Ceviche Tapas Bar and Restaurant — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

Pluses: Great hospitality Minuses: The food Neutral: Atmosphere I found what they did to the ceviche dish to be blasphemy and white washing. Also very few tapas. I have been to different restaurants named ceviche and they were enjoyable but this location wanted me to throw the dish across the room (metaphorically speaking),

How dare they call themselves Ceviche. As a South American I was deeply offended by the ceviche dish. The dish is supposed to also be soaked in the leche de Tigre. It was if they strained out the lime/lemon juices and place the ceviche in a shallow rectangular dish like pasta. I had to ask for extra shots of leche de Tigre which the waitress did so very kindly. The Camota was not as soft as it should be, and plantains is not a regular addition to Peruvian ceviche!!! Cancha was decent, so was the corn, the fish was decent…but it still did not make up for the lack of leche de Tigre!!!! What happened to it?? Why did you decide to take out such an integral component of the dish?? To appease others not used to it? Then ask others if they want leche de Tigre out. But but do not rob me of the leche the Tigre!! I also wasn’t asked which spice level I wanted for the ceviche which also clued me in that this was more for those not used to the dish….but still…..it gives the wrong impression to those not used to ceviche, they will then assume that is how ceviche is supposed to look like and it is not!

The waitress was a dear, I apologize I don’t remember her name. She did everything she could to keep me happy. The hostess also was a dear and very elegant.

I also found the expensive wine to be similar to cheap wine bought at Publix.

I also did not appreciate seeing the lack Latino faces in front house…I this is CEVICHE, this is supposed to be a Latino inspired restaurant, I don’t mind there being a mix but I felt the place was white washed in general from the food. How many Spanish speakers are on the front house staff? If it’s at least a couple then that is okay.

I gave 2/5. The extra star was for the hospitality by the lovely waitress and hostess. However, the ceviche dish was sacrilegious and inauthentic by my standards and I would assume by any standards of other South Americans who have had true to country ceviche dishes. I would tell everyone who is a lover of South American food to stay away. But if one is not used to South American food and does not mind the inauthenticity then I suppose this is okay for you because the...

I would honestly have picked zero stars if that was an option. So my 1 star is for our server Emma - who was the only person who offered any sort of care and concern in my efforts to accommodate my very large party of out of town & overseas guests. Double celebration for my birthday & my hubby’s. I totally understand being told that they can’t seat more than 15ppl at a table. Gotcha! Due to the cold weather there was no outdoor seating - so my request was to have us at least on tables close enough especially since we were told from the get go that ‘we can only seat you guys in separate groups but you’re NOT ALLOWED to walk around or move tables and chairs’ … yes you’re reading correctly. My husband and I love the food and sangrias here and we really wanted our friends to try this place - so I decided to just let that comment by the hostess slide. So here we are, all separated and I still had about 4 more ppl joining us. The table next to us cashed out - before that I asked management several times for any help in securing a 4 seater as my guests were in the Uber and on their way. Each time I was told - I’d have to speak to the hostess when they arrive as they is a no reservation policy. By now - we are over 20ppl scattered throughout the restaurant. No problem. The table was still empty when they arrived and here’s what I was told when I did just as they requested - speak to the hostess. “ that table is on hold for people on the waitlist but they can put their names down and we will let them know when it’s ready!” Why wasn’t I given that option? Neither the hostess nor management cared to extend that service to us. I then proceeded to speak to another manager who decided that arguing with me was the best approach to solving this situation. The second pic I included is my whole group seated at Fords Garage minutes later as we all left. I thought Ceviche needed to see that it’s not so difficult to extend kindness and warmth as part of their dining experience.

Thinking that was the last of the awfulness from Ceviche - we discovered later on that their Valets stole a very expensive gift out of one of my guests cars. Neatly tucked away under the seats and out of sight - or...

Im literally writing this as im walking to my car from walking out. Ive attempted to come here for lunch one other time and had the EXACT same experience which ended with me leaving before even being served. This time i didnt even get water.

Upon arrival the host was incredible. I dont know this elderly mans name but i am appalled they have him working the front, and not as a server. He went ABOVE AND BEYOND to ensure i was comfortable, and had a pleasant experience. He not only accommodating my seating preferences immediately after staging I was cold in the area he initially sat me in, but he even went as far as getting on his hands and knees to adjust the table as it was wobbly. I ensured him that was not appropriate, as i was not bothered but he absolutely INSISTED to ensure I was comfortable. I ended up taking the little table adjusters from his hands to do it myself because I did not want him on the floor like that. I truly hope he is a host by choice, because this man would excel as a server. Excellent job

Now. This review isnt about him, but I wanted to highlight his excellence because he deserves that as he is a star employee.

My server however, needed help. And that was evident by her lack of existence. I saw her once. She greeted me, didnt ask for my drink order (i just wanted a glass of water) then ran off. The women who was sat two minutes after me was irritated, because she had not been greeted at all. She was sitting for nearly 6 minutes with no greet. I had been there for almost 10. I then proceeded to let another member of the team know, then promptly left. I think it’s important to also note that I already knew what I wanted upon arrival, and I had talked to this server (my server) at the hostess stand regarding items on the menu, which she was knowledgeable about! Unfortunately she was in the weeds, which is understandable. Then you need to ask for help, thats why there are bussers and other people running around, to help you. Then you should tip them out, especially that host. He deserves it. Do better. And if youre reading this, dont come here for lunch. They cant...