The latest meeting of the Food Club was a smashing success with JackieP's suggestion of Ceviche. Apparently I'm the last person in the world to know about this hot spot in Hyde Park, but I'm glad to finally join the rest of society in admiration of it.
Ceviche is ideally suited to a group like ours which likes ordering alot of different things and sampling everyone else's food. Between the 5 of us, we ordered 9 tapas and 4 desserts. The Ceviche de Atun blew my mind. Sushi-grade tuna was marinated in lemon and lime juice, cilantro, onion and jalapeno served on a bed of fresh lettuce in a martini glass. It was sweet yet tart, full of flavor yet allowing the delicate freshness of the fish to shine through. Yeah, I pretty much hogged all that. All the mushrooms and cheese dishes were rousing successes - definitely check out the queso de cabra - baked goat cheese with tomatoes and basil. I liked the crabcake and chorizo dishes less, but they were still good.
Desserts are huge - plan to share. The chocolate cake was phenonmenal, the coconut ice cream great, the mousse was tiny but tasty, and even the almond pastry rose above my mediocre expectations.
Chowhound commented on the prices and given the price of each item, I was expecting an uncomfortable bill or an empty stomach. However, the 5 of us couldn't even eat all that we had ordered, though we made a pretty good showing. Everyone was full and each person's share came to less than $25. For the variety and quality we got, it was amazing. I think the key is going in a group. They are very accomodating - Our group expanded unexpectedly and the staff soon found us a new table. Definitely find some friends, or just invite me and check it out!
Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant
www.ceviche.com
(813) 250-0134
2109 Bayshore Blvd
Tampa, FL
5 forks!!
$$-$$$
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I too, put Ceviche's in South Tampa on a high platform. As a matter of fact, I selected that restaurant as the Restaurant of the Month for June, '09 on my website: www.dineandfind.com During each month I travel around the Tampa Bay area eating at about 4 to 6 restaurants in my selection process for which restaurant to place on this pedestal for the upcoming month. Ceviche's was easy. Great food, great service, great ambiance, and seemingly, very clean. A bit on the expensive side, but it's a first class restaurant so it is to be expected. This month, July, Vino E Pasta made the grade and is given the full spread on my site. Take a look if you eat out in the Tampa Bay area.
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