Tampa Bay Recomendations

[MGTico]

I will be in the area for the U2 concert next week with my wife....I am not really interested in chains but seriously good food, service, and selections...We both work in the hospitality industry and have some serious expectations..your help would be greatly appreciated. The type of cuisine is not that important, but we want can't miss!!! Any help would be appreciated!

Cheers!

[TampaNativeThatLovesNYC]

I'm glad more Chowhounders are giving El Puerto a try! Their seafood fried rice is also delish, and a must try is their Dulce Tres Leche, it's not on the menu but if you ask for it, you will be addicted:)
Oh, and don't forget about the fried pork appetizer, comes w a scrumptious little salad mixture and yucca, it's a meal in itself!

[rhnault]

I am going to try it soon. Sounds so good~!

[rshally]

I agree whole-hearteldy about El Puerto, was just there SAturday evening for the 22oz Curasco Steak,a nd Chicken Fried RIce....love that dresh bread with fresh Chimichurra sauce...

[rhnault]

we had lunch today at El Puerto. I was blown away. It is absolutely wonderful! We had the ceviche mixto and the mixed grill for one and shared. I was disappointed they did not have the tres leches cake today! Not that I had any room left for it.

[kentski]

Okay, I'm now heading back soon. My neighbors rave about this place as well, and now reading all of these terrific reviews, I'm going to try it again. I went a couple of months back for lunch and I think they were just overwhelmed at the time -- it took a long time to get the food and it seemed like my skirt steak had been sitting under the lights for a while.

But I've heard nothing but great things from everyone else, including on this board. Will hit it for lunch on Monday.

[rhnault]

They open at 12 on Sat and we were there at like 12:15. First people there. Other tables started trickling in before we left. But I could see through the window, across the little courtyard, and into the kitchen window where the chef was trimming our meat. Everything was fresh and I am in love with the chimichurri and the spicy sauce.

[TampaNativeThatLovesNYC]

I have never been for lunch but I hear it gets packed. I normally go for dinner between 6:00-8:00 and theres no one there and the service is very quick. Oh...the chimichurri sauce...you gotta try the fried pork cube app, it comes w yuca, sooo good w the chimichurri!

[rhnault]

We were there on a Sat so it was not so busy at lunchtime. It was sooooooo good. My only disappointment was that they did not have the tres leches you recommend. I love tres leches cake!
Do you know the name of the mustard type sauce that comes in the squeeze bottle?

[TampaNativeThatLovesNYC]

No, sorry, I do not know the name of that sauce, but it sure is tasty, I prefer the green sauce though:) Did you ask for the cake? It's called Dulce De Leche, it's like Tres Leche only it has a hunk of caramel in the middle! Remember it's not on the menu, hopefully next time you go they will have it, you will be addicted!

[rhnault]

The only dessert they had the day we were there was flan. I think I like the chimchurri best as well but I was using the spicy sauce almost equally. I have never had it before so it intrigues me.

[TampaNativeThatLovesNYC]

One of my fave's is El Puerto, its an Argentinian restraunt in Ybor, kitchen open until ATLEAST 12 on weekends, later when its lively(starts gettin busy at 9 or 10-ish). This is not a big fave on this board, however I've lived in Tampa my entire life and I think it's one of Tampas best. Great steaks and seafood.

[rshally]

Yum, I forgot how good their Skirt Steaks and Chicken Fried Rice is here...good choice(El Puerto in Ybor City)

[andy huse]

I had lunch at El Puerto earlier this week, and it was excellent. I and a friend both had mixed grills (sausage, chicken, two kinds of steak), all grilled perfectly, for $25 with sides and drinks. Highly recommended.

[Lpflaum]

I've heard great things about Fly Bar, Ceviche on S. Howard (get a green shuttle to take you there) serves pretty late on the weekends, and if you're looking for something quick Paninoteca makes a really great sandwich

[rshally]

Arco Iris
Selmons or Jimbos
Byblos
Bin27
Laughing Cat
Malio's

[tampa eater]

arco iris is a hole in the wall and not a great date place but more of a lunch spot.

