Seafood and River Views Along the Columbia

A plate of Dungeness crab, a bowl of clam chowder and a broad sweep of the Columbia River make a persuasive case for lingering at this waterfront restaurant. From the dining room windows or the outdoor deck, the view stays active: boats and barges move along the river, and planes occasionally pass through the scene.

The setting suits an unhurried meal. Indoor tables keep the river in view when the weather turns wet, while the deck offers a more open-air seat close to the water when conditions cooperate. There is enough activity in the room to give dinner some energy, but conversation can still settle comfortably around the table.

Seafood is the reason to come hungry. Oysters, clams, salmon, halibut, scallops, local fish and Dungeness crab all figure into the restaurant’s seafood-forward approach, with composed entrees alongside appetizers, shareable dishes and larger platters meant to anchor a table.

For a group that likes to pick at a few things before committing to dinner, crab artichoke-and-spinach dip, calamari, prawn cocktail and clam chowder offer a good opening round. Crab mac and cheese brings a little comfort-food heft to the seafood lineup.

One especially memorable combination is the dish called Best Friends: seared scallops paired with pork belly and finished with a pomegranate-balsamic drizzle. It is an appealing detour for diners who want their seafood dinner to wander beyond the familiar grilled-fish formula.

The seafood cioppino takes inspiration from bouillabaisse, making it a natural order on a cool river day. Oysters have also appeared with raspberry sauce, a small unexpected note for anyone who likes a sweet-tart counterpoint with briny shellfish.

A large seafood platter can turn dinner into a shared occasion all by itself. It is the sort of centerpiece that encourages forks reaching across the table, with cheesecake waiting in reserve if the group has left enough room.

Sunday brunch is a full-scale buffet rather than a quick coffee-and-pastry stop. Seafood joins traditional breakfast dishes, meats and made-to-order stations, giving a mixed-age family table plenty of directions to go.

Dungeness crab is a notable draw, and the spread also includes clam chowder, prime rib and omelets prepared to order. The sensible way through it is to take a slow look at the stations before filling a plate; there is enough on offer that a first lap works better as reconnaissance than as a final decision.

Brunch rewards a little patience. Guests can circle back for a more generous serving of a favorite item, then sit with coffee, juice or a soft drink as the river keeps moving outside. Lattes and alcoholic drinks are ordered separately.

Hot towels arrive after crab legs, a practical little flourish that matters more than it sounds. A seafood buffet can be a wonderfully messy undertaking, and this saves everyone from facing the rest of brunch with sticky fingers.

The dessert list gives a seafood meal a properly celebratory ending. Crème brûlée comes with a particularly good cookie, while chocolate cheesecake has appeared with edible decoration that gives the plate a little extra occasion-worthy polish.

Carrot cake and cheesecake provide more familiar routes for a table that wants to split something sweet. Coffee can extend the meal without much ceremony, and a glass of wine alongside chocolate cheesecake is a perfectly reasonable way to let dinner run long.

This is a restaurant with a natural place in the calendar: anniversaries, birthdays, Father’s Day meals, retirement gatherings and the dinners that follow a day out on the river or around town. The dining room can handle larger groups, while couples can settle into a window table for a more intimate evening.

Celebrations have received thoughtful touches including decorated tables, rose petals, cards and complimentary desserts. Those details are not something to assume as a standing promise, but they show the care that can go into marking a milestone here.

Staff have also accommodated requests such as window seating, storing motorcycle gear during a meal, and cutting an outside birthday cake for a group. A preferred table is worth requesting, especially if the river view is central to the plan, though no particular seat is guaranteed.

The service style is attentive without pushing the table along. Staff can help explain the brunch layout or point diners toward menu choices, which is useful when the options range from simple chowder and crab to more elaborate seafood preparations.

The restaurant is better approached as a destination meal or special-occasion outing than as a casual budget stop. Lunch, dinner, prix fixe meals and brunch each offer a different rhythm, and individual dishes may change over time.

Reservations are useful for brunch, busy periods and larger parties, particularly for anyone hoping to request a window table. Parking is available in a free lot, with valet service also mentioned, though the lot can be tighter around busy brunch hours.

Outdoor seating depends on the weather, but the indoor river-facing windows preserve the main pleasure of the setting when the deck is not an option.