Costa Brava
95 Cordova St, Saint Augustine, FL, 32084
Costa Brava Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Saint Augustine for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
95 Cordova St
Saint Augustine, FL, 32084 - Phone (877) 559-1802
- Website https://www.95cordova.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Julie D.
This restaurant is located in the Casa Monica. Beautifully decorated interior, even better service. We had breakfast here and I have to say for such a simple meal, it was delicious and the perfect fuel to start out day. Service was only attentive and friendly.
(5)Elizabeth G.
New chef. New format. This place had gotten tired. They've redecorated and redesigned the menu. And it's really, really fine! I live in town and occasionally go for a drink and appetizers in the hotel bar. They have great bar snacks (the three color hummus and the "fish bites" are my faves!) and a really pleasant atmosphere. it's back on my list!
(4)Jen B.
Food is good, if not a little over-priced. We had a wedge salad and two entrees, so perhaps we overlooked the tapas aspect.
(3)Richard P.
My wife and I went to 95 Cordova a long time back for dinner once. I remember I enjoyed it. Maybe not a five star experience, but definitely had a pleasant time. This past weekend, we had the opportunity to stay at Casa Monica for friends' wedding. The day after the wedding, the newly wed couple invited us to their Sunday brunch. So I have to preface my review with that I do not know how much the brunch was. But boy it was a great brunch. The restaurant was as beautiful as I remember it. Very nicely decorated and the private back area is great for a large party. We got seated and the server came to take our drink orders - Coffee and mimosa. Done and done. Then we went to the buffet room. Yes, a buffet room. It was a spacious room with huge selections of hot dishes, cold dishes, everything from waffles to cheese plates, to prime ribs, to snow crab legs... from your traditional eggs, sausage, and bacon classic breakfast combo to pork chops, bread pudding and lasagna. We had a great time stuffing ourselves and chatting about the wedding while our very friendly and attentive server kept our coffee mugs and mimosa glasses full. I can't imagine the brunch is cheap, but It was a great selection, friendly service, beautiful restaurant with great atmosphere.
(4)Kim S.
Visited 95 Cordova for drinks after an event in St. Augustine on Saturday. We sat in the "lounge" area, as the restaurant was closed. I enjoyed that they had live music, but between the wedding reception that was still going on in the adjacent ballroom and the volume of the band, it created quite a cacophony. So my table mates and I were somewhat yelling at each other. As far as drinks went, we enjoyed a few dirty martinis (the blue cheese olives were quite good, but the drinks were a bit overpriced in my opinion, but not surprising for the hotel bar at a "luxury" property) and the naan bread with hummus. The hummus had good flavor, but the plating was really haphazard. We had what looked like a swirl of basil oil on the plate (points for trying to be fancy with garnish), but the naan looked like it was just thrown on there. I would actually suggest that they could choose a better plate shape to make for a better presentation (tessellate the pita on a rectangle plate, bazinga!)
(3)Pati C.
The food was very good. Subtle flavors. Nothing was overdone. The ambiance was surprisingly relaxed for a place with such grand furnishings, high ceilings, Moroccan architecture and decorative touches. Hip soundtrack. Good service. I had the salmon Provençal and my husband had scallops. We started with shrimp ajillo. Finished with key lime pie.
(5)Julie T.
Just before we photographed a wedding, a very tasty dish caught my attention: Duck and Spinach salad with goat cheese and raspberries. So we decided to take a risk and sit down. The waiter took more than 5 minutes to come and say hello (which got me nervous and annoyed). After drilling him with a few questions, we had our decision. Dinner comes with some really good roasted garlic bread rolls. So we got a side of french fries, since the soup wasn't finished yet :(. And of course, the duck and spinach salad. It came out pretty fast, and the duck tasted like bacon (yum!) and I still to this day don't really care for fruit in my salad (raspberries in this case). The fries were a little plain and needed a dipping sauce or more seasoning. Overall, I thought the salad would be bigger. The sides are larger than I expected though, and the food is really good.
(3)James H.
The service was fantastic and the lobster bisque was very tasty.....that being said I was not overly impressed with the meal. I had the pork chop and for the price not all that. I think if you charge those kind of prices your should produce that kind of meal. Will not go back - I was staying at the hotel and really liked it, loved the service but again the food was just MEH.
(3)Glenda R.
95 Cordova @ Casa Monica, Saint Augustine Booked 95 Cordova for my husbands birthday. I love casa Monica!! It's elegant and perfect!!! There were 6 of us for dinner; we were seated promptly at a very elegant table fit for a king! However, our server was not on point. Her delivery lacked the finesse of the place. The food was superb, tasty, perfectly cooked. The drinks were awesome and the deserts were amazing! I think that for the amount of money paid (over $300) better service was needed. Would we go back? Yes!! Give the place a second and last chance!! Picture: Duck two ways!
(4)Melinda B.
Wow what a complete turn around with a fantastic fun menu! I had potatas bravas there , better than in Spain! The snapper with parsley caper tapenade was delicious as well. 3 types of hummus plate -yummy! Great job, what a fit for Casa Monica!
(5)Mary Ann M.
Beautiful room and gorgeous hotel. I only Wish the Staff and restaurant was better. Attempted to have dessert and drinks at the bar. The bartender flirted with servers and ignored us. The food took a very long to come out and our drinks set empty. The pool was closed to a very loud wedding. All together not a good experience . We will not be coming back.
(3)Craig E.
Just visited again for a special occasion dinner, and had a fine time with just a couple of exceptions. We started with fried green tomatoes and the bronzed sea scallops. Perfectly cooked scallops, and the tomatoes have been outstanding every time - I seem to gravitate to those whenever I come here. Highly recommended. For main courses we had Duck Two Ways (crispy and seared) in a a peach chutney that was exceptional, and Kobe filet in a demi sauce with grilled white asparagus and horseradish mashed. The duck was excellent, and of course the Kobe beef was like butter. Its unusual to find Kobe at 95 Cordova - their beef is normally Angus. This was a special, and was priced only $5 more than the Angus - a bargain for sure. I ordered medium rare, and the meat came out just a little underdone. Not a big deal, but the kind of thing that keeps me from giving a 5 star review. We are fans of creamed spinach, and both ordered it as an extra side dish. The menu says "Cream Spinach with Bacon". What we received was wilted spinach in a fairly thin creamy sauce, no bacon, and for some reason a bit of not completely melted cheese on top. Curious. We actually had to cut the cheese topping with a knife since it was not completely melted. As always, I recommend caution ordering the horseradish mashed potatoes unless you really like horseradish. I didn't finish mine this time - the taste just gets overwhelming after a while. I think they should offer garlic mashed as an option - or goat cheese! (something Emeril does really well) Desserts were outstanding - we had Saffron!!! pound cake with lemon caramel with homemade pistachio ice cream and key lime pie in raspberry sauce. The pound cake was exceptional, quite unusual, had great texture and flavor, and was one of the highlights of the meal. We were glad we saved room for dessert. Service was good, although the waiter never came back to refill our drinks during the meal. Overall, 95 Cordova is still a very good choice for a special occasion dinner - but they are not quite 5 star level.
(4)Mae B.
Very fancy restaurant. Honestly the best steak I've ever had at a restaurant. The wait staff was excellent. The decor was a tad dated but it still looks nice. The food was excellent. Everyone liked it. We took our children, and I will not say that it's the best place for children but it worked out because they did have a kids menu. The kids food was around 6 to 9 dollars. And the adult food was an average of $24-$40 They were extremely accommodating even when the people with us had a daughter that started puking. They cleaned it up and took care of her right away.
(4)Tera L.
Small portions for sharing and we loved the Spanish Hunt, the olives and the Lemoncello Salmon was also great! The Crab Cakes were moist and not just breading like most places. My son got an entree, the filet, which he loved. The pizzas are light and crispy and perfect! The only reason I left out a star was because our table had red goo underneath it which got on me, and because the seating in certain places is close together and I could smell the heavily cologned gentleman next to me more than I'd like.
(4)Rich A.
