Savage & Cooke - An American Distillery

Had high hopes for a good experience here and chose to bring my partner here for their birthday as he loves whiskey. I tried calling the restaurant ahead of time to see if they would accept any whiskey tastings but, unfortunately, their phone only played an automated message after the initial greeting that stated they were closed. I knew business hours were open so checked their socials to see if this was accurate or not. They had posted 30 mins prior so I took the chance and drove there anyway and thankfully they were open. We arrived and were greeted by the bartender and another server who informed us it was open seating at the bar for drinks and light eats or we could wait for a table to be cleaned. We wanted to try more than apps so we waited for the table which was cleaned for us in a few minutes. I was excited to hear more about the distillery and learn about their whiskeys and get offered suggestions. We looked at the menu from the gal who sat us and eventually our actual server, Keona stopped by with 3 tiny cups of water on a tray and asked us to grab them off the tray for her. She seemed lost and asked us if we had already placed our order to which we replied we had not. She was not familiar with the drink menu which was disappointing for someone who is serving at a distillery. She informed us that she just started working there 2 months ago and it was clearly evident. We ordered our drinks and went ahead and placed our food order as it took a while for her to come get our drink order from us. Another server dropped off our drinks and we waited for our server to return so we could get a refill on our tiny water cups. I noticed the tables around us had water carafes but, we did not receive one so I looked around the area and found a water pitcher and filled up our drinks. The food took a long time to come out, we weren’t too pressed because ultimately, we were there for the whiskey but, we were excited to try their southern food options. When our food arrived, we dug in and the chicken was good, great flavor and crunch to the chicken skin, meat was juicy but, the biscuit was super cold. I also didn’t realize the biscuit would come without butter, so that was also a let down. The star of our food order was definitely the Mac and cheese, great flavor all around. Our server came back to check on us after the food came out which was over 30 minutes after the last time we saw her. We told her we wanted to order more drinks and asked for a menu. She didn’t know what menu the drinks were on and we had to tell her which menu we needed. She handed them to us and asked us if we knew what we wanted. We replied that we needed to glance at the drink menu and would be ready in a few minutes. We were almost done with our food and she still hadn’t come back, there was only one bartender working his hardest to get drinks out and I didn’t want to wait another 30 minutes for her to take the drink order so I finally walked up to the bar to order us another round directly from the bartender. He delivered our drinks to us table side and we enjoyed those very much, the whiskey in a jar and one of their seasonal drinks. Our server returned after our drinks were brought by and we asked her for more water, she returned with larger glasses this time thankfully and we asked for our check. We paid the bill and finished our drinks. We intended to go to the bar and purchase a bottle of whiskey from the bartender before we left but, a new server stopped by and checked in on us and we told her we were interested in a bottle. She explained the options and we decided on a bourbon whiskey. Overall, I would come back to this establishment for drinks specifically and we would make sure to sit at the bar. I was disappointed overall in the service here. I’ve been in the service industry and management for over 15 years and would never allow a server on the floor until they know the menu and have proven they can handle more than a few tables at a time. Management needs to provide more training. The service reflects poorly on your establishment.

Dylan is wonderful! Thank you for the tasting!

The atmosphere of this restaurant is nice and comfortable. The food is quite adequate to say the least nothing spectacular. Front desk staff very helpful and fast acting service. However being seated tonight our waitress seemed to be very rushing and not very enthusiastic, which prompted this 3 star review.

Fried chicken sandwich was good, drink was not (Keys to Caddy - supposed to be spicy and tasted like lemonade), and they were unable to split up our check so we had to put 10 people on 1 card ?

Excellent Food, Service and Cocktails.
Dr H2B

Good, classy, cool, and barrels and barrels. You can eat and drink upstairs too. The Cabernet was perfect.
Service was fun and friendly.

Food was good, very tasty. Staff was nice, friendly, easy to talk to. Service - the length of time it took to sit down, order, and then get the food- was ridiculous. It took nearly an hour for the food for two to arrive, and there were not a lot of people in the restaurant. Some were drinking at bar, there was one table of maybe 10, but otherwise, not overly busy. There was no communication while we waited; the staff seemed unconcerned, oblivious, or indifferent.
This is the second time its happened; it will be the last. If you are hungry and can wait, the food is good, and the ambience is excellent. Mare Island is a great place to visit. If you are hungry and can't wait, or don't want to wait, there's another place up the road from S&C, and there are other places off the island. Savage & Cooke has the right idea, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired.

Service was great I liked the look of the space open and outdoor seating available food was good drinks were great o want to come back for the tasting and tour however

Went here for lunch. The food was really good. Got the fried pickles and chicken sandwich. Yummy! Minus 1 star because its difficult trying to find the entrance ?

We had the most amazing time here! The food is delicious and the cocktails are curated very finely. The service is great. Kelly, the manager and her team provide exceptional service. Lauren is awesome too. Thank you for a great time and I will be sure to visit more often.

Great place to hang out

Highly recommended. Our friends took us here. So glad they did. Really neat ambiance and outstanding service. We sampled a bunch of different menu items and they were all delightful.

A Historic and Spirited Experience at Savage & Cooke

Nestled within the historic Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Savage & Cooke offers a one-of-a-kind distillery experience that seamlessly blends history, craftsmanship, and culinary delight. From the moment you step foot onto this iconic landmark, you are transported into a world of spirits and flavors that captivate the senses.

Let's start with the location itself - Mare Island Naval Shipyard holds a rich history as the first United States Navy base established on the Pacific Ocean. Now declared a National Historic Landmark District, the shipyard exudes an aura of nostalgia and significance. Savage & Cooke is nestled within this historic setting, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in both past and present.

Upon arrival, guests are greeted by a quaint yet inviting bar area, complete with table seating and a bustling atmosphere. The mixologists behind the bar are true artisans, crafting meticulously curated cocktails that showcase the distillery's own handcrafted spirits. From their signature Masala Whiskey to the fragrant Lavender Gin, each drink is a masterpiece in its own right, tantalizing the taste buds with every sip.

But Savage & Cooke is not just about the drinks - the food offerings are equally enticing. A food truck stationed nearby serves up simple yet delicious Southern-inspired fare, including crispy fried pickles and mouthwatering chicken sandwiches. These savory bites perfectly complement the whiskey tastings, creating a harmonious culinary experience.

For those traveling from San Francisco, the Vallejo Ferry offers a convenient and scenic mode of transportation directly into Mare Island. From there, a short ride-share trip across the river brings you to the distillery's doorstep, making it easily accessible for visitors from near and far.

Whether you're a whiskey enthusiast, history buff, or simply seeking a unique culinary adventure, Savage & Cooke delivers on all fronts. With its unparalleled service, expertly crafted cocktails, and charming ambiance, a visit to this distillery is sure to leave a lasting impression. Cheers to unforgettable experiences and the spirit of Mare Island!

Cool atmosphere but we got served raw chicken twice with no refund or a call back. .

Really great service from staff. Had a tasting and food and thumbs up for all. Really flavorful and tasty whiskeys. Delicious fried chicken! Fried pickles - yum! A gem of a place.