I'm going to stay in line with the reviews here and give this place 4 stars. The view is spectacular and the sunset did not disappoint. We were in Tampa for work and after a long day this place hit the spot. The wine selection is modest but accommodating and unless you are a sommelier you will find a decent bottle. When a place tells me they are "known for their veal" I am going to take the hint. It was by no means the worst veal filet I have ever eaten but, I would have liked to have seen it seasoned a bit more with pepper and seared a bit longer. It was rare but veal tends to lack in the flavor of a more aged tenderloin so a bit of pepper wouldn't hurt. All in all, I was impressed and would recommend this place to anyone looking for a good meal with a great view. Ciao!
(4)
Jeff L.
Took the Mrs here for her birthday and couldn't have picked a better place. Went here based on a "Top 10 of Tampa" list and figured we couldn't go wrong. Service was impeccable, food was wonderful and service was spot on. Excellent wine selection and didn't feel rushed. Highly recommended.
(5)
Michael Z.
Really enjoyed a wonderful meal here. The view is terrific, especially at sunset whether dining or just grabbing a drink at the bar. The antipasti is arranged so you can make your own selections and focus on your favorites, but if you prefer the chef will make a selection for you. The menu is not overwhelming with choices, but I found that it made for less debate about an entree. This place is known for their veal and it did not disappoint. Portions were just right - not gluttonous but also not minuscule. I regret that I did not have enough room to really enjoy the dessert, but that gives me an excuse to come back in the future. Highly recommended.
(5)
Paris H.
Beautiful view. Brought my 3 year old and the pianist played "let it go" from frozen. I wouldn't say it was ideal for kids, but we had a great time since my daughter was well behaved. The food was fabulous.
(5)
Jeannette G.
While in town for another work related workshop, my husband and I were trying to get a reservation at Bern's Steakhouse but they were booked. So we thought we'd try the restaurant inside the hotel where we are staying at called Armani's. The restaurant serves Northern Italian cuisine and it is categorized as a fine dining restaurant. When we called earlier in the day we were told that they were completely booked by the hotel concierge. Later that afternoon I called the restaurant directly and was told that we could have a reservation for 8:30 pm. That was a little late for us but I grabbed it nonetheless. The hostess on the phone Mary Ann, graciously suggested we arrive around 7:40 pm to watch the sunset in the lounge while we waited for our table. We thought it was a darling idea and agreed to arrive around that time. When we arrived at the restaurant on the 14th floor of the hotel we were greeted by two lovely hostesses, Mary Ann and Victoria. Mary Ann said that we could actually be seated immediately at our table and assured us that we would still be able to see the sunset. Victoria, who had a beautiful smile by the way, walked us to our table. We were seated at a lovely table facing the Tampa Bay skyline with an awe inspiring view of the sun as it was setting. The view was mesmerizing to say the least! Shortly after being seated we were approached by servers offering us water and making sure that we were comfortable. Our waiter, John joined us soon after and proceeded to go over the hors d' oeuvres bar and to answer our questions regarding the menu. We ordered the lump crab cake appetizer as well as the calamari appetizer. I found the calamari to be uneventful although the aioli sauce served with it was very refreshing and very tasty. The lump crab cake was my favorite of the two. Would definitely get it again if we ever went there again. For our entries I ordered the catch of the day which was snapper with a shrimp bordelaise sauce and potatoes. My husband and his partner ordered the Osso Bucco. Both dishes were superb and very tasty. For dessert we ordered the lemon sorbet for myself and a tiramisu for the men to share. I didn't get to taste the tiramisu but the lemon sorbet was delicious. Our waiter and the rest of the serving staff was very attentive throughout the night. The ambiance in the restaurant was very nice and felt lavish. I would definitely recommend this place and would come again.
(4)
Larry C.
Going against the grain on this one but I wasn't that big of a fan. For what you pay you expect the best if the best which was why I was a little disappointed in the final out come. We came here with our cousins from out of town to celebrate their birthday so we got a reservation in advance and asked for a window seat to help us celebrate the occasion. When we got there we were seated at a window but on the opposite side of the sunset which was a little disappointing. The service and our server was top notch and that should be commended but the food just didn't live up to par. We ordered the rib eye steak by but it was a little on the oily and we ended up taking half of it home. The anti pasta appetizer had a lot of great selections as we let our waiter choose for us and we liked that it tasted fresh. Not sure if I would come back again but it was def nice to try
(3)
Drew B.
The views of the bay at sunset are pretty rad. The food and wine and service were all excellent as well. I had a veal chop that was very tasty and a Caesar salad that seemed to have a hint of horseradish in the dressing. It was interesting but delicious none the less. I would come back for sure if I was staying in the hotel again.
(4)
Loretta Z.
