Finz Seafood Restaurant

09/10/09

Good food, poor service!

by NorthShoreFoodie at Citysearch

I have been going to Finz for years. I have always enjoyed their food. But recently I've noticed that their quality of service has decreased. Last time I was there, my husband order a martini without olives. But when he tasted the drink, it tasted as if someone had originally made the drink with olives and then removed them after realizing the mistake. When he brought this to our waitresses' attention, she began to argue with us over this, claiming that it was impossible. My husband has never refused a drink before -- there was clearly something wrong with the way it was prepared. Straight up vodka shouldn't taste salty. I typically spend between $100-150 at this place. For that price, I don't expect the waitress to make a scene and get upset over asking that a drink be remade!!!

• Pros: Great seafood
• Cons: Bad service

10/14/08

Heartless bouncer

by Shamlevy at Citysearch

I'm sure the food is as great as everyone says it is, but I had to share my awful experience here. After my wedding in downtown Salem a couple weeks ago, we had the party move on to the bar at Finz. Many of our guests got there before us and were settling in with drinks. My bride and I got there shortly thereafter, and the bouncer wouldn't allow my new wife (who's 30 years old) into the bar because she didn't have her ID. Let me repeat that: the man denied entry to a newlywed bride wearing a wedding dress! My wife felt horrible, but who would think they would need an ID at their own wedding?? I understand that the bouncer was observing the letter of the law, but many of us felt he did so with malice. Needless to say, Finz lost a lot of business that night, and we and our friends have absolutely no intention of ever going back.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Hostile service

07/29/08

good food not so much service

by bridgetfigz at Citysearch

Star rating : (based on taste of food : 4.5 stars)--(service : 2 stars) -- averaged =3 my family and i visited salem during memorial weekend , and decided to dine at Finz for lunch--- the food was delicious-- i ordered seared tuna with soybeans, oysters on the half shell- ( would have rated this resturaunt 4-5 stars based on taste alone ) however the service was lacking.-- Our table was set without utensils, even after ordering from the menu--- my 12 yr .old son leaned over to the empty table next to us to get utensils since we had not seen the waitress attending to us until she began serving our order--(we were starving and waited a considerable amount of time, in an area of the resturaunt which had not been crowed) My mother did not receive the lobster bisque soup she had ordered (and was looking foward to taste) and when my mother told the waitress about the situation she (my mother) decided to cancel the soup order altogether (who knew how long it might take to prepare and deliver). we waited a long time to receive the bill (which my father took care of-- i can't comment on the prices-- i do not know the total cost) i told my parents i would go back to the hotel across the way (Salem Waterfront ) because i just had to get out of there (about 3 hrs. later)-- i'm from long island new york--and enjoy prompt quality service i receive when dining in the Hamptons-- expect good food but not so great service at Finz

07/17/08

Terrible Service!

by Notafinzfan at Citysearch

Despite the bar not being full, the bartender was not attentive. We ordered the buffalo calamari (requested extra lemon and blu cheese). Surprisingly, the calamari came out lightly fried, with the hot sauce on the side. No extra blu or lemons. After calling the bartender over several times, he shrugged his shoulders when I commented the calamari was not prepared correctly. Had to ask on two different occassions for the extra lemons. We ordered a filet mignon cooked med. rare. We were splitting the meal; the meal was delivered; however, we were not given plates or silverware. We asked the bartender for plates; he gave us one. Unsure at this point, if I should eat from the bar. The filet mignon was burnt beyond belief; however, we could not get the bartender's attention. We also asked for rolls; apparently,we were invisible because the bartender asked everyone else if they wanted bread.....anyways, the rolls were delivered hastily after we finished our burnt meal. I called to speak to the manager the next morning. I was stunned when I received the reply "he's too busy to speak to you". It's unacceptable for a restaurant of this stature to have such poor, inexcusable service. Perhaps after reading this review, someone from Finz will be a professional and contact me.

