Pulpo Kitchen & Lounge — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

Tonight, I had the pleasure of attending the grand opening of The Pulpo Bar, a new Spanish bar that has just opened its doors, and I must say, it was an exceptional experience from start to finish.

As soon as we stepped inside, I was immediately taken by the ambience. The dim lighting created an inviting atmosphere, enhanced by a palette of calming colors that made the space feel both elegant and relaxed. Soft music was playing, perfectly complementing the setting and adding to the overall calmness of the environment.

One of the highlights of the evening was the outdoor patio bar, where a live band was performing lively Spanish music. The energy they brought was infectious, and it was delightful to see patrons enjoying the tunes while sipping on their drinks. The transition from the soothing interior to the vibrant outdoor setting was seamless, providing the perfect balance between relaxation and festivity.

The menu featured a fantastic selection of authentic Spanish dishes that were as delicious as they were beautifully presented. The food had flavors that were genuinely representative of Spanish cuisine. Everything we tried was an excellent, showcasing the culinary expertise behind the bar.

And of course, the drinks were nothing short of impressive. The cocktail menu featured an array of elegant drinks that not only looked stunning but were also expertly crafted. Each drink was a work of art, garnished beautifully and perfectly balanced in flavor. It felt like a celebration with every sip.

Overall, the opening night at El Pulpo Bar was a delightful experience. The combination of a serene atmosphere, exceptional food, and refreshing drinks, along with live music, made for a memorable evening. I can’t wait to return and explore more of what this charming establishment has to offer. If you’re looking for a place to unwind, enjoy some delicious Spanish cuisine, and immerse yourself in a warm, inviting atmosphere, The Pulpo is the perfect destination. Highly...

Pulpo will need to do better if it will last in this market. I think they are too busy worrying about turning tables than quality of food. This is my opinion... the opinion of the table. Cold meals mean they were pre-prepard. Flavors - not developed for the price they are offered.

I arrived about 5 minutes before my party of 3 (with reservations), after being seated (they did not check for a reservation), the first thing I noticed was a huge chunk of fish under my chair/table. I said nothing.

Company arrived. We ordered drinks first, and then the plaintains. Just one glass of wine - generous pour! Plantains, garlic heavy, we're great. Alas, cold. Still, very enjoyable.

We asked about preparations, gluten intolenerances, flavor profiles et cetera. I ordered the scallops. My guests ordered the chefs catch of the day, a black grouper dish atop a black bean puree. Nowhere did the server say sweet in her explaination.

Chefs choice special turned out to be: Maple syrup sweet atop very "fishy" fish. The combination of flavors were a table-wide disgust. Especially with a black bean puree. One guest sent her back to be reheated. The mushrooms and greens were, literally, refrigerator cold.

My scallop dish - honestly, laughable, beyond the presentation. The sauce was a nice culmination of flavors. It was not anything I could have overcome in my kitchen with use of basic knowledge of spices and semi-basic cooking. 36 or 38 dollars.

Everything was very cold. We ate inside. The flavors did not mesh. Pulpo is new and exciting! The decor, vibe and service was great. We are not those to make a scene, did not ask to speak to a manager. But the server was well aware that we were not having a great experience - but did nothing. We are very nice people who very much so enjoy good food and experiences..

They...

*The good: -Cute design and nice ambiance -Service was very friendly. Bartender was kind. Overall hospitable staff. -Drinks were nice. Cocktail was balanced and wine was lovely. -Ceviche was flavorful and well-executed. -Gambas al Ajillo were good, nice garlic flavor.

*The bad: -I love Spanish food. I love going to Spain. I don't expect authentic paella in Tampa Bay, but I was super excited to try this take. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend it at all.

I've attached a photo. It is essentially a thin layer of rice topped with some seafood. Which is totally fine - but not paella.

-When we asked about the amount of rice, the GM told us it was because they don't want it to take 45 minutes to come out, they want the rice to crisp, and it is supposed to be tapas small so you don't fill up on the paella (...odd that they list it under large plates then, but okay). He also explained it's because they add chorizo and infuse the rice with stock prior to assembly. He offered to send us something else, but we came there to try the paella. So, we did.

My opinion: -Paella is by nature, a dish that takes some time. That's how you get a bit of crispy rice on the bottom and the proper texture on the rice above. I would have much preferred a note that said "Takes 30 minutes to prepare" vs the final product we received -The paella actually wasn't crispy on the bottom -It wasn't particularly flavorful. It was very oily, almost like there was mayonnaise added? -The portion size (when you consider the tiny amount of rice) is way off.

I love seeing new restaurants come in. I've been on the other side of opening and I know it's nerve-racking and a process to get going. The rest of the dishes we tried were tasty, so I hope they work the kinks out.

Food: 3/5 Service:...