Mila’s On The Manatee - Palmetto

This restaurant has undergone renovations, a redesign, and a name change since our last visit. The deck is now less spacious for dining, as it features a large bar area and a TV for sports fans. However, they have retractable awnings for those sitting facing the marina, which adds to the pleasant atmosphere. The food is much the same as before. While I wouldn’t call it delicious, it is good. Honestly, I think you’re paying more for the location and view. I ordered the Cobb salad with blackened chicken, and it was enjoyable—the chicken was tasty, and I will likely choose that entrée again on our next visit. While the salad includes blue cheese, I didn’t think the flavors complemented each other well, so next time, I might opt for ranch dressing instead. We also tried the Cuban sandwich, which was served on grilled panini bread. It was average and a bit dry, and although it technically fits the category, it didn’t really taste like a traditional Cuban sandwich. The French fries were good. Overall, if you're willing to pay extra for the location along with decent food, this place is a suitable choice. We’ll return the next time we want a meal by the docks.

Let me start by highlighting our server, Brooke. She truly went above and beyond, even assisting us in selecting our meals. We never experienced any delays or issues with service. I ordered the Mahi sandwich and was thrilled with my choice. My friend opted for the shepherd's pie and was equally satisfied. We decided to share an order of delicious onion rings as well. For dessert, we chose the strawberry shortcake, which was quite tasty, though it didn’t come with ice cream. The combination of a beautiful view, attentive service, and delicious food makes this place highly recommendable. If they had added ice cream to the dessert, it would have been a five-star review for sure!

I dropped by last night, July 17th, feeling quite hungry after a long trip from Maryland. I was in Palmetto to check on our little vacation home. First, let me talk about the service. A friendly team member named Annabelle took care of me. She was quick, professional, and courteous, taking my order promptly and returning shortly with my drink, all while wearing a smile. The wait time was minimal. I opted for something simple and locally sourced: the grouper fingers. They were a delightful fried dish served with remoulade sauce, incredibly fresh, hot, and flaky. They were tender on the inside and perfectly crisp on the outside—absolutely wonderful. I definitely plan to return, hopefully with Tami soon. Annabelle was also swift in checking on me and handling the bill, which is something that can often fall apart at the end of a meal. Waiting for the check can ruin the entire experience. I must say that, while the restaurant has shifted in theme and I didn't see the friendly cats that used to roam around, adding to the inviting atmosphere, it still holds up as a great spot for locals and vacationers alike. Annabelle, your efforts truly made this brief but enjoyable meal memorable. Helping your employer promote their excellent service can really make a difference! With over 40 years in foodservice operations, it’s refreshing to see such dedication, especially these days when it seems to be less common. The service, pricing, and genuine attention to time and family make a significant impact. The pandemic took a lot from all of us, but even though the name may have changed, I’m grateful this place is still here, providing a lovely stop for all. Thank you so much!

Our group of 9 was seated inside fairly quickly. We ordered our drinks and food as soon as server came to our table. It took 15 minutes to get our drinks. Just coffee, water and sodas. Our food took a half an hour. Only got some of it. It took another 20minutes to get the rest. Eggs were under cooked. The chicken and waffles were not good. Beware, you can only order breakfastbefore 11am. After 11am you have to order from the lunch menu. We will never come back.

Seated quickly, not excessively busy even for a Saturday. Good table service with helpful waitstaff. Cocktails were delicious, and we had the ribs, Cuban sandwich, and taco salad. All was exceptional but taco salad was sort of bland and Cuban served onregular toasted bread and not cuban or even french bread ??? , hence the loss of one star. Amazing views, always breezy,would definitely come again, but more for the views than necessarily amazing food quality or variety.