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    Fortu

    4.3 (261 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Fortu Photos

    Business Info

    FORTU ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Classy
    Upscale
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Fortu

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    Reviews With Photos

    Rolly T.

    Excited to eat here as it received a Michelin recommendation. Pan Asian food. Place was easy to find in downtown St. Pete with ample of street parking. Restaurants was dark inside when we entered. Our group ordered multiple dishes to share and try. The food was pretty good. Only draw back was our server was lacking attentiveness. Only visited our table when food was dropped. We had to wave her down to get water service. Something a Michelin recommendation restaurant should fix. Make sure To save room for dessert which we thought we all so good.

    Are you serious? They text me to ask me what I want then they know nothing about it.
    Khena K.

    Manager needs training. I attached photos so you judge for yourself. When I made a reservation I got a text from their "concierge asking me if it was a special occasion, and any requests we may have. I told them we liked Mexican Cokes as they are made with Cane sugar and blueberry margaritas they answered they updated our information to let the team know about our preferences. I thought that was a nice touch, until I got to the restaurant. They sat us and neither of those things were at our table. I asked the waitress and she had no idea what I was talking about and said they didn't have either. I asked for manager and texted 'concierge' who apologized and said they should have been front and center at our table tonight. When the manager came, instead of apologizing, she said they never said they would have those items. They said they would let them know about our preferences and proceeded to pull out her phone and show me her concierge was AI and she knows that's what it said. Seriously? I pointed to it saying it should have been front and center on our table and she kept arguing that it noted our preferences and never said they would get it done pointing at her phone at the conversation. No need to point. I have the same one on my phone. She seemed annoyed and said she would try to make it up to us but walked away without an apology or a smile, as if we were the most demanding, unrealistic, and unreasonable people in the world. THEN WHAT'S THE POINT OF ASKING AND ACKNOWLEDGING MY REQUEST IF YOU NEVER INTENDED ON FILLING IT? BAIT AND SWITCH MUCH? Also, here's a tip. As a manager, don't argue with your customers and try to prove them wrong. It's a bad look. This is an issue and out of 100 people who have issues with it you'll only hear from less than 10, but each person will yell at least ten others and this is how you go out of business and lose customers. Now about the food and will rate it against other $100+ per person restaurant. The milles feuilles potatoes were good though a bit overcooked and bland but the truffle crème fraiche was amazing and dish worth ordering just for that. Lobster roll didn't not have a lot of lobster and was seasoned well but left you wanting more lobster, especially in St. Pete where dozens of restaurants offer lobster rolls filled to the brim. Miso cod was cooked to perfection, let's get that straight, but fish and miso was under seasoned and bland. The duck was the best dish of the night. Cooked and seasoned perfectly. Highly recommended. They also brought us a sweet potato to make up for "AI confusion" and I usually do not like sweet potatoes but loved this one. The miso French onion fondue on top was absolutely amazing. Though I did find a charge for it on my bill and they apologized and went and removed it. Oh wow. Finally had panna cotta for dessert, something I usually don't like either but loved this. Really flavorful. Their birthday chocolate caramel ice cream was also very good. So overall the food was good except for a few misses. The place is loud so not romantic and as mentioned before, their AI concierge is a joke and the way manager handled it trying to defend their actions, pointing at their phone, and walked away seeming angry, never smiling, is not how you treat customers. There are hundreds of amazing restaurants literally within walking distance and details matter. Odds that I'll be back are slim to none because of the way we were treated and food was not good enough to put up with that.

    Carolina P.

    This is a beautiful restaurant but with a very uncomfortable setting. We waited 25 minutes past our reservation time to be seated. The hostesses were not welcoming, and the service from our waitress was mediocre. The food was the most disappointing part of the experience. The quality and flavors of our dishes were far below what one would expect from a Michelin level restaurant. Everything felt quite basic, and the dessert was the worst of all, it was inedible due to its cloying sweetness. There's a valet parking service at the restaurant's entrance. To get a discount on the valet fee, you need to get your ticket stamped in the restaurant. With the stamp, the fee is $10.00, while without it, it's $20.00. This was our first and last time visiting this restaurant.

