Fire and Water Fish & Chophouse

First, let me just say that our server was very nice. She was quick, she was polite, and she was mostly attentive, though she didn’t notice we had both run out of drinks and finished our meal until well after.
That said… My partner and I went in because we had been given a coupon for $ 50 toward a meal at restaurants we could choose via a known website. Apparently each restaurant can change the terms and conditions, and in really really really tiny print, the one for this place said the coupon was only good for bills of $ 100 or more.
OK, slimy business practice, but hey, their prerogative. However, the «manager», when spoken to, was condescending and had the biggest, most plastic fake smile we’d ever seen when confronted about this.
Here’s the thing: We would have over looked this, and very likely been more than happy had the food been better. But it wasn’t.
I got the salmon which, while cooked well enough (though slightly too firm), was bland. And I mean bland as dryer lint. No seasoning on it at all. Not that a good cut of salmon needs much, but this wasn’t a good cut of salmon, there was no fat to it to lend flavor. Still, the veggies it came with weren’t half bad.
My partner got the… cioppino. And I wrote that word while laughing. I’ve had cioppino. I’ve MADE cioppino. This wasn’t cioppino. This was scallops, some shrimp, a few pieces of fish, and none of the lobster it stated in the menu, thrown in a bowl with jarred spaghetti sauce. No no, I’m dead serious, the sauce was basically spaghetti sauce, and it tasted no better than your average Ragu right off the shelf. Cioppino should be a tomato like sauce, sure, but the base should be lots of garlic, fish sauce or clam broth, but this was very, very literally just like canned or jar spaghetti sauce. Yeah, the shrimp weren’t bad, and the scallops weren’t over cooked and still had some softness in the middle, but for ever twenty beans for the dish, I’d expect at least a little better.
Over all experience, due to the utterly plastic manager, the half hearted food, two stars max if you take the quality and price into consideration. A resounding «Meh». This is the Portland area, if you want good meals, just drive the 10 minutes into Portland proper. For the same amount of money, you’ll eat like a fantastic meal,

We went on a friday night and there were very few people there which is surprising because this place was great. We both had lobsters and they were very good. They do their stuffed lobsters with crab cake stuffing which is kind of wierd, but the waitress did tell me that when I ordered. Didnt like the stuffing but it was only a few dollors more so i just skipped the stuffing and ate the lobster. Fries were really good and so was the chowder. Waitress was great. You can also get a
gift certificate. If I am in the area I would definitely go there again.

the only good thing was the waiter. stood at front for 10 minutes the waiter came over and sat us when the hostess did not show up .the food was high in price and not that good. someone should tell the cook you don’t serve mussels that don’t open on a dish

I have been to many in hotel restaurants, most terrible. the food here was excellent. I had a baked stuffed lobster that was cooked perfect and my son had a melt in your mouth filet

This is the first time I have ever given a one star. This one star rating is base solely on my experience at the bar. It was a busy night with a nonprofit just finishing up so a lot of people came and got drinks. I waited at the bar for literally 15 minutes nobody said anything. I tried to make contact and also Eye contact and still nobody paid any attention to me. There were two bartenders at the bar. They didn’t make any effort to acknowledge the fact that I’m there at all. 2 people came behind me and they got served first. Finally I was able to grab the female bartenders attention and was able to get my drinks. They taste okay. prices not that reasonable but for bar like that I would expect that kind of price so that’s fine. good bartending staff should at least acknowledge someone and say I’ll be right with you or make eye contact and give a nod to let you know that they see you waiting there. Anyways I gave them the benefit of doubt and half an hour later came back for second round of drinks for my friends. This time most of the crowd have cleared away. The bar area literally only had three or four customers. And yet the same rude experience occurred. I waited for like 10 minutes. During this time the male bar tender (his name tag says Adam in Case his manager is reading this) just hung around, walked back and forth, focused more on wiping off the counters then serving his customers. It seemed as if he was intentionally ignoring me??? This was an odd experience for such a great hotel, restaurant! I hope they shape up!

