James Tracy A friend and I had an outstanding experience at Ember and Oak in Melbourne Florida during our visit to Cocoa Beach. The ambiance and overall dining experience were refined, sophisticated, and truly top-tier.
Having spent over 25 years in the hospitality industry—working in leadership roles around the world—I tend to notice the details, and Ember and Oak impressed me on many levels. Coming from Las Vegas, I’m particularly selective about where I dine, and it’s the small details that separate great restaurants from the rest. Ember and Oak absolutely delivers on that front.
Our server, Kate, was exceptional. It was our first visit, so we had several questions, and she knew the menu inside and out. Her service was attentive without being intrusive, and she consistently anticipated our needs before we even had to ask. Having worked alongside some truly career-level servers and bartenders in my past, I can confidently say Kate ranks among the very best I’ve encountered.
The food was prepared beautifully. We shared the KC strip, which came out slightly rarer than expected—but that was entirely on us, not the kitchen. The presentation, quality, and flavor were spot-on. The Brussels sprouts and shiitake mushrooms were outstanding, with generous portions and incredible flavor.
Thank you, Kate, for making our evening memorable. I will absolutely recommend you and Ember and Oak to my friends and colleagues whenever they’re in Florida.
— Jim
