What's the skinny on Bern's in Tampa?

What's the latest on Bern's? Overrated? Worth every penny? I'm visiting Tampa in a few weeks and debating about going to Bern's with my wife(neither one of us has ever been), but wanted to get the scope to know if it's worth it. Thanks

[gfr1111]

Bern's is as good as ever and a unique experience not to be missed. The steaks are excellent, dry-aged on the spot. The big thing that differentiates Bern's steaks from others is the amount of flavor in them, probably due to the dry-aging. There's also a commendable amount of theatre involved: the Bordello entrance, the tour of the world's largest (collection of wine) wine cellar; the tour of the kitchen; the view of the fish tanks; the meat hanging on hooks in the kitchen; the herbs under "grow" lights in the kitchen; the waiter (at the beginning of your meal) asking if you would like reservations for the dessert room; the being led up the stairs to the dessert room by a waiter; the intimate seating inside of (mostly open) wine casks in the dessert room, etc. However, even if Bern's did not have all the theatre, it would still be the best steakhouse at which I have ever eaten.

People on this board occasionally knock Bern's, but as you can see from the postings above, the majority are extremely impressed by the food and the experience.

Sideberns, a companion restaurant, also owned by the same people as Bern's, which has nothing to do with either Bern's or the dessert room (something that confused me when I was making reservations the first time), gets great reviews on this website, as well. The only question is whether it will remain outstanding, now that its chef of many years, recently departed. Sidebern's has been as innovative as Bern's has been tradition-bound. And I say this in a laudatory manner. I would not want management to change a thing about Bern's. Why tinker with a winning formula?

And no, I have no connection to Bern's! It is just a great place.

[Reloman21]

Not overrated...worth every penny. I'm a big Peter Luger's fan....but this is not only good, it is a dining experience not to be missed.

Enjoy................

Let me add my two cents at this late date, assuming the original posters' trip to Tampa has come and gone with some excellent input from everybody else on the thread.
We have enjoyed Bern's dessert rooms several times, without dining at Bern's itself. 1) I am not a steak-lover and 2) the prices on the menu are higher than my mortgage payment (That said, I had an excellent steak at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Tampa, recently.) It is fun to go to a more moderate spot for dinner, and take a drive to Berns and go upstairs to a totally unique dessert experience, and one that has very, very reasonable prices! We have taken friends to Berns (dessert only) and to a person, all have been taken aback at the red bordello decor at the lobby. I look forward to hitting the dessert room again, soon.

Bern's is pure HYPE and a huge waste of money. However, Sidebern's is amazing. And the dessert room at Bern's is excellent.

I've had better steak in many places in Tampa and in other cities.

Berns is one of those places that you tell people that you went and they think you are hot stuff, especially if you go often!

Skip it, go to Sideberns

I wrote an article on Tampa restaurants a year or so ago in which I discussed Berns and Columbia. You can find it at

http://www.intrepidtraveler.com/trave...

The article resulted from a paid-for press junket so take that into account.

Berns had a new chef at the time I visited. She was working wonders at Sideberns, a trendy eatery up the street from the original steakhouse. Word was she was going to revamp the menu at Bern's.

I'm not a big steakhouse person, but Berns is worth a visit just for the decor. So guady and garish that it's kinda fun. And the upstairs dessert room, where every party sits in a private, walled-in booth, made from old wine vats, is a great idea.

Columbia, in the Ybor City district, is a lovely place and it passed my Caldo Gallego test.

Hope this helps.

Never eaten at Bern's. NOt just that it's expensive, but steakhouses don't do much for me. That said, I know I must go anyway. Someday when I get a raise.

The Columbia has been slipping for decades. The places look great, and the food isn't terrib;le, but it's not very good. Do stop by for lunch, however: the original building Ybor City is increible--- a whole city bock of lavish decor and architecture. The antithesis of Bern's interior.

another st4eakhouse worth mentioning is Maio's, been around forever, great for lunch, all the power brokers eat there.

for spanish food better than columbia, try Valencia Gardens on Kennedy.

wish I could post more, but no time!

You mean Malios don't you?

Yes, I meant Malio's. Good steaks, etc. Very affordable for lunch. Do try the Peach Malio: Vanilla ice cream topped with frozen peaches and drizzled with Amaretto!

You can see politicians and TV anchormen dining beside, well, people like me.

[andy huse]

man, this is an old thread, but as long it is coming up, may as well update.

I thought Bern's was okay, but it didn't really impress me. The salad dressings, of all things, impressed me most. I found SideBerns more interesting. I thought Mise en Placem in terms of the whole package, rivaled both of the Bern's operations.

I've radically revised my estimation of the Columbia. The food has made a major someback under Richard Gonzmart's leadership in the last few years. The place was badly in debt and cutting cornmers over the 70s-90s, but the entire business has been reinvented. I've learned much of this up close, as I've been doing some work for them. I've been so thoroughly convinced that I've been taking family and friends there. Ybor is the most competent location, but i still tryt to avoid the place on peak weekend hours, as it gets crazy busy. Lunch is an especially good value.

