Pauly's Bistro

All summer long, we made reservations at the Port Bistro for many dozens of our discerning B&B guests from our inn, Boreas, in Long Beach, WA. Not a single guest returned from their dining experience at the Bistro without singing the praises of the chef and the service staff. The creations are cutting edge, fresh, artistically presented and very pleasantly served. The prices are right in line for the classy, yet relatively unpretentious fare. The venue is port-side and unique. Larry and Jennifer, the new owners (since May) are genuine and enthusiastic about their venture at the Port of Ilwaco. Larry is a finely trained chef and Jennifer is a very warm, competent and caring maitre de! Bill and I have happily dined at the Port Bistro over the last few months and have loved each meal. We warmly welcome them to the Long Beach Peninsula, home of a number of absolutely outstanding dining establishments! Susie Goldsmith, Boreas Bed and Breakfast Inn more

First of all, it's not even Pauly's any more, which evidently at one time won Restaurant of the Year by the Daily Astorian. Now it's called The Port Bistro and the food is appalling and not worth the price. The salad arrived drenched in an unappetizing shade of purple -- the juice ran off from the blueberries staining everything, including the gobs of sticky cheese. The whole thing looked like a plastic mess. Since we were sea side, after all, I ordered sushi style tuna which arrived not pink and healthy, but brown and dry and old looking, too. This tottered atop a bland bed of rice, cucumbers, crab and tomatos sided in pools of wasabi and Chinese sweet chili sauce -- talk about con-fusion cooking! For $22+, it was an altogether unsatisfying meal. My husband's dinner was passable, a goopy mix of potatos and pork, rimmed in brown crust. I thought it unremarkable. The service was o.k., rather uninterested, but good enough. We couldn't wait to get out of there and didn't bother with dessert. The room is sweet and right on the water. It's too bad that it seems that they don't care enough if tourists return -- take the money and run! Shame on them for riding on the former occupants laurels. If you're on the coast, go straight to The Depot where for the same money, you'll enjoy a delightful repast with fabulous wine and attentive service. more