The Briny - Portsmouth

What a fantastic restaurant! We celebrated our wedding anniversary here, and the entire experience was just perfect. We ordered the sole for our main course, and for dessert, my husband had the chocolate delice. The staff was incredibly knowledgeable and checked in with us multiple times to ensure my husband was satisfied. For example, they suggested oven-baking the sole instead of dusting it with gluten-free flour, as the flour doesn’t give it the same crisp texture. They also inquired if my husband was okay with the ice cream since they purchase it. Jay, in particular, was exceptionally friendly and attentive—he even brought out a dessert with "Happy 13th Wedding Anniversary" written in chocolate!

I've been there several times, and it's always a delight! The restaurant is situated in a beautiful location and offers a wide variety of gluten-free options. The food is absolutely delicious, making it one of my favorites.

Once seated, the staff quickly provided us with the gluten- and dairy-free menu upon request. There was a solid selection of gluten-free, gluten-free adaptable, dairy-free, and dairy-free adaptable options. The person taking our order also inquired if we had any allergies, which was a nice touch. We did experience a slightly longer wait than we would have liked, and it would have been nice to be asked about drinks a bit sooner. However, given that it was a busier Thursday evening (thanks to the nice weather), they seemed a little understaffed. When our food arrived, the server informed us that the chips (belonging to another guest) were not gluten-free, so we were warned not to be tempted to try them! This was a thoughtful gesture that we greatly appreciated. The quality and flavor of the food were excellent, and the smoked fish mayonnaise paired beautifully with the baked cod. The peas and beans served alongside the fish were cooked perfectly, retaining their crispness. Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant, especially if you inquire about the gluten- and dairy-free options.

The second server took the dish back to the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination, but I was disappointed to find that the same dish was returned to me. I hope this was just an off day for them, but my experience suggests they may not be as careful as they should be, even when customers clearly state dietary restrictions like celiac disease. It's really unfortunate because while the prices are somewhat high for what you get, the decor and location of the restaurant are excellent.

I've visited this restaurant multiple times, and it never disappoints! The food is truly delicious, and the setting is beautiful. They offer plenty of gluten-free options as well. It's definitely one of my favorites!