I only rate based on food and drink divided by value but to start with: the setting is wonderful. It was a little too cold to eat on the patio, but indoors the decor is coastal without being a ridiculous Red Lobster pastiche - very understated, warmly lit, and creative. The staff is fantastic, too, with our server being so prompt and pleasant all evening. On to the food: we started with a fritto misto of squid and veggies. This was genuinely excellent, cooked exactly right, the squid not too tough and the roughly-chopped eggplant an excellent foil for it. With lemon and remoulade it was nicely balanced. Dish of the night. If only everything else had been up to this quality. Seared yellow-fin tuna was a fine piece of fish which avoided dryness on the seared outside, and was pleasantly tender and rich inside. The glaze didn't do much for me, being a little oversweet, and the amount of slightly overcooked rice was a bit much - they could get away with a lot less and maybe make the presentation a bit better. Asparagus was a good veggie choice as it was in season and was sauteed nicely. For dessert, the key lime pie we shared had over-hard crust, but was otherwise fine. A couple of rough edges here, but the high point of this meal (the fritto misto) was very high. I would go back for a special occasion, due to the price point, and experiment with a couple more entrees. Some variety and care in the side dishes would knock this up to four out of five, but if you order carefully you will enjoy your time here.
(3)
Stephen S.
Really great atmosphere, but the food was unfortunately mediocre. I had the grilled grouper, which was seasoned well but way overcooked. Also, the portion size was too small for the price. They have a decent wine list and a well stocked bar, but for some reason the drinks were really weak this time. I've been here a few times now, and every time I leave thinking how great the atmosphere and service is. Maybe that's what brings me back. The servers really are friendly and attentive.
(3)
Maddy L.
Like the rating says, "meh" is pretty much all I'd give this place. The decor and setting are fantastic, some of the best in town. The service is just so-so, and the food is boring and overpriced. Spent $100 on THREE tiny lobster cannelloni and a mediocre steak with the measliest portion of rock shrimp on top. I don't mind dropping $100 on good food, or even decent food with good portions, but this place is a joke.
This restaurant has closed! Okay!!!! So let me get this straight... You send me a request to review a restaurant that you thought I had gone to but it just so happened it was permanently closed and still is but you reject my review when all I said was that it was closed! Why ask me if you are going to turn it down. DO NOT ASK ME TO REVIEW ANY OTHER BUSINESS. I was just reporting so other Yelp users wouldn't count on it as an option. You guys are seriously in trouble if this was something you redeemed as evil or incorrect. Good luck but you have lost me as a loyal user
(1)
Lisa G.
I really didn't have the heart to give them 2 stars cause the ambiance and the service was superb. Sitting out on the porch was so cozy. It's a beautiful restaurant. The most unfortunate part was the food was not very good. The bisque was thin and cold. The crab cakes were mediocre. Simply lacked flavor. The fries were good but... So are the ones at the Golden Arches. I would say go because the Experience is worth it. Shout out to Brian - another reason to go
(3)
Ivan B.
It is the spot for a romantic and cute date. Be it brunch time or dinner time it would be sweet to take your cutie pie to the front porch. Like most people say, the atmosphere is great and the decor is very nice. You can sit inside where it feels like a fancy beach home in the Hamptons or you can sit outside on the patio where you can watch the sunset and feel the summer breeze. I was so cozy just enjoying company and a cocktail. Definitely a 5 star for this part. Food of course is expensive at a fancy nice place like this. Seafood is mostly on the menu. Unfortunately it is quite weak and nothing amazing. We had shrimp & grits and clams for dinner. They were tasty, but definitely not worth the price. The drinks were a little watery tasting, but good enough. 3 stars for food. The staff was very nice and prompt. They constantly were refilling glasses and checking up on us. Good 4 star service. Overall a 3.5 rating for The Front Porch. A perfect setting for dinner with that special someone, but if you want amazing food I recommend you try somewhere else. I just liked sitting here so much that I definitely know I will be back sometime in the future. It will most likely be for happy hour though because any other time will put a huge dent in my wallet.
I got around to trying this place a couple weeks ago and never expected it to shake my understanding of the restaurant industry the way it did. The Front Porch is one of the few "fine dining" restaurants in Tallahassee and I was pretty excited to treat myself with something fancy. I would've never expected to find such second-rate service and food at such an externally nice restaurant. My brunch had clearly sat in the window for some time and the food was just generally uninspired. Don't get me started on the men's restroom. I can only think that being a big fish in a relatively small pond has gone to The Front Porch's head. There aren't a lot of places Tallahassee's upper middle class can blow money on and The Front Porch knows it. With what you pay for these dishes, you'd hope to see a little more hustle and care from the staff. Listen The Front Porch, I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed.
The atmosphere and drinks here are great. Giving it a lower rating because I ordered a rare steak and it came out medium well. I never send things back, but since I was paying over $30 for this steak, I figured it should be cooked correctly. The waitress was nice and brought it back for the chef, she acknowledged that it had been over-cooked and said the chef would cook another on the house. When she brought the second steak out, it was medium rare (I really emphasized that I wanted a rare steak) and she told me that she hoped I liked it because the chef "wouldn't cook another one." I didn't complain about it, but in my opinion, a chef should cook things correctly and not have a rude attitude if somebody sends something back that was clearly not cooked to order. Not surprised that this place has mediocre ratings despite a really cool ambience. If you want to spend a good amount of money and get a really good meal, I would suggest the Miccosukee Root Cellar. It is small and they don't have awesome outdoor seating like The Front Porch, but the staff is friendly and the food is wonderful.
(2)
Lauren U.
When I graduated from FSU in 2008, things were soo different than the way they are now! The Front Porch didn't exist. I am so glad I made it back to try it out. Disclaimer: I'm from Miami and currently living in Miami, so to me, the prices at the Front Porch are totally and utterly reasonable. My omelet, which was pretty sizable and came with some fried potatoes, was $10. My husband's chicken and waffles was $14 I believe. I just asked him to rate his meal and his response was "frickin' awesome." We ordered a side of deliciously fresh fruit for $6. Finally, to top it all off, we got $5 mimosas! This is unheard of in South Florida. Tallahassians, rejoice. The ambiance at the Front Porch is nothing short of wonderful. We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather. It's pretty outside and very relaxing. Inside, there was a party going on and it seems like a great spot for a bridal or baby shower or other gathering. This place has a lot of "southern charm" and totally fits in in Tallahassee! Check it out.
(4)
Christina D.
They were out of everything I ordered. In serious need of a menu refresh and/or better kitchen manager. What drove me here was the idea of having shrimp and grits...well they were out. Cocktail that I ordered...out of main ingredient...no longer have the appetizer I wanted either even though it's still on the menu.
(2)
Katie M.
How anyone can say this place is 'unremarkable' is beyond me! Great service and great food. You know the old adage "never order steak at a seafood restaurant"? Wrong! The steak was great too. It's a must visit in Tally.
(5)
Stella M.
The service was okay. Our server took a while to get to our table but was really sweet. We ordered porch puppies as an appetizer and for some reason it came in a paper bag. They tasted okay but I've had better. I ordered the seafood stew, which was good but a little on the salty side. My husband got the grouper with grits and that was cooked really well but over priced in my opinion. The whole place was a bit expensive for what it was. Beautiful restaurant but mediocre food that's over priced.
(3)
Tracey M.
What a fun surprise this place ended up being. Decor was great, quasi outdoor seating - perfect time of year in Tally for that sort of set up. Started off with Ceviche - not my favorite rendition but it was tasty. The other app we had was Crab dip and it was awesome. I had the Pistacio crusted Grouper with Grits. Very yummy. Next time I am getting the Snapper! They had 420 on draft and a nice looking wine list. Def a new favorite for me while in Tally on business.
(5)
Juan S.
I went with my wife. We ordered 6 oysters one was bad milky bad. Then porch puppies were pretty good and calamari too. My entree was not edible seared tuna. Overall good service but bad food. My wife plate was a linguini seafood and sausage definitely forgettable. J
(2)
Clif C.
Service sucked. Food was ok appetizer served raw 20 minutes to get drinks
(3)
Elyse F.
The atmosphere and decor is beautiful. Everything else about dining at Front Porch is good but forgettable. We ordered the calamari which was as good as any other resturant, but nothing special. I got one of the signature cocktails and it was way, way, WAY to sweet, my date got a mojito and I found myself wishing I had gotten that instead. The wine selection seemed pretty comprehensive. I ordered the grouper which was again, good but not anything more special than any place I've ever had, even though this was quite a bit more expensive then most. My date got a filet and ordered it medium-rare. It came out black and burnt. It took almost 10 minutes to flag down the manager to get it sent back and another 15 minutes before the food came out. The steak was cooked correctly this time, but they left the same vegetables on the plate that were now dry, cold and unedible. The manager came by and offered us a comped dessert for the mistake. The dessert was clearly premade, frozen cheesecake. I would not order dessert here again. The service was not terrible, but they seemed inexperienced. Their wine knowledge was pretty basic, and they didn't seem to be familair with the menu. Once the filet was sent back we were served by the manager for the rest of the evening, so the service had gotten better from there. In conclusion if this place was 25% cheaper it may warrant much better reviews. But for the quality and experience you get, not worth it to me.
(2)
Scot H.
Service was a 2, food was a 4- ambiance was a 5 and cleanliness was a 3. Too much hype about this place brings high expectations but the inexperienced service and back of house communication caused this restaurant a 3 out of 5 stars
(3)
Arvind D.
Service was slow. The food did not live up to the hype. A bit disappointed because the cost did match the quality. Definitely not a place I would recommend for a food experience.
(1)
Jill H.
Atmosphere is cool, but that's about it. The food was lacking. The cheese plate...strongest blue cheese ever with a smoke taste. Weird. Pimento cheese was on lettuce which was impossible to get off. Crab dip was like warm and not what I was expecting. Ordered the chicken salad and tuna salad. Tuna salad smelled so fishy and was way over cooked. Got sent back. The chicken Caesar salad- the dressing was thicker than mayonnaise. Not how we normally eat an anchovy based salad (which I do regularly). It really was bad. Our waitress, Felecia, was nice and apologetic. Bartender was rude when we first got here. The space is pretty but really, that's all that was. Won't be visiting here again.
(2)
Peggy W.
The atmosphere is charming at this place. It is a shame that the food fails to measure up. Porch puppies were dense and tasteless as was the spinach dip. Beautiful presentation that ends there. The service was the best we've had. Extremely attentive and personable servers! The Front Porch needs a new chef and reinvention in order to make it a true gem in Tallahassee. Our overpriced bill at the end if a forgettable meal was the most bitter taste of all tonight. Come for a drink, go somewhere else for dinner.
(2)
Paul P.
Went for brunch on a Sunday, was not impressed at all. First greeted by the stuck up pompous hostess. This place is huge and at the time we got there maybe 10% of seating was being used. She asked if we had reservations, then said they were totally committed and was unable to seat us, and that our only option was to sit at the bar. Really?? You could hear crickets in that place and she had the nerve to tell us she could not seat us, unbelievable. I hate it when restaurants try to rise themselves up by acting like you have to have a reservation to eat when the entire place is empty.. Stupidity! Anyways, so we sit at the bar, again the wait staff was stuck up and pompous... The decor is nice and the outside seating area is beautiful. I was really looking forward to trying this place because it really is the perfect setting for a nice Sunday brunch, oh well. On to the food...we had to ask for the basket of complementary biscuits, they were pretty good, but noticed we were the only bar table and regular table not given them. Also service on drinks was great but the food took a really long time to come out, I guess that's because they were sooooo packed, lol I ordered the crab cake eggs Benedict and a cup of the lobster bisque, hubby ordered BLT sandwich, friend ordered the crab cake eggs Benedict and French toast. The crab cake Benedict was very good, however both of our dishes came out cold, the side of potatoes was not anything to write home about, definitely not worth $20. Hubby said BLT sandwich was pretty good but again not worth the money. Lobster bisque was okay. French toast left much to be desired. Food overall was okay, but definitely overpriced. By the time we left, the tables had filled up to about 50% capacity. Overheard the hostess still giving the "booked up" spiel. Saying there is a 40 min wait time. Will not be returning...what a shame for such a beautiful place.
(1)
Logan B.
I came back here recently for brunch and was pleasantly surprised. The Crab Cakes Benedict were delicious and the cocktails were good, too. The coconut cake is gigantic, so order it only if you come with 10 or 15 of your most coconut-loving friends to help you eat it. Service was attentive, atmosphere relaxed. One of the few spots in Tallahassee with outdoor seating. They seem to do brunch better than dinner. (My four stars are for their brunch.)
