E&E Stakeout Grill — Restaurant in Belleair Bluffs

Was highly recommended by family and was my first time here. Really loved the atmosphere and decor. The food was great but unfortunately had to send back the first plate of shrimp due to a long black hair on the shrimp. As soon as the server placed it down it was noticed luckily so I didn't eat off that plate. Server apologized and had them remake it. Besides the long black hair in my food everything else was great! Husband ordered the burger and was very flavorful. Restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating and lots of drinks to choose from. Located in cute shopping plaza. Second time here and the hostess was extremely rude. We called to make reservations and she told us no reservations for outdoor dining. So we drove there and there was plenty of open tables including the last 4. We requested the last table and she said all outdoor seating was reserved. We explained we called and were cut off by her stating we might have called their sister restaurant. We told her we called there and she just stared at us not saying anything not even asked if we would like to know next opening or make a reservation. We politely ask to make a reservation and she looked at us with a blank face then said ok in one hour. As my grandma who is hard of hearing asked her how long the older dark hair hostess rolled her eyes myself and my husband were stunned. We are from California and were absolutely shocked at this behavior of anyone dealing with 3 guests but one even elderly and handicap. Maybe it was a hard day for her or her mind was elsewhere but it was unacceptable and maybe she needed a break to regroup herself. Anyways we sat in the car an hour and waited patiently while we waited all 4 tables never seated any guests and lots more opened up. But we didn't bother her and waited til our time. When it was 230 my grandma unable to walk far went to our table the young blonde hostess told her she needed to check before she sat down. Our relatives told us how nice the manager is and how this is a great place but this is our second time and second experience here. Love the food and management but front of house is terrible. Not welcoming and lacking hospitality to guests. The talking down to customer and lack of patience cutting them off mid sentence etc when noone was waiting behind us was unlike the management and does not reflect this establishment. Our server was amazing and out did himself with his kind patience and answering any questions about the food. He apologized for the wait and made our meal that much more enjoyable. Our whole table had steaks and wine. Came out piping hot cooked to perfection while being paired with a good glass of wine. Sad though our first and now second time here started out very unfortunate. Will definitely consider not returning even tho the food is good, the front of the house treating guests this way really leaves a sour taste...

On the advice of a GF who has lived in Clearwater her entire life my daughter and I went for dinner at E&E Stakeout Grill. I had made an advanced dining reservation via OpenTable. I did not realize I had inadvertently chosen outdoor seating. The weather on the night we attended the restaurant was horrible. Essentially the equivalent of a Cat 1 hurricane with multiple weather statements, including coastal flooding; wind; rip current and high surf. My daughter who is more technologically savvy said that Open Table’s default is to seat guest outdoors. Who knew?!

We arrived at the restaurant 12 minutes after our allocated time. I was profusely apologetic. Quick scan into the main dining room suggested the restaurant was half empty, however, we were told that the reservation was for outdoor seating so the best they could do was to seat us at a high top at the bar. We accepted.

The food was outstanding. Likely one of the best steak meals I’ve had which rivals places like the Palm, Morton’s, Abe & Louie’s etc. Our server was meh — TBH, we felt like we were an afterthought likely because her section was elsewhere and she was asked to “pick up” our table. She never checked on us throughout the meal.

Now the cons — which I should note were reported in person to the GM, Paul.

On the OpenTable booking, I noted that my daughter has CELIAC — the gluten allergy. Our server brought us buns to start with. Apparently nobody had communicated to her that my daughter has a life-threatening autoimmune disease. When I asked if an accommodation could be made in lieu of the buns such as Crudité, I was told it could not.

In addition to having CELIAC — my daughter also has T1D and travels with a seizure alert service dog. Our high top was less than 10 feet away from the hostess stand. The main hostess stood there with her posse talking about us. Laughing. Vilifying. Denigrating. They stopped when the GM was within an earshot. The only exception was a young woman named Hanna, who was mindful to disengage and detach. She literally stood separate and apart from them. Her facial expressions were warm, welcoming and non-judgmental. She offered to take photos of my daughter and I. Hands-down she is the restaurant’s greatest asset.

I brought all of these issues to the GM and instead of validating my experiences and offering my daughter and I dessert or inviting us to return to the restaurant and have a another experience at no cost to rectify the shame and embarrassment — he completely gaslit me and told me his staff had not behaved in the way I described. When I pointed out the very first booth designed for two in the main dining room had sat empty for the 80 minute we were at the restaurant — he essentially told me that I was mistaken. For 80 minutes we watched the staff greet the locals with warmth and familiarity — tourists were all...

My wife and I ate here for the first time this past Friday. We were able to reserve an outside table which we appreciated for Covid reasons. However our server did not wear a mask, only a shield which clearly allows more respiratory droplets into the air at our table than a properly fitted face mask. And our bread order never arrived. So that's why our experience isn't a 5 star, but rather in line with their overall rating of 4.6. He was the only employee we saw there without a mask, and while the shield may meet the FL Health Dept criteria for servers, until this pandemic dies down more, we prefer more face coverage in line with CDC. So will ensure we request a masked server next visit. While this restaurant isn't inexpensive & the service somewhat slow at times during our meal, the food was excellent. From the calamari ($12.95) appetizer, to the perfectly cooked steaks (12 oz NY Strip $34.95 & 9 oz Filet $38.95), to Bindi's chocolate dessert ($8.50). My wife said it was the best NY Strip she'd ever eaten. Let me note here the menu prices on the Google website for this resturant are incorrect. For example it lists the NY Strip $4.00 cheaper @ $30.95 with $34.95 actual. It lists 6 oz Filet @ $29.95 and actual is $32.95; the 9 oz Filet listed @ $34.95 and actual $38.95 and 12 oz Filet listed @ $42.95 with actual @ $50.00. So pull up the actual restaurant website menu for current prices. There are 4 side choices with a steak order. Other sides are available for an upcharge. She had the garlic mashed and I had savory sweet potatoes (also mashed). Fresh baked bread and herb garlic oil come with the meal, which we requested. But it never arrived until I mentioned when the check arrived I'd like it to go as we wanted to try it. You also get a predetermined vegetable. Last night it was broccoli & carrots. No apparent dress code as we saw everything from jean shorts to jeans to dresses. However if eating inside I'd suggest upscale casual. They clearly do a good business, to include quite a bit of carry out. Reservations recommended as one walk-in couple left as they were told there was an hour wait around 6:45 PM on a Friday night. We'd put our 2 steaks on par with Bern's and Bascoms. Very tender and perfectly cooked. And some tasty sides as well. We plan to return and add this restaurant to our rotating list of nice...