My wife and I wanted a nice, special dinner before welcoming our second baby. A last hurrah, for the time being, if you will, and chose Ponte Modern American. Our early evening dinner was fantastic. Excellent service, excellent food and everything we would expect from a fine dining experience curated by the family-owned The Ponte Group. We're big fans of On Swann and Olivia and have had Ponte Modern American on our list for a while. We arrived to Midtown and were ready for our dining experience. We received a friendly welcome into the light and airy entrance. We were escorted along white cloth covered tables to the spot where we would dine. Our server was around quick and started on drinks for us. The cocktail menu offers classic and modern versions of some of the most common drinks. I love an old fashioned and opted for the "modern" version. Instead of bourbon, it was made with Japanese whiskey, kokuto, which is considered to be the world's healthiest brown sugar and black walnut bitters. It had depth and flavor and a flair that made it stand out compared to the classic drink. My wife had a mocktail. It was light, sweet and hit the spot she said. We didn't order any starters but a man with a variety of fresh breads came around multiple times. He offered up as much as we would like, everything from sourdough to focaccia and beyond. My favorite was a black olive sourdough. The Chef also sent out a small espresso cup filled with his signature mushroom soup. At first a little confused, I eventually got bold with it and sipped this like I was sipping coffee. It was really good. Thick, rich and flavorful. The white mushrooms and earthy truffle creme made this a hit. I could have had a whole bowl of this but soup just isn't my go-to. Between the cocktail, bread and soup, this dinner was already starting out pretty fantastic. For our mains, I got the house specialty Beef Wellington. My wife got the boneless short ribs entree. Our food arrived and we were ready to dig in. Like most elegant dining experiences, you can expect top notch food, smaller portions and a focus on presentation. My Beef Wellington was served medium rare. It was wrapped in salty prosciutto, mushroom duxelles and had a little extra depth, foie gras. The duck liver added texture and a buttery flavor that melded with everything well. The earthy minced mushrooms had an array of pointed subtle flavor. I appreciated the classic take on a classic dish, that had a hint of flair that worked so well. The red wine demi glas was an excellent dipping sauce and added to the overall presentation with it's dark red smear on the plate. My wife highly enjoyed her short ribs. The tender beef was rich in flavor and paired well with pureed potatoes and an apple slaw garnish for a hint of sweet with a little spice. We also shared a side dish. The campanelle mac and cheese. This was rich, creamy and an excellent Mac and cheese side that we would definitely get again. While we didn't order dessert, they did send out three small sweets. A mini key lime custard, dark chocolate and a small chocolate chip cookie. All of them were sweet and tasty. A nice little finish. Our dinner at Ponte was great. From the service, to the food, to the ambiance and experience, all maintain that level of elegance and modern that make it what it is: a restaurant you should eat at. read more

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My spouse and I celebrated our anniversary at Ponte, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. I've been following Chef Chris Ponte since his Café Ponte days in Clearwater years ago, so dining at Ponte had been on our list for a long time. It absolutely lived up to our expectations. We chose to sit in the Gramercy Lounge, which had a lively, energetic atmosphere that we thoroughly enjoyed. It felt sophisticated yet relaxed, creating the perfect setting for a special night out. The service was outstanding (Devon was wonderful!), attentive, professional, and genuinely focused on making our evening memorable. We started with the baked oysters and French onion soup, both of which were excellent. For the main course, we shared the 40 oz Porterhouse, cooked perfectly and packed with flavor. The sides were just as impressive, the lobster mac & cheese was rich and decadent, and the creamed spinach was outstanding. To celebrate our anniversary, we enjoyed glasses of Pinot Grigio and an Old Fashioned, and the restaurant even included a thoughtful anniversary toast that made the evening feel even more special. Every dish was beautifully prepared, and the quality and consistency of the food showcased why Chef Ponte has remained one of Tampa Bay's most respected culinary talents. Ponte delivered everything we were hoping for: exceptional food, impeccable service, a vibrant atmosphere, and a memorable anniversary experience. We left already looking forward to our next visit. Highly recommend Ponte for date nights, anniversaries, celebrations, or anyone looking for one of the finest dining experiences in the Tampa Bay area. read more

