Pace’s Dockside

Just came here for the first time because it was restaurant week. My husband ordered off of the price fixed menu and I ordered off of the dinner menu. My husband got the duck wings for an appetizer which were so chewy that I couldn’t even try a bite and for his entrée he got the filet mignon. I had the Anthony burger which had cheese, bacon and a fried egg. It was absolutely delicious. My husbands meal came with a dessert which was cheesecake, it was alright. My meal didn’t come with a dessert so I ordered the homemade carrot cake. It was good. I was shocked when the check came and the carrot cake came out to $ 10! It was tiny square and it was as much as the fried calamari!!! This really turned me off because it was so small and it was homemade.
Our waitress and bus girl were so nice and attentive!

Read the reviews and was initially turned off to going here because of the bad service reviews and the so-​so food reviews. We had been here before and had good food and not so good service.
This time, the food was pretty good like last time and the service has improved since last time. Can’t go wrong with a burger, especially the Kristina burger. It’s a really good spot with great outside seating overlooking the water.

We had not been to Pace’s since November 2014 when we had two great meals there. Last night, as guests of others, was a distinctly different experience. We must have been there for the battle of the bands night. From 6pm until well past 10 (we were staying on a boat and couldn’t escape, it was like being a prisoner in Guantanamo Bay being subject to music torture simultaneously from two sources. And at levels that made speaking impossible. Will never go back.

Not impressed, first of all the manager was extremely rude which put a bad taste in our mouth to begin with (haha get it?). Anyway I digress, we were having a few cocktails when we arrived on our water vessel this past Saturday. We soon decided hunger was abound and we were ready to eat, there were five of us. There was no hostess in sight so we asked a waiter where we should sit, there were numerous open tables but alas we wanted to remain respectful of the establishment as there was a «wait to be seated» law. The waiter, friendly and enthusiastic directed us to sit wherever we’d like and someone will be right over. Excitedly, we scurried our way over to a table which seated five, and had an umbrella to protect me and my fair skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Looking forward to some eats and good conversation with our boat mates we quickly took our seats at said table. When out of nowhere, like an ancient ninja somersaulting over a wall, the manager abruptly came, towering over us and scolded us. Her words, for all future warning as well to all readers. «Next time please see a hostess as we have reservations later this evening for these tables and we may have not sat you here». We told her a waiter directed us to sit wherever we would like and she said «the waitstaff don’t know what they are talking about». Taken aback and startled we quickly apologized for any inconvenience and all wore an incredibly embarrassed look on our faces. We quickly looked around to see that all the tables were open and a bit confused we just passed it off and continued our lovely lovely day. Out on the open yard area some people were playing Frisbee and a rogue Frisbee flew on the EDGE of the dining area and audibly we heard her say, «that simply will not fly with me»… That’s kind of funny though given the context. We ordered, our waitress was great, helpful, and extremely friendly so that was a plus. Food came, I had Pace’s burger and it really wasn’t anything to write home about, the meat was under seasoned and the carmelized onions were almost non existent. Everyone else stated their meals were just okay. Paying $ 18 for a burger you’d think it would be God’s gift to the meat world but sadly it wasn’t. I think the location is cool but I do think the restaurant could use some work and a new manager or at least a check up from the neck up.

Love this place. We needed an outdoor option with beautiful setting and delicious food. Thank you Paces!

(day of, around noon)
Us: I’d like to make a reservation for tonight around 7pm.
Pace: We’re really booked up, How about 7:45pm
Us: Great
We arrive slightly before 7:45 to a merely ¹⁄₃ full restaurant and get seated on the hot side of the restaurant. Approximately 20 degrees warmer than cool side.
Us: we noticed there are several tables for the size of our party on the other side of the restaurant that are currently open, and it’s really hot over here and very nice in the AC over there, can we please change tables?
Pace: No. We have reservations for all of those table. And it’s been really hot for 2 weeks, the AC isn’t working well
Us: Okay thanks for trying.
1 hour later, it’s even hotter.
Us: It’s incredibly hot, can we at least open the window?
Pace: NO. The AC is on and it will just make it hotter in here.
Us: The people 3 tables over have their windows open, can you please open a window.
Other Pace Employee: This window, doesn’t open and this one barely opens, and we can’t open that one. It’s all we can do.
Dinner arrives, Steak sandwich is suspiciously raw, fries cold. Wine a little too warm for a red. Everything else is good enough
Us: heading to the bathroom prior to leaving, noticing that all tables on cooler side of restaurant still available.
Pace: well, my boss said we had reservations.

After a «cold un-​welcome» from the hostess christina, we were sent back to the front of the restaurant where we were to wait for christina to «unlock» the door to sit in the indoor seating. The waitress was a little nicer than the hostess, but lacked in social skills and table side manners (reaching over dishes as we ate to grab unused forks and knives that could have waited til a later time).
The baked clams appetizer was the only saving grace of the meals. I ordered Gorgonzola crusted filet mignon which the chef must have confused panko crumbs for Gorgonzola. I had to ask the waitress for the Gorgonzola I didn’t receive and she didn’t even care that my meal was missing it as she dropped a small dish of blue cheese, lol. The others meals were: un seasoned steak, doughy over-​salted linguini n clams and a «sugar rush» fried chicken dish.
Large portions of terrible tasting food. Worse was the under aged staff that walked around looking bored and bothered to be there.
Disappointing and overpriced.
Dedinately skip this place on your way east.

Just tried to get a table at Paces Dockside. The first thing we were asked was, «Do you have a reservation?» We keep our boat at the Marina and didn’t think a reservation was necessary. We informed the hostess that we did not have a reservation. Despite the empty restaurant inside and 6 or 7 empty tables outside, we were told we’d have a 30 minute wait for a table. So we left. I guess they didn’t need our business. Then just out of curiosity I took a look on open table where there were plenty of tables immediately available. Now we are enjoying the sunset at another restaurant. Don’t waste your time at Pace’s Dockside.

