A Jazzy Upscale Seafood Eatery
Tampa, Florida, USA
Cuisine Style: Seafood
Average Price: $$$
Overall Rating: 4/5
Dined in September 2017
By Sean Overpeck (CFE)
**A full article and index glossary of restaurants, wines, recipes and travel for
Wine Dine and Play are in the pages section above, or by following these links:
Executive Chef:
John Albers
Eddie V's Prime Seafood is a salute to life on America’s Gulf Coast, with fresh quality items such as gulf oysters on the half shell and lump crab cakes, giving way to entrées such as seared Hawaiian mahi-mahi, sautéed lemon sole, swordfish steak “Au Poivre,” and broiled Georges Bank scallops. For the land lovers, a variety of USDA prime steaks and chops are also available. They also cater to the vegetarian and gluten-sensitive crowds with items such as a miso marinated tofu featuring fried rice, baby bok choy, mixed vegetables, and cashews. Match all this with a large wine list that includes an impressive collection of modern and classic American and European vintages, while you enjoy the live jazz in the V Lounge. Eddie V’s has 17 locations in nine states which include Arizona, Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. There are two in Florida with this Tampa location and the second in Orlando. All are owned by the Darden Restaurant Group, which also owns the brand names of Longhorn, Olive Garden, The Capital Grille, and many others. Though owned as part of a larger group each Eddie V’s location is custom crafted to preserve its unique connection to the local community.
When my wife and I walked in we were transported to luxury with fine white linen tables, assorted wine glasses, a service staff dressed to the nines, and the management staff dressed even more impeccably then that. When you enter the building passing by the host stand you are confronted with a small rocky waterfall display and a floor to ceiling wine cellar with 300 selections curated by their Advanced Sommelier Brian Phillips. The main bar is to the front beyond the wine display, with the V Lounge cocktail and bar tables to the right, and the main dining room to the left. My wife and chose a banquet in the lounge next to the grand piano. The serves staffed worked together with a lead or Captain server and a secondary server. Throughout the course of the meal, several others would come by the table or casually glance to assure we had all we needed, without being too intrusive. We arrived early as my wife had just picked me up from the airport, so we enjoyed some happy hour dishes and cocktails.
Menu:
- Eddie V’s Oyster Bar
- Appetizers
- Second Course
- Prime Seafood
- Chef’s Classics
- Premium Hand-Cut Steaks
- Accompaniments
- Desserts
Happy Hour Menu:
- Teasers
- Half Shells
- Appetizers
- Hand Shaken Cocktails
- Wines by the glass
The fish arrive daily from sustainable fisheries such as Block Island, George Banks, and the Caribbean. They strive to serve the guests that visit with all natural fish that are GMO-free and MSC certified. Additionally, the fish have never been administered antibiotics. The USDA prime steaks are hand cut and specially aged for 28 days to ensure peak flavor. Tortillas and other pieces of bread are made fresh and by hand daily for the lobster tacos dish and others. When asked if the staff is trained to identify and have knowledge of customers with allergens, the staff enquires to every guest upon the table greeting. Finally beyond the wine offered, Eddie V’s prides itself on the principle that man cannot live on music, wine, and fine dining alone, so this is where the craft mixology comes into play with highlights that include: a yuzu-infused Tokyo gimlet, a smoked old fashioned served table-side on a smoked plank, the blue diamond ice cube chilled hope diamond which my wife enjoyed, and a dirty devil martini with a blue cheese and pepper olive trio, finishing off with the signature cocktail dessert-inspired bananas foster martini.
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| Hope diamond martini |
We began our meal with the lollipop lamb chops, single cut, two to the order prepared with a dry rub, char-grilled and topped with a morel and fig glaze that had us licking our fingers when we were done. Maybe not the most proper thing to do in a finer dining establishment like Eddie V’s, but when a dish is good, you revert back to the ancestral carnivore nature of stone age man. For example, did you know that the word vegetarian was an old American Indian slang word? It is loosely translated as “him, bad hunter!” - a little humor as you continue to read, or are so offended you exit this webpage.
