Came here for a dinner date and it absolutely delivered. One thing to know before you go: happy…read morehour is only available at the bar seating, so keep that in mind if you're hoping to grab the specials. Everything we ordered was incredible. The standout dishes were the Papa's Egg Roll, the Black Brick Tower, and the Dan Dan Noodles. All three are must orders. The egg roll was packed with flavor and perfectly crispy, the Black Brick Tower was fresh and beautifully balanced, and the Dan Dan Noodles had the perfect combination of spice, richness, and texture. Honestly, every bite was amazing. The atmosphere was great for a date night, with attentive service and a fun, energetic vibe. It's not often that every dish exceeds expectations, but that was definitely the case here. We left already talking about what we want to order on our next visit. What I ordered: - Blackbrick Tower: Six steamed siu mai -- truffle sticky rice, shrimp & bamboo, chicken & chive - "Papa's" Egg Roll: Shrimp, Duroc pork, green beans -- grandmother's 100-year recipe - Dan Dan Noodles: Sichuan pork, local bucatini, Beijing sesame & peanut - Lobster Fried Rice: 10oz Maine lobster tail, scallion, egg thread - Brussels Sprout: Soy-braised, sesame - Ma La Fried Chicken Crispy, numbing chili -- the one guests remember

TL:DR - A mixed bag of amazing, bland, crowded & noisy…read more I was there last night with my family. It was my wife's birthday and I had heard good things about Blackbrick. I made the reservation on Opentable, and noted it was for a special occasion - Birthday. Arrived 5 mins early. Parking was available - a win for Hyde Park joints. We entered - greeted by the host and we were seated after a couple of minutes. Seating is tight. Server had to pull the table out to sit anyone behind the table - that's how tightly packed they are. Noted that the 2-seat high top tables behind us were also very close - Separated by a decorative partition, but nothing to stop sound traveling. We know more about the extremely profane relationship troubles of the guy behind us than we ever wanted to know. Menu looks amazing. Great selection of dishes. We ordered a Siu mai tower, Char Sui Pork Belly and Salt & Pepper Shrimp for shared appetizers. Pork belly was spot on. Cooked perfectly & torched for a few seconds at the table. Not sure if that was a necessary step - Felt superficial and didn't really add anything to the dish. Siu Mai tower was good. 2 of each variety, arriving in its own custom shipping crate. Dipping sauces were good. Salt & pepper shrimp was perfectly cooked and flavorful. Entrees are served family style. We got the elk, fried chicken, Thai Green Curry, and Kung Pao Shrimp. Sides - Egg plant, S&P Fennel, Fried Yuka. Entrees were good for the most part. Flavorful, Sichuan spices. The big let down was the Green Curry Noodles. Extremely bland flavor - like noodles in coconut milk. The whole Thai red chili pepper garnish lied to us and set unrealistic expectations of what lay ahead. Sides were all spot-on in flavor and presentation. Dessert - With birthday cake waiting at home, we just ordered the Red Bean Sesame balls to try them. We joked it would likely be 2x tiny little deep-fried balls like you'd get from your local Chinese restaurant, but noting the price, we predicted something a little larger and more creative. We actually erupted in laughter when 2x tiny little deep-fried balls were delivered to the table, covered in a truffle-oil honey (what were you thinking there?). If you're going to charge $17 for 2x red bean balls, at least set expectation correctly by having the server wear a ski mask. That sealed the deal for us. Would I go back? All things considered - No. The inconsistency in the dishes, the insulting dessert, the lack of even a simple 'Happy Birthday' greeting from neither the staff nor the owner's wife despite mentioning that we were there for her birthday. Learning all about Sweary Chad's relationship problems, being a human sardine, and a $380 check. I did not feel like Blackbrick's check matched the meal, or the dining experience - despite a few star appetizers and sides. The value just wasn't there.

Recently visited Haiku for a friend's Birthday Dinner and had some items I loved and some that I…read moredid not care for. To start the crab cake was amazing. Didn't need all the micro greens for garnish on top but this could be overlooked because taste and flavor was amazing. The tuna tartare was super tasty as well and I would definitely order this again same comment for micro greens on this dish - didn't need this and found myself moving it off the dishes to actually enjoy the item. The two not so favorite dishes for me were the fried rice topped with fried chicken. While chicken was very tasty the rice was extremely basic. Could have used eggs or other ingredients to elevate this dish. Also the Volcano roll was extremely disappointing. Normally the volcano topping is cooked or (torched) and this topping was cold and very unappetizing. Would not recommend this roll. Overall this place is a hit or miss. Service for our large party wasn't bad and everything came out pretty quickly!

