Madrona Grill - Friday Harbor

This restaurant is a fantastic spot for a meal with stunning views of the harbor. My husband ordered the Kobe beef dip sandwich and declared it the best he's ever tasted. The service was excellent as well.

The view was stunning, but the service was a bit slow, likely because we had a large group. When it came time to pay, the waitress wouldn't accept my card and let the groom handle the bill instead, which was a bit disappointing. However, he ended up taking care of it before I could. As for the food, I found the portions for the Forturn dish to be somewhat small.

**THE HIGHLIGHTS:** The restaurant boasts a truly stunning waterfront location. The century-old buildings exude a charming 'Cape Cod' atmosphere. Given that it's a pub, the food is surprisingly creative and well-prepared. I was particularly impressed by the Wagyu beef dip sandwich. Even the French fries, which could easily be overlooked, were served with flair and enthusiasm. The prices were unexpectedly reasonable for a venue of this caliber, and the service was efficient, especially considering the challenges the staff faced (see *THE LOWLIGHTS*). **THE LOWLIGHTS:** When busy (which seems to be the case nearly all summer), the atmosphere can become loud and chaotic, making it hard to relax. The staff appeared a bit overwhelmed but were clearly trying their best and performed admirably under the circumstances. So what was the issue? In this instance, it was the clientele. Being situated in a luxury resort with some of the priciest homes on the island and a marina full of yachts, Roche Harbor attracts a mostly white, affluent crowd. Mix in alcohol with wealth and egos, and you get a fair share of unpleasant, entitled individuals behaving poorly. It was disheartening to witness well-dressed patrons berate the staff for what they perceived as long waits for tables or drinks. Patience and kindness are essential, folks. I asked my server for a second beer, and although he was managing several other tables, he seemed to forget my order. When he checked on me again, I casually mentioned I would love another beer. His appreciation for my patience was evident when he offered me a complimentary drink! This gesture was unnecessary but certainly appreciated. **THE VERDICT:** In terms of food and service, Madrona Bar Grill genuinely exceeds expectations. However, when the restaurant is busy, its wealthy, somewhat entitled, loud, and demanding clientele can dampen the experience, making it feel like a scene from a bad reality show on Bravo—like a mix of *Below Deck* and *Real Housewives of [insert location]*. I would recommend visiting during the off-season or at non-peak hours. If you enjoy a lively atmosphere, though, it’s a fantastic spot for people-watching.

Amazing vibes, okay food. The bff and I decided to get lunch at this harbor side spot after the ferry ride a small exploration on the fringes of town. Since it was a Monday, we were promptly seated in the outdoor area. We decided to order: *white truffle Parmesan fries $9.95): lightly battered fries with black pepper, garlic, and sea salt; then tossed in grated Parmesan and white truffle oil. This was served alongside a secret fry sauce. This was so Parmesan-dominant that the white truffle had almost no chance to sneak its way through. *roche harbor 's tilted kettle clam chowder $10.95): chowder with tender clams, smoky bacon, clam nectar, red potato, veggies, and herbs. There was no depth in flavor at all. It honestly tasted store-bought lol *beer battered fresh vancouver Island rockfish and chips $26.95): the rockfish and chips were tasty, but nothing that blew us out of the water. The batter was over-salted. Will have to say that tropical mango-lime island slaw was really, really, tasty though, and I 'd get this again in a heartbeat. Yes for the views, the vibe, and the friendly service; not so much for the food. Grateful to have tried though!

Arrived for dinner on a Sunday night and were pleasantly surprised there was no wait even though it was a busy summer night. We were taken extremely good care of. Our server was so kind and professional. The menu is huge and everything was fresh and delicious. The fish and chips were incredible. Everyone was happy. We loved the free parking and gorgeous small town feel.