The Beacon Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Port Washington

I was stuck in Port Washington waiting out bad weather on a sailboat, so I got to do a mini culinary tour of the town over a couple days, visiting 3 different restaurants. We visited The Beacon for brunch.

We walked in at 10:50 and were told that the kitchen was closed. I asked when it opens and they told us "in 10 minutes at 11:00". The staff seemed young and inexperienced so I helped them along and suggested we sit at the bar, have a drink, and get our food order in once the kitchen was ready (FYI, customers shouldn't be sorting out how to be sat and served).

Staff was friendly, bartender was a nice guy and thanked us for the business before we were served any drinks. Bloody Marys were good, and came with a beer side (the way it ought to be!). Bar area was modern and very clean. Excellent view of the harbor/lake from the bar seating.

Food was a trainwreck. I asked what the "house specialty" crab cake appetizer came with and was told it comes with "sauce", and that none of the service staff "had ever had it". So I rolled the dice and ordered the crab cake sandwich with a side of soup in hopes of something more substantial.

The crab cake was not good. It was clear that the oil it was pan fried in was not hot enough, so what I got was a crab cake SOAKED in oil. Not good. Professional cooks/chefs know this and I implore the kitchen staff here to "think about why you are doing what you are doing". As a "house specialty", this item should be prepared with expert precision and should be exceptional. Sad.

The seafood chowder soup was good, but I have a feeling that was brought in from their food supplier/vendor.

Other members of my crew had similarly bad experiences with the Tuna Melt (staff was asking what it was when it was brought out - they had never seen the item).

Nice folks working there, but this place needs some leadership. Staff should be well versed on menu items, and must taste all items on the menu before serving anyone. Line cooks must be supervised by a chef that ensures that execution and quality standards are met.

This place has potential as the location, atmosphere, and menu (on paper) are all very attractive. However when it was time to follow through, the food fell flat and was...

Had breakfast today because the stay at the hotel included a 10% off coupon. Service was TERRIBLE!!!!! We were seated and then ignored. 3 other tables came in and were given beverages and had their orders placed before we even had beverages. The only way we got beverages, which were incorrect, was because I had to stop a server and ask to be served. We received incorrect beverages but was never approached again until after everyone in the restaurant was served and yet again I had ask for our food. I was told there was “things going on” and a banquet downstairs. A breakfast banquet? Really? When we received the corrected beverages we were told by the server we ordered the what we got beverages and we drank them. Which we had not drank them, the waitress had taken them away!!!! She was extremely rude in front of children. The bill came $70+ dollars for 5 people. That included the 10% discount. Wow. Apparently the waitress took it upon herself to add a 20% gratuity. I questioned it and was told if you use the coupon you are charged 20% gratuity. I asked her to show me where that was stated but she couldn’t. She continued to argue with me so we removed the children from the room due to her extremely offensive attitude. I asked for a manager and the server left without returning. I had to go to the front desk of the hotel only to be told there was NO manager anywhere in the hotel for the next 3 days. Finally a sales person came to the front desk. She took the bill and stated they would figure out what to do with it. I offered the cash to pay for my food but was not paying for the extremely bad service and attitude we received. I would NEVER recommend this place to anyone. Service is terrible, food is nothing special and they are overpriced for what you...

Lakeside Gem: A Culinary Experience Worth Savoring

From the moment we stepped through the door, The Beacon charmed us with its warm ambiance and breathtaking view of the lake. The restaurant's location is truly special, offering a serene and picturesque backdrop that elevated our dining experience.

But the view was just the beginning. The service was impeccable; our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic about the menu. They guided us through the options with expertise, offering helpful recommendations and ensuring our glasses were never empty.

And then there's the food. Each dish was a masterpiece, a testament to the chef's creativity and skill. We started with the Cheese Curds, which was a delightful explosion of flavors and textures. For our main courses, the Prime Rib was cooked to perfection, and the Fish Fry was equally impressive. The ingredients were fresh, the presentation was artful, and the taste was simply divine.

No review of The Beacon would be complete without mentioning the exceptional bartender. Their handcrafted cocktails were inventive and delicious, and she clearly took pride in their craft. I highly recommend trying the Brandy Old Fashioned, it was a perfect complement to our meal.

Overall, our experience at The Beacon was exceptional. The combination of stunning views, outstanding service, and exquisite food makes it a true gem. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner, a special celebration, or simply a memorable meal, The Beacon is sure to impress. We can't...