The Restorative

An absolutely unique + amazing experience from start to finish. Chef Jason and Chef Tom are crafting something truly special at The Restorative. The way the tastes melt so incredibly well together is something I’ve never experienced before—every bite was a revelation. The menu is unique, intentional, and quite frankly, destined for greatness. Dunedin is lucky to have this level of talent. Don’t miss out on this place!

Hidden gem! I was not expecting a legitimate gourmet dinner given the inconspicuous location. Every course of our meal was well conceived and executed. We ordered both entrees and both desserts and did not regret it. Highlights were the gnocchi and the strawberry “shortcake” dessert. Those were so good that my wife happily ate my share when offered and wanted to get a second order! Given the rotating menu, you may not see what we had but it’s definitely worth a visit given the quality and creativity of the dishes. Next time we may sit at the counter given the friendly staff and open kitchen. We have added this place to our short list of favorites.

The Restorative in Dunedin offers an exceptional and truly restorative dining experience. The menu is a constantly evolving testament to their culinary creativity, with each dish a meticulously crafted work of art. I am always impressed by the innovative flavors and the thoughtful presentation. The intimate atmosphere and attentive service from Tom, Adam, and Carrie make for a memorable evening. This is a must-visit for anyone seeking a high-quality, inventive meal in Dunedin.

The location and ambiance is not why you come here. The space itself is minimalist, intimate and clean. It's clear that what is most important is quality of food. The service was fantastic, as we were made comfortable and well cared for during the entire experience. Unpretentious yet refined presentation of dishes leads to a medley of flavors that resonate with you the rest of the evening. We cannot wait to go back.

My family has been going to the Restorative for years and we’ve always considered it one of the best restaurants in Clearwater/Dunedin if not the best. But the last couple times have been so good that that I felt compelled to write a five star review on the food. Last night our family of four had dinner there and ordered every item on the menu and every item was so good. The savory crème brûlée with crab salad was just out of this world good. The tuna tartare left me wanting much more. The Icelandic cod was perfectly cooked and topped with delectable shimeji mushrooms. The desserts were fabulous including the best home made mint ice cream. If you haven’t been for a while, highly recommend trying The Restorative again newly.

Just 2 of us and we basically ordered the whole menu and we loved it!! Wow were we surprised with everything. We will definitely be back with friends

Definitely a place where dining is an actual experience. We ordered several starters, all were unique with a combination of bold and sweet flavors. The service was exceptional and the restaurant had a quaint flair, absolutely a 5 star establishment to dine at. Pictured was my favorite dish, it was divine.

Another amazing dinner. Since they have a new menu weekly, every time we go it’s a new experience, but as always, everything was great. The chef does an amazing job combining so many different flavors that you don’t expect to work, but they just do. The pasta dishes are a great new addition that they started doing. Also, I see some people don’t like that the cooking prep space is open to the dining area, but that’s really part of the atmosphere. The bar seating puts you right next to the chef and you can talk to the staff and see things being prepped. It’s part of the vibe. Also, I love that the location is a very unassuming shopping plaza, makes it feel more unassuming and under the radar.

I've come here twice. It's located in a not-so-great strip mall. It has a very small menu and I feel like everything is pre-cooked or maybe par-cooked and they just finish it at the restaurant (no big kitchen). When I sat at the bar I saw them pulling the food out of plastic containers in the fridge and warming it back up. The portions are small and the prices high, so come knowing that. That said, the food has always tasted good. The service was okay. My biggest issue, I tried to come eat here with my pre-teen kids once after a sports game they played and was asked multiple times if I was sure this was the place I wanted to come. Did they think I can't afford it? Did they not want my kids in the restaurant? And on that note, the food is not kid-friendly really.

The menu is EXTREMELY limited and despite that service is super slow. Items were hit n miss, some like the Cod were flavorful and on point, while the Burrata salad was decidedly lacking flavor. 20% gratuity was included, which I detest because it Doesn't incentivize great service. I understand what they're going for, unfortunately it largely misses the mark. They only serve beer and wine Pros: unique creations, foodie in some aspects Cons: tragic when it comes to variety, atmosphere, value and expediency.