    Maryerie R.

    I loved everything about this restaurant. I have sat inside once before and it is dark and moody. We had a reservation and our table was ready when we got there. We sat outside, but luckily it is covered and wasn't too terribly hot at 8pm in July. The drinks were delicious. I had two of the Geisha Martinis. The food was exquisite and the service was great. Every dish was great. I was amazed by who delicious the cucumber salad.

    Nancy M.

    Was in town for work and met a friend here for dinner. We sat at the bar and had a really nice meal! Service was great, we did get there within an hour of closing and yet the staff didn't rush us. Our drinks were very good and it was fun to watch the bartender create them. We started with the hamachi which was so good! Amazing cut and very fresh. We also had the Cesar salad. We shared the pork belly, which the pork belly itself was good and juicy. We also got the wonton tacos, two tuna and two wagyu. I can't decide which was my favorite, they were both good in their own way. I wish we ordered more!

    Ryan D.

    Came during mother's Day. My experience was really good service, sat outside but beautiful day outside. Food starter was ok I didn't favor the lobster & shrimp dumpling. I obviously ate it but just wish I opted to something else. Got the wagyu rib eye phenomenal. Sweet potato and broccolini really great. Ordered the ube cheese cake and lychee panna cotta with my coffee. Very light and airy it was so good!

    Cucumber salad and steak tartare
    Caroline H.

    I left off two stars for service and price. For how expensive the food was, our waitress was very quiet and distant rather than helping us explore the menu making it more of an experience. We were also there with a group of six for a bachelorette party which deserved a little more attention than your average party in my opinion. I think if we had a different waiter our experience could have been completely different. PORTIONS ARE MUCH BIGGER IN PERSON, order sparingly to start. The prefix is worth it if you want to gamble on liking each of your courses. Instead, try these items separately: MUST TRY: - Fried rice with wagyu (best fried rice we had ever had!! My favorite overall menu item) - Cucumber (light, crunchy, delicious) - Gyoza (second best dish on the menu, pick these over the shrimp dumplings!!) - The cod was the best entree by far (hardy portion, sweet, light) - The pork belly was insanely flavorful and delicious (would get again but it was too rich and very heavy for 2 people to share). AVOID: - Steak tartare was only okay. I've had much better. It was mostly egg and roll It was also huge so maybe good to split between a big hungry party but for 2 people it was way too much and lacked flavor. It made us too full to enjoy the other items we liked better at the end of the meal. - The shrimp and lobster dumplings were severely lacking in flavor, but maybe favorable if you want something super light, plain and shrimp forward. - Ube cheesecake had very little flavor. Go for the biscotti ice cream instead!

    Taco appetizer oxtail and tuna
    Carol M.

    Waiter was great! Food was fantastic From the lobster dumplings to the mushroom dumplings

    Seafood dumplings
    Maria L.

