Ponte Modern American

“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.”

“This was the first time we have dined at a Michelin recommended restaurant. So starting on that note, there was not one bad thing to say about the food or it's presentation. Just what you would expect, right? The food was beyond reproach. Our party of eight began with cocktails that came with a choice to be made as either Classic or Modern style. The bread service was fresh and varied. We started with Steak Tartare and Onion Dip with homemade chips for the table. My husband commented on the excellence of the Baked Oysters. I thoroughly enjoy Iceberg Crunch (wedge salad.) Entrees were Boneless Short Ribs, Calabria Chicken, Verlasso Salmon, Bone-in Pork Chop and Filet Mignon, all perfect. The outstanding presentation of the Cheescake, you really need to experience it. The esthetic is what I would call "modern bespoke." Wine displayed to the ceiling behind glass cases. Lighting intimate, without being dark. Mixtures of metals, glass, wood and stone combined for an upscale feel. All that being said, I personally was a little disappointed with the service on two points: servers and bus people reached across our party instead of serve from the left, clear from the right. Also, not all appetizer plates, were clearled before bringing the entrees. Minor items, but noticeable with the clear elevation of the venue. My last comment is regarding the volume. We were seated in the bar area and it was difficult to hear anyone that was not beside you or directly across the table. I understand it is better in the main restaurant area. If you want to celebrate a special occasion or entertain a business client, Ponte does impress.”

“This restaurant was the full culinary experience. This was my wife and I first time at here and it exceeded all expectations. Our waitress, Nicole, was personable and knowledgeable about everything on the menu. Ask her what mushrooms are in the prominent mushroom soup and she will iterate them all without skipping a beat. The crab cake was out of this world. French onion soup was perfect. Split bone ribeye was cooked perfect to our liking. I'm upset it took us this long to finally try this restaurant.”

“Best dinner ever! Foie Gras was perfection. Crab cake was a 10. Baked Oysters were flavorful and right temperature. Chilean Sea Bass - the best ever. Short ribs (my husband said melt in your mouth). We had the amazing cheesecake (don’t miss this experience) and shared the carrot cake which was over the top yummy! Ask for Andrew! Best server we have experienced anywhere in town.”

“This restaurant has been on our list for a while, heard great things, so we decided to hit it for a birthday dinner. Great atmosphere, modern, new with clean lines. Service was very good but not as great as I would expect for a restaurant of this level. Deeper knowledge of the menu, options and overall confidence from the server would have added more service value. Great modern old fashion version made well with Japanese whiskey. Apps were good, tartare and crab cake had great flavor and fresh along with the bread service and their options. The steaks were very good, along with the sea bass entrees. Loved the sides, asparagus and Brussels sprouts. Favorite side was their duck fried rice, outstanding. They also provided a sample of their mushroom soup, which was very good. We finished it off with a birthday mouse desert and their chocolate soufflé. I would most definitely return for another special moment. In the Tampa Bay area the quality does stand up there with the other high end restaurants.”