Dinner With The 355th
Tampa, Florida, USA
Cuisine Style: Modern American, Bar & Grill
Average Price: $$
Overall Rating: 3/5
Dined in April 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:
Panfilo’s Bar and Grill is the main restaurant to the Sheraton Hotel in East Tampa, where my father had invited my wife and me to attend the reunion and dinner of his Vietnam air force unit. The 355th Fighter Wing is a United States Air Force unit stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, where it operates the A-10 Thunderbolt. It was first activated in November 1942. In 1962 the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing was established and activated, transferring to the Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand 1965, at a facility 150 miles northwest of Bangkok in Takhli district, Nakhon Sawan Province, near the city of Nakhon Sawan. During this time my father was assigned to the group and over the next five years, its pilots flew more than 101,000 sorties over North Vietnam. Every year the 355th Takhli gathers for a reunion of its members, and this year was Eastern Tampa, bordering the city of Brandon and catered by the hotels' restaurant. This is a food review of the catering event and some stories of that reunion.
 |
| The Flag Ceremony |
The dinner was held a large meeting room of the hotel, while the second location for the event was in one of the hotel suites called the “Ready Room,” where the members of the reunion gathered beforehand to enjoy a bar and converse with other members. My father was one of the people who had arranged the particulars of the reunion, but thankfully not the dinner as it was overpriced and not the quality that you would expect to pay for that price. The menu of Panfilo’s looked appetizing for your typical bar and grill, but what was mouth water there did not end up on the chafer pans for the reunion event.
Menu:
- Openers
- Great Burgers
- Sandwiches
- Create Your Own Greenery
- Main Courses
- The Side Plate
- Ice Cream Parlor
- Great Finishes
It was great meeting all of the people that used to work with my dad and were stationed in Thailand during the war and hear some of their stories. Today we to get as many stories from the World War Two generation of veterans because there is not many left around. In fact, there is a WW2 pilot of the 355th that still comes to the reunions, unfortunately, due to bad health, he couldn’t come to this one. Vietnam Veterans stories are now becoming very highly sought after now that the World War Two generation is almost gone, the Vietnam Vets stories are just as interesting. Vietnam was not a big a war as the Second World War, but it had the same if not more challenges. In World War Two the country was united behind the effort, during Vietnam the country was divided, and these brave men had to look forward to homecomings where socialists and the new hippy generation would spit at them, throw urine on their uniforms, and call them “baby killers.” It was not the proudest moment in American history that's for sure.
 |
| Buffet |
One of the men present at the reunion was at the Hanoi Hilton (Hỏa Lò Prison) as a for seven years as a POW and was John McCain's bunkmate, so if that alone is not powerful, imagine his stories. This was the very prison that actress Jane Fonda visited and promoted for positive propaganda to the North Vietnamese. It is still argued to this very day as to whether or not she is a traitor to her country, or was actually going over there to see to the welfare of the prisoners of war.
We all gathered in the ready room enjoying conversation drinking Thai beers like Singha and Chang, before moving down to the main meeting room for dinner. Before the meal began an Honor Guard presented the colors, followed by introductions, and then the guest speakers speech. No offense but his speech then went forty minutes longer than it needed to be driving everyone nuts.
We then lined up for the buffet service which threw me off, because, for the price per person, I expected plated service from Panfilo’s not a line of chafer pans. There was a tasty braised beef and onion dish, a salmon, two starch selections a bread, and a salad. Funny thing is, based on what we had, I have paid cheaper for a three even a four-course plated meal.
Dessert:
For dessert, there was a Sysco Food truck prefabricated Key Lime Pie for dessert, and the one item that took some effort beyond that of the Publix supermarket bakery, a nice cake dedicated to the 355th. I appreciate my dad inviting us, and it was great to meet his old friends and listen to the stories of our war veterans and heroes, but for the food experience, the expectations of a wonderful meal were not met. Yes, some of the food was tasty, but for the price of it, they could have done much better than that.
 |
| Reunion Cake |
Please see these guidelines for Tipping in Restaurants and on following proper etiquette, customs, cultures, and avoiding assumptions when you dine out.