What a special little spot. The limited menu offered something for the adventurous and not so adventurous folks at our table. The place and the food were full of love. We enjoyed the naan with chicken liver parfait and what could only be described as a chicken and truffle pot pie to start. While it's not what the dish was called, we all agreed it was like the best pot pie you'd ever have. The duck was perfectly prepared and was served with a roasted parsnip puree that added the sweetness often paired with duck, without being the usual fruit reduction. Dessert was served at the bar which gave us a great view of the kitchen and a chance to chat with chef and owner Jason. His wife Erin made the goat cheesecake which was a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tart. We'll definitely be back to try more of the ever-changing menu.

Sweet little hidden gem in an unassuming strip lot Plaza. It is very small regarding the parking lot and it's shared with multiple businesses so parking is a little bit difficult, you may have to park across the street. Once you're in, the mood transforms into a quaint and romantic setting. We were greeted by one of the owners, and luckily it wasn't busy, so he was very attentive. We had three starters in the main meal as well as a dessert. I can't remember the name of the food in the menu changes frequently but I will post pictures to show how delicious it appears. The flavors with very eclectic ingredients. I'll mix really well and you can tell there's a lot of skill in work that going to making these dishes. Everything is fresh, cooked right in front of you. The price point isn't bad considering the quality of the food, the starters are decent size, the entrées also a pretty good size. It's a relatively small menu prob bc they are working with key ingredients so it's understandable. Make a reservation to ensure you get a spot.

Very unique restaurant for fine dining and a highly creative menu. Located in an unremarkable plaza outside of Dunedin, this spot is a very surprising hidden gem with high quality food and an adventurous and unexpected menu that changes frequently. The dining room is cozy, casual and not overly fancy, overlooking the open kitchen. Server was kind and helpfully explained the unusual and intriguing menu. Definitely a special place and one of my favorite spots in the area for a night of adventurous fine dining.

This was our first time enjoying The Restorative. We had read about it in the Tampa Bay Times as a restaurant food critic wondered why she had waited so long to return to the restaurant. We had a very efficient server named Rachel. She is very kind and seems genuinely happy to serveguests. As a starter, we loved the mozzarella crème brûlée with its crispy basil and unctuous heirloom tomatoes. My husband marveled at the presentation of the pork chop. It was sliced off the bone just perfectly with an accompaniment of creamed corn with a delicious Chicharron and roasted garlic blend. I had heard how amazing their house made naan bread is. Sous chef Tom prides himself on this specific food talent. It did not disappoint. So light and flavorful yet allowing the homemade hummus (made out of white beans and not chickpeas Rachel informed us) to shine. The wonderful blend of the beans, tahini, and pinenuts made for the perfect light meal I was looking for. No room for dessert, though both options sound amazing.

One of the top five at LEAST, the service, the food, the atmosphere! DO NOT miss out on this place, you won't regret it! Nice for special occasions, but it's casual! So you don't have to feel like you need dress pants and a jacket!

The Restorative in Dunedin delivers Michelin-star quality dining with an unmatched level of creativity and precision. The chef's passion is evident in every dish, down to the smallest detail, and together with his sous chef, they create an unforgettable experience. Pro tip: sit at the bar and watch them in action. With a menu that changes monthly, each visit offers something entirely new--yet every plate is executed to perfection. The flavors are bold, the presentations are stunning, and the craftsmanship is undeniable. This isn't just a great restaurant--it's a destination. Absolutely worth a detour.

We are late to the party on the gem. Friendly, beautiful presentation, very fresh, interesting choices (albeit limited) and wonderful service. Our only note: on the entrees, we both would have loved some potato, rice, something substantial. We did order the naan with tuna tartare. Delicious! Our entrees were meat and veg and fish and veg. Again, fresh and delicious. But we were still both hungry and it's unusual not to have some starch (would have been happy to pay for a side of something). All that said, I can't recommend it more highly. The woman who helped us was probably the most delightful person we've interacted with in a restaurant in a long time. This is for foodies, those looking for a restaurant to be able to hear your dining companions, a date night (but it's not fancy), anyone who wants to discover a new Tampa area restaurant that is unique with fresh and innovative dishes.

This was our second visit and it didn't disappoint. The menu is pretty small but it is still a tough decision as everything looks delicious and unusual. I love going to a restaurant where I have to look up the ingredients. We started with the naan and whipped ricotta - delicious and not too heavy. We then shared the hamachi and the gnocchi. Both were really good but the gnocchi was to die for. Then we split the duck which was excellent - cooked perfect. We were pretty full but couldn't resist the dessert of pistachio cake, namelaka and orange ice cream. Crazy ingredients but it worked! Service is wonderful and the ambience is just what we like - very nice but casual and friendly.

