What are five things I should know about Delfinos?
Before you head to Delfinos, Hammock Beach Resort’s fine-dining restaurant, there are a few things you should know.
1. Its hours of operation fluctuate. Delfinos is a dinner-only establishment that’s open only on select evenings from 5:30 to 10 p.m. A schedule of its hours isn’t always available, so check with the hotel concierge the week you want to dine to ensure the restaurant isn’t closed.
2. There's an Italian menu. The restaurant serves traditional Italian cuisine, which makes dining here easy for all diets — as long as you aren’t afraid of carbs. The menu is full of pizzas, pastas, seafood and steak. There are no special allergy or dietary menus, but the kitchen will make any necessary changes to dishes.
3. No bar. There is no bar or waiting area at Delfinos. If you want to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail, you’ll need to do so at one of Hammock Beach’s other establishments: Loggerheads Lounge (the most convenient option, since it’s across the way), Atlantic Grille or Sushi Bar (though this is mainly for diners). You can also grab a drink in the hotel lobby before a meal at the St. Augustine restaurant.
4. It's family-friendly. The Italian restaurant is very family-friendly, so bring the kids. The menu full of pastas and pizzas caters to kiddie tastes.
5. There is a members-only menu. Hammock Beach Resort caters to members, owners and guests, and so does its restaurants. On the Delfinos menu, you’ll find a section for members only that includes discounted prices on some items and the prix fixe selection. The same dishes are available to you, but you’ll have to pay full price.
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On September 17Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What non-alcoholic drinks or mocktails does Delfinos offer?
There is no separate mocktail or non-alcoholic drink menu at Delfinos. However, if you’re looking for a drink minus the alcohol, just let the server know what you’re looking for and the bartender will create a drink just for you. You’ll find non-alcoholic beer on the main menu, and you can always request the standard non-alcoholic cocktails (Shirley Temple, virgin daiquiri). For more creative mocktail creations, leave it in the hands of the bartender, who will create a drink that will go perfectly with your dinner dishes. -
On September 17Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
Does Delfinos offer any special or rare bottles of wine?
Oenophiles will enjoy Delfinos’ vast wine list, which includes a few rare finds. These special wine offerings include a Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru Chardonnay 2001 ($250), a Penfolds Grange Australia 2000 ($262) and a Silver Oak Napa Valley 2006 Cabernet ($149). If you’re not sure what wine to choose for the table, ask your server for some recommendations based on what everyone is ordering. -
On September 17Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What are some of the specialty cocktails available at Delfinos?
The specialty cocktails at Delfinos fit in well with the restaurant’s Florida locale — they’re even topped with festive umbrellas. The restaurant serves specialty drinks from the bar, including a peach Bellini martini, which is made with Absolut Apeach, champagne and peach puree. For something a little more beachy, try the Hammock Beach White Sangria, made with chardonnay, peach schnapps, apricot brandy and fresh fruit. -
On September 17Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
Does Delfinos offer wine pairings?
Delfinos doesn’t offer wine pairings on its menu, but you can ask your server to create some for you. There is no sommelier at Delfinos, but all of the servers know the wines offered well and can provide information and recommendations based on your meal choices. If you’re looking for a simpler route, there are suggested wine pairings for the pre-fixe menu. Just keep in mind that the wines are not part of the pre-fixe menu cost, so you’ll pay a little more to wine and dine. -
On September 17Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
There is no bar at Delfinos, but there are plenty of options for pre- and post-dinner drinks throughout Hammock Beach Resort. Loggerheads Lounge, located directly across from Delfinos, is a great place to meet before dinner for a glass of wine or beer and some friendly banter. The casual lounge setting is the perfect place to wind down the day or start the evening. For a more formal pre-dinner drink, try the Crown Jewel Cigar Bar. Located just above Loggerheads, this spot serves hand-rolled cigars and a variety of Scotches and cognacs. You can also choose to meet your party in the lobby of Hammock Beach Resort, where a bar is set up just under the TV screens near the check-in desks.
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On September 17Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
Does the menu at Delfinos have seasonal dishes?
The menu at Delfinos changes every four to six months, according to executive chef Steve Schoembs. You’ll always find the same sections on the menu: appetizers, salads, pizza, pastas and entrées. But what’s included in those sections might change based on what’s fresh and in season. The few consistent items on the menu are the shrimp scampi, the homemade lasagna, risotto “fries” and traditional pizza. The entrées will switch up to include new meats, fresh fish and different accompaniments (like seasonal vegetables and fruits). The good news is that since Delfinos is in Florida, you can count on great fresh fish year-round. -
On September 17Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What is the food presentation like at Delfinos?
Food is a family affair at Delfinos, and that comes out loud and clear in the presentation of the dishes when they arrive at your table. The plates are always colorful, thanks to side pairings of vegetables, herbs and sauces. A simple cherry tomato on the middle of a white pizza adds a bit of color, while steamed and blanched green vegetables add vibrancy to a lobster tail or white fish. The portions are large and great for sharing, creating a family-friendly atmosphere. Don’t worry about ruining the presentation — you’re meant to savor the different spices and sauces that accompany each plate. -
On September 17Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
Are there any signature desserts at Delfinos?
Make sure to save room for Delfinos’ signature desserts. Our Forbes Travel Guide editors suggest you choose the homemade gelato, which is a sweet treat not to be missed. The gelato flavors change daily, but each one is refreshing and smooth, providing the perfect digestive after a heavy dinner. Sorbets are also available, and you can mix the flavors to create a three-scoop dessert to end your meal on a light note. -
On September 17Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What are the desserts like at Delfinos?
The dessert menu at Delfinos is a traditional list of Italian goodies: tiramisu, cannoli, espresso sundaes and homemade sorbet and gelatos. The sorbet and gelato options change every couple of days, but they are worth the indulgence as an after dinner option. Couple your dessert with a coffee drink, port or a pour of the resort’s 150-year Grand Marnier for $33. If you’d prefer your dessert to be a drink rather than a dish, consider heading to the Crown Jewel Cigar Bar or Loggerheads Lounge at the Florida hotel, where you’ll find more spirits and specialty liquors to wind down your evening. -
On September 17Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What is the cheese course like at Delfinos?
Based on what’s available in the kitchen, the cheese course at Delfinos changes daily. Part of the dessert menu, the cheese course is offered at the end of your meal with hot coffee, tea or an after-dinner drink. It typically consists of three to five cheeses, depending on what the kitchen is offering that night, and prices will vary based on the amount of slices and types of cheese offered. Your server will share the cheese course options with you when handing you the dessert menus and will be able to explain any cheeses you might not recognize. -
On September 17Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What vegetarian and vegan dishes does Delfinos offer?
There are plenty of options for vegetarians at Delfinos, but vegans might find dining here a challenge. Vegetarians will love the bruschetta (made with basil pesto, sundried tomato‐olive tapenade, fontina and mozzarella) or the risotto “fries,” which are seasoned with lemon and roasted garlic. There are four different salads; only one comes with meat, and that can be excluded from the dish to make it vegetarian-friendly. The pizzas and pastas are mainly meat- and seafood-free, and those that aren’t can be made without meat and seafood upon request. Vegans might have a harder time eating here simply because of all the cheese used in Italian cooking.
