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95 Cordova
Category: Restaurants American (Traditional) American (Traditional) [Edit]
95 Cordova StSaint Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 810-6810
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
44 reviews for 95 Cordova
Review Highlights
-
"Lovely restaurant inside the Casa Monica hotel." In 7 reviews -
"For the finale, we had the creme brulee french toast." In 6 reviews -
"The sea bass was done well." In 5 reviews
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44 reviews in English
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Review from Sheila M.
Rye, NY
3/1/2012
This restaurant is a wonderful experience from when you walk in the doors of the hotel until you leave. The atmosphere is wonderful. The staff is attentive without being overbearing. We have had many delicious dinners here but this review is for the only breakfast we had. We went on February 25, 2012 and arrived almost as the time for breakfast service was almost over but that was no problem. The service was very good. Our waiter had great tips and suggestions and was very accommodating of 2 very picky eaters. The best Eggs Benedict Ever! My husband had the steak and Eggs and could not say enough good things. The meat was perfectly cooked and nicely seasoned. We were not rushed even though we stayed way to long enjoying the atmosphere and delicious coffee and teas.
Would go back any time!! Just can not say enough good things about the staff, the food, the location, etc. -
Review from Brad K.
1/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
The six of us decided to drop in for dinner on Saturday night
We were seated promptly
Service was excellent
Food quality is what the get dinged for, escargot was very salty, had to send back my osso buco it was cold in the middle. Understand they make them early in day to get tender but should not have come out cold. 2nd one wasn't much better but was hungry and didn't want to send back again.
We have dined here many times, food seems to be slipping over the years, service great as always.
Lots of excellent dining in st augustine we won't be rushing back. -
Review from Jihan D.
Jacksonville, FL
9/12/2011 Seated via OpenTable
We all know Casa Monica as being a bride's dream venue but unfortunately they were not able to accommodate the capacity of my friend's wedding. So we decided to treat her to dinner at 95 Cordova for a bachelorette weekend. I made a reservation for the 6 of us through open table. We were running 15 minutes late and when I called to inform them, they were very accommodating and changed our reservation time. However, the service we received there was horrible.
We were shown to our table and even though 3 of us were wearing black, we were not offered black linen. We had to ask for it. No, it's not pretentious. It's common sense. We waiting about 15 minutes just to have someone come to the table to pour water. Then another 15 minutes went by before anyone came to the table. And no, they were not busy. When David, the server, finally did show up all he said was "are you ready to order?" Um...what about hello, an introduction, SOMETHING?? I only know his name because I looked at his name tag. Apparently we weren't worthy of any of that from him. He took our orders and that was about it. He didn't bother to inquire as to whether we were enjoying the food or would need anything else. He didn't even bother to ask if we were finished with our meals and just picked them up from the table.
What really bothered us was that there is a mini rating at the bottom of the receipt for both food and service. We rated the food good (nothing to write home about), but the service a big fat 1 for poor. It makes me think that the customer ratings have no real importance if David believes he can just go about his night offering little to no service. Thanks but no thanks, Mr. Kessler. -
Review from Marlon P.
St Cloud, FL
2/11/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Steak and eggs are a great way to start the day.
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Review from Craig E.
Jacksonville, FL
7/17/2011 2 Check-ins Here
A good place for a special occasion dinner. The menu has a good bit of variety, mainly seafood & steak, with the occasional chicken and pork dish. We have visited before, and find the service and food to be consistently above average. Servers are attentive, but not intrusive.
This trip, we had a couple of really fine appetizers - the fried green tomatoes with goat cheese and a slightly spicy creamy sauce, and the crab cake - which my partner said was the best crab cake she has ever eaten.
For main dishes we had a NY Strip and Sesame crusted sea scallops. Once again, nicely done and cooked perfectly. The beef here is premium Angus - quite tender. We tried the horseradish mashed potatoes as a side, and lets just say the horseradish has been generously used in this dish. Its not just a hint of horseradish, if you eat a few bites in a row you will get the wasabi effect up your nasal passages.......
All in all, a very good dining experience but I think next time we will have baked potato instead of the horseradish mashed! We were too full for dessert this time, but on a previous trip found the desserts to be exceptional. -
Review from Jessica I.