Tasty food, decent prices, great service. Menu constantly changes, that's impressive. The ambiance is simple and dim. My only complaint is limited parking, and they close early-ish (9 pm) I would go back!

Outstanding! Innovative cooking , creative palate. I loved every bite! I was fortunate to be able to walk in early and get a seat at the bar, but reservations are a must for a table. I can't wait to go back

From pre Covid to "The Temporary" during Covid to now, The Restorative continues to be an absolute delight. This is fine dining right here in Dunedin. Every detail is perfection, every dish thoroughly thought out and even when you may think it's an interesting combination - it works. You can really tell this team has passion and loves what they do. I personally love to sit at the bar and get an insider view to what goes on behind every dish. In addition to random fun nights out, I've now attended three tasting menu dinners and these are such a wonderful treat. The Tastings are typically a five course menu of perfection with optional wine pairing. I'm sad to say the tasting menus will be on break until Fall but that probably won't stop me from stopping in and just trying whatever's on the menu that week. The menu is ever changing, typically depending on what is in season and was locally sourced that week which means you are always in for a surprise - but a damn good one. I've never had the same thing twice and I've never been disappointed. If you're on the fence, this is your sign to go. And make sure to make a reservation through Resy! Thank you Cricket, Jason, Tom and the whole team who make this exemplary experience possible.

Wow. I've been eating tasting menus for decades at some of the finest restaurants in California, Las Vegas and NYC. I've had two exceptional meals here. While small it's not crowded. And the atmosphere is very pleasant. Don't judge this book by its cover. Located in what looks like a low end strip mall location - it's a wonderful contrast to where it is. Take any advice from your server. Make a reservation and take a chance on a GREAT experience.

I have had this spot on my radar for years! It took me moving to Dunedin to finally get an opportunity to check it out. I've heard reservations are preferred but seats at the bar are typically available. The hours are a bit odd to me. Wednesday through Saturday 5:00pm-8:00pm. We arrived right around 5:00pm and there was one other patron at the bar. It was early but while we were there we were the only customers. Tom greeted us warmly and let us know the menu changes weekly or when they run out of items throughout the week. I love that actually. It's like a new dining experience every week! For instance, they only had 28 of the cod filets so when they're out, they're out. Naan bread and the compounded butters are always on the menu, however. If you like chicken liver, get it, you won't regret it. I loved the open kitchen and being able to really enjoy watching the preparation and cooking from beginning to end by Owner/Chef Jason. After enjoying our naan I opted for the cod with carrot puree, micro greens, peas and pearl onions. Beautifully crafted and every ingredient oh my gosh was so fresh. The presentation alone was impressive. My girlfriend had the pork shank with lightly pickled veggies. They weren't over powering and complemented the pork perfectly. Spot on! We were so impressed by these dishes. It's a very small establishment that serves a few options for wines and a very small menu but it's all done very well. I can't wait to revisit in the next few weeks for a whole new menu.

Some of the highest-quality, most creative food in Dunedin! They have a constantly-changing menu of New American small plates and gorgeously plated entrees; the fish and duck dishes are always excellent, but I tend to favor ordering a selection of their unique and varied appetizers, from soups and salads to tartare and crudos. Small but nice inside, intimate and inviting; they do take walk-ins for the bar, but be sure to make reservations for groups and on weekends. The team here is welcoming and very knowledgeable about the menu and ingredients, so be sure to ask them for recommendations if you're unsure of what to order!

Always a pleasure to dine at the restorative. The menu changes monthly, so there is always something new to try and the wines by the glass or bottle are thoughtfully curated.

An oasis in the Dunedin area compared to what is on offer else where. If you want quantity over quality go elsewhere. Sublime food and great service!

A hidden gem- - super friendly staff, creative and carefully crafted fare. The chef is so creative, he changes his menu frequently. Worth going out of your way to have a fantastic meal here! We were only able to get a reservation to sit at the bar--and watching the food be prepared in front of us was like watching an artist at work! We highly recommend it, even if you can't get a regular table reservation.