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Ponte has been on my to-try list for a long time, especially because I love Olivia and Bare Naked Kitchen that are also owned by Chef Chris Ponte. For my 30th birthday, this was the only place that made sense to celebrate such a milestone birthday and they truly went above and beyond. For starters, the service is impeccable! Amazing staff all around and very knowledgeable. The Sous chef brought us mushroom soup as a table starter and it was PHENOMENAL. I've never been a mushroom lover but now I am converted and will come back just for that soup. We loved the bread service and cocktails. Not to mention the small touches of service while we took our time celebrating. The beef Wellington was worth all the hype - exceeded all our expectations and truly a dish like no other. My filet was the best steak I've ever had and for certain the best steak in Tampa. As someone that's tried them all, take my word for it and be sure to add the Demi glaze sauce or you'll be missing out big time. Dessert and caviar were also fantastic! Lastly, it truly was the small thoughtful details that took this entire dining experience to the next level. From the birthday note to the kitchen tour we were given at the end of dinner - this place is just all around fantastic. I cannot believe they did not receive a Michelin star yet, it is now my number one favorite restaurant in Tampa (and probably ever). Cannot express how much a truly lovely experience Ponte is! read more

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There are several high end restaurants in Tampa and Ponte is one of the best. This was our first time there and it was to celebrate a birthday. I had made reservations well in advance since it was on a Saturday night. There was an issue with our table and the manager Jeffrey took care of things and made it right which is the sign of a top tier restaurant. Service was excellent and the atmosphere is quite impressive. Drinks were spot on and our meals were excellent. The Caesar salad was one of the best I've had. The aged non-In ribeye steak was outstanding. Overall this is an outstanding restaurant and we will certainly be back. read more

Ponte Modern American - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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My family and I came here on a Friday before Mother's Day. **Disclaimer because I didn't realize it, this place is not for kids. No kids menu, etc. i saw a few pics on Yelp of people who visited with their kids so i thought it was ok. They were trying to accommodate us and offer buttered noodles & sauce but we just loaded the kids with bread and fries. We ordered the porterhouse steak. Truffle fries. Duck fried rice. Mac and cheese and the honey butter bread for an appetizer. They gave out complimentary sourdough bread and mini mushroom soups. Everything was delicious! The drinks were strong. Definitely a great spot to eat dinner with good vibes! We love the midtown area because they have a lot of walkable foodie spots to try. We still enjoyed our dining experience. Our waitress was friendly. Just leave the kids at home! lol read more

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Everything works here! Gorgeous room, top notch trained service with warmth, exceptional food that's also fun and creative. Our server AJ was so terrific. Satisfying portions. Complimentary bread service with a delightful choice from 6 different breads! We had the short rib, scallops, Brussels, duck fried rice, and mac and cheese. Amuse bouche of truffled mushroom soup was a dream. Ordered cheesecake and it was very creatively presented and very delicious (even for someone who's meh about cheesecake) - a flavorful and textural delight. Also served a small sample of three dessert bits at conclusion of meal. So good. Range of very quality wines by the bottle (and a good by-the-glass list). I loved the classic and modern takes on the core cocktails. See photo for examples. Will be on my regular rotation for Tampa. read more

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This is an upscale restaurant in the heart of downtown Tampa. It is beautiful and the food is amazing. I did have a little trouble making reservations as the call took me to an automated call system that was not operating correctly. With a little effort I made it to the main line and was greeted by a real human who was able to make my reservation. When we arrived we were treated to unique and very delicious bread service. The cocktails were top notch and fairly priced. All the team members are dressed appropriately and so are the guests. I had the beef Wellington and was very happy. We shared some sides and found the serving sizes were appropriate. We also shared a few deserts as we were too full to eat a whole plate to ourselves, besides we all wanted to sample each selection. This was my daughter's birthday dinner and our server asked if we'd like to meet the chef, to which we of course enthusiastically said "yes"! They treated us to a small tour of the kitchen where we even took a family photo with the chef while in the kitchen. Overall we were very pleased. read more

