Island Life Grill

8 Reviews on “Island Life Grill”

• Robert Cade

  Terrible Experience!. I wrote a review of this restaurant back in May. It was one our favorite places to eat. Good food, good service. This restaurant has changed hands recently and ….. Oh My Gosh, what a disaster. My wife and I stopped there for dinner this evening. The first thing I noticed was that all the wait staff was new. They explained at the hostess station that the restaurant had changed hands and that everyone was new. The place was about 25% full so no wait for a table.The hostess seated us and left. After sitting there for a while a waitress finally came by, told us she wasn’t our waitress, but that someone would be with us shortly. Another ten minutes passed and finally a waitress came by and took our drink order. She disappeared never to be seen again. Then a third waitress came to the table and took our drink order again. Another 5 minutes and we had a glass of water and a warm ice tea. No lemon, no straw. Another 5 minutes and we were brought a pair of straws. Having now been there about a half hour, someone finally showed up to take our order. I ordered a chicken taco and my wife ordered a wedge salad. That was the last we ever saw of any waitress. The hostess did come by and ask if we had been waiting long, to which we politely replied , well yes. She assured us she would check into it. She never came back to our table again either.We waited another 15 to 20 minutes and no one came by to check on us, refill empty water and ice tea glasses, or to deliver our order. Finally the people at the two tables next to us asked if we had been waited on. After a brief conversation with them it was apparent they were getting the same service, or lack there of, as we were. The other two tables got up and left. They were regulars at this restaurant, also. Both parties said the same thing, they wouldn’t be back. We stuck it out for a few more minutes and then we left also. I can’t tell you how the food was because they never served it!Now, while I can’t comment on the food, I did have plenty of time to look this restaurant over. This was one of the few nice local restaurants where you could sit down, have a nice meal, and relax. Now, there is country western music playing in the bar and in the restaurant at a volume that many will find annoying. Now I like country music, but for many it’s a acquired taste and not something that goes well with public family dining.I’d also like to comment on the appearance of the wait staff. It would seem that if you want to qualify to be a waitress or hostess at this establishment the main requirements are that you be quite buxom and willing to wear low cut tank tops and short shorts. Brains are optional. This is a theme that works well at Hooters but not so well in a family restaurant. At least Hooter’s trains their wait staff!To say this was a bad experience would be an under statement. It’s been several hours since we got up and left. I wonder if they have served our meal yet? My guess is no. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best, even a 1 is to much to be deserved. What a shame, this was a nice place to eat.11 May, 2014Island Life is Delightful!. My wife and I have eaten in this restaurant 12 -15 times. It is easily the nicest restaurant in the Fleming Island and Green Cove Springs area. The atmosphere is warm, the dining area and bar are clean, the live music is tasteful and not so loud that you can’t have a conversation in the dining room. We have tried about two thirds of the menu items, and like any restaurant some items are better than others, however I’ve never had a bad meal here. We’ve tried quite a few things, but my favorite has been the pulled pork taco’s with cheese added, served with a side of coleslaw. Both the tacos and the slaw are outstanding. The three soft taco’s are large and generously proportioned. The BBQ sauce on the pork is sweet and tasty! .My wife has taken a liking to the fish tacos, My grand daughter likes the clam chowder. I’ve only ordered the baby backs once. The rack was huge and the meat very tender and falling off the bone. They were prepared well and very, very tasty. I’ve had nothing but excellent service in this restaurant. The host or hostess is always prompt and pleasant, and the waiter/waitress exceptionally attentive. The food was prepared well, and the plating was attractive. We have had a couple of meals that we thought were a bit bland, the shrimp and pasta with Alfredo sauce comes to mind. It was nicely prepared and was certainly acceptable, but not what I would call memorable. Again, to each his own. We all have different likes and expectations when it comes to food. There is enough variety on the menu to make just about anyone happy.The bottom line is simple; this is a great neighborhood restaurant and a real gem in its local area. There are quite a few restaurants in the Fleming Island area, but in my opinion none that are as pleasant to dine at as the Island Life Grill.

  November 9, 2014, 1:10 am

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