Hidden on a tiny road that runs amongst condos and nothing else, Tidehouse at first would seem like…read morean afterthought for the condo association. But, don't let that first impression fool you.
THE AMBIANCE:
Once you climb the stairs (yes they have an outdoor elevator), you'll enter a wide expanse of the St Lucie River with hundreds of boats at dock. The view is simply stunning. You can choose to sit inside (why you'd make this choice is beyond me), or if you like music, choose the active fun loving crowd on the patio bar or dine dockside where you'll have an expansive view of the river. We chose the latter. Either way, this is an experience dining unlike any other in the Stuart area.
THE SERVICE:
We were served by Anna. With a smile and a an enthusiasm that showed she loved her job, she explained a bit of the history of the restaurant and gave a thorough overview of the offerings. Anna was a servers server who knew when to stop by without being intrusive, when to fill our glasses and when to be there when we needed her. I'm not sure if all the serving staff are as good as Anna but, If you're lucky enough to get one of her tables count your blessings. Even the buss boys served with a smile and efficiency that you don't often see. On one occasion one of our party spilled catchup and asked for an additional napkin. The buss boy didn't go and tell the server (which is the norm) but instead "immediately" returned with a napkin and cleaned the spill himself. In today's "I hate my job" world, it was so nice to experience a time when staff served with a smile that conveyed "I love my job"!
THE FOOD:
For our appetiser, we chose to share a bowl of their Maryland Crab Soup. The menu states "Tomato broth, vegetables, crab meat". Doesn't sound like much, right? But, don't let that simple description fool you, this slightly spicy soup was a delicious meal in itself. I highly recommend you share a bowl if you intend to leave room for an entree.
For our entrees, my lovely bride chose to start with the Tide Chopped Salad which features fresh greens, tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, radish, and avocado, graced with an outstanding sherry vinaigrette. From there she chose the Steak and Shrimp combo which featured a 10oz NY Strip & 3 jumbo fried shrimp. She added the garlic mashed potatoes. Her mashed potatoes were scrumptious and her jumbo shrimp combined a crispy breadcrumb topping complimenting the juicy shrimp within. Tough and a bit grizzly, unfortunately, the steak was the outlier to the rest of the dish.
I chose the Steak & Cake combo with coconut rice and macaroni and cheese sides. Because they're usually bread cakes with a few pieces of crab hidden throughout, I'm not usually a crab cake lover but, Anna Banana (her suggestion of a name) convinced me that, because the new owner came from Maryland and brought with him his family crab cake recipe, I needed to "experience" the best crab cake I'll ever have, and so, I took the plunge.
Sadly, my steak was just as poor a cut of beef as my wife's but those crab cakes... oh those crab cakes were everything Anna Banana said, and than some! I've never had a crab cake that came close! The crab cakes come with a mustard base dipping sauce but, believe me, you'll not want to mar the perfection by dipping. My sides were also great. The coconut rice was not overpowering with just a hint of coconut as an aftertaste and my macaroni & cheese (which I don't usually order unless I have kids with me) was creamy and cheesy.
For dessert, we decided to try the Key Lime pie. Not sure about the rest of the desserts but the Key Lime pie was a definite winner with just the right tartness resting on a tasty graham cracker crust (as a true Key Lime pie should have) and a wonderfully creamy texture.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
As with all my reviews the "customer so what" is would I come back? Even though I'd stay away from the steaks, you bet I'd come back! I would ask for the deck dining room, be seated in Anna "Bananas" serving area and make sure I included those out of this world crab cakes in my meal!
