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    Waterside Seafood Company

    3.0 (72 reviews)
    Open • 6:30 am - 10:00 pm

    Waterside Seafood Company Photos

    Business Info

    WATERSIDE SEAFOOD COMPANY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Classy
    Upscale
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Waterside Seafood Company

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    Shrimp Alfredo and dark cherry old fashioned
    Naomi K.

    Getting into the hotel was either on the far side or by the waterfront but you had to know the door/or have a key card which opened to the back of the restaurant. Ambience was nice for a hotel restaurant. Water views were pretty. There was a lady singing in the bar area which could be heard in the later evening. Staff didn't look so happy and they had poorly printed xerox copies of their menu which was odd. The drink menu had multiple stains on it so it was pretty gross. We were seated awkwardly close to another table whose chairs nearly hit our table. The shrimp Alfredo was quite tasty, plenty of cheese. The crabcake burger was cold though tasty. The sliders were good and the fruit cup decent. The bar ran out of ginger beer so it was replaced by ginger ale but the old fashioned was good. The bill was super weird, he gave us someone else's order totally itemized wrong but tried to convince us the totals were the same. Not sure what that was all about. Good location decent food. The food was good and came

    Fried Chicken Wings
    Amy M.

    Waterside Seafood Company is located inside the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel. There is an amazing view of the water and ships while dining inside. The hubs and I checked into the hotel around 7ish and was looking for food to nosh on. Since this bar/ lounge/sort of restaurant was conveniently located without having to leave the hotel we tried it. It was moderately spacious with tables that were filled with people. The bar had limited seating with a bartender taking drink and food orders. There didn't seem to be anyone approaching tables to take orders. They could be experiencing a worker shortage, so this is where people need to exercise patience. The hubs and I ended up at the bar trying to get the attention of the bartender. He was a bit occupied finishing off conversations as the catching the eye, head nod, slight hand raise went ignored. So we just waited since we were hungry. Finally, we were given a paper menu of what food offerings were available that evening. One order of buffalo wings for me, and a crab cake sandwich for my other half. There was a wait time of 25- 30 minutes for pickup, so we went back upstairs to relax. The hubs went to collect the food, and we immediately opened the containers ready for us to devour. The wings I would say was the type you would buy in the frozen aisle. The ones where you bite into, and all you get is the breading and no chicken. The blue cheese was left out unfortunately. The crab cake was ok. It looked a bit flattened, but I did taste the crab. Maybe we came on a off day.... Overall a underwhelming experience.

    Burn ashy Brussels!! Gross and inedible! Do better !!!
    Carly L.

    Not worth the price !! Cold burger , burnt Brussels! They turned to ash in your mouth ! Absolutely disgusting! The staff is very nice though . Last time I ordered the she -crab soup and it was served cold and they told me to go microwave it downstairs in the lobby .. I will NEVER buy food in the hotel again!!!

    Me
    Sonika J.

    The service here was amazing! I wish I could remember the two guys that waited on us every time we ate dinner. They were so positive and gave us great vibes. The food was delicious and the my red sangria was Phenomenal. I honestly was not too pleased with rooms but they were just meh... The beds were "lumpy" and housekeeping barely understood a thing I was saying. They only clean or provide towels if you requested. I think if you stay as long as we did then they should at least offer towels,I mean we do bathe and shower. Honestly we will stay across the water at the Renaissance next time and maybe eat here if the two nice guys are still working in the restaurant. I give 5 Stars to the Restaurant,Food,Drinks and Service and give 0-1 Star to the hotel.

    Fried Calamari
    Brian C.

