Leah K.
Yelp
Beautiful setting, disappointing experience. I won't be back.
I've been visiting St. Augustine for the past eight years--my now-husband grew up here, and it's been a joy to watch this historic town grow with exciting, elevated dining options. Unfortunately, Asado Life is not one of them.
Tucked away from the bustle of downtown, the restaurant has a gorgeous, modern vibe with serene views of the San Sebastián River. The ambiance is easily 5 stars--open, stylish, peaceful. Sadly, everything else fell flat.
The real issue? The kitchen doesn't prepare anything fresh during service.
When I mentioned my lactose intolerance (something I've dealt with my whole life), I was shocked by the lack of flexibility. I've dined at restaurants around the world, and even upscale ones with tasting menus have found ways to adjust. Not here. I was told the dishes are all assembled between 2-4pm, and nothing could be modified--not even the vegetable side (green beans, carrots, & potatoes). No swaps, no olive oil finish, not even a "crema on the side" for ceviche. The rigidity was baffling and felt lazy rather than intentional.
Appetizers we tried:
* Beef Tips - Cooked in miso butter. Group enjoyed the flavor, but they were served in an overwhelming puddle of butter emulsion that everyone ended up pushing aside/leaving
* Ceviche - Easily one of the worst my husband has had. Not fresh, not cold, and drowned in crema with no option to modify.
* House Salad - The only real highlight. Generous portion, fresh, and the Dijon vinaigrette is light and lovely. Honestly, one of the best things we had all night--and just $10.
Mains:
Because they couldn't modify any entrée except the steaks, I was basically forced into ordering a plain filet with another house salad as the only "dairy-free" meal option. No veggies, no starch, nothing else. For $60.
* Filet (mine) - Cooked medium as requested, nice char. Chimichurri was solid, but the steak needed it--which speaks volumes about the quality.
* 16 oz NY Strip (husband) - Opted for the Duck Fat Garlic Confit "steak enhancement" sauce, didn't like it, and scraped it off. He found the steak underwhelming overall.
* Filet (father-in-law) - He was satisfied with his, & his finance did enjoy the garlic confit
* Branzino Special - Served with polenta and well-executed; this was the only main that felt close to being worth the price
Service was subpar. Dirty dishes from our appetizers stayed on the table well into our mains, even after servers returned. Our prosecco toasts sat empty while we celebrated my father-in-law's birthday/Father's Day belatedly. No urgency, no attentiveness. I did appreciate the server kindly taking our photos on the river front after dinner, after all it wasn't busy as she remarked...
Worst of all? Clearly the kitchen still used dairy in my steak, chimichurri sauce, or salad as I had GI side effects all evening.
Bottom line: I'd consider returning only for a glass of wine and that house salad--but frankly, I'd rather spend my money supporting a business that values both food quality and customer experience. For a place with such promise, Asado Life sadly misses the mark on both.