The Reeds At Shelter Haven

Very nice decor.

crayfish and cauliflower soup was great.

Oysters were good but not shucked which was strange and the only complaint we had.

Wife had the salad w bacon which she liked.

I had the pork chop w risotto which was great.

Wife had the crab cake which was great.

Local IPA was great.

House pinot noir sucked had to send back for the cab.

overall a solid meal but very expensive.  I would go back again.

Bread pudding was great. Chocolate cake was good.

This is a review for SAX Restaurant portion only.

We didn't use the valet parking, although there is a sign that says it is "complimentary".  If they still have that in the winter time extra star.

I called on a friday night at 5:30 to make a reservation.
Was told they had 5:30 or 7:30. We were already hungry and our babysitters wanted to turn in early, so we took the 5:30. (not a kid-place)

This place had quite a buildup, and my expectations were high given the high-class facility and prices.

The dining room was nearly empty when we arrived and gradually filled halfway.
I was a little surprised that the high-end dining from was along 3rd ave with a view of the shops across the street. Although I was expecting a water view, after I walked around to the water side and felt the blazing 99 degree sun at the water grill I had more appreciation of that street view. I didn't notice any ambient music. With a name like SAX at The Reeds, I expected a high-end sound system playing some kind of jazz (not kenny G) or maybe Billie Joel.

The staff was great and each knew their role and performed it well.
We may have been the first customers of the shift.

We took their offer of a bottle of sparkling water, which could have been colder.

The bread was good. The second one they brought was even better--warm.

Started with the oven roasted local tomato, sugar cured berkshire bacon crisp, baby arugula greens, saffron white balsamic garlic vinegar.
This would be good if executed well.
The tomato and bacon were cold, please refry the bacon in a pan and toss immediately before serving.
No grizzly pieces of bacon, please. In addition to being out-of-the-fridge cold the tomato had some broiled cheese on top and was not having that roasted-concentrated tomato flavor. Please do not refrigerate your local organic tomatoes.
The baby arugula greens were good.

I ordered the pan seared grouper- sesame charred baby bok choy, udon noodles,red curry saffron broth.
The grouper was nicely seared of and moist. The two baby bok choy were good, but I detected no sesame or charring.
The broth was mild and delicate yet flavorful, and there was enough but not too much.

My wife order the cornmeal-fried long island oysters & farm raised shrimp, white truffle buttermilk mashed potatoes, wilted kale & organic spinach, moroccan harissa, sweet chile aioli
The shrimp and oysters were tasty, and the mashed potatoes were creamy and flavorful with just a slight kick. The kale/spinach conveniently balanced out the fried. Nice balance with this dish.

We got to see a cool presentation with the crawfish & roasted cauliflower bisque as they pour it our of mini tureens into a bowl in front of you.

We looked at the dessert menu, and it looked good, but that is all for now.

This place should get better as they work out the execution and the menu will make more sense as the weather gets colder.

This is a review of the music blasting over the formerly quiet Shelter Harbor Basin on weekends.  We have rented a a bay front place for several weeks each summer for almost 20 years.  the bar music is a real turn off.  One sound singer, we couldn't wait for her to stop.  We are not allowed to blast our music on the pool deck, please stop blasting yours!!!
We want The Reeds to succeed...sounds like food, drinks and entertainment need help!!