Went here for Mother's Day dinner. We were given a strict menu with limited options and were told that we could only order from this menu. As the night went on we continued to see people being served food that wasn't on the menu. I ordered the veal, which was extremely over cooked and dry. Only one person in my family of five enjoyed their meal. My favorite part of the meal would be the service, but would not recommend this place to anyone considering the food was extremely over priced, unsatisfactory, and I feel sick (as do a few of my family members) with an upset stomach after eating that gross meal. read more

It's a great location if you are staying at the Wentworth Inn. The menu is lovely and both my husband and I loved our appetizers: I had grilled octopus with chorizo and fresh pickles, and my husband had the baby beet salad. But we both got seafood for dinner (he had halibut and I ordered rainbow trout) and both dishes were significantly overcooked. We had two breakfasts there as well and they were fine. read more

Stealth Foodies landed and expanded in Portsmouth, NH this weekend and we ate at SALT KITCHEN & BAR - WENTWORTH BY THE SEA. * Meatball appetizer: ridiculously good. We added a salad but could be a light meal on its own. * Beef tenderloin: very good but not quite up to snuff for the $45 price tag. The bed of vegetables underneath tasted like an over-salted wok experiment gone wrong. * Lobster bisque: A not-to-miss creamy, yummy experience...buttery with fresh chunks of lobster that does New England proud. read more

We have stayed as well as eaten here for dinner numerous times over the past few years and have always enjoyed it (to the point that we drove down from Portland specifically to eat here today), However, after having lunch there, it will be a long time before we go back. The service was poor and the food was sub-par. It took almost 15 minutes to be seated and then 20 minutes before anyone came over to speak with us ( we were served bread by someone passing by). Our drinks took 10 minutes to get and It took more than 35 minutes for our food to arrive - a hamburger, a turkey panini and a flatbread. The turkey panini was supposed to be on French country bread but served on grilled whole grain - with pieces of turkey fat in the sandwich. The flatbread was burnt on the top and had little flavor. On the other hand The hamburger was cooked just perfectly. We were never checked on during the meal (or even saw a server) to see how everything was - otherwise I would have requested a different bread for the panini. When two of us were done the sever cleared our plates while one of us was still eating their meal. The only time the service was prompt was in receiving the bill the minute after all of the plates were cleared. read more

Top notch ambiance and service for the Seacoast NH area. We sat in what appeared to be the main dining area - under the dome. Quite beautiful and very elegant. Not really my thing but have to confess it's fun once in a while. My meal - Halibut - was spectacular. Absolute 5 star dish. As was the beet salad. My less than 5 star review is a result of the reactions from the crew I dined with. The tortellini entree was conveyed as being "too sweet" (honey is listed as a component). And the chicken in the chicken saltimbocca was a bit dry (over cooked). The chicken in the rustica flatbread (pizza) was moist and delicious. Holding a star back for the saltimbocca...when you're paying top end prices, I'm sorry but every meal has to live up to the price. The Salt is worth the visit, and it doesn't have to be for a special occasion. read more

Visited Salt for first time yesterday. The service was absolutely terrible from beginning to end; we were stunned. The food was great but the poor service overwhelmed the experience. read more

We still enjoy going to Salt but today may have been the worse service ever. Went into the bar at 3:15 for a glass of wine and got no service. We sat and the bartender said our waitress Hannah would be right over. Never saw her. The place was empty. After 10 minutes and observing the bartender taking orders of 2 patrons who came a good 15 min after our arrival we asked if we could order from him. He said yes. He never came to our table. So after being regulars for at least 4 years we walked out. And will likely not be back after today's experience. read more

Allison (waitress) & Mike (one of the chefs) made my late dinner experience great. I had just arrived from a long trip & was super hungry (as usual lol). Allison gave us great recommendations on the menu & about things to do while visiting this area. She is very calm, helpful, professional & friendly. Mike made me a delicious mushroom, arugula & truffle oil flatbread (more like a pizza). It was very good. The half order of the housemade pasta was well made & tasted great. On our last night we stopped for a quick glass of wine after dinner & Allison again was incredible. We were so glad she could help us again. Thank you very much to all of you for your hard work to make our experience better. All the best from Linda & Greg. read more

