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    The Restorative

    4.6 (184 reviews)
    PriceyNew American
    Closed 5:00 pm - 8:00 PM
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    The Restorative Photos

    Business Info

    THE RESTORATIVE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Intimate
    Classy
    Upscale

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    Recommended Reviews - The Restorative

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    Goat Cheesecake
    Amber W.

    What a special little spot. The limited menu offered something for the adventurous and not so adventurous folks at our table. The place and the food were full of love. We enjoyed the naan with chicken liver parfait and what could only be described as a chicken and truffle pot pie to start. While it's not what the dish was called, we all agreed it was like the best pot pie you'd ever have. The duck was perfectly prepared and was served with a roasted parsnip puree that added the sweetness often paired with duck, without being the usual fruit reduction. Dessert was served at the bar which gave us a great view of the kitchen and a chance to chat with chef and owner Jason. His wife Erin made the goat cheesecake which was a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tart. We'll definitely be back to try more of the ever-changing menu.

    Chocolate ganache
    Nella Q.

    Sweet little hidden gem in an unassuming strip lot Plaza. It is very small regarding the parking lot and it's shared with multiple businesses so parking is a little bit difficult, you may have to park across the street. Once you're in, the mood transforms into a quaint and romantic setting. We were greeted by one of the owners, and luckily it wasn't busy, so he was very attentive. We had three starters in the main meal as well as a dessert. I can't remember the name of the food in the menu changes frequently but I will post pictures to show how delicious it appears. The flavors with very eclectic ingredients. I'll mix really well and you can tell there's a lot of skill in work that going to making these dishes. Everything is fresh, cooked right in front of you. The price point isn't bad considering the quality of the food, the starters are decent size, the entrées also a pretty good size. It's a relatively small menu prob bc they are working with key ingredients so it's understandable. Make a reservation to ensure you get a spot.

    Fabulous mozzarella crème brûlée
    Beth B.

    This was our first time enjoying The Restorative. We had read about it in the Tampa Bay Times as a restaurant food critic wondered why she had waited so long to return to the restaurant. We had a very efficient server named Rachel. She is very kind and seems genuinely happy to serveguests. As a starter, we loved the mozzarella crème brûlée with its crispy basil and unctuous heirloom tomatoes. My husband marveled at the presentation of the pork chop. It was sliced off the bone just perfectly with an accompaniment of creamed corn with a delicious Chicharron and roasted garlic blend. I had heard how amazing their house made naan bread is. Sous chef Tom prides himself on this specific food talent. It did not disappoint. So light and flavorful yet allowing the homemade hummus (made out of white beans and not chickpeas Rachel informed us) to shine. The wonderful blend of the beans, tahini, and pinenuts made for the perfect light meal I was looking for. No room for dessert, though both options sound amazing.

    The master and his assistant at work!
    Kevin M.

    One of the top five at LEAST, the service, the food, the atmosphere! DO NOT miss out on this place, you won't regret it! Nice for special occasions, but it's casual! So you don't have to feel like you need dress pants and a jacket!

    January Tasting Menu - Foccacia, Olive Oil Butter and Roasted Garlic
    Caity C.

    From pre Covid to "The Temporary" during Covid to now, The Restorative continues to be an absolute delight. This is fine dining right here in Dunedin. Every detail is perfection, every dish thoroughly thought out and even when you may think it's an interesting combination - it works. You can really tell this team has passion and loves what they do. I personally love to sit at the bar and get an insider view to what goes on behind every dish. In addition to random fun nights out, I've now attended three tasting menu dinners and these are such a wonderful treat. The Tastings are typically a five course menu of perfection with optional wine pairing. I'm sad to say the tasting menus will be on break until Fall but that probably won't stop me from stopping in and just trying whatever's on the menu that week. The menu is ever changing, typically depending on what is in season and was locally sourced that week which means you are always in for a surprise - but a damn good one. I've never had the same thing twice and I've never been disappointed. If you're on the fence, this is your sign to go. And make sure to make a reservation through Resy! Thank you Cricket, Jason, Tom and the whole team who make this exemplary experience possible.

    Dessert
    Suzy Q.

    Outstanding! Innovative cooking , creative palate. I loved every bite! I was fortunate to be able to walk in early and get a seat at the bar, but reservations are a must for a table. I can't wait to go back

    Tasha M.

