Tribute Eatery & Bar — Restaurant in Coralville

Looks like I've paid my last tribute.

I loved this place when it opened but the nickel and diming has gotten out of hand. They've also scaled back their menu a couple times, to their detriment.

Food is usually good. I love the Cuban sandwich. They only get Tso's broccoli right about 60% of the time. Other times it's either charred or gooey and undercooked. Regardless, it's pretty pricey for what you get.

BEWARE innocent inquiries from "helpful" servers:

"How's your Cubano?" Me: "It's pretty light on pickles, actually." "Do you want me to bring you some more?" Me: "Sure!" Add $1.50 to my bill. For pickles that should have been on the sandwich already.

Me: "Man these Luxardo cherries are delicious." "I can bring you a couple more if you want." Me: "Sure!" Add $2.00 to my bill, for TWO CHERRIES. I know they're expensive, but for a $13 cocktail I'm pretty sure I covered the cost.

They also add 3% for a credit card without telling you or even giving you an option. If you pay cash they have to go through a rigamarole to take off the extra charge.

Cocktail menu is good and changes regularly. Bartenders take pride in their concoctions, but I typically feel like what I get isn't worth what I paid, either too small a drink, too much ice, or too short a pour.

I really liked this place, but it's obvious they're finding any way they can to increase their average order total while skimping on their end. I wish they'd just be transparent in their intentions. So I won't...

Bottom Line: Go for the drinks and starters, skip the food.

You're paying for ambiance. On first appearance the menu looks good but the food doesn't live up to the expectation...or cost. I tried a few of the dishes and none of them were worth it.

The broccoli cheese soup was a major disappointment. The description says "velvety" but whatever recipie they're using causes the base to break. Where it's supposed to be velvety it's grity and curddled.

The mushroom dip was not bad. However, the onion jus was tasteless.

The deviled eggs, were are good. I'm pickey about deviled eggs. I like a heavier vinegar flavor to temper the mayonnaise. The filling on these is great. VERY heavy handed on the paprika.

The kid's mac was good. THAT cheese sauce was actually "velvety".

The kid's hamburger was a frozen patty. If you're giving my kid a frozen patty, lower the price. I can get my child a better hamburger elsewhere for less.

The apple crisp was also a major disappointment. The predominant flavor was clove and I couldn't really taste anything other than that. I like firm apples, but these were barely warm let alone broken down enough to be an apple dessert. The streusel was a fine powder rather than a true crisp. The entire thing was unpleasant to eat.

I had the cucumber gimlet which was actually...

I recently accompanied my husband on a convention that was held at the extremely lovely & accommodating Hyatt Regency, in Coralville. On the Thursday night of our arrival, we walked to Tribute, from the hotel. Neither of us had eaten at this establishment. Immediately, I loved the atmosphere! Our waiter, Nathan, was wonderful---smiling corgiality, helpful, informative, prompt, efficient & accommodating!!! We "started" by sharing the artichoke dip, which was warm & made slightly different than we were expecting. We really liked the difference, however!! My husband ordered & thoroughly enjoyed the tasty, plentiful "fish & chips" meal!! I ordered the Cranberry Pancetta salad, which was not only beautifully prepared, but absolutely delicious!! Nathan provided us with wonderful "to go boxes" so we could take the leftover salad & artichoke dip back to the room---to be consumed later. I ended up finishing the rest of the salad that evening. Nathan gave us additional pieces of toast for the artichoke dip, which he said would be "fabulous" when eaten "chilled". Boy, he was correct!! It was divine!! From the atmosphere; the pleasant, accommodating staff; to the appealing, tasty food---EVERYTHING WAS TOP NOTCH!!! Thank you all so much for a memorable...