    Last week during my 6 night stay I came here a couple times and I will say I never had a bad meal. But I will review one of my visits. I came here on a busy night and sat at the bar. Still had a great view of the water. My bartender was Felix. He was very friendly, knew a lot about the menu, and making drinks. Never had a problem chatting and always gave fantastic service even when it was very busy. Seriously one of the best bartenders I've ever had. Hands down!!! Onto the meal. For starters I decided to order the Fried calamari. Wow this was good, full of flavor, and it was a huge portion. It was sprinkled with cheese and came with a nice dipping sauce! For my entree I ordered the grilled chicken quesadilla. It was served with salsa and sour cream. Let me tell you, this was very good. Cooked perfectly inside/outside and full of flavor. From The two types of melted cheeses to the roasted red peppers and onions. So good, I should have added the guacamole. With the huge portion of calamari I couldn't finish my entree but I def saved it for later. Next time I'm in the area I will def be coming here again. A+ service and A+ food!

    Mimosa
    Dago M.

    As you arrive to dine in your valet parking will be FREE of charge, so be sure to inform the valet otherwise there will be a fee of $12.00 As we arrived, we were greeted and welcomed to the hotel and restaurant. As they walked us to our Yelp Elite section we were given a ticket voucher for a FREE drink !!! (YES) With a nice waterside view of Portsmouth, the Ocean, Norfolk, and the Ships, Boats, and Ferry passing by, it's easy to relax and enjoy oneself. Started the evening with a Blackberry Margarita while enjoying the Calamari and She Crab soup. The Fried Green Tomatoes and Crab Dip with Pita Bread followed and they were delicious !!! As i was hesitant to try the Mushroom Ravioli, I build the courage to try it and to my surprise it was very delicious !!! So delicious i had to ask for more. The Crab Cakes were also quite good and a very good combination with the Mushroom Ravioli. As the evening was coming to an end, we were surprised with Key Lime Pie and a $50.00 Gift Certificate for our next visit. YES!!!!! Not only that, but Steve the Chef came out to each table to introduce himself and give us some of his recommendations, and to answer any questions we might have. A great time with greAt people at a great place !!!!!

    Mimosa flight
    Lisa K.

    My friends took me here for my bday. The view was outstanding. The prices aren't bad. More than what I would pay but it was a bday treat soooo.. I couldn't complain lol. We did have to keep asking for things.. like butter , napkins , asked for ranch 3 times and it seemed to take a long time to get our orders. Overall.. it was decent... nothing I would go back for again.

    Maria C.

    I haven't dine here in years, but that all changed a few nights ago. When I visited the time before last, the restaurant was under the name, City Dock. City Dock was awesome! The beautiful decor, the waitstaff and the outdoor seating... simply marvelous. I am not sure what brought about the name change, but recently the hotel had a face lift and I guess that called for a restaurant name change. Nevertheless, I am all here for Waterside Seafood Company. I attended a private party in which 30 guests sampled some menu items. Items included: She crab soup Crab dip with pita bread Mini Crab Cakes Vegetarian Ravioli Fried green tomatoes Calamari Key Lime Pie Classic Maragrita While I am not a fan of fried green tomatoes, I did taste the batter and it was very good. Not a fan of the calamari either, but judging the look on the faces of those around me, they enjoyed this dish. My favorite by far has to be the Key Lime Pie... very good! Just enough tang and sweetness - superb! Now, my classic margarita, ALL THE WAY RIGHT! It was so good, I opted for two on a Tuesday. The bartender, Giuseppe had me feeling super nice! The drink was perfect! The atmosphere, the waitstaff and interacting with those in charge, this seems to be a great place overall. Martha, the Sales Manager expressed her enthusiasm about the changes and invited us all to return soon. Brian, I believe he is the Restaurant Manager, super cool guy and enlightened us all about every dish that reached the table. Trina J. our waitress, super personable and her sense of humor, amazing! The Chef even took a few minutes to come out to gather feedback from everyone. This engagement showed he is really interested in making a great first impression a last impression. Other interaction with Jennifer, Lindsey and Ms. Rhoda... these ladies displayed a love for their job unlike any other. The restaurant wasn't full to capacity this past Tuesday, but the flow of guests remained steady and everyone seemed to be having a great time. The restaurant is located inside the Downtown Waterside Sheraton Hotel. With views of the Elizabeth River, one can opt to dine inside and still view the beautiful outdoors, or be seated at the few tables out on the patio. I'd recommend you give this place a try even if you are not a guest of the hotel. The restaurant offers free valet parking to all guests dining in... be sure to keep your receipt and valet ticket. This restaurant features an amazing happy hour from 5 to 7 pm. Overall, from that time years ago to this past Tuesday, I'm definitely keeping this spot on my radar anytime I am near the Waterside area. I almost forgot... live music filled the room as well. The clarinet player played along with the tunes in the background... super chic and sexy vibe! I am not sure if live music is featured daily, you may want to call the restaurant first to see. But the clarinet player... loved him! Have fun & enjoy life :)

    Kate R.

