- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
717 South
Categories: Restaurants Italian Restaurants Asian Fusion Italian, Asian Fusion [Edit]
717 S Howard AveTampa, FL 33689
(813) 250-1661
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Has TV:
- Yes
27 reviews for 717 South
Review Highlights
"What impressed me the most was the wine list."
(in 3 reviews)
"The calamari was perfect."
(in 7 reviews)
"...black bean I think) was quite tasty, my date is quite picky..."
(in 3 reviews)
Loading...
27 reviews in English
-
Review from Collin S.
Updated - 11/28/2011 2 Check-ins Here
So now that I live closer, I've eaten here twice. And the food is excellent, though a bit pricier than you would expect.
Tonight got the baked farfalle, which already came with sausage, but I'm a fat kid so I added some chicken as well (it's an option on the menu, I'm not just a sicko like that I swear). The bow tie pasta and sauce we're excellent, though it had a bit more basil on it than I was expecting. But the balance of mozzarella and goat cheese was perfect, and it was a legit oven-baked Italian dish that I really enjoyed.
Every time I come here, the service is always excellent as well. I've never asked for or had to ever wait for anything, and my drink has always stayed full. The staff are always friendly and fun, but tonight I went in and got some work done on the laptop while sitting at the bar. While sitting there, I watched Amanda the bartender diffuse a potential idiot drunk guy situation with perfect decorum and class. She handled it perfectly, and believe me it could have gotten sticky. That's the difference with a professional staff... they make what could be a problem a non-matter due to experience and smarts.
It's not the cheapest place around (the only reason it's not a total 5 star for me), but it is surely one of the best. Plus they continue to give back to Tampa Bay in more ways than I can count, always hosting a fundraiser or making gifts back to the community. They could rename this place "Non-Profit World," as if you've been to a fundraising event in Tampa, there's a decent chance it was held here.
Absolutely one of the stars of "Restaurant Row" in SoHo, and one of my favorites!Listed in: Superb in SoHo
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
8/27/2011
I usually only come here for the drinks, which are quite delicious and served in a fun atmosphere.… Read more »
-
-
Review from Robert P.
Millbrae, CA
12/10/2011
Where do I start? Maybe with the paper napkins. Lol!!
Wine list by the glass is so basic and horrible. $54 for Murphy's Goode wine. Hmmm.
Sea bass special that smells fishy and so soggy.
Slow service (45 minutes!)
My Gosh - what has happened to this place? Never again. -
Review from Frani B.
Tampa, FL
11/16/2011
We went to 717 this past Monday, our reservations were a bit early so when we arrived the place was empty, except for the bar. By the time we left, it was completely packed and I understand why!
The service was good, the waiter seemed a little nervous but as the night went on and as he was busier, he actually got better (or maybe it was the wine I was drinking...anyhow); he was attentive.
Now onto the food, the wine we chose was a Malbec from Mendoza, great! The soup dujour (black bean I think) was quite tasty, my date is quite picky on seasonings, and this was very well seasoned! I ordered a few small plates for my meal, the seafood lollipops (scallops shrimp and something else...); the crab cake, and the escargot--All very delicious, tasty, and very well cooked. My date ordered the Chilean sea bass which was also excellent! For desert, I chose the flourless chocolate cake-which was a perfect pairing with the bottle of Malbec. My date chose the Pistachio, which was unimpressive (the only thing of the night); it was more like a butter pecan but with chunks of pistachio instead of pecan.
We will definitely come back again and try more of the menu! -
Review from Jess C.
10/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Delicious food, but a bit expensive... Love the bread with tomato sauce & ricotta cheese which they bring out when you sit down-- a must! The crusted chicken is DELICIOUS, but the sweet potato fries are a bit soggy and too sweet for my liking. Also a fan of the baked farfalle-- yum! I've been there a bunch and nothing else was all that memorable.... The drinks are ok, and bar is a bit small, but the outdoor seating is adorable and the inside restaurant seating is cozy and intimate. Overall, a nice place for dinner but a bit expensive for a random weeknight out.
-
Review from Kyle G.
5/5/2011
The reason I like this place is because they're known for their charitable efforts. They do fundraisers frequently for non-profits, which packs the house (almost to the point of uncomfortable).
