I am both shocked and appalled at your recent review of Castaways Restaurant & Grille in Long Beach, Wash. (The Mouth of the Columbia)?obviously needs to get a new line of work, or at very least have his mouth washed out with soap like a kid (“Gilligan and The Skipper probably ate better than this,” Coast Weekend, July 30).

Being from Portland, I visit and eat there every time I am in town, which is frequent as I have multiple clients and friends in that area. The quality and size of the food portions has always been good, if not excellent, for a little costal town restaurant. Each and every time I have been there the bar and restaurant area are always busy and the kitchen staff if typically hustling and getting food out as fast as they can.

Maybe the Mouth needs to have a second beer, slow down, relax and enjoy what most call “Island Time” dining and enjoy the laid back service. If he is in that big of a hurry to eat and be wined and dined, then he should either visit his local fast food joint or head into the city for a meal at an upscale restaurant with prices twice as expensive with polished waiters who are dull and boring at best.

The servers at Castaways have always been courteous, polite and attentive to taking care of requests or comments from my dining party when we have been in there, as well. What more do you want from them?

As for his slams on the decor and style of the Castaways, well apparently your reviewer has never left the country, been on a cruise, been to Mexico or the Caribbean or any other getaway. The island, tiki, beach, “Jimmy Buffett” Caribbean-style feel is just that, and anyone who has spent time on the beaches or visited little bars and restaurants in these places would appreciate the decor theme and how clean the place is kept.

It is unfortunate that his experience with the staff was obviously at a time they were having some internal issues taking place, and this should not have spilled over into the dining crowd of guest …no excuse for that.

The Castaways’ owners and staff have done a fabulous job of reviving that corner food spot from what used to be a nasty, dirty bar for hard alcohol drinkers and smokers into a family-friendly and respectable dining establishment with bright, fun decor that everyone seems to love, except the Mouth, of course.

As one of the only family-type restaurants along that strip of ocean land and beach there in town, I compliment them on a menu that has something for everyone, and their willingness to try something different from your traditional dining menu approaches. The amount of tourist and regulars who keep that place busy most of the time, I am sure, appreciate the variety, as well.

Go try it for yourself and you, too, will see that his review is just that, a review, not a thorough or accurate reflection on the staff, food and and the establishment.

BRIAN STOUT

Portland