The Bar @ 725
Tampa, Florida, USA
Cuisine Style: American
Average Price: $
Overall Rating: 3/5
Dined in December 2016
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:
The 725 South is a bar and restaurant attached to the 3-star Westin Harbour Island Hotel, on the edge of a channel inlet to the Hillsborough Bay where the Hillsborough River empties out, leading to the larger Tampa Bay and the Gulf Of Mexico. It is far enough away from the happenings of downtown but close enough to walk. With less than ten minutes you can reach the Henry Plant Museum, The University of Tampa, Amalie Arena, and the Tampa Bay History Center. In this hotel, you have a chic bar and dining room, where my wife and I enjoyed some cocktails and small bites before going to the Amalie for a concert. This is our story of 725…
Menu:
- Artisanal Pizza
- Appetizers
- Warmth
- Fresh Salads
- Sandwiches
- Main Plates
- Proteins
- Sweets
The bar and cocktail lounge to 725 is separate from the main dining room which is only open for the breakfast meal to hotel guests and the dinner meal with open reservation. For lunch, you can enjoy this cocktail area with bar seating or several tables with outstanding views of the channel and Hillsborough Bay. Right afternoon, the sunlight shines into the point where you have to move away from the window it can get so warm, but that does not take away from the ambiance of you're dining experience.
Bar snacks at #725South @WestinTampaBay A nice place, give it a shothttps://t.co/Ff1UiXJpO5@EdibleTampaBay @FloridaTweetzz @garyjberry pic.twitter.com/nASYfrvAC6— Wine Dine and Play (@WineDinePlay) September 6, 2017
As my wife and I were just having lighter bites and casual fair, between the ambiance, great service, and quality of food we ate, it warranted a future return to the dinner menu. Until that time, trying out a few items that we had would be worthwhile. My wife and I both shared the chop harbour island salad with romaine, field greens, cucumber, tomatoes, Bermuda onions, radish, feta cheese and sunflower seeds. The salad was tossed in a lemon-lime vinaigrette. To go with this salad we had some parmesan truffle French fries.
Other items of interest on their lunch menu included a beef short rib panini, Florida fish tacos, herb crusted brie, and the cheese flan dessert. They also featured a hamburger from the Big City Burger Company with assorted sides.
Dessert:
Though we did not partake in dessert, they had a few items of interest for the next time we visit such as the cheese flan and cheese platter.
Please see these guidelines for Tipping in Restaurants and on following proper etiquette, customs, cultures, and avoiding assumptions when you dine out.
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Charleston’s Restaurant Casual American eatery; reviewed in Indianapolis, Indiana
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Grace 17.20 Modern and contemporary American cuisine in Peachtree Corners, Georgia
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Salt Rock Grill Fine-dining waterfront spot for grilled fish and steaks with raw bar in Indian Shores, Florida
The Avenue Eat + Drink Rustic restaurant known for its burgers in St. Petersburg, Florida
The Biltmore Dining Room Seasonal American cuisine in Asheville, North Carolina
The Cheesecake Factory American chain with 200+ locations, large menu; reviewed Tampa, Florida
The Hangar Restaurant & Flight Lounge Relaxed eatery, & comfort foods in St. Petersburg, Florida
The Zink Kitchen + Bar Modern and sleek American cuisine in Centennial, Colorado
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Z Grille Colorfully inspired twists on American Classics in St. Petersburg, Florida
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
Other Tampa restaurants and articles on Wine Dine and Play:
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Upscale eatery with butchery at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
Vibrant spot for classic Spanish dishes & tapas
Tampa, Florida, USA
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Wine Bar + Cocktails, Charcuterie & Cheese
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
|
Eclectic & innovative gastropub using molecular gastronomy
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
Hip British-inspired and themed pub
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
Café chain for health-minded breakfast, brunch, & lunch
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
A Few Florida Favorites:
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Rustic New American Fare
St. Petersburg
A top 20 on Wine Dine and Play
|
Old-world classic Italian & Mediterranean
New Smyrna Beach
|
Old School Rustic Tuscan
Gulfport
|
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:
Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:
Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings
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Max Points Possible:
|
Total Points Awarded:
|
Total Points deducted:
|
Ambiance
|
10
|
9
|
1
|
Food quality
|
10
|
7
|
3
|
Plate presentation
|
8
|
7
|
1
|
Customer service
|
8
|
6
|
2
|
Alcohol and other beverages
|
10
|
8
|
2
|
Total regular points awarded
|
46
|
37
|
9
|
Total percentage - less the Bonus
|
0.804347826086957
|
||
“Wow” factor BONUS
|
5
|
1
|
0
|
Total bonus percentage
|
0.0217391304347826
|
||
Total percentage and bonus for final star rating
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0.826086956521739
|
||
Stars Awarded (see chart below)
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0 - 5
|
3
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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:
|
3 of 5 Stars:
83% Rating with a 1 point “wow” bonus
Exceeded my expectations in a dining experience
|
Wine List:
|
|
Wine rating:
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2 of 10
New World selections:
California
|
Corkage fee’s:
|
This Restaurant does not list any corkage fee’s however, most American restaurants charge
$25.00 per bottle
|
Restaurant style:
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Casual dining
|
Cuisine Style:
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American, Bar and Grille, Italian
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Gluten Free, Low Carb, Pescatarian, Vegetarian Options
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Reservations:
|
Not Required
Walk-Ins:
Accepted
|
Dress code:
|
Casual attire
It’s Florida, everybody wears flip-flops!
|
Child policy:
|
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!
|
Experiences:
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Contemporary, Modern, Lounge, Great bar, Scenic views, Tourist grabber, and a Neighborhood Gem.
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Payments:
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Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
|
Parking:
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Valet
|
Wifi
|
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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Low
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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:
|
Price
|
United States Dollar (USD)
|
$
|
Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
|
£
|
Canadian Dollar (CAN)
|
$
|
Chinese Yuan (CNY)
|
¥¥¥
|
European Union (EUR)
|
€
|
Alcohol prices:
$15.00 USD
The Bar @ 725 South:
725 S Harbour Island Blvd
Tampa, Florida 33602
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
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Maître d or host:
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+1 813-229-5038
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Serving hours:
Eastern Standard Time
(GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 5:00)
|
Breakfast: Mon-Sun
6:30 am - 11:00 am
Lunch:
11:30 am - 2:00 pm
Dinner: Mon-Sun
6:00 pm - 11:00 pm
The Bar and Lounge:
11:00 am - 12:00 am
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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 are 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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High Rise Fine Global Dining, Highest Restaurant In The World
Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE
|
Elegant Modern Australian with Molecular Gastronomic dining
Melbourne, Australia
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Haute French Restaurant
Paris, France
|
Other Pictures:
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TTFN
