Seafood Bar — Restaurant in Palm Beach

Oh dear, I don't mind spending money for good food but my meal was very disappointing, especially for the price paid.

Background: I'm a budget traveler, I didn't stay here but I'm on a road trip, have always wanted to see Flagler's grand hotel and decided to stop in for dinner and ended up at Seafood Bar.

The space itself is impressive, slick like the interior of a luxury car. The showpiece is the bar top that holds an actual aquarium with fish (I mostly saw clownfish in it) and there are excellent views of the sea. The service, place settings, furniture are all far above par, as you would expect.

For just under $85 (service fee included though you can round up your ticket for charity) I got a grapefruit margarita, a swordfish sandwich with fries, and their signature key lime pie.

The margarita was straight alcohol with barely any grapefruit flavor to it. And very small for a magarita. I would have liked a glass about 30% bigger with the same amount of alcohol and more juice!

The swordfish sandwich was ok - I got it blackened (other option is grilled) and it comes with lettuce and tomato and a side of fries with old bay seasoning. I ate the whole thing so it wasn't terrible but about halfway through I was really wishing for a slab of fresh onion or some special sauce or something. It just didn't taste like anything. The fries were good but the old bay was a bit heavy handed. I may have done it to myself by ordering a drink with a salt rim, a sandwich with blackened seasoning plus fries with old bay but I have to say - heavy salting isn't the same thing as adding flavor. And I wouldn't say the swordfish was oversalted but the overall effect of my meal was very bland yet salt-saturated.

I thought I could redeem it with some key lime pie, and it was very good - the graham crust was AMAZING and I liked the pairing with some blackberries - but again, it wasn't nearly as tart as I wanted it to be. It's definitely on the creamy sweet side of key lime pies. My poor server, she asked how it was and I was honest and she said something like, "it's our 126 year recipe!"

Oh dear. I don't think I'm that big of a clod when it comes to food (and I'm not coming down with covid, I can still taste) I just expected a lot more flavor, especially in the citrus department, even disregarding price. Perhaps the kitchen prefers subtle, muted flavors (except on the fries...) I think my stomach, my wallet, and my tastebuds would have been a lot happier with a glass of actual grapefruit juice...

Boy it’s really difficult to get this place three stars however it’s the truth. The waitresses and waitstaff are absolutely fantastic. They’re professional and professionally dressed. The place is gorgeous immaculate with spectacular views. That is five star.

I started off with the chop salad. Well no it’s not a chop salad it should be a sliced salad. I believe there’s a difference. I’ve had some incredible chopped salads up in Napa, in California there’s absolutely no comparison what a let down for the price. My goodness it’s a salad, hey kitchen go try some you fell way short.

Coconut shrimp. I’ll tell you good for the price nothing over the top. And I think that’s a problem when you go to a place like this somehow you expect the food to be better. Well it may not be better it’s just that they’re going to charge you more.

I had the crabcakes with asparagus for dinner. The cakes were abundant and delicious. With two strips of asparagus for $49 IDK. Truthfully the value is just not there.

Again it comes down to price. If it was 30% less I would say it’s five star. But for these prices boy it should be the best salad, the best shrimp, and absolutely the best dinner for those high numbers. Just my two cents. Is it worth going to sure but don’t think you’re going to have the best meal your life because you’re not. I’m sorry kitchen you just didn’t do the best you can.The value in comparison to the quality of the food is the reason it’s...

I took my two young daughters to The Fish Bar to try the menu back in July, 2023. So, try the menu they did. The dishes for the three of us came out to about Canadian $800, so let's be clear that it's an expensive restaurant .

What exactly did we get in return? A wonderful view of the ocean, an assortment of seafood fishes we probably wouldn't have tried otherwise, good service, interesting entertainment ftom the nearby conversations and an atmosphere of opulence.

For me, it was like being in the middle of a soap opera with a cheating couple next go us and on the other side a couple that were listing all the money they spent on the mist expensive of material belongings.

Yet, that is not the experience we had by the pool or on the beach at thid hotel resort...I'll share that experience separately.

However, the food was good as far as restaurants go. Though I've had better seafood ftom a local hut on the beach at Mairacabo, Venezuela for a few bucks. I mention this because that difference in price mimics the difference in attitude, whereas one shows great appreciation for my patronage and the other has a sense of entitlement and hefty tip.

This is the kind of restaurant to really impress a date, business clients or colleagues. It isn't a place I would take someone to satisfy a hunger and enjoy...