Fortu — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

I had dinner last night (a Friday) with two friends. I was excited to see the 4-course prix fixe menu as I had been waffling all day on what I would order.

My starter was the Local Greens with a lemon miso vinaigrette. There was a bit of heat in the salad, which balanced nicely with the bright sweetness of the dressing. I don't know what the "crunchies" were that were mixed in, but they were delicious.

For the first course, I chose the orange chicken. The sauce was very light and slightly sweeter than I would have preferred. The chicken pieces were just a bit too large to comfortably navigate with the chopsticks provided.

My second course was the 8 oz prime filet ($19 upcharge). It had a peppercorn cream sauce that perfectly complemented the meltingly tender steak.

Dessert was the Pink Cloud, which was a berry and lychee mousse "cake". It was served on a ceramic plate with holes in it that rested atop a shallow dish holding dry ice. Our server poured water into one of the holes which created a cloud-like smoke and fun presentation. It was a beautiful and tasty dessert.

We added a few sides: the shishito peppers, glazed carrots, and Japanese sweet potato. All were excellent.

One of my companions ordered the A5 Wagyu filet. He offered me a bite to taste, and it was phenomenal. The flavor really shone through, and it was also ridiculously tender.

The ONLY negatives for me were my cocktail and the tightness of the table arrangements. Our chairs were right up against the backs of the chairs at the table behind us, which made it a bit challenging to get in and out.

I don't recall the name of the cocktail I ordered, but it involved several fruit flavors, and our server steered me towards it as a light and refreshing option (which was what I was looking for after yesterday's heat). When it arrived, my first sip was immediately very herbal and cucumber-y. I commented on that to our server, and she said "Oh yeah, the drink description has changed from what's printed on the menu." She said if I didn't like it they could get me something else, but I didn't want to be a bother. Had the menu description been accurate, I never would have ordered it, as I don't like liquid cucumbers. I did finish the drink, but I regretted not swapping it out for one I would have enjoyed more. I certainly understand changing things around, but if the menu description isn't accurate, that should be communicated by the server when the order is placed...not after the food/drink arrives.

I'll definitely be back, as overall it was...

Fortu sets the stage with upscale decor and a lively atmosphere, but unfortunately, the experience ends there — from food to service, it consistently fell short.

Food: The menu sounded promising, but the execution was uninspired and basic. Ingredient quality felt low, and many of the tasting menu dishes were comparable to fast food or fast-casual offerings — not remotely close to the premium pricing. The bourbon pour I ordered was shockingly small, more akin to a sample than a proper drink.

Service: While we were seated slightly before our reservation time (a nice touch), service overall was disappointing. Our server seemed overwhelmed, struggled to answer basic menu questions, and food delivery was inconsistent, with some guests receiving their courses well before others despite ordering the same tasting menu.

Ambiance: The space looks upscale at first glance, but the dense seating arrangement made the experience uncomfortable. Tables were tightly packed, and it felt like guests and servers were practically on top of each other. A beautiful setting undermined by poor spatial planning.

Value for Price: Severely lacking. The high prices aren’t justified by the food quality, service, or overall experience. Fortu feels more like a cash grab targeting tourists than a true fine dining destination.

Cleanliness: While the table setting initially looked nice, my silverware was soiled — a detail that shouldn’t be overlooked at a restaurant aiming for Michelin recognition.

Pro Tip: If you’re a local or experienced diner, skip Fortu. There are far better options in the area for upscale dining without the hefty disappointment.

Would I return? No — it would take a major revamp in food quality, service, and overall guest experience before I’d consider giving them another chance.

Update in response to the restaurant's comments: This review reflects a recent visit on February 16th for a special occasion. I take time to thoughtfully reflect before posting, but the experience is accurately documented. The menu items pictured were taken at the time of service, and my comments reflect what we encountered that evening; from the plating and portion size to the seating layout and level of service. I understand the clarification on pour measurements and accessibility requirements; however, my feedback is based on what was visible and experienced in real time. I stand by this review as a truthful, firsthand account, and hope Fortu focuses more on improving guest experience than disputing valid critiques of...

Fortu — Where Fancy Flavors Meet Beach Drive Drama

If Fortu were a person, it would be that effortlessly cool friend who does yoga at sunrise, only drinks natural wine, and somehow pulls off linen pants year-round. This place is sleek, sexy, and somewhere between Tokyo and a James Bond villain’s vacation home. I strutted into Fortu like I had a black AmEx and left wondering if I should sell my car to afford another meal here — no regrets.

Let’s start with the MISO BLACK COD — the Beyoncé of the menu. This dish showed up with that flaky, buttery swagger and immediately made every other fish I’ve ever had feel like a soggy Goldfish cracker. The umami pickle? I don't know what it was exactly, but I’d eat it off a flip-flop and still call it fine dining.

Now, to the Wagyu Ribeye — it came with shiso chimichurri, and I swear that herb was whispering sweet nothings to me with every bite. It’s hard to mess up a ribeye, and Fortu didn’t disappoint. Juicy, tender, and clearly massaged by monks in a mountain temple somewhere in Japan before arriving at my table.

The Short Rib, however... was giving more "beef jerky with a law degree" than "melts in your mouth." A little dry, a little moody — like it had a long day and needed a hug. I still ate it, but we definitely made eye contact and agreed we wouldn’t be seeing each other again.

The charred cabbage came out looking like it had been through something — and came out stronger for it. I didn’t expect to fall in love with a vegetable tonight, but here we are. Slathered in green goddess and “everything crunch,” it was basically salad’s edgy hot cousin.

And can we talk about the prices? You could do the 4-course prix fixe for $75 and feel like a bougie genius... or go rogue and order the A5 Filet for $85, which is basically eating a steak that once had a résumé and stock options.

Final thoughts: Come for the cod. Stay for the vibes. Skip the short rib unless you're emotionally ready to chew and reflect. And if you’re not a baller but want to feel like one for a night — Fortu’s your spot.

Pro tip: The Wagyu Gyoza and a glass of something overpriced will have you believing you’re on a Netflix food doc. Just don’t look at your bank account...