(4)
Dottie B.
This restaurant is so inviting when you walk up to it. I adore the the chandeliers hanging outside on the "front porch" it was very busy but we were able to get a bar table to wait for out regular table. The drinks were good and the waitress was very attentive. We then moved to our table. The menu is beautiful and there are the perfect amount of choices. I chose tho get the baked oysters and muscles and the wedge salad without the beans and corn. I ordered the oysters and muscles without breading. They were awful unfortunately. Dried out like rubber. And way to oceany. There were probably less than a dozen and I didn't even finish them. The salad however was delicious and I would absolutely get it again. The rest of the party ordered full plates and every bite was gone. I'll add here that the plates were reasonable . Not overly full. A reasonable amount of food and well plated. The bill for 5 with drinks was very high. Close to $400. I think a bit much for a restaurant like this.
(4)
Joe C.
Drove by here on a number of occasions and it always looked like a place I would want to go. Finally had the chance while visiting my daughter a few weeks ago. First the positives, the setting is very nice. I like the whole alfresco but kind of indoor seating (it was cold so the patio had the shades down), The hostess was friendly and seated us promptly. The server recommended some drinks and I opted for the house Bloody Mary which has a splash of Guinness (or another dark beer, don't quote me on this!). It was very good! Now for the negatives - The Food. Fried Green Tomatoes with goat cheese stuffing sounded pretty interesting, It was not. Very bland, hardly tasted anything but the fried crust. Had the crab cakes with poached eggs and potatoes. Crab cakes were adequate but the poached eggs were poorly cooked. Two crab cakes, two poached eggs one egg runny as all heck and the other basically hard boiled. Gotta do better than that especially at these prices , heck at any price you should be able to provide two properly (at least make them identical) poached eggs. Side potatoes were so boring that I don't like ketchup on my fries but asked the servers for some as well as for my daughter as her chicken and waffles were dry even with the bacon maple sauce. I guess for a drink and a charming location this is the spot but for brunch there are better choices. Please get the kitchen right. This places has so much potential but at the end of the day it is about the food.
(2)
Dee B.
I was looking forward to trying this place for awhile. and an early Saturday evening was my chance. Prices very high for the limited choices on the menu. I knew this before I went. I ordered the "Pistachio Crusted" Grouper with Smoked Gouda Grits and Seasonal Vegetables. The fish was barely edible and certainly not fresh! Grits? I think not! What I got was a HUGE mound of what? processed overcooked rice? Also barely edible. The asparagus was okay. I ate the fish because I was hungry and a few bites of the grits. The server, friendly, nice and very attentive asked, shall I pack this to go, referring to the Mountain of "grits" on my plate. I am SURE he heard the fear in my voice when I said, Oh no! like it was the worst thing I could possibly have done. No, I won't be back! It is always a shame when a restaurant puts so much into a bar and the drinking part of a restaurant and little into the menu and quality of the food. Reading the reviews, I wish I had ventured through the doors for brunch. Not always the best, I miss Chez Pierre!
(1)
Stephanie D.
I would give this restaurant a soft 3 stars at that because they did not meet many of the expectations of a quaint southern cooked bunch location. All the hype of this place was lost by poor service. Drinks were quick to the table as was the food even if you ordered separate courses... Who wants their shrimp and grits to go cold because they were trying to eat the lobster bisque at the same time?! This is terribly frustrating. The ambiance was very nice but the cleanliness of the porch was questionable. The food has soo much promise but this restaurant leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
(3)
ND U.
Best place in TALLY if you want the most comfortable beautiful place to sit and have a martini. This restaurant can transport you to another area in moments. A place not to be missed.
(5)
Rebecca W.
I've been here twice. The first time was ok - I'm ok paying high prices if the quality of the food warrants. The prices here are quite high given the quality we experienced on that first visit. The food wasn't great but wasn't terrible -- a bit oversalty from what I remember. Service was slow. Let's just say I've never had a real desire to go back. We decided to try again today for brunch (about 2 years later). The ambience is lovely. That's where the compliments end. Granted, it is Valentine's weekend so they probably were busier but service was extremely slow and the food was definitely subpar. After an hour of waiting, all we had had was our appetizers. When our meal finally came out, my husband's grouper sandwich was way overcooked/fried. I could tell just by looking at it from across the table that it was overcooked before even trying it. He asked for it to be replaced since it was so overdone. The manager came out a few minutes later with the same plate in hand. It looked like they had opened up the sandwich to check and had even cut into it? Anyways, he brought it out that way ("dissected", didn't even put the sandwich back together) and told us that that is how they make it and while they would be glad to make him a new one, it would probably turn out the same way. I thought that was pretty tacky - what are we supposed to say? Since we had already waited for well over an hour, my husband was starving so rather than wait another 20 mins for a new plate that he was told would have the same result, he took back the original plate and ate it. At $19 for a simple grouper sandwich with fries, you'd think they could just fry another piece for a shorter period of time to ensure it didn't overcook. The sad thing is that Front Porch is touted as a seafood restaurant and unfortunately, we didn't read the Yelp reviews ahead of time or we would have noticed that many have commented on the fish being overcooked at this restaurant. My steak, eggs and potato hash entree was edible but not great. I asked for medium (I'm pregnant). The steak was inconsistent - some parts were were medium, some were done, the middle was rare. Honestly, I could have gotten a cheaper, better steak at Outback. Poached eggs were fine - but they are just poached eggs. The 'potato hash' was terrible. They were full potato wedges that were limp and soggy. They looked like they had been sitting around for awhile at the bottom of a pan. I left more than half on the plate. (I will say that the table next to us got their food MUCH faster than we did and the 'potato hash' on one of their plates looked quite different and much fresher than mine. In fact, if I had realized early on that the potatoes were not supposed to look like the ones I got, I would have asked them to remake mine as well.) Our 2-hour, $80 brunch experience this time was so bad that the restaurant offered us free dessert and a gift card to come back another time. Unfortunately, I'm not sure even having the gift card would make us want to go back for a third try...and that's saying a lot since I'm usually not one to pass up using a free gift card!
(1)
M H.
Was sat down by the hostess at 8:00. Waited for about 20 minutes before we asked someone walking by for some water. At 8:30 we still have no water and no one has acknowledged us so we asked the hostess for service. At 8:35 we walked out. Out of the 35 mins sitting there not one person acknowledged us. Congrats Front Porch out of my 34 years you are the first restaurant I have ever walked out on.
(1)
Ali C.
I've been for lunch and late night nibbles/drinks at the bar. I like the location and the atmosphere. They have indoor / outdoor seating, a nice bar and a private room upstairs. Everything I've tasted was yummy. It is southern fair with seafood, casual fare and more upscale entree's. Enjoy!
(4)
Cathi M.
Great porch! Good beer and the crab dip is outstanding! A fun relaxed evening
(4)
Jean C.
One of my favorite place. Beautiful place with tasty food and nice service. What a place to spend a night out for dinner. :)
(5)
Susan F.
The service was so very slow and the food was below average. Quantities were also small. Do Not Recommend!!
(1)
Cindy K.
Saturday and Sunday lunch is more about brunch. So we will try to come back one evening. We had lunch outside, it was a little cool but they had heaters. Our food was very good. We enjoyed it all and will come back. It is a nice relaxing place to be eat and talk.
(3)
Don L.
Average food, loud, and they charge $2.00 for "rocks in each drink! Won't be backAverage food, loud, and they charge $2.00 for "rocks in each drink! Won't be back
(2)
Melissa A.
It was okay. Definitely not worth the money. The atmosphere is pretty and the decorations are nice. Me and the 2 other people I was with were not very impressed with our food, and for the price, I expected a lot more.
(2)
Will H.
Disappointing. My wife and I decided to find a "new" place to try out for Saturday brunch. We are avid diners and I have worked almost every front of house position possible for almost 15 years in restaurants. I don't claim to be an expert but we love dining out and eating good food. I am extremely understanding as a diner and have an incredible amount of patients for mistakes made by staff. Having made those same mistakes myself I typically ignore anything that bothers me in Hopes of having a pleasant dining experience. Unfortunately today was so unpleasant I created a yelp account. This is in hopes someone in management will read it and possibly make the necessary changes. The beginning- We were pleasantly greeted by a smiling hostess. She asked us about our morning and made a polite joke about the restaurant having plenty of room (indicating they were not busy) and proceeded to seat us. Along the walk she suggested the daily special omelet. Excellent start! We were sat and greeted in a timely fashion by a very nice waitress who asked what we wanted to drink. My wife ordered a mimosa and for me cappuccino. We also had chosen what we wanted to eat. I ordered the steak and eggs (mr) and my wife the Crab Benedict. The waitress took our order and said she would be back with our drinks. Here is where it gets messy- about 8 minutes go by and no drinks. Our waitress (unprompted) informs me that they are waiting for the cappuccino machine to heat up. No big deal, I don't mind waiting for a good cup. Thanx for letting me know! But in my head I'm wondering where the mimosa is. Then i saw it. Sitting on the bar. 2 bartenders standing around chatting and our mimosa sitting right there. Easily one of them could see that our server was occupied at the surrounding tables. People had started to file in, you would assume one of them could run her drink... No? 20 or so minutes in total since we sat have elapsed (admittedly great timing for a brunch ticket) and we are served our meal... Our drinks arrive a few minutes AFTER. Really at this point it's not a big deal we are just happy to eat and drink. OOOPS- not possible. My wife's crab Benedict was cold. Not room temp, cold. Admittedly my steak and eggs were tasty. I flag down a waitress (not our own) so that quickly we could receive a warm entree for her before I finish mine. Our waitress comes back and apologizes for the temperature and assures us a new one is on the way. Hooray! Still no real concern, mistakes happen. YUCK- the new plate arrived. Fortunately it is piping hot but now it is able to be tasted (unfortunate). The crab underneath the poached eggs could only be described as tasting of "old fish". I have lived in Florida my whole life. I love seafood. Raw oysters, crab of all sorts, even smoked salmon is one of my favs. But this was a BAD smell. The only way it's possible is if this lump crab was pre-frozen and/or was turning. OH well NO harm done- we informed our waitress politely that my wife didn't like the taste. She was incredibly apologetic and sweet and we didn't mention how awful it smelled, just that it wasn't for us. The Kicker- our bill arrives. And the crab Benedict is on it. Now like I said I have worked in restaurant for 15 years. I have bused tables, waited, been a general managers for 3 years, at times of great need I have even worked in the kitchen. I have never ever thought about having someone pay for something they sent back... Twice. When i asked our waitress if she could take it off since we did not eat or enjoy it she said she would get a manager. Which I was Of course pleased with, but I thought very unfortunate that this was not a common practice at a place with such high prices. Something I think all restaurants should have a long look at is price expectancy. If I pay 16 dollars for a lunch item in a town where the mean lunch price is between 8-10 dollars I expect it to be not only good but exceptional (since the price suggest it is quality). My steak I would not have ever complained was over priced, 16.00 for a steak two eggs and hash browns cooked perfectly, NO problem. But fishy smelling crab that first came out cold, very different story. COP out- no manager ever comes. To my dismay because I would have loved a quite polite conversation explaining why I was presented with a bill including something we did not enjoy. but our sweet (albeit poorly trained) server comes back with the bill and says "we took it off". I thank her and she promptly says "I hope you will come back sometime". Very good job on her part. But unfortunately it's very doubtful I will return. Again I hope this review is viewed as a helpful, truthful account of a single dining experience and that someone in management makes the necessary improvements so that this won't happen to future patrons.
(2)
Don S.
Busy place for Sunday brunch! The decor is a cool Coastal style and the service was great. we were really looking forward to trying the food but not that impressed. We had the Wedge Salad(very good and a little non traditional with added avocado!) and the Squash soup. You could tell it was fresh as there were large pieces of fresh squash - tasty! All great up until this point. We then had the Shrimp & Grits and the Chicken and Waffles. They were both just ok. we will try it again as we definitely give them an A for effort. When someone tries this hard to please it makes you cheer for them to succeed. Good luck!
(3)
Lauren L.
I went here for brunch with my parents when they came to visit and it was probably the best brunch I've ever had. They restaurant was very nice and quiet, and just had a nice atmosphere. I ended up getting the crab Benedict and it was so amazing! My mom had an omelette that was very good too and my dad had a burger that was cooked and seasoned perfectly! I will definitely recommend this place for brunch. And I would like to go back and try out their dinner.
