Boulon Brasserie and Bakery — Restaurant in Tampa

Boulon Brasserie and Bakery in Tampa, Florida was known for its delicious French cuisine and delectable pastries. It was a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, and one of the reasons for its success was its charming and sweet waiter, Clayton.

Clayton had been working at Boulon for over 10 years. He was a tall, lanky man with a kind smile and a warm personality. He had a natural ability to make anyone feel at ease, and customers loved him for it. His genuine interest in people and his passion for food made him the perfect waiter.

One day, a young couple walked into Boulon and were immediately greeted by Clayton. He showed them to their table and handed them the menus with a smile. As they looked through the menu, Clayton came back to take their order. The couple was new to the restaurant and asked for Clayton's recommendation. Without hesitation, he suggested the braised beef bourguignon, a signature dish at Boulon. The couple took his advice and were not disappointed. They were amazed by the flavors and thanked Clayton for his suggestion.

From that day on, the couple became regulars at Boulon, always requesting Clayton as their waiter. They would often bring their friends and family to the restaurant and would always rave about Clayton's excellent service and recommendations.

As time went by, Clayton's popularity at Boulon grew. He knew all the regular customers by name and their favorite dishes. He would often surprise them with a complimentary dessert or a special off-menu item. His kindness and generosity made Boulon feel like a home away from home for many of its customers.

One day, the owner of Boulon, Madame Marie, decided to host a special event to celebrate the restaurant's success. She wanted to honor Clayton for his outstanding service and dedication to Boulon. The event was a surprise, and Clayton had no idea what was in store for him.

As the guests arrived, Clayton was busy serving them, as usual. Suddenly, Madame Marie appeared with a microphone in hand and announced that she had a special announcement to make. She called Clayton to the front and told the guests about his exceptional service and how he had become an integral part of Boulon.

The guests gave Clayton a standing ovation, and Madame Marie presented him with a certificate of appreciation and a bonus for his hard work. Clayton's eyes filled with tears as he thanked everyone for the recognition. He felt grateful to be a part of the Boulon family and to have the opportunity to make people happy every day.

From that day on, Clayton was known as the "sweet waiter" of Boulon, and his popularity only continued to grow. He became a local celebrity, and people would come from all over just to meet him and taste his recommended dishes. Boulon became more than just a restaurant; it became a place where people came to experience Clayton's warmth and kindness.

Years went by, and Clayton continued to work at Boulon, always with a smile on his face and a kind word for everyone. Boulon became a staple in the Tampa community, and Clayton was a big part of its success. Every time someone mentioned Boulon, they would always say, "You have to try their braised beef bourguignon, and make sure you ask for Clayton."

Clayton and Boulon Brasserie and Bakery had become inseparable, and they had created a sweet and memorable experience for all who walked through...

I had never been to Boulon before, but I work in the service industry so I know the usual deal. I had my two dogs, knew I would be seated outside (I only came for a drink and maybe dessert). Every staff member was super sweet with my two pups - shoutout to my server Megan, server assistant Cooper (he has a really cute Dachshund named Daisy!), and the hostess Audrey! Every staff member who had time was giving them attention and love!

Then, there was a very unexpected wind storm - almost a tornado I swear- that led to everyone sat outside to be brought inside. The wind was so strong it blew my water glass off my table and shattered at my dogs feet! I sprung into adrenaline caretaker mode and picked them both up in my arms really quickly and ran inside. I sat at the couch by the host stand with my one drink I ordered and expected to just hang there till the storm passed and close out. But then, the hostess, Audrey, told me to come with her, and she brought me to a private dining room in the back - they brought the few parties outside into that room because of the sudden storm!

Even as someone who works in the restaurant business I was taken aback a little. Every other party was at least a couple, groups of friends, families - and I was just one guy with two small dogs. Nonetheless, they still welcomed me and the puppies in to ride out the late afternoon storm! It was truly a great display of hospitality. Even as someone in service, I didn’t expect more than letting my dogs and I hang out on the couch by the entrance until I was done, but they really delivered for everyone who had to come inside because of the storm, including my pups and myself. Another shoutout to the manager Alan (sorry for any misspellings!) for making me and my puppies feel welcome in the PDR! I stayed a little while longer with the storm, had another old fashioned because it was so delicious, as well as the Lobster Bisque and banana Bread Pudding (both HUGE recommends!)

I will definitely be coming back to Boulon more often with more of my hospitality friends, because we are some of the hardest to impress when it comes to fine dining, as well as the more easy to achieve - good hospitality. Boulon really nailed it tonight, and I can’t wait...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Boulon, and while there were some standout moments, the overall experience left me with mixed feelings.

Let's start with the positives. The setting at Boulon is undeniably stunning--spacious and beautifully designed, making it an ideal choice for a special treat or a romantic evening out. The expansive bar added a touch of luxury, providing the perfect space to enjoy a few of their delicious drinks while waiting for your table.

However, my enthusiasm was slightly dampened by a hiccup in their text notification system. What was supposed to be a brief 5-minute wait turned into an unexpected 30+ minutes. Fortunately, the hostess eventually located me at the bar and promptly seated me. While not a major issue, I would have appreciated a more proactive effort to address the delay.

Now, on to the drinks! I sampled both the Burlesque Martini and the Colombe Rose, with the latter emerging as my favorite. The mixologists certainly know their craft, delivering impeccable flavors that added a delightful touch to the evening.

Moving on to the service, our server, although friendly, seemed a bit stretched thin on this particular day. It took a while for him to check in, but his amiable demeanor helped ease the wait. Kudos to him for managing the situation with a smile.

The Blue Crab Beignets were a standout highlight--a fresh burst of flavor with generous amounts of crab meat. However, the Shrimp Nola was a bit underwhelming. The creole spice sauce, garlic, and biscuits lacked the expected punch, and the shrimp were unfortunately overcooked.

As for the French Dip Sandwich, the ribeye meat was beautifully prepared, but my enjoyment was marred by soggy bread. I couldn't finish the sandwich, but the attentive server noticed and graciously removed the item from the check.

In conclusion, Boulon offers a picturesque setting and some delightful drink options. While there were hiccups in service and a few misses on the menu, the overall experience was salvaged by a proactive server and a willingness to address concerns. I'd be willing to give Boulon another shot, hoping for a more consistent...