Service great, the resturant is beautiful inside and out. The food was inconsistent. Swordfish delicious. 16 lb steak was clearly not 16lbs. Have eaten at other Paces and the steaks were amazing. The salad with fried oysters was so good, I hope they add it to the regular menu.
The specialty drinks were good, but the 2^nd order of scotch on the rocks was definitely in a smaller glass. I will go back. The happy hours are fun.

Great food and service. While on our honeymoon we decided to have our celebratory dinner at Pace’s. We where greeted by kind and courteous staff, the vodka martini’s went down well. We had the Ahi tuna appetizer which was good. My wife had the lobster mac & cheese which was absolutely delicious with a mix of multiple cheeses and a whole lot of lobster chunks. I had the duck with Maine blueberry sauce with asparagus as the side. Well it was also delicious. Through out the meal our staff was attentative to our needs and the owner came over a number of times to make sure everything was fine. She even gave us a free desert for our honeymoon, a peach soufflé which was good. It was an all around great dining experience, you will not be disappointed. Mike & Candy

Have been there twice. Mediocre food; awful service. Not worth the price. Love the location but we won’t be coming back.

Service was great, nice inviting place, made reservations but didn’t really need them tonite. Food was very good. They don’t rush the meal, enough time was given between each course. I give it an A-​, the only thing I found was the menu I had was one of the local wine pairings, the waiter didn’t tell me what type of wine it was when each dish came out. My husband had a filet mignon that he said was really good. He belonged to the clean plate club tonite with his dinner.

This was a strange experience. We had been to Paces shortly after it opened, and although there were some start-​up issues (noise, leisurely service), we loved the location and thought we should try it again.
Before the hostess seated us, she explained that they had run out of menus. I thought this might mean three of us would have to share a single menu, but what it meant was that we would sit for 20 minutes at an outside table with no menus or offers of cocktails. (The interior of the restaurant was more than half empty, and outdoors didn’t really pick up until well into our meal, so it wasn’t overly crowded.) An apologetic server took our drink order. (My wine came about 25 minutes later.) Finally my husband walked over to the table next to us and borrowed a menu. At that point the hostess came over, triumphantly bearing one for each of us!
But things didn’t improve much after the great menu search. Our waiter introduced himself, apologized profusely over menus, and the delay in asking our order, then introduced us to another server and explained that she would be taking over. He then returned about 15 minutes later to explain that, in fact, he would be serving us after all and at last took our orders. We walked in at 7:20 and were served at 8:30. It felt long, although we did have a lovely view of the water and the gathering dusk.
As a starter we ordered the bang-​bang shrimp, which was terrible, like no bang-​bang shrimp I’ve ever had. It was exactly four heavily breaded, battered and fried shrimp on a plate with a side bowl of tasteless Russian dressing. Avoid it. I had the fish tacos, which is an appetizer, but it was enough for an entrée. The tacos were dripping grease but otherwise edible. My daughter had fish and chips, which was fine, and my husband’s pasta was okay.
Throughout dinner, several servers and the hostess apologized repeatedly, and our server kept assuring us our food would be right out (it wasn’t) They were all friendly and well-​meaning and profusely apologetic, but no one seemed to have any idea what they were doing. But the sunset over the water was beautiful, and for that I give two stars.

We had dinner there on a Thursday night and had a wonderful meal. My husband said his steak was probably the best he had in years (maybe ever), and the pasta, homemade and very flavorful, was yummy. I can’t wait to go back! Oh, and I almost forgot the very best dish — the BBQ clams for an appetizer — not to be missed!

Great food and service. Specials (steak and tuna) were exceptionally good as were the Steamers. Other items ordered were the Lobster Mac and Cheese and the lamb and all were really happy. Nice outdoor deck/​Tikki bar and really pretty grounds to stroll around or sit on an Adirondack chair overlooking the marina.

We stayed at Strong’s Marina and decided to have our 4^th of July dinner here.
The food and service are great. The owners did a great job of fixing this place up.
The interior is very nice. While the bar is up and going, they hope to get a license for a tiki bar soon.

I was craving a PACE’S steak (visited Happague a few times) and the steak did not disappoint! Our food was excellent! I was not happy with the service… the young wait staff seemed very ‘frazzled” and barely a smile was seen on the lot. We recieved the wrong salad and had to wait quite a while to get someone’s attention and then a very long time to be served the correct salad.
We also were very disappointed that we asked for outdoor or window seating and were told both were unavailable only to see tables go empty for the duration of our meal. One couple who was first escorted to the table next to us asked for the window and were quickly brought to it! I have to note that when we arrived at 6:50, only two tables inside were occupied, so the restaurant was far from busy!
I am not sure I would return as there are many fine restaurants on the North Fork where we can have a good meal and feel wanted and appreciated.

Very good meal. View is lovely request a table with view of water. Excellent oysters. Not cheap but good food get the soft shell crab

Great food, lovely service and BEAUTIFUL biance

Was really looking forward to Paces Dockside as we are fans of Paces in Port Jeff. Unfortunately it was not a great experience. Service was poor and unexperienced, the waitstaff is pleasant but inefficient. The ambiance is blah if your not in the main room overlooking the dock. Stark white cold and loud, not cozy at all. The food — salad and appetizer was served at the same time and were mediocre at best. Filet mignon ordered medium was well done and dry. Mashed potatoes were cold and undercooked. Drinks took way to long to arrive and water glasses were left empty. Witnessed others complaining about food — specifically steaks cooked incorrectly. Really? It’s a steakhouse. Will probably try again — hopefully it was just a bad night.