Seasonal, area-sourced seafood restaurant in rustic-chic digs offering views of the lake & greenery.
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I’m sharing my recent experience at Duck Soup, hoping it might help others make a more informed decision before dining there.
We visited on August 8, 2024, for my brother-in-law's 50th birthday—and were extremely disappointed. Our experience was far from what we had hoped for, and unfortunately, it overshadowed the celebration.
First, the online menu was misleading. We were looking forward to dishes like the pork chop and belly, only to find they were not available once we got there. Instead, the menu at the restaurant was different and the prices higher. This was frustrating, especially since we had specifically chosen Duck Soup based on their online menu and recommendations.
Our party of six faced numerous issues with our meals. Out of all the dishes, only one was satisfactory. We chose not to send back the majority of the meals out of embarrassment, which contributed to a ruined birthday dinner.
Here’s a breakdown of the terrible food we were served:
The filet was overcooked despite ordering it medium rare. It was remade, but it definitely was not worthy of an $80 steak.
The Steak Diane was overcooked, with raw and burnt side vegetables that were left untouched.
The noodles that came with the black cod were drenched in soy sauce, making them inedible.
The pasta and prawns were overcooked and barely touched.
The quail was undercooked and left uneaten. It looked like it was thrown in a microwave. My stomach turned so much that I could not eat it.
The waitress never asked what if there were any issues even when 4/6 dishes remained mostly uneaten. We should have spoken up, but considering it was a birthday dinner, we did not want to spoil the night.
The final blow came with the automatic $88 tip added to our bill ($528 total), which felt unjust given the poor quality of the food and service. After spending so much, most of us left hungry and had to find another place to eat.
I spoke with the manager, who explained that the online menu isn’t always current, as they change their offerings monthly. She also mentioned that the main chef was in the ER that night. While I understand that emergencies happen, it doesn’t excuse the overall lack of quality and bad service. I was told we should be grateful for being accommodated without a reservation, but in hindsight, I wish we hadn’t gone at all given how disappointing the food was. We were never offered anything to remediate the crummy food and experience.
We dined here previously and it was pretty good. However, after this experience, and the manager's response, we will not dine here again. I want to make sure others do not make the same mistake we did with...
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From the moment we ventured into Duck Soup, nestled amidst the serene beauty of Friday Harbor, it was evident that we were in for a dining experience that would tantalize our senses and leave a lasting impression. Duck Soup embodies the essence of Pacific Northwest cuisine, delivering an exquisite blend of rustic charm and gastronomic innovation that is both refreshing and deeply satisfying.
The ambiance of Duck Soup is a delightful juxtaposition of coziness and sophistication, creating an inviting atmosphere where every guest feels special. The restaurant’s intimate setting, with its crackling fireplace and rustic decor, transports you to a place where time slows down, allowing you to savor every moment and every bite.
Service at Duck Soup is nothing short of exceptional. The staff’s passion for hospitality shines through in their attentive, yet unobtrusive service, ensuring that every aspect of the dining experience is seamless. Their knowledge of the menu and recommendations for wine pairings added a personalized touch that greatly enhanced our meal.
The menu at Duck Soup is a celebration of local produce, seafood, and artisanal ingredients, curated with an innovative twist that showcases the chef’s culinary artistry. Each dish we tried was a revelation, perfectly cooked and beautifully presented, with flavors that were both complex and harmonious. The menu changes seasonally, reflecting the restaurant’s commitment to sustainability and the use of the freshest ingredients available.
One cannot visit Duck Soup without indulging in their signature dishes, which are a testament to the chef’s creativity and the rich culinary heritage of the region. The wine list is thoughtfully selected, featuring local and international wines that complement the menu’s flavors and elevate the overall dining experience.
Duck Soup is not just a restaurant; it’s a destination that captures the soul of Friday Harbor through its food, atmosphere, and warm hospitality. It’s a place where each meal is a celebration, a culinary journey that is both enchanting and deeply comforting.
In summary, Duck Soup is an extraordinary culinary gem in Friday Harbor, deserving of its accolades and the adoration of both locals and visitors alike. With its unparalleled cuisine, intimate ambiance, and impeccable service, Duck Soup stands out as a beacon of fine dining excellence. A five-star review barely scratches the surface of the remarkable experience that awaits at Duck Soup. It is, without doubt, a must-visit for anyone seeking the very best of the Pacific Northwest’s...
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Great atmosphere but the food was a huge bummer. There were a couple bright spots, but the mains were pretty bad, certainly nowhere near the price point.
It's common for high-end restaurants to go through ups and downs as they age, especially when they don't have much competition. An energetic owner or chef will propel a hidden gem to rave reviews, then over time fade a bit - and it's hard not to wonder if that's what's happened at Duck Soup.
Our visit started off strong - DS has a lovely atmosphere, and we had a couple of very reserved, nicely executed classic cocktails. They offered blankets and we gravitated to their outdoor firepit, where they served us appetizers and drinks. We had gotten a sitter for the kids and were ready to make a full evening of it.
It's worth noting that as a former bartender myself, I have a pretty high standard for cocktails, and these were done extremely well.
Another item that really stood out was an anchovy butter, served with their bread - I know, it sounds weird, but it was one of the best things I've eaten this year.
Unfortunately from there the food went downhill hard. With the Westcott oysters coming from just a couple miles down the road we expected them to be standout, but they were baked (odd choice given the freshness) and cluttered with weird garnishes that mostly got in the way.
At our server's recommendation we got the pasta and the steak Diane. The sauce on the pasta was dry and clumpy. We asked about the beef in the steak Diane and the server said there was nothing special about it - not grass fed or local or whatever, which for the price I'd expect at least something, but we rolled with it. Alas.
Steak Diane is a classic dish - tender medallions in a rich sauce - but when it came out (medium-rare rather than the requested blue-rare), instead of medallions it was thin, tough strips, almost like fajitas, again with the sauce cooked down almost to nothing. It came with a starch about which I've already forgotten everything except for the fact that it was chewy enough to require a knife and some elbow grease to carve up. It seemed almost microwaved or twice baked.
The desserts were well done classics and very generous, but at that point we were past it. We really wanted to like this place, but when the bill came, my overriding feeling was that I wished we'd called it a night after the lovely drinks and that amazing bread by the fire - because the rest was quite...
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