Anthony's at Sea-Tac Airport

To the Management of HMS Host Restaurants:

This letter is written regarding the treatment and humiliating service that I received from the manager in Anthonys Seafood Restaurant (a subsidiary of HMS Host Restaurants) in the Seattle/Tacoma International Airport on Friday, October 2, 2009. More specifically, I am writing this letter to address the questionable validity of your companys motto HMS Host making the travelers day better withfresh food, attentive service, superior concepts, traveler expertise. Not only did I not receive any of the advertised merits of your company, I suffered a most humiliating and distressful experience in Anthonys Seafood Restaurant in the Seattle/Tacoma International Airport (SEATAC) on Friday, October 2, at approximately 9 p.m.

After I deplaned, I had a short stay in SEATAC and went to Ivars Restaurant and purchased 4 crabmeat cocktail orders to take to Victoria, BC (my final destination). I carried my sealed and closed Ivars take-out bag of crab with me into Anthonys Seafood Restaurant at SEATAC to have my favourite meal of two orders of pan-fried oysters. Upon entering Anthonys Restaurant and ordering the oysters, I was told by the hostess that I had a four minute window to order my meal before the restaurant closed. I quickly seated myself at the bar counter and waited to order the oysters. A server came quickly to me upon seeing my Ivars Seafood bag and told me that I could not consume outside food on the Anthonys premises. I quickly replied that No, I am not eating my Ivars food here and would like to order two orders of pan-fried oysters. The server then asked for my identification. I laughingly said that I am almost sixty years old and produced my ID readily. Her remark to me was that since I was seated at the bar, they had to see everyones ID because they ID everybody. Although I sincerely doubt that they have time to ID everyone, I chalked it up as the dim bar light must have really enhanced my youthfulness or the light must have inhibited the servers eyesight. The manager of the restaurant, Mr. Jeffrey Flood, came over and told me that I could not have the Ivars Bag in the open on the premises because if his boss walked in at that moment he would have an absolute fit. He also said that having an Ivars bag in Anthonys Restaurant is like taking a McDonalds burger into Burger King. He also said that Since Ivars only serves frozen food and Anthonys only serves fresh food, the Ivars bag does not look right.

His next statement to me was interesting. He said verbatim, By right I could ask you to leave. He told me that I could only stay in Anthonys Restaurant if he could put my Ivars bag in another camouflage bag and he proceeded to put my Ivars bag in a bag that he had quickly grabbed from somewhere. I informed Jeffrey Flood that I have been in the restaurant business and what he did was ridiculous and that I would leave Anthonys Restaurant. He wished me a nice day. While all of this was transpiring, I heard other patrons in the restaurant commenting on the managers unreasonable behaviour. The gentleman sitting next to me at the bar encouraged me to stay, but I told him that any food I consume there no matter how fresh it was supposed to be would leave a bad taste in my mouth after being treated in such a humiliating manner.

During my long walk back to my departure gate I gave the incident a lot of thought and decided that I could not live with myself if I allowed someone to unjustly tell me by right he could ask me to leave when all that I wanted was to spend $40 on a nice meal on my way home to Victoria. I walked back to Anthonys Restaurant and asked for the managers name as well as the owners name. My intent was to file a major complaint against the managers (Jeffrey Flood) behaviour. Mr. Flood informed me that he worked for a very big company and the company has a huge legal team and he would welcome seeing me in court.

Posted 10/06/09 | Report Abuse

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My hubby and I were very early for our flight, so we looked around for a place to have lunch. Normally, we don't have time for much more than a quick snack at the food court, but we spotted Anthony's and decided to have a real lunch. And WOW!!!!, am I ever glad we did, because we're going back there in 2 days and will arrive at the airport in plenty of time to eat there again. We had fish and chips, and it was nearly a religious experience. Fresh, delicate, perfectly cooked. YUM! I'm from Boston, and we know our seafood, but if you ever get to Anthony's, at Sea Tac or anywhere else, DO make a point of having a meal there. It's the best seafood outside of New England!

Posted 06/29/09 | Report Abuse

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We love to go to any ot the Antohony's resturants. They have one in Des Moines and we always go there with our out of town guests. The view is special. And anything you might order is the best.

Posted 12/08/08 | Report Abuse

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We have been tothisrestaurant many time and have never been disappointed. The service is excellent and the food is the best. It is always crowded but the service is quick.

Posted 11/18/08 | Report Abuse

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You have to be a traveler in order to enjoy this Anthony's. Anthony's is an outstanding seafood restaurant and always meets my expectations. There is a dine-in restaurant as well as a fish bar for a quick meal. Anthony's is one of Seattle's bests. Their food is always prepared to perfection and presented beautifully. Prices are comparable to other seafood establishments. I would definitely recommend Anthony's to my friends.

Posted 06/19/08 | Report Abuse

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