not sure if that’s actually the case. It’s an incredibly well balanced sweet-​and-​salty experience that is worth your time and money.
The Foundry left a fantastic first impression on me and I look forward to further exploring their menu.

We would definitely go back. Great bar area while we waited for one hour to get table on Saturday night. Excellent beer choices and cocktails. Outside seating was comfy, salads amazing although heirloom tomato salad more salad than tomato… Tuna and scallop entrees were very good and truffle fries were perfect app. Katie rocked as server.
For a city so devoid of good restaurants (except Republic of course) this is a step in the right direction!

Beautiful restored mill building located at the old Jillian’s spot.
We sat at the bar and feasted on:
Cheese & Charcuterie plate — A delicious array of three different cheeses and two meats of your choosing. It comes with crunchy crostini slices. Also includes nibbles of fresh blueberries, peaches, and chocolate which were nice additions to the plate.
BLT Sliders (listed on their bar menu) — These were made with thick slices of pork bellies, bibb lettuce, tomato and mayo aioli. Very good and filling. We got a side of the truffle fries that were very tasty. Also worth noting is that it’s served with homemade ketchup. It was sweet and garlicky, served in an adorable glass jar. Yummy!
Chocolate Pudding Cake — A flourless chocolate cake topped with rich, buttery caramel sauce and toasted pecans. Simply to die for!
I am looking forward to returning to try more dishes. Everything being served looked delicious. A great addition to downtown Manchester.

We arrived at 7:30 pm and waited over a hour– we understood b/​c the place is new. We sat at the bar and had several issues, the orders had to be taken twice– once verbally and once written down. The order was not complex four beers and one martini. We then waited and watched our poured Guinness sit under the tap for 10 minutes until we could get the attention of 1 of 5 bar staff to bring us the drink. The bar seating area and décor were lovely and there was someone playing guitar in the corner which was very enjoyable. I imagine when less busy that area would be nice to spend time in.
More unfortunate than the service at the bar was the drink quality– my basic martini was poorly made, the glass hot when received and the mix of vodka and vermouth incorrect.
We were sat about 1 hr 15 minutes after we arrived but it took me 20 minutes to close the bar tab. I really think the bar staff didn’t seem quite trained. A member of our group ordered an IPA which was confused as a mixed drink.
I reordered my martini at the table when we were sat. I told the wait staff the issues I had at the bar. I was encouraged to give the bar a second try and the second time around the martini was worse– I sent the drink back and gave up.
We ordered multiple menu items– the half chicken, short ribs, steak frites, stuffed trout and burger. It was a bit before 10 pm when we received our meal, 2.5 hours after we arrived. The server was polite and prompt and did apologize for the wait. The food was just ok for the price point– the chicken was dry and potatoes lacking, the trout ok but presentation odd with pesto and items glopped on the plate to the side vs mixed
in for presentation and taste. The burger and steak were ok but incorrectly cooked. For a $ 15 burger it was not as good as cheaper chains. The steak wasn’t better than cheaper versions of steak frites on Elm street– Republic’s crushes this one. The short ribs were very goods and juicy and the veggie flatbread was yummy. The flatbread was decent in portion size and price.
For the price, the wait, and the issues with drink quality our party of 5 was pretty underwhelmed.
The venue was beautiful with industrial features, neat lighting fixtures, and beautiful dish ware. The view from our table of the water was picturesque. The venue worth seeing.
However, overall I wasn’t too excited about the menu and based on the wide variety of items we ordered and the general group dissatisfaction with those items I don’t plan to go back for at least 3 – 6 months. I hope to go back in the future and see if after being opened some time the issues improve– such as the wait and food quality.

My husband and I were lucky enough to receive an invite to the soft opening of The Foundry. This restaurant have been tastefully renovated and offers beautiful views of the river and mills. Everywhere I looked I saw something different. For example there are light fixtures that were repurposed from old pulleys. There is a touch of old and new all around. As beautiful as this place is what really makes it is the food.
We ordered the 18 hour ribs and PEI mussels for appetizers. The ribs were mouth watering and could easily be a smaller portion dinner. The PEI mussels were topped with delicious french fries and drizzled with an aoli sauce.
My husband had the beef tenderloin for his entrée. It sat perfectly on top of two sides, a shredded potato patty and creamed kale. My husband had never had kale like this before and he loved it! The tenderloin was cooked to perfection and was incredibly tasteful. I had the pan seared scallops with gnocchi and sautéed vegetables. The flavors in our food just got better and better with each bite.
Somehow we found room for dessert. We enjoyed a lemon cake with a butter cream frosting which just melted in your mouth. The other dessert we shared was the dessert nachos. Crispy cinnamon sugar pita chips which were lightly covered with fresh berries. On the side was homemade whipped cream for dipping. Reminded me of how mom made whipped topping.
There is truly something for everyone on the menu. This will certainly be a favorite and we will look for to returning again and again. Oh and I must not forget the warm homemade bread served with a honey butter. It was simply heaven!
Best wishes to all and thank you again for inviting average people like us. We are not in food industry and don’t always get the opportunity to have a night out without the kids. We appreciated the invite very much.