Cipresso (in Seminole Hard Rock Tampa) — Restaurant in Florida

We went on and on about Cipresso to a friend that was in from out of town. We had been there many times in the past. Our reservation was for 9:00 PM, we were sat in the corner of the restaurant and waited a few minutes for someone to come over to our table. We ordered drinks waited close to 15 minutes before our server came back with them. We then had to wait for him to come back to take our order, I asked jokingly and half serious if he forgot about us? He stated that he was working a party of 16 in the next room and they were taking a lot of his time (not a good sign). We then sat and waited until around 10:15 PM when he came back by and said our dinner would be out in about 12 to 15 minutes, Not Acceptable. Even though one of us ordered a filet well done should not take an hour and thirty minutes to cook, come on. I went up to the front and asked to speak with a manager, I ended up speaking the manager on duty and explained my frustration, he told me that our server was taking care of a table of 16, then went on to say that it was taking longer because one of us had ordered a well done steak. I told him that it has never taken an hour and 30 minutes for us to get our meal there, we had been there many times and never had this happen in the past and just because our server was taking care of a table of 16 should not justify that OUR dining experience should have to suffer because he was too busy to take care of his other tables. The manager kept making excuses.. He could have said he understood what I was saying, or apologized that it was taking too long for the food to come out, all I heard was excuses so I walked away and went back to my table. He then came to our table and made the same comments, no apology, just excuses. When we finally got our meal, we had one well done steak but our friend that we brought to this restaurant's steak was also well done, she ordered a medium. I asked if she wanted to say something and she stated she didn't feel like waiting another 30 minutes for them to cook another steak. Not a good impression to make. If your server cannot give the same service to all their tables because they have a large party, then maybe get other servers to assist or you as a manager come by and say, we're very sorry for the delay, how about a round of drinks on us, we appreciate your patience. Just acknowledge that you heard your customers concerns and not make excuse...

I went to check-in around 8:05PM for my 8:30PM reservation on Wednesday 02/08/23. I dined at Council Oak Steaks & Seafood on Tuesday night, which is Always Outstanding, and wanted to try Cipresso because some of the Hotel Staff recommended the restaurant. The Casino Hosts gave me recommendations, and informed me how good the Meatballs and the Veal Entree were. I approached the Blonde Hostess because I stood there Five minutes, and I was not greeted. She was very rude and dismissive. She stated, " We are sticking to reservations times right now." I informed and assured her that I was not trying to get in early... just wanted to give her the courtesy of letting her know that I was there. I walked away, and thought about her rude and dismissive attitude. I walked back, and informed her that I would be cancelling my reservation. I told her that I would go to Council Oak Steaks and Seafood where the Customer Service and Food is Amazing!!! She looked like she could careless. I refuse to spend my money where I am not Appreciated. I opted to go back to Council Oak Steaks & Seafood. I had canceled my 8:45 PM reservation with them, and I explained to them what happened at Cipresso. Not only did the Manager David get me in without a reservation.... he got me my Favorite Waiter Matthew!!! That is what I expect from any Dining establishment on Seminole property.... Amazing Customer Service.... Going Above and Beyond!!!! I ordered My 8oz Japanese Waygu Steak and it was Awesome!!! I am Happy that Council Oak Steaks & Seafood values me as a Customer!!! Cipresso may need to have someone up front who actually greets the guests, and is Warm and welcoming!!! It appears that the Hostess was overwhelmed, and may have been having a bad day and/or week!!! That should never be taken out on a guest. I wish I could give this 0 stars!!!! Go to Council Oak Steaks & Seafood... Staff, Atmosphere, and Food...

Loved this place, I recommend their pizza and charcuterie board to anyone that will listen. Until this last time. Came several times in the last few months with my husband and it was great. However, most recently we came for a business dinner - we were greeted with some unpleasant joke about how my husband and I are good looking and the man (our business partner) we are meeting with, is ugly. Great. Now that we are all uncomfortable, my husband and i order the non alcoholic drinks we love so much, and are served aperol spritzes, not what we ordered, and our server confirmed they have alcohol in them. We are both sober/in recovery, and inform our server of this again, even though my husband said that when we ordered as we are strictly alcohol free, and our server just laughed it off while we were very upset. We get our proper drinks and food, which is great as usual. Then our server comes back and tells me to “get off my phone”, which even in a joking manner this is extremely rude and I am at a business dinner taking notes. Not that it matters the context, no one should ever say that to a guest. and it shocked us all so much that all I could do was laugh.. had our dessert and left. This used to be my favorite place, but this one absolutely horrific experience wiped all of my good experiences away, and we will...