We were there last year and thought it was excellent. We took the free kitchen and wine cellar tours - You tell your waiter you want to take the tour after your meal - it was wonderful as well. What a wine cellar!

Yes, its a steakhouse, but what's wrong with that? After your dinner, go upstairs for dessert - what a trip! The service and the quality of food is worth the price. And, frankly, as a former NY'er who loved Peter Lugers, Bern's is very reasonable for what they give you. Go and enjoy Bern's and not Side Bern's. I don't think you'll be sorry.

Oh, and one more thing. Don't panic when you walk in and see the red velvet wall paper. It looks like the place is a Bordello -

If you're comparing it to Luger's - possibly my favorite place in the world - then I'm definitely going. Thanks for the info.

I suppose as some foodies sit around dreaming of Alain Duccase, I sit around dreaming of Bern's. I cannot think of one resturant that I have not been, that I want to go to more (except for maybe Phillipes in LA).

Plus, it turns out there are two places in Tampa I am dying to visit. The other is Santo T's old hang, the Columbia. What do chowhounds say about Columbia?

Rob

Berns is also on my "gotta go to" list. I went to the Columbia Restaurant in St Augustine in January..they are a 6 restaurant Florida chain. It might be called a "tourist spot"..even housing a gift shop but I had a great meal there..baked red snapper and a filet mignon in a bourbon sauce...nice atmosphere and great service. Thoroughly enjoyed it. BTW Berns and Columbia both have pretty fancy websites (I know..bad sign :)) www.bernssteakhouse.com www.columbiarestaurant.com

just to get you hungry

Bern's is a good experience overall, not just the steaks but all the sides too. spectacular wine cellar.

A previous comment talked about the demise of Colombia; I agree. I took some out of town guests and it was expensive, crowded, food was mediocre. Just walk in front and admire the building and then move on!

[tpigeon]

I went to Berns once years ago and found it terrible. The dessert restaurant was amazing though.

I went because people compared it favorably to PL. It is was not even close.

[theflytyr]

Personally I don't understand all the fuss over Luger's. I am sure many people like their meat roasted, but personally I like a nice crust on my steak. And whats the deal with them slicing my meat for me. Do they not think I can't cut it myself! I just don't get it. If it wasn't in NYC it probably wouldn't get the accolades it does. Reminds me of RAO's. Average Italian with a ridiculous reputation. By the way I am not a Bern's fan but I would say it is one of the better steakhouse in the country when they are on their game, and certainly much better than Puck's new place 'CUT' out in Beverly Hills, boy did that place suck...........my main problem with Berns is their lack of consistency with their steaks.

[eatnbmerry]

Touche,

As the saying goes Once is Enough as far as PL is concerned. And Bern's is not what it used to be (say 10 years ago but then again who is LOL).

BTW, did you try the kobe burger at CUT? I have to admit that I personally rate Chinois and Spago as 2 of my all time favorites but was leery of him doing a "steakhouse".

[theflytyr]

No I did the Kobe Ribeye. It truly had the "Buttery Taste" that Kobe is known for but personally I like a nice beef flavor with my steak and you just don't get that with Kobe Beef with all the marbling.

As for Spago..........ate at the Maui location 3 times and had excellent meals and service each time. I also have been impressed with his restaurant Postrio in San Fran. Never have been to Chinois though. Personally Cut was really a see and be seen restaurant.......I never thought the food lived up to the hype, even the sides. If you like Kobe beef, their selection is about the best I have found in the US, so it may be worth your while to try it.

[eatnbmerry]

Ty for info!

We were there for our annual staff dinner in November. Thought it was great, as usual. Ask the sommelier to suggest a wine in your price range. Go with an empty stomach.

If you've never been, Bern's is quite an experience. The care given to detail is extraordinary, the food always seems consistently wonderful, and the decor is certainly unique. Make sure to tour the kitchen if you go.

On the other hand, Bern's is essentially a steakhouse when it's all said and done. If you're looking for more creative cusine, try SideBern's up the street or Mise en Place just off Kennedy near the University of Tampa.

I agree word for word with Gator. Everybody has to go there at least once. Gator, you were very kind re the decor. I guess they put their profits into the FOOD, not the building! Did you know that Bern's even has a live fish tank? If you order let's say, red snapper, they literally fish that sucker right out of the tank (I guess only if you're the FIRST snapper order of the evening, that is). You will see the tanks on your tour. They also grow their own herbs. And what we saw them trimming off the porterhouse, I could feed my family of four with!

All that said, I still prefer Sidebern's and Mise En Place. Also, the Columbia doesn't hold a candle to any of these places, IMHO. Pepin's on 4th Street in St. Petersburg is better.

[globalguy]

Have traveled the word and besides the never changed decor Berns is one of the BEST for a complete meal. The chains do not have a chance against this institution. For the wine lovers sit down and marvel at the unbelievable selection in every price range and reasonably priced. They have a million bottles in the cellar and storage, take the tour after dinner and you will say, wow! You will not be disappointed by visiting Berns