The food was ok. They were out of some of the menu items. I'm not sure if I will go back.

Have been looking forward to trying Dorothy's for about a week, and decided to go on a double date. We are so happy that we did. The crab cakes and deviled eggs were an excellent starter; different from any other that Ive ever had and very memorable. Steak, shrimp & grits, gumbo, and duck jambalaya were delicious. Fried bread pudding and fresh beignets were excellent suggestions by Athan. Athan was our server and very friendly, prompt, and knowledgeable about the dishes. Rene made our dinner very special and was very passionate about her role in preparing the dishes. Thank you, Dorothy's! We will be back, and we suggest you try it out, too. read more

I promise I hate writing bad reviews. Yesterday my family and I were out and since we were downtown we decided to try Dorothy's. I was like sure why not the hype around the restaurant was worth the try. For starters we had the deviled eggs and the crab cakes. If I see deviled eggs on the menu I will try them. Theirs were good I wish it were just a little bit more bacon on them. The crab cakes were nice and warm and the flavor was everything! My main entree I had the gumbo and fried chicken. The chicken was a boneless skinless chicken thigh. It was flavorful but I was as not expecting the chicken to be in the same bowl as the gumbo. But what made my experience not the best was my food being cold. I was like I'm not tripping am I and yes it was cold lol. My husband's food was cold too he had the crawfish etoufee. Our server offered to have the chef remake my dish but I was already over it. Lastly, my water was absolutely disgusting. It gave tap water. However I saw some folks with glass jars and vos water on their table except mine. Besides my lackluster experience with the food the vibe inside the restaurant is absolutely amazing. The music was good and the service was excellent as well. Unfortunately I cannot recommend this place based off my experience but if people do choose to go I hope they have a better experience than me! read more

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This was a great find for a Sunday brunch. Although it's strange that they don't have the brunch menu posted on their website, I had been able to piece together the menu essentially from looking online at reviews. It's a beautiful space that feels very southern, reflecting their creole and southern cuisine nicely. Almost everything on the brunch menu sounded good! We started with the voodoo and boudin nalls to split. When they explained the voodoo balls, I think we were all in with the voodoo balls when they explained that they were filled with crawfish, rice, Snd cheese, and then rolled in Zapp's voodoo chips! These weee delicious! The boudin balls, filled with pork and rice were very good as well. We were off to a great start! The entrees were well prepared but some seasoning was needed. The steak had a chimichurri sauce but the meat itself was bland, as were the eggs. I had to ask for salt and pepper, which was surprising as most southern food is often overly seasoned. For dessert, we split the banana bread pudding, which was really good. It was moist without being wet or soggy and it had a nice crust. The vanilla ice cream with the bourbon caramel sauce added the sweetness, creating a really balanced dessert. Overall, the food was good and service was decent. I'm glad we found this place. I hope to return for dinner in the near future. read more

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I went here with some friends for Saturday brunch. I got the short rib hash and a mimosa. Both were delicious. The food portions were huge for me, so I had to box the rest for leftovers. The service was great. It is a nice little spot downtown. read more

Dorothy's Downtown - Short Rib Hash - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

First time visiting Dorothy's in Jacksonville. Cute place downtown. The environment is warm and welcoming at Dorothy's. The food was exceptional. I enjoyed the boudin balls which you rarely find on a menu. And the pasta dish was good. Though I'm surprised that the noodles were lasagna noodles. That is what they appeared to be. Would visit again to try some other dishes. read more

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Great spot for lunch in downtown Jacksonville! Came with a big group we were sat pretty quickly. We showed up right around noon so that was a huge plus the staff was fantastic and very accommodating to our large party! We got the deviled eggs for the table absolutely delicious not too over the top very traditional, and it felt like it would be at a cookout with a bunch of family! I had the shrimp and grits and that was the best creamy grits. I've had the shrimp is delicious. The sauce in the spices and flavor was chefs. Kiss definitely will be coming back here when I come here for work! P.S. the sweet tea was a perfect souther sweet tea!!! read more