Rocky River, OH
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here for a decadent lunch, and found it. The Boursin cheese grits with shrimp were touted as the signature dish, and they were delightful. My husband fared well, but his first two choices were 86ed, which is why I'm docking a star. For such a small menu, missing two items is not really excusable, especially considering the costliness of the place. The setting in the beautiful Casa Monica is really nice, and we were pleased overall.
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Review from Kevin B.
Jacksonville, FL
9/12/2011
I had heard good things about this place before going but I have to say, the hype was not enough to set my expectations appropriately.
We each had the chef's wine pairing. The Thai coconut soup had a hint of spice but balanced perfectly with the sweetness of the coconut juice, the arugula salad was fantastic, and the steak that was perfectly cooked and amazingly tender, sitting on top of the, dare I say, best risotto I have ever eaten.
I just can't say enough about how great this meal was! Tip: If you have a romantic evening for two planned, they have a great little seat in the back for two where you get to sit side by side. Very nice touch!Comment from Laura D. of 95 Cordova 9/12/2011
Thank you such for taking the time so share such a great and… More » -
Review from Kathy C.
Jacksonville, FL
4/16/2011
Husband and I finally made it to 95 Cordova this evening. We made a reservation at 7:30 PM but ended up getting to St. Augustine way earlier than expected. So we checked with the hostess to see if we could get a table early. No problem.
The service was very prompt and friendly. We joked about the basics of restaurant service these days all the time. Maybe we had some bad lucks, but lately in restaurants, seems that we get our appetizer, salad and entree all at once.... or we walk in to a restaurant and find ourselves waiting for a server to appear to take our order.... or worse, we ask for our check and our server disappears which made us feel like we were held hostage in a restaurant and can't leave. I have to say, 95 Cordova gave us a very wonderful dining experience. Everything came at the right time, server didn't interrupt us during our conversations, and didn't "disappear" on us either.
As for the food, there were some misses. For starter, we ordered the Kessler Calamari (Julie A's review sold it for me), which was WONDERFUL. My husband doesn't usually eat olives... while, he made sure he ate every last bit of it, it was so good. But the Thai Coconut Chicken soup was a bit of a miss for me. The yellow curry and coconut was soooo subtle that I hardly tasted it. The noodle and the greens were a bit ... weird. The broth was very light... but I asked myself later, why did I order a Thai soup when I am not even in a Thai restaurant?
As for entrees, I tried their lobster and crab risotto. It was tastey, but I was a bit puzzled by the big lobster tail still in its shell on top of the risotto. I thought it would be crab and lobster mixed in the risotto. Don't get me wrong, I love my lobster, but it was a bit strange to see it, shell and all, sitting on top of a nice plate of risotto. My husband had the ribeye, medium rare, very nice.
For the finale, we had the creme brulee french toast... it was a nice little iron skillet of yumminess.... perfect ending with a nice cup of black coffee. We walked out of the restaurant, stuffed and satisfied. -
Review from Laurie A.
Pompano Beach, FL
9/9/2011
I was staying at the Casa Monica, and ate at 95 Cordova arrival night and departure morning, given it's great reviews and for convenience sake. Not impressed either visit. For dinner I ordered their signature salad and a side of fries which was described on the menu as being prepared with asiago and truffle oil. I asked for no cheese on either. My salad arrived with the cheese, which I picked off, but it was not great as the beets tasted like the can they were likely pre-packaged in. The fries had no cheese, but no truffle oil either - very nondescript with simply salt and pepper, and that would have been fine I suppose had they not teased me with the truffle oil, which is what prompted me to order them at all. They did remove the fries from the bill for me, though. Their 'featured menu item,' shrimp and grits, was not available.
I decided to give them another shot for breakfast and ordered apple cinnamon oatmeal without cream, and pineapple juice. The oatmeal was ok, but had very little apple and no cinnamon. The pineapple juice again tasted like the can, and came out on the check $1 over the menu price.
There are so many excellent choices in St. Augustine - don't waste your money here. -
Review from Scott C.
Atlanta, GA
5/3/2011
Amazing combination of simplicity, elegance and taste. Great things done well.
I had the salmon in a lobster au jus. While I didn't care for the greens (not from the south), the salmon was amazing. Cooked perfectly.
The 2007 Caymus was amazing. Service was attentive but not evasive.
I loved the backlit menus. Open up the menu and a light panel turned on behind the parchment to illuminate the text. My last trip to a national know cheesecake chain (God how I despise chains) I had to download a flashlight app on my droid to read the menu. At 95 Cordova it's built in. Very innovative!!!!
