7. Columbia Restaurant

I expected more from such a renowned restaurant. The service was good, but the food simply was not tasty. I tried several dishes and not only did they taste the same, but I think I've had the same from a TV dinner. Not Impressed

The Columbia has for over 100 years been dedicated to excellence. Everytime I visit for lunch or dinner is an experience to savor. Authentic cuisine and atmosphere. Trully a Tampa Gem

Living in Tampa for 20 years, I have often taken visitors to the unique experience of the Columbia Restaurant, so very central to the heart of Tampa's Latin history. In the past 2 years, I have taken European friends to see the Flamenco dancers ... always a brilliant show, but now reduced to a very small side room of the restaurant. On my last visit, I sat quietly and did not eat my Snapper Basque, because the vegetables promised on the menu as a side dish did not appear, and the potato and onion in the dish itself were undercooked. The snapper itself was good, so I just nibbled at that. When the waiter asked me if I had a problem with the dish, I explained that the menu mentioned vegetables instead of rice as a side dish. He told me that the undercooked vegetables under my fish were what the menu meant as "vegetables." Funny, everyone else at the table got the side dishes that were mentioned in the menu with their choice. I got rice, when the menu said vegetables. The restaurant was gracious enough to box up my meal, add a side dish of vegetables without charge, and give us free espresso into the bargain. The waiter did a wonderful job of being kind and helpful. It was not his fault that the kitchen doesn't seem to understand that a Basque dish of potato and onion needs a little chorizo, olive oil, and enough cooking to make it tender and succulent, long before adding fish fillets, tomatoes and lemon. Could have been a great evening, with a larger and more decorative room for the dancers and a better chef in the kitchen. Next time European visitors come to town, I will try to steer us elsewhere.