Finz Salem — Restaurant in Salem

Do not go here with a large group! A group of 12 friends and I made a reservation for dinner on a Saturday night, we booked it 3 weeks in advance because it was for a special occasion. When booking we asked if we could sit outside, they said they would not be able to promise it but will make a note of it which was was understandable. We arrived on time on the Saturday night and it was busy, but there was no line out the door or anything, there were not even any parties waiting by the door that looked like they were waiting to be seated. We asked if we were able to be outside and they said no, which again we were fine with, we did not mention it or ask again. Then they start leading us towards our table, I see a large table in the main dining room behind the bar and think we will be sitting there which would be perfect. However we pass that table, then I see a large table by the sushi bar and think oh this is even better! But again, they keep leading us further back. They lead us through the whole restaurant, through the waiters area/food pickup station and into the function room. While the function room is nice, it is just not the same vibe as the rest of the restaurant. This is a new thing I've been seeing other restaurants do which I wish they would stop. No matter how nice you try to make a function room feel it's not the same as sitting in the actual restaurant. Also if you are really that busy that you need to use your function rooms for guests you should make sure that you have enough staff to handle it. The Finz function room is no exception. Undecorated walls, tables squeezed in in random areas, if you put me in there without telling me where we were I would have no idea we were at Finz. It looks and feels like a completely different restaurant your are completely disconnected from the artwork and high ceilings of the dining room and have to dodge waiters carrying trays of food through the service station just to get to the bathroom. So we are now in the function room, no large table in sight. Then the host goes "okay here are your tables!", emphasis on TABLES, plural! Without asking if if would be okay they decided they're going to sit us at two separate tables of 6. Not even next to each other, but back to back. Again, we were here for a celebratory dinner for our friend, which we planned months ago and made the reservation 3 weeks in advance. So I say "Sorry but no we are not sitting at two different tables that's unacceptable" to which the hostess just stares at me for 30 seconds, then to the tables then back to me. So I said something like can you go find us somewhere else to sit or put these tables together? She eventually has another woman come help her put the two tables together and we say thank you. Then our waitress comes over and before even introducing herself says "I'm going to warn you now, 3 people have called out so we are understaffed and service may be slow." Don't get me wrong, I know that is completely out of her hands and this is a difficult reality for servers but she could have at least said hello and welcomed us in first, instead of throwing an excuse out there right off the bat. She then asked for our drink order, still never welcomed us in, asked if we were celebrating anything or gave us her name. We put in our drink order, she comes back with waters and takes our appetizer order. Then our appetizers come out, maybe 20 mins later, still no drinks. As we are finishing the last bites of our apps our drinks finally come out, 30-40 minutes after we sat down. We put in our dinner orders as quick as we can because we have no idea when she will be back or how long they will take. The food was mediocre at best, even if they served us meals made by a 5 star chef it still wouldn't be worth dealing with the service and sitting in that stuffy function room. If you go here make sure your standards are low, I recommend sushi at the bar at most if you must. Instead try Turners, Longboards, Howling Wolf, Rockafellas, Ledger, Mercy Tavern, literally...

So, let me begin by saying my wife and I haven’t visited Finz since 2020. We had moved to NH and haven’t had a chance to visit since then. We use to eat here frequently and loved every time we went. That being said, this time was completely different and a huge disappointment!! First, when we arrived we were escorted to the back room, which we have sat in before, but this time it was much different. Walking through the “kitchen expediting” area was awful, food all over the floor, and just seemed a little dirty. The room we sat in had more of a cafeteria feel this time around, with what looked to be banquet tables set up on the side walls, with condiments on them, which wouldn’t normally be a big deal, but like I said, not like the atmosphere experience we had in the past! Here comes the food review. We had ordered the crab nachos appetizer which we loved in the past. This time it was horrible!! All it was is it seemed like they opened a bag of kettle brand chips and threw a jar of Tostitos queso cheese sauce, sprinkled canned crab meat on top, then dropped a spoon full of sour cream in the middle. Then, we ordered two different lobster sushi dishes, one had tempura shrimp and the other did not. Both dishes came and my wife and I looked at each other in confusion. The sushi was no larger than a quarter in diameter. We both took our first piece in hopes that it tasted great and made up for what in lacked in appearance, but.it did not. Tasted like we were eating a piece of cardboard wrapped in rice. The shrimp had a weird texture and left a horrible after taste in both of our mouths. We asked the server where the lobster was because we couldn’t see or taste any, at all!!! Considering these dishes were both over $20, you would think we would see even a small piece of lobster. The server said that she would take it out back and either ask the chef or manager what the deal was. After about 5 minutes she came back and told us that one of the sushi dishes came with lobster, but one didn’t. We immediately showed her on the menu that both dishes stated lobster. She felt bad about it , and agreed! She asked us if we wanted her to take it away and have us order something else on the menu. Let me say that if it wasn’t for our server, I would have been gone after the appetizer disappointment. At first we were ok with that and told her, “that would be fine”. We thought about it, and from the experience that we’ve had up to that point, we ultimately decided to just cash out and eat somewhere else. This was a huge disappointment!! We were both looking forward to reliving some memories that we shared here and were completely horrified. I’m not sure if something within management, or owners have changed, but something has definitely changed with this place!! If it wasn’t for our server, like I said before, I would have given this place minus stars if I could have. We will not be...

Finz was always one of our special places. We celebrated many birthdays, engagements (divorce) and get togethers with the gals. Hadn't been there since the pandemic so was excited to visit their new space and treat my son and his lovely fiancée to lunch. My first impression was how bright it was. Victoria Station which previously occupied the space was just so dark. Unfortunately, that's where the enchantment ended. Their previous space was bright, stylish and that fireplace warmed everything up on a chilly day. They had a fire on one of the screens over the bar but.......no, not warm and cozy. My opinion? BIG mistake leaving the old place. Our waitstaff was attentive and friendly. We ordered calamari as an app. Sorry, but it was the chewiest, most rubbery calamari I've ever eaten. Seriously. You know all those people who complain that they don't like calamari because it's like rubber bands? Well, I've always assumed it was because it was frozen or not properly prepared, chuckling because living where we live we get the BEST of seafood. Well, I today understood why they say this. Was it frozen? Did the chef just not know what they're doing? Dunno, but it was NOT good. I ordered fish tacos which had always been my go-to lunch order here. It was ok but unfortunately not the freshest fish I've ever eaten. The tacos did not come with fries so I asked about a side salad. No such thing so I ordered an $11 Caesar which was on the small side; certainly not entree size, and over dressed with unremarkable dressing; no anchovies. My son and his Fiancée seemed to enjoy their meals but nothing to write home about. So all in all, big disappointment staring with the sterile, uncharming environment, the less than fresh, poorly prepared seafood and rip-off $11 salad (how's you mark up on THAT, Finz?) You're a waterfront seafood restaurant. No excuse to not get the friggin seafood right. Sadly, the days of Finz are clearly over.......we will...