Off Bay Street Bistro - Florence

The atmosphere at this restaurant is fantastic, and the food is both delicious and amazing.

For a long time, La Pomodori Ristorante and Waterfront Depot have been the top dining options in Florence since Maple St. Grille closed. I recently dined at Off Bay St. Bistro for the first time while traveling for work and it was a delightful experience. I ordered the Chicken Francese and it was absolutely delicious. The chicken was tender and flavorful, with hints of wine, lemon, and capers. The pasta was cooked perfectly and the vegetable of the day was light and tasty. The balance of flavors was spot on, with neither too heavy nor too light. It's clear that the chef at this restaurant has real talent, giving tough competition to other popular spots like The Hukilau. I have a passion for food and I can confidently say that this small community offers some of the best dining on the west coast, even compared to big cities. Cheers to the team at Off Bay St. Bistro for a job well done.

Thankfully, we were able to immediately find a spot outside since the inside was fully booked. The food was delicious and the staff was very friendly and accommodating.

We arrived just 10 minutes before closing time, but were seated promptly and our drink and food orders were taken quickly. The menu is small, but we were pleasantly surprised. We started with the clam chowder, which was delicious with plenty of clam pieces. Even the kids enjoyed it. For our main course, we had the halibut fish and chips with homemade tartar sauce that had a tangy mustard dill flavor. It was a unique twist on a classic sauce and tasted amazing. The kids had the mac and cheese, which they loved as always. The meal came with fries, which was a hit with the kids. The restaurant has limited hours due to staffing, but if they are open, it is definitely worth a visit. We would definitely return in the future.

The service at this restaurant was excellent and it is evident that they genuinely care about providing a positive dining experience. The menu reflects a sense of pride in their offerings, which I appreciate. They offer gluten-free and vegan options for their pizzas, which is thoughtful. However, I wish the same level of pride extended to the quality of ingredients used. For my pizza, I chose sausage, mushrooms, spinach, mama Lil's peppers, and mozzarella cheese. While the pizza was delivered hot and the red sauce was tasty, the mushrooms seemed to be canned, the sausage appeared to be frozen, and there was an excessive amount of cheese which made the crust soggy. Many diners around me were enjoying pasta dishes, which I would consider trying on a return visit.