Driftlight Steakhouse — Restaurant in Tampa

I recently had the opportunity to visit Driftlight in Tampa, FL, and unfortunately, my dining experience left much to be desired. The most prominent issue that overshadowed the entire evening was the astonishingly loud and noisy dining area. It was an absolute struggle to have a conversation without constantly raising our voices or leaning in close to hear each other.

From the moment I entered the restaurant, the cacophony of noise overwhelmed me. The combination of echoing voices, clattering dishes, and loud patrons created an environment that was far from pleasant. It felt as though there was no consideration given to the acoustics or soundproofing within the establishment, resulting in an uncomfortably chaotic atmosphere.

The excessive noise levels significantly detracted from the dining experience. It made it difficult to fully appreciate the food and enjoy the company of my companion. In fact, the constant strain of trying to converse over the noise became exhausting and frustrating. It seemed as though the staff paid little attention to the volume levels and failed to implement measures to mitigate the excessive noise. We ended up leaving before our entrees arrived.

Moreover, the lack of any sound-absorbing elements, such as curtains, carpets, or partitions, only exacerbated the issue. The sound reverberation within the dining area created a continuous buzz that was hard to ignore, even during quieter moments. It felt as if every conversation from nearby tables was happening right beside us, further hindering any chance of a peaceful and enjoyable meal.

While the restaurant may boast impressive culinary offerings, the overwhelmingly loud atmosphere at Driftlight is a major deterrent for anyone seeking a relaxing and enjoyable dining experience. It is regrettable that such a fundamental aspect of a restaurant's ambiance has been overlooked, leaving patrons feeling frustrated and disappointed.

I sincerely hope that the management of Driftlight takes this feedback into consideration and takes immediate steps to address the noise issues within the dining area. A quieter and more serene atmosphere would greatly enhance the overall dining experience, allowing guests to truly appreciate the culinary delights without the unnecessary distraction and frustration caused by the excessive noise.

Unfortunately, based on my experience, I cannot recommend Driftlight to those seeking a peaceful and enjoyable...

Like coming out of a wood fire oven in a snow-capped mountain cabin, the pumpkin quad buns welcomed the sweet decadent butter as a hug from an old friend. This was just the beginning of nothing less than a spectacular dining experience at the JE Marriot Driftlight. This marvelous meal was accompanied by creamed corn, a perfect mixture of sweet encrusted by a tastfull cheese crust. The cream spinach was just spectacular and to round off this applaud worthy appetizer trio was a gift of mashed potatoes that had to come from a century old family recipe made from Love. The crown of this meal, which could be served to royalty , was the most perfectly prepared salmon I have had in a very long time. The flavorful skin cracked with a fork to reveal flaky moist salmon masterfully cooked. Surprisingly the accompaniment was just as stunning, a bed of warm grilled vegetables provided delicious flavor with every bite, contrasted with cold cherry tomatoes that exploded with flavor. This meal was truly a culinary masterpiece worthy of a Michelin star. Happy belated birthday to Chef Gaeyon thank you for sharing your love and passion. Not to be outdone Shizhana provided presidential level service and an emotional connection with our dinner party. I could not complete this review without mentioning the consistently amazing breakfast that we visit almost weekly. The mango chicken sausage is the star along side a breakfast bread pudding, there is a custom omelette station and almost anything else you could desire. Again the only thing better than the buffet is the remarkable team, if you want to enjoy dining where you are appreciated, valued and welcomed as family, this...

We reserved dinner before a concert while staying at the Marriott. This was a special night, and we were excited to try the menu (seemed to be very creative). Firstly, the menu at the time (seems to change often apparently) was 90% including shellfish or was crazy expensive ($56 for an 8oz steak only?!?). My sister asked if there was a way to make a burger or a grilled chicken breast, and they would not do so, but said the bar area could but we couldn’t order from the bar in the restaurant that was 100ft away (it’s the same place). She was able to order an $8 side of potatoes and $12 side of Mac and cheese without the lobster (but still charged full price).

We had order the bread service and steak tartare as our appetizers, but did not receive until after our entrees (and sides… sorry Sis), had arrived. The steak tartare was off colored/dry… did not seem fresh at all. We hardly touched it as did not feel comfortable ingesting it.

My salad - was good. I will say, it was fresh, the shrimp was cooked great. No problems there. But would I pay $28 for such a salad in my everyday life? No way… I can make it myself.

If you got money to blow, and you don’t mind mediocre food have no shellfish allergies, you may like it here. But if you are a bit of a foodie, and don’t throw money to the wind… try a restaurant that will accommodate your needs and isn’t overpriced like the...