Terrible from start to finish. Waited 25 minutes at hostess stand without anyone coming to help…read more Ended up seating myself and waiting another 15 minutes for a waitress to help. Food is terrible - they even forgot the egg as a part of my ramen and brought me a frozen egg when I mentioned the missing item which was disgusting. Octopus is so tough and chewy. Terribly cooked from frozen. Mango sticky rice is absolutely horrendous. Nothing like what you expect. Temperature is terrible - they don't use A/C so it's incredibly hot and humid in restaurant. Avoid this place at all costs.

Went on a Friday night and have been excited to try this place! IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Service was…read moreexceptional with great recommendations. We sat outside because the inside seemed busy and a little noisy. The downside to this restaurant is the VERY high price of everything, so it would definitely have to be a special occasion type of place. We ordered a lot of things so I'm going to rank them in how much I liked them! I didn't take any photos except the dessert which was served on a platter because we got so much lol We ordered a lot of cocktails as well which were all very good. My favorite cocktail was the lychee one! 1) LONGEVITY CRAB NOODLES ($32): lump crab, garlic butter, toasted garlic, scallions - OUTSTANDING. We ordered two of them and even added shrimp. Buttery and delicious. You can't go wrong 2) CRAZY RICE ($29): shrimp, chicken, spicy ghost pepper sambal, cucumber, shallot crisps, crispy egg - Some of the best fried rice. I LOVED the heat kick it had to it, I think it really made the dish. 3) SIGNATURE CRISPY RICE - WAGYU ($26): sambal, chives, red chili, asian pesto - I thought I would like the spicy tuna one more but the meat was high quality and melty 4) PORK BELLY SINIGANG ($36): crispy pork belly, sinigang braised radish, sauteed spinach, seared tomatoes, tamarind broth, micro cilantro - You cant go wrong with pork belly! I don't like radish so I couldn't experience the full flavor, but I loved the meat 5) SPICY "TAIL OF TWO TUNAS" ($25): spicy tuna, escolar, shallot crisps - You can't go wrong with spicy tuna rolls and shallots. Great quality and loved the crunch. Simple but delicious - we ordered two. 6) TOM YUM SEA BASS ($58): chilean sea bass, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, baby bok choy, tom yum sauce, kaffir lime oil - I typically don't like sea bass but this was cooked perfectly and the fish was SO BUTTERY. No fishy taste at all 7) CHICKEN INASAL ($36): lemongrass, tomatoes, red onion, watercress, achiote glaze, chili lime vinaigrette, grilled lemon - This chicken has great flavor and was very juicy. I really enjoyed the watercress as well. Hit all the notes of savory and umami 8) SIGNATURE CRISPY RICE - SPICY TUNA ($26): masago, chives, sriracha, chili oil, serrano - Delicious but the wagyu one was better in comparison 9) OXTAIL POT STICKERS ($23) braised oxtail, caramelized onion jus, white wasabi cream - Really great flavor but wish it were a bit crispier. It all seemed very soft in texture 10) SPICY EDAMAME ($11): garlic butter, chili salt - very good but everything else was better and it's hard to compare 11) "RIDICULOUS" ($21) vanilla ice cream, ginger carrot cake, glazed walnuts, caramel - Tempura fried ice cream?!? Sign me up! Delicious 12) COCONUT CHEESECAKE ($19) coconut mousse, graham cracker crust, coconut caramel, berries - The texture was unlike anything I've had before. It was so creamy and melty. Delicious! 13) MOCHI ICE CREAM ($19) assorted seasonal flavors of ice cream, wrapped in rice dough - Chewy and yummy!

This was my first time visiting this restaurant, and after reading about its Filipino heritage and…read morecultural mission, I knew I had to try it. They had me at pancit, pork belly, and lumpia which are some of the Filipino staple dishes! As a first-generation Filipino and a foodie, I came in with high expectations, and this restaurant absolutely delivered! The lumpia had the perfect crispiness on the outside with flavorful ingredients inside. The pancit was packed with all my favorite vegetables and protein, and the bonus of Chinese sausage...one of my favorite, made it even better! The atmosphere was upbeat, exciting, and lively, making the entire experience even more enjoyable. Every staff member I encountered, from the host to the server and busser, was absolutely amazing. The hospitality truly stood out. It's clear this establishment is living up to its Cultural Mission and celebrating Filipino heritage through both its food and hospitality. If you're in the Midtown Tampa area, you absolutely must try this place!