    So first let's talk about the bar. I came here for an event and arrived around 30 minutes early, I decided to have a seat at the bar and enjoy an happy hour drink prior to my groups coming. I am so very glad that I did! Rusty, the bartender, was so sweet and personable. She remembered my name (and used it!), talking to me about the history of the hotel's renovations and how much she likes the new bar. I told her about my three kids and we both enjoyed the lovely view of the harbor as the rain came through. As our group arrived, we were all seated without much fuss. We were treated with the utmost care by all of the staff... the servers did a great job, managers stopped by to say hello, and even the head chef came out to ask us how we had enjoyed our food. I tried the jalapeño margarita and it was brought to me promptly and it was beautifully presented, but the flavors did not agree with my palette. They used pickled jalapeños and I could tasted more of the juice from the jar than the actual jalapeños... I think that if there were fresh jalapeños, it would have been fabulous. We tried a little of everything. By far, my favorite was the calamari and marinara sauce. It was perfectly crispy and flavorful! The only dish I did not particularly enjoy was the pita bread and cheese dip. The dip cooled too quickly and got too thick to dip the soft bread in. I did not take away any stars for the "less enjoyable" aspects because there were things to balance them completely... I had a couple of beers I enjoyed immensely prior to the marg, and the food was fantastic except the one dish. :) I expect that this will be a LOVELY date night when I get a chance to bring my husband back and very much look forward to the opportunity. I would also count this restaurant in if I needed a place to bring a business meeting, an important group, or a nice family gathering! I do NOT recommend it for younger children, but older ones might enjoy the swanky atmosphere.

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    2 years ago

    Service was really friendly! I had the chicken avocado sandwich and it was really good! I would recommend!

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    I hope their lunch and dinner have better options. Breakfast was a cold buffet bar for $15. No eggs or meat unless you pay more.

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    Freemason Abbey Restaurant - Screaming Shack Pie

    Freemason Abbey Restaurant

    4.1(1k reviews)
    0.6 mi
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    I have eaten there about 50 times over the years and every time it was very enjoyable.read more

    Stopped in downtown Norfolk and decided to try Freemason Abbey Restaurant after hearing about it…read more The area itself was just okay, but the restaurant is definitely worth checking out because of the building. It's an old church built in 1873 as the Second Presbyterian Church, and it's been home to Freemason Abbey since 1989. The inside is really cool and gives the place a lot of character. You'll see some of that in my photos. I started with their she crab soup, which was excellent. It's one of their specialty soups and had that creamy, rich flavor you'd expect from a good she crab soup. For dinner, I was originally going to try the smoked gouda dish, but they had a chicken parm special for $24, so I went with that instead. Chicken breast, marinara, linguini and provolone cheese. Really glad I did. It was hot, flavorful and presented nicely. My only complaint was that it could have used a little more marinara, but I asked and they brought me some without any problem. Service was great from start to finish. I was there around 5:30, before the dinner rush, so it wasn't very busy, but everything came out promptly and there were no issues at all. Overall, definitely a cool place with a unique atmosphere, good food and great service. I'd absolutely go back again. Sometimes the building is half the meal, and this one definitely has a story to tell!

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    Interior.

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    The Curse

    Toast - Bloody Marys done right!  Pick your poison.  All of our variations help you sing the high octaves!