They were running a Christmas Day Buffet from noon to 9pm. It was just shy of $70/pp, plus tax & tip. We made the mistake of making reservations for 6:30 pm. We were seated promptly & the service was attentive. All the food we sampled was well prepared nicely seasoned and contained very good ingredients. The problems centered on what we didn't get to taste. When we first got to the buffet set-up, the first thing we noticed was that there were more than a few empty spaces on the tables containing the buffet. We enjoyed a nice selection of appetizers from that section. We moved onto the carving stations for our main course. The Roast Beasts were properly seasoned and cooked to perfection. The problems started when we went looking for sides for those meats. For potatoes, there was a single plate of an oddly colored mixture of mashed sweet & white potatoes. That was the only potato dish available. I'm guessing that some of those empty spaces might have contained maybe some au gratin, roasted, baked or even just plain old mashed earlier in the day, but were no longer being served. If you wanted a green vegetable with your meal, there was lettuce on the salad bar. If you were hoping for some green beans, Brussels sprouts, spinach, broccoli or just some lowly peas, you were s.o.l. The 4 dessert stations continued the theme. Each station sported a placard that listed the 4 or 5 selections available at this station. Every one was missing at least one of the listed selections, usually the one that sounded the most interesting. It was obvious that somewhere during the day, the kitchen found itself incapable of maintaining the buffet or maybe they just stopped caring. In short, they turned this event into the culinary equivalent of getting socks & underwear for your Christmas present.
(2)Alex K.
It is important to note this review is only related to the Christmas buffet. This was a well below average experience. We were extremely disappointed with the quality of the spread. Granted, buffets are a difficult venue, there is really no excuse for a restaurant and place of this category to serve the average quality fair we experienced. Specially at the prices charged. Let me begin with the venue. As always, Casa Monica is a charming place, specially this time of the year. The restaurant was nicely appointed, but the entire buffer area looked a little barren and empty. When we arrived there were several buffet tables empty, as if food was missing from the spread. Service was acceptable and prompt. No complaints here. But the food was lacking. Let me start with the seafood offering. The raw oysters were extremely creamy. They completely lacked the moist and meaty taste of fresh Oysters. The consistency was that of spawning oysters. No quality here. The ahi tuna was dry and flavorless. But the shrimp and snowcrab legs were good. The protein was also lacking. Both the lamb and turkey were very dry. The roast beef was actually a large beef round boned in. (A rib roast would of been a better choice). The folks carving this piece really went about it the wrong way. So it was served in small chunks. The whole piece looked like hyenas chewed through it. None of the sides or salads were worth any praise. The only highlight was a serving of skirt steak, penne pasta and garlic bread. At the end of the night, factoring a $50 bottle of wine and tips, we paid over $400 for four people. And yes, my wife pointed out on the way back we could of had a great dinner at Ruth Chris or Capitol Grill at a better price.......lessons learned!
(2)Matt H.
I really wanted to like this restaurant, but, our dinner last night wasn't very good on balance. Pros - A great wine list - The Apple Blossom dessert was one of the best "apple pies" I've ever had. A big compliment from an apple pie junky. - Nice atmosphere in a historic St. Augustine hotel. Cons - A terrible greeting. How hard is it to find someone who can pleasantly welcome diners? This isn't a NYC night club where it's expected that the hostess will be rude and petulant. To top it off, she wanted to place us at a terrible table. "Why, yes. In an almost completely empty restaurant, I would love to sit next to the door and the waiter's station. Thanks for asking. Now, can we go to that table instead?" - Service was okay, but not great. I suppose you could call it "efficient." - I had the bronzed scallop appetizer. The scallops were cooked perfectly, but there were only hints of the cajun seasoning - just a few bites. Also, the "avocado relish" was more of a avocado puree. - I also had the pan seared salmon, which was absolutely swimming in the "saffron lobster broth." The waiter had a hard time setting it on the table without spilling it. The fish was okay, but I'm not quite sure what the thinking was behind serving it in a bowl of broth. I certainly learned that it's not the way I like to eat salmon. So, thanks for that.
(2)Ruben G.
Do you fancy a VERY dry, classic martini? If so, step in and sit down. You won't be disappointed. Mind you, this review is about a DRINK. A drink, and the service that brought it to us. ...on a raw, rainy day when we were hoping for sun and Florida balminess. My martini was flawless (...and I'm picky.) My wife's wine was white and sweet (but hey, it WAS a Pinot Grigio, after all). Next time? I'll do an anti-rain dance before going. But I'll also choose to drop into this place intentionally. It was that good.
(5)Brandon D.
My wife and I didn't get our dinner for over 2 hours after we sat (it looked a little slow for everyone in the restaurant ) and we didn't even order appetizers. Julie the Manager DID come over and comp our meals before the food came out or before I could mention it, which tells me that the server knew the food was behind as well and asked for assistance. When the food DID come out, my bone-in ribeye was AMAZING but my wife's filet was COLD which is why I gave this a 2*! Happy wife happy life, right... None the less, the sides were good, wine was excellent, and lightning and atmosphere was beautiful. I'M HOPING THIS WAS JUST AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.
(2)Zac A.
My partner and I recently visited for Sunday brunch. It had been 10 years since I ate brunch there, and the last time was quite good. At $35 per person, I expected the brunch buffet to offer quite tasty options. Instead, most of the options on the buffet were bland. While the omelet bar was attractive, Not for $35. The chicken Alfredo, green beans, and salad dishes lacked flavor that I expected. Unless you plan to gorge on crab legs and smoked salmon, I recommend spending your brunch dollars at one of the other locally owned establishments.
(2)Jess B.
Hard to find, it's in the hotel. Nice ambiance with full bar - which is not easy to find. Service was great and we wet seated without a wait. Fiance and I split the wedge salad - most amazing wedge salad I've ever had. He got shrimp and grits and was very good. I had the lobster tail and crab risotto which was good but not as good as the shrimp and grits. We enjoyed it and would come back.
(4)Stefano C.
Wow, wow, wow!!! And in case you missed it, wow!! What an amazing restaurant!! The location in downtown St. Augustine (or close enough) is perfect and within walking distance of many locations. The ambiance inside is extremely nice. Located right off the lobby of the hotel, it is tucked far enough back that you don't even notice it. Inside the restaurant, it is really a nice setting. Beautifully decorated and elegant. The only thing that seemed off ... the chairs. Not that they weren't comfortable, but they were a bit squeaky!! The 5 year old in you wants to jump out and start bouncing up and down like a little kid :P The food is out of this world. Chilean Sea Bass and Duck (prepared two ways) ... wow! Are you kidding me??? Food this good should be illegal!!! I'm sorry but words cannot describe how incredibly delicious both meals were. And the dessert ... a Nutella Lava Cake, as soon as my girlfriend and I saw this, we knew we were trying it, and we couldn't have chosen better. If you like Nutella, DO NOT pass this up. It is an explosion of richness and goodness ... this is another plate that should be illegal!! The staff at the restaurant, including our waiter was extremely friendly! At the end of the meal my girlfriend and I asked for a picture together and he suggested a photo location in the lobby, in front of the fountain. He was right!!! Beautiful picture! An incredible location!!
(5)Barry J.
Drinks were great, duck egg roll was great. Service was really slow and there were actually several empty chairs. Place is beautiful, if service wasn't so leaving would have given 5 stars.
(3)Sara L.
The best filet steak I have ever had in my life! Went to a wedding reception at the Casa Monica and 95 Cordova did the food. Insane perfection. I highly recommend it.
(5)Carolina M.
We went therewith a big group of friends and i have to say before we came in i was not excited to have dinner there but our friends wanted to go. I figured since it is a hotel restaurant in such a touristy hotel it wouldn't be good. Boy was i wrong. Everything was good!. The service was i'mpecable, the hotel is beautiful,the ambiance was great. The wine was good and our food was very good. All of our friends liked their dishes as well. i had the fried green tomatoes- delicious the sea bass- perfectly cooked Hubbie had the risotto and lobster and was great. I was pleasantly surprised about the restaurant.
(4)Tom G.
Hotel lobby bar with a fair amount of space. Service was great. Glad we stopped in for a nightcap after dinner and seeing some of the downtown area. Try it!