    We had such mixed experiences at FORTU that I wanted to come back to try the more reasonably-priced brunch entrees. Great call on my part! My first visit was back in December for lunch. We started with cocktails, which is where we believe Fortu stands out. Ube cocktail was *to die for* creamy and balanced; the lychee mimosa was so refreshing and wonderful as well. We had a few rounds of both. For food, we ordered every single item on the appetizers menu - forgoing the brunch entrees altogether. Some standouts were the crunchy parmesan cheese & truffle potatoes fried in beef tallow, bursting in flavor; the juicy wagyu gyozas and delicately complementary sauce; and the mind-blowing UBE cheesecake (the STAR of the show! WOW!). Other items on the menu, however, left something to be desired: -The wonton tacos had delicious ingredients, but were way too rich when eaten given that the wonton taco shells were so drenched in oil and not properly pat-dry/drained. -The hamachi crudo had delicate fresh fish, but something was missing in the execution of the sauce/balancing of the flavors. -The seafood dumplings, while also fresh and beautifully cooked, were too subdued/underwhelming in flavor. -Can't even remember the entree we tried: it was that forgettable, sp given the price. Service was so also mixed - but they looked slammed. And so when the check came in, we felt the total price didn't reflect the overall experience we came to expect. I had taken a peek at their brunch entrees menu section though, so decided I wanted to try Fortu one more time with different friends for a proper brunch (my other girlfriend didn't want to come back). And so I went back this month on a Sunday for brunch with my husband and another friend. I made it a point to reorder their standout app (the wagyu gyozas), a new cocktail, and to focus on ordering from the brunch menu entrees. This was a great decision! We all loved our wagyu and oxtail burgers, even in all our different variations. I asked it cooked per the chef and got it medium rare - so good, so juicy, so perfectly seasoned. Oxtail was a phenomenal addition to the patty mix. The smashed potatoes side, however, I found to be downright burnt, which is a shame (as there were some perfectly crunchy bits that were not burnt and tasted great). The cocktail we ordered, Japanese Coffee, was served hot and tasted just like any other Irish Coffee I've had. It was too strong for our taste, and we unfortunately couldn't tell the high-quality whiskey used. I regret not reordering an ube cocktail instead Service significantly improved as well. While it helped that it wasn't as packed, we noticed the team was way more cohesive and other staff members ensured our waters were topped off at all times while our main server was working other tables. Our server, from Montenegro, was so sweet and I loved chit chatting a bit about her country (which I have visited twice) while my husband and friend were midst ordering. All in all, I had a much better experience this time at Fortu - and the ambiance felt more welcoming as well. 3.5-4 out of 5 overall given our first full experience with the majority of their menu. While we don't think we would come back for dinner, we would definitely reorder from their brunch entrees menu and a few of their signature apps and cocktails.

    Wagyu Gyoza
    Luis M.

    I came once a few years ago and decided to try this restaurant again as they have a new executive chef and the experience did not disappoint! We walked in on a Wednesday evening and were able to get a small two top in the bar area immediately. We tried several dishes and all of them were a 10/10. I will absolutely come back again to try the rest of the dishes on the menu! Ambiance is great, location is fantastic and service was stellar from start to finish.

    Lychee martini
    shari c.

    Chic Japanese Restaurant in St Pete. The Atmosphere is fun and the service was great! Our waiter Tyler was very knowledgeable and made great recommendations. They have a prefix menu or you can order off a ala cart menu. So there are many options. One of us ordered the prefix and the other ordered a few items from the other menu we started with steak, tartar, lobster, dumplings, a tuna, appetizer, tuna tacos( they didn't have a lot of taste) , pork belly, Japanese, sweet potato, and a miso codfish, which was wonderful! we also tried a flight of saki, which was really fun!!! they only have valet parking on Friday and Saturday so the other days you have to find street parking or garage parking which is not the best.. but that's typical for Downtown. Fun restaurant I would go back.

    Steak tartar with Japanese egg, salad and bread
    jonathan b.

    This was hands down the best dining experience I've ever had. From the moment we walked into Fortu in St. Petersburg, everything was on another level--the vibe, the setting, the presentation, and the attention to detail were all top notch. This isn't just dinner, it's a full experience. We went with the four-course prix fixe with wine pairing, and every course delivered. The tuna, shrimp, and lobster gyoza was an incredible start--perfectly balanced and full of flavor. The Wagyu ribeye (medium) was cooked to absolute perfection--easily one of the best steaks I've ever had. I finished with the salted caramel dessert, which was the perfect ending. Service matched the food across the board. Kevin, our server, was OUTSTANDING--attentive, knowledgeable, and made the entire experience seamless. Chris at the bar closed out the night with an excellent Japanese whisky Toki Old Fashioned. And the runner (young man with the fro) deserves recognition as well--he knew every dish and presented each course with confidence and precision. That level of detail really stood out. Every part of the night--from timing to execution--was flawless. If you're in St. Petersburg, FL, this place is a must. We will absolutely be back anytime we're in town.