Went with a party of 4 yesterday and were told when we called three days ahead that the $49 Brunch was not available to us until 1:30; we then opted for the breakfast in Salt and were told it did not take reservations and we wouldn't need one anyway, that there would be no problem getting a table. We arrived from Boston at 10:00 and were told there was a 30 minute wait. One of the things we were looking forward to trying was the corned beef hash. We had been told by a friend that it was the best he had ever had. We were seated and settled at about 10:45 and our waiter told us we could head to the buffet any time......We asked for menus; all of us did not want the buffet. We were then told it was too late; the breakfast kitchen had closed at 10:30. Needless to say, this was not a pleasant way to start the experience. Because of our earlier phone call, we didn't expect to have to wait, but we didn't mind. However, no one had mentioned anything at all about a hotel breakfast room closing its kitchen so early in the morning. A major faux pas in my opinion. Of course, there was the buffet --- now our only choice. We sampled almost everything except the cold cereal, and I put a little granola on my oatmeal; the oatmeal was creamy, but slightly watery; the granola was very good. With the granola, and a little milk, the oatmeal was good. There was plenty of fruit I could have used as a topping, but I didn't. My tablemates enjoyed the array of fresh berries and melon. The bacon did not taste good; it was greasy and only a few pieces were cooked to the crunchy stage. The sausage and gravy, the Chef's Special of the Day, was less than mediocre. The biscuit was heavy and the gravy had either a salty ham or small pieces of prosciutto in it; it was watery, and there was no taste at all of the classic breakfast sausage. There was an effort to provide good home fries; there were white, purple and sweet potatoes; unfortunately, they were tasteless. The scrambled eggs were piled about 3 inches deep and by the time I approached them, they were hard and dry. This issue could be easily remedied by filling the pan with less and replacing them often. Two of my tablemates chose to have an omelet made at the omelet station; there was a large selection of fillings and both were pleased with their choice; another tablemate had eggs over easy cooked at the omelet station. The omlet-maker would make quesadillas and place them on the shelf for diners to pick up; they were filled with an egg, Swiss cheese and a little spinach; again, mediocre. But, you can avoid the hard scrambled eggs if you are willing to wait a few minutes or more (depending on the crowd); there is only one person preparing the omelets. Opposite the hot dishes were rolls -- cinnamon, lemon-filled Danish (dry and tasteless), and muffins (dry). Oddly, there was a plate with salami and a ham that resembled prosciutto. There were fresh apples, oranges and grapefruit available as well. In a separate room, there was an array of smoothies, fruit parfaits, and fresh fruit. My tablemates tasted them and had no complaints. What we all noticed was the quality of the breads set out to toast. It was simply sliced bread from the supermarket, and not the best sliced bread one could buy, unappetizing bagles and English muffins with that thick, pasty center absent in Thomas's and best quality English muffins. The least an establishment can do, particularly when it boasts its wonderful brunches and breakfasts, is to provide good bread. Salt did not. On the other hand, the waffles were terrific. Fluffy, light and tasty. My tablemates enjoyed the fresh berries with whipped cream. There was a platter with chopped red onions and tomatoes, capers and cream cheese, presumably for the bagels; it would have been a nice option (albeit no lox or smoked salmon) were it not for the doughy-looking bagels. So, we had breakfast. It was okay, not nearly as good as Ball Square Cafe or Renee's in Somerville, not even close to IronTown Diner in Saugus, but the drive was pleasant on the sunny, crisp morning. The hotel is beautiful. The restaurant needs work..... read more

