08/29/09

Stay away from this cheap garbage

by hellkitten

I have had two experiences with this over rated dump.

The first was when my grand mother came to visit for my birthday. Being from St. Pete, and the fact that I had always wanted to try Pepin, we decided to go there. BIG mistake! I can honestly say (and they did nothing service wise to anger me) that this is the most disappointing and over rated restaurant I have EVER visited. You are better off going to Mc Donalds. The lemonade I ordered was obviously crystal light powdered lemonade. Ugh! When I was in high school, I worked at the mall at Steak Escape. Even there - at the mall, we made authentic lemonade every day, from fresh lemons. Not here! It was awful. But worse, it was obvious that we all were eating dry, nasty leftovers from probably the previous day, or days. It was AWEFUL! Dry, flavorless, and the food just looked OLD. As in, cooked a day or two before and warmed up in the microwave. I could not believe how awful the food was, and the fact that they tried to pass off obviously pre-cooked leftovers. Nasty was not even beginning to describe the quality of the food. My second experience with this dump was when a group I was working with catered from them for lunch (much to my dismay). Besides the fact that they did not provide silverware, plates, napkins, condiments, etc, the food was again of the same cheap lowest possible quality. Cheapest ingredients, mostly rice and very little chicken, and powdered tea. This restaurant is a disgrace to whatever legacy they hold onto. They use the cheapest ingredients possible, pile on the "filler's" leaving out the meat, etc, and do not hesitate to cut corners and serve you something cooked day(s) before, warmed in a microwave! I called to complain (which honestly I hate doing) but it was honestly THAT BAD. Fast food offers a more rewarding experience than this over priced over rated dump. I would NEVER again think about eating anything from Pepin, and will do anything I can to persuade anyone from wasting there time and money. For the record, the service was ok, and I do not really have any bad feelings about the place. But never the less, I fully believe that if you are paying for food, especially from a well known restaurant, then you should not be paying for the cheapest ingredients and leftovers. There food is truly garbage and the chef should be fired. This place should be on the tv show "kitchen nightmares", seriously! Don't waste your time or money.

• Pros: none
• Cons: they cut every corner possible

07/10/07

Romesco Sauce!

by Nonie3234

This is our favorite restaurant - my husband and I eat here for every special occasion - and sometimes just because. My favorite is the pasta with Romesco Sauce. Where else can you get Romesco Sauce? I've never seen it anywhere else. My husband likes what he calls "fish in a bag". I forget what they call it on the menu, but it is fish cooked in parchment and is just great. We have tried almost all of the appetizers (tapas) and they are all delicious. I kind of don't like the "famous" salad, because it's a little too vinegary for my taste. DO NOT MISS their custard - with a crunchy crust of caramel on top! Yum! Writing this review is making me hungry!

In short - we've been eating here for years, and have never had a bad meal. We've always found the service okay - sometimes really outstanding, and sometimes just adequate - but never lacking.

• Pros: Tapas, desserts, lots of flavor in the entrees
• Cons: Price is a little steep, but okay for special occasions.

02/23/07

Great Atmosphere. Friendly staff. Paella is outstanding.

by eaglei

Pepin's is a great palce to dine. They have awesome banquet facilities along with a piano bar on the weekends. One of the last places in town that still free pours. Sangria is top notch. End the night with

a cappuccino.

07/23/06

Disappointing!!

by henson_l

We ordered the yellow rice & chicken and the pork chop dinners. The chicken was dry, the rice was googy with hard pieces and both meals were extremely flavorless. When I told the waitress the chicken was dry she apologized and asked if I wanted her to box the meal up to take with me. It surprised me that she would offer to do such a thing when I complained about the meal. I ended up exchanging the meal for a baked potato. Needless to say I left hungry. The waitress needs a class on customer service. I expected to pay for the bake potato but not for the salad that came with the chicken dinner that I returned. What's a little lettuce for a bad meal? The salad and the white sangria were good but that's about it. The piano player was awesome! Don't waste your time or money.

• Pros: White Sangria & the Piano Player
• Cons: Service & food

12/14/05

Top of the line for fine food and service

by dinerb

Pepin Restarant is a place for excellent quality fine food with outstanding service.

The bar is fully stocked and had the owners are friendly and helpful.

• Pros: Clean, Quality food, Great Service

06/20/05

Not that great.

by asm775

The food at Pepin's is very average for the price they charge. I cook quite often and it was clear to me that everything at this restaurant is either out of a can or frozen. My paella was gritty and my husband's Stuffed Chicken in Mushroom Sauce was nothing more than frozen stuffed chicken lying in a ladle of canned soup. They don't separate loud groups, so even though it could be romantic - the mood is altered by a loud party of 8 only steps away. My coffee was refilled promptly, but he never brought me more cream. All in all, I think I'd rather throw a dinner party than go to Pepin's.

• Pros: Piano Bar
• Cons: expensive, loud, overpriced

04/15/05

Old owners are back, Pepin's is as good as ever

by setherd

I have eaten there for over 20 years, in the later 90's the restaurant was sold and it went down hill. Recently the original owners bought it back and they have been working hard to restore their image. The food is excellent. The atmosphere is much better (it used to be way too loud).

• Pros: Food, atmosphere

07/11/04

Still Great Food & Service!

by ross873

Having visited St. Petersburg in January 2004, my wife and I, along with some friends, visited Pepin, one of our favorite restaurants when we lived there over 15 years ago. We were both extremely pleased to find that both the food and service were exactly as we remembered: EXCELLENT! Even though some of our old favorites were no longer on the menu, they were available upon request, and just as good as ever. The salad, Spanish rice, and sangria completed our most enjoyable dining experience.

• Pros: Food, Service, Variety

04/06/04

Pepin no more

by theitallianscallion

For the past 15 years we trekked to St. Pete from Ft. Myers foer a day trip and dinner at Pepin. Until the recent visit we made @ 6mo. ago dining was always excellent especially the Pork Chop and the salad. During this meal the service was still quite good but the food was very so-so & I have praised this place to people for years. From talking to the owner at a previous meal we found at that time a new management/ownership had taken place and has gone steadily downhill. Will only stop if in area.

11/14/03

One of St. Pete's nicest Spanish restaurants, Pepin is a longtime favorite with predictably fine food and friendly, attentive staff.

by Contributor

The Scene
You'll find a variety of diners at Pepin, from downtown business people and couples celebrating anniversaries to singles who just feel comfy there eating alone. The Spanish theme extends to the decor, which is heavy and dark, but oddly relaxing.
Start with sangria, the red wine Spanish beverage of choice. Order any hors d'oeuvre, they are all good. For the entree, order shrimp almondrina, featuring battered shrimp topped with slivered almonds and served with orange marmalade sauce. Finish with flan, Spanish custard topped with caramel syrup.