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| Lollipop lamb chops |
I am a fan oysters, raw or cooked. I became hooked when I attended a food and wine expo in the early 2000s while working for a restaurant group in Atlanta, Georgia when they offered samples of the little devils, which I only tried after having several glasses of wine. Today I do not need the raw courage of fermented grape and wheat, only a menu that lists the word raw bar. Eddie V’s has several selections but the item that attracted me the most was the Eddie’s Rockefeller, broiled with spinach and artichoke fondue topped with a panko breading and sliced parmesan garnish. As it was happy hour two came with the order, on the regular menu, it comes with seven.
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| Eddie’s Rockefeller oysters |
My wife and I then shared the tartare of Pacific Ahi tuna mixed with curry and Sesame Oils, sitting on a bed of sliced avocado, mango, and citrus. The dish was served with crust points baked with white and black sesame seeds, which my wife could not enjoy due to an allergy which we did tell the server about, but received anyway. The dish was also accompanied by additional citrus and avocado pieces, and a micro green topping.
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| Ahi tuna |
The last items that we shared were the chilled Gulf shrimp served with a cocktail sauce, atomic horseradish, and a spicy mustard. Lastly, my wife is a big fan of macaroni and cheese so from the sides on the regular dinner menu we split the truffle infused macaroni dish.
Dessert:
We did not have dessert, however, they did have a few inviting items worth interests such as a banana fosters butter cake, hot Godiva cake, apple cobbler, butterscotch pannacotta, crème brûlée, and some sorbets or ice creams along with a premium after dinner liquor selection.
Please see these guidelines for Tipping in Restaurants and on following proper etiquette, customs, cultures, and avoiding assumptions when you dine out.
Other Noteworthy Seafood Articles & Restaurants:
400 Beach Seafood and Taphouse Relaxed coastal cuisine in St. Petersburg, Florida
Alioto’s Restaurant Historic restaurant serving Sicilian-infused seafood in San Francisco, California
Hank’s Seafood A classy southern seafood eatery house in Charleston, South Carolina
Moshulu New American dining on a restored ship in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Perla’s Seafood and Oyster Bar Laid-back Cape Cod-style seafood restaurant in Austin, Texas
Red Snapper Kiwi “fush n’ Chups” takeaway restaurant in Sumner, New Zealand
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
Other Tampa restaurants and articles on Wine, Dine, and Play:
|
Asian restaurant with sushi at the Hard Rock Casino
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
Hip British-inspired and themed pub
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
Eclectic & innovative gastropub using molecular gastronomy
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
A Few Florida Favorites:
|
Rustic Italian bistro with modern takes on classic dishes
Winter Park, Florida
|
Modern café for southern grub
St Augustine, Florida USA
|
upscale locally sourced seafood eatery with ocean views in Vero Beach, Florida
Vero Beach, Florida
|
|
Steakhouse restaurant on inlet offering Gulf views
Sarasota, Florida, USA
|
Rustic restaurant is known for its burgers
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
Tierra Verde
Relaxed waterfront seafood restaurant
|
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary by country”
Final notes, review basics, observations and more pictures:
Most reviews are subjective, depending on the writer; but they should also be responsible, and respectfully written, upholding the truth, and accurately conveying the experience to the best of the writer's knowledge, even if it includes metaphors the restaurant may not like to read about. My ratings are by the stars I award (from 0 to 5). The rating is calculated on a point accumulation of six separate factors based on individual experience. They include wine and other beverage selections, plate presentation, customer service, restaurant or café ambiance, food quality, and wow factor. To see more details of this rating list, read this article:
Overall from this experience, and the score factors outlined in the ‘about page’ section, based on my individual experience and rating, I give Eddie V's Prime Seafood a 4 out of 5 stars, meaning that they not only exceeded my expectations and were far above the average dining experience of most restaurants, but they were outstanding.
Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:
Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings
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Max Points Possible:
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Total Points Awarded:
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Total Points deducted:
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Ambiance
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10
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10
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0
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Food quality
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10
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8
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2
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Plate presentation
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8
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7
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1
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Customer service
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9
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5
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4
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Alcohol and other beverages
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10
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9
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1
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Total regular points awarded
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47
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39
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8
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Total percentage — less the Bonus
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0.829787234042553
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“Wow” factor BONUS
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5
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3
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0
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Total bonus percentage
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0.0638297872340425
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Total percentage and bonus for a final star rating
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0.893617021276596
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Stars Awarded (see chart below)
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0 - 5
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4
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**A full break down and explanation of the observations and point disbursement is available in the linked article above. To receive a detailed copy of your score, feel free to contact me at any time and I will provide it to you.**
***
Overall Star Rating:
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4 of 5 Stars:
89% Rating with a 3 point “wow” bonus
An Outstanding Dining Experience
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Wine List:
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Wine rating:
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7 of 10
Old World selections:
France, Germany, Italy, Israel, Spain
New World selections:
Argentina, Australia, California, New Zealand, South Africa, Washington State
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Corkage fee’s:
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This Restaurant does not list any corkage fee’s however, most American restaurants charge
$25.00 per bottle
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Restaurant style:
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Conservative dining
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Cuisine Style:
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American, Seafood
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Gluten Free, Low Carb, Pescatarian, Sustainable, Non-GMO, Vegetarian Options
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Reservations:
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Not Required, But Recommended
Walk-Ins:
Accepted, but not guaranteed
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Dress code:
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Conservative or Casual attire
It’s Florida, everybody wears flip-flops!
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Child policy:
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The Restaurants reviewed on this site may have a kids menu or cater to them; however, for full enjoyment of food and wine, it is recommended that kids not to be in attendance, unless they have been trained in proper etiquette.
If not then:
Hire a Babysitter!
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Experiences:
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Place for foodies, Modern, Trendy, Lounge, Business parties, Romantic, Hotspot, Great bar, Good for special occasions, Beautiful décor, Classy, Upscale, and a Neighborhood Gem.
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Payments:
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Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
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Parking:
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Valet, Private Lot
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Wifi
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The restaurants reviewed on this site may have Wi-Fi, but do not require you to go online, because the excitement of the food and wine alone will keep you too entertained instead of checking your social media and emails.
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Noise level:
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Medium
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Smoking:
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Nonsmoking restaurant
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Patio or terrace:
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No
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Food Prices
(excludes, alcohol, taxes & 20% gratuity’s)
$£€¥ - Under 50.00 (inexpensive)
$£€¥ x 2 - 51.00- 99.00 (moderate)
$£€¥ x 3 - Over 100.00 (pricy)
$£€¥ x 4 - Over 200.00 (expensive)
$£€¥ x 5 - Over 400.00 (very expensive)
**Currencies reflect the world’s major travelers, restaurant, or wine connoisseur’s**
Currency:
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Price
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United States Dollar (USD)
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$$
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Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
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££
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Canadian Dollar (CAN)
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$$
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Chinese Yuan (CNY)
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¥¥¥¥¥
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European Union (EUR)
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€€
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Alcohol prices:
$40.00 USD
Eddie V's Prime Seafood:
4400 West Boy Scout Blvd
Tampa, Florida
33607, USA
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
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Maître d or host:
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+1 813-877-7290
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Online reservations
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Website Contact:
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Serving hours:
Eastern Standard Time
(GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 5:00)
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Dinner: Mon-Sun
4:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Happy Hour: Mon-Sun
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
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Social Media
&
Accolades:
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****
The worlds best restaurants is a subjective list of who is writing it and changes on a regular basis. The Wine Dine and Play best experiences list is based on my highest rated stared restaurants, meaning that the visit was an outstanding or extraordinary experience. From cafés, chains, mom + pops, hole in the walls, to fine dining including a few Michelin spots. Visit the Top 100 page to see the entire list.
A few to tease you with…
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Modern Australian haute cuisine
Sydney, Australia
|
Charming French Bistro with movie filmed terrace
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
|
Authentic churrascaria-style dining
Palm Island, Dubai, UAE
|
Other Pictures:
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| Picture courtesy of Eddie V's |
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| Shrimp cocktail |
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| Truffle macaroni and cheese |
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