    Toast

    4.4(425 reviews)
    2.0 mi
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    Full bar
    Happy hour specials

    We were in town and a friend recommended the Kobros coffee so we went to Toast. I'm glad we did…read more It's a cute place with an outdoor space with benches and lots of plant life. The place inside is very cute and reminds me of a nice punk pop bar. The bar wraps around and there's some tables and a side table that we sat at to eat. I ordered one of their specialty coffees and it is quite the journey but I enjoyed it with the ginger beer and the coffee. My quiche was fluffy and delicious. It jiggled when I tapped it and the side salad tasted great with dill in it and it brightened up things. The combination of both was great. The crust on the quiche was nice as well. My spouse enjoyed their sandwich but didn't realize there was mustard so he ended up just using the chips to eat his egg and sausage. His egg was also fluffy. The patrons that came seemed friendly and you can tell who are locals since they greeted by name often. I love that this place is open. They also have local wine you can purchase. Next time we're back in town, we will visit again.

    I didn't get pictures of the drinks or food but TRUST it's a vibe. Great customer service, tasty…read morecocktails and The Fresh Start/Smoked Salmon & tots were hefty and delicious. I'll definitely be back when I come back home. Keep the good vibes going!

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    Toast - Night out done well.

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    Toast - Coconut macaroon is low key best dessert snack out there.  Dunk it!

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    The Restaurant at Four Eleven York - Airline chicken

    The Restaurant at Four Eleven York

    4.5(134 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    My partner and I were celebrating our anniversary after he had returned from deployment. They made…read morethis the best choice for having a memorable, romantic, and delicious experience. Our server was amazing. There was a small delay in getting our first round of drinks to the table, and he took it off our bill without us having to say a word. It was very generous. We were on the patio which is covered but airy, and perfectly spaced so you don't feel crammed with other guests! We ordered the Charcuterie, crispy octopus, and the Four Eleven Salad. For main entree I got the Filet, and my partner had the Pork. Everything was cooked to perfection and delicately layered with flavor! It will NOT disappoint. Be aware of smaller portion sizes. They offered complimentary bites throughout, including delicious cheddar biscuits, and an Anniversary cake.

    Located near Ghent and downtown Norfolk, this restaurant was a really pleasant find. The parking…read morelot is small, but we had no trouble finding street parking nearby. It was a little chilly tonight, but I imagine the outdoor seating would be perfect on a warmer evening. We didn't have a reservation, but luckily we were seated within seconds. The space itself is on the smaller side, but it's thoughtfully designed and perfect for a cozy date night. Every employee who passed by greeted us, which made the atmosphere feel especially welcoming. We started with the octopus, served with potato foam, pickled pear, and chorizo. For entrées, he ordered the duck and I had the pork bolognese. Both dishes were full of flavor and cooked perfectly. We also ordered drinks. I do wish they had come out a bit earlier so we could enjoy them sooner, but the selection was impressive. We chose the bartender's choice, which was a really fun experience. The waitress asks a few questions, and based on your answers the bartender creates a drink they think you'll love. We were too full for dessert, though they did offer four different options. Overall, we were really happy we tried this restaurant and will definitely be back.

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    The Restaurant at Four Eleven York - Inside

    Inside

    The Restaurant at Four Eleven York - Brussels and octopus app

    Brussels and octopus app

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    Codex - Gobbler hash.  Yummo!

    Codex

    4.6(187 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    •$$$

    Came into codex on a very cold January night of restaurant week and was blown away by our…read moreexperience! The servers do a great job of explaining the restaurant week menu and were very open and knowledgeable about their menu. Codex itself isn't much, very much modern and industrial but still finds a way to feel warm. Our food was next. level. We really enjoyed our appetizers- the pimento cheese dip and the oyster mushrooms. I'm STILL thinking about the oyster mushrooms. Our entrees were good too! Very different in portions- I only had three scallops but my husband had a good sized steak with a PILE of fries. I was happy with my meal but something to note for sure. The sticky toffee pudding. I am speechless. Some of the best dessert I've ever had, but like that doesn't even do it justice. I can't believe we've had Codex in our neighborhood for so long and I've been sleeping on it. Don't make the same mistake as me!