Dorothy's Downtown - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

First timer here and was pleasantly surprised. Went during the brunch hours and loved the vibe and look of the restaurant. The place was literally aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. The service was good our waitress was attentive and made suggestions for the drinks and food for our group. The crab cakes were some of the best I've had. They were not shy at all with the crab like other places can be at times. Which I appreciated! I will definitely be back to try the dinner menu for a cute date night. read more

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Came here with a bunch of my mom friends for a birthday dinner. The decor inside was unique and chic. Darian and Athan provided the BEST service! When we got to our table, it was quite wobbly and we were worried about spilling our drinks. We told Darian and she was able to fix it in less than a minute! Athan will tell you he's Edward Norton's son (because he looks JUST LIKE HIM!) but don't let him fool you. He's great though, offered us free shots for our birthday. The food was so amazing here!!! I loved almost every single thing we ordered. The deviled eggs and Caesar salad were perfection. The boudin balls had a weird texture on the inside and needed more salt/flavor. The wild salmon was ok, but it came with a Creole creamed spinach that was so good I could have eaten a whole bowl of it. The beignets were better than at Cafe du Monde! And the Chantilly cake was the best dessert! So glad we came here and will definitely be back. read more

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Went here per my other halfs recommendation and was not disappointed. The restaurant and very cozy but spacious at the same time. Our server was attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. While I'm usually cautious when ordering grits, and ESPECIALLY cautious about salmon (because the portion is never enough). I gave the salmon and grits a shot and was not disappointed! The grits had very good flavor, not the best I've had but they didn't miss the mark. The salmon, fresh, moist, seasoned perfectly and was a much bigger piece than I expected so that did it for me. The crab cakes had more crab than cake.. good job Dorothys. And was also good. Would like to go back for dinner sometime. read more

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Groovy little spot in downtown Jacksonville. Small and very charming. Shout out to the bartender. She looks just barely enough to drink, but she makes a magnificent lemon drop. (she doubled as a server and provided outstanding service and recommendations). I arrived in time to enjoy an $8 martini and $10 crab cake....both of which were exceptional. Upon the bartender's suggestion I selected the delicious Cajun grits and lamb chops. Very well seasoned. A plus. Also a shout out to the delicious carrot cake. read more

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Came here for dinner and thankfully we had a reservation because the group in front of us was walk-in and they didn't have any table for them. The inside looks completely different from the outside, the decoration is very cute. Drinks are a bit pricy ($14-16), they were decent but I would suggest going during happy hour. We specifically came here for dinner because they have some vegan options on the dinner menu. We ordered vegan Wellington and ribeye. It took a bit for the food to come out (they were pretty busy), ribeye was okay - there was not really anything that made it stand out. The vegan Wellington was interesting- it had vegan meat and mushroom inside. The taste and texture was good, the only thing was the pastry outside was a bit hard to cut through. Overall the drinks were good, food was decent, place looked nice inside but a bit pricy for the type of food and drinks. read more

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Dorothy's in Downtown Jacksonville is a must-visit for anyone craving a fantastic, authentic New Orleans dining experience! The Crawfish Étouffée was incredibly flavorful and packed the perfect amount of heat--right at the absolute max of my spice tolerance. To top it all off, the desserts were out of this world and easily the highlight of the night. If you find yourself in the downtown area, definitely give this spot a try! read more

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Loved my meal here. Easy parking right next door in the huge public lot (for a fee). The place is smartly decorated... you can tell they care. Even from the outside, you feel the New Orleans vibe. Service was excellent, with a genuine aim-to-please attitude. Wine and cocktails were very good... and there's a cool little bar tucked in the back too. The chow was fantastic. Highly recommend the BBQ Shrimp & Smoked Gouda Grits... OMG great! It's offered as an entree, but we shared it as a first course... perfect if you love shrimp. Followed that with the Fried Chicken & Gumbo with Andouille Sausage and Yellow Rice... excellent! The restaurant is a short walk to the Florida Theatre just a few blocks away... so worked out well for us. But now I consider Dorothy's a destination in itself. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED read more

