Dockside Grill — Restaurant in Sequim

Great food, but disappointed, (insulted), by the treatment I received. First, a little background for some perspective. I've been involved with the finest food, resort, wine and spirits businesses in the country for 40 years, at the highest levels. I am an expert in fine wine knowledge and history, and have made my living representing some of the most significant wineries in the world to the best upscale restaurants, wine shops and grocers in the country. I have taught courses in culinary schools and developed their curriculum. The point of this is, I'm a well educated "foodie", with a long history in the industry. I also enjoy many years of travel by water and with my yacht club. I had visited this marina before in my boat, but never by land. It was a beautiful day, so I decided to ride up to John Wayne Marina on my motorcycle, a very civilized, late model, Harley Davison touring bike. I look more like a business man, than what most might think of as a traditional "biker". However, I'm still in quality riding gear that would indicate that I am traveling by motorcycle. I politely presented myself to the hostess, requesting seating for one, and there were multiple tables open, and no others waiting. It was about 1:30, so the lunch rush was passed. The young hostess, looked around, and then stated that she was going to seat me in another room, a few doors down from the restaurant. I initially followed. When we arrived, the door was locked, and she indicated that we'd have to go around through the back door. This indicated to me that there were no others in this room, and right or wrong, I felt she had stereotyped me as some kind of bad element, who wasn't good enough to be in the main restaurant. At that point I told her, perhaps another time, and that I came to enjoy the view, and didn't want to be in a room tucked away by myself. She then said, "fine, I'll see what I can do". Miraculously, within a minute, she came back to escort me to one of the tables inside, though no one had left. Once seated, my server was delightful, and my food was pleasing. I enjoyed a very tasty calamari appetizer, and a wonderfully cooked and presented, premium cheese burger and sweet potato fries. I tipped well, and politely thanked my server and left. The calamari and burger lunch was $45., so, I'm not cheap, and frankly, it was well worth it. However I left with a very bad "taste in my mouth", as the first person I encountered, made a judgement about who I was that was shallow and insulting. I guess I judged her too, judging her to be a snooty little twenty-something, rookie, with bad manners, likely driving a 20 year old beat up Civic, with peeling paint, as she makes decisions as to who is worthy of the restuarant she represents. So while the food was great, as was the table service, it was all secondary to the initial unpleasant contact, with a poorly trained hostess. Don't judge a book by its cover...., a 5 star rating from an industry professional,...

I happened to be walking along the marina one morning and a chef was outside taking a break! This is my second time visiting Washington State as I’m looking to transplant here eventually! I kindly start asking a few questions and he gives me this awesome run down about the tribes coming and going on crabbing boats! After some awesome quick education and him answering questions he tells me to come in and eat at his restaurant! He told me he has the best seafood plates in town! Okay he definitely has my attention... so I ask do you serve other items because my friend doesn’t like seafood? He replies... of course and I make the best burgers as well! Me and my friend look at the outside menu and agree to try it out! Price seemed fair! Considering we ate at fast food restaurants that are maybe $10 less 🙄. I continue with my friend watching for a seal that does appear like chef said! We watch for a while and walk around then decide to try this restaurant out! I ask for water view and of course they give it to us! I ask the waitress about some of the food entree’s and pick what I’m extremely excited for. Not only was the food entree presented professionally and appetizing but tasted amazing and hot! My friend’s burger entree looked amazing as well and she agreed it was the best! We forgot to take pictures when it was first presented but took pictures halfway through! The food was outstanding and so was the service and staff! I did let them know I had talked to one of the chefs prior just to find out he was the owner! I’m a huge google reviewer and have to say hands down this is a five star restaurant! The prices are perfect and the food is amazing! I did get to thank the chef and on my way out thank the wonderful staff and my awesome server as well! I definitely recommend this place over all! I will be returning here again! I really appreciate the fact that the owner and head chef educated me and was kind enough to answer my questions, and I didn’t even realize who he was. I hope many others will visit this restaurant as well! I’m a native Floridian and haven’t seen service like this in a long time! Please check this place out if you get the chance and tell Steve how awesome he is! Keep places like this...

Came to this restaurant for sirloin and salmon. It did not disappoint.

First a restaurant’s success should be judged by what’s it’s trying to be. This restaurant has a formal vibe at the entrance seating area, but there’s a more casual room to side. So you can have a formal affaire in front, or a less stiff collar chow down to the side: same haute cuisine either way. That’s difficult to pull off but they do it seamlessly. Let’s go to the food.

It’s not a big menu, it reminds me of something you might find in small restaurants tucked away on the side streets of Paris: not voluminous and overwhelming. But each dish excellent.

Speaking of Paris, who is manning the whisk? I’ll venture someone back there has formal training, Let’s face it grilling steak or salmon is not nuclear science. It’s in all in the remoulade and from scratch salad dressing of pistachio and cilantro. Excellent.

Service-wise we were well taken care of. Melody went out of her way to meet my special requests. Being a good server is an art. Attentive but not overly so. She has it down. The maître de was prompt in greeting me and had me pick my table. I’m a real table Nazi regarding my seat position, so I liked that. The other server did a nice job as well. The desert tray looked magnifiqué.

How about an astonishing Brut champagne for 35 dollars a bottle? You can’t get a glass for that in New York. Good job by the steward.

So my review in summary is the food, service and vibe are so good, you won’t notice the...