Florida Food - Oystercatchers

 It is finally spring break time and we decided to take a trip to Florida to find their best restaurants. We started our trip in Clearwater but finished the trip in Tampa. Reviews from Clearwater restaurants will be out soon but we had to start with our new favorite restaurant in Florida... Oystercatchers. 

The first dish served was their free bread basket which was spectacular. The butter was served with sea salt to garnish on top. There was thicker and fluffy pieces with sesame seed and everything bagel seasoning on the edges paired with thin and crispy cracker like pieces. All paired together was quite salty but we love salt! 

 

The first appetizer we ordered was the charcuterie board which was great. The board had a perfect blend of meats, cheeses, fruits and dips. We also ordered a caviar dish because it seemed very intriguing. It was served with mini semi-sweet pancakes and bread-parmesan crisps paired with dips that tasted like sour cream or a Greek yogurt. The dish also provided scallions and shallots that added freshness and extra flavor.  

  

Ed ordered the Surf and turf for his entrée which beautifully presented (a common theme for all their dishes). The steak and the shrimps were cooked and seasoned to perfection. It had just the right amount of mushrooms ragout and parsnip puree to complement the steak and shrimp.

 

Courtney ordered the salmon special for her entrée. The salmon was cooked to a delicious crispiness and flakiness you crave for a seafood dish. It was topped with a tomato jam that added a delightful sweetness to all the saltiness. The greens paired on the side were slightly dressed in olive oil and salt that added an extra fresh feel to the dish.  

 

We ordered almost the whole dessert menu and they were all stupid good! 

We've eaten many vanilla crème brulees before but this one was above the average one. Many in the past have had the top layer basically just taste brunt without being able to even taste the sugar. Courtney normally never likes the top layer on crème brulee desserts but this one was different. You could taste the sugar and still had the crispy layer you crave for crème brulee. The bottom custard had a phenomenal strong vanilla flavor. 

 

Ed's all time favorite dessert is key lime pie and this was the best key lime pie he has ever had.  The blueberry compote on top paired deliciously with the key lime flavor. You could easily tell this was made fresh in the restaurant. The graham cracker crust on the bottom added great texture and the pie simply melts in your mouth.  

 

This mocha cheesecake is any mocha coffee lovers dream. First off the presentation was beautifully done and the taste was not disappointing. Ed doesn't even drink coffee and he enjoyed this cheesecake. The chocolate flavor is very strong but there is defiantly a delightful coffee flavor as well. 

 

The caprese al limone dessert was Courtney's favorite of the night. It was garnished with candied lemons and fresh berries. The Godiva white chocolate anglaise was to die for! The lemon cake was the absolute opposite of dry and my only compliant is I wish it was bigger!

 

The service was also absolutely incredible. Our server was very friendly and kind. The food even came out pretty quick which does not normally happen in restaurants like this one. If you are heading to the Tampa area... take a spot here!