Located in the heart of historic St. Augustine. -
Review from Andi H.
Melbourne, FL
8/18/2011
I know I've given 5 stars to the first few places I've reviewed, but they've all been worth it!
Anyway, hubby and I took a road trip last Sunday and we ended up in St Augustine around lunchtime. Where to eat?? We parked the car and just walked . . . .
. . . . and we ended up at the door of 95 Cordova. We were promptly seated and asked if we wanted the Sunday brunch. Sure!
There were offerings of scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, pasta salad, potato salad, shrimp cocktail, crab legs, artichoke salad, smoked salmon, roasted potatoes, tilapia in cream sauce, etc and loads of desserts. Everything was delicious. Brunch included one glass of complimentary champagne per person.
The restaurant is clean and neat and the atmosphere is pleasant. This is a fancy place . . . be ready to spend lots of money for dinner. But if dinner is as awesome as brunch was, it's worth it!
Our server was friendly and extremely attentive without being over-bearing. There was not one negative thing about this place and I'd definitely come back. -
Review from Alison S.
2/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
We made reservations for a Friday evening to celebrate our five year anniversary. The experience could not have been any better. We were seated promptly. Our server, Scott, was personable, professional and helpful the entire meal. We started with escargot for an appetizer which was very delicious. For our entree, we both ordered the lobster tail over crab risotto. It was MARVELOUS! My husband, who is very hard to impress food wise, was speechless. It was his favorite dish he has ever had. WOW! We also ordered a fantastic bottle of Rose to go along with our meal. Though the Lobster tail was difficult to top, we thought we'd end our meal by sharing a Creme Brulee... best decision ever. The night's experience was at that point, heavenly. I cannot forget to mention how lovely the Casa Monica is and the beautiful interior of both the lobby and the restaurant is enjoyable to look at during and after dinner. Next time we mosey over to St. Augustine, there is no doubt that we will be back to 95 Cordova.
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Review from Stacy H.
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
11/2/2011
I love Sunday Brunch so I thought that we would go check it out. Parking is cheap, $5. Restaurant was easy to find. Brunch was better then I had expected. It was about $40 per person but worth the sunday splurge. I enjoyed eggs, bacon, grits, waffles, crab legs, caprese salad and bread pudding. I gave my husband my mimosa and we both had a great time. I stuffed myself silly. I would go back there on another trip to St. Augustine
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Review from Lynn E.
Jacksonville, FL
My husband took me to this wonderful restaurant in the upscale Casa Monica hotel in St. Augustine's old city to celebrate Valentine's Day. We chose it because a friend of ours was playing piano in the lounge that evening. We're now forever grateful to him for getting that gig!
The staff is refined and courteous, the decor is lush and has a historic feel with large mosaics on the walls and heavy, upholstered chairs. The menus actually light up when you open them, which is a help in the dark setting. While the dining room seems like it wants to be a quiet and elegant place to have dinner, the celebratory noise and music from the lounge is quite prevalent, so if that bugs you, it might spoil the experience. It didn't for us, since we wanted to hear our musician friend while we ate, yet didn't want to take dinner in the lounge.
We were given the choice of "ice water" or bottled water at the start. Then, we were brought 4 thick slices of crusty bread drizzled with pesto oil and a balsamic reduction that was so good, I almost wanted to just call it a night right there! I ordered the Ceasar salad sans the bleu cheese which was presented sans croutons as well (I'm guessing croutons are too common for this restaurant). The romaine leaves were huddled in a lovely mount and the dressing coated them and also decorated the plate. I did not miss the croutons. My husband ordered the wedge salad, which is a large wedge of iceberg lettuce topped with bleu cheese, bacon, glazed walnuts, and topped with a jalepeno ranch dressing. He loved it.
For our entrees, I chose the Chilean Sea Bass, which was presented as a gorgeous, thick (nearly 3 inches) piece of flakey whiteness, absolutely perfectly crisped on the top and bottom. It was the best piece of fish I have ever eaten, bar none! Half a lemon just seared for a moment on their grill made a lovely garnish and helped it give up it's juice to make an excellent fish dinner even better. The fish was nestled on top of a row of crisp roasted asaparagus, also perfectly cooked, which was nestled on top of garlic mashed potatoes that were full of flavor without being overpowering. My husband chose the filet mignon with bleu cheese which was also perfectly prepared and presented in the same way.
