Captain Whidbey Inn Restaurant

It’s in an interesting and historical building, but I wouldn’t go back for the food. They make it seem like it’s going to be fine dining, but we honestly had a better meal at Toby’s Tavern the night before. I don’t mind the expense if it’s actually good food, but this was really mediocre. And, some parts, like the fries, were confusingly bad. The waitress seemed annoyed that we were there from the get go and was a little condescending. I’d maybe stop in for a beer sometime to enjoy the setting, but it’s not a place I’d ever choose for dining again.

Beautiful and historic. Good food with great atmosphere.

All Pretense and no Genuineness
Presents impeccably. However the staffing made me feel like I was an unwelcome guest. Arrived for an 8pm reservation for three. There were ample free tables outdoors where we requested. We were directed to the bar which we found soiled by the bartender and wait service providers previous drink preparation. We were the only guests at the bar. No one asked us what we would like to drink other than a remark about the dirty bar top. After ten minutes and having noticed the abundance of free tables, my son suggested that we leave and patronize a restaurant that appreciated and wanted our business. Sad for such a beautiful setting and quite disappointing as it was intended as a lovely father-​sons night out. Also, the menu items were a through back to the 80s. No sign of creativity. Went to Seabolts which is admittedly sans ambiance and far more informal. However the food was good and the service at an acceptable standard.

Went for a Sunday lunch with friends. Sat on patio and had a very good server. The wine he recommend was good. My selection of the seafood soup was delicious but with only 10 or so mussels and four clams it was a let down given the price. Great quality, cheap on the product. Went to Christopher’s the day before and for less money got twice the amount of seafood. The quality was great.

Came here for happy hour on a Friday evening for my moms birthday. We were seated outside on the patio overlooking penn cove. (They had blankets for when it cooled down.) We had amazing service and enjoyed the happy hour specials: discounted beer & wine and 15% off most food items. The seafood was some of the freshest I’ve had on Whidbey. Enjoyed the poke, mussels, crab cakes and heirloom tomato salad. Overall exceeded my expectations and can’t wait to come back!

The view is amazing and the food is good. Perfect setting, nice décor. However, having dinner here is like having dinner at the TGI Fridays in Afghanistan… You want to love it because there’s not much else in town, but you will never hear more «no’s» than trying to order here. They are out of white wine, someone in my party ordered a gin and tonic, no tonic. Someone ordered a coke, no coke. Ordered a beer, none of that type. No crab. No chocolate cake.
Once the waiter got the drink orders right, and after waiting about 30 minutes, food was hot and tasty. Everyone in our party enjoyed their dishes.
More «no’s» at the end. No split checks, no military discount, and no extra pen to sign the bill.
This place made a great example of what not to do for a customer service class that a guy in my group taught the next day. Glass half full!

I wanted to like it. Years ago it was very good but our group of six were sadly disappointed. Mother’s Day weekend. Sat night (not even Mother’s Day yet!)and they were out of about ¹⁄₃ of the menu. No crab. No chicken. Out of the wine we wanted. Out of the chocolate cake (of 3 dessert offerings) Service was iffy. One was served a big rock in his clams. No one was impressed and it was very expensive to add insult to injury. Can’t recommend it anymore.

ADA access NOT !!!
upon entering the parking lot we saw a handicap parking sign and parked there,
Then we saw the stairs with pumpkins covering the stairs next to the banisters which did not allow a person the use of the banisters… we phoned and asked where the handicap ramp access is. We were told «There is none». The parking lot sign is a JOKE !
We were also told that since this building is registered by its age, they do not have to comply with ADA mandates.
Possibly by adding ADA access, more people could enjoy this old place.

So the setting and the view are what you are paying for here. It’s an old log building with plenty of character, they also use some old silverware, which is beat up and miss matched, but in a charming way… The waitress started off well, but as the night went on she was less and less attentive. I don’t know the excuse because they were not super busy and she wasn’t the only server working the room. I had the chicken and was more than a little disappointed to find evidence of pre boiling when I pulled the skin off. For $ 22 I expect a true roast or bake, because the boiling certainly makes for a tougher meat. However, the flavor was excellent, so with some tender meat, this would be 5 star chicken! My wife had the mixed seafood, which she had no complaints for. Ultimately the food is meant to be upscale with rather small portions from a limited menu, which I could understand from an isolated place like up in the san juans or way out in the mountains, but this place has access to a lot of great ingredients that they could take advantage of. The bread provided was awesome as well as some interesting citrus infused butter, so they are doing plenty of things right, just wasn’t worthy of 4 stars from me.

We were checked-​in the hotel so we decided to have lunch here!
View was gorgeous service was great and the food was awesome!
On dinner we even went to a different place (thats was bad move-​we were disappointed got appetizer only) went back here have the «Lamb and Fillet minion» That was delicious! Then ordered dessert to go «chocolate cake»!
I highly recommend this place!
I only have TIP (make sure to call first before coming in;ask if all the food in the menu are in. Because sometimes they are out of something or sold out at least you know what to expect) I travel a lot so I know this TIP will help!
Have fun and enjoy!

Was not thrilled with our most recent visit to the restaurant/​bar. First off, they left the door to the deck open making the room incredibly cold. I don’t love shivering over dinner. The mussels arrived cold, swimming in way too much garlic, and were full of sand. This used to be my favorite dish at Capt. Whidbey, so maybe it was an off night? The halibut was overpriced for the portion size and completely devoid of flavor despite the fact that it was soaked in butter… and yes, it was also cold. Speaking of ‘cold’, the wait staff could learn a thing or two about customer service. Not going back for awhile.

1-​star deduction for a sub-​par most recent experience — slow, rude service, cold mussels, and tepid halibut. We won’t be coming back for awhile — at least not during peak summer season when the restaurant seems understaffed.
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5-​stars for the ‘pub’ section of the restaurant. My fiancé and I finally decided to check out the esteemed Captain Whidbey Inn with an early dinner n’ drinks in the pub area of the restaurant. We found the food delicious, and far better prepared than expected, particularly as pub fare (charcuterie, mussels, burger – all excellent). The wine selection was geared towards local establishments, and the mark-​up minimal. Overall, great value, great service.
However, the really treat of the experience might be the ambience. 100 year-​old building with limited modifications, Penn Cove table view, creaky floorboards, black bear and 110 lb. salmon taxidermy, etc. You must check it out to believe it.
A very unique, and highly enjoyable experience. We will be back without a doubt to try more items on the menu and enjoy the location (waterfront patio looks like it could be great weather permitting).

Reasonable price for lunch on this island. Good food and service. Steak is great. Mussels are delicious:)