Cafe Ponte - ClearwaterMy birthdayMy husband and I wanted to try Cafe Ponte because I had recently toured an organic farm (Gateway Organic Farm in Clearwater) that mentioned Chef Ponte and his desire for fresh, organic vegetables. So I wanted to support a restaurant that supports this farm.
We were given a choice of where to sit - either in the diningroom where there were several large groups or a booth in the lounge area. We chose the booth and it was nice and intimate.
We chose the 6 course menu with wine pairings and every dish was unique and delicious. The wines were well chosen and we were served an ample amount of wine with each course.I had to lay off finishing each one as the night went on!
Will definitely recommend this restaurant to our friends!5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMonce again, Cafe Ponte hasonce again, Cafe Ponte has exceeded our expectations and truely is beating some of the finest Madrid restaurants.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of my favorite restaurants.One of my favorite restaurants. A place to relax, get great service and I love the variety of food options, all of which is outstanding!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMTasting menu is absolutelyTasting menu is absolutely the bomb! Each course is better than the last! Service is great, we very much appreciate the attention to details and the quality of the ingredients.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMBest in Tampa BayThe chef is a master of his art, creating well-balanced, innovative and exciting dishes. Probably the best restaurant in the Tampa Bay area.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful food, great treatsWonderful food, great treats from the chef!!! Professional staff, friendly, knowledgeable they really add to the dining experience5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, great presentationEven the bread service is interesting. A wonderful, tightly edited menu with good seasonal notes. A really don't miss in St. Pete/Clearwater.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMMostly GoodI had two appetizers rather than an entree. The baked oysters were excellent -- a nice blending of flavors. Unfortunately, the Portuguese clams were less successful. They took almost 30 minutes to come out from the kitchen and were both overly salty and occasionally sandy. The sauce, though delicious, would have benefitted by being put through a de-greaser. Service was excellent, and it was clear from where I was seated (near the open kitchen) that the slow clams weren't the server's fault. The live, jazz-tinged piano music was well played, never intrusive and a definite plus.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMLoving the Tasting Menu!On our most recent visit, our table enjoyed the 6 course tasting menu...and it did not disappoint! The courses were spaced well (we never felt rushed from course to course), the portions were generous but not too large, and the flavors were absolutely fantastic. I would absolutely recommend trying it out the next time you dine at Cafe Ponte - it is definitely an experience!4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was amazing. TheThe food was amazing. The only bad thing I can comment on is the location. They need a location on the beach.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have been to Cafe PonteWe have been to Cafe Ponte many times and have never been disappointed. The food, service and ambiance is outstanding!4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMSara @ PaychexWe love coming to Cafe Ponte. The atmosphere and food is amazing and we never have any issues. I really love the online reservations system, that is great. Keep up the great work and we will ALWAYS come back!!4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was not as good asThe food was not as good as I usually get at this restaurant. I had not idea what a crowd they are drawing at lunch. Maybe it is a little overwhelming for them at this time.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMSet in a small center youSet in a small center you would not expect to have such a wonderful restaurant in this area. Nice atmosphere, excellent food and great service. A must if you have not experienced it.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMconsistently fabulousAs a "food snob", I'm particular about many aspects of dining with the quality of the food taking precedence. Cafe Ponte has long been one of my absolute favorite restaurants in the Bay Area. Its almost an hour away from us or we would be there a few times per month. The mushroom soup is the best I've ever had - hands down! The portions are generous, presentation is perfect and the taste is always fresh and wonderful. We enjoyed an outdoor lunch for our anniversary and decided to take home dinner as well. The staff is professional but friendly. Its a MUST visit for anyone in the area.4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was amazing, as always.The food was amazing, as always. I can always find something new and exciting there. The fixed price menu allowed us to try a variety of items, such as the dessert trio. Also, the cocktail menu was very large and unique!4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMI generally come here forI generally come here for lunch, as I work close by, but we met some friends for dinner Saturday night and had a fabulous time! Cafe Ponte never disappoints!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was our 2nd visit andThis was our 2nd visit and each time has been great.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect eveningI have been desperately meaning to come here for a good three years. Now I can finally check Cafe Ponte off my list. My wife and I came here last night for our three year wedding anniversary.
I had purchased a Groupon a couple months ago for the 6 course tasting menu for two people. At $85 for two people, it was a steal. Still not cheap by any means, especially when you add in cocktails and I ordered the $35 wine pairing, but given the quality of food and service it was a nice deal IMO. The additional amuse bouche, bread service (choices of focaccia, walnut/black olive, flatbread, and asiago loaf), and palate cleansers were a very nice touch as well.
I would love to come back here! EVERYTHING was top notch.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMFine dining at its best. CreamFine dining at its best. Cream of mushroom soup to die for. I can't believe I let this place slip off my radar for a while. We will be back again soon!4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful as always! We wereWonderful as always! We were there for our anniversary. Had the tasting menu with the wine pairings outside on the patio. No one else was outside and it is a ways from the road in the shopping center. Just GREAT!4/8/2013 12:00:00 AMDid the Tasting Menu courtesyDid the Tasting Menu courtesy of Groupon. They even added a few extras as well. Expect a leisurely dining experience of two-plus hours. Pricey, but worth trying at least once. Surprised when my wife said we should do it again some time.4/8/2013 12:00:00 AMThe tasting menu and wineThe tasting menu and wine pairing was absolutely phenomenal!4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMI am 100% impressed everyI am 100% impressed every time I get the pleasure to dine here. The staff is so knowledgeable and really respect your space and time. They know how to be attentive but not overbearing.
