Elkhouse Eatery — Restaurant in Saint Augustine

Update: 2/21/19 Don't bother if you are a party of two. Walked in to an empty restaurant. Insisted we sit outside on the noisy street, a tiny two top where my 6-5 frame would not fit, or the bar. Hostess had an attitude. Said take it or leave it. The place was full of empty four tops when we left. Won't be back because of the attitude. Go to 386 down the road where the owner appreciates you.

The Austrian owners of Elkhouse Eatery call their cuisine "comfort food". That description does not do this cute little seaside restaurant justice. The appetizers are creative and fresh. The portions are bountiful - enough for two if looking for a light meal. From Wisconsin cheese curds to scallops, crab and beyond the "sharables" as they call it are over top. For entre's the sea food dishes look amazing. I had jumbo fried shrimp and their signature augratin potato's. The shrimp was local and fresh. Over the top. There is a nice wine selection and local craft beers on draft. The decor is distinctly European and a welcome change from the run of the mill coastal Florida decor. Consider Elkhouse a fine dining establisment with very reasonable prices. The service is excellent and the staff helpful and friendly. It is a small venue and no reservations are accepted so get there early in season. My wife and I will be returning again and again when we visit our boat...

Tucked just north of Matanzas Inlet, Elk House Eatery is a delightful escape, offering the perfect setting for a cozy date night. The warm ambiance and attentive service immediately set the tone for a memorable evening.

We began our meal with a local favorite--house-made Wisconsin cheese curds. Perfectly crisp and indulgently rich, these little bites were so irresistible that we promptly ordered a second round. A strong start, to say the least.

For the main course, I opted for the 10 oz Premium Black Angus Hanger Steak, marinated in a bourbon-maple glaze and served with a fresh chimichurri sauce. The combination was nothing short of exceptional--each bite offered a tender, flavorful blend of smoky sweetness and vibrant herbs, making this dish a true standout.

My girlfriend chose the Cedar Plank Salmon, featuring a Faroe Island filet with a jalapeño-apricot glaze. The salmon was delicately cooked to perfection, with the glaze adding a subtle kick balanced by the sweetness of the apricot. The only misstep was the accompanying rice, which lacked seasoning and was slightly undercooked, but this was a minor note in an otherwise delightful experience.

Elk House Eatery is a true hidden gem, combining local charm with a menu that offers creativity and substance. It's the kind of place where you feel at home and leave satisfied, eager for...

Good food, rude owner, won't be back... Went to the Elkhouse with a group of friends for dinner, the food was very good but the owner came up about halfway thru our meal and rudely told us we needed to keep it down, then walked away...continued to glare at us and make comments...the food was very good but left a bad taste in our mouths as we were spending a fair amount of money between dinner and drinks...it's a small A Frame building that echoes so not exactly a 'quiet' setup...She told the waiter loud enough that we could hear that they needed to turn the table over...after paying, the owner came back to tell us that this is a "quiet, intimate dining experience" (it's not) and that we had been at the table for too long (we had continued ordering drinks after dinner)...I have never been spoken to or treated this way by anyone at a restaurant, let alone an owner...They better hope they do good business from tourists if they treat locals like this...if you want to sit in silence and be rudely judged and glared at while you pay good money for food and drinks, this is the spot for you...if you want to go somewhere and have a nice meal, laugh, and have a good time with friends, may want to look elsewhere...we won't be back or be recommending...