Bob Heilman's Beachcomber — Restaurant in Clearwater

It absolutely pains me to be writing anything negative about the Beachcomber restaurant. This restaurant has been a staple on Clearwater beach for 70 years. I have always referred to it as the Berns Steakhouse of Pinellas county. I have celebrated every possible occasion here. Birthdays, my wedding dinner, our company Christmas parties, until Edie left and the couldn't get anyone with intelligence to books our party. Every celebration we spent at Beachcomber. I have to say that after hundreds of meals, I had one over cooked filet and it was on New Years eve. I forgave them. My husband and I were there two weeks ago and had an amazing meal. Last night, not good. The service was great, all the usual sides...relish tray, bread basket, we chose the wedge salad and the sides that came with the meal were great, BUT both of our fillets, though cooked perfectly, were not good. The filets were very chewy and grainy, nothing I would expect from the Beachcomber. When the main entree is not up to par, the entire experience is ruined. I quietly complained to the server and told him I didn't want anything taken off the bill etc.. I just wanted him to be made aware, so he could inform the proper management. He was apologetic, but I am not sure if he let anyone know. I was kind if shocked that at least our one dessert was not comped. I did not ask for it, nor expect it, but since we are regulars, I thought it would of been the proper gesture. I pray the bad filets were a fluke, because this is absolutely our favorite restaurant. I hope they are not trying to cut corners. The other incident I would like to point out, us this is an upscale, classy restaurant. Yes, it is in the beach, but it is unacceptable for one of the hostesses to be wearing Jean's, a very faded jean jacket with a t shirt with some type of writing on it. The other hostesses looked nice, but whatever reason this one, that I have seen dressed like this several times before, is in poor taste for a restaurant of this caliber. Sherry, we love the Beachcomber, please dont let the quality of your amazing restaurant slip. We will give it another try, but if it isn't excellent the next time, we will unfortunately will be driving across the bridge to Berns. Update: I have dined at Beachcomber for 40 years. My wedding reception, company Christmas parties, every special occasion under the sun. Tonight we were going for my husband's birthday. My husband happened to look at their menu online. The filet was priced at 54.00, additional 9.00 for a loaded baked potato. No lobster. I called and questioned the price, stated I've been coming for 40 years. He said, "yes I'm the owner and steak prices have gone up, due to covid". I said thank you and hung up. I checked Berns Steakhouse, Rustys Bistro, E and E Steakout Grill, they were 42, 37 and 39. I called back, the owner answered again, I told him to cancel our reservation and told him why, he was extremely rude and said, " fine, go to those other restaurants then". I told him with that attitude, you wont make it. He says, I treat people how they treat me and hung up on me!!!! My husband and I have easily spent over 100k there over the years. Literally, every function we have had, personal and business related, was at the Beachcomber. It was never the same again, once Edie wasn't there, but we continued to go. We are devasted to have lost our absolute favorite restaurant. We will never be back and we will be sure to let everyone we know, our experience and we know a very vast amount of people. Such a huge, heartbreaking, disappointment, after all our years of loyalty. It is sad that the Heilmans have allowed this to happen to...

