Cotton Manchester NH--time goes on...and on...

[whs]

Went to the "Have Knife Will Travel" event at Cotton on Sept 2. Matt from Richard's Bistro did a great job, but what has happened to Cotton? The waitress took forever to come to our table, was totally uneducated about the special menu, and messed up the drink order (to her credit, she comped the drink). The place is stuck in the 90's, with the same tired, campy decor, and the regular menu features the same items that have been there time immemorial. Case in point: turkey schnitzel, been there since day one and was never anything special. Do we really need meatloaf on a menu in 2010??? At least they changed the stinky bathroom deodorant that used to greet you on your entrance. With all the great new downtown dining establishments, and places like Richard's that have re-invented themselves, Cotton has become a "dine-o-saur".

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Richard's Bistro
36 Lowell St Ste 1, Manchester, NH 03101

[ChardonnayQueen]

No meatloaf on menus. I never warmed up to Cotton. I thought I was just pining for Cafe Pavone.

[bewley]

If there was a "like" button feature on the Chowhound forums, this post would have gotten it from me! I agree, places should update themselves periodically.

[southie_chick]

Had to laugh about whs & the"do we really need meatloaf on a menu in 2010???" remark. I had dinner at MC Perkins Cove in Ogunquit, ME about 2 weeks ago & saw they had it on their menu. I *LOVE* meatloaf - as much as my hubby *HATES* it. Didn't try it there 'cause it was our anniversay trip & didn't want to get him ticked off (he did give me the stink eye when I pointed it out on the menu tho). ; )

[whs]

Don't get me wrong, I love meatloaf, but Cotton is supposed to be one of the best that Manchester has to offer...they need to break out of that tired formula.

[Jeremy01506]

I found their meatloaf to be far to reminiscent of Salisbury Steak from my high school days. I love the ambience and will be returning next month to try something else, if it doesn't WOW me it'll probably be my last visit.

Any suggestions?

[whs]

Menu suggestions or other restaurant suggestions?

[edinaeats]

I'm loving Richard's Bistro lately

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Richard's Bistro
36 Lowell St Ste 1, Manchester, NH 03101

[Jeremy01506]

I was thinking menu suggestions but I'm ALWAYs open to restaurant suggestions in Manchester. My Turkey Schnitzel was 'good' but not 'great', I really like the atmosphere there but the food is only 'almost' to the level I want it to be. We'll see next time I'm up there if I feel inclined to re-visit.

[ecwashere7]

suggestions for Cotton? Pork chop saltimbocca is good (not great). They need to change their menu on a seasonal basis. Instead, it's the same all the time.

I'd check out Republic. It's not fine dining by any means, but the food is focused on local ingredients and the menu changes pretty regularly.

[whs]

We had a fantastic beet salad with shaved parmigiano and fresh grilled sardines at Republic on Friday night. I think the turkey schnitzel at Cotton has been in the freezer since 1998.

[Jeremy01506]

I was able to check out Republican during my trip to Manchester and it was really good! I love the ambience they had there and had a really tasty Chicken & Goat Cheese Panini with handcut fries. I'll definitely go back next time I'm in Manchester!