(4)Dani V.
Oh. My. God. Yes. I really should just leave my review at that because that's all I had to say! 95 Cordova was one of the best and true dining experiences I've ever had. Our server Scott was so on his game with the timing of the plates coming out to making sure our wine glasses were never empty. Actually, everyone who we saw working there was just in a good mood and real helpful. The food was marvelous with Risotto that just melted in your first bite and a filet that would not quit. Above all else: You have NOT had blue cheese chips until you've had them here. you know, usually your chips come out in a pile with bleu cheese crumbles and some reduced glaze over top just so that when you eat the top layer then you have a plate of plain, boring chips at the bottom. Not here! These chips are tossed in bleu cheese, cilantro, scallions and more while still being able to use a knife and fork to devour it all. If you're looking for a fabulous meal with an extensive wine list all while matching the experience as a whole, you will not be disappointed at all. Or, if you're just looking for a relaxing spot in a St. Aug, their lounge is also open to the public with great service to match the gorgeous décor of the lounge.
(5)M M.
It's been a few years since I've been to the bar here. Sad to say, it's a shadow of its former self. The drinks are at New York prices (this is St Augustine, not Manhattan. Manhattan doesn't even warrant Manhattan prices), the kitchen closes at 11 (they won't even scoop humus out of a vat and put it on a plate), and whoever convinced them that white pleather furniture would fit with the Moorish Revival decor, needs to find a new career. The band is too loud and the music does not fit with the style of the establishment, but the loud, late-middle-aged men at the bar yelling sad and grotesque comments at the brides walking through the lobby are too drunk to notice. This place was an oasis of class when it opened. Now, it's little more than a redneck bar.
(1)Diane H.
Had lobster/crab bisque (my favorite soup) and tequila marinated shrimp. Both were excellent, as was the service. Wine was excellent too. As we left the restaurant, there was a guitarist in the bar area who was terrific, so we stayed for a few drinks. It was a real treat. We'lll be back.
(5)Suzy C.
No complaints about this restaurant...... Great atmosphere, food, live band outside of restaurant which is part of the private hotel. You will have a great meal, fun time...
(4)Carla C.
My husband and I had breakfast here on a quiet Friday morning. The service was almost comically poor, and I hope it was just our waitress having an off day. She brought the wrong order, tried to take our plates before we were finished. She overcharged my husband's meal, charging extra for coffee that was supposed to be included and forgetting to bring orange juice that was also included. No apologies, no excuses. The food we did get was fine, and the restaurant is lovely.
(2)Jeff N.
Phenomenal Father's Day brunch. Crab Legs, Beef Brisket, Oysters, etc, etc...
(5)Tiffany C.
Let me just start by saying that my father is quite the quiet and passive man. He and I are quite alike in our love for fine dining. However, he has never been very vocal about food, only occasionally making a criticism or two on dishes he didn't like. Today, my friends, was the very first time in my life that I have ever seen my dad so excited and outspoken about our meal. And this was here, at 95 Cordova. 95 Cordova was truly an amazing dining experience. The service was very friendly and the ambiance was very elegant and ancient- kind of like the inside of a museum or gallery. The star of the restaurant, though, was obviously the food. To begin, we got the escargot, which were delicious! The cream was not too heavy and not too salty! The escargot, itself, was perfectly cooked and paired so nicely with the earthiness of the mushrooms. We then each got the lobster and crab soup and that was when my dad lost it. I thought he was either joking or being sarcastic when he loudly said, "oh my gosh, this is the best soup ever." I was so taken aback that I just stared and him and said, "what?!?!" I then took a sip and I knew exactly what he was talking about. This soup, or bisque, was just amazing. It was so creamy, rich, and flavorful and had a huge lump of crap inside to mix up the texture. This was by far the best lobster bisque I've ever had and my dad definitely agreed. For entree, my dad got the bone in ribeye, which was perfectly seared to medium rare. The crust on the ribeye had a nice charred taste, as well as a hint of salt and some sort of tang to it (lemon?). It was a perfect cut of meat that was very nicely marbled and quite tender. I got the special of the day, which was a local grouper stuffed with crab, with heirloom tomatoes, fingerling potatoes, mussels, in a broth. Oh my. This dish was just amazing with its variety in colors, flavors, and textures. The fish with the crab were so light and nicely contrasted the creaminess of the past dishes. What I loved most about these dishes was that they were not overly salted. There was just the right amount of salt, adding just the right amount of flavor to the dish. Overall, this is an amazing place. I would love to try more things on their menu next time that I'm back!!!
(5)Rob C.
Went with good friends for a birthday dinner. Overall a very pleasant evening. The service was fine but not intrusive....didn't spend too much time getting us to buy drinks or extras. While the meal was good, there was nothing extra special about this restaurant. Everything about it was old. The decor was dark and could use updating. It felt a bit like grandma's house that needs a good cleaning and fresh coat of paint. Granted, the clientele looked like grandma (and grandpa) so they probably don't see anything amiss here. Grandma you'll be happy dining here; younguns keep looking.
(3)Mariana M.
This place was amazing! Great location, great food (the sea bass was sooo good!), great service! My husband and I were in our honeymoon and we went to 95 Cordova for our first meal as a married couple. Best choice ever! We liked it so much we went back a second time! Kristen was our server both nights and she was great! Very nice and personable. The fried green tomatoes are VERY good as well as the sea bass. The scallops and steak were also very awesome! Try the horseradish mashed potatoes! Definitely going back next time we're in St. Augustine!
(5)Nikki W.
We came for great steaks and that's exactly what we received. Our server, Mark, was very attentive; our glasses were never empty. There was a live band, just two members from my view but they got the job done. Free olive bread before the meal, my daughter absolutely loved it. The NY Strip and the Ribeye were mouthwateringly delicious, with just the right amount of salt. Perfectly cooked, tender and juicy. The outside had a nice seared crust. However, the horseradish mashed potatoes were overwhelming, not an item I'd order again. Overall we really enjoyed our meal. We will surely come again!
(4)Jane H.
Had lunch there with family. walking around the lobby ad taking a look at the old cars in the side drive is a lot of fun. The service was excellent. The food was very good. Be sure to go there when yu visit St. Augustine.
(5)Werner K.
Very nice venue with tasty cuisine but the customer service component is missing... I had a reservation at 8pm for 15 business associates, everything was perfect until we sat down - the restaurant manager was rushing us to order because he stated the kitchen was closing (rather pushy). The food was very good but we continued to feel rushed by all the staff throughout the dinner. The Bill showed rather quickly (which was substantial) with the server requesting I complete ASAP. Great Atmosphere and Cuisine but Customer is a Thumbs Down!!!
(2)David R.
We had a great meal here...4 dishes, all prepared perfectly and tasted great. The only item we didn't like (and sent back) was the crab cake which was very "bready" and not very "crabby" (like a good crab cake should be!). Service was excellent and a lot of fun.
(4)Michelle W.
A celebratory meal and the staff never did or said anything it was hurtful. My husband just got a great job in Las Vegas, managing a hotel, and I wanted to treat him with a fancy dessert and dessert wine. They never did anything. I email, I call and I speak with staff how do they always forget. I dined here in 2008 and loved it the pumpkin soup it was amazing and they had these fun light up menues. That's what brought me back. This meal in 2013 was ok no soup and no light up menues, clearly a different chef or a burnt out chef. Nothing was memorable. I had been raving to my husband about this restaurant what a disappointment and embarrassment, I will never be back. Even the new music CDs in room have gone down in quality I bought it and don't like one song on it. The previous one was great, I like almost all the songs, especially the Ray Charles song.
(2)Ophelia B.
This restaurant is located inside the luxurious Casa Monica Hotel. Very beautiful place to eat. The wait staff give very professional service.The surroundings are posh, clean, and elegant. This is the ideal place to eat for me in St. Augustine. My favorite meal there is the calamari and the (breakfast) Southern style grits. I hate grits with a passion, yet I love their grits. I always get second helpings on the grits when I go there for breakfast on a blue moon.
(5)Dave O.
