The Oyster & Thistle Restaurant & Pub

Was disappointed by this place after called before to ask if they could accommodate allergens (gluten free, dairy free), and red meat free diner. They said yes, so we went, but was served bacon bits and a clam dish full of butter without knowing it. Ended up sick for days, and it was the most expensive dinner I have ever had ($300 for 4). Nice looking place otherwise.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 3

Completely unorganized, “we’re short handed” … yes we’ve heard it before, but having back ups and committing to a reservation list is your obligation as a service. If you’re short handed, then I’m short on cash and we meet in the middle, that makes sense. We walk in at 6pm with a 630pm reservation, we say we just want a drink before the dinner, so bartender sticks us in the bar and says we have to eat there. He said he was short handed.. I worked tables many years ago and it was obvious Mr. Bartender was trying to grab a “dinner” into one of his own booths to capitalize on a high bill. I couldn’t even turn my legs straight to the table. How do you digest food sideways…? Needless to say after 15 min of him not returning he finally returned asking if we had any ideas about what we want.. yea how about drinks? Such low brow cheesey car salesman service, no thank you. We told him it’s obvious you’re overwhelmed so we’ll cancel our mole hole reservation and go somewhere else. And we did. Sure they may possibly have good food (I heard that night someone said the scallops tasted like the were in an air fryer), but when the service and management are clueless then they have nothing to offer.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 1

Lovely little pub-style restaurant. The atmosphere is cozy, and the food is tasty and creative. Our server was also the bartender - he was gracious and made us feel at home. We've eaten here a couple of times before, and have always enjoyed it. However, currently the prices are excessively high, compared with similar dishes at other restaurants. Every choice of wine on the menu is expensive - why couldn't they also have a modestly-priced choice? While our server was great, it took forever to get our food, even though they were nearly empty...

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: French Onion Soup

I don't usually do this, but we had such a disappointing experience that I have to share. First of all, we spent $1200 for 7 people on New Year's Eve. I have NO problem spending that much money for 7 people...but the food should be out of this world and the service should knock our socks off! Instead, the food was average and the service was minimal. It was a price fixed 3 course dinner menu because of New Year's eve. There was no explanation or "selling" of the entrees on the menu. Missed the chance to WOW us. A simple explanation of the 3 course menu and to pick one thing from each category was the extent of the menu presentation. We had to flag the server down to order more drinks and even then he'd only acknowledge the person flagging him down rather than checking around the table for others. Finally got one small basket of bread after the first 2 courses...right before the entrees arrived. Each of us got a crostini sized slice of bread. Portions were comically tiny and flavor was adequate but nothing spectacular. The dessert options were creme brulee or a champagne white cake. Another missed opportunity to WOW us. You can get creme brulee at ANY restaurant in the valley. And the white cake was a mini cupcake that wasn't even presented in any special way.
Very disappointed and will not go back.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 1

I took some friends out to eat here recently, this is what one of them wrote about our meal:
The food was hit and miss and certainly not worth the cost ($30-60 per entree). The cioppino was good, as was the beet salad but the Caesar salad was extremely tart and salty. The duck gnocchi was without flavor, other than the tasso ham included in the dish. I ultimately sent the gnocchi back and ordered the roasted duck breast instead. The duck was cooked nicely, with the fat well rendered, but it was lacking in seasoning altogether.

The biggest complaint was the time it took to receive everything from the kitchen. We were there almost an hour before receiving our salads and it took another 40 minutes before we got our entrees.

The highlight of our experience was the dessert, which was excellent. My wife and I shared bread pudding with a whiskey caramel sauce and Chantilly cream and our friend had the chocolate fondant molten cake.

It's fair to say we will not be returning any time soon.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 2

We ordered the scallop for $54 and told the waiter we were going to share. We'll for $54 we got 1 scallop! He didn't give us a heads up on quantity. Pan fried oysters were delicious but tiny and only got 8. I left hungry! 2 glasses of wine we spent $150.00. Sorry but this is unbelievable to me. I don't mind spending good money but give me some food! We've come here for years and both decided we won't be back.

