The Dan — Restaurant in Tampa

UPDATE - I was offered a complimentary meal in exchange for a reassessment of this restaurant. I happily accepted and am grateful for this. I then returned with friends for another visit and I truly can say I fairly gave this place numerous chances and it is not worth the money. I sent back my salad last time because it was gross. It was grilled shrimp atop a salad but nowhere did it say the shrimp would be cold. So they were slimy cold shrimp with a mayonnaise sauce and I sent it back (which I never do) because it was so unpleasant. I thought grilled shrimp would be a little charred and warm. It is not worth the money at all. I’m sorry Dan but I’ve given you so many chances!

Original Review - I had high hopes for this place after the hype I saw on social media. The ambiance is beautiful- the decor definitely gets a 10/10. The light fixtures, they had a live singer who had a beautiful voice. Overall the feel of this place was great. I will say it got REALLY loud. It was a Friday night but ldefinitely pretty echoey. Next, the food - it was delicious. I got steak frites (with the tenderloin) and I ate every bite. The salad mix on the side was delicious and the fries were too! I will say my drink was not impressive at all. I don't think the bartender knew what they were doing or they just didn't carefully prepare the drinks like I've seen done at other speakeasy spots like Ciros. I ordered a Gimlet with Hendricks Gin- while I know this is a simple cocktail- there was no garnish, no lime wedge - it was not at all what I've gotten at other bars when I've ordered gimlets. Lastly, the service was awful - my boyfriend at I sat down and waited 10 minutes to have someone come over to say welcome and pour us a glass of water. One of my boyfriends friends had to ask multiple times for his side sauces, we had trouble getting ahold of someone to give us more butter with our bread. They need serious help with service and more care put into cocktails. I'd give it one more try - but wasn't impressed at all. If you want to be WOWed with a speakeasy vibe - go to Ciros. That place...

I had heard about The Dan on the local news and after seeing an interesting smoked cocktail, I decided we should give it a shot. When I booked a table on line there was only 1 table available for 7:30. When we arrived there were 2 tables seated and the restaurant slowly filled up by 9, so you may want to call for availability.

First, I went to try that smoked cocktail that seemed so delicious. Our server informed me that they did not have a smoked cocktail on the menu. They've only been open a couple months, so maybe it was just for the news. I settled on another cocktail.

We started with the French onion soup dip and burrata. The food runner brought us a basket of house made focaccia. The focaccia had a nice flavor, not overbearing and the texture was about as you would expect. The French onion dip was delicious, but we ran out of chips in only a few dips. The burrata was excellent, fresh and creamy, served with heirloom cherry tomatoes in a lightly seasoned olive oil and balsamic dressing. The menu promised sourdough but the food runner said, "here's some more bread". Still, a good dish, the focaccia is good for dipping.

For entrees we ordered the autumn pappardelle, lamb pappardelle, and the double Dan Burger. The autumn white wine sauce was nice, not too boozy and just enough butter to leave it creamy. The lamb was properly done for the sauce, but completely washed away but the sauce it was in. There was no balance to the flavor. The pappardelle was overcooked in both dishes, nearly mushy. The burger was fair but served with all the wet ingredients under the meat which caused the bun to be soaked through.

As a hotel bar and restaurant it isn't disappointing, but for locals, not a destination at this...

Nestled inside Hotel FLOR, THE DAN in Tampa offers a culinary experience that transcends the ordinary. Under the masterful hands of Chef DERNIER BULEJE, the menu is a symphony of flavors, meticulously crafted to captivate the senses. Outstanding service as usual.

For appetizers, the Citrus Hummus with roasted rainbow carrots and the Crab Cakes featuring blue crab and whole grain remoulade are exceptional choices. The Ahi Tuna, with cherry peppers and ginger-carrot puree, is a delightful start.

Moving to the main course, the Scallop Risotto with asparagus and wild mushrooms is a savory masterpiece, while the Delmonico Ribeye, adorned with maître di butter and chimichurri, promises a succulent dining experience. The Duck, paired with butternut squash and cherry demi, showcases Chef BULEJE's culinary finesse. The Truffle Sacchetti, filled with mascarpone and wild mushrooms, is a pasta lover's dream.

For dessert, the Chocolate Lava Cake with raspberry coulis and the Ricotta Cheesecake with black cherry are decadent treats. The GELATO selection of vanilla, chocolate, or salted caramel adds a sweet finale to the meal.

Complementing the exquisite cuisine is the nostalgic ambiance of THE DAN, transporting diners back to the 1920s. Chef BULEJE, currently without a sous chef, orchestrates each dish with a visionary display, engaging all five senses for a delightful culinary journey. Don't miss out on THE DAN; it's not just dinner but an exploration of gastronomic wonders. Be sure to accompany your meal with the Smoked Old Fashion for a...