Ophelia's on the Bay — Restaurant in Siesta Key

Ophelia's is a rare gem, but there were issues during our visit that tended to make the enjoyment of our meal a challenge.

First, the good... Ophelia's is a rarity in Florida; old world classic charm, old-school ambience, white linen tableclothes...a nice treat in this area where even the independent restaurants look and feel like chains. The interior is soft, homey, classic and elegant without trying too hard. Nothing trendy here.

The view is not "all that"; it is indeed on the water, but it's more of a creed view than a bay. The view is across a small body of water to an island of wild scrub perhaps 100 yards away. Not bad, but not spectacular.

Cocktails were just fine and averaged about $12 each, including some "specialty cocktails" such as a pear martini (which was very good but not the best I've had by any measure).

Entrees ranged from $32 to $42 and did not include a salad, so pricing is definitely on the higher side. To me, prices of this level are perfectly fine if service and cuisine are on-point. But if either is lacking, then I tend to be disappointed (it is easier to be forgiving when pricing is middle of the road).

Our salads (both mixed green salads with raspberry vinaigrette) were perfectly fine; not memorable but not at all bad.

Our entrees, one a flat iron steak with red shrimp "Orleans" and the other a salmon dish, were very good and certainly worth the fare, and our deserts were also very good. Again, though, nothing stood out as exceptional or memorable, but nothing disappointed either.

Service was generally there when needed, but not particularly exceptional. We did not feel enthusiasm from our server, we did not feel a bond with our server, but we did feel a sense of caring from her and she was polite and professional.

So based on the above, I would give Ophelia's 4 out of 5 stars; a very good experience that happens to have room for improvement. Good enough overall for the prices charged, but not exceptional enough to rave about.

Our big problem was with the valet parking. Ophelia's has sorely inadequate parking and attempts to solve the problem with a valet. On our visit the valet was a crusty older male who reeked of cigarette smoke (he greeted us with a cigarette in his mouth) and who was outlandishly rude.

We did not wish to turn our car over to him, in part because we had valuables in the trunk, in part because ours is a rather exotic (and very expensive) vehicle, and in part because we did not want it to reek of cigarette smoke or worse, suffer a cigarette burn to the interior. We stated that we would prefer to park ourselves and he told us we absolutely could not. We went back and forth, and his only alternative was that we should leave "his parking lot" if we were not willing to hand over the keys.

I informed him I would go inside and cancel my reservation, and he didn't care until I actually got out of the car and began to walk inside. He then said I could park myself--but I spent at least 5 minutes following his directions as he wasn't happy until my $130,000 car was sandwiched between a minivan and an old clunker with less than 8 inches of room on either side for doors to open.

Needless to say, by the time we made it inside the restaurant our mood had been spoiled; we had felt hassled and somewhat threatened, and it was very difficult to shake it off and enjoy our meal while we worried about the possibility of this combative and rude man keying our car or opening an adjoining car's door recklessly into our car.

Unfortunately, since Ophelia's is in a residential neighborhood, their lot and their valet are the only options. I am not a car freak nor am I obsessive about my car, but this was a large enough turn-off to prevent me from returning for quite awhile, at least until I can reasonably presume this gentleman has moved on or otherwise been replaced. Just not worth the hassle.

In the end our car was fine, but if a guest wishes to park his or her own car a valet should be gracious and the restaurant that employs him should be held accountable for...

Used to love this place! But sadly I feel it has gone downhill. We went to celebrate our anniversary, booked a table for 4 and unfortunately last minute the other two couldn’t join us. Disappointed but of course it happens and certainly not the restaurant’s fault. When we told the hostess upon entry she said no problem and they seated us and what we realised was a table for 2. I asked where our original table was to sit at and they said it’s not possible. I suffer from anxiety and being smack in the middle is usually problematic for me, but to calm down I just sat closer to my partner. I understand, the restaurant has their ways to do things and I respect that. A waiter asked what was wrong and I told him and he told me he would have a word with the hostess I presume and would let me know. No one came to let us know, but whatever, people are busy. However it was really a slap in the face to see two other parties of 2 get seated at tables for 4 approx 15- 20 minutes later, at a table that was originally set up for 4 (we presumed it was our original table). Annoying, but we just wanted to focus on enjoying our evening and let it go.

