Pesca Vilano

We have been to the rooftop a couple of times and really enjoyed the sea breeze and views. I've heard the indoor first floor restaurant closed. I can see why it might have not done well because the hotel lobby is too institutional and the restaurant felt too enclosed and not enough light coming in. Unless you are staying in the hotel, I'm not sure you would want to make the indoor restaurant your destination.The rooftop on the otherhand is unique and inviting. We were there when a DJ was playing. Super fun to dance a little.The drinks are great. Check out the Pina Azul. The food is excelent. Try the Mexican shrimp coctel, beet tartare, and baja fish sandwich.Service was a little chaotic when it is crowded.

We realize this chefs other places and wanted to check this spot out. Rooftop dining! It is in a hotel and but really laid back and casual. Our server was so nice and offered great suggestions. We had some of the lumpia, crispy filipino style spring rolls, tamarind ponzu. Delicious! Light and fresh. Great views of the ocean from the high tops.

How can anyone complain about a great rooftop bar & restaurant overlooking Vilano Beach? Coke made great cocktails, a pesca old fashioned with rum & whiskey and a mango caipirinha for the lady- not too sweet as promised. The breeze, supplemented by strategically placed fans, cooled the Florida afternoon. the incoming storm meant the sun was shielded partly by rain clouds. the ocean waves were white and foamy at low tide. the aroma from the kitchen was mouthwatering and the "simple" appetizers were taken next level under the expertise of local Chef Michael. fish dip topped with fresh micro greens and pickled onion paired perfectly with Everything flats and a squeeze of fresh lemon for me.Baked Brie with crisp baguettes was topped with fig jam the way we make it at home. just a perfect light lunch with our cocktails and ev n a view of St Augustine lighthouse through a fan!

I have so many thoughts about Pesca. We started on the roof for a few cocktails, prior to our dinner reservation. The rooftop is beautiful and we scored a wonderful table large enough for our group. I shared a bottle of the Prosecco with friends and a few other girls chose very fun cocktails! Cocktails we tried: Vilano Vixen, Mermaid Tears, and Flor de spina. All of them were fantastic but the Vilano Vixen was my favorite. For our dinner reservation, we had a lovely table. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful.We started with most of the starters. I personally had the mushroom gyoza. Holy smokes, it was fantastic!!! Honestly I liked it better than my entree. I also enjoyed the salmon, it was equally delicious. Several of us chose the scallops and one of the girls got a vegan risotto dish. It was packed with flavor. The scallops were good but for the price tag, I think we were expecting a little more flavor. However, We were very pleased overall with the aesthetic & presentation our meals. For dessert, we had the mousse and the peach. Both were very tasty, however paired with a very hefty price tag for dessert at $15 each without a serving that necessitates that cost IMO. The restaurant is stunning though! I will definitely come back for more rooftop cocktails & to try a different entree.

This is a charming and upscale restaurant in the lobby of a hotel. Adding to his restaurant empire, Chef Micheal brings a Miami vibe with Japanese and Caribbean flavors. Lots of small bites are available on the menu. The food is beautifully plated - it's a feast for the eyes and the tongue. It's not super allergy-friendly. The staff is very accommodating in navigating the menu for gluten-free and dairy-free options, but it's very limited. This restaurant was expensive, so all the GF/DF options were expensive. My bill was $100+ for a cocktail, an appetizer, and an entree. Honestly, I left hungry. There are not enough filling ingredients in the dishes to choose from. Parking was easy in the off-season, but I'm sure it gets more challenging in the summer.

This is a review of the Pesca rooftop lounge. A long post! At this time the fine dining restaurant itself that is inside the Hyatt is closed. My husband & I set out to the rooftop bar to listen to some music & have some drinks & lite bites on this glorious fall evening in Fl. Upon getting off the elevator there was a hostess stand. We waited a few minutes didn't see anyone inside so we walked out onto the rooftop. The place is huge. You can see water on 2 sides over the buildings. There is a large covered area with tables and a long bar. The open area has high tops, tables of 4's and some couch and table seating. We flagged down someone who told us " it's only the 2 of us and the other person is the host" So, we went back inside to the hostess stand to look to be seated. No one there ... so we went outside again & finally flagged her down. We were seated at a high top with menus. A small plate menu and a happy hour menu ( it was 5 pm ) which starts at 3 & ends at 6 pm. We sat there for at least 20 minutes & were ignored by the server who walked by us at least 5 xs. I finally got annoyed & wanted to leave but my husband flagged down a server who popped out of no where. He was very nice & said he'd get our server. A few minutes later a friendly young woman came over with waters & took our drink order. She apologized & said she had been working the other side & did not know she was taking tables on our side. ( mind you when we got there the place was empty & we were told there was only 1 server) I then saw so many more servers pop up I think they all came on shift all at once after 5:30 ? The night much improved from then on. I ordered drinks from the 1/2 price menu before 6. $7 for a Paloma & same for my husband who had an old fashioned. The menu has some nice light bites and if you're an oyster lover they have raw and grilled. I didn't order them but did see them go by & they had a very nice presentation. We ordered the guacamole. It came in a tiny ramekin with another tiny ramekin of pico de gallo & some colored chips ( out of the bag type) The guac was tasty but for $12 the portion was a joke. My husband ordered the Frittas which I think were some kind of fish/ seafood. They were 3 fried round discs that were so thin you could see through them. Not a winner. I ordered the fish dip. It also came in a ramekin but larger than the guac one and was filled. Crackers were on the side & I really enjoyed it with my 2 nd Paloma. The band was supposed to start at 5 but didn't start til six. It was a 3 piece salsa band & they were very good. The place started to fill up as we were leaving @7 Would I go back? Probably for the atmosphere & drinks not for the food.

Upon ascending to the rooftop, I was instantly enveloped in a welcoming and pleasant ambiance that remined me of Greece. I positioned myself at a table that afforded a captivating view of the ocean on one side and the majestic St. Augustine lighthouse on the other. The service provided was both prompt and professional, ensuring that our needs were promptly and efficiently met. The beverage menu showcased a curated selection of specialty cocktails, complemented by an extensive wine list. While the rooftop menu offered a limited selection compared to the main restaurant on the first floor, each dish we ordered from our table of four was exceptionally flavorful and beautifully presented. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to experience the full menu in the main restaurant and will undoubtedly return in the near future.

Would have given it 5 stars, but they lost our reservation, even though I got a "you're on the waitlist text". It took 45 minutes to be seated when we were told 25.Food was delicious, rooftop venue had beautiful vistas and overall it was a great experience. Will def go back!

Pesca by Michael's in St. Augustine's Vilano Beach is an absolute gem! Every dish is delicious and fresh, showcasing the finest ingredients. The staff are phenomenal, providing top-notch service that enhances the dining experience. My favorite drink is the Vilano Vixen - a must-try for anyone who visits. (Honorable mention: the Pesca Punch).Upstairs, the beautiful rooftop offers 360-degree views, making it the perfect spot to enjoy the spicy tuna tacos and the lumpia. Downstairs, they serve a phenomenal paella that is simply unforgettable. Whether you're looking for a relaxing girls night/date night spot or a special occasion, Pesca by Michael's never disappoints!

Food is good. Drinks are good. Don't go on a Saturday night if you want to hear yourself think. The DJ is INCREDIBLY LOUD. The bar in Michael's downstairs is much more pleasant.