    I have had this spot on my radar for years! It took me moving to Dunedin to finally get an opportunity to check it out. I've heard reservations are preferred but seats at the bar are typically available. The hours are a bit odd to me. Wednesday through Saturday 5:00pm-8:00pm. We arrived right around 5:00pm and there was one other patron at the bar. It was early but while we were there we were the only customers. Tom greeted us warmly and let us know the menu changes weekly or when they run out of items throughout the week. I love that actually. It's like a new dining experience every week! For instance, they only had 28 of the cod filets so when they're out, they're out. Naan bread and the compounded butters are always on the menu, however. If you like chicken liver, get it, you won't regret it. I loved the open kitchen and being able to really enjoy watching the preparation and cooking from beginning to end by Owner/Chef Jason. After enjoying our naan I opted for the cod with carrot puree, micro greens, peas and pearl onions. Beautifully crafted and every ingredient oh my gosh was so fresh. The presentation alone was impressive. My girlfriend had the pork shank with lightly pickled veggies. They weren't over powering and complemented the pork perfectly. Spot on! We were so impressed by these dishes. It's a very small establishment that serves a few options for wines and a very small menu but it's all done very well. I can't wait to revisit in the next few weeks for a whole new menu.

    Mal L.

    So glad I found a legit foodie spot near me. Very small and rustic restaurant with a changing menu every 2-3x a week. If you're a picky eater I don't know if I'd recommend this spot for you. The dishes are unique and delicious. Having lived in SF and traveled a lot, I really appreciate a talented restaurant like this. Definitely make reservations and sit the bar. Small menu which are always the best. They only serve beer and wine, no cocktails. Can't wait to go back!

    Glorious
    E. C.

    A hidden gem- - super friendly staff, creative and carefully crafted fare. The chef is so creative, he changes his menu frequently. Worth going out of your way to have a fantastic meal here! We were only able to get a reservation to sit at the bar--and watching the food be prepared in front of us was like watching an artist at work! We highly recommend it, even if you can't get a regular table reservation.

    Skate wing, clams, mussels, crab fat butter, kimchi

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    9 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    Cricket P.

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    7 years ago

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    Cricket P.

    Thank you, we're glad you decided to visit too!

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Excellent food in an intimate setting! Server was very nice and attentive and food was outstanding.

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    Cricket P.

    Thanks, hope to see you again soon!

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    7 years ago

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    Cricket P.

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    4 years ago

    Even though it's changed ownership The food is still good prices reasonable and service is good

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    Cricket P.

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    7 years ago

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    Cricket P.

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    8 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Self proclaimed great place. Not really living up to the advertising. Good food but very limited menu and the ambience is not special.

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    Cricket P.

    Thanks for your feedback

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    4 years ago

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    Cricket P.

    Thank you! We have so happy you enjoyed everything!

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    5 years ago

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    Cricket P.

    Thank you so much!

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    Cricket P.

    Thank you so much, we hope to see you again soon!

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    8 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    Cricket P.

    Thank you for your kind words, we hope to see you again soon!

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    5 years ago

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    Cricket P.

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    6 years ago

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    Cricket P.

    Thank you for your kind words!

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    9 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    Cricket P.

    Thank you so much, we are so glad you enjoyed your vegetarian meal!

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    4 years ago

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    Cricket P.

    Thank you for your feedback

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    Cricket P.

    Thank you so much! We appreciate all your support!

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    7 years ago

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    Cricket P.

    Thank you very much for your review!

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    9 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

    This is the best restaurant on this side of the bay, including in st pete. Nuff said.

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    Cricket P.

    Thank you very much, that's a high compliment!

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    4 years ago

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    Thank you, we look forward to seeing you again!

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    Page 3 of 5

    Ask the Community - The Restorative

    Tried going there Wednesday 8/22 at 7 pm and was closed. I drive by almost everyday and still appears closed. Is this still open for business or closed for good?

