For dining al fresco on the Indian River waterfront in Sebastian, there is no better choice than the outside deck at Capt’n Butcher’s.
During the season – when the midday temperature is a bit lower – we often stop by to watch the fishing boats come in and out of the marina, and lunch on Capt’n Butcher’s fried shrimp or fried oyster Po Boys ($14), which may well be the best around. The lobster roll ($16) is also a favorite.
But even with table awnings, we find the deck a bit warm for lunch at the moment.
As the sun begins to set in the West, however, there often is a nice early evening breeze to provide a bit of a respite from the current run of unusually hot days. So last Tuesday we decided to try Capt’n Butcher’s for dinner.
While the deck was close to full when we arrived around 7:30, we managed to get a table for four only one removed from the water, and our server quickly took drink orders to get us started.
For appetizers on this evening, I decided to try the lobster bisque ($4), my husband ordered the steamed middleneck clams ($11), and our companion settled on the New England clam chowder ($4).
The chowder and lobster bisque are both very good renditions of these dishes, and the steamed clams did not disappoint. I soaked up most of the garlic broth from the clams with some chunks of bread.
Next came house salads – your basic mix of greens, topped with tomato and pine nuts. I had mine with a vinaigrette dressing, while my husband and our companion opted for the blue cheese.
Then for a main course, I ordered the shrimp scampi linguini ($19), my husband had the evening’s snapper special ($26), and our companion had the clams linguini in a garlic butter broth ($19).
My husband’s snapper was a very nice piece of fish, perfectly cooked. An excellent dish. My shrimp and our companion’s clams were also plentiful and well prepared, but the linguini in both of our entrées was disappointingly bland. We perked them up with some of the condiments on the table, but these could have been very good dishes if seasoned properly in the kitchen.
On previous visits, we have enjoyed the Capt’n’s grilled platter ($27) – fish (dolphin), extra large shrimp, and sea scallops perfectly prepared in a house grilling sauce – and the Capt’n’s crab cakes ($22), sautéed and very tasty.
For dessert, we generally finish with a slice of Key Lime pie ($5.99) topped with fresh whipped cream. Wonderful.
Dinner for two, with tax, tip and a couple of glasses of beer or wine, should run about $80. While there is a fairly plain room available for indoor dining, if the weather is at all cooperative, you want to sit outside overlooking the lagoon.
In three years, Capt’n Butcher’s has established itself as the best of Sebastian’s waterfront restaurants. For al fresco dining with a view, it can’t be beat.
I welcome your comments, and encourage you to send feedback to me at tina@verobeach32963.com .
The reviewer dines anonymously at restaurants at the expense of Vero Beach 32963.