717 South - Tampa

One of the best snapper dishes that I have ever had. The ingredients were fresh and cooked to perfection and the desert was very well prepared and sweet and rich. I can highly recommend 717 for fresh American fare.

We visited this restaurant on a Friday night and had a wonderful experience, even though we were seated 30 minutes past our reservation time. We ordered a variety of appetizers, including Brussels sprouts, lobster mac and cheese, risotto balls, calamari, and sashimi blue tuna tartare. Everything from the food to the drinks and service was excellent!

It can get quite loud at times, so I usually request a table in the back since it can be hard to have a conversation. I prefer to make my reservations online, just to be safe, since it’s located in South Tampa and can get quite busy. They also host events, but I wouldn't suggest having a special event so close to the bar, as it makes it difficult for guests to walk through to get seated. Parking has never been an issue, even on a Friday night. As for the negatives? Honestly, I can't think of any. The staff has always been friendly and the service is good. I did have one issue one night with an undercooked dish—the pork chop, of course! That’s the reason I go there; I’m a creature of habit. It took some time to get my server and have it fixed, but it was resolved. Unfortunately, my husband and I were on a date, and I didn’t want to let his food get cold while waiting for mine. They ended up cooking a whole new chop, which took a little while. I believe the head server came over to help out because they could see how awkward it was for me just sitting there. They offered us complimentary dessert, which we were reluctant to accept, not because we didn’t want it, but because we were on a diet with our upcoming wedding in mind. I needed that dress to fit! But they were insistent on making things right, so we finally gave in—what’s one cheat night, right? Overall, it’s always been a great experience, and we definitely try to go as often as we can.

Great spot for everyday dining! They have a great, big bar to sit at and comfortable seating in the main room. Cocktails are fantastic. I recommend the SOHO Socialite. The food at 717 South is average for the area. Mushroom risottos with scallops wasdelicious and a very large portion. The Macadamia Nut Chicken is slightly dry. Overall, great place to go and it is not toobusy. The renovations were much needed.

However, that’s where the good experience ended. Unfortunately, none of the food tasted fresh. The bacon-wrapped jalapeño appetizer with a side of tequila was fun to order, but it was clear the cheese wasn’t melted properly, indicating it had been reheated. My boyfriend ordered the biscuits and gravy, which arrived cold. He chose not to send it back, but just a few bites in, he bit into what seemed to be a hard piece of something (which he suspects was a bone). Needless to say, he was not pleased. I ordered the apple pie-stuffed French toast, and it too had a canned taste, as if it had come straight from the microwave. While the food may have looked appealing, we were disappointed by the quality of the ingredients, which we expect from establishments with this kind of menu. To be honest, I rarely leave negative reviews, but I usually don't mind minor mishaps as long as the coffee is fresh. Unfortunately, our coffee was old, and since we were one of the first tables seated, that was a letdown amidst our special celebration. If the restaurant can improve their coffee quality, I think they could really enhance the overall customer experience.