This place was amazing! I found them on
so we got a great deal. We had the scallop and pork belly appetizer, although a small portion it was delicious so we ordered a second one. I had the filet mignon and truffle mashed potatoes. It was cooked to perfection and the flavor was outstanding! My husband had the seafood dish with a tomato sauce, it had scallops, shrimp, mussels, lobster, and Italian sausage, he loved it. We were thinking about getting dessert but were pleasantly full. I would highly recommend this restaurant. Even without the
certificate it would have been worth it due to the exceptional quality of food and service. We got there right before they started serving dinner on a Friday night, just before five pm. There was only one other couple there the entire time which was nice, it feel like we had the place to ourselves. I think that a lot of people don’t realize that it’s in the location that’s it’s in because it’s in the Marriott hotel. They certainly deserve more recognition!

ANyone that is looking for a place to dine and eat at in the South Portland/​Maine Mall area would probably never think about a hotel retaurant that is tucked away and hidden in the Sable Oaks.
Well, I definitely would recommend this restaurant if you are ok with spending some money on a really nice meal in a fairly quiet restaurant (at least the night we came).
We came with a party of five and had gotten a coupon to come here and we were very pleasantly surprised. The server was attentive and super friendly and knew a great amount about the menu and for a server in a hotel restaurant he seemed to really have a passion for what they were serving and was able to recommend some really tasty and delicious dishes.
We started the evening off with some delicious mussels and bruscetta that was both delicious and fresh. The mussels that I have had in other places are usually drenched in garlic and butter and some sort of cream sause which is good but this sauce they used for the mussels was rich and divine. It was not oily with butter but rather a creamy texture to the sauce that the entire table was using the complimentary sour dough bread to sop it up like crazy. And the appetizer portions were HUGE where all 5 of us got a great share of each of these appetizers.
We then dug in to our meals where we scattered our selections across the food spectrum with a delicious baked haddock that was covered in some greens and had a white wine reduction that it sat in while also coming with a side of creamy pollenta.
I had the seafood pasta where it came with a vodka sauce and was jam packed with seafood ranging from fresh lobster to medum sized shrimp and giant scallops that made the dish taste so rich and decadent. It also cme with a slightly el dente penne pasta and a side of two pieces of bread. Huge dish.
My wife dove into her portobello mushroom sandwich that she loved but had to take some home because of the size of it and so was my sons haddock sandwich that he loved also with the beer battered fish and fresh and delicious french fries.
So, as you can tell this was a great experience but the only reason for 4 stars is because if we had not had a certificate/​coupon that we purchased, the overall price was around 170 but I guess for five people eating apps, a few drinks and large meals not too bad but I would expect those prices in the old port downtown and not on the hill next to the Maine Mall.
We will definitely come back for steaks next time maybe just the two of us and enjoy it even more on a special occasion.

Steak was great. Impressed with getting quality food at a hotel after so many misses while on the road.

I’ve dined here a couple times as I stay at the Marriott when I am here on business. I can’t suggest that I would say you need to stop in here. It’s not that big of a drive to downtown Portland for an array of restaurants to choose from, and I’ve gone to a few and there’s a better selection on the menu.
Here’s the thing — it’s just okay. The people who work here have always been pleasant over the years, and over never been there when it’s been crowded, but things just always seem a little off. .. like someone in the chain of events (eg. the kitchen, the bartender) is new.
I enjoy all the wines by the glass are available with a 3, 6 or 9 oz. option. I don’t enjoy waiting and waiting to get it. There were two tables when I was here last night, two folks in the bar and two at the bar. We’re not talking about a packed place and every time there’s a serious wait.
I’ve drives different dishes and the menu always seems to have a lobster and a haddock dish. I assume this is big in Maine (no kidding on the lobster, didn’t know about haddock) as it seems to be on every menu in Portland. The food is fine, no complaints except it always seems to be lacking something — like more flavor, as if someone is holding back when pulling together the dishes.
Overall if you’re here and you’re not up for a 15 minute drove downtown, you’ll get a good meal. You’ll get friendly service. But it’s not going to be meal you’ll write home about. .. yet you won’t go home with a horror story either.
P. S. Get the Caesar salad. That is very flavorful. Beware will be some whole white anchovies on top. .. and they are nice enough to outline this on the menu.
10/​05/​2014
Another fine meal (i.e. think comic book rating not dining). The Caesar salad was actually disappointing this time around. I’ll have to venture out next time.