    Geisha Martini
    Irma S.

    I've been eyeing Fortu for a while, so I was excited when I got surprised with dinner there the day before Valentine's Day. We were hoping for the full menu, but they were offering a smaller pre-Valentine's menu that night. Even so, we were still excited to finally experience it. The ambiance was perfect for date night! Low lighting, intimate, and a really beautiful atmosphere. For drinks, I ordered the Geisha Martini, their version of a pornstar martini, and it was chef's kiss. Smooth, balanced, and the perfect way to start the evening. For starters, we ordered two rounds of the Wagyu gyozas and the braised oxtail Wagyu wonton tacos. Both were great, but the clear favorite was the braised oxtail! Which was extremely flavorful, rich, and cooked perfectly. Our absolute favorite of the night was the Miso Black Cod. Hands down one of the best entrées we've had in a while. I honestly didn't think it could rival the famous one at Nobu, but this one was incredible. It was rich, buttery, and paired perfectly with the bok choy. To top it off, we ordered the Wagyu fried rice. I would've preferred the steak cooked slightly less, but it was still very flavorful and a great addition to the meal. Overall, between the food, service, and ambiance, I'd rate the experience a 9/10. Definitely a great spot for a date night, and I'd absolutely come back to try more of the full menu.

    Khalo (their espresso martini)

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    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - Fortu

    Exquisite Bistro

    Exquisite Bistro

    4.9
    (20 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    Locally owned & operated
    Free parking

    Charcuterie made to order in a cozy corner shop with more wine bottles than I can count and a…read morededicated, attentive staff? This place might just be my charcuterie dreams come true. A tiny restaurant can make a big impression because I'm still thinking about everything I ate here. The food was fabulous and so thoughtful. The brie & proscuitto crostinis come on a thin, crispy baguette layered with a proscuitto that was so creamy and salty, it went so well with the freshness of the microgreens, the crunch of the nuts and the sweet drizzle of hot honey with a tingle of spice. loved this! They offer diverse options for the charcuterie board (I chose the pick 3) so you can make so many pairings Brooke was stellar, super attentive even when it was packed. and I loved her recommendations! she knows what she's talking about and we love that!!! On my pick 3 board I got sopressata salami dry cured with chili peppers and black peppercorns, smoke hatchpepper Gouda and Cana de Cabra goat cheese from Spain. My waitress said the Cana de Cabra spanish goat cheese was "off the chain" and she waaaas NOT lying! skip the rind, but definitely try this cheese and expect blast off on your taste buds fr. It was earthy and velvety and creamy, just so good. Brooke was fantastic, as was this restaurant. Definitely worth checking out!

    Stopping in to a new ish place in DTSP for some wine. Love the location. Quiet corner and a cool…read moredowntown vibe but not on central. Beer and wine selection is very good. A mix of many flavors and types. Small seating area and seat yourself if it is not busy. You can make reservations though. Brooke was awesome. Great suggestions on food and wine. Very friendly and helpful. We tried the carpaccio to start. Very fresh and tasty. My only ding would be it was a little too much balsamic for us. We like to taste the meat and the balsamic kinda covered it up a bit. Next we had the chorizo stuffed tomatoes. Delicious! Perfect size for 2 to share. Lots of flavors. Really good. Solid wine spot and I'm a really chill, non central spot.

    Photos
    Charcuterie board with a curated selection of meats, cheeses, fruits, and accompaniments beautifully arranged and perfect for sharing.
    Charcuterie board with a curated selection of meats, cheeses, fruits, and accompaniments beautifully arranged and perfect for sharing.
    Mouth watering meatballs sitting on a ricotta cheese base, topped with marinara, fresh basil, & Parmesan cheese.
    Mouth watering meatballs sitting on a ricotta cheese base, topped with marinara, fresh basil, & Parmesan cheese.
    Seared tuna on a bed of greens with thinly sliced cucumber & avocado on the side. Paired with a citrus soy sauce.

