Review: Waterfront seafood restaurant is like taking a trip to the Polynesian Islands

Lucie Regensdorf
·3 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House is one of the first restaurants I visited when we were planning our move to Stuart. We owned a B&B at the time and guests told us to be sure to visit this unique restaurant. We’ve been enjoying it ever since.

The restaurant is part-dining experience and part-museum. Numerous photos and memorabilia reminiscent of Frances Langford, an actress from the golden age are scattered throughout. The Dolphin Bar sits on the treasured spot where, over 60 years ago, Langford was inspired to build The Outrigger Restaurant to resemble the architecture of the Polynesian Islands where she had entertained troops with Bob Hope’s USO tours during WWII.

The outdoor deck surrounds the riverside of the restaurant, and the view is gorgeous. Pelicans and seagulls perch on the pilings and dive for lunch. Sailboats glide in the water. Life is good.

Food reviews: Looking for the best restaurants in town?

The Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House in Stuart sits on the treasured spot that previously was home to The Outrigger Restaurant, which actress Frances Langford built to resemble the architecture of the Polynesian Islands.
The Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House in Stuart sits on the treasured spot that previously was home to The Outrigger Restaurant, which actress Frances Langford built to resemble the architecture of the Polynesian Islands.

The lunch and dinner menus have plenty of fish and seafood items as well as chicken and beef. We recently visited on a Sunday for brunch, when you could order off the menu or choose from the omelet, waffle or egg station. I always enjoy stepping up to the well-stocked salad bar ($19 or $10 with an entrée) and helping myself to an assortment of items on chilled plates.

Dolphin Bar also offers — and this was a first for me — a “Southern Grits Bar” ($18) with traditional and untraditional “fixins” such as bourbon mushrooms, popcorn chicken, and pulled pork BBQ. Do you want a custom bloody mary or mimosa? They also have a bar for that.

One of my dining companions queued up at the omelet station, where she ordered a custom-made omelet stuffed with bacon, tomato, peppers and mozzarella. The omelet was huge and she declared there was a party in her mouth with lots of invited guests.

At the Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House in Stuart, the St. James smoked salmon features a toasted bagel accompanied by cold-smoked salmon, hard boiled eggs, diced red onions, capers and cream cheese. It's a perfectly light and satisfying brunch dish.
At the Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House in Stuart, the St. James smoked salmon features a toasted bagel accompanied by cold-smoked salmon, hard boiled eggs, diced red onions, capers and cream cheese. It's a perfectly light and satisfying brunch dish.

One of the brunch specials, the St. James smoked salmon ($16) was another guest’s choice. A toasted bagel is accompanied by cold-smoked salmon, hard boiled eggs, diced red onions, capers and cream cheese. A perfectly light and satisfying brunch dish.

The hubby ordered Fred’s Incredible Meatloaf Sandwich ($16) with compliments to Fred, wherever he may be. The deliciously seasoned meatloaf was sliced then seared, rendering a crust. The meat was topped with fried onion straws, creamy melted Provolone cheese, and horseradish sauce — all happily sitting on a brioche bun. His side order was tangy black beans and yellow rice.

My brunch was Pineapple Pina Colada Coconut Fried Shrimp ($21). I have never been to Polynesia, but I imagine this as a perfect island dish. The shrimp was coated with coconut and crispy fried with a creamy, sweet pineapple-coconut sauce that tasted just like a pina colada. I should have asked for a straw. The maduros on the side highlighted the tropical theme.

This restaurant is a treasure. The food is delightful, the service is impeccable, and the panoramic view shouldn’t be missed. “Thanks for the memories.”

Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House

  • Cuisine: American

  • Address: 1401 N.E. Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach

  • Phone: 772-781-5136 (Reservations are recommended)

  • Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday

  • Alcohol: Full bar

  • Online: dolphinbar.com

Lucie Regensdorf dines anonymously at the expense of TCPalm for #WhatToDoIn772. Contact her at Lucie@theloveofcooking.com.

Restaurant reviews: Looking for the best food in town?

All things food: New and best restaurants, reviews and inspections

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Restaurant review: Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House, Stuart, St. Lucie River