This is a very nostalgic place and it's an experience not just a dinner. I rarely give 5 stars they need to be earned and this place has the whole package. The service and setting impeccable first class all the way. We had a party of four the guys started out with Martinis (excellent) and the girls has some mix drinks no one ever rushed us just a relaxing time and the place was packed out make sure you make reservations. We all started our meal with a wedge salad it was one of the best, understanding of course it's not rocket science to make one of these but when it's done well it can be over the top this one rates 5 stars fresh and crisp certainly they have a salad person who pays attention to detail. We all ordered steak I don't care if it was a filet or a ribeye it was prime steak cooked to perfection. The sides were generous and done to perfection as well, everything about this dining experience was spot on the wait staff was so on top of their game checking on us at the right time making sure our dining experience was top notch. If you are in the area and looking for fine dining this place has to be considered. Oh and one of the coolest things is the menus lights up to help you see and the crumbles are raked in between courses just a few nice touches you don't see much of any more. Yes it's five stars it wasn't cheap but the prices weren't in anyway out of line. Enjoy!!!!
(5)Steve H.
We came here for our anniversary and were blown away! To be honest I did not have the highest expectations because it was the hotel restaurant, but we had a great time! Our server made spot on recommendations and everything was an adventure of amazing flavors from our cocktails to appetizers, to our entrees, and even the dessert that was on the house for our anniversary! Highly recommend duck eggrolls and fried green tomatoes. We got the key lime pie and it was amazing.
(5)Brad K.
The six of us decided to drop in for dinner on Saturday night We were seated promptly Service was excellent Food quality is what the get dinged for, escargot was very salty, had to send back my osso buco it was cold in the middle. Understand they make them early in day to get tender but should not have come out cold. 2nd one wasn't much better but was hungry and didn't want to send back again. We have dined here many times, food seems to be slipping over the years, service great as always. Lots of excellent dining in st augustine we won't be rushing back.
(2)Stevi D.
I had the best Cosmo of my life here! Top that off with a spinach dip and beautiful piano music playing in the background.
(5)Beverley M.
Just had a FABULOUS meal, not unusual! But I am curious as to why our parking ticket is validated AND we still pay ($5) for parking!? If parking is complimentary when dining ( not so sure if this is true or not, seems it was in the past ) then why go through the charade?Just asking...
(4)Jake V.
Take this with a grain of salt; I sampled 95 Cordova's food through room service, which is never the best delivery method. Buuuuuut I was lazy. Anyway, the wedge salad was fantastic -- the caramelized bacon really made the dish. The osso buco was....eh. A little tough for something that should be cooked forever. Great for room service still, but if the same quality was in the restaurant I'd be disappointed.
(3)Amy C.
My boyfriend and I visited St. Augustine for our anniversary and we wanted to do a nice dinner. We decided on 95 Cordova after walking around the city and seeing how beautiful the Casa Monica hotel was (the restaurant is in the hotel). We ended up making a reservation for 8pm at about 5:30 and they had no trouble fitting us in. The interior of the restaurant had beautiful details- the mosaic artwork covering the walls especially stood out. Once we were seated we were told that they had just released their new tapas style menu a couple of days before. The new concept was called Costa Brava. The drink menu had some unique offerings- I opted for one of the champagne cocktails that had muddled raspberry and it was refreshing! For an appetizer we got the hummus which came with three flavors, and all 3 were delicious and tasted freshly made. For dinner I ordered the local shrimp ajillo and the small portion of the seared red snapper. I was expecting the shrimp to have a little more flavor based on the spices included on the menu, but they still tasted extremely fresh and were cooked to perfection. The snapper dish was my favorite. The fish itself was incredibly flavorful and also came with a caper relish that was unique and paired well with the fish. It also came with a side of couscous which I also enjoyed. My boyfriend had the skirt steak and he said it was flavorful and filling. The server was fairly attentive throughout our meal. We enjoyed our experience very much and would likely return to this restaurant to try some of their other dishes should we find ourselves in St. Augustine again.
(5)Ali H.
Fancy, great , server was great person, food excellent deserve to pay every penny. They make you feeel like its your home
(5)Kathy C.
Husband and I finally made it to 95 Cordova this evening. We made a reservation at 7:30 PM but ended up getting to St. Augustine way earlier than expected. So we checked with the hostess to see if we could get a table early. No problem. The service was very prompt and friendly. We joked about the basics of restaurant service these days all the time. Maybe we had some bad lucks, but lately in restaurants, seems that we get our appetizer, salad and entree all at once.... or we walk in to a restaurant and find ourselves waiting for a server to appear to take our order.... or worse, we ask for our check and our server disappears which made us feel like we were held hostage in a restaurant and can't leave. I have to say, 95 Cordova gave us a very wonderful dining experience. Everything came at the right time, server didn't interrupt us during our conversations, and didn't "disappear" on us either. As for the food, there were some misses. For starter, we ordered the Kessler Calamari (Julie A's review sold it for me), which was WONDERFUL. My husband doesn't usually eat olives... while, he made sure he ate every last bit of it, it was so good. But the Thai Coconut Chicken soup was a bit of a miss for me. The yellow curry and coconut was soooo subtle that I hardly tasted it. The noodle and the greens were a bit ... weird. The broth was very light... but I asked myself later, why did I order a Thai soup when I am not even in a Thai restaurant? As for entrees, I tried their lobster and crab risotto. It was tastey, but I was a bit puzzled by the big lobster tail still in its shell on top of the risotto. I thought it would be crab and lobster mixed in the risotto. Don't get me wrong, I love my lobster, but it was a bit strange to see it, shell and all, sitting on top of a nice plate of risotto. My husband had the ribeye, medium rare, very nice. For the finale, we had the creme brulee french toast... it was a nice little iron skillet of yumminess.... perfect ending with a nice cup of black coffee. We walked out of the restaurant, stuffed and satisfied.
(4)Dina C.
Beautiful Sunday brunch. I was staying at the Casa Monica Hotel and we decided to stop at the restaurant downstairs for brunch. The $30 per person brunch was very nice, although you need to be in the mood for a somewhat "stuffy" environment since this is more upscale. The acoustic guitarists from the group called "Kalal" were amazing and this comes from someone who cringes at the thought of table side entertainment. They came around and played Spanish songs, rock songs, and chill music during the brunch. Overall, this was a very memorable brunch experience. The staff were so professional with a jolly pastry chef to top it off. I am a crab legs fan, but crab legs sitting in hot water tend to get overcooked and tough....but everything else was great. Carving stations, gourmet salads, crab legs, shrimp, eggs, potatoes, homemade bisquits, mini creme brulees, mousses, cakes, etc.
(4)Julie A.
The food was delicious and the staff was very good to Sis friend and I. We were in a hurry so the waitress made sure to stop by our table often. I was already aware of the high prices here, so we opted to split the meal. We had the Ahi Tuna with Thai Peanut Sauce ($28) according to the waitress' suggestion since it was the fastest thing they could make. We also wanted an appetizer, so we got the Calamari ($11). The waitress started us off on some of the most delicious bread I've had. Lightly toasted and drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette and pesto. Originally I didn't want calamari since you could get calamari anywhere, but I am so glad I went with Sis friend's suggestion. The calamari was excellent. It came drizzled with asiago cheese and served with cubed tomatoes, olives, chopped cilantro and other yumminess. I don't remember the last time I had calamari this flavorful. The Ahi Tuna was rare tuna steaks served atop a drizzle peanut sauce and what they describe as "soy glaze" with seaweed thrown in there. The seaweed complemented the spices very well. It was like eating an open faced giant maguro (tuna) sushi, except without the rice and with different sauces. (My mouth is watering right about now.) For a drink, I got the virgin Sea Breeze (cranberry and pineapple juice). We liked it so much that we came back a second time in the same night with Yelper buddy Hunter B., and his LDC. We had desserts this time. I ordered the Jamaican Tiramisu (partly bc I was missing somebody and partly bc I needed to stay awake for the long ride home). The tiramisu was different from what I normally have. It was in a somewhat liquified form and not in the cake form with chocolate like what I'm used to. But it was still good. The mascarpone cheese made it extra creamy and the fresh berries added some tartness to it. The lady finger was a thin triangular wafer instead of the long and thin finger form that I've had before. Yelper buddy ordered the Trio Shots (creme brulee, tiramisu, and something else). I only tried the creme brulee and it was heavenly, but very similar to what I've had in the past with a berry and mint leaf for added flavor. For extra caffeine, three of us girls had cappuccinos. The waiter fixed them himself and apologized for the cinnamon substitution instead of powdered chocolate. It didn't matter; still rich and creamy. The most unique part about this place? The light up menus. AWESOME! They also had live jazz with saxophone, piano, and bass (?? I can't remember). The restaurant is open until 11pm, but the bar is open later. I have nothing bad to say about this place. Everything we had was simply wonderful.