This is a marvelous local restaurant with amazing locally sourced food. We had a wonderful birthday meal here!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Shucked Oysters 1 2 Dozen, Crispy Duck Confit, Skagit Beet Salad

Fine dining in a small town. The prices are higher than what we usually spend so we don’t go here often but when we do, the food is always great. The last time we went I had a steak with a scallop that was fantastic! They do change their menu often but there is always something I want. Well worth the money.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: French Onion Soup, Filet Mignon and Shrimp, Duck Gnocchi

Reminded us of a small bistro in New Orleans that didn't survive COVID. French inspired bistro with a great wine list, cocktails, and an awesome menu of fresh dishes from local seafood, farm, and vegetable options. We enjoyed escargot, mussels, clams, and so many other dishes over two days. Back again for sure in the coming months!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

The service is phenomenal. The atmosphere is cozy and warm. The food was delicious. The wine was amazing. My only wish is that for the price, it would be lovely if the portions were a little more generous, especially with salads and other less costly components.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Baked Burgundian Escargots

Very very nice dinner. Our favorite place in LA Conner for many years. Nicely prepared, Nicely presented. Nice atmosphere and good service. Modest proportions, not overly large. Just right.

Theere are 3 or 4 areas to dine. An outdoor deck, weather permìting, two tables in the cozy bar nook which also has several bar stools, a small quiet 4 table dining area and a larger upstairs dining room. The tables were nicely set with tablecloths, a candle and fresh rose. No salt, pepper, sugar or condiments or signs cluttering the table up, but of course available if requested. The coffee sugar came as attractive lumps in a small bowl. A nice touch without paper wrappings. Bread was not served without asking for it, an appreciated thought to avoid ruining your appetite. (But available) All well appreciated touches.

The prices we found to be quite reasonable today where so many places seem to have raised them to extreme heights.

Not to detract, but a note to the owner... we are an older couple with a small appetite and we shared a duck confit dinner, couldn't be better, but it would have been nice if the second plate had also been hot. (My fault for not asking). There could also have been more of a red wine "by the glass" selection. Just Saying... Minor comments.

Absolutely our favorite place. Always be back when in town!

Capt. Steve

Recommended dishes: Caesar Salad, Crispy Duck Confit, Warm Chocolate Fondant with House-Made Ice Cream

Really adorable building/restaurant. Made a reservation. Ordered the last of the scallop special and were told 30 minutes later that they were out of scallops. Took over an hour for us to get only half of our appetizers (a dozen oysters and a very small Caesar salad) while tables around us that ordered after us were served the same items we ordered. We were offered a free $6 loaf of bread for the inconvenience. Caesar tasted like miracle whip, bread was good, oysters were average or a little below for this area, French onion soup was really good, salmon was okay, muscles were amazing, pasta was okay. Just very average food for the price and the best things were muscles and soup. Was expecting a lot more from a place that looks so high end online and has such great reviews.

If you’re going for the atmosphere, a drink and a snack, this is the right place for you.

If you’re looking for a high quality dining experience to display our regions fresh seafood and try one of everything on the menu, this is not the place to go.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 1

Recommended dishes: French Onion Soup, Mussels Mariniere, Shucked Oysters 1 2 Dozen, Caesar Salad, Baked Oysters Gratinee

No paella as presented on menu. We had gone specifically for that. Told the prawns and scallops jumbalya was similar to paella. The jumbalaya cost $56 each and had over seasoned rice and 1 overcooked prawn and 3 scallops. Typically similar dish would cost about $25. I would never recommend this place

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 3

The fillet was exquisite, the duck sublime. The creme brulee is the ONLY one I’ve even thought was better than my own. There is absolutely nothing north of Canlis that could touch what they are lovingly serving from this place (and they’re doing it at substantially less than half the price). Can’t wait to go back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: French Onion Soup, Shucked Oysters 1 2 Dozen, Filet Mignon and Shrimp

Recently went out for a date night with the wife this week. The food, the service, and everything in between was sub par. When you go out to eat you want to feel special and the food was worth the price. They failed on all aspects of basic restaurant etiquette. We will not be back and suggest you do not waste your money here. The scallops they serve look mangled, weird burnt tasting sauce, and don’t get me started on the bland saltless filet I was served. Need to reevaluate the restaurant! Cocktail was only saving grace….

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1