Caretta on the Gulf Sandpearl Resort Caretta on the Gulf

Caretta on the Gulf Menu

Sandpearl Resort
500 Mandalay Ave. (Fifth St.)
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
727-441-2425
Map
A raw bar, savvy wine list, creative menu and an elegant ambience give this restaurant its appeal.
Openings: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner daily, Brunch Sun.

Features


Caretta on the Gulf Restaurant Review:


Caretta sits on the ground level of the glamorous Sandpearl Resort. The open design of the dining area, with large windows offering peek views of the Gulf of Mexico, is complemented by the masculine, Craftsman design of the fixtures and furniture. Conscientious staff oversee a menu influenced by South American cuisine, although one will also find more traditional resort fare such as the Caretta Signature breakfast buffet, with Belgian waffles, an omelet bar and the like. Starters are creative for a hotel restaurant; for example, the green tea-poached chicken salad with pea shoots, crisp wontons and a peanut dressing. Dinner entrées include dishes not often found among Gulf-front venues, such as vegetarian empanadas with piquillo peppers and avocado salsa verde. For meat-eaters, the choices are more standard, from center-cut tenderloin to veal chop, with a selection of vegetables on the side, and the option of adding a half, butter-poached Maine lobster from the raw bar. Sunday brunch proposes the requisite omelet station plus carving stations and a sushi bar. The wine list is savvy, with an intriguing by-the-glass program that marries well with the seafood. And the dinner dessert menu presents a chocolate cheesecake with dark Swiss chocolate sauce.