I will say one thing to this guy’s defense – I have been called Fast and Efficient by many, MANY people at work and there are always those few out there who interpret fast as “rude.” I choose to respect peoples’ time as my family is full of professionals who deeply value their time.

Time is such a funny thing. I once encountered a family from India in line at the greengrocer’s who declared that a competitor beat the price by – get THIS – two cents. They had spent two whole hours driving all over creation, checking everybody else on the market for a better price.

This nonsense happened during the 2009 gas crisis, when people were paying $6 per gallon

Anyway – life sometimes dishes out the strangest justices – really

It only took two-years to get a response from someone at your establishment. Wow! I’m glad our food didn’t take that long to arrive. I appreciate your kind offer of “a couple bowls of that famous clam chowder” but no thanks. One experience with your restaurant left a lasting impression – one that will last me a lifetime.

I was hoping some of your more satified customers would write but thus far, no takers. Not to be rude but seriously, I’ve had better seafood at Long John Silvers and at a much better price.

If you want a lesson on how to serve a fine meal and treat your patrons well, might I suggest a visit to The Firehouse in Old Town Sacramento?

I found your blog through a simple “google images” search. I am a member of the ownership family of Fishermen’s Grotto. I am saddened, as much as you were frustrated, by your experience in 2006. We have served thousands of happy customers every week for the past 73 years. It takes just one unhappy customer to disappoint me.

Yes, Natalia was here on an exchange program from Russia. Overall she was a very good waitress who simultaneously held a server position at two other restaurants on the Wharf. Many were enamored by her accent. She was consistently FAST and professional in her service. I cannot make excuses for her, but she is human. She is no longer a server with us as she returned to Russia upon learning of the death of her father while she was here. I don’t know anything more specific about your experience than what you’ve written but on behalf of The Restaurant I deeply apologize things were not up to your expectations.

You are correct in that butter warmers are not available to us. They have not been used since a period before any of our employees joined our team. Unfortunately, I would not expect that many even know of butter warmers and were perhaps assuming you were asking for warm butter aka drawn butter. Of course, as you experienced that is served with our crab and lobster dishes and gladly replenished throughout the course of your meal to keep it the correct temperature.

If I read your review correctly, your main concern with your meals was the undercooking/overcooking? If I’m not understanding I’d be happy to listen to more specific feedback. Again, I apologize your meals were not to your liking. Our cooks and chefs are very experienced and most have been with us for 10, 20, 30+ years. Additionally, I cannot apologize for the quality of your food. We go to great lengths to purchase and deliver to you only the finest seafoods and steaks the marketplace has to offer. I have full confidence in the quality of our product. Also, no, our staff is not permitted to exchange a side of vegetables for a cup of the world’s best clam chowder. That is a decision only I can make and sometimes will.

Lastly, thank you again for choosing our restaurant. Each an every individual that walks through the door is important to me. If you ever find yourself in the area on classic foggy San Francisco day, and need something to warm your belly, come see me, introduce yourself and a couple of bowls of that famous clam chowder are on me.

Please feel free to contact me at AnthonyGeraldi@fishermensgrotto.com if you would like to provide further feedback or have any questions for me.

Sincerely,
Anthony G.

After writing this article, I promptly sent a copy of it to the e-mail address listed on Fishermen’s Grotto’s website. As of today (Oct. 14, 2006) I have received no response from anyone representing them. I guess they simply don’t care.

We might have been taken to the cleaners this time but it won’t happen to us ever again and if I can save even one other person from going through what we did, I will be satisfied.

My Abalone was a very poor excuse for a $70 meal, regardless of what you’re having. And with sides of uncooked pasta and uncooked vegetables – ridiculous! I hope their chef turns the oven on next time or figures out what the burners are for. That said, my favorite restaurant is Mallards in Modesto. If you get the chance… no, scratch that, MAKE the time – go to Mallards. It’s a meal you won’t regret at a very fair price (not cheap – fair).

I’m sorely disappointed.

Natalie, if you ever read this, I do hope you take it to heart. Maybe you should get work in a field more suited to your linguistic skills, like an overseas call center.