Location:  200 East 13th St., Riviera Beach, FL 33404.  Phone: 561 845-5532.  tikiwaterfrontseagrill.webs.com

If you follow MRSRAG, you know that Maria and I love a water view when we eat or have a drink.  Our best dinner ever was at The Chart House in San Diego, yards from the Pacific Ocean.  We’ve reviewed in this space, Season’s 52, The River House and The Rum Bar, all on the Intracoastal Waterway.  Up next is the Tiki Waterfront Sea Grill in Riviera Beach.  We love The Rum Bar for a drink, but when we want a better selection of food without losing that beachy feel, we go to the Tiki.  Perched above the Riviera Beach marina and with a nice view of Peanut Island, the atmosphere is laid back, the drinks are good, the menu has a nice variety and the live music is usually rockin’.  We have several favorites, but the thing that always has me speeding to get there is, believe it or not, the Wakame aka Seaweed Salad.  If you’ve never tried it, give it a shot, I bet you won’t be disappointed.

When Ross first told me that the Tiki had his favorite seaweed salad – I was skeptical to say the least.  The only place I was ordering seaweed salad on a regular basis was Japanese Sushi houses.  I didn’t expect to find Wakame at a Florida Beach bar, but sure enough it was listed under side dishes.  And it was damn good too.  The perfect accompaniment to any of the items on their extensive menu.  It’s a nice, refreshing change from getting greasy french fries as a side.  It has only been upstaged by my new favorite item, the blackened chicken and brie sandwich, which I suggest you get in a wrap.  Although, I would not dream of discounting the rosemary foccacia it usually comes on.  It’s just that the bread always seems like empty calories and it takes up the allocated space I have reserved for alcohol during my visit.  It’s always Corona’s with lemons at the Tiki for us.  Yes, lemons.  When Ross first met me I was a lime girl, but I finally gave in and gave his lemon a try.  Needless to say, it tickled my fancy.  He has never steered me wrong…at least not yet.

That chicken wrap is very good, I never miss a bite or two, as Maria is always very generous.  There are some decent starters on the menu too.  Two good choices are the Tuna Ponzu, their variation on seared ahi tuna, and the Tortugas, bacon-wrapped scallops served with an apricot-horseradish dipping sauce.  Our favorite though is the calamari, served with a marinara sauce.  They are always tender with an ample supply of the tentacle variety.  Nothing against the standard loops but we love tentacles, really.  Finally, hailing from New England originally, I know a good lobster roll when I see/taste it.  And while the Tiki version is probably not going to win any competitions, it’s about the best you’re ever going to get this far removed from ‘Glahsta’ (think Perfect Storm).  Served as it must be on a toasted and buttered hot dog bun, it is loaded with Maine lobster and not overpowered with celery or mayonnaise.  It also comes with my beloved Wakame, and for a mere $3.75 more, don’t hesitate to double up on the luscious side.  So, the next time you’re in the Singer Island area and the skies are clear, just drive a little south of Blue Heron Blvd on US-1 and take a left at the light at E. 13th St.  You’ll enjoy a nice, relaxing beverage and some really good food, while watching the boats come and go in the incomparable Florida sunshine.  Sounds rough, doesn’t it? 

Maria’s Rating: 3.5 Wine Glasses out 5.

Ross’ Rating: 3.5 Wine Glasses.