Water View Grill — Restaurant in Portsmouth

When I heard that the Labrie Group was opening a seafood restaurant where Rio Cantina used to be, I made sure to mark my calendar for opening weekend.

I'm happy to report back that the fit-out looks great; I sat in the the downstairs bar which had a fun, cozy atmosphere and killer tugboat views.

I let my bartender know that I was in the mood for a couple of appetizers instead of a full meal and she was super helpful with her recommendations (thanks, Caitlin!!)

The crab cake was exactly as good as you'd expect, but to focus on that would be burying the lede. What we need to be discussing is the accompanying corn and tomato salad. It was so good that I may or may not have cycled through alllll of the stages of grief as I scooped those last few bites into my mouth.

Luckily, my angst was quelled by the timely delivery of the best bruschetta I've ever had. I don't even like olives, but I would happily eat their olive tapenade by the bowlful, it was that good. I can't wait to explore more of their food menu and try some frozen drinks now that deck season...

I recently attended a company event at Water View Grill, and I couldn’t have been more impressed with the entire experience. From the moment we walked in, the staff was incredibly welcoming and attentive. They went above and beyond to make sure everything ran smoothly, ensuring we had everything we needed without ever being intrusive. It's clear they take pride in offering top-notch service.

The food was absolutely delicious. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Whether it was appetizers, mains, or desserts, each course was a hit. It's not easy to cater for a large group and still maintain high-quality dishes, but they nailed it.

The atmosphere of the restaurant was perfect for our event—elegant yet relaxed, with just the right ambiance for both professional discussions and casual conversations. I would highly recommend Water View Grill for any corporate event or even just a night out. They truly made our event special, and I can't...

On a Monday night the kitchen was slammed/understaffed/whatever we waited 53 minutes from order until our food was delivered. That said, our server and the manager were awesome throughout, friendly, smiling and empathetic (we understood the delay was not there fault). Voluntarily Comped the salad and dessert, most appreciated, which when combined with their attitudes and the food most delicious eliminated our hangeyness. Seafood fettuccine, swordfish would be tough to beat anywhere. If you are fan of the grilled cheese theirs is absolutely in the upper echelons of the category. Should you visit this restaurant and NOT have the blueberry bread pudding you have missed out on one of life’s simple pleasures. The staff doing the right thing and the quality of food across the board more than made up for the delay (which can happen). we look forward to returning during our next visit...