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My husband and I were given a recommendation to come to Dorothy's. The reviews are pretty mixed, but we thought we'd give it a try since a friend spoke so highly of it. Unfortunately, the reviews that say this place is subpar are pretty accurate. We had a reservation, which got us right in. We were seated at a table that was so close to 3 other tables. Literally we could hear everyone's conversation. I really don't like feeling like I'm in everyone's business as well as them in mine. It kind of set the tone for the experience. I decided to get the bbq shrimp and grits. The waitress did a great job warning me the "bbq" isn't what it sounds like. It's a worcestershire and butter sauce. She said I could put it on the side if I wanted. I thought it was weird she recommended that. I decided to get it on the shrimp since that's how it comes. It came with 5 huge shrimp on a nice size plate of grits. I should have taken the suggestion of putting the sauce on the side though. It wasn't bad but it was a strange sauce and overwhelming to the dish. It was salty as well. The grits were okay. I've had better. Shrimp themselves were very good though. My husband ordered the short rib with sweet potato hash. He said it was good, but wasn't going crazy over it. It was super tender and the sauce was nice. Hash was average. We both said the meal was fine. I was sadly underwhelmed especially for the hype of this place. It was nice to try somewhere new, but we have no desire to go back. read more

Dorothy's Downtown - Bbq shrimp and grits - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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UPDATE REVIEW. Went with friends before a show at FL Theater last week -- made a reservation prior; got seated right away. Server Tori was polite and friendly. She accurately explained questions about menu and made recommendations. Orders perfectly delivered and absolutely delicious. The Catch Me If You Can drink was a hit as well. And OMGosh, the desserts were outstanding. Don't miss that opportunity - take away boxes are available. The interior design and decor lends itself well to that N'awlins kinda vibe ... it's fun and funky. But, bring your wallet. Not cheap. Would recommend for dinner -- but, don't linger longer than 90-120 minutes as tables need to turn for next reservation. But, yes - I am happy I returned - should I give brunch another chance?! We shall see. read more

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Just in town for the weekend. I wanted to feel like a local, so I stopped in this place because it came highly recommended. I totally learned why! I had the fried green tomatoes and bbq shrimp and grits..Both were deliciously good..The fried green tomatoes were fried to a nice golden crisp topped with some kind of sauce.. The shrimp was so juicy and full of flavor..The grits were a bit too chunky but nothing a little water couldn't fix. The restaurant is clean and cute but small. Small enough that it feels like the guest next to you are apart of your party. In fact, I was sitting next to the loudest ghetto chick's in the building. Food is priced reasonably. Altogether my meal was about $41. I only wished they offered mints to go at the door. I would totally eat at Dorothy' s if ever I'm back in town. read more

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Crab cakes are one of the best items on the menu and the beignet are amazing! Great place to grab quick appetizers. The dinner menu is not very vast. read more

Dorothy's Downtown - Crab cakes - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Visited on a Saturday evening. We were greeted and sat right away. I ordered a drink from the cocktail menu and it was good. Ordered the wild salmon and substituted the potatoes for smoked gouda grits and also ordered the bbq shrimp and grits. My salmon was overcooked and the grits were below room temperature and super thick. The ambience was beautiful. The menu is very limited so I had high expectations that the entrees would be executed well but they were subpar. Not a place I would visit again because it was mediocre. read more

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It was nicely decorated inside and the service was friendly and attentive. The short rib was perfectly cooked: very tender and flavorful. The mashed potatoes were also smooth and delicious. read more

Dorothy's Downtown - Short rib + potatoes - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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Food was just mediocre- I like that my waitress was very nice and did her job but it wasn't worth $70 not including dessert or tip for one person. Ambiance it was ok read more