Happiness is a warm embracing chili oil aura eminating from your body. I asked an Asian Foodie…read moregroup for the best places to go and Bejing House was one reply by many. I waited until I was in the area and tried it. I was so impressed that I made a 2nd visit before I made this review. Located in a strip mall west of 275 on Fletcher, the menu is impressive. Once I disvovered, over 20 years ago, the treasure trove of authentic chinese dishes available at many chinese food places. I seldom order the cookie cutter American versions so many people find familiar. This place has Sichuan and Northern Chinese food. The ambiance is perfect, never too loud. The wait staff are young and pleasant. Very helpful and attentive. Plenty of free parking. My first visit blessed me with two cravable dishes that frolic in my mind joyously. The Handmade Noodles w/ Ginger & Scallìon and the Shrimp Rolls. The noodles made fresh every morning were luxurious on the palate, soft and silky with a perfect amount of heat from the chili oil and a subtle fragrant flavor that wooed the senses. The small crispy Shrimp Rolls bursting with delectable flavors was so enticing. I could devour those non-stop. I also had the Tea Smoked Duck and that is the only item I did not relate to. A bowl of seasoning is provided for you to dip your duck pieces as you ate. The duck alone had no appealing flavor. The flavor came as you dip the duck in the 5 spice. The issue was each bite tasted different, too little spice, too much spice and at times the perfect amount. I would much prefer for it to come flavored and spice by a pro in the kitchen so every bite was good. I tried a Choya Plum wine that was pleasant. My 2nd visit began with Sichuan Crispy Chili Wings. Delightful flavor, tossed with chili's, garlic and cilantro in a spicy sauce. An enjoyable amount of heat, covered in that tasty piquant and crispy sauce. The kicker was the addition of a few chunks of fried potatoes also covered in sauce. My sides were some low mein noodles and an amazing string bean dish stir fried with crispy garlic, minced pork and a chili sauce. A must try item. Again, a dish with spicy heat at a perfect pitch. The main attraction came in a small wok over a lit burner and is Griddle Fish. The same dish is also available in about 10 other protein choices. A fabulous dish that had wonderful textures and flavors. The fish however was mushy inside. Likely made with Swai or Tilapia which I detest since they live their lives in excrement. My fault for not thinking before I ordered since I had so many other choices. Delicious if you can get past the inferior fish quality. The desserts were marvelous. Cream Brulee Cheesecake and Yuzu Beignets. Rich and delectable. Beautifully balanced sweetness factor. Wife loved them! Cravable food is everywhere due to the chemicals fast food places use to trick your brain at the expense of your health. To find food you crave because of cooking mastery and the genius blend of the food, herbs and spices...well that is special. This is a special place. COME GET YA SOME!!

As a Taiwanese Mexican man who grew up with his Taiwanese grandmother, I was really excited for…read morethis place. The food through pictures looked amazing! Even when it was brought to the table- the food looks good and promising! I was sat right next to the kitchen and to my astonishment, everyone in the kitchen was speaking Spanish!! I always say, THE BEST CHINESE FOOD is always prepared by CHINESE PEOPLE! Nothing against Spanish cooks, but if I'm coming for AUTHENTIC CHINESE FOOD, I want to know that there's someone back there who grew up eating the food they are preparing! With that being said, you can absolutely taste the Spanish influence! I have NEVER had fried rice that is covered in CILANTRO!! What?! The fried rice tasted like Spanish rice. We also ordered the General Tso chicken NOT SPICY. I heard the cook tell our waiter, "you gave them them the wrong one, you gave them the spicy one, did they say anything about it?" My white rice also had a dead bug in it!!! We didn't say anything because we already knew we would not be coming back here. So we just paid for our $83 bill and left, unsatisfied.. and went straight to Dairy Queen for chicken tenders Very disappointed as I had high hopes for a good Chinese restaurant.

Where to start about this amazing yet quaint culinary delight on Kennedy Blvd. In South Tampa?…read more Our dear friends decided we needed an impromptu dinner and that we should visit Paul's as they had a few weeks prior, so naturally when your chosen family suggests-" let's do dinner", you do! Paul's is a truly marvelous establishment and its size ( there are probably 10-12 tables) is very NY. Small and intimate but what comes forth from the kitchen is pure magic. The cuisine is an Asian fusion- that word "fusion" is used a lot these days sometimes a bit much, but Paul's can use whatever words they choose because the food is delicious. We started with the chicken satay, and crispy spring rolls. The satay was delightful and the chicken was tender and flavorful. The spring rolls are def made in house- no frozen spring rolls here, and very tasty. I ordered the Pad Thai- with chicken and shrimp at a medium spice level. All I can say is- WOW, just WOW! By far the best Pad Thai I have had in Tampa in 11 years. The subtle flavors coupled with the mild - yet striking spice was a carnival of excitement in my mouth. The chicken was tender was was the shrimp- the noodles cooked to perfection and the dish was NOT wet- it was perfectly seasoned and was accompanied by a Thai chili vinegar on the side and pepper flakes to add a bit more spice- if I had fancied that. Well, I did. Not because it wasn't seasoned as I had asked, but because I decided to add a little more kick! Our server was just lovely- attentive, helpful and always there when we needed her- always checking to be sure we were ok. The time from kitchen to table is perfect- yet there is no rush, the restaurant just wants to be sure you are enjoying yourself! We topped the evening off with a slice of coconut cream pie- fabulous!! Our experience with Paul's won't be our last. We thoroughly enjoyed every moment...from the happy greeting when we arrived to the sweet farewell from the entire staff when we departed. Paul's is a gem on Kennedy!