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    Seared tuna on a bed of greens with thinly sliced cucumber & avocado on the side. Paired with a citrus soy sauce.
    The Study

    The Study

    4.9
    (37 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$

    I didn't know I needed a place like this in my life, but I do and I'm obsessed. Wine taps! Bourbon…read moretaps! Books to read! Vibrant decor! Solid charcuterie! Basically everything I could ask for from a lounge. Plus, the owner was kind, helpful, knowledgable and attentive. The wine tap is a fun time. You receive a card and use that to fill your glass (1oz, 3oz and 6oz pours -- 1oz are discounted during happy hour). There's such a diverse variety of wines (more than two dozen), you could get lost in all of the good options. Something for all palates. I tried the small Sonoma board (which was discounted for happy hour) and it was a good-sized, cheese-focused board with solid combinations. the meat and cheeses come with cornichons, olives, and crackers. the caramelized balsamic onion jam was incredible with the sweet blueberry goat cheese and the spicy salami. It's definitely enough for a quick bite to soak up all the delicious wine. Wines I tried, remember & recommend (you truly can't go wrong): - Passione Sangue di Giuda dell'Oltrepo Pavese - Chateau Pilet Bordeaux - Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay the decor is vibrant, rustic and cozy. so much wood. even more art! And lots of different styles of seating including booths, leather chairs, bar seating and small tables. accommodating for lots of group sizes! They offer happy hour Monday-Friday and trivia on Tuesdays at 7pm. All around a vibe! Definitely worth checking out.

    Such a fun hidden place! You get to taste a plethora of wines and bourbon. The owners are…read morewonderful. Overall vibes 10/10.

    Photos
    The Saint Helena Board
    The Saint Helena Board
    Charcuterie board & Rose
    Charcuterie board & Rose
    Bar area ft wine and menu (blurred background)

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    Bar area ft wine and menu (blurred background)
    Brick & Mortar

    Brick & Mortar

    4.5
    (609 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    I cannot say enough good things about this place. This has got to be one of the best restaurants in…read moreSt Pete. We've been here several times for dinner, but they just keep getting better and better. It's the cutest cozsey little place right on central and the service is always on point. Most recently, my husband and I came for dinner. We started with the burrata and plum special as well as the tuna tartare for appetizers. When I tell you I will dream about the burrata appetizer. It was that good. The tuna was delicious as well and we loved the shrimp chips and how they were shaped like little tacos to make your own tuna tacos! For dinner, I got the branzino and my husband got the cheeseburger with truffle fries. Both entrees were incredible. No notes. Then we got three desserts...we had the lemon tart and the donut bread pudding while at the restaurant and we got a chocolate cake to go. All of the desserts were delicious. However, the donut bread pudding exceeded any expectations I had for that dessert when I ordered it. I legitimately am considering coming back next weekend just for the bread pudding.

    Our second visit, we brought family from out of town. Apps-of Roasted Octopus & Truffle Fries…read moreMeals- Braised Shortribs Mushroom cav / W seared scallops Lamb lollipops w/ side of Brussel Sprouts 2 - Braised Shortribs Spicy Crabmeat Pasta dish Drinks - Pelligrino x2 Seated Immediately in one of the back rooms, they appreciate a call ahead although not a reservation it helps them prepare for your party. Service was excellent, this team of "OG's" work together and help each other out, which makes for a great atmosphere of camaraderie and it's fantastic! Food was excellent, our server was quick with menu recommendations and great with upselling a few menu items! This is why we comeback again. Get in here and try them out! Party of 5 with tip ran about 340$ and we were happy to pay it! Bravo. You have made our "Top Five" regular rotation list! Keep up the good work!

