Tio Pepe Restaurante
What People Are Saying About Tio Pepe Restaurante
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
At 20-some years, it is still a relative newcomer to the circle of the area's long-established Spanish restaurants, but Tio Pepe has managed to hone its fine Spanish and Cuban dishes into something eminently presentable. Hidden amid the suburban sprawl of Clearwater, it provides a dark, interior with heavy, overstuffed furniture and hearty food. Its formal setting is nice for special occasions and hot dates.
The Food
Specialties include boliche, a Spanish-style potroast stuffed with spicy sausage, with a huge mound of black beans and yellow rice as sides. Practically anything you order at Tio Pepe will be fantastic, so don't stint. Particularly wonderful is the Crema Francesa de Chocolate, a chocolate mousse so heavy and rich, it feels as if you're eating chocolate clay.
User Reviews
Anonymous
March 05, 2008
For a couple decades Pepe's was the best of the best. But in the last few years the food and service have become little better than hit or miss. We used to frequent it for the house salad (the lettuce never refrigerated and picked from a select field) and specials like the trout or the 2 standing pork chop. However, our recent experience, after having been away for several years, left us wondering what went wrong--besides Pepe's long departure, and apparently his chef now, as well. I ordered the 2 inch pork chop, which used to be served on a platter standing on it's side. It used to take 45 minutes to cook such a thick piece of pork well. We were surprised when it came out in about 20 minutes, lying on it's side--floating in a pan of watery juice as if it had been boiled, then unceremoniously scraped onto my plate with a splat. Keeping an open mind about this obviously new approach I cut into it. Immediately I was hit with a disgusting smell you usually only smell in a barnyard with pigs. The pork was totally raw inside. Not underdone, but blood red uncooked like a biology exhibit, with white tendons running through dark blood red meat. I turned it over and sliced into the other side to see if it was any better (more putrid smells): more raw pork with a thinly seared outside. My wife's fish was mushy and served cold by the way. At least the bread was unchanged. When I notified out waiter he looked disgusted and horrified at my pork. Not so the manager (who had already had an argument with another table over the quality of the food). He didn't offer any apology, or explanation and gave the impression that this was somehow my fault. We had lost our appetite so we just paid for the fish and left shortly afterward. I find it had to believe I'm writing this about Tio Pepe's, I place I had previously raved about. Since then I've heard others tell me it
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lhaze
January 28, 2008
We were eager to try this restaurant and made reservations for a Sat. night (not necessary, it was half empty). The server was inexperienced, did not have a good knowledge of the wine list and recommended a wine that was not very good. (obviously a college student). My husband ordered the lobster (overcooked and tough) and I had the grouper en papillotte (all stuffing and no fish). We will probably not go back. However, it did have a cozy interior and we had a great appetizer of serrano ham, manchego cheese and apple slices - though it would be hard to mess that up.
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mauck
January 13, 2008
Was excited to try after not frequenting for a yr or so, We made a reservation for 7:00pm on a Saturday Night and was suprized to see we did not really need them. Very casual atmosphere. Meeting two other couples for dinner and service for water was great - from there it went down hill fast. Ordered a Bottle of 1989 wine from the list and 40 minutes later the wine was presented along with the waiter asking for our orders. 1st we saw him after the water and bread were supplied. The wine was bad, at which time the Manager on duty informed us that wine was at our risk and there would be no substitute for it - he also informed us that the wine needed to breath more and it would be fine trust him. ( he also said he did not drink - after we offered him a glass to give us his opinion.) Chose another bottle off the list that was advertised as a 2000 - the bottle that was poured for us at the table was a 2005 for the same price. Not a good time needless to say. No appologies or excuses just very cold from the staff at Tio Pepe. Those that were dining with us decided this would be the last time for Tio Pepe for our group and I have to agree. I would not recommend spending the 300-350 dollar dinner for 6 when there are so many really good choices in the Tampa Bay area.
read full reviewThe Details on Tio Pepe Restaurante
In the know:
Especially on weekends, you'll need reservations because Tio Pepe is a very popular dining spot.
Wear Nice Duds:
Dressy, classy and urbane crowd appreciates Tio Pepe.
Category:
Restaurants, Banquet Rooms, Lounges
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, MasterCard
