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- Address:
- 5223 Orient Road, Tampa, FL, 33610
- Phone:
- 813-627-7628
- Overall User Rating:
-
(0 ratings)
- Hours:
- Dinner served daily 5-10 p.m. Lounge 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
- Official Web Site:
- http://www.hardrockhotelcasinotampa.com/restaurants_bars/council_oak/
The Council Oak Steakhouse, located in the Seminole Hard Rack Casino, is a much better investment than any game of chance.
Décor and Dress: Even on a busy night--- the restaurant was fully booked on our visit--- there is a prevailing air of sanctuary. Outside in the casino, hundreds of electric games beeped in a dissonant chorus, and thick throngs of gamblers and employees rush to and fro. At the entrance, a large window showcases the restaurant’s butcher at work, trimming fat from prime cuts of meat. Live music hums in the lounge. A double bar faces into the lounge and outward at the casino. The atmosphere at Council Oak is classy and subdued. Like most steakhouses, casual dress is fine, as long as it doesn’t involve sandals and shorts.
The Drink: Council Oak’s signature cocktail menu is extensive, but the cocktail names, named after songs, can be confusing. The “American Pie” is made with Scotch whisky. The “Freebird” is made with Jagermeister. Mojitos are difficult to perfect, and the “I Walk the Lime Mojito Style” ($12.50) came with no hint of sugar syrup and an overwhelming fistful of fresh mint. The waiter had the problem fixed, but by then the drink was watery and flat. The American Pie was more successful, with sour mix and a kiss of apple juice mixing their sweetness with smoky Scotch. Wine by the glass averages over $10. Bottles start at $24, with some decent choices under $40.
The Food: Council Oak’s kitchen is reliably good, and they clearly know how to cook steak. The New York strip ($43 for 16 ounces) was evenly seared over its entire surface. The browning was uniform, making one of my guests wish for a more char-grilled treatment. The steak’s flavor stood alone with only a minimum of seasoning. Sauces or toppings include wild mushrooms ($6) or Oscar ($8.50), with crabmeat, asparagus and garlic in a rich Hollandaise sauce. The Maytag blue cheese ($6) made the bone in filet ($39 for 10 ounces) a true indulgence. The biggest disappointment was the restaurant’s failure to stock sufficient prime rib for a busy Saturday night; however, with the restaurant's high volume of guests that night, this was perhaps an indication that the dish was a favorite among many.
Side dishes all proved competent but unimaginative. The tower of donut-sized onion rings looked impressive, but was awkward to eat. The onions are cut in oversized two-inch-thick slices, making it impossible to bite through a ring. It was too much of a good thing. The asparagus ($9) was steamed to perfection. The lobster mac and cheese ($11.50) was mild with melted gruyere, cheddar, and Manchengo cheeses, and flecked with tender chunks of lobster. All side dishes could easily serve two.
The service: Our server was friendly, courteous and attentive.
The Cost: Three steaks, three sides, and two cocktails cost $240 after tip. The prices are high, even for a prime steakhouse.
The Bottom Line: The quality of the food is high, but the prices are higher. If I hit it rich at the casino, I’d stop for a steak. Until that happens, I’ll go elsewhere in Tampa, where there is no shortage of prime steakhouses with more reasonable prices.
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Council Oak Steaks & Seafood
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
5223 Orient Road
Tampa, FL 33610
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