Rusty Pelican Restaurant
Tampa, FL 33607-1437
Phone: (813) 281-1943
- Price:
- $$$$
- Directions:
- Take the Courtney Campbell Causeway to Rocky Point, look for Rocky Point Drive on the south side
- Best of Citysearch:
- Waterfront Dining 2005
- Hours:
- Fri-Sat 5:00pm-11:00pm Sun-Thu 5:00pm-10:00pm
Editorial Review for Rusty Pelican Restaurant – by Sara Kennedy
The Scene
Gaze at the bay and listen to the soothing sound of waves lapping at the piers beneath. When the sun sets, the world comes to a standstill. Big water birds alight just beneath your feet in the water; horseshoe crabs rustle in the sand. Though you can't hear them, you can just see, very far off in the distance, giant 18-wheelers traversing the Howard Franklin Bridge, which snakes over to St. Pete.
The Food
Fancy fare like filet mignon Diane, escargot in puff pastry, rack of lamb in rosemary, lobster with proscuitto and leeks.
What to Order
The food's good, but not great. The scenery is what really makes the Rusty Pelican. Dinner was grouper Grenoblaise, mild white fish dipped in batter and sauteed, then topped with lemon caper sauce and grilled duck breast served with guava Beaujolais sauce. The delicate guava Beaujolais sauce was overwhelmed with vinegar; the grouper was fresh and well-cooked, but slightly greasy. Dessert, a flourless choclate cake, was also decent, but not swoonable.
What to Skip
The chunks of ice in the strawberry dacquiri are too big, and it needed more liquor.
Cost Factor
Quite high--the cheapest item on the menu, chicken, costs $17.95. For that, you can eat well in nearly any high-end restaurant on either side of the bay.
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Insider Tips
One of Tampa Bay's BestNominated for best view because the tables overlook an incredible panorama of Tampa Bay. And the lights underneath the restaurant reveal marine life, like crabs and waterfowl, that provide entertainment as you eat.
Rocky StartStart a few minutes early because it's hard to find, tucked back behind condos and office buildings.
Party TimeThe Rusty Pelican has a gorgeous meeting room on one side that has an even better view of the bay than the main dining room.
User Reviews for Rusty Pelican Restaurant
05/02/2007 Posted by floridacar
My husband and I reside in the n.w. Tampa area and recently had the pleasure of lunching at the Rusty Pelican. We were very pleased. Our lunch was quite excellent with portion size large enough to take some home for tomorrow! Parking was no problem, the lovely tropical walkway and deck steps lead to a lovely area complete with fireplace. Next was the bar area and wine display with a piano at the ready. We were very elegantly seated near the window and the bay view is beyond compare. This is the place where you propose and later come back to plan your reception or if you've been around awhile like us, it's a respite from everyday life. Our lunch was under fifty dollars although we didn't have a drink. Clean casual dress was acceptable. I can imagine the sunset would be spectacular for dinner and be sure to visit the bayside gazebo if possible. I can't wait to go again!
Pros: Romantic all the way!
Cons: None we could find
05/19/2005 Posted by lingolf
Our evening was awesome from the service to the valet parking. The food was outstanding from the stuffed mushrooms to the dessert tray. We enjoyed filets and lobster tails that were cooked to perfection. Would highly recommend the Pelican - a true dining experience.
Pros: Friendliest, Service, Valet Parking
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