So glad I found a legit foodie spot near me. Very small and rustic restaurant with a changing menu every 2-3x a week. If you're a picky eater I don't know if I'd recommend this spot for you. The dishes are unique and delicious. Having lived in SF and traveled a lot, I really appreciate a talented restaurant like this. Definitely make reservations and sit the bar. Small menu which are always the best. They only serve beer and wine, no cocktails. Can't wait to go back!

Great little family owned restaurant. Excellent food and service. I highly recommend it. Small and charming.

I left hungry yet spent 96$ The "smaller" plate is tiny. The "larger" plate is small. They thinly line the bowl with something like mashed potatoes, so it looked bigger? The restaurant is in a shopping mall. If you're not paying attention, you're going to miss it. The inside is tiny. It's cute but way overpriced. You are buying who they think they are. Great chef. But no. I had no issue with the food except the portions are for a toddler. I'm 5'9" and weigh 133, so you do the math. The waitress whispered and oddly stared at me the entire time. I think she spoke English but I couldn't hear her at all. I won't go back.

I'm not a fan of Fine dining and unique cuisines but a friend brought me here and had me do a menu tasting and it quickly became one of my favorite restaurants. I do recommend not going starving as they are smaller portions of items with a unique take. Their menu changes every 3 days!! Also some of the best Naan bread I've ever had. All made in house. I cannot stop raving about this place to friends as I have yet to have a bad experience. Keep in mind this is not a typical Florida restaurant. No wings or crab legs here. And don't even think about being able to get a burger.

The food was outstanding. The main chef puts a lot of effort to make the dishes delicious, pretty, and amazingly tasty. Very high quality. Hidden gem in the area.

Hubby and I had a great date night at Restorative. This restaurant is definitely not in our neighborhood but I'm glad we took a chance to make the drive. The food is very fresh and enjoyable. Pictures of food and menu are really just for example as the menu is truly ever changing here. They are known to have a new menu 2 to 3 times per week! We enjoyed our food very much. The fresh naan with 3 sides was a great start although I wish there was an extra naan piece as we were scrambling to eat all our sides with the given bread. The pork was cooked perfectly temperature wise but lacked a good seared crust. The skate was so delicious, perfectly cooked. The calamari in the dish was perfectly tender and not the least bit rubbery. Even though the mussels were quite sandy in the skate dish, it was still my favorite dish of the night. That says a lot! The chef was very receptive to our feedback concerning this issue which I greatly appreciate. The pretzel bread pudding was a fun play on after dinner cheese. The ambiance here is causal and inviting. Service matches the decor. They have a small wine list but you can bring your own bottle for a very reasonable $15 corkage fee. I will definitely come back here to explore what else they have in store.

Some of the most interesting and tasty food you can get in Dunedin. While casual, it's pricey enough to be a special occasion place for us. We have been twice and it's been excellent both times. Looking forward to our next visit!

We had our small office holiday gathering and the food and service was excellent. I have wanted to try it for a year or two now and I am sad that I waited this long. I love the idea that menu changes and it is limited so that it is all quality ingredients and perfect preparation and presentation. You would never guess that a restaurant in a strip mall would be this amazing. Highly recommend.

Love this Dunedin Chef Driven Gem! This is my fourth time here and never fails to wow me. We started with a creamy Orzo topped with crispy fried onions. It was like a genius revision of French Onion soup without the soup. Delicious! My scallops entree had the perfect sear and were buttery tender. The others in our party thought the short ribs were fantastic. And the desserts are as wonderfully balanced in flavors as they were imaginative. Curried Carrot Cake with Coconut, an incredible Chocolate Mousse with the most perfect candied walnuts and meringue & a Sweet meets savory Pretzels with Cheddar Cream & Beer Caramel. Thanks to our amazing hostess Cricket and the fantastic chefs and team at The Restorative for a wonderful evening with friends.

