Reviews Rusty Pelican - Tampa

I recently had an unforgettable dining experience at Rusty Pelican in Tampa, Florida. From the moment we arrived, the warm ambiance and stunning waterfront views set the perfect tone for the evening. However, what truly made our visit exceptional was our amazing waitress, Grace. Grace's attentiveness and friendly demeanor made us feel welcome and valued throughout the entire meal. She effortlessly guided us through the menu, offering insightful recommendations that perfectly matched our preferences. Her expertise and knowledge of the dishes showcased the restaurant's commitment to excellence. The food itself was a delightful symphony of flavors. Each dish was masterfully crafted, and the attention to detail was evident in every bite. The seafood selection was particularly outstanding, and the freshness of the ingredients truly shone through. Rusty Pelican's blend of delectable cuisine, breathtaking views, and outstanding service provided an experience that exceeded all expectations. Thanks to Grace's exceptional service, the evening became a memorable celebration. Without a doubt, I highly recommend Rusty Pelican and cannot wait to return for another extraordinary dining adventure.

The service was Excellent! We enjoyed Pablo’s service, he’s incredibly knowledgeable specifically with wine selections. Food presentation was elegant and vibrant. Very good restaurant options for a special celebration.

𝐀 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐎𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐲 - 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 -- Rusty Pelican has solidified its status as a local staple over the years, and after my recent visit, it's abundantly clear why this establishment has stood the test of time. It boasts a perfect blend of exquisite cuisine, breathtaking views, and a sophisticated ambiance. -- 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 What makes Rusty Pelican a favorite to me (as a former photographer) is that it's the perfect venue to host your most cherished events with an amazing backdrop for weddings, receptions, dinner parties, private events, and timeless experiences. The moment you walk up to the restaurant, you are greeted with a carefully curated story-telling experience. It's a work of art designed with meticulous attention to detail, including the outside entry with a beautiful fireplace and the inside lobby adorned with modern and past history architecture and subtle lighting, which beckons patrons with an air of anticipation. It indeed provides the EXPERIENCE anyone could look for. -- 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 The service staff demonstrated a remarkable balance between efficiency and warmth. Our waitress was very attentive, making sure every interaction was conducted with a high level of professionalism. Timing is often the key to a flawless dining experience, and this restaurant mastered this aspect with finesse. I think everyone hates it when the food comes out too quickly, and surely, they made sure everything was timed to perfection. -- 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 / 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Presentation - top-notch. The food presentation is elevated to a level of sheer brilliance from the first glance to the last bite; every dish at this restaurant is perfectly plated and presented. However, we know food that looks good doesn't always taste good. This is where the restaurant fell short. -- Onion Soup - The initial presentation of the French Onion Soup was enticing – a bubbling bowl of melted cheese crowned with a golden-brown crust promised a delightful, comforting experience. However, the first spoonful revealed an unmistakable and overwhelming saltiness that eclipsed the nuanced flavors one would expect in this traditional dish. Maybe I'm spoiled, as I have sat with a Michelin-starred chef who truly presented the best onion soup I have ever had from the best recipe – thanks Grandma. The most important thing about all dishes is focusing on the showcase ingredient – in this case, onion. Every bite should be focused on the onion. The key mistake I see most chefs make is that they don't consider the natural salt flavors that come with the broth, onion, and especially the cheese. Salt – you should always be conservative. I have dined with many chefs who even try to counter the salt effect of ingredients within the dish. Salt is NOT your friend when you present a dish, and it's a friend for the consumer if they want more. -- Broccolini & Crispy Tofu – Another amazing presentation, but the taste made me sour. The dish is described as a Soy Honey Glazed Tofu, Ginger broccoli puree, roasted red peppers, and toasted sunflower seeds. What did I taste? The entire time was sodium. Here's where the chef misfired. Less is More. At the bottom of the dish, there was a POOL of soy sauce. That tells me they doused everything with soy. Soy is an excellent complimentary flavor. It would have landed if they had used soy and honey JUST to glaze the Tofu and maybe used a more balanced sauce with the rest of the dish. While I expected some salt flavoring from the soy, I couldn't taste the ginger puree, red peppers or the "toasted" sunflower seeds. In fact – I couldn't find the seeds. -- Overall, my dishes didn't scare me away. I still think they were presented well and cooked well. Just the wrong flavor profile. I have had other dishes at this restaurant, which were all up to par. Besides, the view almost makes you forget about the bad taste. It's still a true gem that deserves every accolade it receives—a genuine five-star experience that leaves a lasting impression.

I was dinning alone and Grace made the experience extra special. The food was excellent and the service was very prompt and friendly. Rusty Pelican will always be my favorite restaurant and my visit on Sunday was no exception. The Lobster and Shrimp Risotto was delicious. I also had the wedge salad and cornbread. I sat by the window and watched a pelican in the water just outside my window. Thank you for another memorable experience.

Grace was our server. She had such a great personality. We were there tonight celebrating my husband’s birthday. She suggested the Rusty Pelican board for two. There was a large variety of everything. The service was quick and the food was delicious and fresh. She even brought him a slice of cheesecake in celebration of his birthday. Which was a very nice treat. We will definitely be returning.

Oh boy! We had the most amazing service from Nydia! She was our waitress and she made our second experience at Rusty Pelican the best! Nydia made sure we loved our food and drinks, and ensured that we were 100% satisfied. The food was perfectly seasoned and fresh. We had a great view of the water, as the cherry on top! My friends and I will definitely be back!

Rusty Pelican is a very unique & tucked-away waterside restaurant with some great options. Everything from the appetizers to the entree, theough dessert was delicious and fresh. We had a large group & Caesar accommodated our party with Erin. I haven't had encounters with other servers, but these 2 were pretty good!

Updated review - 11/16/23 Visiting this place again after several months. Nothings changed, still an outstanding place to dine. Again I had the Blackened Swordfish atop sweet potatoes, the marriage worked superbly. Coconut shrimp were perfectly cooked and quite tasty. Surf & Turf was excellent as well. What a great place this is, you have got to give them a try. And yes, the staff is super nice. Absolutely fell in love with this place. Great ambiance sitting right on the water and dining. I recommend the Blackened Swordfish, perfectly done and super satisfying. Cornbread needs a little work, but that’s forgivable. A-1 customer service and a very knowledgeable staff. Will definitely be returning and can’t wait to try other menu items. Worth the trip for sure.

This restaurant was phenomenal! The food was amazing and our server, Sara, was incredible! She was kind and gave great suggestions. We couldn’t be happier with our experience! Thanks for a great dinner, Sara! ❤️