(5)Kevin B.
I had heard good things about this place before going but I have to say, the hype was not enough to set my expectations appropriately. We each had the chef's wine pairing. The Thai coconut soup had a hint of spice but balanced perfectly with the sweetness of the coconut juice, the arugula salad was fantastic, and the steak that was perfectly cooked and amazingly tender, sitting on top of the, dare I say, best risotto I have ever eaten. I just can't say enough about how great this meal was! Tip: If you have a romantic evening for two planned, they have a great little seat in the back for two where you get to sit side by side. Very nice touch!
(5)Lynn E.
My husband took me to this wonderful restaurant in the upscale Casa Monica hotel in St. Augustine's old city to celebrate Valentine's Day. We chose it because a friend of ours was playing piano in the lounge that evening. We're now forever grateful to him for getting that gig! The staff is refined and courteous, the decor is lush and has a historic feel with large mosaics on the walls and heavy, upholstered chairs. The menus actually light up when you open them, which is a help in the dark setting. While the dining room seems like it wants to be a quiet and elegant place to have dinner, the celebratory noise and music from the lounge is quite prevalent, so if that bugs you, it might spoil the experience. It didn't for us, since we wanted to hear our musician friend while we ate, yet didn't want to take dinner in the lounge. We were given the choice of "ice water" or bottled water at the start. Then, we were brought 4 thick slices of crusty bread drizzled with pesto oil and a balsamic reduction that was so good, I almost wanted to just call it a night right there! I ordered the Ceasar salad sans the bleu cheese which was presented sans croutons as well (I'm guessing croutons are too common for this restaurant). The romaine leaves were huddled in a lovely mount and the dressing coated them and also decorated the plate. I did not miss the croutons. My husband ordered the wedge salad, which is a large wedge of iceberg lettuce topped with bleu cheese, bacon, glazed walnuts, and topped with a jalepeno ranch dressing. He loved it. For our entrees, I chose the Chilean Sea Bass, which was presented as a gorgeous, thick (nearly 3 inches) piece of flakey whiteness, absolutely perfectly crisped on the top and bottom. It was the best piece of fish I have ever eaten, bar none! Half a lemon just seared for a moment on their grill made a lovely garnish and helped it give up it's juice to make an excellent fish dinner even better. The fish was nestled on top of a row of crisp roasted asaparagus, also perfectly cooked, which was nestled on top of garlic mashed potatoes that were full of flavor without being overpowering. My husband chose the filet mignon with bleu cheese which was also perfectly prepared and presented in the same way. There are three creme brulee options on the dessert menu. You can get creme brulee french toast, which makes me want to just type a whole row of exclamation points, but I'll restrain myself. There's a flavored creme brulee of the week, which was passion fruit last night. I went with the classic vanilla bean creme brulee served with fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream. I'm very fussy about my creme brulee and am more often disappointed than not. But I felt confident ordering it here and they did not let me down! The prices are a little steep, but not beyond what you'd expect for a dining experience of this quality. We paid about $120 for non-alcoholic beverages, salad and dinner. That doesn't include our dessert, which we ate in the lounge afterward. I let my husband know that any time he wants me to feel utterly loved and pampered, all he has to do is suggest we go to 95 Cordova for dinner. His face lit up and he said, "Really? It's that easy?" Well, no, it's not really that easy, but he'll definitely score major points doing that!
(5)Amanda B.
This review is only about the breakfast dining at 95 Cordova. We stayed at the hotel, Casa Monica, last week. Wonderful hotel. We booked a package that included daily breakfast. :( I did not enjoy my steak and eggs. The steak, which I requested to be cooked medium, was served to me screaming bloody murder. I sliced the corner... just the corner and it bled more. I hate HATE hate sending food back but there was no way I could eat it like that. This going to sound weird but, I did not like how a member of the waitstaff handled my return. It wasn't bad, and she wasn't our assigned waitress but she seemed a little bothered by it. I don't know. It was already a touchy situation and I know I cannot be the first one to return something to the kitchen but I just was hoping it would be spoken of as not a big deal. But then again, I don't know what goes on behind the kitchen door. Maybe it is a big deal. Our waitress did come back and checked on me and even apologized for no reason. Wasn't anyone's fault. I just like less red and more clear and pink running out of my steak. Having said that, my steak came back, cooked to medium, with a fresh batch of scrambled eggs on the side. It was okay. I'm a Foodie so "okay" means decent. I won't sing about it. So, having said all of that, we dined here again for their apparently infamous Sunday Brunch. IT was Very good! The brunch wiped away any ill opinion I had about the steak and once again the wait staff were very nice and friendly. There's so much variety and there was even an omelet and waffle making guy on hand.
(4)Dan K.
Lovely room, great service, really good food and experience. This was a special celebratory dinner and the dining experience was top-notch. Our server was Kristen and she was warm, friendly, knowledgeable and paced the meal perfectly. The food was simply excellent. We had the Colorado lamp chops and the duck.
(5)Jared I.
****** EXTREMELY UNHAPPY BRUCH GUEST ******** After hearing about 95 cordova for years, we decided to try it out for brunch this morning. We had a TERRIBLE experience. Why are we unhappy? Waited 10 mins in line for waffles due to only ONE 15 year old kid manning the waffle iron who didn't know how to use it. Coffee was stone cold. Items were not refilled on brunch line. We called ahead for pricing and was told it was 25$ per person with free mimosas. After paying for our bill we found out it was actually over 30$ a person, and mimosas are 2$ each. THEN to top it all off, they added a service charge of 18$, as well they added another 25$ TIP TO OUR CARD WITHOUT PERMISSION!!! This restaurant is made out to be high class, I recommend going a little bit further to the REEF for sunday brunch. I'd rather go to Denny's at least they don't try to steal a tip from you. I will NOT go back, and I will be taking it up with management to fire our waitress who added a tip to our bill when we put NONE for a reason.
(1)Kimberly L.
What a wonderful restaurant! From the Moroccan decor to the friendly service, it was so relaxing and enjoyable. We arrived early and decided to grab a drink at the bar. The peach mimosa was really good and so was the pina colada. After watching about 4 wedding parties go by we walked into the main dining area for dinner. The menu's were really fun, they were heavy and once you open them they were slightly illuminated so you could see what you were reading (what a great idea for dark restaurants) which was nice. Shortly after we were seated, our waiter brought bread with pesto and balsamic vinegar it was amazing. I seriously ate 5 out of the 6 slices. For my appetizer, I had to taste the artichoke bisque and it did not disappoint. It was creamy and very flavorful but had a little kick of artichoke at the end. For my main course I opted for the scallops with carbonara pasta...delicious. It was actually a pretty big serving and I was full already. My bf ordered the mushroom risotto it was very good a bit aldente but just the way I love it. The filet was nice. I wish I could go back but I'm at my "9-5" so that I can plan my next vacay.
(5)Katherine Z.
I was really looking forward to dining at 95 Cordova, but everything from the first course, on, was awful. My boyfriend and I both work in the restaurant industry, and it really takes a lot for me to complain, but I just didn't want any one else to get duped into spending your money at this restaurant. The ambiance and decor is beautiful, and majestic, but apart from that, my short rib entree came with peas and carrots that were still frozen, the "hunters plate" appetizer was a pile of Planter's mixed nuts, next to a pile of bleu cheese crumbles, deli style cheese slices, with a couple of dinner rolls, and some meats...it was underwhelming for $18, and continuing on to their $44 entree, that was luke warm, and thoughtless. We sat with empty plates in front of us for at least 10 minutes after we were finished, both courses, and got the wrong wine bottle opened at the table, which was my fault for not noticing during the presentation, it was $40 cheaper than the one we ordered, and upon discovery, I was happy to not have wasted an extra $40 in that place!