The bar is lovely when you can actually sit and get service. I've waited extreme periods of time for someone to take my order, but in their defense, it was a Friday night around 9pm. It's also a different crowd than the typical SoHo spots, a tad more upscale and a little older of a group (I'd estimate early 30s professionals to be the average clientele).
The food is good - but doesn't differentiate too much from a standard Italian menu. Their seating area is nicely decorated and is good for groups if you have a reservation. I have also had their catering, which I found to be absolutely spectacular (added another star for that alone).
Only real complaint about the place is the parking; they share a private lot with Starbucks, which means it's packed at almost all hours of the day. -
Review from Sam Q.
Tampa, FL
717 South is a nice, relatively upscale place (think Bonefish Grill) with an interesting combination of Italian and Asian. I went with a large group and tried several appetizers, including a delicious pork filled egg roll with guava paste, and the most amazing fried calamari I have ever tasted. I had a salad for an entree (watching those calories even on good days), but I lived vicariously through my dinner mates and everything looked fantastic.
I would put 717 on a notch above Outback and Carrabas, at the same level of Bonefish and Grill Smith, which is to say above average. I plan to go back, which is why I give it four stars. If I go back often and I still like it, I'll change it to five. So many places, so few calories I can consume... -
Review from Todd O.
Tampa, FL
7/30/2011 7 Check-ins Here
717 is on the nicer side of places to go on Howard. It's generally got a pretty good sized crowd and the food is good. I got the salmon here which was really good.
-
Review from Jeff C.
NY
7/20/2011
I usually prefer local stores over franchise. Was really excited to see the comparison between this and Bonefish and decided to give it a try.
I walk away disappointed though.
Restaurant deco is very nice, tall ceiling, comfortable chairs, friendly wait staff. But food definitely needs improvement.
Pork Rib egg roll was ok, the two sauces that came with it neither compliment or enhance the flavor. Kind of like odd couple forced together.
Calamari appetizer has great presentation, but that's about it. Probably the smallest rings I have seen and tasty very bland, with or without the pretty sauce.
I ordered the daily special, crab cake with shrimp. The crab cake itself was average, the shrimps were very rubbery. The only thing good is the sauce, which is actually quite tasty. -
Review from Amy T.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
6/25/2011
We were visiting for the weekend and someone suggested this place to us. I found the ambiance to be ok...the bar was nice but the dining room was a bit bright for my liking. Our server was strange and he was not going tell us the specials or bring us bread until we asked. The food was average...we started with the calamari...eh...and also the short rib spring roll also just ok. For dinner I had the salmon, my husband the filet and our friend the chicken picatta. None of it blew us away. Even the bread which we thought was going to be great was only ok...the sauce served with it was warm at best. In the end I would not go back, I would try something else.
-
Review from Lauren R.
Arlington, VA
11/2/2008
I spent quite a bit of time researching restaurants in Tampa before my visit, looking for the perfect place to take my best friend to dinner to celebrate that she's expecting. Silly me didn't realize the long list of foods you can't have when you're pregnant, and that coupled with my friend's admittedly non-adventurous tastes limited us from tapas at Ceviche like I really wanted. So I went on the hunt for a modern, fun place with a relatively tame but tasty menu and nice ambiance without being overly expensive.
Given my lengthy requirements, 717 fit the bill quite nicely. Good menu with lots of options, and the Italian/Pacific Rim theme didn't clash nearly as much as I expected. The rolled pesto bread and marinara three cheese spread that the waiter brought to start was really, really yummy. I appreciated that the entrees include a choice of soup or salad, and my tomato bisque was delicious (though very similar in flavor to the bread dip) and the mixed greens salad had a tasty honey mustard vinaigrette dressing. We both ordered from the Italian side of the menu, and the Delmonico steak and grilled smoked salmon dishes were both good. Service was excellent, I had a couple of glasses of white wine that was on the inexpensive side but quite good, and our little old waiter joked around with us good-naturedly when my friend ordered a Shirley Temple.
717 is a cute little restaurant with decent decor and a good vibe. Its in a cute little area, though I think that it was located towards the end of the heart of the restaurant district so most of the action is a little further down. -
Review from Luke H.
1/6/2009
In theory and in practice are two totally different things.
It isn't bad, but it isn't good. Nobody brags about this nor recommends it for a $15-25 per entree meal.
