Chandlers Crab

I was touring Canada and the United States on a long retirement holiday and after Seeing Seattle on the Television and programmes relevant to sea food decided to have a meal at a recommended restaurant. The manger of the hotel we were staying in recommended Chandlers Crab so with a table and a taxi booked and a preparation of anticipation we left for the Wharf.

Arrival exceeded any prejudgement and we were greeted and taken to our table with speed and efficiency. We had a window table overlooking the bay which was an excellent view and gave us much to talk about whilst waiting to be served.

We were presented a complimentary starter which was a well presented crab dish which proved to be tasty though maybe a little strong on either garlic or a seasoning salt.

My partner ordered Halibut and I Sturgeon. I didn’t recognise the accompanying dishes but it was a food adventure that we were prepared for.
On service of the food I saw that I had I darn’e of Sturgeon with ‘mashed potato’ and a sauce consisting of what appeared to be tinned tomatoes black olives and a peppery spice.

I tasted the potato first and to my surprise I found it to be gritty and bitty I thought that maybe either garlic or that the potatoes were riced instead of mashed / creamed.
I believe I was observed by a member of staff who after asking me if ‘everything was ok’ took the plate away and brought me back the Fish and sauce.

During the rest of the meal every time a waiter passed they enquired if the food was to standard which included the maitr’e d. I replied to the maitre, d that I would make comment after I had eaten. The fish was delightful, however I found both the potato choice and the sauce did not accompany the fish in either texture quality or composition?

After the meal was finished and the bill was paid the maitr’e d approached me and asked for my comment as I had said I would provide. I stated “The meal was not quite what I expected” he quickly replied that most English tourists go to a fish and chip shop down by the harbour.
I was expecting to pass comment like ‘sturgeon and mashed potato’ or ‘tinned tomatoes and olives’ or ‘was there a vegetable dish’ however the comment threw me and I realised I had wasted not only my money but a very expensive trip to Seattle, both my partner and I left.
In summary I was disappointed with my Chandlers Crab experience, and on the unlikely chance that I should return would make more effort to interrogate the staff on as to what was on the menu, what ingredients were used in composition , and not to make any comment on the food until it was time to leave. The quality of food and service certainly did not match the price of the bill.

RAF CHEF in Pacific Northwest