CATALUNA JAX — Restaurant in Jacksonville

In my 57 years, I have never had a worse dining experience than I had last evening at Cataluna in Jacksonville. When reading a story about this venue in What Now Jacksonville, the owner, Mr. Pepaj told the Florida Times Union, “When you go to a restaurant, you should feel like it’s home with people who are giving you high-end service. People who really care about you…and are looking out for you. It’s about keeping everything old school when it comes to customer service but with a new energy and atmosphere”. Our experience last evening was anything but that – the restaurant failed miserably and unapologetically on numerous fronts.

We were a party of 12. When we made the reservation, we were told that the restaurant could accommodate a party of 12. One would think that meant we would be seated together. Reasonable assumption? I think so. Instead, we were seated at two separate tables, one seating eight and the other seating four separated by a planter. The table of eight was inaccessible for the server to serve everyone so we were left passing glasses and dishes back and forth throughout the meal.

Hearing that there was a dress code, I called the restaurant earlier in the week to inquire if my attire would be acceptable. I told the staff member I planned to wear white linen pants, a black button-down shirt, and black sandals. I was told that would be acceptable so that is what I wore. I was also told that shorts were unacceptable. When I arrived with my group of six people, a very tall man at the front door told me that I could not get in with “flip flops” on. I told him I called ahead and described my outfit and was told it was acceptable. He told me I could go to the mall three miles away and buy shoes or eat elsewhere. I was furious. My group was stunned and attempted to reason with him by asking to speak with the manager. He responded, “it does not matter who you speak to; that is the policy. I see this every day and they will not let you in”. My friends wanted to leave with me, but we were meeting six other people. I told them to go in and I would just come back to pick them up. My family pleaded with me to go to the mall and buy shoes and come back. Reluctantly, I did and returned where the tall door guard smugly grinned at me and allowed me to enter. Upon entering, what did I see? Men in shorts and ladies in flip flops and sandals! There are different policies for different people enforced by the man at the door.

Now seated and passing appetizers, plates, and glasses down to the rest of our friends, we asked the waiter if we could have separate checks and identified the groups of us for him. We were seated in our groups, as we do in other restaurants routinely and without issue, to make it easier for staff. We were told that would be no problem. When we asked for the check, we received a single check for over $1,100.00 including a 20% gratuity. The waiter who told us separate checks would be no problem sent a young lady to deliver it to us. When we asked her if they could fix it, she nervously smiled and said she would ask. We sat there for another 15 minutes, and no one came. The waiter who told us this could be done went into hiding. So, there we were, 12 people at the table with calculators.

Clearly, Mr. Pepaj invested heavily in the beautiful décor. It truly is beautiful. That investment is completely wasted when your policies are inconsistent and enforced at the sole discretion of the person at the door; when the communication between staff and guests as well as with the serving staff themselves is lacking, misleading, flawed and inconsistent; when the food is average at best and when management clearly has no interest in addressing unhappy guests in person and instead hide behind young...

Cataluna Jax

Date: 4/19 - 5:45pm reservations

TL;DR this place is fine for a date night, but go for the cocktails and apps. Pass on the entrees and water.

We were 10 mins late because an accident happened on i95 while we were en route… called ahead to let them know, no problem at all.

The restaurant was clean, lovely, and inviting. I enjoyed the fact that there was a dress code. It really made everything feel just a bit fancier. Also, I should note, my favorite color is green and I literally wanted to come to this restaurant for the decor and atmosphere, not the food.

Upon being seated we were asked if we would like some water and if we would like still or sparkling. We asked for still. We were -not- informed at any point that our still water would be a charge. It was Aqua Panna and charged by the bottle at $8. We did not find this out until receiving the bill. I would like to also indicate that nowhere on the menu is it stated that water is not included or that you have to request regular tap water.