There are three creme brulee options on the dessert menu. You can get creme brulee french toast, which makes me want to just type a whole row of exclamation points, but I'll restrain myself. There's a flavored creme brulee of the week, which was passion fruit last night. I went with the classic vanilla bean creme brulee served with fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream. I'm very fussy about my creme brulee and am more often disappointed than not. But I felt confident ordering it here and they did not let me down!
The prices are a little steep, but not beyond what you'd expect for a dining experience of this quality. We paid about $120 for non-alcoholic beverages, salad and dinner. That doesn't include our dessert, which we ate in the lounge afterward.
I let my husband know that any time he wants me to feel utterly loved and pampered, all he has to do is suggest we go to 95 Cordova for dinner. His face lit up and he said, "Really? It's that easy?" Well, no, it's not really that easy, but he'll definitely score major points doing that! -
Review from Alison M.
Savannah, GA
11/27/2010
Lovely restaurant inside the Casa Monica hotel. We went for breakfast and everything was really good with lots of food. Prices were reasonable too considering the amount of food we got. I had the Cordova Benedict and it was yummy but could have been served hotter though. I didn;t ask for it to be heated ore though so that was my fault. Our group also got the Swiss Rosti which was shredded potatoes, poached egg, swiss cheese and Black Forest ham. She could only eat half. The fruit salad and yogurt was also very good. I HIGHLY recommend you get order a side of the blue cheese grits. IT WAS TO DIE FOR. I could have only eaten that and would have been in heaven.
Decor was very pretty and it would be a very romantic evening spot. Our waiter was very nice and attentive. -
Review from Julie A.
2/2/2009 3 photos
The food was delicious and the staff was very good to Sis friend and I. We were in a hurry so the waitress made sure to stop by our table often. I was already aware of the high prices here, so we opted to split the meal. We had the Ahi Tuna with Thai Peanut Sauce ($28) according to the waitress' suggestion since it was the fastest thing they could make. We also wanted an appetizer, so we got the Calamari ($11).
The waitress started us off on some of the most delicious bread I've had. Lightly toasted and drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette and pesto.
Originally I didn't want calamari since you could get calamari anywhere, but I am so glad I went with Sis friend's suggestion. The calamari was excellent. It came drizzled with asiago cheese and served with cubed tomatoes, olives, chopped cilantro and other yumminess. I don't remember the last time I had calamari this flavorful.
The Ahi Tuna was rare tuna steaks served atop a drizzle peanut sauce and what they describe as "soy glaze" with seaweed thrown in there. The seaweed complemented the spices very well. It was like eating an open faced giant maguro (tuna) sushi, except without the rice and with different sauces. (My mouth is watering right about now.) For a drink, I got the virgin Sea Breeze (cranberry and pineapple juice).
We liked it so much that we came back a second time in the same night with Yelper buddy Hunter B., and his LDC. We had desserts this time. I ordered the Jamaican Tiramisu (partly bc I was missing somebody and partly bc I needed to stay awake for the long ride home). The tiramisu was different from what I normally have. It was in a somewhat liquified form and not in the cake form with chocolate like what I'm used to. But it was still good. The mascarpone cheese made it extra creamy and the fresh berries added some tartness to it. The lady finger was a thin triangular wafer instead of the long and thin finger form that I've had before.
Yelper buddy ordered the Trio Shots (creme brulee, tiramisu, and something else). I only tried the creme brulee and it was heavenly, but very similar to what I've had in the past with a berry and mint leaf for added flavor.
For extra caffeine, three of us girls had cappuccinos. The waiter fixed them himself and apologized for the cinnamon substitution instead of powdered chocolate. It didn't matter; still rich and creamy.
The most unique part about this place? The light up menus. AWESOME! They also had live jazz with saxophone, piano, and bass (?? I can't remember).
The restaurant is open until 11pm, but the bar is open later. I have nothing bad to say about this place. Everything we had was simply wonderful.Listed in: In America's Oldest City
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Review from Kimberly L.
New York, NY
8/9/2010
What a wonderful restaurant! From the Moroccan decor to the friendly service, it was so relaxing and enjoyable.