We ordered our appetisers first and had cocktails. We were constantly told by our server there was “No rush.” However when I went to order my main, I was told they were sold out. Unfortunate as that was the only thing I wanted to eat! If I had known they were running low I would have asked to have it reserved. Again, I’m very sympathetic and thought perhaps there was a misunderstanding between kitchen and servers, which I really felt sorry for to have to relay this news. I told my server please next time it would be helpful to know so I could put my order in. I finally settled on a main, that even if I didn’t actually feel like at the moment I would atleast enjoy to eat (fillet). Few bites in I was happy and our server came over to deliver our wine and unfortunately he spilled the glass all over me. Again, I really sympathise. People are human, they are not robots after all and these things happen. He quickly took my dish away and reset the table. My husband ate his lamb. By the time mine arrived my husband was finished, which of course makes sense. But the icing on the cake was that I asked where the spinach went, as my first plate had spinach. And our server simply told me they ran out and that I should order ahead next time if there is anything I want. Anything I want?! If the wine hadn’t spilled on me, I would have been eating that dish he had took away! If I had known what was originally there wouldn’t be available, I would have salvaged the spinach from him. Also, please don’t try to blame me for this. I was not in the wrong for expecting to receive the same dish you ruined (again, I am understanding, people are human). Nor was I in the wrong for politely inquiring.

I’m sorry, I’m a compassionate and understanding person. But come on, with these prices I expect a higher standard and just wish it felt reciprocated. I feel Gecko’s would have been more accommodating. Even though he took the fillet off the bill, I would have rather paid for a meal I 1) actually wanted and 2) ate at the same time as my partner! By the time my meal arrived he was already done so after a few bites I put it in a doggy bag. Also, at that point staff were clearing all tables around us and we had to hear their loud conversations. I mean were we even there?? Again, I feel Gecko’s has a better standard! (No offence to Gecko’s, I find their team including management really great!)

Lastly, whilst we were waiting outside for our Uber we overhead staff leaving (not sure who they were). They were roughhousing in the parking lot, shouting and running around throwing water at each other as they got in their cars. Hardly professional.

Sorry but I really feel this place went downhill. We used to love it. Save your money. Also I hope my blouse can be saved, as I’ll be heading to the dry cleaner tomorrow (thankfully it’s...

We have enjoyed Ophelia’s for years and considered it one of our “fine” dining restuarants that we kept in our rotation. Unfortunately, it has been omitted from our list. We had noticed a slow decline in service and food quality the last few times we dined here but this last visit not only confirmed it but was by far the worst dining experience we have EVER had. The evening started out just right, we had requested to be sat next to a heat lamp and we had a lovely table for two on their deck. Our server was very kind but either inexperienced or very new…..I ordered a martini, when it came 15 or 20 minutes later she placed it on the table and said, “this is a messy drink”….and walked away, leaving me a glass soaked and sticky with spilled drips all over it. Our server did not offer to bring a paper napkin or wipe the glass. We asked if the eggplant crepe was fried, she said no, so we ordered it. When it arrived it was clearly fried, so we sent it back. My profile states that I have salt sensitivity….I ordered the salmon entrée and asked for no salt to be put on the fish. She came back to the table with another server to tell me that the chef marinates all the salmon in salt as a preparation. No salmon in house apparently wasn’t already laden in salt. I picked an alternate entrée choice which was missing part of the dish accompaniments when it arrived so we had to ask for it and they brought it on the side. It was just ok. The server took our knives and did not replace them. We had to ask for one. Then out of no where someone from the restaurant began to move the heat lamp without even a word to us. The restaurant had about 8 heat lamps that were not working lined up against the building and apparently only 3 working. The manager offered us to move indoors instead of moving the heat lamp that was next to us all night to a proximity that was reasonable for sharing. The 2 people dining at the table next to us took it upon themselves to get involved and accused us of moving the heat lamp, which we never did. They also were using unprovoked foul language, dropping F Bombs....I was shocked and truly taken back by their voluntary inappropriate involvement which had nothing to do with them. We would never not pay our bill, we offered and the "manager" would not accept payment but my husband made certain to tip our waitress regardless of the experience. The absolute most disappointing dining experience we have ever had. Poor management to say the very least. PS, the snarky responses from Ophelia’s on OpenTable & Google when patrons express their dissatisfaction in reviews has been noted. Absolutely...