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Horrible service, mediocre food, and a 'cheap-bougie' atmosphere . Would give 2 stars but-for the rude service. They only serve brunch on sundays, but don't have the brunch menu on their website (just lunch and dinner). They would not add sauce to their burger. The Caesar salad with salmon which was wet and mushy. The salmon was cooked to the right temp but not cooked hot enough. They used canned orange juice for a mimosa - on a brunch menu in Florida! The blonde bartender clearly had better things to do than take our order. She was rude and standoff-ish. Just one question was enough to get an eye-roll. The comments under negative reviews here explains her behavior. The manager argues with negative reviews, which makes the bartender's "you're on my time" attitude make more sense. The atmosphere is cheap and a little obnoxious. Think "West Elm" furniture and loud techno music. Trying to be hip and stylish, but not quite getting it. read more

We visited earlier in the year, mid January. The food was ok and we would have been more inclined to return because the place is actually very cute. But the atmosphere from the service crew is a different story. They all seemed very rushed and dismissive. We were a larger party, so we understood that we might be overwhelming them. But besides us, they had 2-3 other tables in our area and there seemed to be enough staff. But for some reason they just give off a not to be bothered vibe. Good is mediocre to overlook the unfriendly atmosphere. I didn't keep the pics because of the experience. Hopefully they're better. read more

We were in town for the day and stopped in for Happy Hour. Had a great Old Fashioned, Chicken sandwich and fries. All excellent. The bartender was so sweet!! Great place! If we visit Jacksonville again this will definitely be a place we will return to. Check it out if you haven't been there! read more

Date night with my husband. We will be back! Our first time here. Place cleaned up very nicely after being Burrito Gallery back in the day. Lee was our server and she was fantastic! Attentive without being annoying. She was very knowledgeable about the menu. We started with a glass of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir followed by house salads. For our mains I had the short rib with mashed potatoes and a chilie sauce. Z had the creole pasta with an added grilled chicken breast. Both meals were delicious! Portions were large and we both took home leftovers. Can't wait to return! read more

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My husband and I were excited to try Dorothy's, since it's owned by the same team behind The District, a restaurant we've been to many times and really enjoy. I ordered the vegan sausage étouffée, which was excellent, and my husband had the steak and frites, which he also loved. We both agreed we'd happily come back. The only downsides for me were the service and limited vegan options. I truly appreciate that there are two vegan entrées on the menu, but I'd love to see at least one vegan appetizer or dessert added, as well as options during lunch. As for the service, there was room for improvement. I was initially given a lunch menu instead of the dinner one. Thankfully I noticed (having checked the menu online beforehand), and it was corrected. Another member of our party also received a lunch menu and didn't ever realize it. Because of this, he didn't see many options on the menu and decided not to even order any food and just order a few drinks. Service overall felt a bit slow, and we waited a while before being able to order. Despite that, the food was delicious and the atmosphere was great. With a bit more attention to service, Dorothy's could easily be a five-star experience. read more

Dorothy's Downtown - Vegan Sausage Etouffee - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

We'd never been to this restaurant in downtown JAX. Let's face it, good food downtown is not a characteristic of JAX. So thank goodness for Dorothy's Downtown as they go against the grain. We dined in the AC controlled patio. Our server was excellent. Friendly but not overly so. Competent to the max and prompt. We ordered from the happy hour menu where I got a smashed burger with fries and my hubby got the chicken sandwich. They use thighs for the sandwich so the meat was moist while the coating wonderfully seasoned and crisp. My burger was not as moist as I'd hoped but still a great meal. The bacon and pickles were excellent on my burger. No scrimping there. The fries were great. Salty, garlicky and peppery. And crisped to perfection. We also ordered from the bar and the lemon drops were excellent. No sugar rim so that's a little odd to me but very tasty. I'm pretty sure if I am downtown for a performance or just for a great meal Dorothy's will be my top choice for fine dining. Can't wait to try their full menu! read more