I went to Salt today after enjoying a lengthy stay at the Spa with a girlfriend. In total I've been to Salt about half a dozen times for brunch, lunch and dinner. I've been twice in the past two weeks including today, and can agree with most Yelpers that the service is AWFUL and completely overshadows the food. The servers are inattentive, don't listen, and operate on two speeds: SLOW and STOP. Upon sitting down a disinterested waitress asked to take our drink order. I told the waitress I intended to order a bottle of champagne and asked to see the wine menu since we didn't receive one upon seating (nor place settings or napkins). She gestured toward the lunch menu and said my options were in there and took off. Well, they weren't, just wines by the glass. So upon returning the waitress asked if I had made my selection and I told her "No, because I would like to see the prices per bottle". "Oh, would you like to see the wine list?" She responds. Ugh. Someone else returns with the wine list, and takes our champagne and meal orders. We didn't receive any bread even though I saw it on other tables, and considering the wait for the food is always obscenely long here, it would have been nice. My friend had the Umbra pizza which was good. I had the Cavatelli, which was okay. What would have made it even better? If I had gotten the Pappardelle which is what I ORDERED. Never mind cause I'm just so damn hungry at this point and need something to buffer the champagne I had to beg for and drink on an empty stomach up to this point. My friend had to leave the table and find someone to fetch us napkins, since you know, the servers basically disappear after you order your food and do everything they can to avoid eye contact with you lest you need something from them. After this, we all of a sudden have a manager and two servers flocking to our table to assist us and begging to crack pepper on our meals which are basically gone by now. Where was everyone until now? Who knows, but after we each forked over $400 bucks at the Spa, I expected more. A hotel of this caliber should demonstrate more attention to detail and address these issues that most people seem to be experiencing when dining here. I wouldn't go out of my way to dine here again, there are so many other options in the area with amazing food and staff! read more

Delicious craft cocktails at the bar two nights in a row! Kevin the bartender was attentive and great conversation!

As we were staying at the Wentworth, we ate at Salt in our first night. We had made a reservation and due to traffic, we were going to be late. The hostess changed our reservation, and upon arrival, she led us to a cozy, quiet table in the back room. We originally requested to sit at the "chef" table, but that bar area was so noisy-and busy. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive. We ordered cocktails to start-and though they were good, I don't think they were worth the $13 price tag. We did get a bottle of wine-which, again, WAY overpriced, but that is how it goes....usually. The cheese/charcuterie board was very good and was a very good portion. Usually places like this skimp on the portions, but this was perfect for two hungry people! We should have asked for a substitute for the pate and blue cheese-but otherwise it was delicious. My husband had the short rib ravioli and it was very flavorful and the pasta was perfectly cooked. I had the salmon and risotto and the fish was cooked perfectly as well. I am an adventurous eater, there is very little I don't like (blue cheese being one!) and I was so disappointed that two of the dishes that appealed the most to me had blue cheese in them!! (The tenderloin dish, and a pasta dish). This left my other choices very limited, which was a bummer. My meal was good, but I was really hoping to be blown away. If you're looking for a romantic or special dinner location, Salt would be a nice choice. read more

If you know what's good for you, you will go here and order the gnocchi as a starter. It is heavenly. I don't know what the other reviewers were talking about saying the service was slow. Our waitress Hannah was absolutely amazing. She answered every question we had, helped us make selections, and had a sense of humor. Everything about our experience was five stars: food, service, atmosphere. This is the new "Wentworth Dining Room" and it's better than before. If you're considering going, just go. You won't regret it. read more

We ate here as we were staying at the hotel and the weather was miserable outside. I'm glad we didn't read the Yelp reviews before we decided to dine here as we probably would have missed a great dining experience. The service was outstanding. The ambiance was relaxing, inviting and warm. The food... everything was top notch from the bread, appetizers, main courses all the way to dessert! The wedge salad and mussel appetizer were wonderful and just a teaser for what was to come. The haddock and scallop entrees where truly amazing. We've been to some tremendously good restaurants and Salt is right up there with the best of them. Try the ricotta cheesecake desert. There is nothing typical about it. read more

Nice surroundings but poorly trained staff detracts from the dining experience. I wouldn't recommend Salt. Ever.