• Pros: nice view
• Cons: terrible customer service

09/12/07

B

by ktnwtc at Citysearch

I don't think it was worth the money they charge. It definitely looked good inside, and we were seated quickly but everything else about our visit was way below what I expected. The parking is a pain, everything came out in less than five min, which made us wonder if it was just sitting around waiting to be re-warmed, which they obviously didn't do very well because it was all lukewarm. My lobster ravioli had huge chunks but tasted so so-I've had better and paid less for it. My boyfriend?s tuna tasted VERY bland and again seemed to have just recently been warmed up. I also ordered had their pear martini which tasted off, almost like they grabbed a wrong liquor when it was mixed, and even though we told the waitress and I never drank it, it still ended up on our bill. We both agreed not to go back next time we visit Salem.

07/30/07

Be careful with the tip you leave

by rsaenz at Citysearch

It is not the best the food, is good and the place looks great, but after we paid the waitress reached us outside of the restaurant to demand more money, because the tip we gave her was not enough she expected a 23 percent. Although she meant that we were not welcome at that restaurant, we had to give her the tip that she considered enough.

• Pros: Ambience, Food
• Cons: Parking, service

07/24/06

Upscale preparations of fresh seafood and one of Salem's liveliest bar scenes lure area couples to Pickering Wharf.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
Unlike its neighboring restaurants on commercial Pickering Wharf, which pray for good weather and strong tourist turnouts, Finz enjoys year-round crowds, thanks to a prime waterfront location and buzzing singles scene. The outdoor tables are heavily in-demand come summertime. Families jockey for the dining room's window-side tables, while area singles fill the comfy lounge to down cold beers and colorful house martinis while exchanging phone numbers. Service is attentive and welcoming.

The Food
Eschewing fried fish-and-chips and lobster rolls (the forte of many seaside restaurants), the kitchen prepares fresh seafood using innovative styles and flavors normally reserved for high-end city restaurants. Freshly shucked oysters (from the impressive raw bar) are a satisfying starter. The pan-seared, sesame-encrusted yellowfin tuna receives a delicious kick from a wasabi, ginger and soy reduction. Leave room for one of the light, satisfying desserts like a blood-orange tart.

06/22/06

Great food, service and view.

by captjh at Citysearch

I went to Finz recently and found it to be a wonderful experience. The waitstaff was friendly and very helpful and attentive. We were fortunate to be seated at a window table with a beautiful view of the water and the many passing boats. I had an appetizer special that included two of the largest scallops I have ever seen-delicious. The Hawaiin swordfish with sweet potato fries was outstanding as was the baked haddock with crabmeat. Clam chowder with corn also very good. Mixed drinks are a good size and not watered down. Large bar with a number of couches in the room is good for group conversation. Plenty of outdoor tables, too. The dress is casual from tee-shirts and shorts to business casual. Finz has been added to my list of favorite restaurants.

• Pros: Food, service, water view.
• Cons: Parking, although there is a free lot nearby.

02/22/06

What happened?????

by newyorkspark at Citysearch

I went the weekend before Valentine's Day for a weekend get away and we decided on Finz because it's known for a good meal every time, but our sides were cold, presentation was lacking, and service was a bit slow. Maybe it was a fluke of a night but cold sides??????? The tuna wasn't really lacking and not cooked more rare like requested. I would recommend the oysters though.

• Pros: location
• Cons: main dish, seating, parking

01/27/06

SO GOOD

by postulantbooty at Citysearch

I love this place. It has great food & atmosphere. The seafood is fresh & plump. I highly recommend the oysters. As well as the lobster ravioli or the filet mignon. Parking isn't great but Finz is well worth a few spins around the lot. In the summer, the deck is a great spot for dinner or drinks. People pull their boats up to the dock & come on in. The bar scene is hopping on the weekends. During the winter, you can snuggle up by the fireplace with one of their specialty martinis. The chocolate peppermint martini is my fave!

• Pros: food, atmosphere, bar
• Cons: parking