Sunset Grille Waterfront Restaurant and Bar

Overall Rating: 5/5
Budget: $40-60/person

When we travelled to Connecticut we had very limited time to roam around the place. Good thing I took a copy of the free map that was offered at the previous restaurant we dined in. I saw this place called Norwalk Cove Marina, and on the map, it looked like an island with a not so big waterway around it. There were boats being shown too, like you can have dinner on a cruise. I told my husband about it and he was the one who looked for a place to eat. I think his co-worker recommended the place.

There was a heavy traffic on our way to Sunset Grille because it was July 3rd and we didn't know there were fireworks display scheduled that night. It all looked great when we arrived. I love the ambiance and I knew the first time that I'm going to like it.

Food

Crispy Fried Calamari and Brownie a la mode

 Fish 'N Chips

I was not able to take a photo of what my husband ordered, it was The Minnow Seafood Platter for 2. Though we didn't share it. The whole humongous plate was just right for his big but empty growling stomach! Haha. The platter included shrimp, oyster, clams and 1/2 lobster. I should have taken a solo shot of it so I can show you (I have a photo but he was on the picture and he didn't want to share his face publicly. Haha!) because the presentation looked so yummy you'd want to eat them all together. I asked him if it was worth the price and he did say yes. That was just what I wanted to know.

The Fish 'N Chips was for me. I don't remember where the chips are anymore because it's not in the picture. Haha. Maybe I didn't notice because it was also served with fries and coleslaw. Coleslaw is my all time favorite side dish. I'd say the fish was battered right. It wasn't that salty and it doesn't smell like raw fish. Though they did serve lemon. It was one of the rare moments for me to finish a whole plate, including the fries! Either I'm just hungry or it was really good. I suppose it's the latter. ;)

Brownie a la mode is a kind of dessert you'd see in most restaurants. But as you can see in the photo, not all are served that way. The presentation adds to the delicious look of a food. The brownie was moist and it was a bit sweeter due to the caramel and mocha syrup. Oh, my daughter loved the whipped cream. I thought a la modes only have a scoop of ice cream on top, so that was a plus again.

The Crispy Fried Calamari was good, not great that I won't forget it, but good. The sauce was also good though it looked like a 'regular' sauce at first. It was red but it doesn't taste a lot like tomato sauce. If you get what I mean. I'm just tired of tomato-sauce based food because I used to cook with it 3x a day at home. LOL.

Cleanliness
We stayed outside and it was fairly maintained. There was a big group of family in one table and they have four kids. After they left I didn't see anything on the floor. The table outside were made of plastic so it was easier to clean wipe and dry.

Kid-Friendliness
There was no need to ask for a highchair anymore, but I did saw some. We didn't need to order kids' food because my daughter's favorite is calamari and she shared some fish with me. You'd think that you can't sit outside with a kid because it looked like an adult-only corner, but no. There were actually a couple of kids with their families outside and I think they'd enjoy the outdoors that eating inside.

Customer Service
They don't go very often to tables to ask if anything's okay but if you need them, there are always . people doing something and with that, I mean they're somewhere that can be seen. Haller anytime. :)

Complimentary Stuff
There's a huge parking space because it was near a dock, behind a dock, on the dock. Haha.
When I told you about the fireworks, you can actually see 3 different fireworks displays from there. So awesome! Some people paid $20 for the parking just to see the fireworks, it was free for us. And we had a good view too.

So, after having tried and tested it, are we going back! I'd say yes, if we have a budget. ;)

DISCLAIMER

I was not compensated in anyway to do a review of the products or services mentioned this post. Everything was based on my 100% honest opinion.

Phillips Flagship - Seafood Buffet

Overall Rating: 2.5/5
Budget: Weekday Lunch $16.99 / Weekend and Dinner $29.99 / person
Address: 900 Water Street, SW Washington, D.C. 20024.

After a tiring day of strolling in Washington DC, dinner should be the heaviest meal of the day! A friend suggested that we go to Philips Seafood because it's famous and they too, haven't been there. The restaurant is divided into two - the Crab Deck and the Seafood Buffet. We chose the latter because it's buffet, which will surely cater our different palates. Besides, they all want crabs!

I really am not a fan of buffet but I had to go with them. It's not that I don't like them, I already consider them good friends. The only reason is my stomach can't handle humongous intake of solids. I can do 5 or more glasses of iced tea, but not the main thing.

Food
I wasn't able to take photos because I somehow forgot. I was too focused on the conversation. Anyway, I tasted a little bit of this and that and I only have one comment - most of the food I've tasted were salty! That includes the macaroni and cheese! Even my husband who lovesss salty foods said that they were. My husband's friend also told me the same thing when I commented that the macaroni and cheese was such. Well, good thing I was with a good and cheerful company, else, it's going to be a really not-so-good experience.