I have been in Tampa for 3 years now and so sad that it took me this long to try Armani's. This beautiful restaurant is set on top of the Grand Hyatt in Tampa. The view is breathtaking. Do your best to time your dinner to watch the sun set. It is just simply amazing to watch. My husband and I decided to each do an appetizer. He went for the antipasti bar and I had the much raved about caprese salad. The caprese was delicious. Tomatoes were flavorful and the fresh mozzarella was perfect. My husband LOVED the anitpasti bar as it appealed to his Italian New York ancestry. They loaded his plate up with meatballs, olives, goat cheese, asparagus, prosciutto, and hard cheeses. Dinner was seafood carbonara and veal scallopine. The scallops were HUMONGOUS and so were the shrimp. They were cooked to perfection. Not dry but thick and flavorful. The veal was tender and delicious. The best part of the night was the unexpected dessert. We told the maître d that it was anniversary and they surprised us with a decadent chocolate and peanut butter cake decorated with the words "Happy Anniversary" Without a doubt, we will be back for the view, the food and the exemplary service.
(5)
Minna S.
Not the best Italian food; however, it was a little above average. The service on the other hand was outstanding. I have been here a couple of times and each time the service has been outstanding. I like the fact that they have a strict dress code. I also enjoyed the view at night. I believe that this place is worth giving a shot.
(4)
Mack J.
Nice view and ambiance. Antipasti bar is good. Had scallops that were undercooked. Company made it fun but cost is outside of proportion to food quality.
(2)
Konstantin R.
There's no denying that Armani's is one of the more upscale restaurants in the Bay Area. The decorative, luxurious interior speaks for itself - and the staff, especially the bartenders, are amicable and flexible with orders. Outside seating is a gem: a meal is not complete without watching a Boeing 747 glide gently over the gulf and onto the nearby Tarmac, quite a site. The appetizer bar will bring out your inner glutton: varieties of sausages, cheeses and hors d'oeuvre with unlimited selection. Unfortunately, the menu itself was a bit sparse and the prices are quite steep,though the matrade tried desperately to accommodate my stubborn palate. This is a fantastic place for a date or anniversary occasion. The view is spectacular.
(4)
Virginia G.
One of my favorite restaurants in the area. A combination of upscale dining, great food, outstanding service, nice wine list and lovely music you really can't go wrong here. During my week stay at the Hyatt I dined here more then once and had items that included the antipasto bar, the homemade mozzarella on the caprese salad, the lobster bisque (to die for!) the pork belly, and the tagliatalle Bolognese. Service from Joan and Alicia in the bar area, to Ahmir at the bar and of course Margot on the piano, you just can't find better service in a fine dining atmosphere. A great place for romantic dinners, special occasions or just when you decide you need to treat yourself.
(5)
Carol C.
Great place for drinks and dinner. We didn't have dinner but drinks in the lounge area can be dressy or casual, which we were. Great atmosphere!!
(5)
Michaelle W.
The perfect environment to foster romance and relaxation! Parking: Being that I was in a beautiful dress and a stellar pair of 6" heels, valet parking comped by the restaurant was wonderful. However, upon further inspection, I could have parked in the garage and walked a few feet and been inside the hotel too. When the valet parks, take your ticket upstairs and the restaurant will give you a voucher when you leave. Fabulous! Wait Staff: We were seated with a view at a table for our 8:30pm, thanks to our reservation from Yelp. We had a great table with a view spanning not only the bay but the city too. The waiter was helpful and there to serve knowing the menu inside and out. Food: As with any high tag restaurant, the food was delicious, but very small portions. We got a plate from the antipasto bar making our own combination. This was a tasty option allowing us to choose a wide variety of pieces. We both had pork dishes which were scrumptious but of course came in minimal portions. Luckily the antipasto was a great starter. Environment: This is what makes this restaurant so fabulous. The views are breathtaking and after dinner we had wine on the roof which was the platform for a gorgeous sunset. This aspect truly makes this restaurant a place that everyone should visit at least once for fine dining and a beautiful view. Negatives: No bug protection outdoors Small portions Close inspection the decor is a bit dated
(4)
Elissa N.
Armani's has one of the best locations and views in Tampa Bay. The wine list is FANTASTIC. However, there must have been a chef change because after all of the good the past two times there are so many misses lately. The salads are underdressed and thrown on a plate and the pasta is off..no flavor in the sauce. You can taste the difference and whatever change your made, it isn't good.
(3)
Robert P.
