Maestro's - Tampa

I planned a special Holiday surprise for my adorable date, and we kicked off the evening with a meal at Maestro 's restaurant in Tampa. Maestro 's is the high-end restaurant adjacent to the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, which features premier tableside service. Chef Edward Steinhoff had created a unique menu to complement the show, and since we were planning to see An American in Paris following dinner, we knew that we 'd be enjoying a fine French-inspired meal. The restaurant was decorated for the Holidays with festive trees and colorful seasonal greenery. After being seated, our server, Alix, helped me to select a delicious bottle of 2013 Argentinian Mairena Malbec. That 's not a vintage which you 'll likely see in Tampa, and Alix said that they only had a few bottles left in their cellar. It was delicious, and I 'm very glad that we had the chance to enjoy a bottle. The meal starts with a visit to the Antipasti table, located in the middle of the dining room. Each night Maestro 's features two different soups, and a wide variety of gourmet salads, fresh and fire-roasted vegetables, seasonal fruits, artisan cheese, charcuterie, and rustic breads and crackers. Yum! For my main course, I ordered the Chef 's Local Catch, and that turned out to be pan-seared grouper with a light lemon cream sauce, which was served with roasted vegetables and rice pilaf. Very delicious, and not too heavy. After clearing the plates, Alix was back with the dessert tray, and I got talked into a light and flakey French pastry, layered with heavy cream and raspberries. It was delicious and extremely decadent. For the record, the dinner is prix fixe, meaning all of the meals on the menu are offered at a fixed price, and that includes your visit to the Antipasti table, along with your choice of main course, and dessert. Wine and kisses were extra! Candace and I really enjoyed our dinner, and thought this was the perfect opening act for a night at the theater. The hostess very kindly took a photo of us standing in front of the Christmas tree in their lobby before we dashed next door to see the show.

I planned a special Holiday surprise for my adorable date, and we kicked off the evening with a meal at Maestro 's restaurant in Tampa. Maestro 's is the high-end restaurant adjacent to the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, which features premier tableside service. Chef Edward Steinhoff had created a unique menu to complement the show, and since we were planning to see An American in Paris following dinner, we knew that we 'd be enjoying a fine French-inspired meal. The restaurant was decorated for the Holidays with festive trees and colorful seasonal greenery. After being seated, our server, Alix, helped me to select a delicious bottle of 2013 Argentinian Mairena Malbec. That 's not a vintage which you 'll likely see in Tampa, and Alix said that they only had a few bottles left in their cellar. It was delicious, and I 'm very glad that we had the chance to enjoy a bottle. The meal starts with a visit to the Antipasti table, located in the middle of the dining room. Each night Maestro 's features two different soups, and a wide variety of gourmet salads, fresh and fire-roasted vegetables, seasonal fruits, artisan cheese, charcuterie, and rustic breads and crackers. Yum! For my main course, I ordered the Chef 's Local Catch, and that turned out to be pan-seared grouper with a light lemon cream sauce, which was served with roasted vegetables and rice pilaf. Very delicious, and not too heavy. After clearing the plates, Alix was back with the dessert tray, and I got talked into a light and flakey French pastry, layered with heavy cream and raspberries. It was delicious and extremely decadent. For the record, the dinner is prix fixe, meaning all of the meals on the menu are offered at a fixed price, and that includes your visit to the Antipasti table, along with your choice of main course, and dessert. Wine and kisses were extra! Candace and I really enjoyed our dinner, and thought this was the perfect opening act for a night at the theater. The hostess very kindly took a photo of us standing in front of the Christmas tree in their lobby before we dashed next door to see the show.

Run now! The Golden Girls Drag DIVA Brunch!! A perfect blend of brunch and fabulousness.

Very good visit. Attentive but not obtrusive waiter. Soup and salad bar very good. Chocolate Espresso Martini excellent. Steak well prepared. Overall great experience! Had been disappointed a couple of visits ago overdone steak/dried out overcooked fish on a visit last year but Maestro's seems to have returned to the norm that being a good venue and value for preshow dining. Desert which was included was a small portion of rum flavored cake. Good, but could have been better!

Service was excellent. Meat, cheese and salad table was fully stocked and great variety of selections. Ordered the steak as an entree, was cooked to perfection. Wine selection is a tad limited but good options. Meal included dessert as well. Was well worth the price.