Frasers Gourmet Hideaway — Restaurant in Oak Harbor

Scene: 4 persons. 4 different meals. 5 cocktails. Three appetizers. Four hour and a ferry drive for a special birthday meal. Reservations made noting the birthday. Upon entry we reminded our host of the occasion very clearly. When sat, filled with joy, we exclaimed to our server the occasion. Appetizers, selections, and desserts for four in one hour, forty minutes.

Food: Excellent, but not exceptional. Flavors all blended very well with the exception of the shrimp/crab lasagna. Table agreed the crab had a taste that took away from what was a great idea. The mussels were fantastic and the two different cuts of beef the table ordered were cooked well and very tender. Old Fashioned’s had by all were very cloudy. Ordered two desserts, the flourless cake and vanilla creme brûlée. Both okay.

Service: This is where we lost it. Our server was disassociated. She would walk away mid conversation and would be VERY rarely seen. Drinks sat empty. Eventually a carafe of water dropped off on a drive by. No joy. As our last member of the party was still finishing their meal, the server asked if we were interested in dessert. Having seen the dessert tray float about with the other server, and having heard the specials not shown, I asked her if we could see the selection. Upon (long awaited) return, she half heartedly rushed through the selection. I then had to ask if there were other options and the blank face returned. I exclaimed, isn’t there a goat cheese and rhubarb reduction of sort? Quickly she realized her mistakes and filled the remainder of the list. After seeing pictures of a Happy Birthday flourless tart online, (such same tart we ordered), we were disappointed that there existed no additional flare upon reaching our table. The busser made good entertainment with the playful banter we expressed with him. The host was pleasant. We wished we had the other server.

Atmosphere: Lackluster. White table cloths, but nothing additionally. No fresh flowers, no candles, nothing. Decor is very minimal/basic with poor color choices. Gave sterile, chain restaurant feels.

Overall, for the amount we spent, the food was great, but the setting would stop us from return. We expressed after how we had been to many other places for occasions with more...

I would highly recommend this restaurant. Went with my son and future daughter-in-law and sat at the bar where we watched the chefs cook. It is a small venue but well worth the visit. The bar was made of a translucent material that had lights inside and illuminated the bar from the inside. It made for a beautiful looking bar. We started with some cocktails that were delicious. The three of us shared a few appetizers and 2 meals. We asked that Each be brought out separately which allowed time to enjoy each course. Our waiter was very accommodating and gave us clean plates and silverware in between each course. We started with the Penn Cove mussels in a mild curry cream sauce. They were so delicious that we actually drank all the curry cream sauce as well. The curry cream sauce complimented perfectly the tender flavorful mussels and didn’t overpower at all. Next we had the Young Greens Seasonal Salad. This was also delicious. I loved the maple bourbon vinaigrette. It wasn’t sour or biting. It was flavorful and light. The dressing paired with the pear, nuts and Gorgonzola were so smooth and delicious, it left you wanting more of these flavors! One main course was the Pistachio crusted rack of Lamb. We watched them make this one. Another outstanding meal. The lamb was cooked to perfection. They served a lot of lamb that night! And every one of the orders was cooked perfectly. Garlic mash was very flavorful. The last entree was the duck breast over pasta which was also delicious. All flavors blended so well. Service was great. Friendly people including the owner, Fraser. I would...

I’m sad to say that my wife and I had an unfortunate experience dining here. Based on the restaurant’s gourmet description and pricing, we were expecting a fine-dining experience. Unfortunately, that was quite far from what we experienced.

The decor, while moderately upscale, fails to distinguish itself. Bare walls and floors in a single open dining room create an environment where sound travels freely. The service though adequate, lacked attention to detail and a personal touch typically associated with fine-dining experiences.

The food was the most disappointing part for both of us. My wife ordered crab shrimp lasagna and I ordered duck breast. The dishes boasted near-gourmet presentation, yet failed to entice the appetite. After a few bites, my wife and I both noticed our mouths and throats felt dry. The dish was excessively salted, well beyond acceptable levels.

Several minutes passed before a hostess noticed we weren't eating. When we explained the issue, she simply asked if we wanted something else from the menu. We politely declined, the underlying reason being that — since two separate dishes shared the same problem, it was unlikely the situation would improve. She didn't inquire further and merely remarked, 'The French do love their food salty,' before taking our plates back to the kitchen.

Shortly after, our waiter offered to bring the check, which we accepted. The bill arrived with a discount applied, ostensibly to cover the cost of ingredients. Despite barely eating, we still paid nearly $40 for...