Update: A Completely Different, Wonderful Experience!!!
We wanted to share an update after returning to Elliot Aster. We gave it another try, and the experience this time was night and day from our first visit.
From the moment we arrived by Uber to the moment we left, everything felt wonderful, inviting, and welcoming. The team seemed genuinely happy we were there, not in an over the top way, but in a way that felt authentic. The gentleman who seated us, only on his third shift, was funny, kind, and immediately set a warm tone. Our server was attentive without being overbearing, and the entire experience felt exactly like what a restaurant of this caliber should deliver.
Drinks arrived promptly, the food was paced so we never felt rushed, and the food itself was excellent. Our server even checked in on the filet after a few bites to make sure it was cooked exactly how I liked it. The dining room had a lovely, balanced buzz, lively but not chaotic, with the attention to detail we had originally hoped for.
Honestly, it felt like a different restaurant. We are not sure what accounted for the difference between our two visits, maybe an unusually busy night, or simply an off night. Either way, we are genuinely glad we gave it another chance. We will be back, and look forward to trying brunch, a full dinner for a future special occasion, and a dressed up night in the lounge and back bar.
What was missing the first time was that calm, confident energy, the kind where everyone clearly knows their role, wants to be there, and genuinely appreciates the guests. This visit had it in full.
A Disappointing Anniversary Dinner at Elliot Aster, Not the Michelin Level Experience We Expected
We visited Elliot Aster at The Vinoy last night to celebrate our anniversary, and while a few thoughtful touches stood out, the overall experience fell well short of what a restaurant with Michelin aspirations, and a $300 price tag, should deliver. I want to preface this by saying we are easygoing, forgiving people who rarely complain, so it takes a lot for us to leave a review like this. I was especially excited going in after reading the chef's bio, which references Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons. I dined there in the late 90s, and it remains one of the best meals of my life, right up there with dinner at Alain Ducasse in NYC. That pedigree set my expectations high, though not unrealistic ones. Unfortunately, the execution at Elliot Aster did not come close to living up to that lineage. The good: The team acknowledged our anniversary with a card at the table and a glass of champagne with dessert. The filet was cooked perfectly, the gnocchi was well done, and dessert was excellent. The not so good: Nearly everything else. Getting to the restaurant was confusing. There was no valet greeting, no doorman, and no signage in the lobby, so we had to ask the front desk for directions. Once seated, service was disorganized from start to finish. We ordered cocktails while waiting for our table, and they took 45 minutes to arrive, after multiple follow ups and having to close out a bar tab before the drinks even showed up. My martini arrived nothing like the version advertised (one plain olive instead of the three blue cheese stuffed olives pictured on their own Instagram). Later, at the bar, a port and a beer sat forgotten for 20+ minutes before our server realized he had never brought them over. Our entrees also arrived before we had finished our cocktails, which felt rushed rather than paced for fine dining. The octopus starter was well seared but the flavors felt scattered, and the truffle sauce on my filet had almost no truffle flavor, especially disappointing given the chef's pedigree. One small but telling detail: the decorative olive trees hanging over our table were visibly dusty, which was distracting throughout dinner. No server mentioned a signature dish, made a recommendation, or referenced a sommelier. We never saw one on the floor. I also want to mention the dress code, or lack thereof. We understand we are in Florida, and laid back makes sense here, but asking guests not to wear shorts or t-shirts does not seem unreasonable for a restaurant at this level. Gym clothes, which we saw on more than one guest, is simply not acceptable at this tier of dining. Having worked in the restaurant industry myself, I understand things go wrong, but this was a long list of avoidable missteps, not one off bad luck. Given the chef's background and the promise it suggested, this was a real letdown. The bar itself is gorgeous, and we had genuinely hoped this would become a regular spot for us, especially given the lounge menu. We were hoping for something reminiscent of La Belle Vie in Minneapolis, a place that held a special spot in our hearts. Unfortunately, based on this visit, we could not recommend Elliot Aster or The Vinoy. read more