(5)
jimi b.
ATE: Shrimp and Grits, Chicken and Waffles VERDICT: Hell yeah. YUM. Will eat here again. It was the brunch menu. I dont know why it has crappy reviews. The food and service was fantastic. It was pricey, but well worth it. The portions were pretty big. Biscuits with jam/butter came before the meal.
(4)
Tara S.
Sadly this place has slipped. It is still a beautiful building, has attentive waitstaff and an interesting wine list. But the menu, presentation and flavor are dull. It was so good here when they had the fellah from Boston who was on "chopped" running the show. I understand that the new chef used to be the Barron's personal chef and maybe they liked their food to be simple perhaps? We just came from brunch and it was average. Average waffle average eggs Benedict. Looked boring tasted boring.
(3)
Lily J.
The place is gorgeous, the location is perfect, and the theme is great but this restaurant falls flat severely. Firstly, it takes forever to be seated and a waiter to come. The service is exceptionally slow to be serving such highly priced food. The crab cake sandwich was 18 dollars and aggressively plain. The fries next to it were cold. It was all upsetting. You cannot spend all that money on making the place look great and then have it be just a facade for mediocre (at best) food. One last thing- the server, who was very nice, forgot to give us a pen when handing back the bill so I got up to get one from the hostess stand. The hostess was reluctant to give it to me and asked if I *bring it back* to her when I was finished. She must be tripping with that customer service. No thank you boo boo.
(2)
Marcia M.
Why is the food at this place so TERRIBLE when the bar and location are so good??? Rubbery shrimp, flavorless dry grits, and freezing cold entrees--easy and obvious issues that have been consistent each of my 5 visits over the last 18 months. Such a shame.
(2)
MW B.
I was excited to come here for the first time with friends. The atmosphere and remodel are amazing. We split a bunch of apps at the bar and they were all pretty good. My favorite was the Fried Oysters and Pork Belly. Yum! I also heard the ceviche was really good, as well. The fried Mac & Cheese was just okay. I only had a bite and it was way too heavy for me. The hush puppies were good, as well..nothing special but good. My only issue with the evening was when the check came. I'm all for paying $ for good food and drinks but what I thought was interesting was the price of my glass of Chardonnay. I didn't specify, but as a former cocktail waitress in college, when someone says "a glass of.." they typically mean HOUSE, not your most expensive glass. I was charged $14 a glass..X2. I didn't say anything but next time I'll be sure to specify.
(4)
Courtney S.
Arrived for our anniversary dinner and walked out after our tardy server slid our waters across the tables and asked for our drink order like we had interrupted his night. He did not offer to introduce us to the wine or cocktail list nor did he greet up when he approached the table. The hostesses pleaded with us to stay but our appetites were spoiled by the incident. A call to the manager resulted in much apologizing and insistence to return but we'll choose to spend our money at a local business appreciates their customers.
(1)
Bob K.
Great atmosphere and very good food. Went there for a bite while traveling. Service was excellent and everyone the staff was helpful and friendly. Will stop for a full meal next time
(5)
Mark B.
Wish I had read some of these reviews before wasting money. Went for brunch and food was poor. Chicken and waffles was topped with thee dried out tasteless little chicken strips. One was so small so small it was like a jerky strip. Service was average at best. Stay away.
(2)
Kenneth M.
It is a thousand times better than the former occupant in that space. I had the lobster roll ($18). It was good not sure it was 18 dollars good though. We also had the whoopimisu (tiramisu made with whoopie pies), which was tasty but served in a medium small drink glass. So lobster roll with fries, a wedge salad, and the dessert all totaled $45...that's an expensive lunch. But the space is very nice....great bar....friendly service
(3)
Willy B.
Big fan. Unexpectedly for a seafood place, I always get the New York strip. I've heard that some of their seafood offerings aren't always that great, but the strip has never let me down. The parking is a little annoying. I appreciate valet in a lot of situations, but it is confusing and annoying when there is ample parking behing the restaurant.
(4)
Mario M.
The 1 star rating is due to the price and lack of quality for it. Ordered oysters rated 3-10 poorly presented. Lobster bisque is atrocious 1-10 tastes like they opened can of tomato soup and poured on top of 3 pieces of lobster. Chicken and waffles was just ok best part was the syrup. I came here hungry and leaving hungry as well. Totally disappointed as the ambience and location are great.
(1)
Gary P.
I have been to The Front Porch twice. Both times the restaurant proved an abysmal failure. The first time we had a reservation and waited 15 minutes to be sat. The server was pleasant, knowledgeable and very helpful. We placed or order and had barely started to sip our drinks when the food was brought out. It had been less than 5 minutes, indicating that the food was not cooked, it had been prepared before hand and there was no cooking happening. The food tasted that way as well. We had poached eggs that were cold, the toast was cold, and the food overall was very bland and of the quality you would expect at a Denny's or IHOP. The second time was even worse. We sat for two ours before having word of our food. It was the next ticket. Two and a half hours later our food came out and one was over cooked, two were cold, two had the wrong orders and sides, and one was not what we ordered. Again, the server was very pleasant and nice, but the kitchen production was appallingly bad. This is by far the worst restaurant in Tallahassee that I have ever been to.
(1)
Maria F.
Really Disappointing. The food was not good and it was very overpriced. It is in a very nice location and could be a great place but unfortunately it's not.
(1)
Bret I.
Opening night. The place is simply beautiful. Drive up to complimentary valet parking (a nice touch). They were full for reservations, but they have about 8 high tables for two around the bar, plus 3-4long tables for larger groups that are first come, first served (plus they serve dinner at the bar, and at a raw bar just inside the restaurant). So, I sat outside, and am happy that I did. They had about 6 fresh fish, which can be cooked in almost any manner. Plus they have a raw bar with local, Florida seafood (oysters, shrimp, stone crab, etc.) as well as other seafood. They even have a make your own ceviche. I opted for 6 raw Apalachiacola oysters which were served with house made cocktail sauce (you have a choice of two condiments). The oysters were good and fresh, but the kitchen will need to become better at shucking them: two were not fully detached, and 2 had bits of shell on them. Chalk it up to opening night jitters. The chef, Joe Rego, is Portuguese, and was a winner on Chopped last season. So there are a number of Portuguese inspired dishes and I went with an all-Portuguese dinner. I had a cup of the Portuguese Stew, which contained rice and fish in a tomato based broth. While quite tasty, it was a bit under-seasoned and a bit on the cool side. Again, I am assuming the latter is due to the kitchen learning how to serve up a crowd (the place was packed). For dinner, I had the Pork and Clam dinner. Sounds strange but was excellent. Succulent cubes of marinated pork and steamed clams were served in a wonderful broth that tasted of cilantro and garlic with crispy pieces of potato mixed in. It was the perfect size. However, the restaurant does not offer bread with dinner, which I think is a tremendous oversight. The broth *screamed* to have bread dipped in it to sop it up. What a waste of a very tasty broth (and, really, how much money can is save to not offer some good bread??). Skipped dessert, but the menu looked wonderful. The "Twinkimasu" looked especially interesting: a tiramasu made with espresso soaked twinkies instead of ladyfingers. Very, very clever. Service was quick, considering it was opening night. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Chris P.
Visiting FSU and was looking for something local. This place is a great find! Great ambiance, very casual, love the outdoor "porch" seating and the outdoor bar. Food was great! Apps: Fried Oysters, Oyster and Clam combo and Cajun shrimp, all excellent! Shrimp and grits, Seared Yellow fin tuna(very spicy glaze) and pistachio grouper. All really good. Lots of TV's with a great bar. I would highly recommend. The food was all really tasty. 5 starts is difficult.. I am very picky, so I give this place a try, you;ll love it,
(4)
Rob M.
While it is pricey, the food was great and the service was really friendly as well. All of us really enjoyed our meals and I would go back. It would have been a great date night place.
(4)
Dylan S.
I really liked service and food I had the Gouda grits, lobster Mac and cheese and the maple syrup and Brussels sports all very good especially the grits but the star was the Bloody Mary spicy and gooood only down fall is price service is all aces
(4)
Heather F.
As others have said, the place is beautiful, probably among the best as far as atmoshphere in town. Many of the items (fish, salads and desserts) are good (not spectacular). There is definiely something off with the chef and / or management. Two times now we've had to send the Ribeye back, once for being way to tough to eat, and the second for coming medium well (barely pink) and we ordered medium. Usually no big deal, and we hardly ever send food back - but on BOTH occassions, the manager or chef came out to suggest that maybe we do not know much about ribeye or how to order it (although my mother has been ordering Ribeye for over 40 years). Its very strange to question the customer on their knowledge of food rather than to politey re-do it. Both times it also took an additional 15-20 minutes. I will not go back for dinner (maybe a drink).
(3)
Sierra S.
Why did you get rid of the Gouda grits!? That is what kept me coming back. :(
(2)
Rick P.
Well, I kind of enjoyed the Opera singing. We showed up around 5 on a weeknight, and there were almost no customers there. We asked our server, Brian, about the specials, and then told him we needed a couple minutes to decide. We had to flag him down a few minutes later, and placed our order for the misto platter, a salad, and some drinks. That is when he told us that they had "run out" of the Misto platter. There was still almost no one there, the Misto platter has many different items on it (and they were out of all of them?), but somehow it all of a sudden wasn't available. I told him we would need him to come back in a couple minutes since we didn't have a plan b. We again had to flag him down a few minutes later, and told him we would take the oyster and clam bake. That is when he told us they were out of that, too. Both the oysters and the clams? Yep. So that meant we couldn't order the oyster appetizer, either. Anything else you're out of while we're at it? At this point he made in a serious tone a comment about "so you're going to shoot the messenger?," which was not meant to be funny and was kind of the last straw for us. It turns out that they were out of one of the fish dishes, too. To be out of so many things at 5 pm on a weekday and to have to drag that information out the server was very frustrating, and very disappointing for an expensive restaurant. Bottom line, Brian either was having a really bad day, or he is really bad at his job. We finally ordered the crab cakes, which were ok, although small and way overpriced. At which point four or five people who had been sitting at the bar broke out into song, flash-mob style. Turns out they were visiting from the Pensacola Opera. Although I am not exactly an opera fan, I am more likely to visit the Pensacola Opera in the future than the Front Porch.
(2)
Martin S.
Even though the reviews were bad , we thought we would try Front Porch. /What a mistake. The shrimp and grits was tasteless and overcooked. The linguine dish had overcooked shrimp, clams and spaghetti. Don't waste your money.
(1)
Brian B.
This is probably our favorite restaurant in Tallahasse, and we found it by accident. Good food, but a little pricy. However, we loved sitting outside on the porch and the fish is always great (there is also and inside eating area).
(4)
Cathy B.
I was tickled, the waitstaff moved rapidly in mass all the time, but I still wanted for refilled glasses and additional orders. The place is simply gorgeous but damn what happened with the food. Chopped Chef or not, all my dishes were less than. You can not charge Atlanta prices on decor alone. My calamari was too sweet, too small, too overcooked. My soup was rich and thick but served with pedestrian saltine crackers. Please don't get me started on the crabcake sandwich, I am from DC, the world of the crabcake, so I will just recuse myself.
(2)
Joe K.
