Hales Blackbrick - Drew Park

Review summary

1. C

   Chris

   VIP

   Rome

   20 reviews

   5.0

   20 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Food is absolutely amazing! The service was equally great especially considering New Years Eve. Blackbrick is legit and highly recommended!
   

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2. E

   Elaine

   VIP

   Tampa

   16 reviews

   5.0

   16 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Excellent food and service. A little loud but fun atmosphere.
   

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3. J

   John

   Tampa

   3 reviews

   2.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 2

   We have been coming here for years and sadly the New Years eve experience was not what we have been used to. Right off the bat, we were about 15 minutes early for our reservation but the hostess seemed confused and kept asking for our reservation details. OK happens. Went to the bar and wife got a drinks. I asked for a diet since I was driving. No soda. But instead of seeming concerned about it the bartender offered a can of coke. So not off to great start. We got seated about 15 minutes after our reservation time. Again, no biggie. But then once we put in our food order we only saw our waiter maybe once. We sat 15-20 after eating waiting for him to come back for a dessert menu and boxes. Ordered dessert to go and again, waited for the check. Manager had to settle us out. We watches our server handle the table next to us all night and we seemed to not exist. It was a busy night there, but as many times as we have ate there, never have I seen the restaurant seem so "flustered" . I know Hale has opened a new place as he wasn't here this eve greeting customers. Mixed bag on that one. So glad he's doing well but miss that little personal touch. The table behind us also had concerns about their dinning experience that the manager had to address. Over all the food gets an A but the service and ambiance gets a D this round. Will we be back, sure. Food is fantastic. But I hope the management staff examines what happened last night and reworks it as it was not what we expect.
   

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4. A

   Abbie

   Tallahassee

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Everything was great but for a group of four, the table at the booth was bit small.
   

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5. p

   pamela

   VIP

   Tampa

   23 reviews

   4.0

   23 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   We’ve been huge fans since day one…always had delicious food and pleasant accommodating service by attentive servers. Always loved Chef Hales “stopping by” the table to say hello and chat. We made a pilgrimage on New Year’s Eve which we’d done last year, thinking we’d see chef and his wife Jenny, in addition to enjoying great food. Not so much. We’re sorry to say the food just wasn’t quite as fabulous as it used to be — not as crunchy, crusted, succulent, sweet, or spicy. Still good, but everything was just a bit “off”. The dumplings were so wet they didn’t hold together even in the “tower” and we had to use forks to collect them and eat them. Watered-down flavors as well. The kung pao tiger shrimp was pretty limp, and the egg fried rice was also very watery and without much flavor. We like to add sauces but they should t be the only source of flavor. Mandarin orange duck breast was overcooked, too. That was kindly comped by the solicitous general manager because though we’d reserved our favorite table three weeks before, it “wasn’t available” when we arrived for dinner. That would have seemed less of a disappointment if the staff (many seemed new) hadn’t been ever so slightly officious in telling us “we are VERY busy.” Staff previously had been a huge highlight because they were so capable, friendly and nice…not so much last night. Kudos to the general manager for his efforts at service recovery. But the kitchen has slipped noticeably and so has the attitude of new staff over the terrific staff of old. Chef hales has opened a second location — if we’re such valued customers why didn’t we hear about the opening? — and maybe some staff moved with him, as we were told he was at the new location in Hyde park instead of the original Tampa location. We’ll probably go again, but our expectations have notched down. Let’s hope this was a one-off experience because we wish Chef well!
   

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6. D

   Derek

   VIP

   Orange County

   9 reviews

   2.0

   9 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   Food was cold, not worth $200 we spent & music was loud & played RAP
   

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7. m

   michael

   VIP

   Tampa

   19 reviews

   5.0

   19 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Always so good. We go every couple of months because the experience is unmatched from food to music we love it here. Had the Tomahawk steak last night, wow was is delicious. Always get the fried chicken and white truffle dumplings. Top 5 restaurants in Tampa in our experience.
   

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8. R

   Ray

   VIP

   New Orleans

   17 reviews

   5.0

   17 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Brittany was helpful in guiding us through the extensive selection on the menu. The food was outstanding! Spicy Lamb Wontons and Soup Dumplings are great. The Cauliflower was so flavorful!
   

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9. C

   Celestina

   VIP

   West Sussex

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Loved the ambience and the cocktail selection. Their take on Chinese fusion was unique and flavorful.
   

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10. Y

    Yessie

    Orlando

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Short ribs were amazing and staff was great! Will definitely be back. Highly recommend.
    

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