My bride and I enjoyed our 13th anniversary meal at Ponte. It was our first time at this Tampa Bay top restaurant. From the time we walked in and until we left, the service was absolutely the best we've experience in years and certainly the best by far in Tampa. Well done, staff!! Just awesome job! We arrived at our reservation time and were quickly seated. Katie C. our server from Chicago came over to welcome us to Ponte. She offered water and then came back to take our drink and app order. Katie provided several recommendations. We decided to start with the colossal crab cake with a pickled fennel citrus salad. The dish was very good and popping with flavor. For entrees, we chose the Chilean Sea Bass and New Bedford Scallops. The sea bass, was so good. It was served with miso, bok Choy and a lobster ginger sauce. It literally melted in your mouth. The scallops were very good, too but that sea bass!! We shared a spring pea risotto with pickled ramp, Pesto, parmesan that complimented both dishes. For dessert, we enjoyed warm carrot cake. Ponte is one of, if not the best restaurant in Tampa top to bottom. read more

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Let me tell you something about Ponte. It is absolutely phenomenal!! First of all, the restaurant is freakin stunning. The light fixtures, archways, color scheme...I want them to decorate my house. It's so chic and doesn't try hard. The service is the best I've ever had in Tampa - hands down. The table presentation, bar knowledge, and general service was impressive. All of our needs were proactively met and it made for an enjoyable stress free evening. I took my boyfriend here for his birthday and he loved it. They presented us with a birthday card, a chocolate mousse dessert, and the sous chef came out and brought us a box of baked goods. Such thoughtful touches! The next day, the general manager emailed me thanking us for our patronage which blew me away. I don't know how they haven't gotten a Michelin Star yet but I'm sure they will soon. read more

Ponte Modern American - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Truly a wonderful lunch we had today. We visited for my birthday and I highly recommend this place as every dish we had was amazing. What we ordered: App: lobster and avacado 4/5 chicken and waffles 10/5 Mains: Calabrian chicken 5/5 valasso salmon 5/5 Drinks: Modern gimlet 5/5 Mocktail turned cocktail (unsure the name, I just showed a photo of what my friend got when she went) not my favorite as I added tequila but next time I will stick with Gin. Very lovely experience especially with our waitress being so kind and knowledgeable as this was our first time here. Lunch time on a Sunday is not busy at all! The vibe is fancy with people wearing sundresses and nice collard shirts and pants. Definitely dress nicer when coming here! read more

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I've revisited multiple since this restaurant first opened (and my first review here) dinner is always amazing but within the last six months, i'd say they began BRUNCH. Service is always top tier. Ambiance and aesthetic is clean and bright, less forms on the bar/lounge side. I highly recommend getting the chicken and waffle sliders, even if it's to share. It's made with chicken thigh so it's so juicy and the waffle really doesn't need syrup but has the perfect balance or sweet and spicy and they are able to add additional sliders as it only comes with two. My family really enjoyed their ribeye and eggs. The steak sandwich, by surprise, was more like a philly- but they loved it! I had the crab cake benedict. I always love the crab cakes, you could tell they most likely pouched their egg with vinegar... as it had a slight taste to it .. nonetheless delicious. They have a small four/five drink cocktail menu. Love their version of a hugo spritz (it's lemony) but their full cocktail menu is also available. read more

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I was super disappointed in this place. I don't know what everyone is raving about, it kinda suck and it across from a shake shack. Super expensive, unmemorable, mediocre cuisine. We had a very late reservation and there were plenty of open tables, we still had to wait standing at the bar for like an hour. The bar tenders were so busy trying to bag the cougar (tag-team I guess...) at the bar that we waited over 1/2 half hour to get drinks. Finally, they sat us at the bar in the very back corner against the wall, we asked to be moved and we got an equally shitty table on the other side of the room instead of the dinning room. Meanwhile, at least 5 open tables in sight...wtf. Kinda ruined the mood of our date. Nothing on this menu was unique or exciting, the service is fine, but really no better than a Chili's. Seems like more a place to be seen than to actually eat. For my money (and time) the are many better options near by. Hopefully the divorcé at the bar got the railing she was setting up. read more

We took our friend out for his 45th Birthday and we had a really good time. Good location with valet, really good but the best thing of the night is the customer service between, the host, bartenders and our waitress and bread guy top tier service, that alone will have all of us coming back! read more

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Loved the atmosphere, you can tell very customer focused. The lavender cosmo was SO delicious and so were the truffle fries ... honestly, I'd be happy to do a "girl dinner" and just go back for those two things. I went due to Amex resy. So I had $100 to spend (or more), and opted to try their Beef Wellington, since it said House Special. Ehhh.... For $85, I think that's what got me, the price point for what it was. Good? Yes. $85 good? Not so much... Parking is valet or you can try the nearby parking lot / garage and walk over. Very friendly and helpful staff! For first timers, they let you try the famous mushroom soup, in a little espresso cup, which I thought was a nice touch - it was quite delicious, you can definitely tell why they keep serving it! Bread service was a nice touch as well. read more

