Cafe Cortesse - Saint Augustine

Seems like there has been alot of problems recently with one of my fav hangouts in st augie! Owner argued with me on how my filet should be cooked. Just seems alot of locals have been very unhappy with the food and the owner recently! Avoid until he sells the place!

Have attended this restaurant 2-3x per year for the past 8 years and always love it. Great atmosphere, food and service. However, went last night (party of 8) and had a forgetful experience. We were seated at 7:15 and didn't START getting any of the meals until 8:35 with the other 3 finally arriving by 8:50. Oh, and the place was the emptiest I have ever seen it. 2 meals (steak Diane and Minorcan Stew (called something else now) were very good, however, all the others were horrible in taste and/or horribly wrong i.e. (Macadamia encrust talapia, but no nuts and bake instead of mashed potatoes) two others had numerous items or ingredients missing. Apparently new ownership took over in July. The waitress tried her best but apologizing repeatedly doesn't make up for the totality of the incompetence of the kitchen. The two adjoining tables had similar complaints throughout the night. Oh, and no mgr would come out, cause we were told they don't have one. Just the owner and he wouldn't since he was in the kitchen. My favorite restaurant in St Aug for nearly a decade, now have to find another.

There is no provision for smokers if it rains. There is a new policy of no smoking in the bar that has not been advertised. If it rains and you want an after dinner smoke, you will get soaked with no apologies!

Cafe Cortesse' Bistro and the Flamingo Room were extremely well needed and desired by the locals and tourists alike, as I lived in St. Augustine for 10 years. Whether you are out on the town with your friends and want to have cocktails and dance all night in the Flamingo Room to the band of the night (always great live music of different styles) or dine in the garden under lit up oak trees or inside the charming and intimate setting of the Bistro, you have made a wise choice! I live in Jacksonville now but drive down frequently to hang out at my favorite spot. Michael Smyth is the charming gentleman who owns the Bistro and is on-site to make sure all things are tip-top. Great wine, martinis and elegant food served up with style that you can relax in, let's face it, it is St. Augustine. All major credit cards accepted, uptight is not!