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The Restorative

4.6 (182 reviews)
PriceyNew American
Closed • Closed

The Restorative Photos

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THE RESTORATIVE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Quiet
Casual
Intimate
Classy

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Recommended Reviews - The Restorative

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Reviews With Photos

Chocolate ganache
Nella Q.

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

Fabulous mozzarella crème brûlée
Beth B.

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

The master and his assistant at work!
Kevin M.

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

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

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

Dessert
Suzy Q.

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

Tasha M.

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

Mal L.

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

Glorious
E. C.

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

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

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7 years ago

Incredible. Great atmosphere. Great service. It's a quaint location. Not too loud... romantic setting. We will be back.

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Cricket P.

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7 years ago

A must try any time your near Dunedin Florida. Definitely one of the top 3 restaurants in the Tampa Bay area!

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8 years ago

EXCELLENT blend of flavors, beautiful presentation...I LOVED everything on the menu. Quiet, elegant atmosphere! Will be back

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8 years ago

Best meal I've ever had in the area. Cute place with great small dishes for sharing and desert to die for

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6 years ago

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Page 5 of 5

Ask the Community - The Restorative

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

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

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Perfect Birthday Night at The Black Pearl…read more My husband took me to The Black Pearl for my birthday, and it was absolutely perfect from start to finish. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere felt special--elegant but comfortable, the kind of place that makes you feel like you're celebrating something important (because we were!). The service was outstanding--attentive without being overbearing--and the staff truly made the evening feel memorable. Our meals were phenomenal, beautifully prepared, and worth every bite. It was one of those dinners where you're already planning what you want to order next time before you've even finished your plate. Between the incredible food, wonderful service, and getting to spend the evening with my favorite person, it was exactly how I wanted to celebrate my birthday. The Black Pearl helped turn a special night into a truly unforgettable one. Highly recommend for celebrations, date nights, or anytime you want an exceptional dining experience. We'll definitely be back!

Absolutely spectacular from start to finish. Quaint meets sophistication. Excellent performance…read moreby the chef down to the wait staff. Made our 35th wedding anniversary celebration an evening to remember. The food was impeccable and there wasn't a crumb left to be found. Delightful and delicious to the last bite with the wine pairings pushing it over the top. Did not disappoint!!!

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Parlor House Bistro - Chateau and Shrimp

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4.4(218 reviews)
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We actually dined here for our anniversary, December 30th. I wanted to write a glowing review then…read morebut I sadly can't remember my servers name. He was FABULOUS! I'm so sorry, wish I knew his name. He was the only male server there at the time so hopefully he gets credit. We made a reservation for dinner & walked in about 6:30pm. We waited only a minute maybe at the podium. It's in a strip mall which is odd for such an upscale place but it was kind of business casual not formal. We were seated in a comfy booth by our server. There was even a card sitting on the table, signed by the staff for our anniversary. Very sweet. This was our first time here so he showed us various specials on the menu. They had NYE specials since it was the 30th so we ordered from that. The drink menu is very small but I'm confident the bartender could have made me anything I asked for. We did not order bread, it's not included but we also did not want to fill up on it. I was dying to try the onion soup & was actually glad he recommended the mini size. It allowed us to try the soup but not fill up on it. I would totally return just for this soup! It wasn't long before our dinners were ready. Once it was in front of me I was honestly shocked at the raw beef but, it was truly seared & sliced to give it that presentation. I normally will not touch rare beef but this was actually delicious! The food was so good & fresh. The drinks were strong, not watered down at all. I actually had to get a Togo box for half my meal but it was a great lunch the next day. We did take home desserts as well which were also perfect. Our dinner was $200 which is quite steep but it was our anniversary & we truly enjoyed it. We will definitely return. I wish they did carry out for the soup. I think I'd order it every week if they did.. Overall I have zero complaints. The ambiance is not overly stiff either. They've made it so it's a mix of casual & elegance combined. If you'd like to dress up, go for it! Thank you, Parlor House for an amazing anniversary dinner.

We returned to parlor house for Valentine's Day last night. The food was absolutely unreal- as we…read moreremembered- but the ambiance has totally flipped! When we were here last (as you can see in the attached photos) there were dark curtains blocking out the very casual plaza, white table cloths, dimmer lighting, and a stage at the front for live jazz music. It really felt transformative and intimate. This time when we walked in we were greeted by a beta fish tank which was incredibly odd lol, all of the curtains were wide open, no live music, wooden tables, confusing decor, it was super bright and so, sooo so loud. Tables were crammed together and you could tell the kitchen and bar were struggling with volume. I wouldn't mention this at all if the entrees weren't 50$. For the very pricy food and cocktails you expect an elevated interior- and the vibe felt really confusing. It's a shame because the food is exceptional- something to keep in mind if you're looking for a romantic date night. Excellent food romantic vibes Still worth trying if you're in the area- just adjust expectations. Dress code online business casual but folks were mostly in shorts and t-shirts.

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Cafe Alfresco - Fresh dinner roll

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We've tried this place a couple of times now and had overall good experiences…read more The service is good, the servers are friendly and the bar has a nice draft selection. The chicken Marsala needs improvement, the sauce didn't have great flavor and the chicken was not seasoned well. Using large (maybe portobello?) mushrooms provides a weird texture to the dish. On the other hand, when you cut into the Pork Chop, the heavens may part and angels sing. This chop is magnificent!!! We ordered on Wednesday night which offers a special Italian preparation with a tomato reduction sauce. The pork itself is so tender you can cut it with a fork. It melts in your mouth. GO for the pork chop! It's marvelous.

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

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Great Irish bar, good food, friendly service, small dining space! The menu has lots of…read moreIrish-inspired options and Smithwick's and Guinness is on tap. Fish and chips were tasty, and you can't go wrong with a Reuben or a Rachel! Dunedin is a busy place on the weekends and the bar was packed- tables are in the bar area and other patrons were not mindful of the people there to dine for an early Saturday dinner. If you are there to have a meal and chat, you might be hard pressed. However, if you're there for a nice pint and pub grub with friends or hanging with fellow fans after a baseball game, this is the perfect spot!

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

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The Restorative - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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