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Absolutely love PonteModern America! The restaurant is gorgeous with floor to ceiling windows, fantastic lights and now with the lounge back open for business, it's the perfect place to celebrate special occasions or enjoy a great date night! The food is sublime and a wide selection to choose from that will please everyone. The tables are spaced perfectly, the noise level is perfect, the waitstaff is attentive without being obnoxious and the entire experience is magical. Hubby and I decided Ponte was the ONLY place we wanted to celebrate our 57th Anniversary and Michael G, the manager, the beautiful young ladies at the reception desk worked their magic to make it a truly memorable evening. There are several parking garages in the area so that's no problem. Had a hard week and need a lift? A little pricey, but worth every penny! read more

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We had such a blast hosting our annual Galentine's celebration at Ponte Tampa! The atmosphere and staff were so warm and welcoming, which made our girl gang feel right at home from the moment we walked in. I believe brunch is a newer offering here (not 100% sure), but it ended up being the perfect spot for us to celebrate sisterhood and years of solid friendship. The drinks were flowing, the vibes were immaculate, and the food was even better than we expected; absolutely phenomenal. Honestly, I didn't expect anything less from a restaurant led by James Beard nominated chef Chris Ponte. Every dish felt thoughtfully prepared and elevated the whole experience. Brunch at Ponte will definitely be seeing us again. Highly recommend for a girls' outing, celebration, or just a really great brunch in Tampa. read more

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My friend and I visited Ponte for a casual brunch. The restaurant has a modern ambience and is quite chic. The server was very pleasant and patient as we navigated the menu. We ultimately enjoyed the mushroom soup and caviar service. read more

Ponte Modern American - Mushroom Soup and Caviar Service - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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I had a wonderful dining experience at Ponte! The interior of the restaurant is beautiful - very modern with high ceilings. It reminded me of the interior of an upscale modern hotel. We were seated right by the window in a comfortable booth. Our server was pleasant yet fast and efficient. I got the French onion soup which is hands down the best French onion in Tampa! My entree was filet mignon - cooked perfectly medium rare and very tender. The Brussels Sprouts were amazing too - very smoky and loaded with flavor. The duck fried rice was spicy and flavorful. I enjoyed the complimentary truffle broth and chocolates. I would definitely return. read more

Ponte Modern American - Filet Mignon - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Last night was our second visit to Ponte and it was truly amazing. The service was exceptional and everything we ate was delicious. The Parker Rolls are undoubtedly worth the hype and the lobster pasta and cesar salad were stands outs. My husband and I shared the rib eye, shoe string fries, and Gouda Mac and Cheese for our entree. I could go on and on about how great everything paired together. I look forward to my future visits to Ponte! read more

Ponte Modern American - Lobster appetizer - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Our experience was 5 star from the moment we walked in the door to the time we left. Our server was incredible and made our experience very special. We were blown away by everything we ordered from the quality ingredients to the overall taste. We will be making this our go to celebration spot from now on! Worth the hype for sure. read more

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Absolutely amazing experience from start to finish! We parked in a nearby garage but it was quite confusing to figure out if it was just for the apartment building or open to the public. There's another garage nearby but it appears to be only for Whole Foods customers. Inside, Ponte is modern and upscale yet comforting and warm. We sat in the normal dining room (as opposed to the Gramercy Lounge) and the seats being so comfortable was the first thing we all noticed! Our waiter was very professional, genuine, and welcoming throughout the entire meal. Also, you definitely need a reservation. We started with complimentary bread, which was so fluffy and delicious (they have 3 flavors, all amazing). They also brought over a small cup filled with the chef's special mushroom soup which was also well loved by everyone. All of our cocktails were tasty as well. We tried three appetizers and devoured them all. My favorite was the Bluefin Tuna Tartare which was so soft and well balanced. A few of our other folks loved the Maine Lobster Cappelletti best, which was so flavorful and filled with seafood. The Escargot were also yummy and different with the light puff pastry over top. My main was the Salmon which was perfectly cooked and delicious! I heard my friend say her Filet was the best she's ever had as well. The Beef Wellington was also a special treat, as was the Sea Bass! We also split the Potato Puree, Duck Fried Rice, and Heirloom Carrots, all of which were outstanding sides. The portion sizes of all of the dishes were great, especially when paired with a few sides to share. Even though we were stuffed after dinner, we shared the Black Forest Mousse, Chocolate Soufflé, and the Carrot Cake. They also brought a mini mousse for the birthday girl, as well as some specialty chocolates on the house. Overall, while it's definitely the type of place you treat yourself to, we all 100% would come back and are still dreaming about it a week later! Do yourself a favor and make a reservation for that special occasion! read more