We went there for our friends birthday last night. Here is my rundown: DECOR: Fantastic! On a nice Florida night when it is warm with a light breeze, sitting on that outside patio and enjoying a meal is very nice. It has a very upscale feel to it, beautiful tables and these two expansive chandeliers above the bar. We were all very impressed. MENU: Very good selection, you can tell they specialize in seafood, as that made up a majority of the menu. They had the usual prime steaks and veggie options. The menu had a very good selection. They prices were extremely high. $25 for the average entree, some going up to $40. Appetizers and Salads ranged from $10-$20. We were definitely hoping that the food would be worth the high price (Spoiler Alert: It Wasn't). SERVICE: Horrible. Maybe we got stuck with a bad waitress, but when you're charging those kind of prices, you better be damn sure your service is always on their A-game. She would routinely leave us and not show up for another 15 or 20 minutes. The Food Runners came out and gave us our food (They mixed up all the orders, but I did not think that is that big of deal), and we went a solid half hour after eating before our waitress showed up again. We ordered some wine ($15 a glass, yikes!) and it took her over 20 minutes to retrieve them. She did apologize to us and say the bar was backed up and their printer system was having trouble, but I'm sorry, I don't find that a legitimate excuse for charging me $15 for a glass of wine. She really should have comped them at that point. FOOD: Our food was great, don't get me wrong. But was it $25 a plate great? Not really. The presentation was fantastic, but the portions seemed almost like a joke. $25 for a meal the size of my fist? The Scallop Risotto was good, but I sure could have hoped for a lot more for that kind of money. The Filet Mignon was a real disappointment. The Birthday Boy ordered it medium-rare and that thing came out about as raw as the day they cut if off the cow! Bright, bright red. I Swear, this thing looked like sushi! Unfortunately, as stated above, our server didn't come back for quite some time after we got our food to check on us, so we all gave the Birthday boy a bit of our own meals so he wouldn't starve with his raw steak. By the way, that steak cost $38. That was an absolute insult. For $38, I expect that thing to be perfectly cooked. MANAGER: Since we had such a terrible night with the service, we asked the Manager to come over. His name was Lee, he was nice, but I don't know who on earth put him in charge. He appears not to know the first thing about running such an upscale restaurant. He apologized, making excuses that their printer system was done (for the drinks), and that the waitress was very busy tonight, blah blah. blah. He thank asked "What can I do to make it better?" ... Are you serious? I worked for 4 years in an upscale seafood restaurant (Way better than this place) and if the a customer had a problem with their entree because we screwed up that bad (Serving them a raw $38 steak) We told them no buts, ands, or ifs, they were not paying for it, because that wasn't right. We threw in a free dessert as well, and gave them a coupon for a free appetizer next time they came. This guy did nothing. He asked us, we shrugged it off like "I don't know what you can do" And then he apologized once more and walked away. Absolutely insulting to the restaurant industry in general. You Should always offer the customer a solution, not put the pressure on them to come up with one. Not happy at all. OVERALL: The food was decent, besides that very very undercooked steak. If the service has not been as horrible, this place probably would have gotten 4/5 stars. But even giving it 3/5 would be an injustice to the integrity of Yelp. If you feel like spending a ridiculous amount of money on an average meal and bad service, I would definitely recommend the Front Porch!
(2)
Janet A.
Wow. I was looking forward to this meal from the menu and venue. Boy was I let down. The best thing about the place was the server and his recommendation of wine. The calimari appetizer was too salty although frying was light with good flavor. Dipping sauce too salty as well. The tuna came out with a totally different sauce. It was rice with tuna. I waited Farr too long for it as well. Also ordered hush puppies with meal. They were very bland. So disappointing. My Mom made great hush puppies. It's not hard. I sent the tuna back since it had something like cocktail sauce on it. I got the crab salad to go. I was charged $22 for a crab salad with greens and a bit of crab on it. The avocado dressing was very good but not worth $22. I was told the chef left and they were getting a new one. Well that didn't help the customer from out of town who will not go back on next stay. Cypress restaurant has them beat hands down.
(1)
Alan L.
I went to The Front Porch last night (11/12) for dinner. All I can say is, if you're looking for overpriced food, with super small portions, this is the place for you. If not, move on. The valet service may be complimentary, but, you don't even have a choice to park in their lot on your own, park across the street. Best thing about this place? The hostesses have short, tight, black skirts and are attractive. That's all i got for this place. I seriously doubt they will make it in Mid-Town.
(1)
Lee C.
This was our first experience with The Front Porch, and it will be our last. We were pleased upon arrival with the ambiance and decor, but that seems to be the only thing this restaurant has going for it. Our server was almost nonexistent and we had to keep flagging her down or relying on other passing servers for assistance. The calimari had almost no flavor and its only saving grace was the sauce that accompanied it. The Mahi Mahi was bland and the blackened seasoning had no seasoning. The pork chop had a decent flavor but was tough.
(1)
Krys T.
Horrible. I went for my three year anniversary. If you are going to charge $18 for two very small crab cakes they better be amazing, which they weren't. I had the pork and clams, which I took one bite of and immediately regretted my decision. I told the waiter I did not like it and he asked me if I wanted a box then for the rest. He did not ask if I wanted something else or for it to be taken back. My date had the blackened grouper. It came with rice and was very bland. What a waste of money. So many less expensive restaurants in town with much better food. I will not be returning.
(1)
Amanda L.
I don't usually write reviews but seeing how low people rate this place is just sad! So here goes nothing.... Coming from Miami it's hard to find more upscale restaurants in Tallahassee. I came on a Monday night to celebrate my birthday. The restaurant had a beach house vibe and a trendier atmosphere than most restaurants in Tally. We were seated immediately and began our night with a bottle of wine and the escargot. Although I had never had my escargot with chorizo it was delicious! For dinner I had the shrimp and sausage pasta and it was great, my mom had the scallop risotto which she seemed to enjoy and my boyfriend ordered the steak. Lets just say there wasn't much talking until we all finished, it was that good! I'm not sure if it was good because it was a Monday but I personally enjoyed something upscale, it really reminded me of Miami. It was on the pricier side if you're used to going to more hometown type places but if you're from a big city and are used to going to nice restaurants you won't think its too expensive.
(4)
Bill B.
We really enjoyed our meal at The Front Porch. Would highly recommend the Caprese Tagliatelle pasta and the scallops & asparagus risotto. And if you have room try the ice creams for dessert. And the best part is it locally-owned.
(4)
Terje D.
This is a cozy and comfortable, yet classy restaurant with a nice atmosphere. The menu is extensive -- possibly too extensive -- and covers the usual southern-meets-french-mediterranean style often found in expensive restaurants around the south. The service was fine and the appetizers not bad, but the main courses were not good. The "portuguese pork and clams" was extremely salty and the meat was tough and chewy, almost inedible. Other dishes, while nicely presented, were bland and uninspiring. Don't get the whole deep fried snapper. I hope they can work out their menu because Tallahassee needs a nice restaurant like this.
(3)
Bethany T.
Front Porch is an amazing restaurant. The Midtown location is perfect, and the renovations they made in the months before its opening are just gorgeous. We met friends at the bar a few weeks ago for drinks and shared some plates off the appetizer menu. The bartender was knowledgeable and let us sample some of the wines before we made our selections. The food we ordered arrived quickly and was outstanding and beautifully presented. The ambiance was lively and inviting, with a mix of couples, young professionals, and birthday gatherings. Service was excellent. I can't wait to go there again and would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants to have great seafood in an upscale atmosphere.
(5)
Christine C.
Went for lunch; the prices are expensive but the portions are very large. The food is a little salty, though the fries that came with the fish sandwich (can't remember the name, sorry!) were delightfully soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside. Service is a little poor, the waitress was sweet but didn't regularly come to pour more water and also gave us the bread basket a few seconds before the meal arrived. The decor is gorgeous, and the bar area outside looks fantastic. I would definitely want to come here for dinner and drinks one day.
(4)
Alex V.
So far this was the best dining in Tallahassee. The staff is outstanding. The atmosphere is welcoming and food is simply superb! Ask for Nick and order red snapper. And your evening is guaranteed to be unforgettable.
(5)
Cheryl H.
Food was fine....bar staff clueless about menu! Female bartender stood with her arms crossed most of the time we were there...had to ask for everything and we were three of maybe 15 people on the place. Other bar staff stood around talking, very poor service at the bar and a careless attitude! How hard is it to make a bar feel welcoming!
(3)
Kim F.
Was just driving around town and this restaurant looked like it had character so I went in for lunch. My waiter was awesome. I was interested in the lobster roll, and asked him how much celery it had in it (I hate celery). He offered to bring me a sample, then came back and told me it was still frozen :( Unfortunately the food was a huge disappointment. He later brought me back a sample and it was chock-full of celery....tasted like it would have been pretty good without that. Had the shrimp and grits - he said it was popular. The thing about shrimp and grits is it is vastly different everywhere you go. This was probably the least favorite I've ever had. The shrimp (5) I believe had been previously frozen. The gouda grits, which I adore other places, had little flavor. And the bourbon sauce did nothing to help any of it. I ate most of it because it was costing me $21. Felt fairly ripped off.
(2)
Emily C.
Great outdoor seating and outdoor bar. The brunch here is definitely worth checking out. I usually go for the steak and eggs but the lobster biscuits and gravy is sooo good. They also do some interesting cocktails that you should try if you are feeling adventurous. This place is a nice addition to the high quality eats in midtown.
(4)
Kelly P.
tried the sunday brunch for the first and last time, if you like to be ignored......make sure you sit down on the lower deck! Sat for about 15 mins before even being acknowledged. After ordering......we had to go upto the bar to get our own silverware and plates for the bread basket.......waited another 45 mins for mediocre at best food. Second time trying to be happy with the service/ food and disappointed again! you might have a beautiful location, but this kind of service will be the downfall......those kind of prices should come with stellar service
(1)
Peter O.
Went there for dinner last night while visiting family in Tally. Mediocre food and high prices. I ordered salmon and veggies. Salmon was hot and the veggies were cold....same with the crab cakes....barely warm. Very expensive wine by the glass! While waiting for our meal, the waiter came out to tell me that the kitchen had "run out of lemon and capers" for the sauce. Run out! How does a restaurant run out of basics? Later the waiter returned and said the chef agreed to make some more sauce. The kitchen didn't run out of ingredients, the chef just didn't want to make up another batch. I think that sums up the experience.
(2)
Manny K.
Great atmosphere but unfortunately the overpriced food does not match. The appetizers were bland especially the calamari which were very small rings and dry. My main was a shrimp, sausage pasta which was average, could have been served warmer and the ingredients were not particularly flavorful. As a place for drinks with friends, I would highly recommend it, but not for dinner.
(2)
Steve S.
Great decor. Okay wait staff. Seriously, seriously blah food.
(2)
Debbie W.
We were a group of 13 and our reservation got mixed up. The staff immediately went into action to remedy the situation and could not have been nicer (or more apologetic)! The manager, Lee, stepped to the forefront and offered us a private room that would available within 10-15 minutes. We were thrilled, and had no problem waiting. Lee escorted our group into the bar, bought us all a drink while we waited. Once seated (only after about 10 minutes), we had wonderful, friendly service and the food was delicious. I give the manager and his staff huge thumbs up for service, and look forward to returning the the Front Porch any time I am back in Tallahassee.
(5)
Dennis H.
Excellent wine selection. Service was great our waiter suggested we tried the Escargo which was delicious. I love the complementary vallet parking offered by them. I strongly reccomend this place.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
John M.
I only rate based on food and drink divided by value but to start with: the setting is wonderful. It was a little too cold to eat on the patio, but indoors the decor is coastal without being a ridiculous Red Lobster pastiche - very understated, warmly lit, and creative. The staff is fantastic, too, with our server being so prompt and pleasant all evening. On to the food: we started with a fritto misto of squid and veggies. This was genuinely excellent, cooked exactly right, the squid not too tough and the roughly-chopped eggplant an excellent foil for it. With lemon and remoulade it was nicely balanced. Dish of the night. If only everything else had been up to this quality. Seared yellow-fin tuna was a fine piece of fish which avoided dryness on the seared outside, and was pleasantly tender and rich inside. The glaze didn't do much for me, being a little oversweet, and the amount of slightly overcooked rice was a bit much - they could get away with a lot less and maybe make the presentation a bit better. Asparagus was a good veggie choice as it was in season and was sauteed nicely. For dessert, the key lime pie we shared had over-hard crust, but was otherwise fine. A couple of rough edges here, but the high point of this meal (the fritto misto) was very high. I would go back for a special occasion, due to the price point, and experiment with a couple more entrees. Some variety and care in the side dishes would knock this up to four out of five, but if you order carefully you will enjoy your time here.
(3)Stephen S.
Really great atmosphere, but the food was unfortunately mediocre. I had the grilled grouper, which was seasoned well but way overcooked. Also, the portion size was too small for the price. They have a decent wine list and a well stocked bar, but for some reason the drinks were really weak this time. I've been here a few times now, and every time I leave thinking how great the atmosphere and service is. Maybe that's what brings me back. The servers really are friendly and attentive.
(3)Maddy L.
Like the rating says, "meh" is pretty much all I'd give this place. The decor and setting are fantastic, some of the best in town. The service is just so-so, and the food is boring and overpriced. Spent $100 on THREE tiny lobster cannelloni and a mediocre steak with the measliest portion of rock shrimp on top. I don't mind dropping $100 on good food, or even decent food with good portions, but this place is a joke.
(2)Brittany W.