The bar is small but has a packed Manhattan feel...they mix good cocktails. But head down the street for dinner (and a better cocktail for that matter). Sideburns down the street is a better option for a trendy fine dining option. -
Review from Melissa S.
Chelsea, MA
2/28/2010
My friend took me here this Friday night while I was visiting her. She had made a reservation for us so when we got there we were immediately seated.
The atmosphere is nice - not too stuffy - and I felt comfortable in jeans there. We ordered cocktails - I was impressed they had St. Germain at the bar.
We ordered the calamari as an appetizer - very nicely done with a nice basil aioli and a fresh tasting romesco. Caesar salads next - yuck - mustard based dressing was not the expectation here - and the finely chopped romaine was a bummer - whatever happened to nice large leaves coated in a homemade anchovy, egg, lemon and oil dressing????
I ordered the Delmonico - what came out was a NY Strip - didn't have the heart to ask them to reorder. I was hungry. Although the steak was cooked perfectly to medium rare it was rather tough (usually why I order the Delmonico).
Our server was very knowledgeable and offered up suggestions with us asking, but she seemed like she was reading a prepared statement the whole time.
Would eat here again but this restaurant was not all that to me. -
Review from Jon W.
Redondo Beach, CA
12/5/2009
It's like film noir meets the Sistine Chapel on the walls. Love it.
The bar service is swift and the drink prices aren't bad at all! I liked the cozy feel and their dinner menu didn't disappoint. We had crab, shrimp & scallop lollipops for starters... very tasty. The szechwan duck and filet mignon were cooked to perfection. What impressed me the most was the wine list... it's surprisingly extensive and the choices really pair well with their main courses. So good, in fact, that we kept the staff working well past closing because we were enjoying it so much. Our waitress was super friendly and really worked to help make it a nice time there. A good find, Tampa people. -
Review from Claudia N.
Pleasanton, CA
1/20/2008
This place is awesome!
The design of the bar and restaurant is very narrow but with a lot of space. The walls are covered with paints and is more inclined for romantic food lovers. The wine selection is wide and the service is magnificent. The food, nevertheless was outstanding and the music was just perfect.
The staff was fast and well aware of their clients needs. They were very friendly and of course good looking!
Although it was casual dress code most of all the people were dressed up for party time.
If you are looking for a place in Tampa, you MUST visit the 717 South.
:) -
Review from Angie W.
Tampa, FL
2/12/2011
Good food. I can't remember what I ordered, it was awhile ago. The place was nice, but not impressive enough to make me want to go back. I've found better restaurants in the area.
-
Review from Ashley A.
New Orleans, LA
9/15/2007
This place frustrates me. The location is amazing - prime real estate right on Howard in South Tampa. The atmosphere is really neat - dark but cozy chic space in which to dine, plus the option of indulging outside. I did have a damn good mojito here, but the food is very mediocre.
The fish was doused in some very heavy sauce, which actually made me sick later. It tasted okay when I was eating it, but it was extremely heavy and rich. The menu is irritating because it all sounds so good, but none of it is executed well. The theory of this restaurant is perfect....upscale, semi-trendy fusion restaurant in South Tampa. I just feel that the quality is sub-par.
If I were you, I'd eat elsewhere and come here to drink.....the atmosphere is really fun, and the drinks are good. I just don't think the food is overly impressive. -
Review from Maggie S.
Tampa, FL
1/4/2011
Absolutely amazing! I enjoyed every aspect of my 717 experience. My boyfriend and I went for dinner last Friday. We had a drink at the bar before heading to our table. Love the bar! Service was great. The bartender was so sweet and willing to experiment and create us wonderful and unique drinks.
Our dinners were incredible. We ended up sharing the Chilean sea bass and the pistachio crusted rack of lamb (yum!) Everything was great!
I would highly recommend this restaurant especially for a date night or girls night out. Great martini list, delicious food, and fantastic service! -
Review from Josh M.
Tampa, FL
7/17/2009
Bread and dipping sauce is the best thing there. Menu has a lot of options. I prefer it for lunch over dinner.
-
Review from Sue G.
Spring Hill, FL
Updated - 3/8/2010
BAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! I don't know what happened, but they are not any good anymore! Cold greasy food! Bad service! Sorry folks they get the bomb!!!!!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
7/11/2007 First to Review
This is actually Asian Fusion and Italian Fusion. I know it sounds strange, but it works! this… Read more »
-
-
Review from Joyce H.