This was a great fine dining experience! After following the Chef for years I finally had a chance to come eat dinner here and I did NOT leave dissapoointed! This restaurant is location in a strip mall and its easy to drive past. The restaurant has been renovated recently, its small and home-y feeling with a small amount of seating at tables. There is 1 large table for larger parties and there is bar seating overlooking the kitchen. If you choose the bar seating you can watch the Chef as well as chat with him. There is no cell phone so reservations are made via email and they respond fairly quickly. There is no menu online because the menu changes every few days. Having Celiacs I was taking a gamble because I didn't know what was on the menu, but I emailed them 24 hrs ahead to let them know of my dietary restrictions. Apon arrival I was told what they could make gluten free with adjustments. I opted for the salmon belly starter and the Halibut. Both were prepared to perfection. The salmon starter looks small, but it was a lot of high grade salmon with rice crackers and tamari. It was so delicious. Next, the Halibut in the cream sauce with burnt leaks. I dont even like Halibut, but I liked this one!!! For me the portions were large, my husband eats more so for him his was small, but I shared my food with him since we couldn't take it with us anyway and that worked out. This is definitely a gem as I already knew, but if you are on the fence you should stop on for dinner if you are in the area. It didn't appear that they served anything alcoholic other than wine and beer. The price was fair- di net with no drinks just sparkling water was about 120$ Very very nice for an intimate fine dining experience. We will be back! Everything we ate was amazing.

Food was delicious and well prepared, but the menu is very limited. Limited selection of wines and beers. Service was ok, but didn't wow, and exhaust fan not adequate, so left smelling like the grill. For the money, I was not impressed.

Not a fan. Best thing we had was the beer I got which was actually amazing. Food is very uninteresting, bland and small. Could hear everyone talking in the restaurant, which meant to you got to hear the staff. Not the best. Not worth it. Atmosphere was very boring.

April 3, 2024 We went to The Restorative specifically for the menu tonight. Wagyu Beef Sirloin sounded great, and we were expecting a "fine dining experience." The dining experience fell apart quickly. Arrived at 5:35p for a 5:45p reservation (for which I was reminded of no less than three times) and were seated quickly. Rachael was our waitress. Unfortunately, she is very quiet and does not make you feel welcome. We placed our wine order and that was delivered quickly. We order the naan bread and that was also delivered quickly. Then everything fell apart. My wife ordered the Wagyu Beef and I ordered the Burrata salad AND the Wagyu Beef. I requested medium rare and my wife also requested medium rare. She even repeated the order to us. Rachael then delivered one steak knife. I thought this was strange and passed it off as a mistake. My wife received her Wagyu steak as ordered and I received the Burrata salad. I enquired why my steak was not being delivered and Rachael FORGOT TO ORDER IT. Hard to believe since there were only two other people I the restaurant when we placed our order. It took a matter of about 15 minutes from placing our order to receiving it. She checked and I was told it would take 25 minutes to make another steak for me. At this point we were frustrated with the service and did not want to wait another 25 minutes for me to eat while my wife already had her dinner. I am most upset that Jason did not take the time to come to the table to apologize personally. He was too engrossed entertaining the people seated at the bar. I am insulted that they forced the 20% tip on top of the cost of the meal for EXTREMELY POOR SERVICE. We paid the bill and were walking out the door when Jason said "I'm sorry for the screw up". This was a totally unacceptable and insulting response to their obvious mistake. The "fine dining" experience took a total of about 45 minutes. I felt like we were being shuffled through as fast as possible. Not the experience we have hoped for and have had in the past. I am going to need a real apology and proof that their service standards have been improved before I go back. ----------------- Update, The "rude" note that they claim was simply "Jason, food great, service ... meh". Please explain how this is "rude" I understand the 20% tip policy and would have gladly paid more if the service has been good. I cannot understand why we were told that it would take 25 minutes to prepare a second steak as this seems excessive. I am more disappointed with Jason's apology as we were walking out the door. Crickett , you were not even at the restaurant last night. Your comments that "everyone makes mistakes" and deserves forgiveness are quite interesting considering we are no longer "welcome." Apparently you don't practice what you preach. We have been customers for almost 4 years now and went out of our way to support you when your business was closed due to both Covid and the electrical issues you recently faced. I find it hard to believe that The Restorative does not even want to try to repair a long time customer relationship and decided to walk away from the situation instead. ---------- We will GLADLY go somewhere to enjoy a bottle of wine, a piece of meat, a piece of cheese and some bread that costs $160. As long as that restaurant offers GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE. Obviously, the "apology" was not perceived to be one since it was in passing ... Jason could have prevented this issue by coming to the table and apologizing directly. He was too busy talking to the customers at the bar about how he wanted to work at Waffle House. It is blatantly obvious that your pride is preventing you from accepting responsibility in a direct fashion.

