DRIFT — Restaurant in Santa Rosa Island

We had reservations on a Wednesday night for a party of four. We were seated at the bar for a short while and then moved to our table where the wait began. Our waiter was not knowledgeable of wines in store and each time he went back he was gone for about 10 minutes. After two attempts we gave up and just had cocktails. The food was marginal the fish was slightly overcooked and bland. It’s only saving grace was the sauce that smothered it. I will have to admit the scenery and the facility are very nice but they come at a premium price. Recommend drinks only at this great location.

Urban Cowgill June 2020

Update Sept 2021 We decided to give this place another try and had no better of an experience over a year later. The staff is friendly and the facility is clean and it has a great location. So odd that our experience was almost identical to the previous year. We ordered cocktails and dinner. Drinks came out and were good, the bartender knows how to make a manhattan! They were delicious! 10-15 minutes later our server comes out and the dish we ordered wasn't available. We were both "deja vu". So we chose a different item but this time the server knew it wasn't available. I settled for the shrimp cocktail. When it came out it was presented nicely. The shrimp were HUGE but, both the shrimp and the sauce they were so perfectly served with were simply bland, no flavor. The shrimp did not have the sweet gulf shrimp taste I had hoped for. So I just gave up and asked for some cocktail sauce.

I know its hard to find help and theres supply chain issues, yadda yadda.. but this feels more like a management issue to me. Kind of sad, because its really a nice place with good folks working there. I see other favorable reviews and Im kind of scratching my head, wondering. Give it a try, I hope your experience is better! At any rate we likely will not be going back, even for drinks.

Urban...

We had an incredible evening at Drift while eagerly awaiting the return of the Blue Angels. Our wonderful waitress, Melissa, provided exceptional service and made us feel right at home. It was even more special to discover that Melissa hails from near our own hometown.

The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the Prime Rib. I can confidently say it was the best I have ever had. Cooked to perfection, the flavors were rich and succulent, leaving me craving for more. The wife opted for the Spring Salad, which was fresh, vibrant, and bursting with flavors. She paired it with the Lobster Bisque, which was a delightful indulgence.

Our boys were equally delighted with their choices. One of them ordered the Tempura Shrimp, and to our surprise, they were massive! The crispy coating and tender shrimp were an absolute hit. The other boy went for the classic Chicken Fingers and fries, and he exclaimed that they were the best he has ever had. It's always a win when the kids give their seal of approval!

To top off the evening, the Blue Angels made a spectacular flyover, adding an exhilarating touch to the whole experience. The combination of delicious food, excellent service, and an awe-inspiring show from the Blue Angels made our evening truly unforgettable.

In summary, our time at Drift was nothing short of exceptional. From the warm hospitality of Melissa to the mouthwatering dishes we savored, everything exceeded our expectations. We highly recommend Drift for a memorable dining experience that combines great food, friendly service, and an...

From the moment we walked in, there was no greeting or warm welcome. Erin, the manager, approached us with, “Do you have a reservation?”—no “hello” or “welcome.” When we said we didn’t but would love to sit on the patio, she told us the patio was reserved only for those with reservations. I asked if we could at least sit by a window to enjoy the sunset, but she seated us in a corner, far from any view, even though we were the only ones in the dining room.

There were three empty tables on the patio, and since my son was visiting from 2,000 miles away on his first trip to Florida, he really wanted to sit outside. He quickly made an online reservation. When Erin came back to bring us menus, my son mentioned that we now had a reservation for the patio. Erin’s response was shockingly rude; she gave a sarcastic laugh and said, “Fine, go tell the hostess.” When we did, Erin came to the front to double-check if the reservation showed up, which of course, it did.

She could have granted our request from the start, as those tables on the patio never filled up. Instead, she seemed annoyed that my son found a way to secure a seat. When I realized she was the manager, I was shocked by her attitude. I won’t return to this place, and I’ll be sure to let others know about the poor management.

As for the food, my air fryer could make a better chicken dish—it was overcooked and dry. My son had the fish, which he said was good, but overall, the experience was...