Clearwater, FL
9/10/2010
Came here for my birthday. The atmosphere was nice. We ordered two fish dishes...the fish was deee---lish! The sides were interesting and a smidge salty. Before we chomp on our entrees, we tried the calamari which was good and the bread (which comes with the meal) is AMAZING! If we had to choose over the calamari or bread...bread for sure! What made my night was the Key Lime Pie...there was a mixture of raspberry and mango sauce which comes with the dessert and I was floating on cloud nine. The meals are huge so order a bunch of appetizers and share a entree. It's the way to go! Bon appetit!
-
Review from Jimmy D.
Tampa, FL
12/8/2009
This place is great... as long as you didn't just move here from NYC or Long Island.
Went here the other night at around 6:30pm on my never-ending quest to find a truly great restaurant in Tampa. The hostess asked if we had a reservation, which we did not. She explained that they were booked for the night but that we could sit at one of the high-top bar tables if we wanted to. The only one available was the one closest to the door so we decided out loud that we would just come back another night when we had reservations. She went to talk to someone else and came back and said that someone who had a reservation was 10 minutes late and that if we wanted to wait 5 minutes we could have their table if they didn't show up, so we waited and got the table :)
Apparently they're known for the bread they bring you when you are seated. It was pretty good, but the sauce it comes with was on the verge of being cold. More bread a little later, sauce still cold-ish.
Calamari appetizer was ok (hard to mess this one up) although the pieces were surprisingly small.
I got the Asian Pot Roast and it was very, very good (for Tampa). Girlfriend got the Macadamia Chicken and we were both very disappointed. The description made it sound incredible. We were expecting big, thick chicken cutlets, seasoned, breaded and/or encrusted in macadamia nuts, and what we got were 2 very thin pieces of chicken that could have easily come from a TV dinner, and they appeared to be boiled oddly enough as there were no grill marks or any sign that it was cooked on a flat-top.
Dessert time. We ordered the lava cake. Hard to give this a bad review but I'll say this: I had the same dessert recently on a cruise ship where it was mass-produced by the thousands every night, and somehow Carnival's was better :(
Best part of this experience was the very friendly and helpful hostess, and our waitress who was really a bar-tender but picking up a shift for the night, she was great, too.
Sadly this was the second best restaurant experience we have had in Tampa as far as the food goes, with the first being at Jasmine Thai on Westshore.
We'll keep trying. -
Review from Claudia E.
Tampa, FL
2/26/2009
Good bar area, not too crowded. Food is terrible though. Go somewhere else if you are going to eat.
-
Review from Jack W.
Miami, FL
10/6/2008
I've read mixed reviews of 717 but I have to give it plenty of props. When I went it was early - around 7:30, so maybe that's why I got such great service and such great food. I had a dorado special they had and it was very sweet, in a ponzu kind of sauce. The place has definitely got an Asian influence going and it's nice to see a decent fusion restaurant making it in Tampa!
-
Review from LaKesha C.
Tampa, FL
3/23/2010
Went there for an anniversary dinner. We weren't that hungry so we ordered a few appetizers and boy were they delicious. The calamari was perfect! The live entertainment was good. The drinks were great! The service was good.
-
Review from Matt B.
Temple City, CA
1/14/2010
Ate here on a little weekend getaway. We were pleased with the food and service, and we had a great time.
-
Review from RD E.
Tampa, FL
5/21/2009
Solid menu, good food, great service
-
Review from Pasquale R.
Chatham, NJ
5/24/2010
When my gf's sister suggested this place, I was intrigued. An Asian/Italian upscale (or wanna be) restaurant. Coming from the area that has the best Italian food outside of Italy, I didn't expect much. When we walked in we were seated promptly (we had reservations which I recommend). We sat down and was greeted by a very friendly waiter. I ordered there seafood bisque (very good) to start out. The bread here is what makes the place. It's made fresh frequently and right out of the oven. My gf started with the Caesar Salad and then we received the main courses. The server, although friendly, was infrequent. Talkative yet spotty. For meals; me: Chicken Calabria (not much seasoning but ok), gf: macadamia chicken (same deal as me), gf's sister: Asian pot roast. Probably the best of the bunch. We did not get dessert. Overall good place but not a place when I am back in town I will go out of my way to go to.
