Finely Jps - WELLFLEET

After reviewing the menu, the waitress informed us of the specials and left us to decide. However, we were taken aback by the high prices—$18 for a hamburger (w... read more After reviewing the menu, the waitress informed us of the specials and left us to decide. However, we were taken aback by the high prices—$18 for a hamburger (without cheese or bacon), and appetizers averaging between $12 to $15. With those prices, we expected at least exceptional food. Unfortunately, we were let down. We ordered the filled ravioli as a shared appetizer for $12, which came with six half-dollar-sized ravioli in an unremarkable sauce. They weren’t terrible, but you could easily get a similar dish from the freezer section at Trader Joe's. For my main course, I chose the Wellfleet Paella at $26, while my boyfriend opted for the special ribeye steak served with a side of rice (they were out of potatoes, which is baffling for a weekend dinner). After what felt like an eternity—given the restaurant's emptiness—we finally received our entrees, but our anticipation quickly turned to disappointment. The steak was greasy, tough, and smothered in a thick, flavorless sauce. The rice was dry and a dull grayish-white. As for the paella, although the scallops and shrimp were cooked well, the dish lacked flavor—far from the spicy, savory, and delicious experience paella should deliver. The beloved crispy rice was absent, replaced by soggy yellow rice swimming in a weak saffron broth that tasted more like a broth cube than any distinctive seasoning. Our total bill was $80, and neither of us felt full or satisfied. My boyfriend remarked that he’s had better steaks at wedding receptions, and I could recall tastier rice dishes from my high school cafeteria. In short, the lackluster service, uninspiring and bland food, and outrageous prices created a perfect storm that guarantees we won't return. What a pity! The décor was actually quite nice, and they could really have a gem if they either adjusted their prices to match the food quality or served dishes worthy of higher prices—perhaps by incorporating local items or regional specialties? We genuinely wanted to enjoy Finely J.P.'s, but unfortunately, we didn’t.

Let's start by mentioning that we were seated in a nearly empty room, with only two other tables occupied at 7:00 PM. Our food didn’t arrive until 8:10, and it... read more Let's start by mentioning that we were seated in a nearly empty room, with only two other tables occupied at 7:00 PM. Our food didn’t arrive until 8:10, and it was staggered, which meant our party of seven felt obliged to wait until everyone received their meals. The calamari linguini was quite bland; I rarely see my husband add salt, yet he did this time, and there was very little seafood in the dish. At $21, it felt overpriced for pasta. My Caesar salad was also disappointing, with a dressing that lacked flavor. A good Caesar should have hints of garlic, anchovy, lemon, and spice, but this tasted more like a mix of mayonnaise and water. Additionally, the salmon portion was absurdly small for a $5 upcharge. I ended up ordering another piece of salmon; the waitress was hesitant at first, but after I insisted and told her to charge me whatever she needed to, she returned with the extra fish. Perhaps others enjoyed their meals more? It took quite a while for the bread to arrive, and when it did, it was just mediocre. On the bright side, the drinks were good, and the waitress was friendly and attentive. The atmosphere was nice, and if the food were better, I would consider returning. It’s no wonder we were able to get last-minute reservations for seven on a Saturday when other restaurants were fully booked—this place seems to have a reputation for being just okay at best.

The clam chowder is only enjoyable if you like watery cream served in a bowl. It’s nice to see cataplana on the menu—it has the potential to be a regional stand... read more The clam chowder is only enjoyable if you like watery cream served in a bowl. It’s nice to see cataplana on the menu—it has the potential to be a regional standout—but I can’t bring myself to order it anymore. I feel bad for the lobster that must endure being cooked to the point of becoming rubbery and inedible. Even the chicken marsala, which should be a safe choice, was just as disappointing.

Great early bird special during the off-season with a prix fixe three-course meal. The menu is diverse with some unique options. There are pasta, fish, and meat... read more Great early bird special during the off-season with a prix fixe three-course meal. The menu is diverse with some unique options. There are pasta, fish, and meat dishes to please everyone. The decor is lovely, and the service is excellent. Be sure to make reservations!

They served us warm bread that clearly was made from frozen food-service dough—it was undercooked and quite unappetizing. I believe that any restaurant aiming f... read more They served us warm bread that clearly was made from frozen food-service dough—it was undercooked and quite unappetizing. I believe that any restaurant aiming for fine dining should serve freshly made warm bread. My partner ordered Wellfleet oysters and really enjoyed them, though it's worth noting that they were simply cracked open, requiring minimal chef preparation—definitely a positive experience. The Caesar salad, however, was disappointing. The croutons were made from stale bread that lacked seasoning and tasted just like old bread cubes. Additionally, there were brown and black bits mixed in with the lettuce, and it was very lightly dressed with a bottled dressing, accompanied by only a few shreds of parmesan—this was a big negative. My partner chose the Wellfleet Paella, which unfortunately contained clams and mussels with grit in them. He described it as trying to eat a bowl of sand. He expressed that dining at a good restaurant should create a trust with the chef, who treats your meal with the care they would expect for themselves. In this case, that trust was deeply betrayed. As for my meal, it was decent—a fish served over linguine. While the fish was excellent, the linguine was rather bland and uninspiring. The entire menu felt very limited with little creativity. It seemed that whatever you ordered came with a protein and a heap of carbs, with no vegetables at all. Throughout our meal, we had to flag down our waitress just to get a refill of water (which we only managed once), and after the main dishes arrived, we asked them to clear away the appetizer plates since the small table couldn’t accommodate everything at once. I’m not sure why this wasn’t done automatically. Overall, I came away from the experience completely unimpressed and don't foresee returning. Most entrees are priced between $18 and $25, which feels excessive given the overall quality.