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Review content:
My wife and I went here because we had a gift certificate from Restaurant dot com. I really wanted to like this place, as it is a family run place that hasn't turned into a corporate chain. I tried to like it, but I didn't. I ordered the Salmon special and since it was affordable ordered the clam chowder. I figured any good seafood restaurant should have a good chowder. Wrong. Very bland. Even with the tabasco, salt and pepper from the table it was hard to finish my cup. Next up, the appetizer, a crab and artichoke dip. Oh wait, they forgot to bring that to us. Then came the entrees (at which point we mentioned the appetizer and got it promptly- it was soupy and bland also)- this should be good. My wife got the fish and chips (halibut) and they were nicely breaded and cooked well, I guess the fry cook is the best in the house. My salmon on the other hand, looked like sushi. Yep, it was still pink, not just a little either. I know fish doesn't take long to cook, but this looked like a 1 minute sear job. (It would have been cooked perfectly if I ordered tuna.) I politely returned the plate. Minutes later I had a new peice of fish- charred! Maybe the cook was having a hard night, but don't take it out on paying customers! However, I finished my burnt fish without complaint. We were given free desserts (they were ok, probably the best part of the meal), a nice gesture from a nice waitress. However, we will not be returning. If you want good seafood in Portland, try McCormick and Schmick's- Jakes, Harborside, etc. (yes it's a chain, but they started here) or even Newport Bay. Heck, even Red Lobster knows how to cook a piece of salmon. Maybe the Oyster Bar is a good place to go for raw oysters and booze, but I can't recommend it for food.
Pros: Nice waitress, prompt seating, decent price
Cons: Undercooked, then overcooked fish, forgotten appetizer
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