    Still open for business, Mon - Fri 4-9pm. They were closed last Wednesday for a function in St. Pete. If you haven't been there to eat, definitely worth it. Great food!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Bon Appetit - Crabmeat Stuffed Salmon

    Bon Appetit

    3.8(947 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$$

    Bon Appetit holds an extremely fond place in my heart because this is where I was married in the…read moremost gorgeous setting right on the water. Working with the wedding planner was wonderful, they handled everything excellently and gave me some great ideas regarding which room to do the ceremony in and of course helped me pick a delicious menu that guests talked about long after the wedding. Prices for the wedding packages were very reasonable. We had prime rib and chicken Marsala as our mains and the food was so well prepared and presented beautifully. Since we were married during the day, the stunning water views and pelicans flying by added such a nice touch to a wonderful event. I've also been to an event there at night and the night view with all the lights along the shore is quite beautiful as well.

    My parents really love to come here when they are in Florida and wanted to go there to celebrate my…read moremom's birthday. We were sat in the back by the window, so we had a nice view. It is extremely loud and we had a hard time hearing each other and our server. Service overall was just okay. Drinks: - Key Lime Pie Martini - very sweet and tasted like flavored eggnog. sent back - Pomegranate Martini - not made consistently. My mom's was much sweeter than mine. Good, but nothing special - Almond Old Fashioned - this was nice. The almond was a nice change from a normal old fashioned Appetizers/Entrees: - Prosciutto & Date Flatbread - this had a nice amount of proscuitto, but there was too much balsamic dressing as it overpowered the whole dish - Spanish Octopus - TINY! It has nice flavor, but there's not a lot of octopus in it, which defeats the purpose - Seared Sesame Ahi Tuna - very nice flavor, but they only gave 6 pieces of tuna and 3 wonton chips for nearly $30 - Cedar Plank Salmon - best thing we got. It's the only dish that had the perfect amount of everything and was enjoyable to eat. The cedar gives the salmon a very nice flavor - Port Wine Glazed Pork Osso Bucco - disgusting mushroom risotto. Pork was undercooked so we had to send it back to be fixed. Came back cooked correctly and tasted decent. They gave a good amount of pork. This place is ridiculously pricey for the small amount you get for most of the dishes. Lots of issues with our visit and it just isn't a relaxing place to eat with how loud it gets. 2.5 stars overall.

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    Bon Appetit - One of the many mother's Day buffet stations.

    One of the many mother's Day buffet stations.

    Bon Appetit - Crab Stuffed Salmon

    Crab Stuffed Salmon

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    The Black Pearl - Parpadelle Bolognese

    The Black Pearl

    4.5(531 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$$$

    Worth every penny. Food, ambiance, service...all top notch. Would come here again in a heartbeat.read more

    PHENOMENAL!! I've lived here four years and never once walked through the door. The nights of…read moreindulgence I've missed are honestly shameful. Upon entering, I was struck by how small the space was, but it's cozy and intimate, and I understand exactly why it's been voted the most romantic restaurant around. It was our wedding anniversary, and we were acknowledged for 22 years of marital bliss. We were seated in the back left corner booth - THE prime table for two, right next to the sommelier station. We were promptly greeted by Sean, our server. There are some people you just know, from the moment they greet you, will take great care of you all evening. Sean has that rare tableside manner that blends personality, hospitality, and professionalism that exemplify the truly elevated dining experience. His presentation of the menu was practically an oration, painting a vivid picture of each dish, activating the cephalic phase of digestion. We started with his recommendation, a goat cheese bite for hors d'oeuvres. I'm still not sure what the base was, but it set the tone as the catalyst for every flavor that followed. For starters, my wife and I both chose the bisque: an onion-and-potato-based delight. I honestly don't remember what was in it, and honestly, I didn't care; it was perfection. From there, my wife went with the Black Pearl salad while I opted for the Caesar, curious to try their take on the classic. Her choice was the clear winner. The Caesar was generous and beautifully plated, but not the standout of the night. During his presentation, Sean claimed the filet was the best in Tampa Bay. Naturally, we had to find out for ourselves. Served Pittsburgh style, it did not disappoint - the heavy char deepened the juicy, flavor-packed bite with every cut. Best filet in Tampa Bay? It has my endorsement! Finally, dessert. We finished strong with the Banana Foster, a recipe with origins from the owner's grandmother. We also went with the Tarte Tatin, reportedly the most popular dessert on the menu for the past 18 years, per Sean. Once again, extraordinary. We're used to heading into Tampa or St. Pete for elevated dining. So happy we found this "pearl" right in our own backyard. Take my money!

