PORT ST. LUCIE DINING
DIVERSE CHOICES
While there are some menu offerings that are more traditionally
Portuguese, Dovale makes sure to offer a variety of
Mediterranean dishes.
“I want everyone to be able to come in and choose something
off our menu,” Dovale says. “While I am Portuguese,
I also love many types of food. I try to add an Italian, Greek
or Spanish touch to some of my recipes. Besides seafood, we
have veal, chicken, pork and steak.”
The Steak Portuguese is a hearty dish of a flawlessly panfried
Black Angus New York sirloin. It is topped with a slice
of Portuguese prosciutto, a fried egg and a tantalizing garlic
and beer sauce. The steak is served with a side of housemade,
Port St. Lucie Magazine 39
thinly sliced and very lightly fried potatoes.
Fernando’s Dockside Grille will be celebrating seven years
in business this April. It is ranked as the No. 1 restaurant in
Port St. Lucie on Tripadvisor, has been awarded certificates of
excellence from 2016 to 2019. And it was recently awarded a
Traveler’s Choice award for 2020.
With the pandemic, he has shortened hours and is closed
two days a week. They are taking it one day at a time.
Fernando’s has a very loyal clientele, so while he has seen
a decrease in patrons, it has not been too bad. He is staying
positive and hopeful.
“I really enjoy what I do, and I am proud that we are one of
the area’s few, truly family-owned restaurants,” Dovale says.
“You don’t see a lot of those around anymore. I have my few
staff members that are my right hand, reliable and loyal.”
Fernando’s has most certainly cemented a place in the
local food industry and paved the way for a more culturally
diverse Port St. Lucie. E
Dovale has reopened his
doors with limited hours due
to the pandemic, so diners
have been able to enjoy the
outdoor dining area and
remain socially distanced.
/slbt.com