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Exciting news- the bar has reopened! PONTE in Midtown completely exceeded my expectations. From the moment you walk in, the vibe is sleek, modern, and energetic without being overwhelming, perfect for a date night, dinner with friends, or a chic after-work stop. Drinks: Their drink menu is outstanding, with something for every mood. Thoughtfully crafted cocktails, a solid wine selection, and creative mocktail options make it easy to find the right fit. Everything feels elevated but not pretentious, and the bartenders clearly know what they're doing. Steak Tartare: One of the standouts of the night. The Steak Tartare is incredibly fresh, seasoned beautifully, and served with just the right balance of acidity and richness. It's one of those dishes you keep going back to, bite after bite. Hamachi Crudo: Light, bright, and perfectly balanced. The Hamachi Crudo is a refreshing start with delicate slices of fish paired with thoughtful citrus and herb elements. It's clean, flavorful, and plated like artwork. Steak: The steak was phenomenal, tender, perfectly cooked, and packed with flavor. You can tell they use high-quality cuts, and the preparation is spot-on. A must-order if you appreciate a great steak. Mushrooms: Surprisingly one of my favorite dishes. The mushrooms are deeply savory, with a rich umami flavor that makes them the perfect side. They're hearty, comforting, and memorable enough to stand on their own. Overall, PONTE nails the combination of atmosphere, service, and consistently impressive food. It's definitely a Midtown favorite, and I can't wait to go back and try even more of the menu. read more

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Once again a spectacular experience. Started with the Beets which was beautifully presented. Than the bone in Kansas City which was perfectly cooked. Has the duck fried rice which was really quite delicious. Great service made the entire experience wonderful. read more

Ponte Modern American - Beet appetizer - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Ponte was a really nice date experience. We try to get out once a month or so and we wanted to try our Ponte since we love Olivia. The atmosphere was very nice and welcoming, and the service was exactly what you would expect from a fine dining experience. Every item that we tried was delicious, we ordered a bread appetizer that came with a truffle butter that was fantastic. I saved the butter and used it to top my filet afterwards and it was fantastic. The mashed potatoes and steak paired perfectly and it was one of the top 5 steaks I have had. My partner enjoyed the French onion soup and Mac and cheese as well but it wasn't their all time favorite. I will definitely be returning to Ponte because of its great atmosphere, professional service and delicious steak. As a bonus they followed up with me via email to thank me again for coming. A very nice touch read more

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I'm updating my review from 2 yrs ago when I went to Ponte and hated my table and didn't love the service. Since then I have returned several times and they have delivered every single time. The food and service have been exceptional. The cocktails are absolute perfection. For me, this is the best restaurant in Tampa and honestly the best steak I've had in Tampa. It's the restaurant I recommend every single time, and the one I get butterflies about taking someone new to. Five stars earned! Can't wait to try brunch! read more

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It's always an amazing time here. We played a game where I took every recommendation our waiter had and had the most pleasant experience. Everything tasted amazing and the wine paired well with it all as well. It's chic and simple inside which is what you want when you're enjoying master crafted meals. read more

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Service - 5 stars Food - 5 stars Experience - 10 stars (if that's a thing) This is our second time here, but this time celebrating a birthday, and the experience was beyond what anyone could ask for! From the service we received from Eddie to the food, they sure made this birthday one you'll never want to forget. With the extra touch on dessert and giving us a tour of the kitchen with a special something from the chef Puts them above a lot of the restaurants in Tampa. Will certainly come back to celebrate more occasions! read more

