Pesca Vilano

Words by Jessica Walton

The latest addition to North Florida’s fine dining landscape is a feast for the eyes as well as the belly. Located inside the modern, beachside Hyatt Place St. Augustine/Vilano Beach, Pesca Vilano focuses on “globally inspired coastal cuisine with bold Latin flavors and fresh from Florida ingredients.” Chef Michael Lugo combines his Puerto Rican heritage and love of seafood (“pesca” is Spanish for “fishing”) in a gorgeous space with an almost 360-degree view of St. Augustine and Vilano Beach. Not surprising, the menu is heavy on seafood with entrees including whole roasted snapper, Chilean sea bass and the Pesca Platter with oysters, clams, poached lobster, cocktail snow crab claws (add that caviar while you’re at it!) but also includes turf entries like roasted chicken beast, heritage pork tenderloin and beef filet. Eat in the main dining room or enjoy a lighter bite at the downstairs or rooftop bar where hand-crafted cocktails vary from Pesca-fied versions of the Moscow mule, old fashioned and espresso martini to the original Vilano Vixen, Filipino Fling and more are served. And you can’t beat the view!

For more information on Pesca Vilano, visit pescavilano.com.

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