StX Restaurant Ratings

what is up with sam woo??

Ditto. Drove by during lunch & it was closed up.

hey chris looked at spot lights yeasterday think i found some want to do a little more research make sure they are what we want going to buy one set try them here make sure they will work if so ill pick up seconed set and send them down

keep on smokin

jerry

Sam Woo always closes this time of year, I believe the owners go home for a few weeks

thank you longtime

Had two really nice dining experiences today on STX--first time at both places. Lunch/breakfast at Blue Water Terrace--I love the place and what Lori has created there. Really nice atmosphere and the food was quite tasty. Also had dinner at Salud for the first time. The beet/avocado salad was very good and the grilled mahi dinner special (with pureed parsnips) was perfectly cooked and amazingly good.

We'll be going back to both places!

Bernie

Lunch at Harvey's today was great! The conch in butter sauce was amazing. Also shared goat stew, pot fish in creole sauce and ribs. Everything was awesome!!! We will go back for sure.

Had a totally unremarkable lunch at Pirate's Rest (?) at Salt River Marine. Seating is awful and food was average at best.

It's been a while - I know.

I had to put in my .02 on Topside -

We went last Wednesday... probably their quietest night of the week 'cause it's the only night without live music and because Chenay bay is so close and so crazy-busy on Wed.

in any case, we were one of 4 tables outside - there was also a few people at the bar and a couple of tables inside.

I agree that the menu is totally overwhelming, but it's fun. My husband is usually the one who gets overwhelmed by big menus, but he quickly picked out what he wanted (burrito), what I was going to want (lobster roll - of sorts) , and we split a "beer battered onion rings" app.

The onion rings were good. Hand-dipped. a little TOO greasy - they could've let the grease drip off a little longer before serving. And they came with a romulade sauce that paired really well - it was a little too good.

I really enjoyed the lobster sandwich.. think it's called the "marriner" it's basically buttered lobster chunks on a roll with tomato, and cheese melted in... I miss my real NE lobster rolls, but this was tasty - I had intended to only eat 1/2 - that didn't happen.

My husband was not as much of a fan on the Burrito. I really think it' was the re-fried beans that did it - they just weren't right. The burrito itself probably would've been fine but it was drowning in the bean-sauce that tasted blah.

We were too stuffed for dessert, although they sound good for next time.
There were a few other items that I definitely want to try on that menu so Im sure we'll be back.

Hate to disagree with longtime but we've eaten at Pirate's Tavern four times and love it.

re: Pirates Tavern...

I've been a couple of times, and I can understand "longtime's" comments.
The place is very 'rustic' -with a thrown-together feel that may turn some people off.
And I can imagine the food being uneven or average on some people's scorecards.
But when you're coming off your boat or kayak or dive, the place feels and tastes like an oasis.

Sam Woo has opened again!! "Under New Management".

I went in for lunch- 11 dollars for 2 entrees + lo mien & an eggroll. A little cheaper than the last time I went.

However- the lo mien had no flavor, and the bbq chicken was also bland. The onion chicken was decent.

I also noticed they had full-sized ribs & corn on the lunch buffet. As well as eggless fried rice.

I loved the old Sam Woo- although the prices were way beyond my taste, sometimes I would give in because I was really craving some Chinese food.

I can't make a serious review on the "new owners"- but the basics on the lunch buffet were flavorless & bland- so I'm not too hopeful.

Although, I do wish I could get real chinese/thai food here. After living in the Pacific Northwest for a year, I suppose I was spoiled by decent, near-authentic flavors, even in shopping malls!

Their menu is very limited; the rustic didn't bother me, it was the lack of seating that was poor planning. Unless you want to share a table and be in direct sun, the bar is the only option.

Hand-cut fries would have really upped the burger; the salsa was tasteless--same as the salsa at Topsider. (I understand the chef started out at Topsider)

The place is just average; I would not go back, there are far too many really good places to eat here.

Rhstoo--maybe you haven't been here long enough to experience all the options available

i too went to Pirate's Tavern. Loved the chips and salsa. the service was excellent but the chimichanga was bland. No one knows how to spice anything. all chinese restaurants included in this. need more spice or maybe have three different spice levels..

amethyst,
Have you tried Galangal for Thai food? I don't know if it's "authentic", since I have limited knowledge of Thai food, but it sure is GOOD! And it's one of the nicest places for ambiance on STX.

Had the smoked mahi nachos at Above The Cliff on Tuesday and they were as awesome as the view!

I see where Sam Woo's is back open. Sign says new management

There's a new Asian restaurant at 5-Corners, where the Chinese restaurant used to be. We stopped in this afternoon to check it out. They have a big menu, with various Asian cuisines, including Thai and sushi, amoung lots of other choices. They have spruced it up a bit, but there's no table service. Today they only had one menu, so if more than one party, you would have to wait your turn. I assume there will be more, or maybe they will have a board, but it's a rather large menu, so who knows. A little pricey, I thought, for order at the counter style. Sign on the door said no alcohol That may be temporary. Really strange....there was a DJ, with a hugh speaker blasting out to the limited parking area.

