The Rez Grill (in Seminole Hard Rock Tampa) — Restaurant in Temple Terrace

There was nothing redeemable about our experience, and I've eaten at some terrible restaurants before. I HIGHLY recommend you just go to Council Oaks, or another restaurant if you're at Hard Rock. This place is an absolute dumpster fire...and that's insulting dumpster fires.

1. The hostess had a supreme attitude--this is always a good first impression at a mid-tier semi-casual American fare restaurant. I politely asked if we (party of 2) could be seated at a booth or another table. She said, "you were lucky we could squeeze you in." Meanwhile, there were PLENTY of open tables around.
2. The waitress was kind overall, but she forgot things like when I asked for the bourbon menu, she never brought it. Slow/if ever on refills, drinks, etc.

...but, this isn't even "bad" compared to the rest...

3. My sister ordered 2 portions of oysters and...they were bad. YES. They served BAD oysters to her. She ate a couple, and those were fine. Then, after that the rest WERE NOT good.

We spoke to the manager, Abel, and he confirmed that the oysters weren't fresh, and they had been there since the day before. But, the whole time we we had to argue with him they weren't fresh. When the bill came, we had to plea basically to take the charges for the oysters off, after he only took part of the charge off.

If someone got seriously ill from that...good luck with your massive lawsuits for knowingly serving bad seafood. I'm still checking with my sister to see if she's okay, as she wasn't feeling great the day after.

4. I ordered the short rib dish with pasta, ricotta, and herbs. It was just...terrible. When I mean terrible, I mean, I don't think I've ever eaten a more bland pasta dish in my life at a restaurant. It literally had ZERO flavor. I poured on salt and pepper, and that mildly helped...but not really. When I say bland...I mean, if you took a basic pasta dish from TGIF or Applebee's, and paired it against this dish, it would would in a landslide.

We both ordered that same dish, and thought the same.

I ordered fries on the side, and those were at least crispy and pretty good. But, that was the only redeeming part of the meal--that they could at least cook fries decently.

We weren't the only people with issues, as I could see the manager talking to the table across from us, and they were sending food back, too.

This place DOES NOT have its act together. I would stay far, far away. If I had to place a bet, I'd say they'll be out of business in 6 months functioning like it is now. You can't cater to casino clients who are willing to spend money...and give them bad seafood, and pasta dishes that taste like you're licking a rug, and expect to be profitable. It's unfortunate that after all of that we still paid $$$ for our money and was like a negotiation at the end.

Never going back. I don't care if they give me $5,000 in free gift cards to go back there, I'm never going back. I'll be there for the Grand Opening of whatever else goes there after The Rez goes out of business celebrating with a cocktail. Every cook, hostess, and manager should be fired, and they should start over if they have any hopes of continuing to function---and that's probably being...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Rez Restaurant, located at the Hard Rock in Tampa, and I must say that it was an absolutely outstanding experience. From the moment I walked in, I was captivated by the stylish ambiance and the warm, welcoming atmosphere. However, what truly made my evening remarkable was the exceptional service provided by our server, Teya

Teya was an absolute gem, and her attentiveness and genuine care for our dining experience were evident from the very beginning. She greeted us with a warm smile and guided us through the menu, sharing her extensive knowledge of the dishes and providing excellent recommendations based on our preferences. Her passion for the food and her enthusiasm for her job were truly infectious.

Throughout the entire meal, Teya was always present when we needed her, yet she never hovered or made us feel rushed. She struck the perfect balance between attentiveness and giving us the space to enjoy our meal and conversation. Her timing was impeccable, ensuring that each course was served at just the right moment, allowing us to savor each dish to its fullest.

Teya's professionalism was matched only by her genuine warmth and friendliness. She took the time to engage in delightful conversation, making us feel like honored guests. She was attentive to our needs and went above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of our dining experience was exceptional. It was evident that Teya took great pride in her work, and her dedication to providing top-notch service was truly remarkable.

Now, let's talk about the food! The culinary creations at Rez Restaurant were nothing short of sensational. From the appetizers to the main courses, each dish was a work of art, both visually and in terms of taste. The flavors were exquisite, and the presentation was meticulous. Teya's descriptions of the dishes made our mouths water, and every bite exceeded our expectations.

To complement our meal, Teya expertly recommended a selection of wines that perfectly matched the flavors of our chosen dishes. Her knowledge of the wine list was impressive, and her suggestions were spot-on. She elevated our dining experience to a whole new level by pairing each course with the perfect wine, enhancing the flavors and creating a harmonious symphony of taste.

In conclusion, dining at Rez Restaurant was an absolute delight, and our experience was made extraordinary by the exceptional service provided by Teya. Her professionalism, knowledge, and warm personality truly set her apart as an outstanding server. I cannot recommend Rez Restaurant enough, and if you have the pleasure of dining there, do yourself a favor and request Teya as your server. She will undoubtedly make your experience truly unforgettable. Bravo, Rez Restaurant, and a heartfelt thank you to Teya for an evening we will...

Had a great time at The Rez on Saturday night. I’ve seen that some of these reviewers complain about the prices. It is a restaurant inside a Hotel/Casino. That is your first clue that you are not going to be able to get dinner, drinks and dessert for 2 for $40. It ain’t Applebee’s. It’s not a place where half of the menu consists of items that are deep fried. The Rez describes its menu as upscale comfort food. The word ‘upscale’ would be your second clue that there are no 2 for 1 drinks and the entrees are not enormous amounts of food loaded with carbs and cheese. Upscale means a pleasant atmosphere with linen tablecloths and napkins. It means that you should receive excellent service from a knowledgeable and attentive staff that is dressed in black and white instead of jeans and suspenders or yoga pants and tight T-shirt’s. It means that the food will be made with quality, fresh ingredients and will be presented in an eye-appealing manner on your plate. All of this is obvious as soon as you walk in. The cocktails that my wife and I indulged in were well crafted and delicious. My favorite was the house Old Fashioned. We were with 2 other couples and each couple ordered an appetizer so we could all share the deliciousness. My favorite was the Benton’s Ham. Simple yet fantastically flavorful. The Beef Tartare is not something that I would generally order but I tried it and was pleasantly surprised. The Shrimp cocktail was served in a unique way. The shrimp were properly cooked and delicately seasoned. I have a hard time resisting Shrimp and Grits when I come across it on a menu and was not disappointed. I would place it in my top 5. My absolute favorite is when it is served Cajun style. My wife thoroughly enjoyed her Grouper and how it was presented. We rarely get dessert but couldn’t resist since it was a birthday celebration. We shared the Lemon Curd and experienced a wonderful explosion of flavor. The lemon and blueberry are placed in the plate first. Then, a couple dozen tiny dollops of cream or possibly meringue are placed on top and then torched. A must try! Very light. I did find the field greens to be an odd choice for the garnish. The color was certainly a nice touch. If I was to try and recreate it myself, I might go with some coconut soaked in a rum liqueur or maraschino cherry juice. I highly recommended this restaurant and remember- it’s not a chain restaurant. There are no early bird specials but they do have a Social...