My family has been coming to Salt on the Water for years, and we look forward to visiting every…read moresummer. We have always enjoyed the restaurant, and I want to make it very clear that this review is NOT a reflection of the establishment or management. Unfortunately, our experience with our server, Alyson A., was extremely disappointing. From our very first interaction, Alyson was not warm, welcoming, or personable. We noticed it immediately but tried to give her grace and enjoy our evening. It was my husband's birthday, and I discreetly let Alyson know because I wanted to surprise him without him knowing. When the time came, she brought over a candle in a cup of ice, placed it on the table, and walked away. No "Happy Birthday," no acknowledgment whatsoever. It was incredibly awkward and disappointing, especially considering I had specifically gone out of my way to quietly let her know we were celebrating. What really sent me over the top was how our check was handled. I placed my debit card inside the check folder. Alyson came over with the machine, processed the payment, and walked away. She never handed my card back to me. When I noticed it was missing, I told her, "My card is in the book. I didn't get it back." She opened the folder and said it wasn't there, then pointed to a spot on the table and said, "It's right here." I asked, "How did it get there?" and she replied, "I put it there." I was stunned. Why would you place a customer's debit card somewhere on the table without handing it directly back to them or even telling them where you put it? Had I not noticed my card was missing and asked, I would not have known she had left it there. Throughout the entire experience, there was no "thank you," no "have a good night," no acknowledgment of my husband's birthday, and no sense of basic hospitality. Her demeanor made us feel as though serving our table was an inconvenience. We did notify management, and I want to give them the recognition they deserve. They were nothing short of amazing, as they always have been. They listened to our concerns, were professional, and handled the situation with genuine care. That is the Salt on the Water we know and why my family continues to return year after year. It was simply disheartening to have this kind of service at an establishment we think so highly of. One server will not change our opinion of Salt on the Water, but our experience with Alyson A. was unacceptable and absolutely not representative of the level of hospitality we have come to expect here.