Had a great dinner at Embers Wood Grill. The atmosphere is exactly what you want from a nice steakhouse dim lighting, candlelit tables, and a relaxed upscale vibe that makes it perfect for a date night or a laid-back evening out. I ordered the salmon with what looked like a creamy potato side, and it was excellent. The salmon had a beautiful sear on it and was cooked just right crispy on the outside, tender and flavorful on the inside. The potatoes were rich and comforting, the kind of side dish that actually complements the main plate instead of just sitting there. Service was attentive without being overbearing, and the overall presentation of the food and table setup felt polished. You can tell they care about the experience, not just the meal. If you're looking for a spot that feels classy but still comfortable, this is a solid choice. Definitely a place I'd come back to for another dinner. read more

Embers Wood Grill - Salmon and Mashed Potatoes - Steakhouses Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Embers/Spark was packed, and I was flying solo so able to claim the one empty barstool. Good vibes from the bearded bartender and server team! I planned on eating "healthy" and quickly diverted to the Prime Tenderloin Burger, based on suggestion from my bar neighbors. A Smoked Old Fashioned rounded out my bar dining experience. read more

Embers Wood Grill - Tenderloin Steak Burger - Steakhouses Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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My wife treated me to steak dinner for my birthday. The reservation set-up was a little different. However, we were traveling from Saint Augustine, so did not want to leave to chance. Reviewed on-line comments; wondered why one would order sea-food (chicken/lamb) at a steak restaurant? From one who appreciates a good steak (Ruth Christs/Chicago Chop House), Embers is right up there with one of the finest steaks I've ever eaten! Service was superb! Ambiance was nice. However, curb appeal made me wonder; turned out to just be part of the charm! Highly recommend! read more

The food is better than average, to be sure. Portions not indicated by weight, like steaks, are small. My husband ordered the red snapper and it was half the portion size he expected, especially for the price. I had the 6 oz. filet and it was tasty but tough; of all things to be tough, this should not have been. The service is good; again, better than average, but not extraordinary. I'm willing to pay a high price for an outstanding meal. This was not it. read more

Fantastic food, service & ambiance. I do not know about tipping, because I have not seen the tab and I am not responsible for the payment. The individual entrees do not seem terribly expensive for this type of restaurant experience. read more

Embers is literally the best restaurant in Gainesville. The ambiance is good (not too rowdy/loud), the service is always top notch, and the food is delicious. I usually get the filet mignon (they have the best one in Gainesville) but the day my group went, they were offering American Wagyu. It was completely different from Filet Mignon. The taste, the feel in the mouth -- everything. It was surreal. We also got the flatbread, crab bisque soup, and the escargot, which are staple dishes whenever I go here and they still taste pretty good. Got the Crème Brûlée which is pretty good too (controversial take but, I think Fresh Market in Gainesville has the best Crème Brûlée). I also got the cookies to go. The cookies, are the best dessert in this restaurant. They're basically a cookie in a cookie, and it is worth every penny. Overall, I love Embers! read more

Embers Wood Grill - Crème brûlée - Steakhouses Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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We were pleasantly surprised by this trip to Embers after several disappointing experiences over the last couple of years. The service was excellent and the food quality was great. Because of the high cost we dine here only for special occasions. Embers is a very fine restaurant for Gainesville. read more

I use to eat there very often but after tonight don't think I will anymore. i spent $115.00 dollars on a togo order and they just dumped my steak & fries in a box ....very disappointed grrrrr read more

My husband and I recently celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary at Embers Wood Grill. I had the filet mignon and my husband had the porterhouse both were perfectly cooked to our specifications. My filet was delicious and you could cut it with a fork. We both had the lobster mashed potatoes and asparagus really good sides. The service by our waiter was exceptional, he was able to make recommendations and was attentive to our dining needs. I had the banana foster cheesecake for dessert really food too. Cocktails: Gin Basil Smash and Maple Rye Old Fashioned you need to try these... read more

Embers Wood Grill - Steakhouses Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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Every thing we tried was fantastic! Definitely a go to spot if you want to have a fine dining experience! The service was excellent! The decors and ambiance is spot on! read more