After reviewing all of the menus from the 40 restaurants participating in Portsmouth NH & the Seacoast Restaurant Week (Fall 2018), we decided to try Salt for lunch (3 courses/$16.95). Salt is located inside the hotel "Wentworth By The Sea" in New Castle, NH - a beautiful, immense, hundred year old hotel in a gorgeous location. Known most notably for their phenomenal Sunday brunch, we had never been to the Salt restaurant - a separate restaurant from where the brunch is located. Salt is divided into 3 rooms - first, a larger, well-lit, bustling room with a multitude of waitstaff and a wall of windows overlooking the water. Next, a smaller, darker, quieter room with fewer tables - decorated to resemble an old-fashioned gentleman's club - behind the main room, and a private function room with a single long trestle table behind the middle room. We arrived 5 minutes early for our noon reservation and instead of being seated in the the main room, where there were plenty of vacant, immediately available tables, (and plenty of available waitstaff) we were inexplicably brought through to the middle room where there were no other diners seated, and no waitstaff. As I said, it was darkly lit, and the fact that we were the only ones in there made it feel like we were stuck in limbo. In fact, it took a good 10 minutes for a waitress to come over to our table from the other room, despite being told that our server would be "right over" - a phrase we would hear over and over during our meal. Not a good start. One thing that the long wait did do was allow us to thoroughly review the menu so that when the waitress finally arrived we were able to give the entire order (drinks, apps, entrees and desserts) all at once. That said, in spite of the fact that she told us that our drinks and a basket of bread "would be right out" it was another 5 minutes until she returned with the drinks and another 5 until the bread arrived. Again, we were told that the apps would be "right out". After another 10, we received our apps - gnocchi in a butternut squash cream sauce (lukewarm but tasty), and an "Autumn Farm Salad" with poached apples, blue cheese, candied walnuts and Vermont Maple vinaigrette. The "salad" was made up exclusively of torn kale (I guess that's the only salad green grown at the "Autumn Farm"), and there were no apples on the salad. When I was able to flag down our waitress (who by this time was involved in helping to set up the private function room), to inform her about the apples, she apologized, expressed regret for not noticing the discrepancy, told us that she did not like kale anyway and brought the salad back to the kitchen. This time the turn-around time was extremely quick - she said that the chef had forgotten that he was supposed to be working off the restaurant week menu, so he made me a brand new one. It looked the same as the one I had returned except for a smattering of diced apples sprinkled on top. I didn't say anything, but wondered if their non-restaurant week salad was truly as bare as the one I had previously received. Imagine my surprise when I bit into the apples and discovered that they had not been poached at all - chef had simply diced up some apples and tossed them on top of my salad! Even worse - the supposed Vermont maple vinaigrette had not a hint of maple flavor. By this time, it was approaching 55 minutes into our lunch, and I did not return my salad for another re-make. Besides, I didn't want the chef to get pissed off and screw up our entrees. My wife likes kale, so she ate my salad. It was another 10 minutes for the entrees - again after the waitress told us they would be "right out". Like the gnocchi, both dishes were lukewarm by the time we were served, and we had a new waitress! Shift change? I don't know. The rare ahi tuna with foraged mushrooms and Swiss chard in a ginger cream sauce was well-prepared, but there was very little sauce and the ginger was hard to distinguish. Likewise, the braised short rib had very little of the red wine jus promised on the menu, and it was overcooked and dry, so the lack of jus was unfortunate. The roasted baby carrots were bitter and metallic-tasting. But the bright shiny stars of this dish were the baby fried Brussel sprouts, which were amazingly sweet - I've never tasted anything like them, and the Roquefort polenta cake, which was outstanding. Delicately soft and buttery-tasting with just a hint of blue - close to perfect! By the time we finished our entrees it was 1:20 - it had taken nearly an hour and a half for us to complete only two of our three courses. At lunch! Anyway, we asked for our desserts "to go" and high-tailed out of there. We won't be returning - at least not during restaurant week! read more

