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Mild Bill
Jun 18, 2010 11:39 PM
I thought it was really fun and interesting...
The super nice folks who own and run the place have put together just the type of restaurant I dream of doing myself... Cool, homey, casual, creative, welcoming, and happy...
I wish them the best...They don't use the terms 'appetizer' or 'main course’ on the menu…
They call them 'Small Plates' and 'More Than a Small Plate'...I can only talk about the things I ordered, and I had The Bone Marrow with Crostini and blueberries (small plate), the Stroganoff (small plate), and their Burger with Yukon Gold Fries...
------ and two or three pints of craft beer...
------ and a big ‘ol pickled pig’s foot!
------ Ooooo, and the S'mores dessert!!I would recommend that folks try to join us for these occasional gatherings because each time we get to know each other better, loosen up a little more, and have more fun...
My juicy, flavorful, perfectly cooked, medium rare burger, along with those Yukon Gold (crispy well-done) fries were the best thing I ordered...
That was a damn good burger, and the fries were killer…The Stroganoff (small plate) was an unexpected preparation, but an interesting treat...
I’m absolutely glad I got it…The beers were excellent…
The home-made S’mores for dessert blew us away!
Rhnault thought it was the best thing she ate all night…3 graham cracker tartlets filled with a spectacular semi-sweet chocolate mousse (I think), topped with home-made marshmallow--- torched a little!
I’m furious I don’t have three in front of me right now!
The Marrow Bone ‘Small Plate’ consisted of one 4” tall bone segment, and mine was over-cooked, because only oil poured out of mine as I tried to scoop & push something out onto the crostini...
Finally, the pig foot!
Ay Dios Mio!
I love them for making this, I do! ----- and I think three of us took the challenge...
I ate every edible bit off the thing, and in the thing, in an effort to understand it completely---all the while laughing & saying; “this isn’t food”....
I’m glad I got it--- but I prefer the hot, soft, silky, collagen-rich saucy, Latin or Soul versions I’ve had in the past, served over rice or grits, with added lovey-dovey pork cuts to make up for the lack of meat on the pig foots…I know--- that's another dish...
I mention it just so maybe they might make it! ;-)OK, that’s all I got….
I’ll be keeping an eye on the online menu, and again, I thank those folks for being creative, passionate, a little crazy, and perfectly hospitable…Look at this whole thing I wrote!
Why can’t I simply say; ‘it was great--- can’t wait to go back’?›37 Replies-
re: Mild Bill
askdrtodd
Jun 19, 2010 04:48 AM
Bill is spot on. The prices at the restaurant are more than reasonable, my wife and I ate for under 50 dollars with drinks, and everything was great.
Their take on Caprese was well executed, with added dimensions of citrus and mint that were well received, but the presentation was what really won the dish with the use of both yellow and red cherry tomato slices - beautiful.
The bite of Bill's burger I got was one of the best bites of a burger I've had in a long time. In as long as I can remember. Every time I drag people to Pane Rustica I usually make them order the burger so I can bogart a bite at some point (I don't usually order richer dishes) but this was a contender for the PR burger, if not even better.
I loved the earthiness of the Stroganoff, it complimented the slight richness of the dish well in my opinion, and like all the other dishes the presentation was great too.
The group was great, the beers the restaurant had on tap were great, the owners were great, and I'm pretty sure we're all really looking forward to doing this again, perhaps early July.
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re: askdrtodd
wow great reviews. can't wait to go...my sweetie's coming for a visit july 4th weekend, we will DEFINITELY hit this place. Do we need reservations? I just looked at the menu prior to reading your posts, and the bone marrow had me salivating...mmmmm thanks, guys, and next time PUH-LEEZE try to make it on a Saturday night or Sunday so i can join you. i work crazy hours during the week and can't ever do anything on a weekday :( (shouldn't complain, i'm glad to have a job in this economy)
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re: askdrtodd
blitzchamp
Jun 28, 2010 08:56 PM
Aw man I think I'll be in Gainesville on 7/11. =[. I would be down any Sunday though I live close by.
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re: Mild Bill
below is just quibbles. I'm sold on the Refinery as a whole--- in seminole heights, no less.
i thought the stroganoff was more like a hash. I would have loved a fried egg in the middle. to make it more like stroganoff, i would have replaced the creme fraiche with sour cream and drizzled a little red wine reduction. as it was, it just didn't seem complete or fit the prfile of stroganoff.
I wanted something light, and the grits and greens were just what i wanted. The braised greens had just the right touch of vinegar, and the polenta wasn't too smooth, but still had a little grit to them, which was perfect.
I brought my Tuesday appetite, so that's all i ate.
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re: blndroot
rhnault
Jun 22, 2010 04:55 AM
It is just south of the intersection of Florida and Hillsborough in Seminole Heights.
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re: blndroot
Lauracooks
Jun 24, 2010 06:08 AM
favorite spot in tampa right now. i love everything about this place
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re: askdrtodd
Lauracooks
Jul 2, 2010 09:10 AM
I had the coutry pate a few weeks ago and it was quite good. sometomes it is just having th right condiments to counter the richness. I am going tommorow and wat to try the pate melt. I have high hopes.
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