Ok so let me start off by saying that the setting is wonderful. Nice views of big oaks on the porches, and the ambiance is great. This is the only positive about this restaurant, and the only reason I'm giving it 2 stars instead of 1. First off...the food and drinks are ridiculously overpriced. I don't mind paying for good, creative, and delicious fare, but the front porch offers none of this. After an hour and 45 minutes of waiting I received my biscuits and gravy lukewarm with burnt and greasy sautéed potatoes/veggies. For the quality of this food...front porch is kidding with these prices. Others at the table had ordered steak and eggs...everything was lukewarm and no one's egg or steak were cooked correctly (not sure if it was a kitchen problem or server problem). Normally, I would have let it go...but the other diners I was with were not as forgiving and were politely vocal about their complaints. At almost $20 a plate and after waiting almost 2 hours....I don't blame them. The server was apologetic and offered to take half off our bill and then sent the chef out to apologize. The chef then informed us that we would only receive 25% off the bill. No one at our table had even eaten a quarter of what was on our plates. I must also mention that the service was extremely lacking. Our server forgot drinks and we had to request water refills every time. She also spilled the pitcher of water all over someone's back at our table. Still, she was very apologetic and tried to make up for everything going wrong as best she could. I think she was spread too thin which is a management problem not necessarily the server's fault. It was incredibly insulting that management only offered to take off 25% of the bill. I understand that some days you will be short staffed and make mistakes, BUT I believe you should get what you pay for and front porch showed me that they do not care about accepting responsibility for their mistakes. Edited to recommend that people check out yelp's unrecommended reviews. Nearly all of them are negative and everyone seems to have had a similar or worse experience. I realize most of the "unrecommended reviews" are one time reviewers, but these people obviously had a bad enough experience that they felt the need to leave a review.
(2)Christina F.
This restaurant has closed! Okay!!!! So let me get this straight... You send me a request to review a restaurant that you thought I had gone to but it just so happened it was permanently closed and still is but you reject my review when all I said was that it was closed! Why ask me if you are going to turn it down. DO NOT ASK ME TO REVIEW ANY OTHER BUSINESS. I was just reporting so other Yelp users wouldn't count on it as an option. You guys are seriously in trouble if this was something you redeemed as evil or incorrect. Good luck but you have lost me as a loyal user
(1)Lisa G.
I really didn't have the heart to give them 2 stars cause the ambiance and the service was superb. Sitting out on the porch was so cozy. It's a beautiful restaurant. The most unfortunate part was the food was not very good. The bisque was thin and cold. The crab cakes were mediocre. Simply lacked flavor. The fries were good but... So are the ones at the Golden Arches. I would say go because the Experience is worth it. Shout out to Brian - another reason to go
(3)Ivan B.
It is the spot for a romantic and cute date. Be it brunch time or dinner time it would be sweet to take your cutie pie to the front porch. Like most people say, the atmosphere is great and the decor is very nice. You can sit inside where it feels like a fancy beach home in the Hamptons or you can sit outside on the patio where you can watch the sunset and feel the summer breeze. I was so cozy just enjoying company and a cocktail. Definitely a 5 star for this part. Food of course is expensive at a fancy nice place like this. Seafood is mostly on the menu. Unfortunately it is quite weak and nothing amazing. We had shrimp & grits and clams for dinner. They were tasty, but definitely not worth the price. The drinks were a little watery tasting, but good enough. 3 stars for food. The staff was very nice and prompt. They constantly were refilling glasses and checking up on us. Good 4 star service. Overall a 3.5 rating for The Front Porch. A perfect setting for dinner with that special someone, but if you want amazing food I recommend you try somewhere else. I just liked sitting here so much that I definitely know I will be back sometime in the future. It will most likely be for happy hour though because any other time will put a huge dent in my wallet.
(4)Cecille R.
I think this was one of my favorite spots that we hit while in town visiting. We were in the area and stumbled upon this adorable spot. It looks like a house with a big sprawling front porch/outdoor dining area. There is a huge outdoor bar and on the Saturday that we were there, some live acoustic entertainment. Since it was stifling hot outside, we opted for indoor seating. It was a little confusing trying to find the hostess stand. It's actually outside towards the very back when entering from the front of the restaurant. The interior of the restaurant is darling. Very modern and rustic. The door we entered through to go inside looked like barn doors. Really really cute. First place in a long time where I have raved about the décor of the bathroom!!! Since it wasn't quite dinnertime, we decided to order several appetizers to split. The fried oysters with cocktail sauce was delicious and perfectly fried. The southern misto comes with crispy calamari, eggplant and okra with a great spicy aioli for dipping. I couldn't stop eating. The porch puppies (aka vidalia onion hushpuppies) were brought out in a sealed brown paper bag with a side of remoulade. They were soft and melt in your mouth good. This doesn't sound like a lot but I assure you that the portion sizes were generous for 2 people. So generous we didn't finish. I would love to come back for dinner. I noticed they offered many wonderful seafood dishes which are totally up my alley. Service was good and very attentive. Our server was a little eager and would come to check on us literally every 2 minutes. It was a little annoying but I guess I'll take that over no service whatsoever! Giving 4 stars since we only had appetizers and not the full dinner experience. The Front Porch also looks like a great Happy Hour spot with some great specials (listed on chalkboard) outside entry to interior.
(4)Matt G.
I got around to trying this place a couple weeks ago and never expected it to shake my understanding of the restaurant industry the way it did. The Front Porch is one of the few "fine dining" restaurants in Tallahassee and I was pretty excited to treat myself with something fancy. I would've never expected to find such second-rate service and food at such an externally nice restaurant. My brunch had clearly sat in the window for some time and the food was just generally uninspired. Don't get me started on the men's restroom. I can only think that being a big fish in a relatively small pond has gone to The Front Porch's head. There aren't a lot of places Tallahassee's upper middle class can blow money on and The Front Porch knows it. With what you pay for these dishes, you'd hope to see a little more hustle and care from the staff. Listen The Front Porch, I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed.
(2)Kevin W.
Came here for brunch right after church with my wife and some friends. I have heard good and bad things about the restaurant so I had to come and try it out myself. There was some sort of event for kids on the day we decided to go, so the place was packed. Took us about 30 or so minutes to actually get seated because they were understaffed. Didn't bother me too much, since they happened to be giving out cotton candy. So I got to enjoy that while I waited. (I think it was mostly for the kids, but I got some anyways :P) Before we ordered they had served us some of their biscuits, and man, were they good. It was like a cross between sweet cornbread and a biscuit. I could probably just have eaten that and been satisfied. I had the Crab Benedict and my wife had the Biscuits and Gravy. Crab Benedict: The poached eggs were perfectly poached. The potato hash was good, but I did not care for the lumped crab. ($14) Biscuits and Gravy: Biscuits were the same biscuits they had initially served. The gravy did not add too much to it, I think I might have rather just had the biscuit. ($12) One of my friends had the Chicken and Waffles, and it looked a little disappointing. There one small piece of chicken with four mini waffles. Pros -Great décor -Large restaurant with a lot of seating -Large parking area Cons -Food is too pricey for what you get -Food was nothing special Overall, the ambience was really nice, but I felt that food was a little overpriced. The biscuits really saved it from a two star review though. Those biscuits are awesome.
(3)Megan P.
The atmosphere and drinks here are great. Giving it a lower rating because I ordered a rare steak and it came out medium well. I never send things back, but since I was paying over $30 for this steak, I figured it should be cooked correctly. The waitress was nice and brought it back for the chef, she acknowledged that it had been over-cooked and said the chef would cook another on the house. When she brought the second steak out, it was medium rare (I really emphasized that I wanted a rare steak) and she told me that she hoped I liked it because the chef "wouldn't cook another one." I didn't complain about it, but in my opinion, a chef should cook things correctly and not have a rude attitude if somebody sends something back that was clearly not cooked to order. Not surprised that this place has mediocre ratings despite a really cool ambience. If you want to spend a good amount of money and get a really good meal, I would suggest the Miccosukee Root Cellar. It is small and they don't have awesome outdoor seating like The Front Porch, but the staff is friendly and the food is wonderful.
(2)Lauren U.
When I graduated from FSU in 2008, things were soo different than the way they are now! The Front Porch didn't exist. I am so glad I made it back to try it out. Disclaimer: I'm from Miami and currently living in Miami, so to me, the prices at the Front Porch are totally and utterly reasonable. My omelet, which was pretty sizable and came with some fried potatoes, was $10. My husband's chicken and waffles was $14 I believe. I just asked him to rate his meal and his response was "frickin' awesome." We ordered a side of deliciously fresh fruit for $6. Finally, to top it all off, we got $5 mimosas! This is unheard of in South Florida. Tallahassians, rejoice. The ambiance at the Front Porch is nothing short of wonderful. We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather. It's pretty outside and very relaxing. Inside, there was a party going on and it seems like a great spot for a bridal or baby shower or other gathering. This place has a lot of "southern charm" and totally fits in in Tallahassee! Check it out.
(4)Christina D.
They were out of everything I ordered. In serious need of a menu refresh and/or better kitchen manager. What drove me here was the idea of having shrimp and grits...well they were out. Cocktail that I ordered...out of main ingredient...no longer have the appetizer I wanted either even though it's still on the menu.
(2)Katie M.
How anyone can say this place is 'unremarkable' is beyond me! Great service and great food. You know the old adage "never order steak at a seafood restaurant"? Wrong! The steak was great too. It's a must visit in Tally.
(5)Stella M.
The service was okay. Our server took a while to get to our table but was really sweet. We ordered porch puppies as an appetizer and for some reason it came in a paper bag. They tasted okay but I've had better. I ordered the seafood stew, which was good but a little on the salty side. My husband got the grouper with grits and that was cooked really well but over priced in my opinion. The whole place was a bit expensive for what it was. Beautiful restaurant but mediocre food that's over priced.
(3)Tracey M.
What a fun surprise this place ended up being. Decor was great, quasi outdoor seating - perfect time of year in Tally for that sort of set up. Started off with Ceviche - not my favorite rendition but it was tasty. The other app we had was Crab dip and it was awesome. I had the Pistacio crusted Grouper with Grits. Very yummy. Next time I am getting the Snapper! They had 420 on draft and a nice looking wine list. Def a new favorite for me while in Tally on business.
(5)Juan S.
I went with my wife. We ordered 6 oysters one was bad milky bad. Then porch puppies were pretty good and calamari too. My entree was not edible seared tuna. Overall good service but bad food. My wife plate was a linguini seafood and sausage definitely forgettable. J
(2)Clif C.
Service sucked. Food was ok appetizer served raw 20 minutes to get drinks
(3)Elyse F.
The atmosphere and decor is beautiful. Everything else about dining at Front Porch is good but forgettable. We ordered the calamari which was as good as any other resturant, but nothing special. I got one of the signature cocktails and it was way, way, WAY to sweet, my date got a mojito and I found myself wishing I had gotten that instead. The wine selection seemed pretty comprehensive. I ordered the grouper which was again, good but not anything more special than any place I've ever had, even though this was quite a bit more expensive then most. My date got a filet and ordered it medium-rare. It came out black and burnt. It took almost 10 minutes to flag down the manager to get it sent back and another 15 minutes before the food came out. The steak was cooked correctly this time, but they left the same vegetables on the plate that were now dry, cold and unedible. The manager came by and offered us a comped dessert for the mistake. The dessert was clearly premade, frozen cheesecake. I would not order dessert here again. The service was not terrible, but they seemed inexperienced. Their wine knowledge was pretty basic, and they didn't seem to be familair with the menu. Once the filet was sent back we were served by the manager for the rest of the evening, so the service had gotten better from there. In conclusion if this place was 25% cheaper it may warrant much better reviews. But for the quality and experience you get, not worth it to me.
(2)Scot H.
Service was a 2, food was a 4- ambiance was a 5 and cleanliness was a 3. Too much hype about this place brings high expectations but the inexperienced service and back of house communication caused this restaurant a 3 out of 5 stars
(3)Arvind D.
Service was slow. The food did not live up to the hype. A bit disappointed because the cost did match the quality. Definitely not a place I would recommend for a food experience.
(1)Jill H.
Atmosphere is cool, but that's about it. The food was lacking. The cheese plate...strongest blue cheese ever with a smoke taste. Weird. Pimento cheese was on lettuce which was impossible to get off. Crab dip was like warm and not what I was expecting. Ordered the chicken salad and tuna salad. Tuna salad smelled so fishy and was way over cooked. Got sent back. The chicken Caesar salad- the dressing was thicker than mayonnaise. Not how we normally eat an anchovy based salad (which I do regularly). It really was bad. Our waitress, Felecia, was nice and apologetic. Bartender was rude when we first got here. The space is pretty but really, that's all that was. Won't be visiting here again.