    Photos
    The Black Pearl
    The Black Pearl - Maple Glazed Pork Belly

    Maple Glazed Pork Belly

    The Black Pearl - Maple glazed pork belly with grits

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    Parlor House Bistro - Chateau and Shrimp

    Parlor House Bistro

    4.4(221 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    We have lived in FL for a few years now. We both agreed that this was the best meal that we have…read morehad since moving here. You maybe wouldn't pick the restaurant while driving by but the inside was a typical looking bistro. Dark with brick walls. Nice. We started with a nice bottle of Cabernet. One of my favorites. Chappellet. It was a bit of a splurge but not outrageous. We ordered a baguette that came with a sweet butter and an olive oil. It was delicious. We both had soup. My husband loved the soup they served that day. Beef noodle. We even took some home. I had a cup of Onion Soup and it was so good. Now the entrees. I had Beef Wellington. It was delicious. My husband had the filet mignon and he loved it. He had the pave potatoes and I had a type of augratin. Sorry, I can't remember what they were called. Also, our food was all hot when it was served which we really appreciated. Our server Savannah was new but you never would know it. She was spot on. She checked on us frequently and gave us great service. We like good food but we aren't in to a snobby atmosphere. The atmosphere and the food were perfect. We would absolutely return when we're in the area.

    Greeted soon as we walked in reservation is preferred but not required we came at 5 pm during the…read more4-6 pm daily happy hour to try an app before our entrees! For the app we got the onion rings and that was good the breading was delicious nothing too crazy the happy hour price was $10 and it's a small plate. For dinner I ordered the Filet French Onion Pasta it was good with a very flavorful French onion sauce... now is it worth $45 ehhh debatable but I deff still recommend trying. We also got the mussels and the berry salad both fresh and delicious ! The decor is cute love the art work and nice chill music to go with the vibe. French music would be nice ha !

    Photos
    Parlor House Bistro - Inside

    Inside

    Parlor House Bistro - Foie gras with apricot & date paste. Blue Crab salad with burrata & balsamic drizzle.

    Foie gras with apricot & date paste. Blue Crab salad with burrata & balsamic drizzle.

    Parlor House Bistro - Inside

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    Inside

    Sandbar - Salad

    Sandbar

    4.3(314 reviews)
    4.2 miClearwater Beach
    $$

    I'm so happy this outdoor restaurant is located at the hotel we are staying at as it came highly…read morerecommended and I can see why! While at the beach we started to get hungry so me and my princess decided to grab an early dinner after a day of long travel and the hotel receptionist said " go eat outside at the sandbar!" Brianna was our server and was amazing ! She made my little one a Shirley temple which she loved and kept the cold beers coming for me . We ordered shrimp cocktail for appetizers and wings then I decided on the grouper sandwich with a side salad and fries and mini cheeseburger sliders and fries for my little one. We enjoyed our view of the ocean and stayed after we ate and got to see dolphins swimming near by. We will definitely be having lunch here a few more times before we leave. Fish is fresh caught and so good I'm already thinking about dinner lol ! 10/10!

    Great place! Been here twice now and it does not disappoint. Great views, good food and a lively…read moreatmosphere. Came here with my fam in late June 2026. We had drinks to start; my 20 year old and 16 year old had soda. Wife had a Coroner and I have the spicy jalepeno margarita. All was great! We did not get apps, but there are lots of choices. For mains I had the Birria tacos with onion rings. One daughter had the same. Great taste, but if I had to do it over I would get a side of salad or coleslaw as it was a lot of fried on my plate. That said, finished it all! My other daughter had the chicken Cesar salad and loved it. Chicken was very tasty. My wife had the grouper basket. She thought it was tasty and hit the spot. Service was not bad but not great. Just not friendly. Overall a great stop. Be prepared you are outside and if the weather turns you are on the hook. Also, no reservations so first come first serve! Go. Here.

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    Sandbar
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    Cafe Alfresco - Fresh dinner roll

    Cafe Alfresco

    4.0(431 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Wonder lunch with in downtown Dunedin. We enjoyed walking around the town and stopped for lunch at…read moreAlfresco's. The staff is super nice, just really outgoing. We sat at the bar and watched the hustle and bustle in the kitchen/bar area. This is one of the few places that has a prep team and it shows. Food comes out amazing and very quickly.. We chose the Smashburger and a beet salad with blackened salmon. The dishes were amazing during our meal we saw an order of corn beef hash go by, so we added that to our meal. All three dishes were amazing. The dressing in the beet salad was awesome and the salmon cooked to perfection. The smash burger had all the trimming and some delicious sauce. We can't wait to come back sometime for breakfast and to dig into more of that wonderful corn beef hash.

