Victoria C.
Yelp
the overwhelmed hostess seated us at the incorrect table which caused a much larger party to wait. when we offered to move for them, I thought it was out of kindness that the waitress said we should stay and 'they can work out their mess'. After waiting 55 minutes for our appetizers, I realized this place was as unprofessional as that statement.
The drinks served were warm and a request for ice was repeated 3 times.
The basket of bread was left while we waited for our appetizers, but we had no plates. After 15 minute of staring at the bread, we stopped a hostess for some plates since our waitress was MIA ( I'm going to assume she was covering half the restaurant). Ten minutes after that, what we think was a dishwasher delivered wet plates, 2 which had pieces of food on them. luckily, the balsamic butter was outstanding and honestly, we were pacified in anticipation of a great meal that would reflect the prices of other similarly priced restaurants.
After a discussion around the table of how long we would wait until we threw money on the table for our drinks, we asked for the waitress. Nope, that didn't work for another 10 minutes. At that point, she showed up to tell us that the appetizers were coming and did we want to order. Great tactic to use on people that hate confrontation and shame on us! Four of five of us ordered, but one couldn't read the special menu that was photocopied (forgot that the hostess handed us full menus but waitress said it was a mistake and here are the current menus), and wanted the item that had description but not the menu item. I wish I had opened my phone to see that the fish was criticized as bland. I could have saved five minutes of worry when she disappeared to find out what it was.
The appetizers came and, whew, they were great! Oysters were beautiful and presented well. The smoked trout dip was heavy on the trout and tasty, which was a treat! Then the wait starTed again.
One hour and thirty minutes after being seated, we were served. I'll be brief. Bone marrow app - so much and good. Lobster claw with scallops - best tasting scallops he'd ever had but served lukewarm. Shrimp over pasta- large shrimp and good but not memorable. Whole branzino - what a let down. No flavor and even the fingerling potatoes were tasteless. Who puts salt on fish? This was in desperation for some taste. Then there was the fish and chips. How do you mess this up you ask? We thought maybe the fish still had a head due to the lump of breading on one side. It was huge, dark brown, over cooked on the outside and raw batter closer to the fish. The fish? It was tasty. When the waitress dropped our meal, we immediately asked for our bill. Then asked again and then simply handed her our card. Maybe she thought we would argue the 20% automatically added for tip. Nope, but it is the first time we have ever left a restaurant leaving only 20%.
The atmosphere - a mix of people hoping for a nice meal and drunk boaters just there for the dockside burgers.
The facility - tidy bordering on messy. Nice use of the old Brownie's dance floor? Nope, just a feeling of we can't decide what kind of place we want to be.
The food - hit or miss. Want to take a chance for the cost?
The service - if you realize you can't win, at least acknowledge or apologize. Don't go MIA.
The verdict? Sorry we won't go back.
Ps: I've never written anything like this before, but was shocked at this place and hope to save at least one other person. Two stars are for the hits, not misses.