We ordered takeout after craving Thai food, and overall it was a solid experience. The Chicken Pad…read moreThai was definitely the standout. It had great flavor, the chicken was tender, and I'd happily order it again. The Crab Fried Rice was good, but the portion felt a little small for the price, and it came out a bit saltier than I would have liked. The Vegetable spring rolls were just okay and didn't really stand out.

Incredible curated menu of pan-Asian street food perfectly spiced & prepared. Each dish was better…read morethan the other and extremely delectable! Many sauces in particular had that growing "back of the throat" heat build up, sneaks up on you, but delicious and intensely flavorful! The pork belly baos and Pok Pok wings were outstanding! Service was very attentive and food came in waves when done. Just kept coming! This is a must stop with a group of friends to share a culinary trip across Asia!

Overpriced and you have to pay $5 an hour. I felt rushed because of this. I understand why they do…read moreit because people will park there all day and go to the beach. However Dining guest should get 1st hour free. Food Just ok. Waiter was attentive and kind. Food was ok, drinks ok. No fresh gulf shrimp here.

Liang's Bistro was such a pleasant surprise. The portions are large, the kind that make you feel…read morelike you're getting real value for your money. Every bite tasted fresh, like the ingredients were prepped with intention and not just thrown together. Our server was genuinely friendly, the kind of person who makes you feel welcome the moment you sit down. Great energy, great attitude, it added so much to the experience. The restaurant itself is spotless. Clean tables, clean floors, clean atmosphere. You can tell they care about presentation and comfort just as much as the food. If you're in Tampa and want a place with big portions, fresh food, warm service, and a clean environment, Luang's Bistro is absolutely worth stopping by.

Pro: Protein heavy dishes however- its flavor is just. We had kung pao & basil chicken (basil was…read morehands down the better of the two), kung pao was blah... not enough flavor profile for me. Hot & sour soup was more like sweet & hint of sour soup... we asked for vinegar to help give more sour.. the bowl was big- we had 4.5 smalls bowls of soup from it (also- doesnt come w green onions so must ask for it and no condiments on the table- so need to ask for pepper too). The decoration is really nice, I forgot what it was before but they kept the kitchen the same .. so overall- nice ambiance. Our server was good, she came back numerous times to check on us.

I was looking for a quick lunch near my hotel and decided on Asiatic based on the reviews. It was a…read morelittle late in the afternoon so it was quiet in there. I was solo so they sat me at the bar. I thought they had more of a lunch menu with specials, but it's just the dinner menu, but you get a free spring roll with the purchase of an entree. I decided on chicken pad see ew and asked for it very hot. Pretty quickly my food came out and the portion was large. Enough so that I took some back to the hotel for a late night snack. It did have some heat, but not nearly as hot as I thought for the very hot option. overall the flavor was delicious and I enjoyed mu lunch. The service was pretty cold, but not overly rude or anything. I saw a lot of people doing takeout, which based on the cold service and lack of ambiance, I would probably do so myself next time.

Excellent curry dishes. I had the Penang and hubby had KoaSoi both with chicken. The meat was…read moretender and plentiful. Only negative was the spring roll, which was served lukewarm. Good amount of spice but not painful! Our server Lavy was friendly and efficient.

Food was definitely delicious! Everything that we ordered was tasty and service was quick and…read moregreat. Our server Gabe had excellent customer service and checked on us quite a lot. Can't wait to try everything!

Gabe was an exceptional server!! Food came out fast & he got us everything we needed. Great serviceread more

I was attended right away and got the Chicken Pho and it was so good. The price was hefty about $16…read moreand change but it was very hearty. The broth was super-hot in temperature but pouring it on the noodles and rice made it worth it. Yum! There's ample seating inside

Had a great lunch here! Service is very fast and friendly and the place is so cute! Lots of seating…read moreoptions easy street parking. Also love the vegetarian options! My fav was definitely the lemongrass tofu. I definitely want to go back and try the boba! Would definitely recommend!