    Photos
    Brick & Mortar
    Brick & Mortar
    Outdoor dining

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    Outdoor dining
    Sauvignon Wine Locker American Trattoria

    Sauvignon Wine Locker American Trattoria

    4.4
    (178 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    After a really disappointing Mother's Day experience elsewhere, we were lucky enough to grab a…read morelast-minute reservation at Sauvignon Wine Locker & Trattoria -- and it completely turned our day around. My mom hadn't eaten all day, so we made the 30-minute drive to St. Pete hoping for a better experience, and it was absolutely worth it. From the moment we arrived, Chris and his team took amazing care of us. The hospitality, attentiveness, and overall atmosphere made us feel genuinely welcomed and appreciated. What could have ended as a ruined Mother's Day became a memorable brunch thanks to the team at Sauvignon. Big shout out to Chris and everyone there for going above and beyond. Excellent service makes all the difference, and we truly appreciated it.

    Sauvignon Wine Locker is a great hidden gem on Central Avenue. You enter through an alley and go up…read morea flight of stairs to the restaurant, which overlooks Central Ave. It's not a large space, but it feels cozy and inviting. The menu is fairly limited, but their house-made pastas are out of this world! I had one of their specials featuring pasta and airline chicken, which was excellent. My friend ordered another pasta dish, her husband had the fish special and my husband ordered the filet, which was cooked perfectly for him. Portions are on the smaller side, but still very filling. My husband and I each started with a Caesar salad. I forgot to ask for it without anchovies, and they gave the salad a very strong, fishy flavor. If you're not a big anchovy fan like me, I'd recommend ordering it without. Service was excellent for a busy Friday night. Our server was friendly and helped guide us with wine recommendations. He was spot on, and the wines paired beautifully with the meals we chose. Definitely a great spot for a cozy dinner in the heart of Central Ave.

    Photos
    Bar
    Bar
    Sauvignon Wine Locker American Trattoria
    Wine!

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    Wine!
    Calida Kitchen & Wine

    Calida Kitchen & Wine

    4.9
    (48 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    After months of trying to secure a reservation at Calida Kitchen & Wine in St. Pete, I can…read moreconfidently say: it was 100% worth the wait. From the moment we arrived, everything felt intentional and elevated. The atmosphere is small, boutique-style, and beautifully designed. The lighting, the table setup, even the dishware--every detail showed craftsmanship and care. This isn't just a restaurant--it's an experience. The service was flawless, especially considering it's run by such a small team. Chef Ian Florence and his wife Dayna Bennett, who warmly hosts and manages the front of the house, work in perfect sync alongside their sous chef. The timing, attention to detail, and genuine hospitality were incredible from start to finish. The meal unfolded like a perfectly orchestrated multi-course experience--starting with starters, then appetizers, sides, salad, and entrées. Each course transitioned seamlessly into the next, building on the last, and every single dish was nothing short of spectacular. The wine selection was expertly curated, complementing each course with precision down to the finest detail. And the food... unreal. Everything tasted like a dream. Every bite melted effortlessly in your mouth. You could distinguish every ingredient, every herb, every layer of flavor--each one intentional, each one perfectly balanced. It was one of those rare experiences where your senses are completely engaged--where every bite sparks something new, almost like your brain is lighting up from the depth and complexity of flavor. Each dish told its own story, yet together it created something unforgettable. I travel specifically for food. While most people take vacations for beaches or resorts, my wife and I travel to experience top restaurants--sometimes flying out just to eat and coming right back. We've dined at incredible places across the country and around the world, and this experience ranks right up there with the best of them. For Florida, this is easily one of the best dining experiences I've had. Hands down, one of the top restaurants you can visit in St. Pete--maybe even the entire state. If you're serious about food, this place is a must.

    Another remarkable meal! It was just me so I sat at their cozy bar. The first thing I ever had…read morethere was the Squash and chorizo appetizer, so I started with that. Just a mouthful of flavor! One of the specials was Scallops and risotto and a lemon based sauce. I used a spoon to get every drop of the sauce! Just a delightful evening!

    Photos
    Watermelon salad
    Watermelon salad
    Noodles
    Noodles
    Calida Kitchen & Wine

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    Fortu - wine_bars - Updated August 2026

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