(1)Brian M.
We only had lunch, and that should be taken into account when reviewing the restaurant. My wife had a chicken sandwich and I had the flounder (fish fry) which I truly enjoyed. Almost as good as some of the fish fries I've had in Rochester where they really know how to do it right. I do love, however, the old Spanish decor.
(3)Jeremy F.
This place is great! While it is a bit expensive - In the 5 star hotel of Casa Monica, You definitely get what you pay for. We had the sea bass which was very flavorful and delicious and a 8oz filet which was cooked to perfection and a very nice quality cut. Definitely will come back.
(4)Jihan D.
We all know Casa Monica as being a bride's dream venue but unfortunately they were not able to accommodate the capacity of my friend's wedding. So we decided to treat her to dinner at 95 Cordova for a bachelorette weekend. I made a reservation for the 6 of us through open table. We were running 15 minutes late and when I called to inform them, they were very accommodating and changed our reservation time. However, the service we received there was horrible. We were shown to our table and even though 3 of us were wearing black, we were not offered black linen. We had to ask for it. No, it's not pretentious. It's common sense. We waiting about 15 minutes just to have someone come to the table to pour water. Then another 15 minutes went by before anyone came to the table. And no, they were not busy. When David, the server, finally did show up all he said was "are you ready to order?" Um...what about hello, an introduction, SOMETHING?? I only know his name because I looked at his name tag. Apparently we weren't worthy of any of that from him. He took our orders and that was about it. He didn't bother to inquire as to whether we were enjoying the food or would need anything else. He didn't even bother to ask if we were finished with our meals and just picked them up from the table. What really bothered us was that there is a mini rating at the bottom of the receipt for both food and service. We rated the food good (nothing to write home about), but the service a big fat 1 for poor. It makes me think that the customer ratings have no real importance if David believes he can just go about his night offering little to no service. Thanks but no thanks, Mr. Kessler.
(2)Jessica I.
Came here for a decadent lunch, and found it. The Boursin cheese grits with shrimp were touted as the signature dish, and they were delightful. My husband fared well, but his first two choices were 86ed, which is why I'm docking a star. For such a small menu, missing two items is not really excusable, especially considering the costliness of the place. The setting in the beautiful Casa Monica is really nice, and we were pleased overall.
(4)Wes C.
The food here is good, but maybe getting overpriced. I had a crab risotto with a lobster tail on top. The lobster was slightly over cooked, and I'm not sure I encountered any crab in the risotto. It also came with a smoked tomato puree, which overpowered the risotto and lobster. My wife had a filet which was cooked perfectly, but the plate was kind of bare. For these prices we expect some level of presentation. My biggest complaint is the decor and furniture. The place feels old and rundown. Old and charming would make sense, but not run down. It's a classic place so I think they need to redecorate a bit, and turn up the menu a notch.
(3)Scott C.
Amazing combination of simplicity, elegance and taste. Great things done well. I had the salmon in a lobster au jus. While I didn't care for the greens (not from the south), the salmon was amazing. Cooked perfectly. The 2007 Caymus was amazing. Service was attentive but not evasive. I loved the backlit menus. Open up the menu and a light panel turned on behind the parchment to illuminate the text. My last trip to a national know cheesecake chain (God how I despise chains) I had to download a flashlight app on my droid to read the menu. At 95 Cordova it's built in. Very innovative!!!! Located in the heart of historic St. Augustine.
(5)Alison M.
Lovely restaurant inside the Casa Monica hotel. We went for breakfast and everything was really good with lots of food. Prices were reasonable too considering the amount of food we got. I had the Cordova Benedict and it was yummy but could have been served hotter though. I didn;t ask for it to be heated ore though so that was my fault. Our group also got the Swiss Rosti which was shredded potatoes, poached egg, swiss cheese and Black Forest ham. She could only eat half. The fruit salad and yogurt was also very good. I HIGHLY recommend you get order a side of the blue cheese grits. IT WAS TO DIE FOR. I could have only eaten that and would have been in heaven. Decor was very pretty and it would be a very romantic evening spot. Our waiter was very nice and attentive.
(4)Sheila M.
This restaurant is a wonderful experience from when you walk in the doors of the hotel until you leave. The atmosphere is wonderful. The staff is attentive without being overbearing. We have had many delicious dinners here but this review is for the only breakfast we had. We went on February 25, 2012 and arrived almost as the time for breakfast service was almost over but that was no problem. The service was very good. Our waiter had great tips and suggestions and was very accommodating of 2 very picky eaters. The best Eggs Benedict Ever! My husband had the steak and Eggs and could not say enough good things. The meat was perfectly cooked and nicely seasoned. We were not rushed even though we stayed way to long enjoying the atmosphere and delicious coffee and teas. Would go back any time!! Just can not say enough good things about the staff, the food, the location, etc.
(5)Tina M.
Food: Appetizers were excellent - the escargots were the best I've ever had. Also praises to the calamari, fried tomatoes, and ahi tuna (but be careful, the sauce is spicy!). My meal left a bit to be desired. I had the sea bass, and it was cooked well, but the typical flavorful sauce that is served with sea bass was missing. I had good sides - mushrooms ragout and tomatoes and goat cheese. Service: Mostly helpful and knowledgeable about the menu. However, two complaints: 1) the waiter disappeared for quite awhile after we ordered our food - we didn't even see him walking around, and 2) I stepped away for a 3-minute phone call and he took my plate away, despite the fact I had only eaten half of my meal. Park on the street if you can find a spot, or valet the car at Casa Monica. Plan for a 2-hour meal. Jeans are fine - I'd describe appropriate attire as "dressy casual."
(4)Mare M.
A gorgeous interior, very unique menu design, nice wine list, mediocre service, variety of selections makes this a 3 star for me. Food was good, but not up to par with expectations. And not for the cost. It had the potential to be a 5 star - but falls short.. way short.
(3)Laurie A.
I was staying at the Casa Monica, and ate at 95 Cordova arrival night and departure morning, given it's great reviews and for convenience sake. Not impressed either visit. For dinner I ordered their signature salad and a side of fries which was described on the menu as being prepared with asiago and truffle oil. I asked for no cheese on either. My salad arrived with the cheese, which I picked off, but it was not great as the beets tasted like the can they were likely pre-packaged in. The fries had no cheese, but no truffle oil either - very nondescript with simply salt and pepper, and that would have been fine I suppose had they not teased me with the truffle oil, which is what prompted me to order them at all. They did remove the fries from the bill for me, though. Their 'featured menu item,' shrimp and grits, was not available. I decided to give them another shot for breakfast and ordered apple cinnamon oatmeal without cream, and pineapple juice. The oatmeal was ok, but had very little apple and no cinnamon. The pineapple juice again tasted like the can, and came out on the check $1 over the menu price. There are so many excellent choices in St. Augustine - don't waste your money here.
(2)Andi H.
I know I've given 5 stars to the first few places I've reviewed, but they've all been worth it! Anyway, hubby and I took a road trip last Sunday and we ended up in St Augustine around lunchtime. Where to eat?? We parked the car and just walked . . . . . . . . and we ended up at the door of 95 Cordova. We were promptly seated and asked if we wanted the Sunday brunch. Sure! There were offerings of scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, pasta salad, potato salad, shrimp cocktail, crab legs, artichoke salad, smoked salmon, roasted potatoes, tilapia in cream sauce, etc and loads of desserts. Everything was delicious. Brunch included one glass of complimentary champagne per person. The restaurant is clean and neat and the atmosphere is pleasant. This is a fancy place . . . be ready to spend lots of money for dinner. But if dinner is as awesome as brunch was, it's worth it! Our server was friendly and extremely attentive without being over-bearing. There was not one negative thing about this place and I'd definitely come back.
(5)Ayanna B.