You have got to be kidding? This place was a joke. Literally a joke. A $289.00 joke. The service was so bad all one could do was laugh. So here is my story. My husband and myself met another couple for dinner there. We were treating. We got there a little early and decided to have a glass of wine while waiting for our friends. When all four of us were seated we were seated at a square table for four. The table was placed too close to a wooded rail and had to be pulled out about one foot. No big deal, but when my friends and I were moving the table my glass of wine spilled over. The busgirl changed the tablecloth and I told her I want another glass of wine as I only had about three sips. Then my waiter came with my wine and we ordered. Three of us ordered the 12 oz prime rib, the fourth member ordered scallops. Three of us ordered a baked potato. While waiting for our dinner, the waiter brought out a relish tray, placed it down on the table, but failed to give us bread or crackers or something so we were putting the relishes on our bread plates and eating it with our spoons. Finally the crackers did arrive but he gave us three packs for four people. We asked for more and he did bring them. We were still waiting for bread as we saw other diners in this restaurant had bread on their table. Finally the bread arrived and there was no butter. So we asked the waiter for butter and he gave us three pats. THERE ARE 4 OF US! Duh. So finally the main meal arrived. It is NOT a 12 oz prime rib, it is not a prime rib. Our waiter put the meat down and I called a different waiter over and asked him what cut of meat is this because this is not prime rib. It was a small rib eye. The chef came and apologized and told us it will just be a few minutes to make the correction.. Okay. So finally the correct meat got to our table and there was no butter and or sour cream for the baked potatoes. After asking several times we did receive the butter and sour cream but again not enough so we ate it nearly dry. Also there were suppose to be three baked potatoes and my friend got mashed, not what he ordered. In the meantime there was only one water on the table and we had nothing wet to drink. Try to eat a dry baked potato with nothing to splash it down with. My meat was horrible. I took it home in a doggy box. We asked to see dessert menus which never came. My friend ordered coffee with cream and sweetener. The waiter brought her a thimble full, just the smallest splash of cream. (She likes her coffee light). So then the bill came. They charged me for the spilled wine. Okay, my bad but I have never been in a restaurant that charged me for a spilled drink. The food was not particularly good. And certainly not $289.00 good. I was comp’ed for nothing. I paid the bill and left. I can not even blame the inexperienced waiter. Clearly he was new and should not have been scheduled on a busy Friday night. He did not even know to give people water. He was so pitiful I did give him a $15.00 tip. $10.00 more then he deserved. When one pays that much for a dinner one is really paying for great service. I received horrible service. I gave the doggy bag of meat to my dog when we got home and she has been farting horribly since. The best thing I can say about this place is it...

There are certain things that I value when I eat out. I find them less and less these day, so when I do, it's noteworthy. The Beachcomber ticks the boxes that are important to me.

These are the elements I value and am happy to spend on in a restaurant: Attention to selection of ingredients Adjustment of menu depending on availability of quality ingredients High level kitchen execution Prices that - when viewed in conjunction with product - seem fair and not like you're being scammed Professional, efficient, honest, knowledgeable service staff (barrenders & food servers)

If you hit those notes, a serene, friendly and comfortable atmosphere can make it a great night out.

My fiancee and I walked in off the street. To be fair - she chose the restaurant. The hostess seated us at a small 2-top in an otherwise empty room with 5-6 larger tables / booths. Matthew was our server, and upon entry, he immediately told us we were free to sit at any of the other tables we wanted, so he ended up moving us to a 6-top round in a vinyl, corner booth. It felt like where Tony Soprano would be seated. Great start! I've worked as a professional server, cook and bartender. From start to finish this place nailed it all. We got: Drinks: a Manhattan, Sazerac and 2 glasses of wine Food: Escargots, Scallops, Grouper and salads/veggies

Matthew was meticulous in describing the effort and expertise involved in preparing each dish. Literally every drink and every dish was cash-money delicious. Even the tomato quarter on my side salad was ridiculously ripe, sweet and acidic. Someone's paying attention to the less glamorous ingredients when they come in! Thank you! The mushroom duxelle was crazy rich and delicious, and even the toasted baguette rounds were buttered & toasted to perfection. Same with the fish, scallops and green beans, which were perfectly al dente. I'm a stickler on my cocktails, have worked in craft bars around the country - these were absolutely solid and came out within 60 seconds every time. Everyone was on their game - kitchen to server to bartender - and when that happens, it's a beautiful thing.

Don't despair at the location - the block where it's located implies it might be a tourist trap - it's 100% for real. Old school service & quality control. Matthew was great - he's been there for 20 years and knows the menu inside out. Trust his recommendations and appreciate this restaurant experience which is representative of what eating out used to be like before everything was valued on hype. The Beachcomber delivers the goods. It's pricey, but you don't walk out feeling like a mark. A great...