We arrived early and decided to grab a drink at the bar. The peach mimosa was really good and so was the pina colada. After watching about 4 wedding parties go by we walked into the main dining area for dinner.
The menu's were really fun, they were heavy and once you open them they were slightly illuminated so you could see what you were reading (what a great idea for dark restaurants) which was nice.
Shortly after we were seated, our waiter brought bread with pesto and balsamic vinegar it was amazing. I seriously ate 5 out of the 6 slices. For my appetizer, I had to taste the artichoke bisque and it did not disappoint. It was creamy and very flavorful but had a little kick of artichoke at the end. For my main course I opted for the scallops with carbonara pasta...delicious. It was actually a pretty big serving and I was full already. My bf ordered the mushroom risotto it was very good a bit aldente but just the way I love it. The filet was nice.
I wish I could go back but I'm at my "9-5" so that I can plan my next vacay. -
Review from Mare M.
Mt Laurel, NJ
1/24/2010
A gorgeous interior, very unique menu design, nice wine list, mediocre service, variety of selections makes this a 3 star for me. Food was good, but not up to par with expectations. And not for the cost.
It had the potential to be a 5 star - but falls short.. way short.Listed in: Must Go's in St. Augustine
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Review from Allen F.
Norcross, GA
1/3/2010
Took 9 family members to what is purported to be one of St. Augustine's finest restaurants, 95 Cordova, in the classic Casa Monica Hotel. A pedestrian grade meal centered around mediocre food on top of a mound of mashed potatoes. Diner fare at best, only horribly expensive with painfully slow service. With the exception of being with family members, it's 3 hours of my life that I could have better used kicking bricks with my barefeet. A disappointment on so many levels.
St. Augustine has sooo many great little restaurants...95 Cordova is not one of them. Try La College, Gypsy Cab, The Hilton, Contessa, Cap's, The Raintree, just to name a few. -
Review from Ayanna B.
11/2/2009 2 Check-ins Here
I think I might be going against the grain here, but this place is a bit too hyped. It was over-priced and just 'okay' in terms of dishes.
I went for my birthday, and got dressed up and everything. The waiter was friendly and knowledgeable about the dishes. We had risotto for an appetizer which was EXCELLENT!!!!! Then we had the New York strip and Filet Mignon. They were seasoned. That is the best I can say about it. The mashed potatoes that came as one of our sides was more spectacular than the actual main dishes. I am not saying it's bad food, I'm saying it's overpriced and I'm sure you could do this at home without a recipe. But whatever, this is a high end place in St. Augustine and I'll take what I can get. Desserts were good though.
Entertaining was the fact that the lights were dim, the decor was very serene and swank. Meanwhile, the mix of guests was hilarious. One older couple was having a romantic dinner, looking sharp as they wanna be. One couple was obviously on their honeymoon. One couple snapped their fingers at the waiter for him to refill their water. They were wearing tourists clothes. Another table had two businessmen, one of which was annoying cell phone guy... talking too loud and cussing at the table... so much so that the waiter had to ask him to take his call in the lounge. LOLOL!!!!
In short, the risotto and desserts are fantastic, not all main courses are special, don't be surprised if you're overdressed. -
Review from annabelle s.
Orlando, FL
7/11/2008
Time to start doing some reviews in my home town and 95 Cordova is a good place to start.
It's probably going to surprise you when I say that, I don't come here for the food ( even though it's fantastic). I come here for the ambiance!
The decor is simply out of this world. If you are into spanish decor
( which I am... growing up in St. Aug it's almost a given) then you will be in heaven. The last time we came was with a large goup of people and we were seated at this large pine table with fat black iron candelabras and huge cream candles in them- everywhere. Oooh. Add in rich warm browns and golds and colorful mosaic tiles and I could care less about the food. Which again- is really wonderful.
The menu is pricey but add in excellent service and you too will be coming back for more.Listed in: Discover St. Augustine
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Review from Tina M.
Silver Spring, MD
4/18/2010
Food: Appetizers were excellent - the escargots were the best I've ever had. Also praises to the calamari, fried tomatoes, and ahi tuna (but be careful, the sauce is spicy!).
My meal left a bit to be desired. I had the sea bass, and it was cooked well, but the typical flavorful sauce that is served with sea bass was missing. I had good sides - mushrooms ragout and tomatoes and goat cheese.
