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“Fabulous as always”
Review of Ajax Cafe

Ajax Cafe
Ranked #1 of 13 Restaurants in Port Hadlock
Price range: C$27 - C$48
Cuisines: Seafood, Steakhouse
More restaurant details
Restaurant details
Good for: View details, Local cuisine, Special Occasion Dining, Child-friendly
Dining options: Dinner, Outdoor Seating, Reservations
Dining style: Casual Dining
Reviewed March 26, 2013

We were first made aware of this great location about 20 years ago and make a point of visiting every time we are anywhere near the area. As we are from the Vancouver, BC area this may be every year or two at most.

The Ajax visit is always one of the highlights of our trip and this recent visit was no exception. It just so happens the night we could go was a special wine tasting evening with the owner of Kyra Winery sharing her wines and expertise. The Ajax had done a 6 course meal to match the wines and the pairings were flawless. Both the wine and the food were exceptional.

The price of $55 was very reasonable and they even made an adjustment for our 16 year old daughter who joined us. It is about her 5th visit to the Ajax and she has always loved the restaurant and especially the hats. One of our group was not much of a wine drinker but a devout beer drinker and they, as always, went out of their way to make him and everyone else feel comfortable and enjoy the evening.

If you are anywhere near Port Hadlock simply do not miss the Ajax Cafe.

Date of visit: March 2013
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1  Thank Garry G
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviews (195)
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141 - 145 of 195 reviews

Reviewed January 26, 2013

Pick a complimentary hat from their selection, and settle in with your menu for a challenging choice...it all looks good. These owners LOVE making people happy. Always packed and perkin'....there is almost always music as well. Get there on a night Jack Reid is playing and singing his soulful western music...original and gorgeous. (The music, although Jack has his admirer's as well).

Date of visit: November 2012
Thank Mary M
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed January 12, 2013

Here's a hidden gem ! One of a kind interior with each chair colorfully painted and each table different from the other .As you enter the cute funky entry area and are greeted , you will pass through the thick red curtains and seated in the dining room.

Hats all over the walls for you to choose to wear for your dining experience, if you wish ! Nostalgic rock n roll posters and photographs decorate the walls, and a small elevated corner stage showcases live music on the weekends. A small nice complete bar combined with the whimsical ambiance will make you smile and laugh. A fun experience.

The location of the restaurant in a historic building that goes back to the late 1800's . It is right across a little street from a small boat dock and a cute little bay. So you can arrive by boat or car. They are just about 15-20 min from Port Townsend, and 10 min from Kala Point and Port Ludlow. Take the Port Hadlock/Ft Flagler exit off of Hwy 20, and within 5 min you will be at the only signal in town . Go thru the signal about a mile and keep looking on the left for a large sign that says AJAX CAFE' . Turn left , which is down toward the water , and you will end up at their parking lot. You would never know this great restaurant existed unless someone told you about it and how to get there. They have a website too.

The service is outstanding and friendly. The wonderful owner is always present and usually mixing the cocktails, and overseeing the the dining room. She may take your order as they get very busy on the weekends.

They serve local wines , as well as those from other wine growing regions. They have wine and food pairing dinners usually once per month too. They serve local hard apple ciders , which is an unusual specialty of the Chimacum Valley area just 10 min from them . If you haven't tried hard ciders , it is a real treat. They are not all sweet , and come in a wide spectrum of tastes from very dry, wine like (not sweet) , to beer like , to sparkling, to very sweet apple Brandy. All made locally.

The food is outstanding and all ingredients are sourced locally . There are many small organic family farms that service the Olympic Peninsula with fresh grown and raised produce, chicken , eggs, pork, and beef. The farms are all within 15-20 min from the restaurant.

Your menu will be inside an old authentic rock n roll album cover ! I have had their perfectly prepared salmon served on top of potatoes au gratin with a rich creamy Chardonay sauce . Fresh local roasted vegetables accompany this very tasty dish. They have great salads and one of the best clam chowders I have ever tasted . The chowder is made with local clams in the shell, in a rich creamy soup with tiny potatoes and a few vegetables,simmered in wine and herbs ...wow.

They serve chicken dishes , as well as stuffed pork chops , and steaks too. Vegetarian dishes as well as pastas are available also.

Personally this is a place you would just have to experience if you live in the Port Townsend and surrounding areas, or you are just passing through as a tourist . This is a restaurant not to miss.

Date of visit: December 2012
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1  Thank Barry T
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed October 6, 2012

This funky little place has some of the best food on the peninsula, and great entertainment as well. It was bought by the staff who continue to run it superbly. Every chair and table is painted differently, you dring water from Mason jars and wear funky hts, ties, boas, etc!!! The food is amazing...Gets crowded on summer weekends, reservtions are a must!!!

Date of visit: August 2012
1  Thank squiret0m
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed September 9, 2012

Our family took us to this out of the way cafe last week. We arrived when it was dusky and the glowing light eminating from the large windows was so inviting. When we entered and saw all the diners sitting with generally silly looking hats, it just lifted our spirits and set the tone for what would be a truly enjoyable dinner. (Every nook and cranny and surface of the restaurant is lined with hats, big hats, little ones, ones sent for far away, to add to the decor.)
Don't let this initial description stop you from coming in because the food served is serious, and all well done. We shared oysters on the half shell, and salads to start. We then enjoyed artfully prepared halibut and salmon, cooked precisely to our requested doneness.
The servers were amiable, and helpful.
The entire experience was very satisfying, and we had lots of fun trying on different hats and looks. The dining room itself has a totally funky interior which adds to the joviality of the experience.

Date of visit: September 2012
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1  Thank janeaustinNY
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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