- Overall 1
- Food 1
- Service 3
- Ambience 3
This was our first time visiting Barterhouse. We were a group of 5 celebrating a friends birthday. We had requested a table in the lounge, but got a table in the dining area despite the place being empty on a Friday night (we were 1 of 3 tables there). Shortly after ordering drinks and apps we were told the kitchen was closing at 9 and we had to put our dinner orders in. Closing at 9 on a Friday night??? The server was cordial and polite and did her best not to rush us, it was clear she was just following orders. Food was limited, lackluster and expensive. We ordered 3 apps and all were over $20. They were called Small Sharing Plates, yet mine was a single scallop, by itself in the center of a huge plate surrounded by some scrapes of fruit and squirts of sauce for $23!!! We tried to share it but it was pretty impossible. I wanted a salad, but there was nothing like that available. In fact, there was nothing green on the entire menu, and few health conscious choices. I had the fresh catch which was sea bass. It arrived overcooked, somewhat greasy and tiny. Again it was by itself on a plate with more squirts of sauce. Some fried cauliflower that was breaded did arrive as a side for those of us having seafood but was inedible. The others had short ribs which were slightly better. The seafood priced in at $43-$46 for a small approximately 3oz. ???
No mention was made of the birthday or dessert. Drinks were adequate although there were few choices of Vodka or Tequilla, and no bottled water.
By the middle of our dinner we were the only table left in the place and the staff had started cleaning the restaurant and mopping the floors and putting chairs up on tables around us. This was at approximately 10pm.
This restaurant was an epic fail on our list. We are very surprised “That’s So Tampa” recommended it. We will not be back, nor recommend it.