Service: Mostly helpful and knowledgeable about the menu. However, two complaints: 1) the waiter disappeared for quite awhile after we ordered our food - we didn't even see him walking around, and 2) I stepped away for a 3-minute phone call and he took my plate away, despite the fact I had only eaten half of my meal.
Park on the street if you can find a spot, or valet the car at Casa Monica. Plan for a 2-hour meal. Jeans are fine - I'd describe appropriate attire as "dressy casual." -
Review from Blak B.
Miami, FL
4/30/2011
I didn't have the pleasure of dinning for dinner even though I was staying at the Casa Monica hotel but the breakfast was to die for. The place itself looks classy but welcoming and I love the decor. The staff was very attentive from the hostess, bartender and waiter. Not much to write about breakfast but all I have to say is if you love seafood order the seafood omelette. Mmmm It come with shrimp, crab meat and a nice creamy lobster sauce. I doidnt have a clue as to how it would taste all together but it ROCKS! Im not a big breakfast gurl but I finished all my food and my mommy would be so proud of me *claps*(good girl *in my mommy's voice*) lol
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Review from Jay L.
12/11/2008
Ok, I'm not really going along with the majority here and I have to explain why. When I give stars I do it on a price/goodness ratio. As the price climbs, the food also has to match. While our meal was pretty darn tasty, I think I've had better food for cheaper and I've certainly had better food at this price level.
So the ambiance is great. Picture this: You park on this quaint little side street (that happens to be part of the oldest city in the US) right next to a tree lined plaza. If it's winter time, all the trees are alight with white bulbs, adding to the magic. It's cold (for Florida) so you wrap your arm around your date and stroll over to the Casa Monica, wherein lies the 95 Cordova restaurant. Old Spanish and Middle Eastern decor makes the place dark, warm and inviting. The restaurant itself has an overtone of burgandy and burnt umber tones that is quite cozy. The candlelight level brightness makes it that much more romatic. Great setting.
Service is smooth, but not 5 star polished. They are a little too friendly and a little to slow. The menus are unique in that they are backlit so you can read them. It's an extensive list of just about whatever you could want. Mostly, it's heavy European with a dash of some middle eastern flaovrs.
Our choices started with the Caesar salad which let me down. I use the Caesar as a measuring stick. This chef, I could tell, was into heaviness and creams. The romaine was barely crisp (though not soggy) and warm. I believe it should be super crisp and chilled. The dressing was overdone (like they took Newman's Own) and dumped it on. There was no hint of anchovies or any cheese but Parmesean. Not a fantastic start.
For entrees I started with the Sea Bass and Glabella had the Ginger and Black Pepper Sea Scallops. The sea bass was done well. It was crisply grilled with a light amount of caramelization across the top. They let the fish hold it's own with only light amounts of salt as the major flavor. It was moist, soft and flaky, as a sea bass should be. It's easy to make, so I would have really been surprised had it not been cooked well. It was plated over something, mashed potatoes and asparagus, but it's mundaneness makes it not memorable to me.
The scallops were excellent. They were of large size, perfectly cooked and seasoned well. One that Glabella had a disagreeable grittiness to it. They were served with a fried vegetable eggroll which had seaweed, carrots and cabbage in it. An interesting pairing atop some rice.
As an additional side we also tried the Mac n' Cheese. This was extrememely heavy and rich, with a light flavoring of truffle oil. One of the better creamy pasta dishes I've had anywhere.
So definately 5 for locale and ambiance. I do have to take off for the price though, considering the service was only average and the food while pretty good, had some hits and misses.
To consider, I had a sea bass at Bonefish Grill that was just as, if not better for $12 less.
Not sure I'd return unless I had out of town guests that I was taking to a pricey place in St. Augustine. -
Review from Chris P.
5/4/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Great food and service. The quality of it all is reflected in the price and I'm certainly OK with paying for it here. The only downfall is that its in a hotel and because of that you never know who you may sit next to. Unfortunately they can't refuse guests and you might sit next to loud people in wife beaters but that's not the restaurants fault. As far as what they are provding is concerned they are awesome. Their breakfat and lunch is awesome as well.
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Review from Eileen B.
Saratoga Springs, NY
11/30/2008
Wanted to have some steak in St. Augustine. Had a wonderful parking spot in historic downtown and not willing to give it up. Walked past 95 Cordova three times, and read its menu off the street - showed only 1 steak (NY Strip)... finally decided to try anyways.