We stopped on for a drink and lite dinner place is very nice clean service was excellent. We had the lobster bisque which was really very good although it could have need served hotter. We has a pizza (they call it flat bread but it's pizza) it to was great thin crust cooked very well and plenty of toppings and also had a cheese/meat board which was pricy 25.00 but was very large and tasted great. All in all a nice place a little on the upscale side and somewhat pricey but very good, would go back when in area read more

I have been to this restaurant before and liked it. However, they have gone completely down hill. Our food was colds during they did not have several items on the menu. Our waiter was so underwhelming and it was a disappointment in a big way and an imbarassment to us in front of our guests. JZ read more

Disappointing visit - We arrived a few minutes early and were seated promptly. Over the course of the evening (2 hours) we experienced multiple delays in delivery of drinks from the bar (beer and wine - no mixing required!). While our food arrived promptly it was barely lukewarm. We also realized a dish was missing two key ingredients. We brought this to our waiters' attention who kindly re-issued us the dish. Once again when delivered the plated ingredients were barely lukewarm. Overall, food and wine are overpriced, service was extremely slow and while food flavors are good, it did not arrive hot. We will be continuing our business with the wonderful locally owned restaurants in Portsmouth vs. a conglomerate such as Marriott. read more

I eat here about once a year, and have been coming since its opening. The food can be quite good, especially the pizza, but the service is terrible and always has been. The hosts can be rude and often seem confused, which was the case this evening. The server was overwhelmed and other tables had problems with service as well. To top it off, I come home to an email from Open Table, asking why I didn't honor my reservation. I think I'm going to have to say goodbye SALT. read more

This is a beautiful redesign and the Wentworth is always an amazing location to visit. The food was also very good. My problem with it is just value. You can't charge $27 for a small chicken breast with 4 asparagus stalks. When you add in your drinks and other items this place is just ridiculously expensive. At least make me feel like I'm really getting something for what I pay. I guess their market is hotel guests so they aren't concerned about repeat visits from the locals. read more

Had a great experience here. Until the very end. Beautiful location, professionally managed and very welcoming staff with one major exception. We had a delicious lunch and dessert and our server was terrific. At the end, the red headed night manager working on 11/20/21 came over to our table and told us to leave because they were turning the tables (it was 4:30 pm). Here's what she could have done instead -- checked on the status of the bill and she would have learned the server was literally running the credit card as she was telling us to leave. Or she could have asked us to continue our conversation in the bar. Instead, she told us to leave. And she was not nice about it. Granted, we were hanging out for a long time. However we continued to order, were quiet, kept to ourselves, and gave a 40% tip. Marriott, please have a disciplinary discussion with the night manager and teach her how to work with the public. Would have given a five star review if it weren't for that manager. Doubt I'll go back because of her. read more

I have been back to Salt many times since they first opened and I am happy to say that I think their cooking has evolved into a much more tasty experience. I really have not had anything that I did not like there. And all in a most beautiful setting. (And they really know how to do a bread basket. Several kinds, all warm, with soft flavored butter.) read more

Service needs work (aka - training) Food was good but when you go to eat at a place like Salt and pay the price you expect a bit more of good quality service. No reaching over plates to pour wine, no interrupting deep conversation to ask how everything is. I hope it get's better. Menu is interesting and would like to go back however, food was ok and warm at best - that was a bit of a disappointment. Hope they get the kinks worked out and train the staff. read more

We recently stayed at Wentworth by the Sea for a Fall weekend getaway. Amazing place and location. We ate at Salt for breakfast both days. Food was great; buffet fresh, plentiful and free with our overnight stay but reasonably priced otherwise. Waitress service was great - friendly and efficient but not in your face. I agree with one of the other reviewers that commented on the less than perfect Host/Hostess situation. Seemed that they were a bit inexperienced and slightly overwhelmed by having more than one guest arrive at the same time but all in all that didn't detract from the experience. We also ate in the bar area for late night snacks and cocktails one evening. This was even better. Service was great. Food choices appropriate for bar setting and very tasty. Cocktails were delicious. A variety of seating options allowed us to pick comfortable round-back chairs with a regular height table which was perfect for sticking around for awhile to watch post-season baseball. Excellent experience. Only knocked it down a star because of host/hostess situation so wasn't 100% perfect! We'll be back. read more