We were staying with family in Portland to attend my son’s graduation. I wanted to take everyone out for a pleasant dinner but our party had varying tastes (Thai, Traditional American, Indian, Seafood, etc.). I settled on Fire and Water figuring everyone could find something acceptable. When I called to make reservations the person alerted me to a
coupon (Whoa — that’s never happened to me in all my «decline to state» many years!).
Almost everyone found the food to be very good (there’s always the one that can’t be pleased). There were certain items that were good and others excellent. As the host, I found the waiter to be extremely patient with my guests, answering their questions and using humor appropriately. The manager stopped by our table to check-​in.
The bill arrived. Another surprise — gratuity is usually added to pre-​discount total for large parties. In fact most places in the Chicago area do this for parties of six or greater. I actually save money on this practice — I tip generously because I can’t imagine many jobs I would hate more than waiting tables. At Fire and Water, we get to decide on a fair tip for the service even for large parties. Well, we had excellent service.

Ordered the bruschetta app. It was tangy and light. I had the lobster roll, which was excellent. Not over seasoned or mayoed, and served on an authentic «Maine hot dog bun» which was lightly toasted. Cole slaw was just okay (I’ve yet to find stellar cole slaw at any restaurant). Relatives ordered the seafood pasta and loved it. Service was great.
This is a wonderful restaurant with really affordable lunch.

I’d say 4 stars for the food quality, 2 stars for the service, and 3 stars for the price. It’s definitely priced for out-​of-​towners/​Marriott guests.
We’ve been to Fire and Water several times after getting a good deal on gift certificates there from some website. Each visit, my gluten-​free love E has raved about his food (most recently bacon-​wrapped scallops, a rack of lamb dish and a trio of crème brulees). I’ve not been quite so enamored– thought my food was inventive-​sounding and pretty-​good in execution (most recently a cioppino)…the kind of meal where the first few bites are great and then it’s more «meh.» But since E’s not so easily delighted and he loves this place, I try and match his enthusiasm and have given it the benefit of the doubt, even though my stuff never seems cooked just right. For sure, there are little niceties like hummus, fancy peppers in oil and butter served with the warm bread, and portion sizes are large. The pre fixe menu is nice.
But holy cow, the service is lacking. It’s not that our servers have not been nice, just not good. (Harsh, I know!) This is not the type of service one would expect from a $ 20 – 35 per entrée restaurant. It takes a loooong time between server visits, and the servers seem more suited to a diner than a fancy restaurant (Ouchie mama! I can’t believe I’m writing that! We’ve tipped well anyhow following our credo «WWET” – What Would E Tip. He’s the best.). It’s been messy and chaotic while we’ve been there, and the staff has run the vacuum twice, which just seemed weird. We’ve had billing issues. And every visit we’ve been there they have stuck a glutinous cookie in my gluten-​free husband’s dessert (after talking with them in advance about his g-​free-​ness).
I’ll still go back, at least until our gift certificates run out (maybe longer if E still loves it), but given the other amazing eateries in Greater Portland, it won’t make my favorites list anytime soon.

Had lunch here with family. Bacon wrapped scallops thumbs up., Lobster roll was ok,… Burger was nicely done. Kids meals. Mac and cheese and chicken fingers. Kids were happy. Service was nice. Overall good expiriance.

Apparently, my mistake was ordering room service from the restaurant instead of actually eating in it. I enjoyed each of my three meals at the bar thoroughly. From now on, I’ll order downstairs and bring it up to my room!

I stayed here for 2 nights and each night I ate at this restaurant. I sat at the bar each time and the bar tender was friendly and attentive. The food service was extremely quick and the food was very good. The menu pairs each item with a wine which I enjoyed. They also have a daily 3 course menu with wine pairs for each course for $ 39. Each course I had was very good specifically the main the course which was a sirloin. I recommended this place to others I was traveling with and they agreed it was very good.