Other Noteworthy Bar and Grill Articles & Restaurants:
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse Chain (180+) for pub grub & brewed beer; Reviewed in Pinellas Park, Florida
Bongos Bar and Grille Eclectic Beachfront Bistro, Cuban & American cuisine, in St. Pete Beach, Florida
Crab Daddy’s Waterfront Beach and Seafood Bar in St. Pete Beach, Florida
Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill Casual pub grub sports bar in St. Petersburg, Florida
Manatees on the Bay Bar foods and casual eats, in Gulfport, Florida
O’Maddy’s Bar and Grille Waterfront American Eats and drinks in Gulfport, Florida
Punky’s Bar and Grill Casual LGBT bar and burger joint in St. Petersburg, Florida
Regatta on Avon Bar, pub grub and New Zealand cuisine in Christchurch, New Zealand
Rowe Bar Cool cocktails and coastal eats at the Loews Don CeSar in St. Pete Beach, Florida
Sloppy Joe’s Bar Landmark bar serving Floribbean and American classics since 1933 in Key West, Florida
The Dickens Inn 1800s warehouse dockside style British pub, in London, UK
The Pegasus Arms Casual tavern serving contemporary New Zealand cuisine in Christchurch, New Zealand
The Pike Brewing Company Brewpub with locally sourced menu in Seattle, Washington
Wipeout Bar and Grill Surf shack theme with Californian and Mexican cuisine in San Francisco, California
Yeoman’s Cask and Lion Hip British-inspired and themed pub with microbrews in Tampa, Florida
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
Other Tampa restaurants and articles on Wine, Dine, and Play:
|
Upscale eatery with butchery at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
Rustic native American and Floridian fare w/Barbacoa Grilling
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
Prohibition-themed New American cuisine Restaurant - password required
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
|
Eclectic & innovative gastropub using molecular gastronomy
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
Events & Seasonal American cuisine dinner cruise
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
Contemporary Vietnamese Cuisine
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
A Few Florida Favorites:
|
A Jazzy Upscale Seafood Eatery chain in 9 States
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
Relaxed eatery & comfort foods At the Albert Whitted Airfield
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
Multi-day festival and tasting
Key West, Florida, USA
|
|
Waterfront Beach and Seafood Bar
St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA
|
Med-Latin & tapas café with 360 views
St Pete Beach, Florida, USA
|
Convivial sports bar with Irish pub grub
Brandon, Florida USA
|
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary by country”
A dinner reunion #355thFigherWing #Tampa at #Panfilos @SheratonTpaEast https://t.co/Dnw4cAH9m5@vietnamwar50th @vietnamwarinfo @jajones1 pic.twitter.com/OFBVXh7Nie— Wine Dine and Play (@WineDinePlay) September 6, 2017
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 Panfilo’s Bar and Grill a 1 out of 5 stars, meaning that they were an average dining experience, similar to most restaurants.
Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:
Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings
|
Max Points Possible:
|
Total Points Awarded:
|
Total Points deducted:
|
Ambiance
|
9
|
7
|
2
|
Food quality
|
10
|
6
|
4
|
Plate presentation
|
6
|
5
|
1
|
Customer service
|
4
|
2
|
2
|
Alcohol and other beverages
|
6
|
4
|
2
|
Total regular points awarded
|
35
|
24
|
11
|
Total percentage Before Bonus
|
0.685714285714286
|
||
“Wow” factor BONUS
|
5
|
1
|
0
|
Total bonus percentage
|
0.0285714285714286
|
||
Total percentage with bonus for final star rating
|
0.714285714285714
|
||
Stars Awarded (see chart below)
|
0 - 5
|
1
|
**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:
|
1 of 5 Stars:
71% Rating with a 1 point “wow” bonus
An Extraordinary Dining Experience
|
Corkage fee’s:
|
This Restaurant does not list any corkage fee’s however, most American restaurants charge
$25.00 per bottle
|
Restaurant style:
|
Casual dining
|
Cuisine style:
|
American Bar and Grille, Buffet
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Gluten-Free, Pescatarian, Vegetarian Options
|
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:
|
Contemporary, Modern, Tourist grabber, and a Neighborhood Gem.
|
Payments:
|
Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
|
Parking:
|
Private lot
|
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.
|
Noise level:
|
Low
|
Smoking:
|
Nonsmoking restaurant
|
Patio or terrace:
|
No
|
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)
|
€€
|
Panfilo’s Bar and Grill:
Sheraton Tampa East
10221 Princess Palm Ave
Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
33610
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
|
|
Maître d or host:
|
+1 813 623 6363
|
Serving hours:
Eastern Standard Time
(GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 5:00)
|
Dinner
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Happy Hour:
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
|
Social Media
&
Accolades:
|
|
****
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…
|
Southwestern-inspired New American fare
San Antonio, Texas, USA
|
Contemporary & elegant eclectic eatery
Johannesburg, South Africa
|
upscale locally sourced seafood eatery with ocean views
Vero Beach, Florida, USA
|
Other Pictures:
 |
| The dinner |
 |
| The 355th combat patch |
 |
| Key Lime Pie from Sysco |
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