Just 4 minutes from FSCJ Downtown Campus (where we attended a Wellness Summit). My friend wanted "red beans and rice" ... we didn't see it on the lunch menu, so we called to check. It's faster to reach them via text, which they responded to quickly! Thanks! We arrived about 11:30am. It's located in the same building as Indochine. Paid parking on the side. Place is cutely decorated. Fancy but also chill. Food was delicious! Very flavorful! We came at Lunch, but they were serving all options that day - brunch and dinner menus, too! I got the shrimp and grits. Creamy goodness and just the right amount of spice! Friend got red beans and rice with the chicken on top. We also shared fried green tomatoes- Yum! And she got cornbread (not pictured), also yum! I say it was a great choice! Staff was great! Good vibes all around and definitely made us feel welcome and special. Haha (inside joke- they said they might not have cornbread and my friend said, she'll only get it if she's special - and she got it!) Hehe Thanks again! Will definitely return for good Creole-fusion! read more

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Let me start by saying I know this is a new restaurant, so I'm showing a bit of grace and will likely be back because I do think they have potential. But for now: The interior decor was cute. I loved the old timey Louisiana French inspired theme. My friend and I ordered the stuffed shrimp to start. It was delicious. For entrees we got the Rack of Elk and the Lamb Chops. We asked for many bones came in the rack of elk and were told 4; okay great. The lamb chops were very tasty, but just served with a big pile of mashed potatoes, no veggies. I thought that was a bit weird. But the elk was even weirder. Firstly, it came with only 2 bones. Secondly, it was served on a bed of shishito peppers. Huh??? That was the intended side. I'm sorry, that's a complement at best, definitely not a side dish for an entree, especially not a rack of elk. When we called the waitress over, she said the peppers are randomly spicy, and that's supposed to be the side dish of the meal. She did acknowledge the rack serving was "small" and went back to the kitchen and brought out one more bone. This is still not the four bones we were told we would have, but we didn't want to make a fuss so we let it go. It's worth noting the elk was delicious. All in all, some highlights, but definitely some kinks to be ironed out. I will give them a chance once they've had an opportunity to work through the early hiccups. read more

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Mixed feelings about this place. I'll start with the good, the food is delicious. Everything was well seasoned, plated nicely, and tasty. The server was very nice and the outdoor patio was cute & comfortable. Now the not so good, the host was not friendly, and borderline rude. And the drinks were TERRIBLE! I'm not sure how they can claim to be a "craft cocktail" bar when all their drinks tasted like pre-made garbage. I asked for a dirty martini, and it was certainly not dirty. It wasn't very cold, no olives, tasted terrible. The espresso martini tasted like bottled mixer & syrup. No foam, overly sweet, just gross. We sent both martinis back and ordered a bottle of wine instead, and were still charged for the drinks. Overall I'd come back for the food, but definitely won't be getting cocktails here again. read more

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Great service, and food! Will definitely be going back in the future for more good times and great food!

The cocktails were honestly the only redeeming part of our meal. Unfortunately, everything else ranged from disappointing to just bad. Right from the start, they were out of multiple items we ordered, so we had to keep changing our selections. My husband ordered his steak rare, and it came out medium well. He barely touched it, and we ended up giving it to our dog when we got home. My salmon was completely overcooked and dry. The potatoes were decent, but the creamed spinach was cold and bland. Overall, the entire meal felt more like a mediocre home-cooked dinner than a restaurant experience, especially for the price point. The one bright spot was our server, who was attentive and pleasant throughout the night. I genuinely felt bad because the service was good, but the kitchen completely missed the mark. read more

Really good food, great service, amazing decor and atmosphere. Stopped by Dorothy's for lunch. The style and decor of the interior was just ingenious. Exposed brick, bold, vintage southern accents. Really nicely done. We were waited on immediately (reservation) and our waitress checked with us often. My chicken and gumbo was really good. My wife ordered the shrimp and grits, that was really well executed as well. Great consistency with the grits. My gumbo and her shrimp were seasoned very well and very tasty. My only constructive take away is that there needs to be a bread or biscuit option with these dishes. They epitomize dipping type dishes. Highly recommend this place. Great elegant dining option downtown. read more