I think I might be going against the grain here, but this place is a bit too hyped. It was over-priced and just 'okay' in terms of dishes. I went for my birthday, and got dressed up and everything. The waiter was friendly and knowledgeable about the dishes. We had risotto for an appetizer which was EXCELLENT!!!!! Then we had the New York strip and Filet Mignon. They were seasoned. That is the best I can say about it. The mashed potatoes that came as one of our sides was more spectacular than the actual main dishes. I am not saying it's bad food, I'm saying it's overpriced and I'm sure you could do this at home without a recipe. But whatever, this is a high end place in St. Augustine and I'll take what I can get. Desserts were good though. Entertaining was the fact that the lights were dim, the decor was very serene and swank. Meanwhile, the mix of guests was hilarious. One older couple was having a romantic dinner, looking sharp as they wanna be. One couple was obviously on their honeymoon. One couple snapped their fingers at the waiter for him to refill their water. They were wearing tourists clothes. Another table had two businessmen, one of which was annoying cell phone guy... talking too loud and cussing at the table... so much so that the waiter had to ask him to take his call in the lounge. LOLOL!!!! In short, the risotto and desserts are fantastic, not all main courses are special, don't be surprised if you're overdressed.
(3)robert l.
Service great.....atmosphere great......food, nope! Stay away from the steak! If you get a straight up steak without sauce expect tough meat with no seasoning! Appetizers were great, and the front desk will book a wonderful carriage ride for you after dinner.....just stay away from the steak, it makes this Texas boy sad that they pass that off as steak!
(2)Alan S.
Here's the disclaimer...this review is only for the calamari. We heard that they had great calamari and so we stopped in one afternoon. The lobby bar has the same app menu as the restaurant, and ok, the beer and wine list too. Calamari is unbelievable. In fact, I was putting together our "best calamari" list and realized I hadn't done this review. So, here it is...
(5)Chris P.
Great food and service. The quality of it all is reflected in the price and I'm certainly OK with paying for it here. The only downfall is that its in a hotel and because of that you never know who you may sit next to. Unfortunately they can't refuse guests and you might sit next to loud people in wife beaters but that's not the restaurants fault. As far as what they are provding is concerned they are awesome. Their breakfat and lunch is awesome as well.
(5)Annabelle S.
Time to start doing some reviews in my home town and 95 Cordova is a good place to start. It's probably going to surprise you when I say that, I don't come here for the food ( even though it's fantastic). I come here for the ambiance! The decor is simply out of this world. If you are into spanish decor ( which I am... growing up in St. Aug it's almost a given) then you will be in heaven. The last time we came was with a large goup of people and we were seated at this large pine table with fat black iron candelabras and huge cream candles in them- everywhere. Oooh. Add in rich warm browns and golds and colorful mosaic tiles and I could care less about the food. Which again- is really wonderful. The menu is pricey but add in excellent service and you too will be coming back for more.
(4)Andy L.
Like the rest of the Casa Monica Hotel, 95 Cordova is a wonder of arabesque arches, columns and tapestries that create a romantic hideaway in the country's oldest city. The menu, with a side bar of aged premium steaks, is a mix of old world and American southern elements that the kitchen executes skillfully. We started with Fried Green Tomatoes ($10), set in a creamy jalapeno sauce and sprinkled with goat cheese and basil oil. The crusted tomatoes were ripe and flavorful and the addition of the other ingredients formed a delicious combination. Strawberry & Arugula Salad ($8) was also accompanied by goat cheese, plus almonds and dressed with a shallot vinaigrette. This was a pleasing sweet/savory combination that all at the table enjoyed. Caesar Salad ($9) was served with a house made dressing, perfect in its simplicity. Duck Two Ways ($28) was a breast and a leg, accompanied by a nutty flavored Himalayan red rice and a fruity, sweet peach chutney. The breast was cooked medium rare and the (more flavorful) leg was tender and delicious. The Braised Pork Osso Bucco ($28) was fall-off-the-bone delicious and may have been the dish of the evening at our table. The sauce was bursting with rich pork flavor and the crispy Brussels sprouts and truffled mash potatoes were strong accompaniments. Porcini Mushroom Ravioli and Braised Rabbit ($29) was fabulous. Another savory sauce complimented the fresh ravioli and rabbit saddle, color came from peas and carrots that dotted the plate and dash a Parmesan completed the dish. We ordered a bottle of 1999 Chateau Simard ($60; about $25 retail), a mushroomy, minty Bordeaux that went very well with our meals. We didn't make it to dessert, but many flew by our table over the course of the evening that looked tantalizingly devilish. Maybe on our next visit... Service was attentive, prompt and informed. I recommend Casa Monica's 95 Cordova, a restaurant that upholds the tradition of fine hotel dining.
(4)Stacy H.
I love Sunday Brunch so I thought that we would go check it out. Parking is cheap, $5. Restaurant was easy to find. Brunch was better then I had expected. It was about $40 per person but worth the sunday splurge. I enjoyed eggs, bacon, grits, waffles, crab legs, caprese salad and bread pudding. I gave my husband my mimosa and we both had a great time. I stuffed myself silly. I would go back there on another trip to St. Augustine
(4)Carlos L.
We have eaten here a number of times, food quality and service is consistently great, menu is short and simple but everything is delicious. Its not that pricy for the quality you get. The building/architecture is amazing (the hotel is one of america's historic hotels), I'd eat here anytime blindfolded, no questions asked.
(5)Blak B.
I didn't have the pleasure of dinning for dinner even though I was staying at the Casa Monica hotel but the breakfast was to die for. The place itself looks classy but welcoming and I love the decor. The staff was very attentive from the hostess, bartender and waiter. Not much to write about breakfast but all I have to say is if you love seafood order the seafood omelette. Mmmm It come with shrimp, crab meat and a nice creamy lobster sauce. I doidnt have a clue as to how it would taste all together but it ROCKS! Im not a big breakfast gurl but I finished all my food and my mommy would be so proud of me *claps*(good girl *in my mommy's voice*) lol
(5)Marlon P.
Steak and eggs are a great way to start the day.
(4)Jay L.
Ok, I'm not really going along with the majority here and I have to explain why. When I give stars I do it on a price/goodness ratio. As the price climbs, the food also has to match. While our meal was pretty darn tasty, I think I've had better food for cheaper and I've certainly had better food at this price level. So the ambiance is great. Picture this: You park on this quaint little side street (that happens to be part of the oldest city in the US) right next to a tree lined plaza. If it's winter time, all the trees are alight with white bulbs, adding to the magic. It's cold (for Florida) so you wrap your arm around your date and stroll over to the Casa Monica, wherein lies the 95 Cordova restaurant. Old Spanish and Middle Eastern decor makes the place dark, warm and inviting. The restaurant itself has an overtone of burgandy and burnt umber tones that is quite cozy. The candlelight level brightness makes it that much more romatic. Great setting. Service is smooth, but not 5 star polished. They are a little too friendly and a little to slow. The menus are unique in that they are backlit so you can read them. It's an extensive list of just about whatever you could want. Mostly, it's heavy European with a dash of some middle eastern flaovrs. Our choices started with the Caesar salad which let me down. I use the Caesar as a measuring stick. This chef, I could tell, was into heaviness and creams. The romaine was barely crisp (though not soggy) and warm. I believe it should be super crisp and chilled. The dressing was overdone (like they took Newman's Own) and dumped it on. There was no hint of anchovies or any cheese but Parmesean. Not a fantastic start. For entrees I started with the Sea Bass and Glabella had the Ginger and Black Pepper Sea Scallops. The sea bass was done well. It was crisply grilled with a light amount of caramelization across the top. They let the fish hold it's own with only light amounts of salt as the major flavor. It was moist, soft and flaky, as a sea bass should be. It's easy to make, so I would have really been surprised had it not been cooked well. It was plated over something, mashed potatoes and asparagus, but it's mundaneness makes it not memorable to me. The scallops were excellent. They were of large size, perfectly cooked and seasoned well. One that Glabella had a disagreeable grittiness to it. They were served with a fried vegetable eggroll which had seaweed, carrots and cabbage in it. An interesting pairing atop some rice. As an additional side we also tried the Mac n' Cheese. This was extrememely heavy and rich, with a light flavoring of truffle oil. One of the better creamy pasta dishes I've had anywhere. So definately 5 for locale and ambiance. I do have to take off for the price though, considering the service was only average and the food while pretty good, had some hits and misses. To consider, I had a sea bass at Bonefish Grill that was just as, if not better for $12 less. Not sure I'd return unless I had out of town guests that I was taking to a pricey place in St. Augustine.