    Context: I'm here in Dunedin to visit my sweet 88 yr old Mom and my dear Brother. Cafe Alfresco has…read morebeen their favorite restaurant for over a decade. My Brother lives in St Pete and takes our Mom to eat there or calls in for take-out at least 2-3 times per month. We arrived tonight (Thursday) around 7:45 PM to bypass the dinner rush. Walking in to be seated, I noticed several empty tables that had not yet been cleared with several people waiting outside to be seated. I was told "there will be at least a 10-15 minute wait, to give my name, and to wait outside." I thought maybe there were enough people waiting already to take up the empty tables, but that wasn't the case. We sat outside in the cold waiting and watching the guy stand at the bar doing nothing to help bus the empty tables, some of which were right by the window. After 15 minutes or more, we were finally called in last walking by the same uncleared tables, led to another table as the table cloth was being placed on it, no menus, no apology for the extra long (unnecessary) wait outside in the cold. When we finally placed our order, we waited some more. Finally our server said "there was a mix up and our order had not gone through." When Mom's favorite seared salmon finally arrived, it was dry and overcooked. I have never written a bad review on Yelp in my life. But, I hated to see my precious Mom & Brother treated this way. Loyal customers should not be taken for granted.

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    Cafe Alfresco
    Cafe Alfresco - Blackened chicken walnut salad

    Blackened chicken walnut salad

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    The Thirsty Marlin - Blackened Grouper Sandwich

    The Thirsty Marlin

    3.8(681 reviews)
    5.1 mi
    $$

    Predatory worker compensation structure - Be aware…read more We recently dined here and noticed the tabletop signs explaining a mandatory 20% "commission" added to every single bill. When speaking with our server, she informed us that management classifies the waitstaff as 1099 independent contractors, meaning they receive a $0 hourly base rate from the restaurant and rely entirely on this mandatory guest fee for their paycheck.I have a physical copy of the check showing this automatic fee. While the sign claims this "supports our team," classifying standard restaurant servers as 1099 workers instead of W-2 employees is a massive red flag that contradicts federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines. Independent contractors set their own hours and operations; servers do not. Furthermore, a restaurant cannot legally leave a server's direct hourly base wage at zero by relying entirely on automatic service fees.We love supporting local staff, but we want our money going to businesses that respect basic labor laws and compensate their employees legally. Hopefully, public pressure will force management to fix their payroll structure. The server said the restaurant was on the verge of bankruptcy and had to make changes. Sadly they chose to break the law. On that note the service was lovely, the food very tasty. I asked to sub corn for flour tortias and she was able. We don't directly live in the area, and its been a while since we've been here. Its always good, with good portions and not a chain. Its so unfortunate.

    This place is absolutely adorable…read more I think this street is the perfect place to hit up a couple restaurants for a progressive dinner. A lot of the restaurants are closed for lunch though, which is how we ended up here. It's a lot larger than it looks. There's a really cute covered outdoors area in the back with a stage for performances. There were only a few diners there for lunch on a Friday so it was easy to grab a spot. I got a skinny strawberry margarita, it made me happy to see a skinny version of a flavored margarita on the menu. It has a sugar rim and was delicious. It's on the sweet side and I'd definitely get it again. I requested it without soda water. For my main I got the salmon bowl. I wouldn't get this again, but it's because the base is mainly fried wontons. I thought it would be a scattering of fried wontons but nope, it was a hefty portion. I didn't eat most of the fried wontons because I'm trying to be healthy. It's a delicious dish, just not for me. Service was great, but we were an easy table because we were chatting the entire time. I enjoyed our meal here, so we will definitely be back!

    Photos
    The Thirsty Marlin - Thirsty Marlin bar

    Thirsty Marlin bar

    The Thirsty Marlin - Smokin Fish Spread

    Smokin Fish Spread

    The Thirsty Marlin - Calamari

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    The Restorative - newamerican - Updated September 2026

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