Chinooks Restaurant — Restaurant in Seward

1 Star for how fast the food came out when we got to order 1 Star for the great taste to the food. compliments to the chefs and thanks to them for getting our food out fast but not sacrificing on taste.

the other 3 stars are taken off for a few things. We came in with 5 people and asked for a table for 11 as our friends were on their way to join us. We got off the cruise terminal that day and had been exploring and the restaurant was recommended by a local. We got seated in about 7 minutes and then we waited. There wasn't that many people in the restaurant. We waited for someone to come and take drink orders but no one came Our friends showed up about 10 minutes of waiting. We waited 10 more minutes and still no server or anyone came to the table. We were all hungry, we had been walking around for a few hours. I got up and went to the hostess (a younger boy about 18-20 maybe) and told him that we had been waiting for over 15 minutes and no one had come to our table. I asked who our server was supposed to be. He gave me a name and I asked if he could let her know we had been waiting and we were now all ready to order as well as still wanting to order drinks. He said he would let her know.

I went back and sat down and glanced at him take phone calls and do NOTHING! He didn't go speak to anyone or anything. I couldn't believe it it was so frickin rude. I was pretty hangry at this time so I didn't say anything else as I didn't want to make a scene. One of my male friends at the table was finally sick of waiting for 30 minutes plus at this point he walked right up to the bar and tried to order his drinks and food.

He told them we had been seated for 30 minutes and no one had come to help and so finally that flagged someone to come over a few minutes later. She came up and quickly apologized for the server who was having computer problems...... (Even if someone had computer problems how hard is it to go to the table and say hi, Im your server, even once in 30 minutes! Im having troubles or I can get someone to get your drinks or something!)

She said she could get our drink order started and I said that we were all ready to order and I would like to take both orders as we had waited long enough.

Food came out pretty fast, I would say within 10 minutes to 15 minutes after. Makes sense since there wasn't that many people in the restaurant. Food taste was great.

We ordered more drinks and got our bill, I noticed that gratuities were already applied. I was still pretty upset about being ignored and waiting for that long. I asked our new server about the gratuities that I disagreed with the percentage that was applied and I asked what she could do about it. She just looked at me annoyed like I had said something wrong! then proceeded to say that we were a table of more than 10 and that the charge had to be applied. I said I still disagreed was there anything that could be done and she flat out said no.

Where I come from, tips are earned, by good service. I did not feel we got that. Even if there was a mandatory tip she knew we ha been waiting for 30 minutes without service. There was probably a manager or something she could have talked to when I asked if there was anything that could have been done and Im sure she could clearly feel my irritation and could have done a better job of handling the situation. I understand our table was suppose to be someone elses and she got thrown into it and maybe was irritated too but still she could have done better.

I brewed on this review for 2 weeks before deciding that it should be posted. 3 different service fronts all need...

Where do I begin. Well I assumed that this restaurant being the most expensive one around, I'd receive decent service for the hefty price tag... I was wrong. I entered the restaurant and was told no tables would be available for 10 minutes, but the bar was open... so I reluctantly accepted sitting at the bar. After 5 minutes of starring at the bartender he finely lumbered over and asked what I want... I ordered a beer, a ranch salad, and a full LB of King Crab Legs. Now I'm committed $70 and I assumed I might get better service, as a 20% tip on $70 is a chunk of cash for a server... nope. After 10 more minutes I didn't even have a beer in front of me. So I walked back to the hostess and asked for a table. I need a SERVER. I was seated, and 15 minutes went by and finally I was greeted. I told my new server I had a salad and a beer on the way, and replaced my crab legs order. He dropped the beer and the ranch salad, which appeared to have no ranch. I ordered a side of ranch and sat there for another 15 minutes with what became an empty glass of beer and no side of ranch. Finally a bus boy brought me my ranch, followed closely with a food server with my crab legs. Now I'm starring at the smallest LB of crab I've ever seen, nearly all shell, about 3 tablespoons of vegetables, and a side of rice with no flavor... next to my side of salad I finally got dressing for. It took my 5 minutes to crack some huge shells and redeem my tiny, cold pieces of crab meat and eat my flavorless rice. Still waiting on my second beer, the server comes by and drops my $70 tab. I'm from Anchorage, and when you pay for a $70 dinner you usually get $70 service. Not at this restaurant. I will never...

Beer taps some not working, others have no beer ( see pictures). The one beer I tried was old tasting & warm.

The wines were poor selection low quality so markup could be high & it was. The lady who acted like the manager ( poor service trying to argue with customer) said we have Pino gris California and I said ah yes Pino Grigio ! She forcefully said loudly "PINO GRIS". I wanted to educate her and tell her they ARE the same grape & exact verity & why they have different names - she just wants to argue & show everyone she is resturant top dag, good or bad.

After my meal I had to listen to her ravings to other employees, so much for relaxing atmosphere : no customer courtesy. beer nothing on tap. Wine poor & won't pair well with seafood. Washington & Oregon have some of the best wines in the world. Atmosphere poor, listen to employee meeting & gripe session. Food, overpriced & salmon overcooked. Salad way too too much dressing & please taste your croutons old, hard & stale. Fresh fish cooked correctly should be moist & flaky, not dry & crusty.

Wait staff very nice, except manager who nastiest comment was about " I will tell the owner about the wine ".

She think she knows everything, except the two wines she wanted to argue about come from the same grape ! Literally a 14 hands winery blend would make this wine list pale, wholesale is $5 a bottle.

Many great seafood, beer,wine, atmosphere places in town, this is not one of them. In my opinion.

Pictures, beer taps with covers are...