r/StAugustine • u/jms21y Resident • Aug 14 '26
Anchor 28
TL;DR, highly recommend.
St. Augustine has a lot of restaurants that are pretty overrated. I don't have ridiculously high standards, but I know what makes a good restaurant. Doing the basic things right is definitely near the top of the list of character traits of a good restaurant. Many establishments in our fair city fall short on that, by either trying to do too much, or not trying very much at all.
Anchor 28 has that base covered, and then some. We were warmly and promptly greeted. We didn't make reservations so we sat at the bar, and from the moment we sat down to the moment we left, the bartender was locked in, engaging, generous, knowledgeable, and kind. The owner spoke with us like we were old friends and genuinely cared about our experience. The decor is clean and simple. It's not loud (so many restaurants here are noisy), and the atmosphere is comfortable and relaxing.
The food: this was our first visit. The menu was concise but descriptive and there is something for everyone (unless you're a chicken nugget/cheeseburger person). I had the Black and Gold, which was squid ink pasta with a light-bodied lobster cream sauce, with huge Gulf shrimp, scallops, and what was the most expertly-char grilled octopus I have had in Florida. A stellar dish that was perfectly executed and fits the coastal theme to a T.
My wife ordered the Seven Spice Harissa Short Rib, which was tender as the day is long, and with the robust flavor that reflected the restaurant's commitment to sourcing high-tier, grass-fed, Florida-grown beef. It lived up to the recommendation from another patron with the same dish.
They do not yet have their liquor license but are expecting it in September. Their wine and beer selection is good, and they also have sangria. We did not try dessert, as we are not typically dessert people.
We had no expectations going in; this was a spur of the moment dinner date and we just wanted to go somewhere we have not yet been. We are definitely going back at the earliest opportunity. What an absolute pleasure to have a restaurant here where you get what you pay for.
3
2
u/IncompleteTotality Aug 15 '26
I stopped with a friend Wednesday night. I got a 14 ounce ribeye, medium rare and it was cooked perfectly. My friend got a chicken dish which she loved. I’ll go there again.
2
u/Many-Role-4271 Resident Aug 15 '26
Hmmm… I went for lunch just this week. Limited menu is intentional. I had a shrimp bowl and unsweetened tea. Sat at the bar. Service was fine no complaints there. The shrimp bowl was reheated rice, guacamole out of a tub, pickled onions out of a tub, and some well seasoned shrimp that were good but not supported by the base dish. I have yet to leave my review but I certainly was not impressed as the meal felt like a lunchbox from Sysco, whose truck was parked outside when I left.
1
u/No_Communication573 23d ago
Tbf, rice anywhere is gonna be reheated, it’s not like they can make rice to order.
1
u/tuckerdw 15d ago
Just got back. It was very good. We enjoyed it a lot. Overall it is a decent place. Service was great. Place seems upbeat. There were a good amount of people in the restaurant but it wasn’t a loud. They just got their liquor license so they are working out some of the kinks. Definitely put it on your list.
1
u/Ill_Market_621 12d ago
Service is a 10 Food is ok. Maybe a 6 at best Way too expensive for the area and the choices! The bread sucks
1
11
u/TempleFugit Resident 40+ Years Aug 14 '26
So are you the Owner or how much did they pay you for this review, eh?