Came with a girlfriend and they have a really good happy hour menu! We ordered "the kitchen sink" which is everything on it for $50 and split it. The charcuterie and cheese platter with warm olives was the best part, really good. The pasta was also really good. The only thing I did not like was the raw scallop dish. I love scallops but this had a lot of really coarse salt on it that just over powered it. It's definitely a good deal to split with a friend. So much food! We were still full but still had to order desert. The deserts were really good and unique as well. This is a small restaurant so seating is limited. We came in a Monday so it wasn't an issue but if you come at a busy time you made need a reservation.

Why 3 stars? Because I found the food to be original but a tick off. --- --- --- After discovering the Restorative via their amazing Yelp reviews and stunning Instagram photos, I was incredibly excited to check them out. It's not often that I find myself in Dunedin during the early evening of weeknight's, but I went out of my way to get here so that I could experience this place first hand. We arrived around 5:30p on a Thursday and were able to grab a seat at the bar. My friend and I made some pretty quick menu choices and our orders were taken within a couple of minutes. Here's what we had: Meatballs - This was the first thing we had and it ended up being the best. There was some veal meat mixed in and some sort of bread crumbs on top that really set these apart from most of the meatballs I've ever had. 5-stars. Ceviche - This was solid, but a bit pricey for the portion size. 4-stars. Salt Cod with black squid ink spaghetti - Definitely very flavorful and tasty, but just too salty. Obviously the name of the dish is "Salt" cod, and while I love salty things, this was just a bit too much of a good thing. 4-stars. Poached Chicken - This contained fermented black garlic puree, mushrooms, asparagus and foie gras-truffle jus. To be honest, I like all of those things individually, but I didn't love the flavor that the combination of all of those things produced. My dining partner liked this more than me, so it could have been more of a personal preference. 3-stars. Double Creme Brie - A pretty big miss. This contained a pasty, some pineapple chunks and a giant slice of brie. It honestly didn't even really taste like a dessert. I definitely wish we would have gone with another option. 2-stars. Overall, I'd give label our experience 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding down to 3-stars because this was our third trip to the Restorative, but the first time I was actually able to patronize the business. Trip #1 - I went to the Restorative's website to see if they took reservations. Their website is very basic - it's pretty much just one page with a few facts about the restaurant. One of the things noted is that they do not have a phone, but answer emails quickly. I shot them an email that I was driving from Tampa, so I'd love to know what time they recommend I arrive by in order to secure a seat. They are only open 4-9p with 18 seats, so I knew it might be tough to just show up at any time and expect a seat. One of the owners did end up responding right away and said that there's no way to guarantee anything, but they recommend I arrive between 4-6p. Sadly, I ended up not being able to leave my house until after 6, and even more sadly, they'd run out of food by when we got there at 7:30. We were bummed, but completely understood that this was a risk we took. Trip #2 - The previous visit was on a Friday, so on Monday (they next day they were open) we made sure that we were going to get there much earlier. We ended up leaving the house around 4:30p, which allowed us to arrive at 5:20p. The tough thing about leaving at that time is that it was during awful rush hour traffic, but we were happy to finally eat here after all the build-up. I walked up to hold the door open for my wife, who had our 3 month old in the stroller, only to be told by the owner that they don't allow kids under 5. I told him that we just got turned away on Friday and that we drove from Tampa just to come here twice, but his mind was made up. He said that their rules are written on their website. We got back in the car and were really upset. I thought it was really crappy of the owner to turn us away when we'd driven that far to check them out twice, but I also understood that if they posted the rules on their website, it was really my fault for not looking. Once we were about halfway home, I pulled up their website on my phone, which only made me more upset. The website said, "Well-behaved children five years and up are welcome to order off our dinner menu." First of all, that verbiage does not say, "kids under five are not welcome." And secondly, when I saw this text, it triggered my memory. I, in fact, had already read this information a few days earlier when I went to their website to contact them. If they clearly stated that they did not allow babies, I never would have wasted nearly 3 hours commuting back and forth to their restaurant. I emailed the owner about this, and he said, "sorry for the confusion," which of course, annoyed me even more. Because in this situation, they used poor verbiage to get their point across and it cost us a lot of wasted time. I checked the website again a few days later and it was changed to, "Well behaved children over the age of 5 are welcome join us for dinner." The fact that I made this commute a third time after this says that I really, *really* wanted to experience and enjoy the Restorative. Unfortunately, I didn't end up loving the food, but I am still glad I was able to check them out.