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I've been here quite a few times and have been pleasantly surprised each time. I will say, though, that I've only been for meetings so haven't seen or had a chance to know what the rest of the menu is like. They tend to have the same menu almost each time so I'm familiar with what I like by now. Appetizers such as shrimp cocktail, margherita pizza, gator tail, calamari, and salad are typically served and oh so good! For my personal appetizer I like to get the crab bisque. I've had it a couple of times with the last time being the best. It also comes with a crostini which is a nice touch. Entree wise I get the filet mignon EVERY time, cooked medium. Why? Because it comes with lobster mashed potatoes. I dream about those things sometimes they are delicious. Dessert has been different but I do like any sort of cheesecake offered. There has to be one of the best I've had outside of Cheesecake Factory. It had a special touch to it that I can't figure out what, but I'm glad it's there. Needless to say I highly recommend and I definitely plan to be back outside of meetings. It's a cute special event, date night, or just because spot. read more

Embers Wood Grill - Crab bisque - Steakhouses Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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We celebrated our 25 wedding anniversary with a great dinner at Embers Wood Grill. The food and service were superb. We enjoyed a filet mignon and a porterhouse Steak . Both steaks were absolutely excellent including the side dishes . Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable. Living in the northern western part of Florida this is one of our favorite places. read more

Embers Wood Grill - Porterhouse - Steakhouses Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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Melvin was our server, ironically, Victor took our reservation and made it a point to come over and introduce himself. I didn't think the food was overpriced and I did think everything was absolutely delicious!!! I had the cowboy cut ribeye and my wife had the 10 oz wagyu filet mignon with diver scallops. We will definitely be back to this place ... A hidden gem of excellence !! read more

Embers Wood Grill - Cowboy ribeye - Steakhouses Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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Steak was cooked perfect, shrimp was fire, and the cheesecake... yeah, I'm still thinking about it!!! But let's be real.. the real highlight was Devante and Nick. Hands down the best duo. The vibes, the service, everything on point. They made the whole experience 10x better. Good food is one thing, but when you've got a team like that, it hits different read more

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This place was great: the inside was beautiful and our food was amazing. My boyfriend had one of the steaks and, even though he can be picky when it comes to steak, he loved it. I had the salmon, which was very good. Our server, Jesse, was very nice and helpful. Definitely would come back! read more

So we had a gift card to blow through laying around for about a year before using it up on take away. It also happened to be a very busy Gator weekend and honestly, I wasn't really wanting to deal with all that. Everything was excellent and I don't like take away. Blue Crab Bisque, Goddammed, Goddamed; nice chunky bits. Escargot, woo hoo! Deliciously rivals all I've ever had before. Lobsta' mashed was fantastic. Chedda' grits nom nom nom yum yum. lol. Went for both desserts, that famous lemon layer cake and banana foster cheescake because why not, @!#?@! it. Both were delicious. And those berries though?! And damn, ask for the bread. I turned those into croutons. Everyone we interacted wth was posh and professional, friendly, helpful, and nice. Kids but on spot. They did forget something but immediately realized it and it all worked out. Sharp. My final thoughts are, and I wouldn't have thunk this, is I guess you can do deliciously wonderful expense account steak house at the house. We did have to time a few things when rewarming stuffs and I broke the bernaise but it all worked out famously despite itself; something I never would have thought or expected would. read more

ordered to go, was very disappointed. The food barely filled up any of the boxes. It almost looks as if they didn't care about the food because it was to go. Oxtail has no flavor just pasta thrown together with some meat. Short rib looks like it was boiled and just thrown in the box. very little food and very poor execution for the price I paid. I'm assuming they didn't cook it the same way if we were dinning in unfortunately. read more

We just had the most lovely, elevated 5-week late Valentine's Day dinner. We were able to get a day-of reservation and our server Melvin was top notch. We've had Michelin starred meals and he made this experience even better. Perfect recommendations, descriptions of things, and wine pairings. Our lobster bisque, steaks, sides and crème brûlée were all excellent. We'll be back and we'll ask for Melvin. read more

Excellent service, friendly staff. Dinner was best steak that I have had in years I used to live in Dallas and have had some great steaks, Embers is a pleasant surprise and was superior to Dallas. read more

Great ambience, dimly lit. Our server Melvin was very attentive and informative. All the food was great. read more

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No better fine dining experience in Gainesville, and it's been that way for years. Filet continues to be my go to, with a plentiful wine selection to choose from. Lobster mashed potatoes are always fabulous. Staff is top notch. read more