We didn't order anything because I was having trouble with reading the menu. It's on red paper. Plus, I really prefer to sit down and take my time with a menu. I don't mind going up to the counter to order, but I hate that rushed feeling, with the counter person standing there waiting for you to decide.

We'll give it a week or so and try again. Hopefully the DJ was just a "grand opening" thing. Funny though, did anyone even know something was going on there? I go by almost daily and I didn't know until a neighbor mentioned it.

Their sign said organic. That could be why the prices seemed a bit high. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they turn out to be really good???

There's a new Asian restaurant at 5-Corners, where the Chinese restaurant used to be. We stopped in this afternoon to check it out. They have a big menu, with various Asian cuisines, including Thai and sushi, amoung lots of other choices. They have spruced it up a bit, but there's no table service. Today they only had one menu, so if more than one party, you would have to wait your turn. I assume there will be more, or maybe they will have a board, but it's a rather large menu, so who knows. A little pricey, I thought, for order at the counter style. Sign on the door said no alcohol That may be temporary. Really strange....there was a DJ, with a hugh speaker blasting out to the limited parking area.

We didn't order anything because I was having trouble with reading the menu. It's on red paper. Plus, I really prefer to sit down and take my time with a menu. I don't mind going up to the counter to order, but I hate that rushed feeling, with the counter person standing there waiting for you to decide.

We'll give it a week or so and try again. Hopefully the DJ was just a "grand opening" thing. Funny though, did anyone even know something was going on there? I go by almost daily and I didn't know until a neighbor mentioned it.

The chef/owner is a very sweet girl, but when she told me the neon red maraschino(sp*) cherries that adorned my plate were organic, I was speechless.

Their sign said organic. That could be why the prices seemed a bit high. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they turn out to be really good???

Went to Sam Woos. The 'new' manager is the lady that had it before Ken. Had the Mongolian chicken and an egg roll and thought the flavor was good, and better than before. Also tried Blues BBQ in Princesse-great tender brisket and he does daily specials.

My fav place for Bbq/tacos is still Good Spirits on the East End. Try the fabulous soft tacos. The side they had last week was mmmm mmm rice and beans.

Tried the new Pirates Tavern.
IMHO from someone who eats Mexican food in AZ 3 time a week or more, it was very good.
I wish they made their own hot sauce, I don't like the bottled kind. The taco sauce wasn't too bad and the sauce that came with the chips was a little bland.
The burro was very good, as was the service!!!
Will defiantly go again.

Had our first Kendrick's meal this week. I would putt on a par with Bacchus. The chipotle soup was to die for. The lamb was great as was the filet mignon. I saw in the houses for sale magazine that Kendrick's is for sale. Anybody know what's up? I would hate to lose the restaurant.

You will learn quickly that just about every single restaurant/bar is for sale, and even if it's not half of the rest would prolly sale for a reasonable offer. Kendricks has been for sale for a long time. Bacchus sold a few years ago and it's as good as it's ever been. Old owners started Eat at Cane Bay. I used to say Kendricks was the better restaurant, but I think the owners are tired and not as consistent any more. It's hard work owing and running a restaurant anywhere but IMO it's much much harder down here. I have a lot of respect for the ones that do it well. Next time you go to Kendricks try the white gazpacho, its just as good as the chipotle soup, very addictive!

Thanks Hiya. We've been here four months now and have learned maybe 2% of what we need to know about living here. And we hope it takes many years to learn it all. I'm looking forward to the white gazpacho!

We just had brunch at Blue Water Terrace and were very disappointed again. As usual with that restaurant the service was very poor. They had plenty of staff there but most were just wandering around looking like they didn't have a clue what was going on. My husband's coffee cup sat empty for about 20 minutes before our server asked if he wanted a refill (and he kept trying to get the attention of one of the wandering staff but they would just look right past him). The food was unremarkable and not prepared as requested (asked for scrambled hard and the eggs were runny), bacon was flavorless and greasy and the french toast was not even warm enough to melt the butter they threw on top. This is our third bad experience there and we will not be going back. In addition, we tried to buy something in the store on the way out and had to wait almost 10 minutes to pay for it. The cashiers response was "well, it's Sunday". My thought was that if you KNOW it's Sunday perhaps you should be prepared for it!

Diving Girl-

I had a similar experience.

I've had some amazing food there, and some terrible food there.

We have also learned to always check your To-Go order. They often short you. (Example, only giving us half of our sandwich, twice!)

The only reason we continue to return is that it is literally, 3 minutes away from our house. And when the food is good, it is oh so good! But when its bad, ugh!

Although, the last two times we've been- there have been some new faces as the servers. Who are very attentive & personable. I suppose it is hit-or-miss.