07/23/09

Very Poor Service

by popenny

Food was good, but a wednesday luncheon took 3 hours. Waitress had to be asked repeatedly for refills straws etc. Meal was served piecemeal with some getting soup first and others after the main course. The place was crowded when we arrived, by the time we left, we were the only diners left and staff was setting up for dinner. This was a very disappointing.

• Pros: Warm bread, salad and soup excellent.
• Cons: Mene (?) worst waitress ever

02/14/09

Tourist Trap!

by MikeGa

All the food tasted the same, bland, tasteless, salty, and disgusting. Nice presentation, good waitress, really bad food. I hope I will not get sick. I am writing this as soon as I got back to my hotel room because I want you all to be warned!

• Pros: none
• Cons: bad food, salty food, the butter didn't seem real

05/12/08

Great food, good service, good value

by GreyBard

The Columbia has been around forever, and is still one of the better places to go for any size group. Can't speak to having children along, but they should do fine (so long a Mom and Dad keep them in check). Great selection and deserts.

• Pros: Great overall resturant
• Cons: Get reservations

04/16/08

NIce ceramic panels

by Tampasucks

I loved the outside ceramic panels -- although covering one panel of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza with a bolted bench is really stupid -- and I loved the ambiance inside. One of the few decent looking places in Tampa. My snapper was outstanding and reasonably priced. Unfortunately my wife got very sick the next day. I don't think it was the airplane food. So, not even two stars for Columbia.

• Pros: Beautiful place
• Cons: You may get sick

01/26/07

0 because i cant give a -10 gave me and my party food illness

by aman2222000

when i contacted the restruant i got no apology and was told they never had this kind of problem. when i told my story to others, others have told me they got sick there also was once told by a person whos father was a prominent baker in tampa the cooks used to make jokes about the dirtiest kitchen in tampa and city officials wouldnt do anything because the owners had so much pull in the city. DONT EAT THERE FIND ELSEWHERE IN YBOR CITY

10/06/06

Really bad food

by ibilly

My family and I have been going to the Columbia on and off for at least 20 years. This year was no exception. The food this time was simply miserable. My husband's order appeared--and tasted--as though it had been sitting under a heatlamp for a couple of hours. His plantains were so tough that we thought he had accidently ordered banana jerky. My mother and I ordered tapas--hard to say what we were eating. The waiter, bless his soul, forgot our wine order and although we asked, never brought us the dessert menu. Alas and darn, this will be our last visit to the Columbia. No kidding.

Seriously, there are much better places to eat with as much if not more authentic atmosphere. Look for them in Tampa--I know I'm going on the hunt as soon as I can.

• Cons: really bad food

09/05/06

Big bucks for atmosphere

by fmtampa

I have lived in Tampa for over 30 years and had eaten at most Spanish restaurants in the area except this one. This was primarily because everyone always recommended other Spanish restaurants and all personal reviews of the Columbia were less than complimentary. Well, now I know why. I had family coming from out of town so I thought the atmosphere and the show would offset the cost and mediocre food. I am disappointed to say it did not! The Sangria (regular because we don't think good Sangria needs brandy in it) tasted like a generic fruit juice and we had to ask for extra fruit (1 piece in each small white wine glass). The entrees were bland in taste and moderate in portions and did not come close to meeting the expectations of the menu or the price. It turned out to be a very expensive lesson. Also, I have been to Spain so I do have a fairly good idea of what the food should taste like. As for great Spanish food locally, might I suggest Viscaya in Carrollwood.

• Pros: Beautiful building and decor
• Cons: Below average food for above average price

05/19/06

Spanish, not Mexican

by mrslane

I loved the food, service and decor. Advice - order and entree for lunch instead of a tapa. More food for the same price! the gaspacho was perfect, as was sangria. For a nearly empty restaurant, we were not seated for almost 10 minutes! The free bread was WONDERFUL! I want to go back.

• Pros: menu, decor, food
• Cons: seating

04/28/06

its alright

by bogdana

I had the paella and it was delicious. it was pricey but a very beautiful spot. I would recommend it more as a lunch place if you want to save a little money and be in a more relaxed atmosphere- its great to go there for lunch and then walk around ybor.

• Pros: food's OK, beautiful restaurant, unique
• Cons: price, parking

11/27/05

Maybe next time

by lvyrbdy

My wife and I were recommended The Columbia from family members in Tampa. The house special filet mignon the size of a child's fist came cooked in bourbon and it tasted just like that, a shot of bourbon in every bite. This most expensive cut of meat on the menu was so rubbery, my wife had to ask for a steak knife which barely got the job done. The house special paella was nothing to write home about and i did ended up doing just that, bringing most of it home. Make sure you get a good nites rest before you see the show(add. $6 pp) because if you've seen one flamenco show, you've seen them all. The restaurant is beautiful and service was ok. Highly recommend trying somewhere else.

• Pros: Beautiful restaurant
• Cons: Expensive, Bad food