Almost $500 for an "okay" meal. We came for a Valentine's Day prix-fixe and left shocked by the value. The menu was presented as a 5-course experience, but it had very limited options and the food was basic overall. The Caesar salad was fine, nothing memorable. For the mains, we had the filet mignon and the salmon. The filet tasted like it had no seasoning at all, and the mashed potatoes were just eh. The salmon was a good portion, but also lacked flavor, and the rice it came with was soggy. The prix-fixe was $150 per person and drinks were not included, plus an automatic 20% gratuity. For nearly $500 total, this experience was nowhere near worth the price. I would not recommend going. read more

It was a quiet night and yet, we were seated among a bunch of other two-tops - so close it was easy to figure out the couple next to us was on a first date. We have hoped that for her sake that it was their last date, but that's another story. Well, OK, he wore flip flops and ordered the gator tail appetizer after --after-- she said she didn't care for it. (Run girl!) Other than that, the service was seriously snooty and the food was just OK. , The whole experience left us wondering why this place is such a big deal. read more

One of the better places to eat in Gainesville. Always satisfied when you leave here. Check it out

The Service was OUTSTANDING! Server was knowledgeable on Food and Wines. Our meals exceeded our expectations! Will definitely return.

Food was wonderful as was the service. Very nice table & setting. We were able to sit & talk without being disturbed- really enjoyed Embers & will definitely go again. read more

Really one of Gainesville's hidden gems! I hesitate to mention this one because I love it so much! I fly from across the country at least once a year to eat here. The service is always good. They are a safe space and so chilled. If you want high quality food with a classic vibe (inclusive energy though). Warning: I don't eat sweets but every single item on their dessert menu is delicious. I have to order something sweet every time I visit. The bread pudding is amazing! read more

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Came here on a Thursday evening. Definitely make a reservation. We had one and needed to add another chair so we needed to wait, which was fine. When you first walk in to the right of you is a dining room that can be reserved that easily sits twenty people it appeared. Would be great for holiday parties! Our waiter Davante was amazing with the different personalities of our table. He had great suggestions, was friendly and efficient. I had the tuna with a side of mushrooms. The seared tuna was fresh, and the entree was a great portion with the two sides. The bring around different breads to choose from, and offer however many you would like to try. The restrooms were maintained, there was a lighted parking lot as well. The dining area is large enough for someone with a wheelchair which is so beneficial and helpful. When I am back in the area, I wouldn't hesitate to come here again. Enjoy! read more

Embers Wood Grill - Steakhouses Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Guess I've got a lot more discerning in my old age. Where to start? Bread for the table was very slow to appear as were the drinks which showed up some time later. I ordered a Caesar Salad but what I received required a new definition. How about a salad wedge covered in creamy dressing with a large parmigiano chip on top. Really? While I no longer expect the salad to be prepared at the table given today's low standards I still expect a Caesar Salad when I order one. I wonder what would have happened if I asked for Anchovies? Moving on - We were seated in a dinning room with upholstered seating the length of one wall with tables and chairs for couples; plenty of space between to enter your seat. This however was an invitation for the wait staff to stand between the tables when taking an order. What I didn't need was the wait staffs ass overhanging my dining table while I dined. The temptation to stick a fork in them was over whelming. Now the stake (a prime NY Strip). Not really. No better grade than Choice. My dad owned a butcher shop in Brooklyn when I was a kid and I know what I am talking about. Of course I guess it did compliment the Mac and Cheese side that is served in all the top-shelf steakhouses these days. Let's top it off with a flourless chocolate cake with port for two. The cake although prepared well had the presentation of a 24 hour diner pie. And just to be consistent the port was of low quality which did not complement the Death-by-chocolate. read more

This was my first time to Embers! I was celebrating my husband's birthday. Our server Xavier was phenomenal! He explained the menu and gave recommendations and had a sense of humor as well. The ambiance was nice and for perfect for date night! For starters we had the ceviche with was atop of tostones. The ceviche was fresh and delicious and the tostones were good but a bit too done for my taste. For entrees I had the duck with sweet potato mash and asparagus. Everything tasted great, I was looking for a bit more duck though. My husband had the steak with lobster mashed potatoes and mushrooms. He said everything was delicious and described the steak as melt in your mouth! For drinks I had a gin martini and my husband had an old fashion which were both good and they gave us complimentary champagne and a desert for celebrating my husband's birthday! Definitely recommend! read more

