Ocean Grill at The Setai — Restaurant in Miami Beach

We live in the neighborhood and are regulars at the Setai’s Ocean grill. We LOVE the bar tenders and the food is generally amazing! However today’s debacle was by far the most unprofessional and embarrassing experience I’ve ever had at a restaurant. We booked on OpenTable since we were unsure of crowd. We sat at 4:45pm and were told the kitchen closed at 5:00pm which was fine since we only came for our traditional truffle pizza and drinks. For the next 30mins we were ignored by all the waitstaff, although we totally understand when the waitstaff is changing out or when the kitchen closes. So I went to the bar directly and ordered and paid for two glasses of wine, no complaints or worries at all. After I brought the drinks back to our table and I was promptly approached by management to tell us that they were confused why were sitting in a table, I was grilled about our reservation and asked to move to the bar because we were not eating and told we couldn’t just have drinks??? We came to eat, we were ignored and had to serve ourselves… The manager actually said the server knew we were sitting there and didn’t serve us because they were leaving for the day. The manager asked if we wanted to-go cups, as if to ask us to leave and after we declined he pointed us to the bar. We went to sit at the bar and were told it was reserved and again moved to a table? Embarrassed and pretty much defeated we asked the bar staff for to-go cups and walked right past management with no salutation and certainly no apology. Half way down the boardwalk, outside of the hotel, the manager ran up to us and attempted to correct the situation, which we politely declined and thanked him for the offer, only to be rudely told “that’s not how he would react”? Wow. Take a look at the reviews I’ve written, I’m always positive and easy going but after paying 20% auto-grad, which is hardly deserved, for great wine in a paper cup with no truffle pizza… I was left...

We went to Ocean Grill at Setai on Saturday to celebrate my mom's 85th birthday. We made a reservation two weeks in advance and specifically mentioned the occasion in our booking, hoping they would do something special to acknowledge her milestone birthday. Unfortunately, the restaurant never mentioned the birthday at all. We were all disappointed that after planning ahead and letting them know, they didn't even wish her a happy birthday, let alone bring out a small dessert or candle. A simple gesture would have made a huge difference and made her feel special on her big day. Since the management hasn't responded to my review about the poor service, I feel compelled to add to it and share my experience with the food. The fact that the restaurant can't be bothered to respond to customer feedback speaks volumes about how little they care. I ordered from the Miami Spice menu, and it was a huge disappointment. For my appetizer, I ordered the Caesar Salad. What arrived was basically two small pieces of romaine swimming in what looked like a quarter-cup of mayonnaise. The croutons tasted like they came straight out of a box from a grocery store. It was far from an authentic Caesar salad. My main course, the Agnolotti, was just as bad. The menu promised braised short rib, but what I got was a nickel-sized piece of pure fat on top of five raviolis. They were completely drowning in a white sauce that looked like white paint. The entire dish was bland and tasted no better than something you'd get at any mediocre chain restaurant. We were already disappointed by the lack of acknowledgment for my mom's birthday, but the terrible food and management's silence on my initial feedback sealed the deal. I would not recommend...

I love the Setai and live a few blocks away. It always feels like vacation when you step inside the Setai.

Being Miami Spice Restaurant time of year; I came by for a weekday lunch and was able to enjoy the Miami Spice menu at the bar. I recommend getting there early for lunch/dinner to score a seat at the bar so you can face the ocean for an amazing view if you are eating solo / enjoy speaking with incredible bartenders.

The Special is $28 for lunch and I paid an add'l $10 to enjoy a Wagyu Skirt Steak which was incredible! I had the same cut of wagyu last year at Cote and it was nowhere near as tender and delicious as the one at The Ocean Grill. Started with a really great and fresh shaved fennel salad. Dessert was their house made Lemon Sorbet which was amazing!

Loved the Server Stephanie L! She had an amazing knowledge of the menu and helped me with suggestions.

Their Tempranillo by the glass is amazing as well! I dont think I would try the rose again just because you're paying for a glass what you could get for a bottle of the rose at a store.

Will definitely be back again soon!

Also have to mention how incredible the Sunday Brunch is at Jaya inside the Setai. Puts any Vegas brunch to shame!!! Includes Free Cocktails/Roderer Champagne so easy to get your money's worth for a few drinks alone!

If I could live in any condo in a hotel property in Miami Beach it would be the Setai! That's the real difference in The Setai vs. other South Beach hotels. Since they have so many wealthy residents/friend of residents in the hotel; they treat everyone with respect that you don't always see at The Goodtime...