I should have ordered a la carte only if the waiter told me they have a separate menu for it. Too bad I didn't ask because I thought it's solely buffet, until I saw the table next to us being served sandwiches and fries! It must have been better. Next time, I know best.

Cleanliness
Considering it's a buffet, I'd say it's okay. If I can tolerate my daughter to sit on the floor, then I consider it clean. And I did let her sit several times. Also, I can't remember using paper towel and hand sanitizer to wipe the table, so, yes, it is clean! The buffet tables don't look messy too. The bathroom's well-maintained. I love that. I went there twice and I saw the janitor once cleaning.

Kid-friendliness
They have highchairs for sure. They also provide activity sheets and crayons. I've seen several families with babies are young as 4 months and they did great!

Customer Service
This is were they failed me. First, our server was not so attentive. The drink refills were not as prompt, we always need to call his attention. You have to ask for paper towels too. Hello, they were all eating crabs! Then, we had to split the bill and he said the system won't allow it. He suggested another step which was acceptable, though to avoid confusion two groups paid cash and the other, credit card. We still have a change of $8 which took him approximately 15 minutes to give back. I was thinking maybe he thought we forgot about it or if he doesn't come back for awhile then it'll be his 'tip'. A friend called his attention to remind him about the matter. I know, and we know, that it's only $8. But we also look at honesty and responsibility here. We have the right to demand our change. If you'd like to know, we gave him a separate tip, which is of course, greater than the amount he was supposed to have. We're still good people, you know. Ha!

Complimentary Stuff
Great view of Washington channel.
Wet and paper towels.
It's worth to note that we didn't find a free parking but there are several parking areas and we paid $8.

So having tried and tested it, are we going back? Maybe if it's a la carte, but not to buffet.

DISCLAIMER

I was not compensated in anyway to do a review of the products or services mentioned this post. Everything was based on my 100% honest opinion.

Breezy Point Seafood Company

Overall Rating: 4/5
Budget: $10-$18/person

Upon entering, I told myself, it really ain't breezy [literally speaking] at all, unless you dine at the tables they provide outside, which we didn't because it was kind of hot and our little one won't stop running in the parking area. The facade looks neat and there were 4 more groups who entered right after I placed our order. I guess they're regulars.

Food
The menu is easy to understand for you'll need to choose from Entree, Sandwich or Sandwich with two sides. The selection of course are seafood and I bet that's why it took my husband like 10 minutes to figure out what he likes [because he likes them all]. I was able to choose almost in an instant, for the first time, because I love tuna! There's an option on how you want it done - grilled, broiled or fried. I got broiled tuna with 2 sides and I love it! The tuna is well-cooked with just the right texture. You'll see a bit of the pinkness in the middle and it really looked good! I wasn't expecting to love the sides too. The vegetable ingredients of the coleslaw were cut smaller than the other restaurant's preparation, which I really like. Also, it doesn't have much mayo so it didn't look yucky.  As for the fries, you might think it's usual, but no. I normally don't finish my fries, but it was the crunchiness in addition to the slightly sprinkled Old Bay [I guess] which makes it good. I also discovered it tastes even better if you dip it in their Spicy Thai sauce rather than ketchup. 

My husband ordered lemon pepper salmon with seasoned rice and salad. I tasted them too and I liked it as much as he does. He won't go away without a crab cake so he shared it with our 16-month old. Who says kids don't like seafood? That ain't true!

Cleanliness
If I'm going to rate it, I'll give it 4.5 just because I saw some smudges on the table. The others were clean but I don't know why I opted to stay there. Anyway, it is clean in general. I even let my little one sit on the floor for I saw neither crumbs nor sauces. See the photo below to see how well-arranged, should I say maintained, the condiments bar is.

Kid-Friendliness I am not really not sure if they have a highchair or booster seat because I didn't see one. I let my little one sit on a regular chair with our guidance of course. I will send them an email and I'll let you know. Else, if they read this post, I hope they a comment below.


Customer Service
It was so-so, nothing great, nothing bad. Though I thought the person on the cashier was not so welcoming, I mean no smiles at all?

Complimentary Stuff
Free Parking
Sauces on the condiments bar.

So, having tried and tested it, are we going back? I forgot to try the crab soup and I'd like to know how their tilapia tastes so possibly, but not soon.

DISCLAIMER

I was not compensated in anyway to do a review of the products or services mentioned this post. Everything was based on my 100% honest opinion.