Edison: Food+Drink Lab — Restaurant in Tampa

We were so excited to try this place based on the unique menu, great reviews, and diverse drink/wine menu! However, this place fell short in so many ways, particularly because of the price point they set for dinner. If it weren't so pricey, our expectations would be tempered. For starters there is not enough parking in their lot at peak times. Unbeknownst to us, there is another lot down the street but there were no signs indicating there was more parking, so we ended up circling around for a spot. The meal itself wasn't all bad, so I'll start with the positives.

Our server was fantastic and clearly under pressure from a slow kitchen at peak dinner hour; she held the whole dinner together nicely and made sure that she was attentive to us despite the delay. The cocktails were very tasty, beer + wine selection very good, and the seared tuna appetizer I had was delicious and perfectly cooked. My spouse had the bone marrow with short rib sauce appetizer and while the concept sounds good in theory, in reality the puttanesca sauce completely overpowered the delicate buttery flavor and texture of bone marrow. The dish wasn't bad, just unbalanced. Once the main dishes came out, disappointment really set in. I ordered the New York strip, and while I appreciate the smoked flavor, that was all the steak tasted like. No salt, moisture or hint of seasoning to be found anywhere on that steak. The texture was very hard, charred, and dry. It was cooked medium rare which is what I asked for, but the flavor was pure smoke and nothing else. I ended up taking the rest of the steak home to feed to my dog & cat. Dessert was good, nothing to write home about. Total time for dinner on a Friday night was 2 hours 45 minutes, quite long!

Some other things we noticed: No bread service, which is a bit strange for a gourmet restaurant. No amuse-bouche, they don't even offer a butter roll while we wait for the slow kitchen? Quite surprising... The acoustics indoors were terrible! It was as loud as a nightclub and due to the industrial style decor, there is nothing around to absorb sound. Air conditioning was freezing, if you like to be refrigerated while you eat this is your spot. Outdoor patio (where we ate) was cute, but the Ikea tables with no tablecloths, place mats, & plastic chairs, complete with car headlights blaring in your face while you eat (it's right next to the parking lot) was not a cute or romantic dinner vibe at all.

Overall it was a very mediocre experience that left us disappointed. This place is very trendy and hyped but suffered a bit from trying to be a bit too "creative" and not letting ingredients speak for themselves. The decor is very low effort and basic, even for...

Nestled at the corner of South Edison Ave and West Kennedy Blvd, Edison: Food + Drink Lab is an absolute hit. The atmosphere here is open and welcoming with the indoor dining space adorned with soothing earthy tones that was nicely enhanced by a great soundtrack of nostalgic 80s and 90s hits. The staff is incredibly warm and attentive, providing top-notch recommendations with genuine smiles. It's all truly the perfect ambiance for a memorable dining experience.

I began the evening with a vibrant "Lip Service" non-alcoholic cocktail, which was refreshingly tart, and I will definitely get again when we return.

Our appetizer spread was nothing short of spectacular. Each dish was a masterpiece of flavors: the zesty shrimp leche de tigre, the golden, crispy potato-crusted oysters (which I highly recommend), the crisp little gem salad with its salty bursts of salmon roe, the sumptuously creamy burrata cheese, and the utterly addictive roasted bone marrow that boasted a rich fusion of pork belly jam, ginger, and scallions. The tender grilled octopus, the succulent Thai five spice short rib that literally melted in the mouth, and the creamy, gently spicy aguadito de pollo soup further showcased the kitchen's exceptional skill.

The main dishes continued to impress us with their exquisite presentation and flavors. The earthy roasted hen of the woods mushrooms, the perfectly seared sea scallops (a huge hit for the table), and the aromatic za’atar crusted lamb loin were all standout dishes that left us wanting more.

Dessert was truly extravagant, each option more tempting than the last. The sage shortbread paired with strawberry balsamic compote and whimsical popcorn ice cream, the rich espresso delice with its creamy hazelnut butter ice cream and luxurious porter caramel espuma, the visually stunning cherry blossom dessert with its delicate rhubarb sake sorbet, and the decadently rich brulee butter cake, not overly sweet but utterly indulgent, were all exceptional. I honestly recommend you try them all!

For anyone seeking an extraordinary dining adventure that delights every sense, Edison: Food + Drink Lab is an...

I literally stumbled across this place, what a treasure!! This is a chef ownedrestaurant, they say that. But taste it and experience it. I did the 5 course tasting, with wine. The layers of flavor have blown me away. I appreciate thLISTEN to your server what I thought was olive oil was a chili oil boy that woke me up on a good way! If your looking for some quality dining make a reservation and go on in. The food is phenomenal the service is out of this world! Treat yourself you deserve it!

Update 2023 For my birthday I have returned… only to be swept away in a even more mind blowing food experience! I began this journey with the delicious fire roasted oysters, followed by bone marrow and the grilled octopus, all were flavorful and a delight to the senses!

Again I delighted in the 5 course pairing! No detail is overlooked with this menu creation. I am just a s delighted and blown away by all the details that throw these well thought out delicious dishes! The charred eggplant with the sweet drop peppers that offer a beautiful pop of color and flavor that does not disappoint! My two favorite for this particular tasting is the redfish perfectly seasoned s cooked garnished with acorn squash and a squash blossom that harmonized perfection of texture flavor. The oxtail cannoli lacked some of the visual appeal of the redfish plating( the plating on. The fish was stunning) do not be fooled the oxtail cannoli was delicious! I would love these by the case please my mind was blown by the layers of flavor this dish offered! My bearded bartender was nothing short of amazing this trip! I started with the whistle pig 10 year, the wine pairing with my dinner. This wine list offers such vast choices I would never try otherwise because it would not be offered by the glass. When you have a bar stocked this well with scotch and delicious spirits, pay attention they are not serving this with below par pairings!

I love this place it’s a gem among this town make a...