Ponte Modern American - Modern gimlet and margarita - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Visited for their first ever brunch service at the end of September. We tempered our expectations since it was their first service, but our experience started with hearing multiple servers complain about how early it was, and the service being just "off". The dishes were great. The eggs Benedict was well executed and yummy but nothing super special. The quiche was the best dish of the meal, it was texturally satisfying and light. The French toast was fun but incredibly rich and something you'd want to share. Skip the pastry tower though. Nothing unique, not a lot of variety, and there wasn't clotted cream for the scones. Worth a try if you like Ponte's dinner service and think brunch could have improved since then. We won't be back though. read more

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We had a delicious brunch at Ponte this weekend. We ordered a ton of stuff: monkey bread, candied bacon, açaí bowl, raspberry pancakes, quiche, steak sandwich, and shoestring fries. The fries were one of my favorite dishes--they were accompanied with a divine garlic aioli. The monkey bread was a little too crusty/crunchy. The açaí bowl was delicious but had very little açaí at the bottom, lots of fruit on top though. I would not order the pancakes again, they were nothing special in my opinion. I will be back because I am eyeing those hashbrowns and French toast. read more

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OMG! I live for restaurants like this. It giving posh and I love it! Chill vibe. Service was absolutely amazing and that bread display....give that chef a kiss! Food was equally exceptional! I will definitely return with friends in the future! read more

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My friends and I dined here yesterday to celebrate a birthday. While the service started off a bit questionable, possibly due to how busy it was, it improved as the night went on. One thing that stood out was that when our entrees arrived, the server didn't clear our used appetizer plates. It's a small detail, but at a high-end restaurant, it felt noticeably out of place. Now onto the food. Overall, it was delicious, though not perfect. Highlights: The mushroom soup was absolutely phenomenal--rich, flavorful, and memorable. The bread platter was also a hit, especially the olive bread, which was fragrant and packed with flavor in every bite. The salmon wagyu was a favorite for the birthday boy, though I personally preferred the hamachi crudo and tuna tartare. Both were fresh, light, and beautifully presented. Entrees: The seabass was nicely cooked and paired well with the other elements on the plate, though the glaze leaned a bit too sweet for my taste. We learned after they they do have a different glaze thats not as sweet. Misses: The fried rice appetizer fell short for all of us. It was also overly sweet and lacked the savory depth we were expecting. I shared this feedback with our server, and to their credit, they comped the dish without us asking for one, which we really appreciated. Dessert: They kindly brought out a complimentary dessert for the birthday boy, and surprised the rest of us with our own mini platters as well; a thoughtful and classy touch. Overall: Despite a few minor service hiccups and one dish that didn't land, we had a great time and enjoyed the overall experience. We're already considering making this our new go-to spot for elevated nights out. read more

Ponte Modern American - Salmon wagyu - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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I had the Ponte Burger with truffle fries and it was delicious! We ate at the bar and the staff was attentive. The ambience is beautiful. read more

Ponte Modern American - Modern Ponte Burger with truffle fries - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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I've always been a fan of Chef Ponte's restaurant starting from the original Cafe Ponte on Ulmerton Rd, Largo. Decor - very loud. You'll be yelling at your date. Starter - complimentary shot of mushroom soup and assortment of bread which were the highlight of the meal. Drinks - I like the cocktail list had a modern twist of classic cocktails. Highly recommend the modern French 75 which had egg foam on top. Entree - recommend French onion soup. The Caesar salad had too much dressing. The steak was a little cold. I didn't like the mashed potatoes. It tasted too sweet like corn. Complimentary small birthday dessert. Mixed review - good to experience once but wouldn't pick this spot for fancy dinner. read more