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Dorothy's Downtown - A Soulful Southern Gem in the Heart of Jacksonville We finally made it to Dorothy's Downtown -- and let me just say, it lived up to all the buzz and then some. This vibrant new spot, which opened its doors in May 2025, brings upscale Southern and Creole flavors to a beautifully reimagined space on Adams Street, right beneath Indochine. The energy here is warm and inviting, and you can feel the thoughtfulness behind every detail--from the food to the art on the walls. The menu? Bold, soulful, and deeply rooted in Southern charm. Everything is made from scratch, and it shows. Each dish felt like a celebration of flavor, tradition, and a little bit of kitchen magic. Here's what we tried and absolutely loved: * Crab Cakes with a zesty Cajun remoulade -- perfectly crisp outside, rich and tender inside * Fried Chicken Gumbo loaded with andouille sausage and served over fluffy yellow rice -- comforting and full of depth * Wild Salmon over Creole creamed spinach with Yukon Gold potatoes -- balanced, fresh, and perfectly cooked * Short Rib with a smoky roasted poblano chile sauce and Yukon Gold mash -- melt-in-your-mouth good * Banana Bread Pudding and Chantilly Cake -- honestly, the kind of desserts you don't forget Also, shoutout to Ayanna, our server--she was incredible. Friendly, knowledgeable, and made us feel right at home without missing a beat. We also couldn't resist the French press coffee, and we're not exaggerating when we say it might be the best in Jacksonville. Smooth, rich, and the perfect way to close out the night. Oh--and don't miss their gorgeous covered courtyard out back. Brick pavers, local art murals, and cozy lighting--it's like stepping into a little French Quarter hideaway. Dorothy's Downtown 21 Adams St, Jacksonville, FL Southern Creole cuisine, scratch-made cocktails, and pure hospitality. Whether it's date night or just a craving for soulful food in a beautiful setting, Dorothy's is an absolute must-visit. read more

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Second time visiting Dorothy's and haven't been disappointed yet. Food: 5 Customer Service: 5 Drinks: 5 The crab stuffed shrimp are so flavorful, packed with just right amount of crab. They have a little spice to them, but still great. Crab cake: It was good and I like their remoulaid sauce Boudin balls: first time trying and they weee good especially with the chilli Thai sauce. read more

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It was a nice experience! Food was amazing service was a little slow, water looked like she had to many tables but the food, wwwhew I loved it. Those crab cakes are top tier!! read more

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Had a pleasant experience here with friends the other day. Ordered the pot roast and the meat was super tender and flavorful. They were out of the Yukon gold potatoes and the Vegan Wellington, so we sadly didn't try those, but the consensus was that the food did not disappoint. Especially want that espresso dipping sauce that accompanied the beignets! Yum! Will go back to try a few more items off the menu, but this is a great addition to downtown Jax. read more

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The food was delicious. I had braised short rib over the Gouda grits. Fantastic! My girlfriend had shrimp and grits. The shrimp were super large. Another girlfriend had salmon over creamed skins with mash potatoes. We all loved our food. Oh! For an appetizer we got crab cakes and devil eggs. The crab cakes were tasty. The devil eggs were ok. Not the best that I have eaten Tory was our waiter. She was super nice and knowledgeable of out the menu. The ambience was clean and inviting . read more

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A great place for a date night or dinner with friends. We were here with 4 of my girlfriends and had a great time. We were seated outside under a covered patio and were glad we were as it downpoured. Our waiter was wonderful, giving us suggestions along the way. We had crab cakes, deviled eggs , fried chicken and gumbo, filet and creole pasta. The crab cakes were delicious! Large pieces of crab and minimal breading. The fried chicken and gumbo were ok, we weren't sure if it was the chicken or the gumbo but something was VERY salty. The creole pasta flavors were great but the pasta was very soft and over cooked. I tad disappointing. The filet was cooked perfectly! Over all I will definitely be back to try more of the menu. read more

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An amazing brunch spot especially for a day out with the girls. Good drinks, food and ambiance