    Walked in on a Saturday evening, about 15 minutes after they opened. We were seated right away and…read moreour server was Jackson. The lighting gave a more cozy feel to the place. We liked the Thai peanut salad. It was refreshing. The vegetables were crispy and fresh. Big Mother Clucker is buttermilk fried chicken thigh, pepperjack, pickles, lettuce in a brioche bun with hot sauce aioli. It's served with fries. This was flavorful. The pork shoulder was a good portion. Though the rice was flavorful, the meat was lacking in taste. Food overall was okay. The pork shoulder was a little disappointing. Jackson took care of us; however, food really took a long time to be served. We waited for 40 minutes for our food even though there were not a lot of customers that we had to rush to the concert to get there on time.

    Photos
    Codex - Inside Codex

    Inside Codex

    Codex - Breakfast spaghetti.

    Breakfast spaghetti.

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    LeGrand Kitchen - Scallops

    LeGrand Kitchen

    4.6(313 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    •$$

    On the advice of a friend, we decided to try LeGrand Kitchen, located at 4226 Granby Street near…read morethe foot of the bridge in the heart of Norfolk. The atmosphere here has quite a flair. Not overly dramatic, but it's definitely a vibe. Allen, the bartender, greeted us warmly as we settled in at the bar, our favorite perch in most restaurants. My wife perused the drink menu and decided on an Old Fashioned. They do it correctly here, using a mixing glass to properly combine the ingredients before pouring it over a large cube of ice. She thoroughly enjoyed it. Little things like that get my attention, and it was an early indication that the rest of our evening was going to be memorable. We indulged heavily in the appetizers, starting with LeGrand's rendition of a Wedge Salad with bacon, cheddar, dill pickle ranch and fried pickles. The pickle influence was a welcome twist. Everything was fresh, delicious and incredibly well balanced, and the dressing complemented the ingredients perfectly. We really enjoyed this salad. Next up were the Smoked Wings, tallow fried and served with Vietnamese-style ranch, pickled vegetables and fish sauce caramel. This was an amazing dish. I generally like my wings spicy, but I didn't miss the heat at all with this version. They were perfectly crisp on the outside while remaining juicy inside, and the pickled root vegetables were a wonderful touch. My wife ordered the Berkshire Heritage Pork Chop from Twisted Willow Farms, served with garlic-fried Carolina rice, haricot vert and harissa carrot purée. I knew how good it was by the stingy offerings made by my wife. Just kidding, but she really did enjoy it very much. The pork chop was cooked perfectly, with the fat properly rendered and slightly crisp. Everything was beautifully seasoned, and all the components worked together exceptionally well. I opted for the LeGrand Burger: double patties, American cheese, pickled lettuce, jalapeño, griddled onion and roasted shallot mayo on a Big Marty bun. Every so often, I encounter a burger that requires nothing. Please bear in mind that I am a self-proclaimed Condiment King. I LOVE ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise on my burgers. I didn't even bother asking for anything extra to put on this wonderful creation. Everything was incredibly well balanced and delicious. If I have one complaint, it's that they don't offer French fries with the burger. But in retrospect, I didn't really miss them. And I love my fries (or, as my wife calls them, "ketchup conveyance vehicles"). This was probably the best burger I've ever eaten. Check out LeGrand Kitchen. You'll be happy you did, and you can rest assured that while enjoying some seriously good food, you're also supporting our local restaurant community.

    Grand was great! I met up with a few colleagues for dinner and it was a great experience. The food…read morewas great, the service was attentive, and the vibes were 10/10.

