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- Address:
- 2402 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, FL, 33629
- Phone:
- 813-514-0691
- Overall User Rating:
-
(26 ratings)
- Hours:
- Monday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. (open until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday)
- Official Web Site:
- http://www.bistrobleutampa.com
The people behind the former NoHo Bistro have opened a new location with a new name. Bistro Bleu now stands on Macdill Ave., close to hotspots like Datz and other local favorites.
The scene: At 7 p.m. on a weekday, just a few tables were filled and the room was uncomfortably quiet. There was no music, dishes clanking from the kitchen, or bustling wait staff.
Cluttering the walls is colorful, local art. Patrons can buy Bay area art right off the walls. Much of the ingredients used in the food also come local.
For a "new" restaurant, the ceiling and floor tiles look rather old, and the furniture feels rickety. Despite the local flavors, it's hard to know what Bistro Bleu is all about.
Drink: Cutting the space in half is a large, horseshoe-shaped bar, serving wines and local craft beers.
Food: The menu is American fare. Some of the slightly eclectic items include the Sweet Potato and Apple Soup ($7). Appetizers and beginner salads range from $6 to $12. My friend and I shared the Shallot and Garlic Confit Bruschetta ($6), toasted bread layered with sautéed shallots and sprinkled with goat cheese, balsamic vinegar, and basil. We each polished off two, but were a little unsure of the thick, slippery shallot slices. I'd expected the shallots to be minced and didn't love the pile of this slick vegetable on top.
For dinner, my friend ordered two appetizers: The Cheeseboard ($12) and the Roasted Beet Salad ($8). The cheeseboard consisted of small sliced cheeses, hard crackers, squishy grapes, and jam. The Roasted Beet salad included goat cheese, pecans, and sherry vinaigrette.
I first asked for the Seasonal Raviloli ($16), pumpkin ravioli with cranberry reduction and sherry cream sauce, but was disappointed to learn the kitchen was out of ravioli. Instead, I chose the Crab Cakes ($20), complete with mashed potatoes and crispy leeks. The portion was fairly large. The mashed potatoes were smooth and delicious, and the leeks added just the right amount of crunch to an otherwise soft dish. However, the crab cakes themselves were lackluster-a bit too soft and too salty. I finished only one.
The bottom line: Bistro Bleu needs a bit of work, but if you don't mind opening your wallet it could be worth a try.
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