OVER THE WATERFRONT RESTAURANT
Welcome to OTW.
Our chef works magic with fresh, seasonal ingredients, planning each dish based on the number of reservations to ensure it’s absolutely perfect. Seating is limited, so don’t let your spot slip away! Text 239-689-9335 to reserve your seat at the table.
We do our best to post weekly menus at the Safety Harbor Club office and right by our restaurant door but there are always mouth watering special dishes created in addition to the printed menu. Got your own catch of the day? Let our chef work wonders with it! Just make sure to bonk, bleed, and scale your fish beforehand, and notify the chef in advance.
Our hours and days of operation change with the seasons. If you’re ever unsure, call the Safety Harbor Club office at 239-472-1019 for details while you’re on the island.
Come savor the flavors of Over the Waterfront at Safety Harbor.
OUR CHEF AND TEAM
Chef Pete’s culinary adventure began at age 16 in the bustling restaurant scene of Fort Lauderdale, where he dove headfirst into the fundamentals of the trade. Ambitious and quick to learn, Pete climbed the ranks from line cook to sous chef and often stepped up to head chef to run kitchens when established chefs departed, effectively inheriting their knowledge and honing his own skills. His path took a Caribbean turn when he worked in the US Virgin Islands, adding a touch of tropical inspiration to his repertoire, before being brought to the nearby island of Cabbage Key by a former Fort Lauderdale chef friend, where he spent several years crafting meals with local fish and ingredients.
Seeking a more personal approach, Pete left to found the Pine Island Food Experience, where he cooked for private clients and delivered gourmet meals both on the mainland and the surrounding islands. It was during this time that Pete met two of his most important clients—Les and Shawnda—when he delivered them a meal one dark night on Pine Island, and they soon became fast friends.
When the opportunity to join OTW (Over the Waterfront) appeared, Pete initially hesitated, having grown fond of the autonomy of his home-based operation. However, OTW’s small scale was different—it wasn’t another sprawling kitchen, but a warm, welcoming space where he could connect directly with guests. Pete realized this was his final culinary destination, a place where every dish could tell the story of his journey.
Once Pete committed to OTW, the rest of the team quickly fell into place. Les, who was recently retired and looking for a low-key way to stay busy, visited the restaurant with Pete and was hooked on helping out. Naturally, Shawnda soon completed the trio, stepping right in as the restaurant’s one-and-only server.
Today, this dedicated trio is what makes OTW special. These three amigos have navigated high seas, low tides, hurricanes, and even a legendary night commute that temporarily marooned them on a sandbar. Through it all, they just keep coming back, dedicated to making OTW the special, quirky gem that it is.