Mermaid Grotto Cafe And Boutique

This place has such potential if it could decide on one type of business or be handed over to someone who knows how to really run a restaurant. This summer my partner and I were hired for seasonal work. I was part time server but my partner was hired as the front of house manager as he had 7+ years in the restaurant industry and was a bar manager for the last 3 years. Once we arrived he was quickly demoted to shift lead but was treated and had expectations from owner to be FOH manager. Things swiftly escalated as my partner was being badgered every day even on days off to fix problems that weren 't truly his to fix as he was now only a shift lead. The owner wanted things to be done a certain way which is totally understandable but has very little to no experience in the food industry other than fish processing and would take zero help from my partner even though that 's what he was hired to do. The owner stated in the initial meeting that she was looking forward to his experience in the industry but later refused the help being offered. The next issue is about the morality of the owner and her business partner who manages the gift shop. The manager is probably one of the most unpleasant humans I 've had the misfortune of meeting. I worked at the grotto too, although very part time, yet she would blatantly ignore me as if we never met. There was also evidence that she was withholding tips from employees from baristas and servers. One thing I found VERY odd was that she was the only one allowed to manage the money in the building...this job is typically left to the bartender 's/servers or the MOD that day. The owner, Elle, is lovely if she likes you but honestly at what cost? The first thing we heard about Elle when arriving to Seward was that she 's scary but will take care of you which we appreciated but when it comes down to it unless it benefits her or her business she does not care about you. If that 's the stance you want to take in life, to only choose to help when it helps you then that 's your cross to bear. Elle would consistently accuse my partner of not doing his job or not being good enough but never thanked him for the countless systems he instilled to make the restaurant run like an actual restaurant. Instead she allowed the head chef to mock him incessantly and the final straw was the head chef getting so frustrated with how his day was going that he offered my partner money and said why don 't you just quit. Here 's $100 to just walk out the door right now . The reasoning for this was that my partner had ordered a meal for a customer that was no longer available as the ingredients had ran out but no communication was made from the morning staff to the staff coming in for the evening service. The chef made a rude comment out of frustration but the owner had no intention for defending my partner. Elle took no interest in helping mediate the situation and only involved herself after the chef and my partner put her in the group chat to help mediate. At the meeting the following day she just wanted people to say sorry and move on. Sorry is not an apology when the behavior is consistent and no change is seen. My FINAL issue was Elle 's stance on people of color and the LGBTQ+ community. Elle sees no issue with derogatory/racist remarks and claimed that those who feel oppressed by those words need to deal with it . Elle also misgendered an employee since the first day they were hired even after being corrected multiple times. Elle walks around with rainbow colored hair and fun outfits but truthfully it 's just an act. I was so disappointed at the end of the season as my partner and I both fell in love with Seward but now that we chose our mental health and sanity over a job we will never be able to work in this town. Elle feels the need to blacklist everyone who 's wronged her. This is not an isolated event unfortunately. Eventually it 'll be just Elle and Elliot, the towns least favorite people.

Well where should I begin.. I was recently employed with owner Elle Zernia who also owns ProFishnSea charters in Seward this past season 2023 as a Sou Chef at the Grotto and worked above and beyond my capabilities providing the best quality dishes I could. Although My work venture in Alaska was cut short unfortunately due to an assault that was taken place at the housing that was provided to me by the the owner as well as being harassed out side of my work place by 4 men who apparently Elle was friends or (familiar) with. It was my first time wanting to experience the Alaskan wilderness and beauty, all I ended up with was several broken bones, two broken ribs, a broken hand, and over 20k in medical bills. She refused to file a workers comp claim for me which is by the way illegal.. and denied any liability for the injury 's that were caused to me or that she had any connection with the the home she had flown me out to live in while working for her (I will post the picture below) This is just a prime example of someone having money and just needing a hobby, food is my life and I take much pride in what I do, the halibut fettuccine was my specialty! And was the only one who made that dish on a daily bases along with every other dinner menu item in 2023. This can 't keep happening we need to continue to speak up we can not continue to support businesses like these. Every part of management and knowing how to take care of your employees is a joke trust me... And if your a family with small children who would want chicken tenders as there meal she would rather you leave this has been said to me personally please read the recent reviews I 'm not the only one although somehow there are reviews that have been magically taken down. To anyone reading thank you for your time and please let 's stand up for better businesses, we need owners who actually know what there 're doing and care about employees not take advantage of young adults that live out of state trying to better a brand new business. Seward is beautiful!! Mermaid Grotto is a terrible choice!

Best place for dinner in Seward. Had a fantastic dinner the first night off the cruise ship. Accidentally left my credit card in the folder. We we're leaving on the tour bus the next day. The staff continued to look for it. When they found it 2 days later, they saved me from having to get a new card number and mailed it to me at home!

Good little stop for a coffee and gift shop. Meal type: Other Price per person: $1–10 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

Ambiance and service were great! Dining is upstairs and we visited on an afternoon so the cafe downstairs was quiet. Location is near the water. Food was average