Ice Plant Bar — Restaurant in Saint Augustine

For a young distillery there are things they need to work on if the intent is to also provide an eating experience as well.

While it is commendable to adopt the farm to table approach there are missed opportunities to either showcase the distillery's raw ingredients (spent grain for example) or to incorporate end products into dishes. Obviously, the bar is the star and hand crafted beverages are the main attraction.

There are no reservations available , the dining area really is an afterthought given the dynamics of the distillery's size and proximity to a major tourist and local destination.

We planned to go early to hit dinner before the crowds by arriving by 5:15pm, which is just after their 5pm dinner service time. We had a group of 6 which is pretty much a capacity table since there are maybe 20 or so tables varying from two tops to six tops.

The wait crept to the point where we were seated at 7pm and along the way the hosts were telling those walking in there is an hour and forty five minute wait.

They do text you when your table is ready which if you encounter the long wait go to the old town area or find something else to do as there really isn't much to do once the gift shop closed at 6pm and if you aren't able to go to the bar. There really isn't a true waiting area and passes for one is really sparce next to the men's bathroom entrance.

Once seated you are presented with the menu and extensive spirits menu. For kids don't expect sodas they may be used to, as the staff prepare their own syrups to create sodas which are not as sweet as a regular fountain drink. Options for kids include cheeseburger, grilled cheese and chicken fingers.

For the adults the menu provides appetizers, some small plates (including salads) and entree dishes.

We tried the cheese plate, fries and the pretzel bread to start. The cheese plate included a small sliced bread loaf, house made pimento cheese spread, soft cheese, blue cheese, half sliced granny smith apple, nuts and dates. Each item we sampled including the fries were pretty good.

The other menu items were pretty heavy on shellfish representation and prices for entrees which may or may not include sides run from $15-$33 or so.

The group mostly opted for the cheeseburger from waygu beef served with hand cut fries. Reactions for the cheeseburger was positive described as smoky flavor with the green tomato aioli, and half pound size. I opted for the squash and mushroom lasagna which contains no sides to sample something else from the menu. The lasagna was served in a small iron skillet with no accompaniments and was not remarkable for the $19 price.

The group tried two Manhattan's using their bourbon $15 each and a Florida Mule (vodka, ginger, etc). Pours for various spirits ranged from $7-29 depending on brand.

Parties of six or more gratuties are added to the bill automatically.

Service pace was relaxed which limits turning tables to accommodate more diners but encourages more drinking potential. The upstairs area is all hard surface with a tall ceiling and gets very loud where you will need to raise your voice to be heard.

If the Ice Plant really wants to make this a food destination and not just an afterthought or add-on to the bar area they could do with a stronger food program and management. Ultimately they will need to find a larger space to grow to its potential.

Will we go again? Probably, but will wait to see if the menu expands as for the price you can get a better meal with hand crafted drinks in a better atmosphere not too...

This place was pretty fantastic. It is situated right above the St. Augustine Distillery, and is very convenient to the whole experience. Schedule to take one of the distillery tours about an hour out from your current time, walk upstairs for a drink and appetizer, head back down for the tour, which includes samples, and then go back up to the restaurant for your main course, more drinks, and dessert. They do the exact OPPOSITE of watering down a drink here. Their bartenders are delightfully notorious over-pourers. Case in point, mind the "party punches". I challenged the two-person "28 days later", as I fancy myself a seasoned social drinker, and quickly found myself thoroughly defeated (pretty damn drunk). Perhaps it was all the rums. Not to be confused with the singular "rum", according to my most kind bartender. The purple bendy straw makes it less assuming than it is. The dinner menu changes, as they are a farm-to-table outfit, so don't expect any of the food in any of the pictures you see to be around by the time you go. This keeps their menu refreshed and you wanting to come back again and again to try new things. Our dinner the last time our consisted of fried chicken livers and fresh mussels for an appetizer, whole stuffed snapper for him and sticky hoisin-glazed pork belly with mashed sweet potatoes for me, and souther style macarons with caramel sauce and peanut butter creme brulee with ginger snaps for dessert. Somewhere in there I made the mistake of ordering a second "28 Days Later". But its okay, because a call to a little local golf cart pickup service took this lush to wherever she wanted to go within the whole city for $6 flat. I quite enjoyed my inebriated tour through downtown St. Augustine. But I digress... Take note that the restaurant does not accept reservations, so be prepared to either get lucky or to wait. I found that if you swoop in for dinner around 4:30, you can get a table no problem. But if you come in after 5PM, expect a big crowd of people clamouring to sample the dinner menu. I can safely say, however, that it is worth the wait. And if you took my advice and had a drink or two before the distillery tour that came before your dinner, you really won't mind waiting a little bit...

My Rating: 2/5

Restaurant Review: The Ice Plant Bar and Restaurant, Saint Augustine, Florida

Nestled in the historic charm of Saint Augustine, the Ice Plant Bar and Restaurant offers a unique dining experience in what was once a working ice plant. The transformation of this two-story establishment beautifully melds the industrial past with a contemporary dining atmosphere. On a quiet evening, the ample parking is a welcome convenience.

My culinary journey began with the Blue Crab Beignets, a highlight of the evening. These delightful morsels, accompanied by a spicy tartar sauce, paired wonderfully with both a classic French 75 and a tequila cocktail, setting a promising tone for the meal.

For the main course, we selected the New York Strip Steak, cooked to medium perfection, served with arugula, shaved potatoes, and asparagus. Additionally, I then opted for the fish of the day. Unfortunately, the steak was a letdown—bland and lacking the expected depth of flavor, with hardly any sauce to enhance the dish. This was a significant disappointment, prompting me to request a doggy box for the leftovers. The fish, while fresh, did not leave a lasting impression either.

Dessert offered a glimmer of hope with a single scoop of Garam Masala Chai homemade ice cream. While the flavor was unique and enjoyable, it arrived nearly melted, detracting from the overall experience. I expected the server to catch this

Service at the Ice Plant Bar and Restaurant was outstanding, deserving of the 20% gratuity added to the bill. The staff's recommendations and attentiveness were commendable. However, the final bill of $167 for a party of two on a quiet evening felt steep given the mixed quality of the food.

In summary, while the Ice Plant Bar and Restaurant excels in ambiance, service, and cocktails, the main courses and dessert left much to be desired. While I might hesitate to return for dinner, I would consider revisiting for drinks at the bar, hoping for a more consistent culinary experience...