The atmosphere is lovely. The wait staff was lovely and mostly helpful. I did indicate to my waitress that I was allergic to oranges (not deadly just uncomfortably) and she assured me that she could assist with that. I also want to preface this by saying NONE of the things we ordered were actually tapas style or tapas sized. Everything we were served was large.

We ordered cocktails. Husband had the Benediction Gitana and I had the Astro Sense. I had two of the same and he had a second different cocktail that I didn't photograph. They were lovely and tasty. It was very cute that the Benediction came with a tarot card. I loved the presentation.

We then had the octopus and the fig flatbread. Both were fantastic. The octopus was tender and the flatbread was tasty, even the crust. If I had to make a critique I would say that the octopus was a little on the smokey side and the flatbread could have used less arugula, but honestly those aren't really complaints. They were both so good that, in spite of other bad reviews we decided to split some mains.

Now, I don't know if this place doesn't understand tapas or they assume Jax doesn't understand tapas, but serving a ribeye whole and uncut, to share, on a super low lounge table is not ideal. I feel like it should have been served differently because cutting slices off was so incredibly awkward. That being said, it was tasty, flavorful, and was cooked the way we had asked. It lacked salt. It definitely needed a sprinkle, but none was provided table side.

Also, I will not blame the restaurant or the waitress because she probably didn't know, but I completely forgot that chimichurri has orange juice in it and ended up with a HR of 120 for 3 hrs before I realized I needed to take some allergy meds. Thank you firbit for alerting me.

We ordered the Parm fries to go with it and I was so disappointed. They were good crispy fries, but definitely were coated with “kraft” adjacent shelf stable Parm which I don't think was worth the money.

All in all, our bill was $200, about $50 more than I was expecting, part of that being the $16 water charge. I would go for atmosphere, their apps, and their pretty cocktails. Pass on the water and entrees because they aren't served in a sharable manor and are...

From the moment we stepped into Cataluna, the experience felt special. We were welcomed with a complimentary glass of champagne since we were celebrating our anniversary, a lovely touch that set a celebratory mood for the evening.

We began our culinary journey with the Arancini Mushroom, which I would rate a 5/10. The texture was spot-on, with a delightful crispness, but the flavor profile was somewhat inconsistent. While the dish was very mushroom-forward, the filling varied too much from one ball to the next—some bites were overwhelmingly mushroom, while others felt predominantly rice. The seasoning was mild, resulting in a dish that ultimately lacked complexity.

The bread that accompanied our meal was a highlight—a light, airy focaccia that was perfect for sharing.

Cataluna boasts a versatile atmosphere that strikes a balance between casual and sophisticated. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or enjoying a romantic date night, the setting is just right. On our visit, live music added an extra layer of charm to the experience.

Service was exemplary; the staff was attentive, welcoming, and accommodating without being intrusive, making us feel right at home.

For drinks, we chose the Mediterranean Sunrise and the Espreza Vintage. Both cocktails were strong yet remarkably balanced, enhancing our dining experience without overshadowing the food.

For our main courses, we enjoyed the Salmon and Hanger Steak. The salmon was a standout—well-seasoned and cut thick, it was beautifully complemented by a roasted tomato butter that added richness. The Hanger Steak was equally impressive, cooked to perfection with a great crust and seasoning that highlighted its natural flavors.

We also ordered a couple of a la carte sides. The crispy Brussels sprouts were dressed in a sweet and sour sauce that enhanced their natural flavor, though I did wish for a bit more crispiness. The Corn Ribs were a delightful surprise, showcasing the corn's natural sweetness, beautifully paired with the saltiness of the cheese on top.

Overall, if you’re seeking large portions and bold, heavy seasonings, Cataluna may not be your ideal choice. However, for those who appreciate a thoughtful dining experience that emphasizes simple, clean flavors, this restaurant delivers. The portion sizes align with typical fine dining expectations, making it a great option for date nights, girls’ nights out, or special occasions like birthday dinners. We left feeling satisfied and eager to return for another...