    Photos
    LeGrand Kitchen
    LeGrand Kitchen - Pork belly

    Pork belly

    LeGrand Kitchen

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    Ilo Bistro

    Ilo Bistro

    4.8(43 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    One the better dining experiences I've had this year. Both servers on the floor were fantastic -…read moreTravis helped us was great at anticipating our needs (we were celebrating my mom's birthday). I believe the only issue we encountered was our table wasn't ready at exactly 7:00p (our reservation time), but they only seat a max of 38 guests (including the bar), so that wasn't a major issue. Once we were seated, we were able to enjoy Ilo's food and service. Mom and I had two appetizers - Grilled Octopus (skordalia, kalamata olive, caper, pickled red onion, arugula) and Laughing King Oysters (from Cape Charles). The octopus was perfectly cooked as it wasn't tough and rubbery, and the oysters were fantastic. Mom had the Wild King Salmon, which she enjoyed (but couldn't finish). I had the Hanger Steak, cooked to a perfect mid-rare. I gobbled it up. Dessert came in the form of a Cheesecake Semifredo. I had a couple of bites and it was delicious - not overly sweet and light enough to not completely wreck the little appetite I had remaining. Since ILO is located in the Freemason portion of Downtown Norfolk, parking will always be an issue. But that's not their fault (just something to note if one is interested in dining at this fine place). This was an excellent experience overall - a perfect way to celebrate my mom's birthday. I look forward to visiting again! Thank you, Ilo Bistro! JV

    This wasn't just a dinner - it was an experience. Our service was top notch. They ask you to order…read moreeverything at once and they space out your food. They give you new plates and silverware between each dish! Cocktails: I got the gin fizz which tasted like an alcoholic cream soda. My husband got the alligator tears which was amazing. It was citrusy with the perfect amount of bitters. I liked it better than my gin fizz Food: My favorite thing was the beef tartare. It was buttery and delicious. We got the oysters with caviar and it was very fresh and citrusy with the sauce. The flavor dances on your tongue and stays on it. Compared to the apps, the entree was good but did not blow me away. I did enjoy the veggies it came with though. We got the dessert with the coconut and pineapple. It was nutty and not too sweet.

    Photos
    Ilo Bistro - Restaurant view from the corner

    Restaurant view from the corner

    Ilo Bistro
    Ilo Bistro

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    Gershwin's - French onion soup

    Gershwin's

    3.7(343 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    •$$$

    We found ourselves in downtown Norfolk and opted for dinner at Gershwin's on Granby Street…read more Gershwin's continues to deliver a polished dining experience, pairing New Orleans-inspired cuisine with attentive, professional service. It's the kind of establishment that understands both execution and consistency--two qualities that are increasingly rare and always appreciated. The shrimp and grits remains a signature highlight. The Creole sauce offers a restrained heat, balanced by a layered depth of flavor that speaks to careful preparation rather than excess. The shrimp are properly cooked, retaining a delicate snap, while the stone-ground grits provide a well-seasoned, creamy foundation. Each component is thoughtfully prepared, and together they form a cohesive dish that feels both composed and satisfying--an authentic nod to Cajun tradition without unnecessary embellishment. Gershwin's stands as a reliable fixture in the downtown dining scene. For those seeking a refined take on Southern and New Orleans classics, it is well worth the visit--and a strong example of the quality found within Norfolk's local restaurant community.

    It would be zero stars if possible. And I can honestly say that I've eaten in restaurants across…read morethe world and the US, at many different price points and this was hands down the worst culinary experience of my life. If this restaurant was in an area that was even moderately competitive they would have been put out of business. The bar seems adequate but it was almost like they stopped serving food and forgot to tell anyone. I swear I'm not making this up, this actually happened: 1) it took over 2.5 hours for the entrees to come out. One came out so early that by the time the second set came out they were already done. 2) The only appetizer that was ordered that actually came out, arrived after the entree was done. 3) One person's order had to be changed 5x because the waiter kept coming back to say they're out. When his pork chop finally arrived, it was undercooked and not eatable. 4) Nothing was offered in any way as a comp, nor any real apology If you go, be wary. There is no way they were this thoroughly incompetent in every single aspect of the food services industry without practice.

    Photos
    Gershwin's
    Gershwin's - Filet mignon and green beans

    Filet mignon and green beans

    Gershwin's - Pre concert drinks

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    Pre concert drinks

    Waterside Seafood Company - newamerican - Updated September 2026

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