(2)Peggy W.
The atmosphere is charming at this place. It is a shame that the food fails to measure up. Porch puppies were dense and tasteless as was the spinach dip. Beautiful presentation that ends there. The service was the best we've had. Extremely attentive and personable servers! The Front Porch needs a new chef and reinvention in order to make it a true gem in Tallahassee. Our overpriced bill at the end if a forgettable meal was the most bitter taste of all tonight. Come for a drink, go somewhere else for dinner.
(2)Paul P.
Went for brunch on a Sunday, was not impressed at all. First greeted by the stuck up pompous hostess. This place is huge and at the time we got there maybe 10% of seating was being used. She asked if we had reservations, then said they were totally committed and was unable to seat us, and that our only option was to sit at the bar. Really?? You could hear crickets in that place and she had the nerve to tell us she could not seat us, unbelievable. I hate it when restaurants try to rise themselves up by acting like you have to have a reservation to eat when the entire place is empty.. Stupidity! Anyways, so we sit at the bar, again the wait staff was stuck up and pompous... The decor is nice and the outside seating area is beautiful. I was really looking forward to trying this place because it really is the perfect setting for a nice Sunday brunch, oh well. On to the food...we had to ask for the basket of complementary biscuits, they were pretty good, but noticed we were the only bar table and regular table not given them. Also service on drinks was great but the food took a really long time to come out, I guess that's because they were sooooo packed, lol I ordered the crab cake eggs Benedict and a cup of the lobster bisque, hubby ordered BLT sandwich, friend ordered the crab cake eggs Benedict and French toast. The crab cake Benedict was very good, however both of our dishes came out cold, the side of potatoes was not anything to write home about, definitely not worth $20. Hubby said BLT sandwich was pretty good but again not worth the money. Lobster bisque was okay. French toast left much to be desired. Food overall was okay, but definitely overpriced. By the time we left, the tables had filled up to about 50% capacity. Overheard the hostess still giving the "booked up" spiel. Saying there is a 40 min wait time. Will not be returning...what a shame for such a beautiful place.
(1)Logan B.
I came back here recently for brunch and was pleasantly surprised. The Crab Cakes Benedict were delicious and the cocktails were good, too. The coconut cake is gigantic, so order it only if you come with 10 or 15 of your most coconut-loving friends to help you eat it. Service was attentive, atmosphere relaxed. One of the few spots in Tallahassee with outdoor seating. They seem to do brunch better than dinner. (My four stars are for their brunch.)
(4)Dottie B.
This restaurant is so inviting when you walk up to it. I adore the the chandeliers hanging outside on the "front porch" it was very busy but we were able to get a bar table to wait for out regular table. The drinks were good and the waitress was very attentive. We then moved to our table. The menu is beautiful and there are the perfect amount of choices. I chose tho get the baked oysters and muscles and the wedge salad without the beans and corn. I ordered the oysters and muscles without breading. They were awful unfortunately. Dried out like rubber. And way to oceany. There were probably less than a dozen and I didn't even finish them. The salad however was delicious and I would absolutely get it again. The rest of the party ordered full plates and every bite was gone. I'll add here that the plates were reasonable . Not overly full. A reasonable amount of food and well plated. The bill for 5 with drinks was very high. Close to $400. I think a bit much for a restaurant like this.
(4)Joe C.
Drove by here on a number of occasions and it always looked like a place I would want to go. Finally had the chance while visiting my daughter a few weeks ago. First the positives, the setting is very nice. I like the whole alfresco but kind of indoor seating (it was cold so the patio had the shades down), The hostess was friendly and seated us promptly. The server recommended some drinks and I opted for the house Bloody Mary which has a splash of Guinness (or another dark beer, don't quote me on this!). It was very good! Now for the negatives - The Food. Fried Green Tomatoes with goat cheese stuffing sounded pretty interesting, It was not. Very bland, hardly tasted anything but the fried crust. Had the crab cakes with poached eggs and potatoes. Crab cakes were adequate but the poached eggs were poorly cooked. Two crab cakes, two poached eggs one egg runny as all heck and the other basically hard boiled. Gotta do better than that especially at these prices , heck at any price you should be able to provide two properly (at least make them identical) poached eggs. Side potatoes were so boring that I don't like ketchup on my fries but asked the servers for some as well as for my daughter as her chicken and waffles were dry even with the bacon maple sauce. I guess for a drink and a charming location this is the spot but for brunch there are better choices. Please get the kitchen right. This places has so much potential but at the end of the day it is about the food.
(2)Dee B.
I was looking forward to trying this place for awhile. and an early Saturday evening was my chance. Prices very high for the limited choices on the menu. I knew this before I went. I ordered the "Pistachio Crusted" Grouper with Smoked Gouda Grits and Seasonal Vegetables. The fish was barely edible and certainly not fresh! Grits? I think not! What I got was a HUGE mound of what? processed overcooked rice? Also barely edible. The asparagus was okay. I ate the fish because I was hungry and a few bites of the grits. The server, friendly, nice and very attentive asked, shall I pack this to go, referring to the Mountain of "grits" on my plate. I am SURE he heard the fear in my voice when I said, Oh no! like it was the worst thing I could possibly have done. No, I won't be back! It is always a shame when a restaurant puts so much into a bar and the drinking part of a restaurant and little into the menu and quality of the food. Reading the reviews, I wish I had ventured through the doors for brunch. Not always the best, I miss Chez Pierre!
(1)Stephanie D.
I would give this restaurant a soft 3 stars at that because they did not meet many of the expectations of a quaint southern cooked bunch location. All the hype of this place was lost by poor service. Drinks were quick to the table as was the food even if you ordered separate courses... Who wants their shrimp and grits to go cold because they were trying to eat the lobster bisque at the same time?! This is terribly frustrating. The ambiance was very nice but the cleanliness of the porch was questionable. The food has soo much promise but this restaurant leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
(3)ND U.
Best place in TALLY if you want the most comfortable beautiful place to sit and have a martini. This restaurant can transport you to another area in moments. A place not to be missed.
(5)Rebecca W.
I've been here twice. The first time was ok - I'm ok paying high prices if the quality of the food warrants. The prices here are quite high given the quality we experienced on that first visit. The food wasn't great but wasn't terrible -- a bit oversalty from what I remember. Service was slow. Let's just say I've never had a real desire to go back. We decided to try again today for brunch (about 2 years later). The ambience is lovely. That's where the compliments end. Granted, it is Valentine's weekend so they probably were busier but service was extremely slow and the food was definitely subpar. After an hour of waiting, all we had had was our appetizers. When our meal finally came out, my husband's grouper sandwich was way overcooked/fried. I could tell just by looking at it from across the table that it was overcooked before even trying it. He asked for it to be replaced since it was so overdone. The manager came out a few minutes later with the same plate in hand. It looked like they had opened up the sandwich to check and had even cut into it? Anyways, he brought it out that way ("dissected", didn't even put the sandwich back together) and told us that that is how they make it and while they would be glad to make him a new one, it would probably turn out the same way. I thought that was pretty tacky - what are we supposed to say? Since we had already waited for well over an hour, my husband was starving so rather than wait another 20 mins for a new plate that he was told would have the same result, he took back the original plate and ate it. At $19 for a simple grouper sandwich with fries, you'd think they could just fry another piece for a shorter period of time to ensure it didn't overcook. The sad thing is that Front Porch is touted as a seafood restaurant and unfortunately, we didn't read the Yelp reviews ahead of time or we would have noticed that many have commented on the fish being overcooked at this restaurant. My steak, eggs and potato hash entree was edible but not great. I asked for medium (I'm pregnant). The steak was inconsistent - some parts were were medium, some were done, the middle was rare. Honestly, I could have gotten a cheaper, better steak at Outback. Poached eggs were fine - but they are just poached eggs. The 'potato hash' was terrible. They were full potato wedges that were limp and soggy. They looked like they had been sitting around for awhile at the bottom of a pan. I left more than half on the plate. (I will say that the table next to us got their food MUCH faster than we did and the 'potato hash' on one of their plates looked quite different and much fresher than mine. In fact, if I had realized early on that the potatoes were not supposed to look like the ones I got, I would have asked them to remake mine as well.) Our 2-hour, $80 brunch experience this time was so bad that the restaurant offered us free dessert and a gift card to come back another time. Unfortunately, I'm not sure even having the gift card would make us want to go back for a third try...and that's saying a lot since I'm usually not one to pass up using a free gift card!
(1)M H.
Was sat down by the hostess at 8:00. Waited for about 20 minutes before we asked someone walking by for some water. At 8:30 we still have no water and no one has acknowledged us so we asked the hostess for service. At 8:35 we walked out. Out of the 35 mins sitting there not one person acknowledged us. Congrats Front Porch out of my 34 years you are the first restaurant I have ever walked out on.
(1)Ali C.
I've been for lunch and late night nibbles/drinks at the bar. I like the location and the atmosphere. They have indoor / outdoor seating, a nice bar and a private room upstairs. Everything I've tasted was yummy. It is southern fair with seafood, casual fare and more upscale entree's. Enjoy!
(4)Cathi M.
Great porch! Good beer and the crab dip is outstanding! A fun relaxed evening
(4)Jean C.
One of my favorite place. Beautiful place with tasty food and nice service. What a place to spend a night out for dinner. :)
(5)Susan F.
The service was so very slow and the food was below average. Quantities were also small. Do Not Recommend!!
(1)Cindy K.
Saturday and Sunday lunch is more about brunch. So we will try to come back one evening. We had lunch outside, it was a little cool but they had heaters. Our food was very good. We enjoyed it all and will come back. It is a nice relaxing place to be eat and talk.
(3)Don L.
Average food, loud, and they charge $2.00 for "rocks in each drink! Won't be backAverage food, loud, and they charge $2.00 for "rocks in each drink! Won't be back
(2)Melissa A.
It was okay. Definitely not worth the money. The atmosphere is pretty and the decorations are nice. Me and the 2 other people I was with were not very impressed with our food, and for the price, I expected a lot more.
(2)Will H.
Disappointing. My wife and I decided to find a "new" place to try out for Saturday brunch. We are avid diners and I have worked almost every front of house position possible for almost 15 years in restaurants. I don't claim to be an expert but we love dining out and eating good food. I am extremely understanding as a diner and have an incredible amount of patients for mistakes made by staff. Having made those same mistakes myself I typically ignore anything that bothers me in Hopes of having a pleasant dining experience. Unfortunately today was so unpleasant I created a yelp account. This is in hopes someone in management will read it and possibly make the necessary changes. The beginning- We were pleasantly greeted by a smiling hostess. She asked us about our morning and made a polite joke about the restaurant having plenty of room (indicating they were not busy) and proceeded to seat us. Along the walk she suggested the daily special omelet. Excellent start! We were sat and greeted in a timely fashion by a very nice waitress who asked what we wanted to drink. My wife ordered a mimosa and for me cappuccino. We also had chosen what we wanted to eat. I ordered the steak and eggs (mr) and my wife the Crab Benedict. The waitress took our order and said she would be back with our drinks. Here is where it gets messy- about 8 minutes go by and no drinks. Our waitress (unprompted) informs me that they are waiting for the cappuccino machine to heat up. No big deal, I don't mind waiting for a good cup. Thanx for letting me know! But in my head I'm wondering where the mimosa is. Then i saw it. Sitting on the bar. 2 bartenders standing around chatting and our mimosa sitting right there. Easily one of them could see that our server was occupied at the surrounding tables. People had started to file in, you would assume one of them could run her drink... No? 20 or so minutes in total since we sat have elapsed (admittedly great timing for a brunch ticket) and we are served our meal... Our drinks arrive a few minutes AFTER. Really at this point it's not a big deal we are just happy to eat and drink. OOOPS- not possible. My wife's crab Benedict was cold. Not room temp, cold. Admittedly my steak and eggs were tasty. I flag down a waitress (not our own) so that quickly we could receive a warm entree for her before I finish mine. Our waitress comes back and apologizes for the temperature and assures us a new one is on the way. Hooray! Still no real concern, mistakes happen. YUCK- the new plate arrived. Fortunately it is piping hot but now it is able to be tasted (unfortunate). The crab underneath the poached eggs could only be described as tasting of "old fish". I have lived in Florida my whole life. I love seafood. Raw oysters, crab of all sorts, even smoked salmon is one of my favs. But this was a BAD smell. The only way it's possible is if this lump crab was pre-frozen and/or was turning. OH well NO harm done- we informed our waitress politely that my wife didn't like the taste. She was incredibly apologetic and sweet and we didn't mention how awful it smelled, just that it wasn't for us. The Kicker- our bill arrives. And the crab Benedict is on it. Now like I said I have worked in restaurant for 15 years. I have bused tables, waited, been a general managers for 3 years, at times of great need I have even worked in the kitchen. I have never ever thought about having someone pay for something they sent back... Twice. When i asked our waitress if she could take it off since we did not eat or enjoy it she said she would get a manager. Which I was Of course pleased with, but I thought very unfortunate that this was not a common practice at a place with such high prices. Something I think all restaurants should have a long look at is price expectancy. If I pay 16 dollars for a lunch item in a town where the mean lunch price is between 8-10 dollars I expect it to be not only good but exceptional (since the price suggest it is quality). My steak I would not have ever complained was over priced, 16.00 for a steak two eggs and hash browns cooked perfectly, NO problem. But fishy smelling crab that first came out cold, very different story. COP out- no manager ever comes. To my dismay because I would have loved a quite polite conversation explaining why I was presented with a bill including something we did not enjoy. but our sweet (albeit poorly trained) server comes back with the bill and says "we took it off". I thank her and she promptly says "I hope you will come back sometime". Very good job on her part. But unfortunately it's very doubtful I will return. Again I hope this review is viewed as a helpful, truthful account of a single dining experience and that someone in management makes the necessary improvements so that this won't happen to future patrons.
