Dinner at Rooster & the Till somehow manages to feel both wildly creative and completely approachable at the same time. No wonder it’s been recognized not once but four times as a Michelin Bib Gourmand Award Recipient. A recent visit reminded us exactly why.
From the cozy counter experience to the genuinely wonderful staff, the entire night felt warm, welcoming and full of local heart. Every dish had unique flavors and thoughtful details. The cocktail program alone deserves attention. The “Florida Man” arrived with a metallic gator on the rim and tasted like an elevated Baja Blast with tequila, blue curaçao, pineapple and orgeat, while the “Heights Vice” brought a silky clarified piña colada meets strawberry daiquiri vibe.
Food-wise, there truly wasn’t a miss and every dish left us more speechless than the last. The char siu ribs with miso ranch were instantly memorable, while the tuna tartare balanced sweet, salty and briny flavors perfectly with peach, caper relish and merguez watermelon. I also loved the yakitori with shiitake tare and shiso verde because it packed so much flavor into something so simple-looking. Rooster & the Till always does an incredible job layering unexpected ingredients while still keeping dishes approachable and comforting.
The tortellini with smoked local fish was pillow pasta with the flavors of your favorite caesar salad, and the market fish with fermented fries and Calabrian butter had some flavorful heat. The wine pairings with each course were also incredibly unique, especially the sparkling chilled red LINI 910 Rosso Lambrusco. We finished with espresso martinis and the calamansi pie dessert, which balanced creamy, tart and tropical flavors perfectly.
Rooster & the Till just has a way of making dinner feel exciting, thoughtful and genuinely special from start to finish. We highly recommend this Seminole Heights gem for any local foodie or special occasion. Follow them on Instagram to see their latest specials and make reservations online here.
