Portside Restaurant

Not what I was expecting at all. We came for lunch expecting a more formal atmosphere, but the lunch area is more like a diner where food is served in takeout containers. We skipped the entree and just had dessert. The chocolate mousse is delicious, but the chocolate cheesecake didn't appear fully combined with chunks of cream cheese in it. It wasn't rich like I was expecting and felt kind of dry and rubbery - maybe old or a less than ideal recipe. They use the same chef on both sides we were told, so I'm not planning on coming back.

On a cross country roadtrip .. found an out of the way stop for tye night. To my surprise.... a waterside restaurant a bare 2 min walk away. Now.. I have an affinity for fried seafood... it just makes me happy... though normally the plates are simply mediocre at best. Portside does a good job. First off... that meal could easily feed 2 hungry people. I eat pretty big servings...and there was no way. Our server was very pleasant and asked if we wanted bread and butter.....it was warm and good. My wife wasn't very hungry and ordered the appetizer calamari. That was great at well... tender calamari strips battered and fried. My meal...the Captains platter..consisted of.... soup ( clam chowder)... followed by a mountain of a plate...of... calamari strips, oysters, plentiful amount of tender fish, shrimp and scallops. The shrimp and scallops were just mediocre in my opinion. I live in SW Florida.. fresh shrimp is bountiful. So is fish....but...for me...cold water fish is better. I loved the fish..this coming from a fisherman (catch thousands of fish a year) .... who almost never eats fish. Also served was a huge baked potato that was delicious. If this restaurant was local to me.... I'd be here at least twice a month. As a foodie... that's saying a lot. The service was awesome! Live music (singer) in the background. Harbor view. Made for a wonderful way to end a long day of driving. We ate the leftovers down the road in California the next night. Still great....just less crisp... was enough to satisfy both of us for a meal.

Horribly over priced, poor customer service. Had a party of 6 adults and 2 kids under 5, was NEVER told there was a 18% gratuity. Not posted anywhere like it’s supposed to be ( the person who claimed to be a manager said it’s been this way for 40 years ) I can tell you 100% locals are not going here so to expect travelers to know this is insane. We got there 20 minutes early and was taken to our seat and the first comment out of Jessica the waitresses mouth was “ I was expecting to have these waters filled before you sat down, guess I will make this work.” We waited over a hour to get food and there were only 5 couples in their restaurant on Saturday night. The waitress Jessica poured a drink down my sister’s back with not a sorry or anything to wipe up her back. She stood there with her mouth open while my sister was trying to be nice as accidents happen, but not even an apology. Jessica was asked numerous times about items she forgot and was never apologetic, more annoyed we asked her to provide customer service. My husband had gotten steamer clams that came with a baked potato the size of a lime and a container cup with 5 pieces of chive. When the bills came Jessica stood behind my father trying to figure out who’s bill was who’s and when my father spoke up to state what was on his bill she threw our checks on the table and walked away. That was the final straw, this waitress was the rudest unprofessional person I have ever seen. When we asked for the manager she followed us into the bar area where we met some lady with pink hair who we started telling our concerns to and Jessica the waitress was combative, talking over us, being defensive and just rude. We constantly asked her to remain quiet as we tried telling this lady what happened.Her guilt clearly showed with our complaints. It was over $300 for our food and the $60+ gratuity. We were not offered any discount or an I’m sorry. We will never return and I will never recommend them.

The food and service is amazing. Know that if you go for lunch you won't be seated in the main restaurant overlooking the bay. They have an enclosed patio they use for lunch. I had the captain's platter and everything tasted great. My family said the clam chowder was some of the best they have had. I was too full to even try it. I bet this would have been a five if we had gone for dinner and been seated in the main restaurant.

So good that I visited 2 days in a row. The seafood is local and fresh. Bay shrimp cocktail was simple with a tasty cocktail sauce. Local Cod Fish and Chips, Panko crusted. Note that the F&C and other fried goodies come out FAST = Flash fried not bathing in oil. Service is great, welcomed my pup on the patio. It’s not fancy. Plastic forks, paper cups. Christmas lights year around. It’s a gem.

One of the best meals I have had in ages! Started off with their Calamari, which was simply amazing! Then a House Salad that was impressive both in the presentation and how it tasted. The main course was the Stuffed Petrale Sole which was quite marvelous. Their bartender makes a very nice Spanish Coffee. And their Chocolate Mouse........Heavenly. On my Must Return list!