(2)Don S.
Busy place for Sunday brunch! The decor is a cool Coastal style and the service was great. we were really looking forward to trying the food but not that impressed. We had the Wedge Salad(very good and a little non traditional with added avocado!) and the Squash soup. You could tell it was fresh as there were large pieces of fresh squash - tasty! All great up until this point. We then had the Shrimp & Grits and the Chicken and Waffles. They were both just ok. we will try it again as we definitely give them an A for effort. When someone tries this hard to please it makes you cheer for them to succeed. Good luck!
(3)Lauren L.
I went here for brunch with my parents when they came to visit and it was probably the best brunch I've ever had. They restaurant was very nice and quiet, and just had a nice atmosphere. I ended up getting the crab Benedict and it was so amazing! My mom had an omelette that was very good too and my dad had a burger that was cooked and seasoned perfectly! I will definitely recommend this place for brunch. And I would like to go back and try out their dinner.
(5)jimi b.
ATE: Shrimp and Grits, Chicken and Waffles VERDICT: Hell yeah. YUM. Will eat here again. It was the brunch menu. I dont know why it has crappy reviews. The food and service was fantastic. It was pricey, but well worth it. The portions were pretty big. Biscuits with jam/butter came before the meal.
(4)Tara S.
Sadly this place has slipped. It is still a beautiful building, has attentive waitstaff and an interesting wine list. But the menu, presentation and flavor are dull. It was so good here when they had the fellah from Boston who was on "chopped" running the show. I understand that the new chef used to be the Barron's personal chef and maybe they liked their food to be simple perhaps? We just came from brunch and it was average. Average waffle average eggs Benedict. Looked boring tasted boring.
(3)Lily J.
The place is gorgeous, the location is perfect, and the theme is great but this restaurant falls flat severely. Firstly, it takes forever to be seated and a waiter to come. The service is exceptionally slow to be serving such highly priced food. The crab cake sandwich was 18 dollars and aggressively plain. The fries next to it were cold. It was all upsetting. You cannot spend all that money on making the place look great and then have it be just a facade for mediocre (at best) food. One last thing- the server, who was very nice, forgot to give us a pen when handing back the bill so I got up to get one from the hostess stand. The hostess was reluctant to give it to me and asked if I *bring it back* to her when I was finished. She must be tripping with that customer service. No thank you boo boo.
(2)Marcia M.
Why is the food at this place so TERRIBLE when the bar and location are so good??? Rubbery shrimp, flavorless dry grits, and freezing cold entrees--easy and obvious issues that have been consistent each of my 5 visits over the last 18 months. Such a shame.
(2)MW B.
I was excited to come here for the first time with friends. The atmosphere and remodel are amazing. We split a bunch of apps at the bar and they were all pretty good. My favorite was the Fried Oysters and Pork Belly. Yum! I also heard the ceviche was really good, as well. The fried Mac & Cheese was just okay. I only had a bite and it was way too heavy for me. The hush puppies were good, as well..nothing special but good. My only issue with the evening was when the check came. I'm all for paying $ for good food and drinks but what I thought was interesting was the price of my glass of Chardonnay. I didn't specify, but as a former cocktail waitress in college, when someone says "a glass of.." they typically mean HOUSE, not your most expensive glass. I was charged $14 a glass..X2. I didn't say anything but next time I'll be sure to specify.
(4)Courtney S.
Arrived for our anniversary dinner and walked out after our tardy server slid our waters across the tables and asked for our drink order like we had interrupted his night. He did not offer to introduce us to the wine or cocktail list nor did he greet up when he approached the table. The hostesses pleaded with us to stay but our appetites were spoiled by the incident. A call to the manager resulted in much apologizing and insistence to return but we'll choose to spend our money at a local business appreciates their customers.
(1)Bob K.
Great atmosphere and very good food. Went there for a bite while traveling. Service was excellent and everyone the staff was helpful and friendly. Will stop for a full meal next time
(5)Mark B.
Wish I had read some of these reviews before wasting money. Went for brunch and food was poor. Chicken and waffles was topped with thee dried out tasteless little chicken strips. One was so small so small it was like a jerky strip. Service was average at best. Stay away.
(2)Kenneth M.
It is a thousand times better than the former occupant in that space. I had the lobster roll ($18). It was good not sure it was 18 dollars good though. We also had the whoopimisu (tiramisu made with whoopie pies), which was tasty but served in a medium small drink glass. So lobster roll with fries, a wedge salad, and the dessert all totaled $45...that's an expensive lunch. But the space is very nice....great bar....friendly service
(3)Willy B.
Big fan. Unexpectedly for a seafood place, I always get the New York strip. I've heard that some of their seafood offerings aren't always that great, but the strip has never let me down. The parking is a little annoying. I appreciate valet in a lot of situations, but it is confusing and annoying when there is ample parking behing the restaurant.
(4)Mario M.
The 1 star rating is due to the price and lack of quality for it. Ordered oysters rated 3-10 poorly presented. Lobster bisque is atrocious 1-10 tastes like they opened can of tomato soup and poured on top of 3 pieces of lobster. Chicken and waffles was just ok best part was the syrup. I came here hungry and leaving hungry as well. Totally disappointed as the ambience and location are great.
(1)Gary P.
I have been to The Front Porch twice. Both times the restaurant proved an abysmal failure. The first time we had a reservation and waited 15 minutes to be sat. The server was pleasant, knowledgeable and very helpful. We placed or order and had barely started to sip our drinks when the food was brought out. It had been less than 5 minutes, indicating that the food was not cooked, it had been prepared before hand and there was no cooking happening. The food tasted that way as well. We had poached eggs that were cold, the toast was cold, and the food overall was very bland and of the quality you would expect at a Denny's or IHOP. The second time was even worse. We sat for two ours before having word of our food. It was the next ticket. Two and a half hours later our food came out and one was over cooked, two were cold, two had the wrong orders and sides, and one was not what we ordered. Again, the server was very pleasant and nice, but the kitchen production was appallingly bad. This is by far the worst restaurant in Tallahassee that I have ever been to.
(1)Maria F.
Really Disappointing. The food was not good and it was very overpriced. It is in a very nice location and could be a great place but unfortunately it's not.
(1)Bret I.
Opening night. The place is simply beautiful. Drive up to complimentary valet parking (a nice touch). They were full for reservations, but they have about 8 high tables for two around the bar, plus 3-4long tables for larger groups that are first come, first served (plus they serve dinner at the bar, and at a raw bar just inside the restaurant). So, I sat outside, and am happy that I did. They had about 6 fresh fish, which can be cooked in almost any manner. Plus they have a raw bar with local, Florida seafood (oysters, shrimp, stone crab, etc.) as well as other seafood. They even have a make your own ceviche. I opted for 6 raw Apalachiacola oysters which were served with house made cocktail sauce (you have a choice of two condiments). The oysters were good and fresh, but the kitchen will need to become better at shucking them: two were not fully detached, and 2 had bits of shell on them. Chalk it up to opening night jitters. The chef, Joe Rego, is Portuguese, and was a winner on Chopped last season. So there are a number of Portuguese inspired dishes and I went with an all-Portuguese dinner. I had a cup of the Portuguese Stew, which contained rice and fish in a tomato based broth. While quite tasty, it was a bit under-seasoned and a bit on the cool side. Again, I am assuming the latter is due to the kitchen learning how to serve up a crowd (the place was packed). For dinner, I had the Pork and Clam dinner. Sounds strange but was excellent. Succulent cubes of marinated pork and steamed clams were served in a wonderful broth that tasted of cilantro and garlic with crispy pieces of potato mixed in. It was the perfect size. However, the restaurant does not offer bread with dinner, which I think is a tremendous oversight. The broth *screamed* to have bread dipped in it to sop it up. What a waste of a very tasty broth (and, really, how much money can is save to not offer some good bread??). Skipped dessert, but the menu looked wonderful. The "Twinkimasu" looked especially interesting: a tiramasu made with espresso soaked twinkies instead of ladyfingers. Very, very clever. Service was quick, considering it was opening night. I will definitely be back!
(4)Chris P.
Visiting FSU and was looking for something local. This place is a great find! Great ambiance, very casual, love the outdoor "porch" seating and the outdoor bar. Food was great! Apps: Fried Oysters, Oyster and Clam combo and Cajun shrimp, all excellent! Shrimp and grits, Seared Yellow fin tuna(very spicy glaze) and pistachio grouper. All really good. Lots of TV's with a great bar. I would highly recommend. The food was all really tasty. 5 starts is difficult.. I am very picky, so I give this place a try, you;ll love it,
(4)Rob M.
While it is pricey, the food was great and the service was really friendly as well. All of us really enjoyed our meals and I would go back. It would have been a great date night place.
(4)Dylan S.
I really liked service and food I had the Gouda grits, lobster Mac and cheese and the maple syrup and Brussels sports all very good especially the grits but the star was the Bloody Mary spicy and gooood only down fall is price service is all aces
(4)Heather F.
As others have said, the place is beautiful, probably among the best as far as atmoshphere in town. Many of the items (fish, salads and desserts) are good (not spectacular). There is definiely something off with the chef and / or management. Two times now we've had to send the Ribeye back, once for being way to tough to eat, and the second for coming medium well (barely pink) and we ordered medium. Usually no big deal, and we hardly ever send food back - but on BOTH occassions, the manager or chef came out to suggest that maybe we do not know much about ribeye or how to order it (although my mother has been ordering Ribeye for over 40 years). Its very strange to question the customer on their knowledge of food rather than to politey re-do it. Both times it also took an additional 15-20 minutes. I will not go back for dinner (maybe a drink).
(3)Sierra S.
Why did you get rid of the Gouda grits!? That is what kept me coming back. :(
(2)Rick P.
Well, I kind of enjoyed the Opera singing. We showed up around 5 on a weeknight, and there were almost no customers there. We asked our server, Brian, about the specials, and then told him we needed a couple minutes to decide. We had to flag him down a few minutes later, and placed our order for the misto platter, a salad, and some drinks. That is when he told us that they had "run out" of the Misto platter. There was still almost no one there, the Misto platter has many different items on it (and they were out of all of them?), but somehow it all of a sudden wasn't available. I told him we would need him to come back in a couple minutes since we didn't have a plan b. We again had to flag him down a few minutes later, and told him we would take the oyster and clam bake. That is when he told us they were out of that, too. Both the oysters and the clams? Yep. So that meant we couldn't order the oyster appetizer, either. Anything else you're out of while we're at it? At this point he made in a serious tone a comment about "so you're going to shoot the messenger?," which was not meant to be funny and was kind of the last straw for us. It turns out that they were out of one of the fish dishes, too. To be out of so many things at 5 pm on a weekday and to have to drag that information out the server was very frustrating, and very disappointing for an expensive restaurant. Bottom line, Brian either was having a really bad day, or he is really bad at his job. We finally ordered the crab cakes, which were ok, although small and way overpriced. At which point four or five people who had been sitting at the bar broke out into song, flash-mob style. Turns out they were visiting from the Pensacola Opera. Although I am not exactly an opera fan, I am more likely to visit the Pensacola Opera in the future than the Front Porch.