Mind. Blown. We loved that there wasn't 80 things to choose from which gave the chef the attention to detail we are always seeking. Sitting at the bar gave us the chance to preview what was being served- highly recommended sitting there instead of the table. We loved that the dishes were simple yet beautifully complex. Flavors were artful, well planned, and absolutely delightful from start to finish! Well done you guys. We shall be back!

This is my favorite restaurant in Dunedin and I've been here a few times over the years. I was seated at the bar this time and enjoyed talking to the chefs and watching them make my food. I had a delicious swordfish au poivre and a sumptuous chocolate cake dessert that had strawberries and, surprisingly, also beets.

I came here with a group of friends this evening at 4:00 when they opened and it was happy hour from 4:00-6:00. We all had "The Kitchen Sink" which is all of the food happy hour items. ($50) To start off with we had a charcuterie board that consisted of multiple kinds of cheese, jellies, and meats. It's a good size portion as well! Then we had the wedge salad which was served with a soft egg. Now this is not your ordinary salad. It was coated in pickled mustard seeds and gave it so much flavor! I'll be ordering this again next time! Next we had the cheese selection of the day, which was goat cheese, and chips which was tasty. Then we had some warm olives with roasted garlic and citrus. I'm not personally a huge olive fan but i did like the little bit that i tried. Next we had the sweet and sour sweetbread which had four pieces and sauce on top. I could have used more sauce, but i always like a good amount. The taste was really good and had good flavor. Finally the last thing we ate was ramen noodles with Chinese sausage. It was light and not too heavy and came with a lot of sausage pieces. My top 3: Charcuterie board, wedge salad, and the ramen They change their menu frequently (about 2-3 times a week) so you will never get bored and always have something new and tasty to try!

First time and definitely not the last time. Every bite was exquisitely delicious. So good in fact we forgot to take pictures. Started the meal with naan, herb butter and olive tapenade. Lamb starter. Main was the beef sirloin with peppers and roasted eggplant. This had a kick and the flavors married beautifully. Main bbq pork cheeks, corn, hominy, green bean puree. Every bite was a flavor explosion. Finished with 2 desserts: a blueberry compote with cheese to bring the savory and a chocolate pot de creme with a lovely rasberry puree and hazelnut streusel for crunch. Yum yum yum

Food is great ! Service is always excellent! The place has a very nice atmosphere. I highly recommended . All the meals are delicious!

Our favorite restaurant and we always look forward to our next visit. The food is inventive and delicious every time. The service is always attentive and quick!

They try hard. I love the commitment by the owners. Good quality ingrediants, small but good wine selection. Love the open kitchen concept. Feels European.

Had a good dinner at the bar last night. Chef Jason and sous chef Tom were very personable. Had good time chatting with them and other customers. Started out with the sparkling rose which was very good. The Cabernet was average. Appertizers: gnocchi (a little too rich for me), and scallops (very fresh). Entrées: pork (perfectly cooked and the best dish in my opinion; the accompanying veggies can be better) and short rib (large portion, very tender). Dessert : chocolate bread pudding/banana (the bread pudding was somewhat dry, almost like a brownie). Overall, we had an enjoyable experience and would definitely recommend this place.

Every now and then a strip mall houses a decent restaurant in this case I'd been wanting to go here since it opened in 2017, so I guess last night was the night. This place offers a very limited menu, and to top it it off; it changes every few days, so I don't expect to come back and have your favourite item. Unfortunately I pick the day with it was really mostly fish and meat which has a vegetarian was not a good idea. I was then told that I could call or write them and request vegetarian option ahead of time. Had I known that I would've definitely waited. I ended up getting a very small salad which I could probably order two more of those. Then finishing off with the strawberry shortcake goat cheese dessert which was quite honestly to pungent with the goat cheese to be with something sweet. The waitress lacked personality and enthusiasm which didn't help the meal go down, as I am looking for the whole experience-server included. I will probably give it one more try and hope for redemption. Photos are of what I ate. Forgot to shoot my tiny salad.

Delicious food. I particulary note the freshness of the produce. The food is very innovative. They have a small but well chosen list of wines.

