By Samantha Joseph
Staff writer
STUART - An elegant yet simple menu sets the pace for a great meal at Ian's Topical Grill in Stuart, where the romantic garden patio is the right choice for lunch on a beautiful day.
The casual spot offers creative choices that are memorable long after the meal.
Take the wildly popular day boat scallops, for instance, which stands out for its sushi-grade shellfish crusted in panko and jerk spices, then served with mango salsa, creamy garlic sauce and raspberry coulis.
The food is fresh, presented simply and served with pairings that are perfect complements.
A lunch special, a 10-ounce pork chop, au poivre in a beautiful porterhouse cut, arrives with a creamy mushroom risotto. The meat is tender, high-quality and expertly seasoned, while the side dish is perfectly done.
Miso butter and pistachios transform the edamame, served elegantly on a single-serve white platter, into a conversation piece.
But Executive Chef Michael Haky is perhaps at his best fixing the exquisite chicken osso bucco, which offers a unique tropical take on the Italian favorite.
It doesn't take more than a few items to see why Ian's Tropical Grill has distinguished itself among Treasure Coast eateries.
Its accolades include local prizes, highly complimentary guest reviews and an award-winning wine list that allows patrons to enjoy a wide range of options.
With a menu that offers new specials daily for dinner and lunch, and a lunch menu with a mix of both intricate and simple choices, this restaurant is easy to recommend.
Whether the choice is royal red shrimp "po boy" sandwiches or nut-crusted seafood entrées, Ian's Tropical Grill does it masterfully.
Ian's Tropical Grill is located at 2875 S.E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart. For more information or reservations, call (772) 334-4563.