(3)Joshua K.
A group of my extended family members all visited 95 Cordova for a nice dinner. It is located inside the beautiful Casa Monica Hotel, which in and of itself is worth the visit. We were seated quickly, having made a reservation, and were quickly given the unique and different 'back-lit' menus... definitely a conversation piece. We started with a few appetizers; calamari, blue cheese chips and fried green tomatoes. They were all very good and demonstrated a unique take on some traditional favorites. For dinner, our group's order varied from steak and fish to shrimp and grits. The steak was extremely tender and cooked perfectly. The sea bass was very good, but lacked a bit of the flavorful flair that some of the other items had. The shrimp and grits, while a seemingly odd combination, was surprisingly flavorful. While the environment was very elegant and comfortable, the service was a bit too laid back. The restaurant was not at all busy, but it took over an hour to get our dinner. It is certainly not a rushed setting, but even so, it seemed that the waiter and kitchen response took too long. I would go back, as I thoroughly enjoyed the food and atmosphere. If you are looking for a relaxed, evening-long dining experience, this could be a great find.
(4)Eileen B.
Wanted to have some steak in St. Augustine. Had a wonderful parking spot in historic downtown and not willing to give it up. Walked past 95 Cordova three times, and read its menu off the street - showed only 1 steak (NY Strip)... finally decided to try anyways. SURPRISE!! The menu we got had 95 Cordova CHOP HOUSE list of STEAKS!! Had the Delmonico (16oz) which is more like 16oz cooked... tender, well aged and well cooked (medium-rare)! The french fries was fantastic too, well seasoned. Now thinking we might stay at the hotel next time we wander into St. Augustine and eat there again...
(5)Calvin P.
Maybe I came on an off night... Slow service, the food was lukewarm, & the steak was not prepared right...
(1)Kathleen S.
I didnt' think it was crazy expensive, but I did feel they are overly impressed with themselves. The restaurant is beautiful. The food wasn't bad, just not as memorable as the ambience. I had the crab and shrimp ravioli. Also, the waitress walked away in the middle of me ordering my cappucino, so I got it with skim milk. I'm sure it was at least $6 so I was really annoyed that she couldn't be bothered to listen. We got creme brulee for dessert---they have 3 kinds but not many other options-and it doesn't really stick in my mind. I might try it again, though, b/c it is very pretty inside. Its really not bad, I just had high expectations.
(3)Diana M.
Whenever I am in St. Augustine for the weekend I have Sunday brunch here. It is expensive, 24 or 25 dollars. Mimosas and other alcohol are NOT included. The buffet includes the usual pastries, roasted potatoes, bacon, sausage, an omelet station, made to order waffles w/ whipped cream (so good), the creamiest grits I have ever had, a prime rib carving station, crab legs, various other lunch items, and a variety of cakes and pies. Chocolate covered strawberries used to be a regular item on the buffet, but they have been missing my last couple visits. We even called ahead once to see if the strawberries were on the buffet and were told they were, but when we arrived there were no strawberries. Our server was kind enough to get us a plate, but with only 1 strawberry per person. We didn't ask for more, but you shouldn't have to at a buffet. The service is always excellent.
(4)Tamara B.
We ate there last night for our anniversary. We had the tasting menu which if you want an excessive amount of food is a good value. The first course was escargot. My husband said they were flavorless and the sauce overwhelmed them. I substituted the wild mushroom risotto which was excellent. The second course was a tomato/mozzarella/proscuitto. This was pretty good but the mozzarella was a little bit dry. The third course was scallops with linguine carbonara. One of the two scallops was gritty and the asparagus was a bit undercooked. The entree course was filet mignon with mashed potatoes with more undercooked asparagus. The potatoes were dry and the filet was on the rare side of medium. The dessert was a blackberry creme brulee that arrived over 45 minutes after the filet course. There was no apology or explanation from the waiter over the delay. The waiter also broke a wine glass on the table while removing it. I will give them credit that they have very nice wines but overall the meal was uninspired and somewhat disappointing.
(2)Jennifer H.
Naturally this is a top notch restaurant that has won many awards. The price is quite high, but the food is excellently prepared, and is perfect for a special occasion. Treat yourself and someone you love.
(5)Greg F.
This is one of Saint Augustine's best restaurants, with a fine setting, polished service, and good food. The two-course $16 lunch special is the best value way to eat here: I recommend the strip steak. After that shell another $10 for the Bananas Foster (you can share it): it's worth it. It's in the Casa Monica Hotel right on the Plaza.
(5)Bob T.
Nice dishes in a relaxing setting. We had the scallops (6 large ones) and the pork chop, and both were excellent. Great wine list with a good selection of wines by the glass as well. Not cheap but a good value considering the overall quality of the meal and crisp, understated service.
(5)J V.
actually 4 1/2* but i'm rounding it up.. the minus 1/2* ..we asked if the creme brulee came with any fruits on top, and he really didn't give a straight answer, so we assumed it didn't come with any fruits (which it did, even though just a little, but it was enough we just wanted a little fruit to break up the heavy cream in between bites), so we had added a side of fruits too. He brought out a bowl.. and said "I asked them for a side of fruit, but they gave you guys a large bowl of fruits, but I'll only charge you for a cup of fruit" (but we ended paying for the bowl....$9).. I noticed it on the receipt, even before we paid, but let it slide.i don't mind paying for what I ordered..but he shouldn't have said it..if he wasn't gonna do it.. so on with the good stuff.. calamari .. yes it was delicious.. it had this tex-mex flavoring that I was surprised worked so well with squid.. I had the sea bass plate.. nothing to wow about.. i didn't like the mash potatoes though.. there was something off.. the fish itself was probably just lightly seasoned w/ salt and pan seared in truffle oil and the surrounding oil & balsamic reduction tasted like what they had on the dinner bread they had brought out earlier.. he had the roasted rack of lamb meal.. everything on his plate was delicious..and everything was cooked to perfection.. the wild mushroom risotto was probably the best i've ever tried.. the only thing was that rack of lamb had a quite a bit of fat trimming still on it.. I'm thinking it was baby lambs too...just don't eat too much of the fat part..and you'll be good.. creme brulee was decent.. you need at least 2 hours to dine here.. (at least during dinner time on a weekend).. it is fine dining..and they do take their time.. staff was pleasant and welcoming.. great decor.. nice dark and intimate atmosphere...lovely bar area..and a nice lobby and mini art gallery to attend to afterward.. okay so the light up menu is a unique touch.. and quite necessary too.. it gets dark in there when the sun goes down.. and yes it is bright if you have to look at it again..after your eyes have had time to adjust to the dark....
(5)Michelle M.
Last weekend I went to 95 Cordova for the first, and only time. I'm not from the area but I wouldn't go back there if I should ever go back to St. Augustine. Their service was terrible. The food was decent but I've def had better for the price. The restaurant itself was pretty, but with service being so poor it detracted from the entire experience. I spoke to a manger about everything and was told I'd recieve a follow up call and have yet to recieve that. There has to be better restaurants in St. Augustine, I wouldn't waste my time or money.
(2)steve c.
Ecellent food and ambiance. The menu offers a wide variety of meat, seafood and chicken, and everything was great.
(5)Haley C.
Awesome food, ambiance, service... everything. The place is class all the way. Expensive, but worth it... definitely the best food in St. Augustine.
(5)Natalie B.
Impeccable service. Exquisite food. What's not to like? I would recommend for a date as the ambiance is completely old world romance. It has been a few years, but I still remember the food! I had the Sesame Seared Sea Scallops (say that 5x fast) and my dining companion had the Seafood Struedel. I want to return to try the lunch special!
(5)