Fifth Avenue Bistro & Bar — Restaurant in Seward

We recently had the chance to dine at this restaurant, and while there were a few positives, the experience left much to be desired. The food presentation was nice, and the taste was decent, though the portion sizes were quite small. The restaurant itself is very small, with only 5-6 tables, and the ambiance feels outdated and unimpressive.

Service was another area where things fell short. With only one waiter handling the entire restaurant, the service felt rushed and impersonal. He wasn’t particularly welcoming and even seemed a bit pushy when it came to tipping, with the machine suggesting a minimum of 25%.

Considering these factors, the prices are just not justifiable. They’re charging fine dining prices for what is essentially an average experience with mediocre food. After spending $130 on food, the machine suggested a minimum tip of $30, bringing the total to $160. For that amount, we left feeling neither full nor satisfied.

However, I understand this might be the norm in Seward given its status as a tourist destination. If the above doesn’t sound like a dealbreaker to you, this place might still be worth a visit, but it certainly didn’t live up to our...

Recently dined here based on its high rating, but unfortunately it isn't worth it.

We called ahead and were told there was no wait. However, when we arrived just 3 mins later, all 3 tables and the 4 bar seats were occupied. We were seated in a hallway that shares an entrance with Hotel Seward, and with people walking by, it’s like we were dining in a passageway. We were not allowed to order drinks while sitting at that table, they could have informed us in the call. Food is overpriced. The Chowder ($18) had very little seafood and was mostly potatoes. Halibut ($44) and salmon were decent but didn’t justify the cost, especially considering the small portions, and other restaurants quality and prices. The waiter stared at us for the entire duration while we selected the tip amount on the payment machine, which was incredibly uncomfortable, and we were pressured to leave a higher tip(minimum was set at 25%). 25% is too much for just serving the dishes and nothing else, in a hallway.

While the prices suggest a fine dining experience, the service and environment fell far short of that standard. We feel disappointed and...

The venue is small and has a turn of the 20th century vibe. The service is attentive. I had the house made fries, baked mushrooms, chowder, and ceaser salad. The food was well prepared. The portions were on the small side with one exception, the salad. I enjoyed everything except the salad.

Hand cut never frozen fries were a hit and we shared them between three people. The baked mushrooms were delightful and nicely plated. For me mushrooms go a long way and the portion was good for 3 people.

The chowder was the star. Not too thick and freshly made with fresh ingredients. The portion is on the small side.

The salad is basic and at $19 it didn’t come close to hitting the mark. Most dinners do not desire, or have the stomach, to consume such an enormous portion of lettuce in a single sitting. The few who do would need a lot more dressing,...