For most of the past decade, our go-to place for fresh local seafood has been the 12A Buoy.
Since we first discovered this little shack eight years ago on the edge of Fisherman’s Wharf in Fort Pierce, we have dined there three or four dozen times.
Fine dining this is not. The 12A – which has kind of a dive-bar vibe – is far from fancy. No white linen and fancy tableware. The ambiance is set by the pickup trucks with boat trailers out front. It is the type of place where you would expect locals to hang out, and they do.
But the fresh seafood, which is what draws us there, has been consistently excellent (though I should also note there are steaks on the menu which are pretty darn good as well).
The only thing that has changed over the years – other than a small increase in what remain very reasonable prices – is the 12A seems to get crowded earlier. Since it does not take reservations, during season you can anticipate a goodly wait for a table.
Now, it seems, there’s a waiting list pretty much all year around.
On our most recent visit, even though the evening was warm, the first table to come open was outside on the deck (screened from the parking lot by a wall of sea grapes), so we decided to dine al fresco. A large fan next to our table helped considerably.
A server quickly arrived to take our order, and my husband and I selected a bottle of chardonnay from their modestly priced wine list and our companion went for a glass of pineapple cider.
For starters, I chose one of my favorite appetizers, the steamed clams ($14). My husband passed up one of his favorites – the creamy, clam-filled New England clam chowder ($5) – and ordered a half dozen Malpeque oysters on the half shell ($12). Our companion went for the Jack’s Miami Vice chowder ($5).
Jack’s Miami Vice is the name the restaurant gave some years ago to a cup filled half with clam chowder, and half with conch chowder. The 12A’s version is amazing. You really want to try this.
While the light-bodied, easy-to-eat Malpeques lived up to expectations, my clams were even better – steamed in a garlic herbed butter and sherry sauce, and served with a chunk of grilled bread perfect for mopping.
Then for entrées, I ordered one of my favorites, the grilled scallops ($24), my husband chose one of the evening’s specials, the sun-dried tomato pesto encrusted wahoo ($25), and our companion chose the Florida lobster tail ($26).
My wonderful plump, juicy scallops, pan-seared medium rare, just melted in your mouth. Some of the best ever. Our companion’s 10-ounce grilled lobster tail was accompanied by delicious crispy French fries. And my husband’s perfectly cooked wahoo was served over a roasted garlic parmesan potato cake with tomato pomodoro and wilted arugula.
For dessert, there now are three choices: a key lime pie, a peanut butter pie, and now a fudge brownie a la mode.
Even the simplest dishes here are so good they make you wish this restaurant was here in Vero. If you really like fresh seafood, this is the place. The 12A Buoy is the best in our area.
I welcome your comments, and encourage you to send feedback to me at [email protected].
The reviewer is a beachside resident who dines anonymously at restaurants at the expense of this newspaper.