SURPRISE!! The menu we got had 95 Cordova CHOP HOUSE list of STEAKS!! Had the Delmonico (16oz) which is more like 16oz cooked... tender, well aged and well cooked (medium-rare)! The french fries was fantastic too, well seasoned.
Now thinking we might stay at the hotel next time we wander into St. Augustine and eat there again... -
Review from Alan S.
St Augustine, FL
10/7/2009 1 Check-in Here
Here's the disclaimer...this review is only for the calamari. We heard that they had great calamari and so we stopped in one afternoon. The lobby bar has the same app menu as the restaurant, and ok, the beer and wine list too.
Calamari is unbelievable. In fact, I was putting together our "best calamari" list and realized I hadn't done this review. So, here it is... -
Review from Joshua K.
West Palm Beach, FL
5/27/2011
A group of my extended family members all visited 95 Cordova for a nice dinner. It is located inside the beautiful Casa Monica Hotel, which in and of itself is worth the visit. We were seated quickly, having made a reservation, and were quickly given the unique and different 'back-lit' menus... definitely a conversation piece.
We started with a few appetizers; calamari, blue cheese chips and fried green tomatoes. They were all very good and demonstrated a unique take on some traditional favorites. For dinner, our group's order varied from steak and fish to shrimp and grits. The steak was extremely tender and cooked perfectly. The sea bass was very good, but lacked a bit of the flavorful flair that some of the other items had. The shrimp and grits, while a seemingly odd combination, was surprisingly flavorful.
While the environment was very elegant and comfortable, the service was a bit too laid back. The restaurant was not at all busy, but it took over an hour to get our dinner. It is certainly not a rushed setting, but even so, it seemed that the waiter and kitchen response took too long.
I would go back, as I thoroughly enjoyed the food and atmosphere. If you are looking for a relaxed, evening-long dining experience, this could be a great find. -
Review from Grace U.
Palm Coast, FL
3/29/2011
This restaurant is located inside the luxurious Casa Monica Hotel. Very beautiful place to eat. The wait staff give very professional service.The surroundings are posh, clean, and elegant. This is the ideal place to eat for me in St. Augustine. My favorite meal there is the calamari and the (breakfast) Southern style grits. I hate grits with a passion, yet I love their grits. I always get second helpings on the grits when I go there for breakfast on a blue moon.
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Review from Haley C.
Jersey City, NJ
3/7/2007
Awesome food, ambiance, service... everything. The place is class all the way. Expensive, but worth it... definitely the best food in St. Augustine.
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Review from Natalie B.
Jacksonville, FL
3/12/2007
Impeccable service. Exquisite food. What's not to like? I would recommend for a date as the ambiance is completely old world romance. It has been a few years, but I still remember the food! I had the Sesame Seared Sea Scallops (say that 5x fast) and my dining companion had the Seafood Struedel. I want to return to try the lunch special!
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Review from Calvin P.
Gainesville, FL
9/12/2010 1 Check-in Here
Maybe I came on an off night... Slow service, the food was lukewarm, & the steak was not prepared right...
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Review from kathleen s.
New York, NY
9/12/2010
I didnt' think it was crazy expensive, but I did feel they are overly impressed with themselves. The restaurant is beautiful. The food wasn't bad, just not as memorable as the ambience. I had the crab and shrimp ravioli. Also, the waitress walked away in the middle of me ordering my cappucino, so I got it with skim milk. I'm sure it was at least $6 so I was really annoyed that she couldn't be bothered to listen. We got creme brulee for dessert---they have 3 kinds but not many other options-and it doesn't really stick in my mind. I might try it again, though, b/c it is very pretty inside. Its really not bad, I just had high expectations.
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Review from Greg F.
Jacksonville, FL
1/8/2007
This is one of Saint Augustine's best restaurants, with a fine setting, polished service, and good food. The two-course $16 lunch special is the best value way to eat here: I recommend the strip steak. After that shell another $10 for the Bananas Foster (you can share it): it's worth it. It's in the Casa Monica Hotel right on the Plaza.
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Review from Tamara B.
Lakeland, FL
10/8/2009
We ate there last night for our anniversary. We had the tasting menu which if you want an excessive amount of food is a good value.
The first course was escargot. My husband said they were flavorless and the sauce overwhelmed them. I substituted the wild mushroom risotto which was excellent.