Lovely setting, especially for a spring thunder and lightening storm. Table service was excellent. Bar service not so much. Save room to eat two hearty slices of crunchy chewy bread. The lobster ravioli were excellent. It didn't look like much when they put it down, but like I said...the bread. Flourless chocolate cake was good too. Others at the table had swordfish and chicken. Raves all around. read more

Great atmosphere and the drinks are always great. The food is consistently good. The Bloody Mary bar on Sunday is a MUST attend event.

Salt has the food I want to eat and it is executed to perfection. It's all in the purveying and whoever is ordering the food and creating that menu and then putting it together perfectly. Without the black Hawaiian sea salt, sprinkled judiciously, it would have fallen short. But perfectly balanced balsamic, the watermelon burrata salad was sublime. The chicken and really delicious with incredible tiny wild mushrooms. And the dehydrated rhubarb and orange with my donuts. I'm hoping there are some left for coffee in the am. Bravo chef. Can't wait to return. And the hotel...a gem. read more

Favorite place to go with friend! Plenty of parking, never a wait, great food and drink!

My girlfriend and I stopped in for a quick glass of wine while her sister was touring the Wentworth for her wedding. Very friendly and attentive service with an impressive wine list. There is a lot of foot traffic near the bar as you must walk through to get to the banquet area but it is still a very lovely space and from what we were told a recently renovated. Looking forward to the wedding there in November! read more

They want to be great but struggle for anything above average. The atmosphere is nice but selection is slim and combinations a bit off. The lounge might actually have the better menu but you can't go between even though they are connected. Odd. read more

Had breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Aragosta flat bread was out of this world. Hint of honey was genius. Salmon salad @dinner was perfect. Greens were a bit bitter (read not boring) and the fish bronzed perfectly. Omelette at breakfast was also first rate. Plan to return! read more

Pretty sweet spot! The food is great prices are commensurate with price and drinks are very good. The atmosphere is unmatched at this place as it overlooks an inlet. You have to go to this spot. read more

This was our first time at Salt ( we had been 3 other times before the renovations) and we were really excited about it. The decor and ambience were great, loved the modern look and feel but it all went down hill from there. The service was horrible, in our section there were only 4 more tables between two waiters yet no one came over to see how our dinner was and it took them passing by a few times to clear our plates when we had clearly been done a while. The food was bland, it had no flavor and it was cold. I was very disappointed, the food and service were not worth the money. Needless to say we will not be returning. read more

We had a very nice experience here. We stayed in the hotel -- first night we ate in the bar area, second night went to Latitude's (mistake) and third at in the dining room at Salt. Overall good experience. It was a little frustrating that they don't update their wine list for vintage changes --- especially when dropping $240 on a bottle. And I'd skip the beef carpaccio and the lobster risotto balls -- both were disappointing. Our mains - surf & turf and lobster ravioli were wonderful. We'd go back. read more

Simply awful...overpriced salty wedding food. As locals, we will never return. Tourists beware-this city has much more to offer. If you want something unique try Brazo. If you want sushi, go to Domo. read more

Food is fine. Took us 15 minutes to be addressed by a server after I had to ask a manager/supervisor for a server. Will hesitate to dine here again. read more

Absolutely fantastic experience at Salt. Perfectly cooked wood fired flat bread, followed by delicious swordfish. The service was excellent. The jalepino margarita was perfect too. Highly recommend. read more

Love this hotel and lounge. Great atmosphere and terrific brunch options. Who doesn't love a good Bloody Mary bar!? The renovation was well done and atheistically pleasing. Looking forward to to going back for dinner. read more

Great food, great service, great views. So good, we returned for a second meal on our sail back from Bar Harbor. A special thank you to our server, Chantell-Tia, who was just delightful! I would highly recommend Salt, and make sure you get a table under the dome! read more