Ports of Call — Restaurant in Southport

What is there to say? I’ve lived around the corner from this place for a couple of years. I’ve never eaten there until today. The service is top notch. Very nice and attentive staff that was expeditious. We ordered the crab cake eggs Benedict with a side of grits, the Italian frittata with home fries and the crunchy French toast with eggs over easy and sausage patties. We also ordered a couple of Aperol spritzes. The food came out quickly. My first bite was of the grits. I added cheese to my order as a side note. I’ll preface this next statement by saying I’m from the south. Born and raised. They came out cold and covered in shredded cheese (which is fine) so I mixed the grits up and gave them a taste! Have you ever boiled grits and while they’re boiling you pour some of the water into a glass and drink it? Well, that’s what the grits tasted like. Grit water. I even salted them and added hot sauce it was like those grits were a black hole of flavor. So reeling from the suction of flavor from my entire body, we noticed the relaxing techno version of My Heart Will Go On. Noting that the atmosphere was less than inviting and calming. Ports can’t decide what it is. Is it a cozy bistro or a hip Miami restaurant from the ‘80s? The accoutrement were all over the place. Some Christmas stuff, some plates, a mirror or two. Back to the food! The crab cake Benedict looked beautiful and the poached egg was perfect! The English muffin was not toasted, the hollandaise sauce was quite nice but again, no flavor whatsoever. It tasted like a perfectly prepared beige. The frittata was perfectly inoffensive and was plused up by some hot sauce. The Aperol spritzes maybe did not have Prosecco in them(?) we ordered a side of Prosecco to supplement the lack thereof. Overall, I’d invite the kitchen staff from that particular day to come over for cocktails, and to cook some food together, and I can show them what salt and pepper are! P.S. the crunchy French toast were amazing but the over-easy eggs were bland. I’d stop letting the elderly of Southport decide what cuisine is. Please don’t let your patrons turn an amazing location into a nursing...

We enjoy Ports Of Call on a regular basis. However, in recent months, we have noticed many notable improvements. Most importantly, your menu changes are especially obvious.

Thank you for providing Southport with new flavors and unexpected pairings. For example, from the Specials menu last night, we enjoyed the, beautifully plated, Sesame and Togarashi seared Ahi Tuna paired with Lavender and Roasted Red Pepper Jasmine Rice all served over a Garlic and Black Bean puree. It was light yet filling and oh, so delicious. We also enjoyed the Steak and Cremini Mushroom Pasta. We were a little chilled all afternoon and desired a substantial dinner. The pasta dish hit the spot (and warmed us up)! Perfectly proportioned were filet mignon tips and cremini mushroom slices in a delicious, lightly weighted red wine-based sauce served over-not too much-linguini. It was just wonderful (and also beautifully plated). Unfortunately, we were satiated and could not indulge in the delicious-sounding POC dessert specials but I can assure you a future visit will be desserts-only and I will return here with my findings!

I also want to congratulate Ports Of Call on the cosmetic upgrades. The exterior enhancements have elevated the downtown charm and draw passersby to, at least, take a peek. The interior changes are also positive improvements to the old structure.

Lastly, and certainly not least, I commend your staff. We do not see your kitchen staff making the magic (then cleaning it up), but we do see the wait staff and bartenders working extremely hard to accommodate your guests. Finding consistent staff is a challenge these days but I cannot say enough about the quality of your food servers. They are extremely hard workers and do so with a smile, and it is clear to me the “behind the house” staff are working just as hard to meet our high expectations.

If you want a truly fine dining experience I recommend you patronize our local gem, Ports Of Call. You will...

We are local to the area first off, I don't really know what has happened here but today this restaurant has lost me for the second time. Things have changed again, IDK if its the cook or what but today it was not even close to being what we were use to. Crab omelet with fried potatoes absolutely no taste at all, I flipped it open and I feel like I received a 3 egg omelet only and over cooked potatoes. The other dish was classic Benedict, came to table cold the first time and they re- cooked it - no problem things happen, Cold Coffee the first time then they made it right, IDK if the waiter is in training but he was rushed to even do the basics, no problem it happens right. But combined with all of this it is a problem when you do not feel like your getting what you paid for. I would suggest the cook try his dishes first to make them taste appropriate, I would also suggest that the waiter look to his tables to make sure they are taken care of, i know your all working together to help but each of you has their own table and the customer needs to see you not in a rush to feel they are important. I want to come back but it is going to be a while for me I am a little finished over paying for things like this. Oh and BTW the couple by me was not happy either not that I should take that mantle on but seriously you have some issues here. I also mentioned to your hostess that your front sign said closed not even an acknowledgment of it, I also mentioned it to 2 of your servers all excused it to the hostess , Ok not my restaurant. When I left it was turned around to open and you gained more business, honestly IDK. probably none of my business....