disappointed on valentine's day
My wife and I went for Valentine's day.

The food was overpriced $180 total. There was no ambience, dark, and very little decoration. One waitress and a hostess to serve over a dozen tables with no busboy.
The service was lousy and they seemed arrogant to us.
The menu was fixed so we had very few choices.

The quality of the food was poor.
I would never go back. It appears that the owner (the cook) and waitress (the owner's wife) were out to make as much money as possible on a Holiday.

I felt robbed and taken advantage of.

- dsantos    [17 Mar 2005 11:49:15]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: none

     ­dsantos   

Best French restaurant this side of the Atlantic
Regretfully, I don't visit the Tampa area very often, because it is home to one of the finest French restaurants I've ever had the pleasure of dining in - and that includes France. Chef Dominique Christini creates original masterpieces on an ever-changing but always superb and varied menu. Although Christini knows his way with all the standard French fare (onion soup, frog's legs, etc.), he truly specializes in Provencal-style light meat and seafood dishes made with lots of vegetables and seasoned with Mediterranean spices, and also delights in stuffing various meats and fishes with an airy mousse.

The restaurant is small, with minimal decor, and is located in a nondescript strip mall in an out-of-the-way section, but it nevertheless creates a feeling of intimacy, thanks in large part to the tall and stunning American maitre d'/hostess/waitress whose name I'm ashamed to say I have forgotten. By the way, she insists she is not the chef's wife, although they certainly work together as a team in a way that would put many a married couple to shame. This is essentially a two-person operation (although an assistant cook and an additional waiter or waitress do help out during peak periods). Both the chef and the hostess are very friendly and remember me even when I haven't come by in several years.

The prices ain't cheap, to be sure, but they're worth every penny. I've eaten at Cafe Largo many times over the years, but have never been there on a holiday with a set menu.
I've had exactly the same experience at another French restaurant in the US, so I can certainly relate to the couple that felt ripped off on Valentine's day. All I can say is that from my experience, Cafe Largo is without a doubt one of my favorite restaurants in the world, and well worth a trip to the area.    [12 May 2006 11:43:45]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Haven't had a bad one yet.

     ­Anonymous   

French Gem

I only live 2 miles away and I must say I do not dine there often enough. Everything from the outstanding service to Chef Dominique's specials are a real treat. One time we had the Venison chops, came back 3 days later to do it again. The Chef prepares from a 'work of love' attitude that is demonstrated in each dish.

Adventure out; you will be pleased.    [11 Jun 2006 23:22:48]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Lamb, Venison, Beef

     ­Ron   daewoorep at aol dot com