The Pilot House — Restaurant in Wilmington

Zero stars for the restaurant food and service. This was the most disappointing dining experience I've had in a long time—all the more disappointing as I was celebrating a friend’s birthday. As is quite typical in Wilmington, this restaurant seemingly draws customers because of its location and its views of the Cape Fear River—and not because of the quality of its food or service. The food: I ordered the "Mixed Grill", which consisted of three shrimp, a ridiculously small portion of tuna, an equally small portion of salmon, and sides of rice and a vegetable (see photo). The shrimp were tasty enough and the salmon was average, but the tiny piece of tuna, which I ordered seared, was over-cooked. The sides, in surprisingly small portions, were devoid of taste. The meal was definitely not anywhere near the price of $29.00 (!). As for my friend’s dinner, his first expression was “Gosh, I could have made this myself.” Indeed. He ordered the “Crab Melt,” which was served on a stale piece of sourdough bread that was reminiscent of dry grocery store-bought bread, and contained a very generic blend of crabmeat and fillers; this sandwich was advertised on the menu as “famous,” but I can’t imagine that customers would consider this anything of the sort. The bowl of “Carolina Bisque” that he also ordered was watery and lacking significant taste. The price of these two items was $20.00—also not worth anywhere near that cost. The surprisingly poor service added to our dining woes. Although our waitress seemed to be serving only four tables, she looked scattered and totally overwhelmed. She refilled our waters only once--and only after we waived her down mid-meal. We also asked her to refill our breadbasket, which she failed to do. In fact, the only additional time she returned to our table when I called her over to ask for our bill so that we could leave as soon as possible. This service seemed all the more disappointing because numerous dining room attendants—bussers and hostesses—were buzzing around the restaurant the whole time and didn’t seem to lend a hand. The total price, including this food, one beer, an unfilled sweet-tea, and almost non-existent service, was $68.00. I hesitated to leave a tip, but I reluctantly added the requisite 15%, knowing that wait staff rely on tip money for pay. I suspect that this restaurant draws mostly tourists and visitors to Wilmington who expect something better and have a very forgettable experience or locals who are used to over-priced food that is mediocre at best. Even the pretty view didn’t come close to making this a pleasant meal. Don’t spend your hard-earned money here—you could purchase the same ingredients a a grocery store such as Food Lion for much, much less money and prepare a tastier meal in the company of friends or family—and without the poor...

Their slogan "Seafood With Local Flair"... Please just give up the "flair" and serve good food. Trying to make dishes fancy doesn't make them better.

Close to 10/10 for atmosphere, inside was cute and looked freshly painted, we sat outside on the patio with the view of the river. We were the only ones out there while other restaurants in view seemed much much busier. One couple sat down and walked away after seing the menu, and honestly, that's what we should've done too. But, I was trying to be optimistic and try something new.

The menu was extremely small and didnt have much that looked appetizing. We ordered 2 bloody Mary's that came in small, fancier looking glasses. They were alright, but, we did feel a little "gypped". For an appetizer we got the crab dip, which was decent, but didn't offer enough bread to actually use all of the dip despite the $17 item.

My partner ordered the seafood platter which wasn't anything spectacular to talk about, just a platter of fried items. I ordered the shrimp and grits out of one of the waitresses recommendations, and it was definitely not great, I felt a little sick after eating. The menu really doesnt describe this dish accurately and does not portray an "NC" style shrimp and grits dish. This tasted and looked much more like a jambalaya, creole, Louisiana cuisine of some sort. There were very large pieces of im assuming mushrooms which caught my eye first, which was fine, but I dont like to not understand what I'm eating and again, the dish really was not explained correctly or thoroughly on the menu at all. Again, we don't have to try to make things fancy to make them good. The grits were pretty cheesy, did not get the "green chile" at all. The shrimp seemed a little under done to me. Lastly, but not least important, it was a big greasy mess and could have been why I felt sick. I ate was I could because I was hungry and didn't want to feel like I was being a downer to my partner, but you can especially see in the takeout box all of the grease that had separated. It was just not very good.

Service was okay, nothing great.

$88 before tip, 2 entrees, 1 app and two drinks, not terrible, but definitely won't be returning. The food is...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Pilot House Restaurant, and I can confidently say that it was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. Nestled along the picturesque waterfront, the location alone is worth the visit. The stunning views of the river, especially at sunset, create a serene and romantic atmosphere that perfectly complements the dining experience.

Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by the staff, who were not only professional but also genuinely welcoming. The attention to detail in the service was impeccable throughout the evening. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu, offering excellent recommendations and answering our questions with enthusiasm. It’s clear that the team at Pilot House takes great pride in ensuring their guests have a top-notch experience.

Now, onto the food—simply outstanding! The menu offers a delightful array of dishes that showcase the best of local and seasonal ingredients. We started with the seafood sampler, and it was a perfect introduction to what would be a memorable meal. The oysters were fresh and briny, the shrimp cooked to perfection, and the crab dip was nothing short of addictive.

For the main course, I opted for the pan-seared scallops, and they were hands-down the best I’ve ever had. The scallops were tender, with a beautiful golden crust, and paired with a savory risotto that was creamy and rich. My dining partner chose the filet mignon, and it was cooked to absolute perfection—tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor.

Dessert was the cherry on top of an already fantastic meal. We indulged in the key lime pie, which was the perfect balance of tart and sweet, with a buttery graham cracker crust that added just the right amount of texture. It was the ideal way to end a...