Saltwater Grill — Restaurant in Panama City Beach

We decided to try Saltwater Grill during our beach vacation after reading many glowing reviews. We arrived around 7:00 PM and were told the wait would be an hour and a half. Rather than risk the same wait elsewhere, we decided to stay. We were finally seated around 8:30 PM.

Our party of seven included two kids (a two-year-old and a nine-year-old). A smaller party was seated at the same time right behind us. Our waitress was friendly, but the service overall left much to be desired. We had to flag her down for basic things like drink refills and silverware. She mentioned bringing us bread, but about 30 minutes later, we were told they had run out — yet the table behind us, seated at the same time, received bread and their meals well before we did.

After waiting an hour for our food, we were understandably frustrated. It was nearly 9:30 PM, and only our toddler’s meal had arrived (thankfully, we had ordered hers early). The manager eventually came out to apologize and assured us our meals were on the way. When the food finally arrived, most of my family enjoyed their dishes. Unfortunately, I ordered the Panned Chicken, which was thin, overcooked, and tasted anything but fresh. Oddly, bread was brought to us mid-meal after they “found some” in the kitchen.

We received our checks around 10:30 PM — two hours after being seated — with no initial acknowledgment of the delays. After asking to speak to the manager, she apologized and promised to take care of it. A man who appeared to be her superior stepped in and offered a discount for the poor experience, which we appreciated. If not for his efforts, this would’ve been a one-star review.

I personally wouldn’t return, but my family said they might consider coming back — assuming the service improves. The food was good, but the long wait and uneven service made it a tough...

To start off our waiter was a good and kind man and the treatment we were given by staff were amazing. But the appetizers and entree were quite a disappointment. Calamari was not seasoned well and came off bland. I had ordered seafood linguine and it definitely wasn't worth the almost $40 for the single dish... the scallops were severly overcooked, shrimp mildly overcooked, but the mussels where cooked fine. The clam sauce was a disgrace - clthe chopped clams were hard and overly chewy but the sauce itself was just pure liquid with no sense of body and no mild cream like structure which it should of had. The liquid was also bland... had to add salt and crack so much black pepper just to make it edible.

The focaccia was okay but I wouldn't necessarily call it a focaccia. It had the appropriate breadcrumb but it failed in having the right crust and dimpling along with it obviously not being cooking in or in enough olive oil.

The waiter gave a sauce cup sample of the lobster bisque which I'm glad I did not order. It's overly creamy, it needs more lobster and an addition of acidity to cut through the heavy cream, along with reducing the heavy amount of garlic. Didn't appreciate it was also entirely pureed as if it was baby food.

The martinis and dessert that were ordered were remarkable though and well done and balanced.

I am happy that the waiter was attentive and kind to replace my friend's dish but after her disappointment with the replacement as well I chose not to bother asking for a replacement either.

I wish there were more options, the menu photos on Google are not updated since apparently this is their 2nd time going through new management transition. The entrees were lacking in diversity and also are not friendly for those who may...

This review spans two separate visits made across a bit over a month - since the food was so good the first time we soon came back. My husband and I visited twice while in the area and have tried the grouper (prepared two ways), cobia, seafood tagliatelle, crab cakes, smoked fish dip, and the key lime pie.

The grouper and crab cakes have been shining stars, perfectly seasoned and cooked. The sherry sauce with it is outstanding and pairs perfectly with it. The crab cakes are meant, full of crab, and cooked to a light crisp on the outside and soft and juicy inside. They were different each time as we came right around a seasonal menu change and we loved both. The dip is a huge serving and tasty. The keylime pie was standard and delicious, no complaint. The cobia has been the only "just okay" dish, though my husband still finished it and was satisfied.

The service was overall pleasant both times. The first time we were in the left dining room, which is comfortable though an adjustment to the lighting (dimmer for dinner) would make it a better fit for this location. The second time we were in the right dining room, near the bar. The music was live and was good, although a little too loud for me and it was off putting when she tried to elict a "woo" from the diners (BTW repeating "How are we doing Panama City?!") it was odd for a nice dinner and it seemed other diners thought the same, since she didn't get a response.

Were I the owner I would reconsider the chairs at the hightops, or look into a cover for them. I am pregnant and they were incredibly uncomfortable, bordering on painful.

These are minor things and will not deter us from coming back as well as bringing out of town guests for a nice meal. Looking forward to the...