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If you are looking for the best meal of your life, make a reservation today! The crab bisque is incredible! Full of flavor and the perfect texture! The filet was cooked perfectly as requested (rare plus) and presented beautifully. The lemon cake for dessert was moist, dense and not too sweet. Service is wonderful and you get two choices of ambiance. Date night romantic vibes on the Embers side and casual upscale vibes on the Sparks side. I went with the Sparks side and it was impeccable! read more

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This was at least my tenth time there. Amazing every time. Very courteous and professional staff. read more

Embers Wood Grill - Ribeye and scallop special. Out of this world - Steakhouses Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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The food was good and tasty. The ribeye, grits, and Mac and cheese were great. For the area the prices are high but the ingredients were a good quality so I guess that's ok. I docked it star because of the price and it being a challenge to get a reservation. There was also confusion over reservations when I arrived. read more

This restaurant frequently turns up on Top 10 in Gainesville lists. We were disappointed to say the least. Our waiter started out attentive and interested in our experience and ended up ignoring us after the entrees were served. The food itself was okay but nothing special. My husband had lamb chops. I had duck. The highlight of my meal was the grilled Caesar salad. After finishing our entrees, we sat with empty plates awhile before the waiter came to ask about dessert. We ordered creme brulee and a cheese plate. After almost 10 minutes without being served, we stopped the waiter on his way by and he told us they were making the cheese plate at their bistro next door and they had gotten busy and had fallen behind. Should only be a minute. The waiter did not come by the table again for another 10 minutes. It seemed he was deliberately avoiding our side of the restaurant. I was trying to get his attention so that we could cancel our dessert order due to the wait but did not see him again until he returned with the dessert we had ordered 20 minutes earlier. As he placed the desserts on the table, I asked for our check and let him know the 20 minute wait for dessert was unacceptable. He did not apologize for the wait or his lack of communication but went on to let us know my husband was getting their free sorbet since it was his birthday. I've lived in Gainesville for 16 years and had never been to this top rated restaurant. I will not be returning. We knew what the prices were before we made the reservation. We expected food and service that would justify the prices. They did not. A very disappointing experience overall. read more

We enjoyed an exceptional dinner at Embers the other night - everything was beautifully presented and completely delicious! The excellent meal we shared was accompanied by the perfect wine pairing, which was recommend by our helpful and friendly server.   Tip: One of the best things they serve here (a total surprise to us) was freshly baked focaccia bread.  It's made with asiago and garlic - I could have dined on that alone, but in conjunction with our meal it was a total feast :-) There was literally nothing that Embers could have done to make our dining experience better - highly recommended!! read more

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The steaks are amazing, and the service is fantastic. Start the evening next door at Spark, and then finish at Embers in their main dining room. Everything from the appetizers (get the bisque!), to the main course (get the porterhouse), to the dessert (simple cookies and milk), tot he craft drinks - you will love every moment. read more

I had a beautiful piece of salmon that was 100% overcooked. So sad. Cheesecake for dessert that tasted like it had been left open in the refrigerator for a week and a half. A server who was totally indifferent and hated his job. Fortunately, our cocktails were very good and the crab bisque is as good as it has always been. The experience we paid for was definitely not the experience we got. Very disappointing. read more

I called to make reservations and left 2 messages without any return call. Disappointed but if you can't return a call for reservations don't have voicemail! read more

Beloved got a tip that Embers Wood Grill was one of the "good as it gets" restaurants in Gainesville, and to our total delight, it indeed turned out to be that. It's a classy-looking place but with a casual comfort about it. The wait staff is totally professional and attentive. It has two certified Sommeliers on staff with over 420 wine selections and 30 available by the glass. I started with their Grilled Caesar with Organic Romaine, Parmesan Crackers, and Kalamata Olives plus, at my request, anchovies. Then for my entrée, I had their special of the night prime truffled butter filet mignon with mushroom sauce and foie gras. It was exceptional in every way from tender texture to taste and flavor. So, yup, Embers Wood Grill is about as good as it gets. read more

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Steaks are excellent. Service is solid. The place is a little noisy at times for other conversations, but workable. read more