(2)Martin S.
Even though the reviews were bad , we thought we would try Front Porch. /What a mistake. The shrimp and grits was tasteless and overcooked. The linguine dish had overcooked shrimp, clams and spaghetti. Don't waste your money.
(1)Brian B.
This is probably our favorite restaurant in Tallahasse, and we found it by accident. Good food, but a little pricy. However, we loved sitting outside on the porch and the fish is always great (there is also and inside eating area).
(4)Cathy B.
I was tickled, the waitstaff moved rapidly in mass all the time, but I still wanted for refilled glasses and additional orders. The place is simply gorgeous but damn what happened with the food. Chopped Chef or not, all my dishes were less than. You can not charge Atlanta prices on decor alone. My calamari was too sweet, too small, too overcooked. My soup was rich and thick but served with pedestrian saltine crackers. Please don't get me started on the crabcake sandwich, I am from DC, the world of the crabcake, so I will just recuse myself.
(2)Joe K.
We went there for our friends birthday last night. Here is my rundown: DECOR: Fantastic! On a nice Florida night when it is warm with a light breeze, sitting on that outside patio and enjoying a meal is very nice. It has a very upscale feel to it, beautiful tables and these two expansive chandeliers above the bar. We were all very impressed. MENU: Very good selection, you can tell they specialize in seafood, as that made up a majority of the menu. They had the usual prime steaks and veggie options. The menu had a very good selection. They prices were extremely high. $25 for the average entree, some going up to $40. Appetizers and Salads ranged from $10-$20. We were definitely hoping that the food would be worth the high price (Spoiler Alert: It Wasn't). SERVICE: Horrible. Maybe we got stuck with a bad waitress, but when you're charging those kind of prices, you better be damn sure your service is always on their A-game. She would routinely leave us and not show up for another 15 or 20 minutes. The Food Runners came out and gave us our food (They mixed up all the orders, but I did not think that is that big of deal), and we went a solid half hour after eating before our waitress showed up again. We ordered some wine ($15 a glass, yikes!) and it took her over 20 minutes to retrieve them. She did apologize to us and say the bar was backed up and their printer system was having trouble, but I'm sorry, I don't find that a legitimate excuse for charging me $15 for a glass of wine. She really should have comped them at that point. FOOD: Our food was great, don't get me wrong. But was it $25 a plate great? Not really. The presentation was fantastic, but the portions seemed almost like a joke. $25 for a meal the size of my fist? The Scallop Risotto was good, but I sure could have hoped for a lot more for that kind of money. The Filet Mignon was a real disappointment. The Birthday Boy ordered it medium-rare and that thing came out about as raw as the day they cut if off the cow! Bright, bright red. I Swear, this thing looked like sushi! Unfortunately, as stated above, our server didn't come back for quite some time after we got our food to check on us, so we all gave the Birthday boy a bit of our own meals so he wouldn't starve with his raw steak. By the way, that steak cost $38. That was an absolute insult. For $38, I expect that thing to be perfectly cooked. MANAGER: Since we had such a terrible night with the service, we asked the Manager to come over. His name was Lee, he was nice, but I don't know who on earth put him in charge. He appears not to know the first thing about running such an upscale restaurant. He apologized, making excuses that their printer system was done (for the drinks), and that the waitress was very busy tonight, blah blah. blah. He thank asked "What can I do to make it better?" ... Are you serious? I worked for 4 years in an upscale seafood restaurant (Way better than this place) and if the a customer had a problem with their entree because we screwed up that bad (Serving them a raw $38 steak) We told them no buts, ands, or ifs, they were not paying for it, because that wasn't right. We threw in a free dessert as well, and gave them a coupon for a free appetizer next time they came. This guy did nothing. He asked us, we shrugged it off like "I don't know what you can do" And then he apologized once more and walked away. Absolutely insulting to the restaurant industry in general. You Should always offer the customer a solution, not put the pressure on them to come up with one. Not happy at all. OVERALL: The food was decent, besides that very very undercooked steak. If the service has not been as horrible, this place probably would have gotten 4/5 stars. But even giving it 3/5 would be an injustice to the integrity of Yelp. If you feel like spending a ridiculous amount of money on an average meal and bad service, I would definitely recommend the Front Porch!
(2)Janet A.
Wow. I was looking forward to this meal from the menu and venue. Boy was I let down. The best thing about the place was the server and his recommendation of wine. The calimari appetizer was too salty although frying was light with good flavor. Dipping sauce too salty as well. The tuna came out with a totally different sauce. It was rice with tuna. I waited Farr too long for it as well. Also ordered hush puppies with meal. They were very bland. So disappointing. My Mom made great hush puppies. It's not hard. I sent the tuna back since it had something like cocktail sauce on it. I got the crab salad to go. I was charged $22 for a crab salad with greens and a bit of crab on it. The avocado dressing was very good but not worth $22. I was told the chef left and they were getting a new one. Well that didn't help the customer from out of town who will not go back on next stay. Cypress restaurant has them beat hands down.
(1)Alan L.
I went to The Front Porch last night (11/12) for dinner. All I can say is, if you're looking for overpriced food, with super small portions, this is the place for you. If not, move on. The valet service may be complimentary, but, you don't even have a choice to park in their lot on your own, park across the street. Best thing about this place? The hostesses have short, tight, black skirts and are attractive. That's all i got for this place. I seriously doubt they will make it in Mid-Town.
(1)Lee C.
This was our first experience with The Front Porch, and it will be our last. We were pleased upon arrival with the ambiance and decor, but that seems to be the only thing this restaurant has going for it. Our server was almost nonexistent and we had to keep flagging her down or relying on other passing servers for assistance. The calimari had almost no flavor and its only saving grace was the sauce that accompanied it. The Mahi Mahi was bland and the blackened seasoning had no seasoning. The pork chop had a decent flavor but was tough.
(1)Krys T.
Horrible. I went for my three year anniversary. If you are going to charge $18 for two very small crab cakes they better be amazing, which they weren't. I had the pork and clams, which I took one bite of and immediately regretted my decision. I told the waiter I did not like it and he asked me if I wanted a box then for the rest. He did not ask if I wanted something else or for it to be taken back. My date had the blackened grouper. It came with rice and was very bland. What a waste of money. So many less expensive restaurants in town with much better food. I will not be returning.
(1)Amanda L.
I don't usually write reviews but seeing how low people rate this place is just sad! So here goes nothing.... Coming from Miami it's hard to find more upscale restaurants in Tallahassee. I came on a Monday night to celebrate my birthday. The restaurant had a beach house vibe and a trendier atmosphere than most restaurants in Tally. We were seated immediately and began our night with a bottle of wine and the escargot. Although I had never had my escargot with chorizo it was delicious! For dinner I had the shrimp and sausage pasta and it was great, my mom had the scallop risotto which she seemed to enjoy and my boyfriend ordered the steak. Lets just say there wasn't much talking until we all finished, it was that good! I'm not sure if it was good because it was a Monday but I personally enjoyed something upscale, it really reminded me of Miami. It was on the pricier side if you're used to going to more hometown type places but if you're from a big city and are used to going to nice restaurants you won't think its too expensive.
(4)Bill B.
We really enjoyed our meal at The Front Porch. Would highly recommend the Caprese Tagliatelle pasta and the scallops & asparagus risotto. And if you have room try the ice creams for dessert. And the best part is it locally-owned.
(4)Terje D.
This is a cozy and comfortable, yet classy restaurant with a nice atmosphere. The menu is extensive -- possibly too extensive -- and covers the usual southern-meets-french-mediterranean style often found in expensive restaurants around the south. The service was fine and the appetizers not bad, but the main courses were not good. The "portuguese pork and clams" was extremely salty and the meat was tough and chewy, almost inedible. Other dishes, while nicely presented, were bland and uninspiring. Don't get the whole deep fried snapper. I hope they can work out their menu because Tallahassee needs a nice restaurant like this.
(3)Bethany T.
Front Porch is an amazing restaurant. The Midtown location is perfect, and the renovations they made in the months before its opening are just gorgeous. We met friends at the bar a few weeks ago for drinks and shared some plates off the appetizer menu. The bartender was knowledgeable and let us sample some of the wines before we made our selections. The food we ordered arrived quickly and was outstanding and beautifully presented. The ambiance was lively and inviting, with a mix of couples, young professionals, and birthday gatherings. Service was excellent. I can't wait to go there again and would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants to have great seafood in an upscale atmosphere.
(5)Christine C.
Went for lunch; the prices are expensive but the portions are very large. The food is a little salty, though the fries that came with the fish sandwich (can't remember the name, sorry!) were delightfully soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside. Service is a little poor, the waitress was sweet but didn't regularly come to pour more water and also gave us the bread basket a few seconds before the meal arrived. The decor is gorgeous, and the bar area outside looks fantastic. I would definitely want to come here for dinner and drinks one day.
(4)Alex V.
So far this was the best dining in Tallahassee. The staff is outstanding. The atmosphere is welcoming and food is simply superb! Ask for Nick and order red snapper. And your evening is guaranteed to be unforgettable.
(5)Cheryl H.
Food was fine....bar staff clueless about menu! Female bartender stood with her arms crossed most of the time we were there...had to ask for everything and we were three of maybe 15 people on the place. Other bar staff stood around talking, very poor service at the bar and a careless attitude! How hard is it to make a bar feel welcoming!
(3)Kim F.
Was just driving around town and this restaurant looked like it had character so I went in for lunch. My waiter was awesome. I was interested in the lobster roll, and asked him how much celery it had in it (I hate celery). He offered to bring me a sample, then came back and told me it was still frozen :( Unfortunately the food was a huge disappointment. He later brought me back a sample and it was chock-full of celery....tasted like it would have been pretty good without that. Had the shrimp and grits - he said it was popular. The thing about shrimp and grits is it is vastly different everywhere you go. This was probably the least favorite I've ever had. The shrimp (5) I believe had been previously frozen. The gouda grits, which I adore other places, had little flavor. And the bourbon sauce did nothing to help any of it. I ate most of it because it was costing me $21. Felt fairly ripped off.
(2)Emily C.
Great outdoor seating and outdoor bar. The brunch here is definitely worth checking out. I usually go for the steak and eggs but the lobster biscuits and gravy is sooo good. They also do some interesting cocktails that you should try if you are feeling adventurous. This place is a nice addition to the high quality eats in midtown.
(4)Kelly P.
tried the sunday brunch for the first and last time, if you like to be ignored......make sure you sit down on the lower deck! Sat for about 15 mins before even being acknowledged. After ordering......we had to go upto the bar to get our own silverware and plates for the bread basket.......waited another 45 mins for mediocre at best food. Second time trying to be happy with the service/ food and disappointed again! you might have a beautiful location, but this kind of service will be the downfall......those kind of prices should come with stellar service
(1)Peter O.
Went there for dinner last night while visiting family in Tally. Mediocre food and high prices. I ordered salmon and veggies. Salmon was hot and the veggies were cold....same with the crab cakes....barely warm. Very expensive wine by the glass! While waiting for our meal, the waiter came out to tell me that the kitchen had "run out of lemon and capers" for the sauce. Run out! How does a restaurant run out of basics? Later the waiter returned and said the chef agreed to make some more sauce. The kitchen didn't run out of ingredients, the chef just didn't want to make up another batch. I think that sums up the experience.
(2)Manny K.
Great atmosphere but unfortunately the overpriced food does not match. The appetizers were bland especially the calamari which were very small rings and dry. My main was a shrimp, sausage pasta which was average, could have been served warmer and the ingredients were not particularly flavorful. As a place for drinks with friends, I would highly recommend it, but not for dinner.
(2)Steve S.
Great decor. Okay wait staff. Seriously, seriously blah food.
(2)Debbie W.
We were a group of 13 and our reservation got mixed up. The staff immediately went into action to remedy the situation and could not have been nicer (or more apologetic)! The manager, Lee, stepped to the forefront and offered us a private room that would available within 10-15 minutes. We were thrilled, and had no problem waiting. Lee escorted our group into the bar, bought us all a drink while we waited. Once seated (only after about 10 minutes), we had wonderful, friendly service and the food was delicious. I give the manager and his staff huge thumbs up for service, and look forward to returning the the Front Porch any time I am back in Tallahassee.
(5)Dennis H.
Excellent wine selection. Service was great our waiter suggested we tried the Escargo which was delicious. I love the complementary vallet parking offered by them. I strongly reccomend this place.
(5)