Situated inside the charming Riverside Hotel in the heart of Las Olas, Wild Sea Oyster Bar & Grille has been an area hotspot serving up decadent seafood to locals and visitors alike. To beat the heat of summer, the progressive American restaurant is updating their food and drink menus while keeping true to its coastal fish-house sensibility. With tasty new dishes sure to reel in guests, the menu executed by Executive Chef Toby Joseph features a number of items reflecting some of the season’s freshest fare.

In Toby Joseph’s kitchen, the world is his supermarket. He searches worldwide for the best of everything available, and then creates his menu. These details can be drilled down to not just when and what kind of scallop is harvested, but how it was treated when it was first brought up. To Joseph, what is most important is not the cost of the ingredient, but rather the quality – which is never compromised. Exuberant in sharing his passion for food with guests, he is often found in the dining room, chatting with them about their dinner and the provenance of his ingredients, which he knows down to the smallest sprig of thyme.

Some people live to eat, some eat to live, but Toby Joseph lives to cook. “Every time I step into the kitchen, it’s a chance to challenge my own creativity and my guests,” says Joseph. “I encourage them to open their minds and stretch their imaginations; not only as it relates to taste, but also presentation. With every dish, I’m looking to push the envelope and take the hesitation out of one’s culinary past, break down their comfort zone to familiar cuisines, touch their senses and stir their emotions.”

All images appearing in this post photographed by Holli Lapes, property of TheSoFlaSage.com

Chef’s Inspired Amuse of Diver Scallop with Curry Sauce

In addition to the food and its great location overlooking the Las Olas strip, Wild Sea is known for its creative beverage program spearheaded by Riverside Hotel’s Beverage Manager Mathieu Pinsard. Home to a wall-to-wall wine cellar that carries more than 200 labels, the restaurant imports wines exclusive to Wild Sea directly from vineyards in France. Heading into summer, Wild Sea’s wines, offered both by the glass and by the bottle, will factor in the flavors of the season, focusing on rose wines, pinot noirs and sparkling. Labels include Les Voiles Rose, Michel Gassier Nostre Pais and Laurent Perrier Brut Ultra, all fine options specially curated to pair beautifully with Wild Sea’s fresh seafood.

Grilled Octopus with Garlic Aioli/Blueberry Coulis/Slab Bacon

Sage Says: Blueberry with octopus!? What an interesting combination! The slab bacon was cooked to perfection. The octopus was tender on the inside, could have used just a tad more char on the exterior.

Heirloom Carrot Salad – Roasted Heirloom Carrots/Roasted Radishes, Honey Caramelized Oranges/Pistachios, Goat Cheese Dressing

Sage Says: A beautiful dish! Although not accustomed to goat cheese in a fluid form, we loved the consistency of the goat cheese dressing. Plus, it pairs really nicely with the root vegetables.

(L) Cajun Shrimp with Creamy Gruyere Polenta
(R) Atlantic Monkfish Loin  with Stone – Ground Organic Grits/Smoked Gouda
Sweet Corn Succotash/Shaved Jalapeños

Sage Says:  Hard to say which was more awesome – the gruyere polenta or the gouda grits! Great execution on the shrimp, monk fish was a bit dense although it is indeed a meaty fish!

“Oyster” Dessert

Sage Says: WOW! Unique doesn’t even cover it. What an impressive finale put fourth by the pastry chef. The shell is actually a cookie! Plus, don’t miss the weekly flavor of the “chocolate sphere” dessert.

Wild Sea Oyster Bar & Grille is located at 620 East Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, inside the Riverside Hotel. Lunch served daily 11AM – 3PM; and the full dinner menu is served from 5PM – 10PM, Sunday – Thursday and 5PM – 11PM on Friday and Saturday. Telephone: (954) 467-2555; www.wildsealasolas.com.

Wild Sea on social media:

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildsealasolas/
Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildsealasolas
Tweet on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WildSeaLasOlas

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All images appearing in this post photographed by Holli Lapes, property of TheSoFlaSage.com