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I first heard about Ponte Modern American through a buzz at work, as several colleagues raved about how incredible the food was. I soon discovered it was created by Chef Chris Ponte, the culinary mind behind Olivia and On Swann. He trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. I visited Ponte before their recent updates, including the addition of the Gramercy Bar. If you're planning to go, I highly recommend booking a reservation in the main dining room or at least having the Gramercy Bar as an option, about two weeks in advance on the Resy app. It fills up fast for the weekends. FOOD: 1. East Coast Oysters (4/5) - Served with traditional accoutrements. This half-dozen was incredibly fresh. Simple and clean, exactly what you want from oysters. 2. Mushroom Soup (5/5) - Wild mushroom | truffle crème | black trumpet dust. This was heavenly. Velvety smooth with bold, earthy flavors from the truffle and black trumpet dust. Easily one of the best mushroom soups I've had--comforting and refined. 3. Beef Wellington (5/5) - Filet mignon | prosciutto | mushroom duxelles | foie gras | red wine demi-glace. This was a standout. The server mentioned it's one of their most popular dishes, and it did not disappoint. The puff pastry was golden and flaky, encasing a tender, melt-in-your-mouth filet. Each component--from the savory duxelles to the rich demi-glace--was executed perfectly. 4. Complimentary Chocolate (4/5) - A simple but delightful finish to the meal. Just enough sweetness to round things out. Service was great. The staff was warm, attentive, and offered thoughtful recommendations. Everything was timed well and arrived promptly. Would I return? Definitely. I'm curious to experience the changes to the lounge area and explore the updated menu. read more

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Ponte's is really good cooking. I haven't been in over a year because I wasn't impressed the last 2 times I visited the restaurant; however, things have changed for the better. I love the new menu items and the tweaks made to existing dishes. We started with some East Coast Oysters (Irish Point). They were so fresh and delicious. We also had the lobster cappelleti as starter, which also phenomenal. For the mains, we had the Calabrian Chili Chicken and Short Rib. The Calabrian Chili Chicken was one of the best pan prepared chicken dishes I've ever had. The flavor profile was incredible. The wine list and desserts were also really good. I love the new lounge area. The restaurant definitely has a new feel that is less corporate than before, which is a great thing. All in all the new dining experience was a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend Ponte's. read more

Ponte Modern American - Panna Cotta with Raspberry Sorbet - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

My favorite part is the waiters' attention to detail. They genuinely want the customers to have the best dining experience possible and we do, every time. The food is phenomenal - the short ribs are my favorite, but my family always shares because each meal is cooked to perfection. The restaurant is clean, modern, and not too noisy. It's one of our local favorites! read more

Best meal I've had in Tampa. Bluefin tuna Tatar - The tuna was incredibly fresh, presentation was creative, and the flavors and textures made this the best tuna dish I've ever had. Calibrian Chicken - Spicy, juicy and pan fried. With a side of polenta this was a hearty excellent dish. Verlasso Salmon - The salmon was prepared perfectly and the truffle crust was exceptional. Yes the food is a 5+/5 The prices in my opinion are fare considering the quality and presentation of their food. I hope that new restaurants in Tampa attempt to emulate this quality. I've lived here for over 10 years and nothing comes close. read more

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This review is a little late since we have been traveling since early November. We normally stay a night in Tampa when we have an early flight so decided to try Ponte at the recommendation of Wine Manager at Luekens. This restaurant is really lovely. While food was excellent, we had a few missteps with service quality in not receiving apps together and they forgot a dish. Also, the first table was near a service station and restaurant was not full. They happily moved us to a better table but odd they would try to sit us at a junk table. The wine list was nice and cocktails were good. We didn't have wine since we had an early flight. Food was good and the mushroom soup was outstanding. We may give it another try. read more

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Went here for my birthday. I did make reservations just to be safe but walk in are welcome. We sat in the bar and had a drink waiting for the rest of our party to arrive. Emily was excellent! She had great recommendations and was friendly and attentive. Amazing wines! I love the elegance of the bar and restaurant. It has a real classy vibe. We started off with several appetizers. Escargot, ravioli and caviar. All good. I had a the blue cheese salad with bacon and tomato. Our entrees included two sea bass, boneless short rib and the beef Wellington. The sea bass is delicious cooked perfectly with a crunchy outer layer and a soft flakey inside. I'm not a fan of bok choy but the flavor of the sea bass was on point. Boneless short ribs were delicious too. The service from all the staff was excellent! Some of the best service ever. Kind, friendly, attentive and great recommendations. I enjoy my experience here tremendously! read more

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Ponte delivers luxury from the moment you sit down. Martinis are shaken tableside, a chef greets you with a complimentary appetizer, and the bread selection alone is divine. Everything feels thoughtful and elevated, exactly what you want at this price point. Our favorite appetizers were the steak tartar and the salmon wagyu, both outstanding. The steak entrée was perfectly cooked, and all of the sides were delicious. Do not skip the mushrooms or the mac and cheese. We sat in the bar area which is a bit louder than the dining room, but we loved the energy. Great for a celebration! read more

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