CUISINE: Modern American
TEL: (772) 234-3966

CUISINE: Modern American
PRICE RANGE: $18 - $38
WINE LIST: Good
BAR:Yes
OUTDOOR SEATING: Yes
OTHER: Banquet facilities
RESERVATIONS: Suggested
HOURS: Dinner from 5:30pm
CREDIT CARDS: MC/VS/AX/DS
ADDRESS: 3103 Cardinal Drive, Vero Beach. (map)
TEL: (772) 234-3966
WEBSITE: Visit

The Tides of of Vero Beach has been serving it’s brand of Nouvelle Cuisine since it opened it’s doors in March of 2000. Chef/Owner Leanne Kelleher, graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, successfully and consistently provides diners creative flavorful cuisine in an upscale yet unpretentious atmosphere.

The restaurant itself is just off the beaten path on Cardinal Drive one street west of Ocean Drive. The moment you approach the torch lined walkway this small unassuming house / converted restaurant draws you in. Alfresco dinning is available just off the entry or choose to reserve a table inside in one of the three small but comfortable dinning rooms.

Now to the good stuff! Fresh ingredients, a touch of imagination and a splash of global influence drive the menu at the Tides. And the results are consistent and flavorful.

To start try one of our favorites, the Grilled Baby Portobella Mushroom on a bed of wilted spinach with sun dried tomatoes and Gorgonzola cheese, topped with crispy parma pancetta and a delicious balsamic reduction. Or maybe the Pan Seared Diver Scallops Served over chilled Japanese Soba noodles with a caramelized ginger and sesame Ponzu broth.

The Caramelized Grilled Pear salad with romaine, radicchio and Belgian endive tossed lightly in a champagne Dijon vinaigrette with Gorgonzola cheese and candied walnuts is a great follow-up. If pears aren’t your thing, set your sights on the very popular Blue and Green salad; Hearts of romaine tossed with fresh spinach, walnuts, Granny Smith apples and crumbled Danish blue cheese with a sparkling cider poppy seed dressing.

The entrees also offer a wide selection from the land and the sea. Check out the macadamia and herb crusted Yellow Tail Snapper served on a bed of wilted greens with a lemon chardonnay butter sauce or “Go BIG” with the Tides Cowboy Steak. A grilled twenty-ounce bone-in rib eye served over crispy prosciutto, fresh rosemary and Gorgonzola cream topped with beer-battered steak house onions… yee-ha! Be sure to also consider the numerous nightly specials. We had a grilled swordfish with a tropical fruit salsa and a touch of lemon buerre blanc that was fantastic.

After the main course, the waiter swoops in with a silver tray full of desserts to help close the deal. Not a huge variety here but enough to fill the tray and to temp you. The trio of creme brullee always does it for me. Three flavors, mocha, chocolate and traditional vanilla served in three little demitasses. Not the best ever but pleasantly tasty.

Overall the Tides is certainly worth a trip or two. We like it enough to put it in our rotation of places we like to dine on a regular basis. Give it a try and you will see why.

- VBR Maitre’d