I love the little touches at this place...like bringing a small taste of something (soup or this past time a goat cheese foam...YUM) and even though we did not order dessert (I am too full by this point) they bring you a little taste of something sweet.
The food is definitely the highlight. I have been 3 times and each time I am inspired to try something new...the food is simple but complex and really leaves your tastebuds craving more :)
The prices are what they are, but it is worth every penny!!!4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMThird time to Cafe Ponte,Third time to Cafe Ponte, all excellent. Had the six course tasting menu. First of all, without losing the quality or specialness of a tasting menu, Cafe Ponte serves enough food with each course to make you feel ike you are having a meal. Mushroom soup was fantastic and the espresso rubbed ribeye superb. Although Cafe Ponte, can be a bit pricey, would definitely recommend for a special occasion.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMFood with FlairGreat food with flair. The wait staff was knowledgeable and the food was right on time no waiting. Would highly recommend this restaurant!! Loved the atmosphere.4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food is always consistantThe food is always consistant and the mushroom soup is a must have!4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMFood, service etc... excellent. ThFood, service etc... excellent.
The A/C was kept at too cool temperature.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good tasting menu, lotsVery good tasting menu, lots of food. Service was exceptional.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMAn excellent place for clientAn excellent place for client lunches. Never had a bad dish. Should get rez ahead to be sure you get a table.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food and service wereThe food and service were wonderful, as always. The staff is always welcoming and friendly. The pre-fixe menu is a great deal if you arrive early enough to take advantage of it. The white asparagus salad was a new dish for us to try and it was delicious. The pork chops were juicy and perfectly cooked. The dessert sampler is a beautiful presentation of three very yummy desserts.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways excellent food andAlways excellent food and service. Always look forward to dining at Cafe Ponte.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything was fantastic!Everything was fantastic! Love their mushroom soup and the tasting menu was perfect.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful gem of a place!this was a very enjoyable experience. We have been here before and we will return again. Loved this place and the tasting menu was absolutely great. The service was impeccable and we had a wonderful time. I would highly recommend this for special occasions or groups you want to impress.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMCafe Ponte is choice!Excellent, inventive menu. Service top notch. Bring your $$, but well worth it.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMOnce again, the biggest challengeOnce again, the biggest challenge for a restaurant of this calibre is not to just put great food on the table with great service, but rather to live up to expectation of the patron. Cafe Ponte is really hitting it out of the park these days!3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had the blue shroom pizzaWe had the blue shroom pizza and mushroom bisque soup. It was delicious and our service was impeccable!3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMThe six course tasting dinnerThe six course tasting dinner was excellent. Lots of special flavors and new dishes to try. Our waiter, Tom, was very good, knowldegeable and gave great service.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMExpensive but worth it. IExpensive but worth it. I make it a priority to come here every year when on vacation and I'm never disappointed.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMTook my mother to dine asTook my mother to dine as a 90th birthday gift. Dined on Chef Ponte's Winter Tasting menu (her's with wine parings). The dinner was fantastic and the server - Fritz - was excellent. She was very impressed and plans a return visit when ever she is in town. Only had two complaints and they were related to the dining environment. It was a cool evening and there was a noticeable draft from the front door into the dining room even with the door closed and the second was the noise level which was surprising as there is carpet on the floor,drapes on the windows and it was a weeknight and they weren't that crowded. Will definitely go back.3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMNice wine list, but overpriced.Nice wine list, but overpriced. Recommend prix fixe menu3/11/2013 12:00:00 AMWe found this place throughWe found this place through OpenTable reviews, it was a bit out of the way but the food was worth it! Yam fries with toasted marshmallow dip and a crab and shrimp cake burger was fantastic. My husband had one of the house specialties with ahi tuna and stir fry, it was beautifully presented and delicious. Our server was ok, not unfriendly but not friendly either. Service, however, was very attentive. Then again, it was end of lunch service so restaurant was rather quiet.3/11/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent Tasting MenuThis dinner I had the tasting menu. What a variety of food and wine (I opted for the wine with each course). 6 courses with wine what a treat.3/9/2013 12:00:00 AMWas our first time--a trulyWas our first time--a truly superb dinner and service! I had a delicious grouper and my wife had the largest and most tasty scallops we have ever had. Dessert sampler was likewise excellent.
And their bread offerings likewise were unique, fresh and warm!!2/19/2013 12:00:00 AMTook a friend, who had notTook a friend, who had not been there before. He is now a fan, as we have been. Great as always.1/18/2013 12:00:00 AMFor the first time in manyFor the first time in many visits, I found the food a little disappointing. After many wonderful experiences, the recommended Filet tip sandwich was overcooked and tough. I hope this was a slip and not a trend.1/11/2013 12:00:00 AM