Matthew's Restaurant — Restaurant in Jacksonville

GREAT FOOD, BUT COULD HAVE FED A FAMILY OF FOUR AT COOPER’S HAWK FOR FAR LESS!!! 🫤

My wife and I decided to try Matthew’s for Valentine’s Day this year. We made reservations and we were served a four course meal. It was $200 per person, not counting alcohol and the tip.

We arrived a few minutes before our reservation. There was free valet service which was fast and convenient. We only waited a few minutes to be seated.

We had a comfy booth, and the ambience was nice. The waitstaff was very cordial and pleasant and the pace of the meal was great.

I ordered the A-5 Old Fashioned for $27 💵 . This was “Wagyu Washed Buffalo Trace, Japanese Umami and Angostura Bitters, Cherry, Lemon Twist”. It sounded very interesting. It was ok. Certainly not the best old fashioned I’ve ever had. I would never have known there was any Wagyu in this at all. Not even a “trace”. Honestly this was nothing special. In hindsight, I would rather have spent another $7 and bought a handle of Jack Daniels 🥃and made numerous old fashioned drinks at my house.

My wife tried the Cupid’s 💘Arrow for $14. She wasn’t a fan, but I thought it was good. Light and sweet.

I also tried the Red Hot Old Fashioned😈. This consisted of Angel's Envy Bourbon, Red Hots Syrup, and Cherry Vanilla Bitters. I really enjoyed this. $16, but it was enjoyable.

We were offered a variety of breads. The two we chose were both very tasty.

The amuse bouche was "French Onion" Gougères. These reminded me of onion bread rolls I’ve had at other restaurants. Tasty, light, and flaky.

We both had the Baby Arugula salads 🥗 . Very small portions, but good flavors and enjoyable.

Our second course was the Pasta Mezzaluna for my wife and I had the Maine Diver Scallops. We both really enjoyed these courses. We split each others to try them both. Portions were again small.

For the entree, we both had the "Surf and Turf" Beef 🥩 Tenderloin & Jonah Crab 🦀 Claw. They mixed up our steak temperatures, but the steaks were delicious. The crab claws were tasty, but they were tiny. Again, the portions for the meal were far less than we would have expected for the price.

For dessert I had the chocolate 🍫 torte which was fabulous, but again tiny portions. My wife had the Macademia White Chocolate Blondie. She liked it but I didn’t.

We paid $528.95 for this meal💰. For some, this is nothing. I consider this to be overly pricy 💰💰💰, and certainly not a great value. I would have been better off going to Cooper’s Hawk, Maggiano’s, Seasons 52, etc. I would have felt much better about the price. For reference, we ate at Space 220 at Disneyworld 🐭 for 5 for $600, including drinks and tip. So, in summary, if money is no object, and you don’t mind small portions, this is a great restaurant. For those of us who still know the value of a dollar, however, there are equally nice restaurants in Jacksonville which offer a much better value for the money, without sacrificing ambience or quality. I hope this helps someone in the...

My Rating: 2/5 Type: fine dining

Restaurant Review: Matthew’s Restaurant – San Marco, Jacksonville, FL

Matthew’s has long stood as a hallmark of Jacksonville’s fine dining scene, and having dined there before, our party of three arrived for our 8:30 PM Friday night reservation (and even so this was a 15 minute wait) and soon removed any elevated expectations. Unfortunately, by the end of the evening, we all agreed—this would be our last visit. It’s not what it used to be. Sorry chef!

The evening began on an underwhelming note with a 15- to 20-minute wait for our cocktail order to arrive. While delays can happen, what followed didn’t help redeem the experience. The smoked Old Fashioned, for instance, was prepared and ignited away from the table—removing the visual and sensory appeal that makes it such a celebrated drink. For a restaurant of this caliber, it was a missed opportunity. These details matter, and they set the tone. The overall cocktail experience felt lackluster and disconnected from the ambiance the restaurant aspires to project.

We were seated at a large, round center table that, while stylish, was poorly suited for a small party. It felt too expansive, lacked intimacy, and was situated in a high-traffic zone that exposed us to continual movement and kitchen noise. Despite the hour, the kitchen remained audibly active, and by 10 PM, the dining room had largely emptied, leaving a tired atmosphere that lacked the vibrant elegance one expects from a high-end dinner service.

Service throughout the meal was technically correct but emotionally absent. There was little personality or engagement, and descriptions of dishes were brief and uninspired.

Culinary highlights were few. The escargots were excellent—rich, flavorful, and easily the standout dish of the night. However, the beet salad, advertised as featuring roasted beets, arrived as sous-vide-style cubes—moist and soft, lacking the depth and caramelization expected from roasting. The 4oz Wagyu, while flavorful, was underdone and missing the sear to bring out its full character. The lamb entrée was well-prepared, but ultimately forgettable.

Despite the kitchen and staff’s best intentions, the experience felt disjointed and unsatisfying. The layout, pacing, noise, and service all seemed out of step with the restaurant’s fine dining aspirations. Most notably, the management seems to have lost touch with the guest experience—from presentation to comfort to atmosphere.

Sadly, we left feeling disappointed and certain that we would not return. Matthew’s may still carry its historic name, but the experience no longer reflects the excellence that...

Followed a lot of your suggestions to someone else’s Anniversary post and took my Queen to Matthew's Restaurant for our 25th Anniversary…

As we parked by the entrance the valet greeted us with a warm smile and a heartfelt congratulations on our 25th wedding anniversary. The hostess, with her impeccable poise and grace, welcomed us into the elegant dining room, acknowledging our special occasion with genuine enthusiasm.

The service at Matthew's was nothing short of spectacular. Our server, with exceptional attentiveness, guided us through the exquisite menu, offering recommendations that perfectly complemented our preferences. The ambiance of the restaurant was refined and intimate, creating the perfect setting for a romantic celebration.

To begin our culinary journey, we indulged in the delectable focaccia bread, accompanied by two flavorful and expertly crafted cocktails. For the first course, we savored the peekytoe crab salad, a delicate and refreshing dish that showcased the restaurant's commitment to using the finest ingredients along with a fresh asian salad.

As we moved on to the second course, we were treated to a true gastronomic delight. The A5 Wagyu steak, served on hot stones, was a testament to the chef's mastery of flavor and presentation. My wife had the charred eggplant, a perfect accompaniment, that added depth and complexity.

For our entrees, I opted for the succulent short ribs, while my wife indulged in the fresh and expertly prepared fish of the day. Each dish was a work of art, with flavors that danced on our palates and left us craving more.

To conclude our extraordinary dining experience, we savored the mango meringue and a decadent soufflé. The desserts were the perfect ending to a meal that had exceeded our expectations in every way.

As we left Matthew's Restaurant, hand in hand, we felt a deep sense of gratitude for the exceptional service, the exquisite food, and the unforgettable memories we had created on our 25th wedding anniversary.

They even gave us a menu signed by everyone who cooked and served us which will be a beautiful reminder of our night. Matthew's did not only meet our expectations but surpassed them, making our celebration a truly unforgettable experience.

Highly...