Selmons is a chain and not original for a date but decent bbq, Jimbos is overrated.

Byblos is a good option, great atmosphere and great food. along the same lines is Marrakech (more focused on Morrocan) but lots of coucous and lamb, etc

Bin 27 is also a godo choice, but make a reservation if its a weekend night. Filet is a good choice and the tuna appetizer.

Laughing Cat is not one of my picks for Italian - I would say Osteria (the old Spartaco on s. macdill), Cafe Paradiso, Laura Ristourante or Vino E Pasta

Malios is a good choice for atmosphere, but if you are looking for a great steak, Capital Grill's kona filet is much better, as well as Flemings. Grill 116 in N. Tampa is also a great choice.

Other good choices are Baileys in Hyde Park (only open Wed, Thurs, and Fri nights) and fantastic southern home cooking. and BYOB. Wine Exchange, Ceviche, Acropolis is Ybor, Bernini in Ybor, Bungalow Bistro on Nebraska, Soho Sushi, Sakana, Ocean Prime, Oystercatchers, Armanis...and I agree with Pane Rustica above.

I am sure there are others Im not thinking of right this second, but these you cant go wrong with and i am a picking eater!

[MGTico]

Tampa Eater, and others, thanks....It looks like Bin27 will be the choice...Went to their website and everything looked great....I will let you all know. Thanks!

[Miss E]

Would you please come back and let us know how it was? I had a bad dinner there about 6 months ago and haven't been back since, but I'm not trying to make you change your mind--I'd like to know what you think.

[MGTico]

Will do.....I called to make a reservation for 10pm...she told me the kitchen closed for dinner service then and they went to a "Bar Menu". I was a bit surprised, perhaps I am used to here in Miami late night dining....We'll see if we make it. Depends on the concert and what time it ends.

[rhnault]

I doubt the U2 show will be over until at least 11. I would likely do an early dinner somewhere before the show. They do put on such a great show. I have seen them a couple of times here in Tampa. Have fun!

[Miss E]

Muse is opening, and that should be a longish set (at least I hope so), so I agree, do an early dinner before the show. If that really doesn't work for you, go to Fly downtown after the show; it's more of a bar, but a cool one, serving tapas-like small bites.

They do roll up the sidewalks kinda early in Tampa...

[tampa eater]

You also have Rawbar and Taps for light food and drinks before the show

[rshally]

late night dining in Tampa after midnight includes places like Pop n Sons, Moms Place, iHop, Village Inn, Waffle House or Pizza along 7th ave in Ybor.

Please tell me im wrong!!!!

[rhnault]

Casino?

[awood2120]

So wrong! Come to Ybor City - Acropolis and Samurai Blue are both open late and are both great.

[rikkikm]

The Taco Bus is another late night option.

[Lpflaum]

I haven't personally been here, but a friend of mine, who is chowhounder, went last night and used the words "awful" "uninventive" "overpriced"

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Rawbar Sushi
777 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, FL 33602

[rhnault]

I ate there once when it first opened and was underwhelmed. I thought maye since I have heard good things aout the Steak house there that they may offer a decent late dining option now.

[andy huse]

Council Oak: expensive and boring, the other recs here are much better.

[rhnault]

Yeah I haven't been in a hurry to try another expensive steak house lately

[MGTico]

Thanks...I wasn't sure if they had an opening act......I have seen U2 before in Seattle many years ago...they are great and have a huge catalog of music to play....looks like dinner before...Fly sounds good for "tapas" we might go salsa dancing too....

[Miss E]

Pane Rustica, on S. MacDill, is can't-miss. The dinner menu--different from their lunch menu, which is also good but not as elaborate--features fresh, seasonal, creative cuisine. It's sophisticated food and service in a casual atmosphere.