This location has so much potential. Unfortunately, it is being operated and mismanaged in every way.
We went to Island Pie last weekend when we were at Deer Harbor Marina visiting with our boat.
Walking up the sidewalk entrance, it is immediately noticeable to everyone that the owners have no pride in ownership. Dirty sidewalks, weeds, baby toys, dead plants. Same when we walked into the main dining room. We noticed how dumpy it was. Junk lined and lined all the shelves. T-shirts in a jumbled pile, pens, cans knickknacks...No care was put into creating an inviting confortable experience, and the room wasn't inviting at all. We asked to sit on the patio, which at least provided a view of the bay. Again, there is no care for the decor, cleanliness or in creating an invotimg experience for the customer. Mildewy awnings, cheap, old plastic flags, dead old flowers, orange and lemon slices on the floors, chairs askew, and no music. Dirty garbage cans front and center in front of their bar. Buckets filled with trash on the bar. The plastic menus were dirty. Our waitress wasn't sure about what beer they had. When we got the beer, it was semi flat. We ordered pizza, and while we waited, no one asked if we wanted another drink. (A business makes a lot of profit on alcohol).
Our pizza arrived on a sheet of wax paper on top of a wooden paddle. We were asked to help slide the pizza onto the table. Part of the pizza was directly on the table. I asked for plates, and they brought wax paper. The owner (who was wearing her cooking apron that should be kept clean) was out on the deck and played with her toddler son. Then we waited and waited for our bill only to be told finally from another patron that we had to go to the front to check out.
We spoke with other boaters about their experience, and all echoed our experience. Pizza was "okay," but maybe for takeout, and everyone said, "What a dump!"
I hope the owners read this: You have an epic location and opportunity to create a destination that is fun. The bar should be where everyone in the area, and especially the marina wants to be. Us boaters want places to go!
Clean the place up! Go through my critique and act on all my points. You might have to get help. It is very apparent that you don't know how to create a menu (decide if you're serving ialian or asian. Your menu is weird), create an ambiance, and an atmosphere. Train your staff better on service. They should know your offerings. You have the location that could really really be something very special. read more