The Reef - Great Oceanfront Dining in North Beach just a few miles from downtown St. Augustine.
We have enjoyed dining at The Reef Restaurant since it opened and before when it was Compton's. We would travel from Ponte Vedra for Compton's lobster specials and their wonderful Sunday Champagne Brunch.
Shortly after moving into our oceanfront home just a short walk north of this restaurant, we learned that the builder of our home, Coleman Construction, was also the builder of this restaurant. Our home was built in 1988, a year before Compton's. Compton's was open between 1989 and 1999 when it closed due to Mr. Compton's health.
The Usina family owns the property and had different managers and a name change to McMulVei's Reef (combining the 3 operator's last names at that time). Later the restaurant was renamed The Reef and in the summer of 2003, Jeremy Ticehurst became the General Manager.
Under Mr. Ticehurst's management, the Reef is once again the place to go for Sund
ay Brunch, repeatedly winning best brunch awards (3 years running!). Additionally, they have won other dining awards as shown on the wall upon entering the restaurant.
You will also see the fish tank soon after entering (no, dinner is not in the fish tank).
The Reef's local's discount of 10% in addition to their great food and service keeps me and other locals coming back frequently. They have great nightly specials and are currently having a great happy hour special from 3 - 7 p.m.: discounted well & house brands drinks and select appetizers at 1/2 price. (sesame-crusted tuna, spinach & artichoke dip, calamari, and fried green tomatoes to name some of my favorites).
On Tuesdays they feature Surf & Turf:
|
Slow Roast Prime Rib |
$13.95 |
|
Classic Fried Shrimp |
$10.95 |
|
Snow Crab Legs |
$16.95 |
|
Prime Rib 'N' Shrimp |
$17.95 |
|
Prime Rib 'N' Crab |
$19.95 |
The Reef Restaurant has Twilight Dining Specials for Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights from 4:30-7:00 p.m. Here's a sample, but I must warn you, their menu and offerings do change:
|
Classic Fried Shrimp |
$10.95 |
|
Datil Lime Pasta Primavera |
$11.95 |
|
Country Fried Steak |
$12.95 |
|
Tilapia with Sun Dried Tomato Cream Sauce |
$13.95 |
|
Slow Roast Prime Rib |
$13.95 |
There is a banquet room upstairs that is great for special events. There are plenty of oceanfront balconies to enjoy the view & breezes.
As one of the few true oceanfront restaurants in northeast Florida, The Reef is a wonderful dining experience. I feel like I am on vacation here.
Just about every Sunday, we enjoy brunch at The Reef. Richard ("Rick") Kuncicky performs classical guitar. We bought his CD early on and probably need to buy a new one by now. You get all you can eat snow crab legs, shrimp, omelet station, carving station, eggs Benedict, smoked salmon, all you can drink champagne and more. Please view the Menu.
But yes, it is all about the view.
See you soon at The Reef!
Directions to The Restaurant:
Take Scenic & Historic A1A from St. Augustine over the Usina (Vilano) Bridge over the ICW. Continue on A1A by taking a left on Coastal Highway and travel about 2.5 miles north 4100 Coastal Highway. Turn right into The Reef Restaurant parking lot.
4100 Coastal Highway
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: 904-824-8008
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