My girlfriend and I recently visited Martha’s Vineyard and decided to dine at The Lookout Tavern. As servers at high-end restaurants in Orlando, we looked forward to experiencing what the Vineyard offers. While the food certainly didn’t disappoint, the service marred our overall experience.

Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by the host, Chantelle, who was phenomenal—super bubbly and incredibly personable. Despite arriving four hours early, she accommodated us, allowing us to reserve a spot or return at a specific time. When we returned around 5:30 PM, Chantelle went above and beyond, offering us immediate seating or the option to wait a bit longer for our preferred spot on the upper deck with a view. Her customer service set the tone for what we hoped would be an excellent dining experience.

However, when our server, Maria, finally approached us—after over five minutes—there was no friendly greeting, introduction, or explanation of the menu or the restaurant’s highlights. Instead, we were told, “Do you know what you want?” It was an off-putting start, especially after Chantelle’s warm hospitality.

Despite the lackluster service, the food at The Lookout Tavern was outstanding. My girlfriend ordered the lobster roll, which was nothing short of amazing.

The Lobster Roll:

1. Generous Portions: The lobster roll was packed with a hearty amount of tender meat, ensuring each bite was satisfying.

2. Freshness: The lobster was incredibly fresh, reflecting the local New England catch, with a sweet and succulent flavor.

3. Balanced Flavors: The roll perfectly balanced the lobster's buttery richness and the light seasoning, allowing the lobster's natural taste to shine.

4. Soft and Buttery Roll: The bread was soft yet held up well, with a buttery exterior that beautifully complemented the lobster filling.

5. Lightly Dressed: The lobster was dressed with just enough butter to enhance the flavor without overpowering the lobster.

6. Classic New England Style: The lobster roll stayed true to the traditional New England style, offering an authentic and satisfying taste.

7. Perfectly Toasted: The roll was toasted to a golden brown, adding a slight crunch that contrasted nicely with the tender lobster meat.

8. Visually Appealing: The presentation was clean and appealing, and accompanied by homemade potato chips.

Meanwhile, I opted for the tuna melt, which was equally impressive. The bread was perfectly toasted, providing a delightful crunch with each bite. The tuna was rich and flavorful, blended with just the right amount of seasoning and melted cheese. It was comfort food at its best—simple but done exceptionally well.

Unfortunately, the service continued to decline. We waited an excessive amount of time for our check, and when it finally arrived, I was shocked to see a $6 charge for soda water. When I brought this up to Maria, she responded dismissively, saying, “It’s a fountain drink, so I charged you for one.” I mentioned that we both work as servers in Orlando and have never encountered this before. Instead of showing understanding or flexibility, she got even more defensive, saying, “I’ve been to Orlando; they do that everywhere. If you have such a problem with it, I can get my manager?” We were both taken aback by her aggressive attitude.

Ultimately, our server's rudeness and lack of professionalism overshadowed what could have been an exceptional dining experience. Bella tried to end the conversation positively by saying, “Enjoy your night,” but we were disappointed and shocked by the encounter.

The food at The Lookout Tavern is undeniably fantastic, and the location is lovely, but the service—at least from our server—left much to be desired. We would consider returning, but only with the assurance that the service experience would improve significantly.