The hype is real. I came here for lunch, and ordered their sandwich of the day - beef cheek. It was delicious! Since they make their own bread, the girl said they only make 10 sandwiches a day. Lucky me! It was one of the best sandwiches ever. They operate unique from a lot of other businesses, focusing their attention on quality. The menu is small, but mighty. Plus it saves decision fatigue from indecisive people like me. Some other reviews have mentioned it's a little pricey, but lunch is extremely reasonable. The sandwich was $12, very filling, and out of this world. All of their greens look and taste like they literally just picked them, so I'm wondering if they grow them there. Anyway, after stressful weeks at work, this'll be my go to lunch retreat. I'll probably bring my husband here for a nice date night down the road to, so we can both rave about it!

Fantastic! Everything from start to finish was great. The atmosphere was small and intimate. Service was great. The bread was the best- do not skip it. Bread pudding for dessert (pictured) so good!! We upgraded our reservation the night before from 2 to 4 and they were very quick to respond. Thanks for great service!

We've been wanting to visit this chef-owned restaurant for a long time however prior to the new year they only opened Monday-Friday til 9pm and since we live a bit far from them, the drive over for a just a short time dining didn't make sense. Luckily for all of us they now have added Saturday hours! We made reservations for an early dinner on Saturday and were seated right away when we arrived. I definitely recommend you make reservations in advanced as they're a pretty small restaurant with only 4-5 tables and ~4-6 spots at the bar area. The restaurant is located in a non-descript shopping plaza in Dunedin with plenty of parking spots available. Their food menu is rather small with ~4-5 small dishes/appetizers, ~3 entrees and ~3 desserts to choose from. I love this idea of a small menu as it allows the chefs to focus on a few dishes and use the freshest ingredients available. They post their constantly changing menu on Instagram daily so you know what they'll be serving ahead of time. Even though they say they change their dishes daily (or at least 2-3 times per week) I saw pretty much a similar menu posted every day of the week with just a few changes. Their wine menu is also rather small but they do venture out and offer a few European and South American wines. They also post on Instagram if they have any cancellations for the day in the event that people want to make an impromptu visit. We started our meal with their home made na'an bread which is served with herb butter. The bread was warm, salty and delicious. The consistency of the bread is different than the traditional na'an but it was nonetheless satisfying and delightful. We also had the crab brandade which is a mix of mashed potatoes and blue crab made almost into a thick spread consistency, served on top of toasted Wonder bread and a soft egg. The flavors and textures on this rather simple dish blew our minds. The soft egg yolk was perfection and the Wonder toast was the right medium to bring it all together. We also had a tandori salmon served with greens and rice. This Asian inspired dish showcased savory flavors, heat and textures that worked so well together and made for a wonderful dish. Lastly we had the bucatini pasta with mushrooms and miso butter. This was another 'wow dish' for us. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente. The mushrooms were buttery and the sauce was rich yet delicate. For dessert we had a chocolate cremeux and lavender panna cotta topped with strawberries, not too sweet and the perfect ending to our wonderful meal. All of the dishes we had were exquisite, so thoughtfully and carefully crafted. Definitely shows the chef's passion for serving good food. I wish this restaurant was closer to us, we likely would become frequent visitors.

What happens when two industry vets fall in love and decide they want more of a life than restaurants usually offer? The Restorative. I've had the good fortune to eat all over the world, from big city to backwater, and dinner here is among the very best of them. I can't help but laugh at the review from "Aaron S." - thinking that this staff is rude, or that this food is unappetizing, says faaarrrrrrr more about the diner than the restaurant. If you love to sit back and have food & service experts take care of you, then you must book - at the bar - immediately. If you're a picky li'l bit that won't eat anything that's not a white carb, go elsewhere!

The Restorative offers a pleasantly delightful dining experience. Since it's located off a beaten path (in Dunedin), it is able to deliver a high-end experience (beautifully prepared dishes and professional services) at an economical price ($30/person for 3-course meal). The restaurant changes the menus based on daily fresh ingredients. Among the menu items we ordered, our entrees and dessert are extremely outstanding. The short rib was very juicy and tender. It was beautifully plated on top carrot puree and topped with onions. The pasta dish is unbelievably light, beautiful and lovely. For desserts, we were extremely adventurous to try their "triple cream" dessert; which was made using cheese. My first time yet extremely impressed. The lightly salted cheese blended well and provided a distinct flavor with caramel and caramel corn. We would highly recommend The Restorative; and would come back when we have a chance!