Newport Seafood Grill

Name: Newport Seafood Grill
Location: 1200 NE Broadway Street
Portland, OR 97232
Contact information: 503.493.0100
Web address: www.newportseafoodgrill.com
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-11p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-12 a.m.
Cost: Most entrees between $13-$19
Reservation recommended: Hit-and-miss
Good for: Standard Portland seafood
Insider tip: Like the other Pacific Coast Restaurants (Portland City Grill, Steak and Chophouse, etc), happy hour looks like a good bet: 3 p.m.-6 p.m. everyday

Review: When it seems like every table has its own server, it’s amazing that service can be so horrible. Forgive me if this review sounds somewhat haphazard and confusing – that’s exactly how our service was.

On a Saturday night, our table of four was seated promptly at around 8, although we had no reservations. We ordered two appetizers: chicken spring rolls and spinach/artichoke/cheese dip. They arrived shortly after our drinks, which is to say, drinks took a very long time – about 10 minutes.

Appetizers were standard fare, although the bubbly food server effused the spring rolls were her favorite appetizer on the menu. She made the same comment about an entree that was served as well.

I had the blackened catfish for $13 – one of the lower priced entrees on the menu. It was unremarkable, but fairly priced. My boyfriend ordered the crab linguine and received crab cakes. We pointed out this mistake and received a new dish delivered by the manager within 2 minutes – I have never received a replacement meal so quickly. Unfortunately, in the rush, the dish was made a little soupy and when it cooled, was the equivalent of eating, well, noodles in cold broth.

A side note – I also asked for bread when the meal was served as we were unsure of how long the replacement dish would take. I had seen bread on a number of tables but it was never delivered before the meal. I still do not know if it was supposed to be served, or you must ask for it.

After her ordering mistake, we rarely saw our server, although it seemed as if the other servers did not have enough to do at many points, as they congregated near the kitchen. When she stopped by to ask for our second drink orders, it somehow made it to the bar that we wanted seconds on everything – although that was not the case. Once again, there was a serious lag in getting drinks and we were done with our meals by the time they arrived.

When our waitress did return, it was obvious she was impatient and wanted us to leave. Although we had considered desert, her greeting – “I’m sure you’re too full for desert, would you like me to bring you the check?” – made us change our minds.

It’s obvious they’re still looking to iron out the kinks at this new restaurant. An owner or manager circled frequently, and his hawk-link perusing was slightly obtrusive (at obvious) at points – like when our server was ordered to place more napkins under the drinks. I think that once the Newport Seafood Grill improves its service and communication issues, it will be on par with other mid-range restaurants in the city. A decent dinner, but nothing to write home about.

Our total bill for four beers, one mixed drink, four entrees and two appetizers was $120 without tip.