What you see is what you get at Lulu’s Waterfront Grille, and you’re going to like what you get! Fresh fish, water views and frozen drinks—what more could you possibly want?
Tucked away along the intercoastal in Ponte Vedra with a perfect water view, the atmosphere alone is reason enough to stop in. Add ample indoor and outdoor seating and a refreshingly open interior and you get a lovely lunch or dinner spot. There’s a full bar and a cute little putting green to the side of the restaurant as well, in case you’re in the mood to practice shaving a few strokes. Happy hour is all week long (including weekends) and they have some awesome specials. A couple of my faves were the $12 bottomless mimosas for Sunday brunch and $5 Moscow Mules on Mondays.
We stopped in for lunch, and started with an order of fish spread ($11). The giant scoop of fish dip came with water crackers and it was suggested we add a dash or two of Cowgill’s (a hot sauce) for a touch of datil pizzazz. The dip is a mix of whitefish with a texture that’s neither overly chunky nor runny and blended so that you can still tell you’re eating fish. For an app-bonanza, I recommend ordering some tasty Oysters (MP) and Gator Tail too ($13).
Looking for a light lunch, we perused the handhelds menu. The Baja Tacos (MP) with grilled, blackened or lightly fried fresh catch or Mayport shrimp were clearly the way to go. My blackened Mahi (fresh catch that day) tacos were topped with cabbage (as all good fish tacos should be) and roasted corn tomato salsa served with a bowl of black beans and yellow rice.
Our fabulous server also recommended their signature fried shrimp or oyster basket. (Shrimp $20, Oyster $20, Half & Half $21). The shrimp showed up hot, plump and crisp, lightly fried without being greasy. You could actually see the happy pink shrimp. They were so fresh and delightful they didn’t need sauce, but try them dunked in Lulu’s tartar or cocktail sauce. The fried basket includes hushpuppies (of course!) and a side; we chose potato salad. Honestly, it was one of the better potato salads I’ve ever eaten—sorry, Aunt Nancy.
For something a little heavier, choose among options like Shrimp & Grits with Lulu’s Smoked Bacon Lardons, Creole Trinity, Louisiana Style BBQ Sauce and Pimento Cheese Grits ($20). The buttermilk-soaked, cornmeal breaded and lightly fried Mississippi Catfish ($16) is a favorite. It’s accompanied by pimento cheese grits and braised collard greens. They do serve burgers and steaks, but it’s kind of a travesty to be on the water and order a landlubbers meal.
Honestly, it’s a good thing I don’t live down the street from Lulu’s Waterfront Grille; I’d be there far too often. Grab your boat and cruise on up.
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