The second course was a tomato/mozzarella/proscuitto. This was pretty good but the mozzarella was a little bit dry.
The third course was scallops with linguine carbonara. One of the two scallops was gritty and the asparagus was a bit undercooked.
The entree course was filet mignon with mashed potatoes with more undercooked asparagus. The potatoes were dry and the filet was on the rare side of medium.
The dessert was a blackberry creme brulee that arrived over 45 minutes after the filet course. There was no apology or explanation from the waiter over the delay.
The waiter also broke a wine glass on the table while removing it.
I will give them credit that they have very nice wines but overall the meal was uninspired and somewhat disappointing. -
Review from robert l.
Burbank, CA
10/3/2010
Service great.....atmosphere great......food, nope! Stay away from the steak! If you get a straight up steak without sauce expect tough meat with no seasoning!
Appetizers were great, and the front desk will book a wonderful carriage ride for you after dinner.....just stay away from the steak, it makes this Texas boy sad that they pass that off as steak! -
Review from Carlos L.
12/19/2009
We have eaten here a number of times, food quality and service is consistently great, menu is short and simple but everything is delicious. Its not that pricy for the quality you get. The building/architecture is amazing (the hotel is one of america's historic hotels), I'd eat here anytime blindfolded, no questions asked.
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Review from Diana M.
Jupiter, FL
7/16/2010
Whenever I am in St. Augustine for the weekend I have Sunday brunch here. It is expensive, 24 or 25 dollars. Mimosas and other alcohol are NOT included. The buffet includes the usual pastries, roasted potatoes, bacon, sausage, an omelet station, made to order waffles w/ whipped cream (so good), the creamiest grits I have ever had, a prime rib carving station, crab legs, various other lunch items, and a variety of cakes and pies. Chocolate covered strawberries used to be a regular item on the buffet, but they have been missing my last couple visits. We even called ahead once to see if the strawberries were on the buffet and were told they were, but when we arrived there were no strawberries. Our server was kind enough to get us a plate, but with only 1 strawberry per person. We didn't ask for more, but you shouldn't have to at a buffet. The service is always excellent.
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Review from Jennifer H.
Austin, TX
9/11/2007 7 photos
Naturally this is a top notch restaurant that has won many awards. The price is quite high, but the food is excellently prepared, and is perfect for a special occasion. Treat yourself and someone you love.
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Review from j v.
Lawrenceville, GA
10/12/2009
actually 4 1/2* but i'm rounding it up..
the minus 1/2* ..we asked if the creme brulee came with any fruits on top, and he really didn't give a straight answer, so we assumed it didn't come with any fruits (which it did, even though just a little, but it was enough we just wanted a little fruit to break up the heavy cream in between bites), so we had added a side of fruits too. He brought out a bowl.. and said "I asked them for a side of fruit, but they gave you guys a large bowl of fruits, but I'll only charge you for a cup of fruit" (but we ended paying for the bowl....$9).. I noticed it on the receipt, even before we paid, but let it slide.i don't mind paying for what I ordered..but he shouldn't have said it..if he wasn't gonna do it..
so on with the good stuff..
calamari .. yes it was delicious.. it had this tex-mex flavoring that I was surprised worked so well with squid..
I had the sea bass plate.. nothing to wow about.. i didn't like the mash potatoes though.. there was something off.. the fish itself was probably just lightly seasoned w/ salt and pan seared in truffle oil and the surrounding oil & balsamic reduction tasted like what they had on the dinner bread they had brought out earlier..
he had the roasted rack of lamb meal.. everything on his plate was delicious..and everything was cooked to perfection.. the wild mushroom risotto was probably the best i've ever tried.. the only thing was that rack of lamb had a quite a bit of fat trimming still on it.. I'm thinking it was baby lambs too...just don't eat too much of the fat part..and you'll be good..
creme brulee was decent..
you need at least 2 hours to dine here.. (at least during dinner time on a weekend).. it is fine dining..and they do take their time.. staff was pleasant and welcoming.. great decor.. nice dark and intimate atmosphere...lovely bar area..and a nice lobby and mini art gallery to attend to afterward..
okay so the light up menu is a unique touch.. and quite necessary too.. it gets dark in there when the sun goes down.. and yes it is bright if you have to look at it again..after your eyes have had time to adjust to the dark....
