06/15/09

Great service, flexibility for large group

by cjetampa

We scheduled a gathering for a going away party. Reserved for 12 people, but we ended up with more than double that number. The staff was very accomodating and made sure we were comfortable and taken care of despite the unexpected number of people. The food was fantastic and the atmosphere cozy, comfortable and inviting.

• Pros: Handled large group with flexibility/service, great food!
• Cons: none

02/28/09

Food good/average staff HORRIBLE

by ffoeg

Second visit to The Front Porch. First time was a year ago and all went well. This time....one word CR*P! Wait staff as described by others act like you are a bother. We went here for our 16th anniversary and they f'd it up with their attitude. Will not be going back. And the owner thinks he is Chef Ramsey from Hells Kitchen he is a d*ck.

• Pros: Front door guy is cool
• Cons: everything

12/11/08

Love the porch, music and atmosphere

by NathalieNation

This place is near my house and I love the atmosphere. There are several great photos of what I'm talking about in a photo gallery on Metromix's website.

07/12/08

Good food, Rude Manager

by linton57

I have eaten here four times. The food is good and the old house is cool. I did not like the way the Manager

treats the servers, They all smile and are very nice. I noteiced the manager is very rude and never smiles.

Let's go have a good time at the Front Porch on the nights the Manager has off.

• Pros: good food
• Cons: rudeness

06/16/08

This restaurant in the midst of Seminole Heights, is a fixture in an active, neighbor meet neighbor world.

by suz46atlambright

Working evenings with early hours, off, the Front Porch has been a home away from home. My cheers.

Better than that, the menu, changes often, with favorites as mainstay. Old south meets creative cuisine. It is a comforting atmosphere, with added deck to very large curving porch, and the inside, cool and cozy,

a reminder of other century homes, turned restaurant. I highly recommend this restaurant/bar as a

familiar retreat from chain restaurants..Please support your local businesses and enjoy!

04/06/08

Declining service and food quality....save your money

by Dinake

I used to love this restaurant for its concept...cozy litte bistro in seminole heights where you can eat on the front porch and watch the traffic drive by. However, over the past year this restaurant is just inconsistent. One time you go and have a great meal and a polite waitress, the next few times the food is awful and service is bad. Lately, you are more likely to get a meal that tastes reheated and a server who seems bothered by you being there. I used to swear by the potroast and wings but even those two dishes have tasted like leftovers on my last visit 4/08. Last time I had the potroast, the whole dish was verging on cold. I have to say that this is really a shame because I like what they were trying to do on their menu. They offered affordable semi-gourmet options, like duck and baked chevre. I think this caused them to have too many options, which has lead to reheated food that tastes awful!!! Don't order the calamari...it tastes frozen, the wings were outright nasty on my last visit. The waitress never said hello or asked how we were. she took our order and left...I felt like she didn't want us to be there so she could go home early. In summary, don't visit this restaurant until they do something to drastically improve the consistency of the food quality and service.

• Pros: walking distance for seminole heights, outdoor seating
• Cons: poor food quality and service

12/18/07

Worst place you could spend your money!!!!

by resturant_critichahaha

This has to be the worst place i have ever been! They have unwanted visitors or (this website wont let me say but how about our 8 leged friends) and lazy service. I have never had such horriable service or food.. When i order my soup their was a (8 leged friend) (i cant say what kind because this website wont let me type in which type of (8 leged friend) it was but trust me it was not what i orderd) that was in the soup and not to mention the food was the worst ive ever had... The Front Porch is not any where i would EVER go with my friends or any one else. This has to be one of the worst places ive ever been. I could never reconmend the front porch to any one with taste. This place is awfull.. NEVER GO THERE IF YOU WANT GOOD FOOD!!

• Pros: NONE, I have to say this is the worst place ive ever been to
• Cons: EVERY THING..... DO NOT GO!!!!!

Editorial Review

by Contributor

Located in an old-fashioned Victorian house this southern comfort restaurant serves meaty dishes and home-made traditional sides.

12/01/06

a great little place to do brunch with the girls.

by lnup

The food is great. The service is good depending on who you get.. The bar is good too. Parking is ample.The view is of Florida Ave. There are many things to do in the central location.Good for kids.

07/03/06

The Best Steak I ever had!!!!!!

by pattyloch

On Florida ave, just north of Hillsbourgh ave, there is a great hideaway resturant. I went in to dine last Thursday with a friend. We both ordered the steak filet and it was fantastic. The beef was so tender and it had the perfect blend of flavors, I went back on Friday and had it again. I love there steaks!!! Both nights we had great service. I also recommend the Banana Heaven, the best banana dessert in Tampa Bay.

• Pros: great food, great service
• Cons: hard to find