Ok, there's no 4.5 on this scale, and when compared to Monsieur Paul or Victoria and Albert's in Disney, this isn't at that level. That said, compared to the number of very good restaurants in the Tampa Bay area, Armani's deserves a five: for food, ambiance, price, and service. I'll be brief about the ambiance. The seats are comfortable, the tables are nice, the sound level is pleasantly low (gasp!), and the view is one of the best in the area. You're on top of the hotel, and there is great view to all sides from the outdoor porch, which you should visit. It's not covered, though, so it's for good weather only, but still worth a walk out the door to get that special feeling of being up high and looking down on the world. But really, they had me at the sound level. I could actually hear the person sitting next to me. The prices are hotel prices plus some to account for the location, think $40 for osso bucco or a steak and $28 for chicken. Service was nice and efficient, with our waitress serving as a competent sommeliere. No long lectures shouting the specials at a table of 12 (thank you!) and courteous in the face of people ordering all sorts of things at various times. It takes a pro to get that right and be nice about it. Food: A good bread and olive tapenade were served just before appetizers. Note: Some reviewer wrote the tapenade was salty. Really? There is no way they would add salt to the tapenade. It's in the olives. I had the lobster bisque, which was a different but very flavorful soup, perfectly thick for a bisque, and not overly creamy at all. Did I say lots of flavor? The chunks of lobster floating in the the middle were not prime pieces, but then again, they could have been left out, and I'd be happy. (Not salty.) I examined the large selection on the antipasto bar and decided that those were the things I eat myself at home, and I wanted all cooked items. However, it would be a nice item for a party. You can select items yourself (all you want on a plate) or have the chef select items for you. I had the osso bucco, which was falling off the bone tender, as expected. A nice touch was the little marrow fork, allowing me to dig out the goodness from the bone. But the showpiece on this entree was the beet risotto on the side. It was haltingly red, but the flavor and texture were both beyond my imagination. Just the right amount of cheese and bite. I had it again as left-overs, microwaved, and it was just as good. (Again, this was not salty. I like salt, and I would have added more.) I won't review what everyone else had, but I didn't hear a single complaint. Go and enjoy. If you have to skip a couple of nights out to justify the cost, do it. You'll have good memories and experience a fine restaurant with a beautiful view.
(5)
Melanie R.
Flawless. Came here for an anniversary dinner recently. We had 3 waiters taking care of us, and everyone who walked by asked how we were doing or made a recommendation or did something else to show superior service from the whole team. The antipasta bar is absolutely amazing!! Do the "choose your own" and go to town! So many cheeses, meats, mushrooms (soooo good) and other appetizer things that are delicious. I can't explain it other than that. Just do it. Then there's dinner, for which we both had the chef's special: a giant veal chop with two of the BEST scallops I've ever tasted, seasoned perfectly. We split a dessert molten chocolate cake thing that was really good, and they even brought it out on a plate that had "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate, completely unprompted and unexpected, just because we casually mentioned it was our anniversary. Add the amazing service, delicious food (those appetizers... Those scallops!) and the beautiful rooftop views of the water and you get five stars from me!
(5)
Lucy P.
The view outside next to the fire pit is so pretty! This place is so nice! We stopped in for drinks (which where amazing) the piano was pretty, so romantic and cute.
(5)
SANDI S.
Terrible food, worse service. Great atmosphere and view. I'd reccomend it for happy hour, NOT for dinner. Started with the spinach salad, which was basically spinach and canned parmesan cheese with a few pine nuts. Definitely not high end cuisine. Had the branzino as a main course, and it arrived with limp, soggy skin and a bizarre 'mediterranean sofrito', which tasted oddly of cinnamon. It did not complent the fish, nor did the tasteless sauteed spinach (which could've benefited from the addition of some acid or even some salt). I was dining solo in the lounge, and my server completely disappeared after dropping off my entree. After sitting around for approximately 30 minutes after completing my lackluster meal, the maitre d finally showed up with my check. When I returned to my hotel room at the Grand HYatt, there was a room service tray with dessert and bottled water. Since there was no card, I called the room service operator, who informed me this was compliments of the maitre d from Armani's. While this was a very nice gesture, I do not believe I will be returning to Armani's for a meal anytime soon.
(2)
Stacy J.
Food was just okay and overpriced. Luckily, there was a nice view since it took an hour to get the meal.
(2)
Diana D.
The place is lovely on the top floor of the hotel. We came later in the evening so we didn't see much of the view. But you can see the lights outside which was very nice. Our waiter, Wesley was very nice and helped us with our order. We had the calamari as an appetizer. It was really good. It had a lot of meat inside. Just a thin layer of fried batter. So it was very tasteful. Then my boss and I shared the special (lobster tail and rack of lamb) and the veal scalpolini. They were both delicious. But I wouldnt say its the best I've ever had. I don't eat veal much but I would recommend that as an entree if you had to pick. We enjoyed it with red wine. Then we ended with an order of tiramisu but the waiter ended up giving us chocolate cake. So we got to try both and I actually liked the chocolate cake better. The tiramisu had too strong coffee taste. Overall, wonderful classy restaurant with an awesome view. Food and service was good. This would be a good place for a date.
(3)
Roscoe H.
This place has a beautiful view and that's about it. I took my wife there for her birthday and she ordered veal tender loin medium rare and got it well done which they refused to replace and that wasn't even the worst thing I ordered the seafood soup with clams, mussels, shrimp, lobster and squid. After eating 90% of the dish I open the last clam and it was full of sea mud that smelled so bad. They comped the meal minus the three glasses of wine which came out to $44 but after giving my card to pay the server he charged me for the whole meal $127. When I went to sign the bill and leave I noticed it and let them know they quickly tried to refund my money but said it would take 24 hrs then they billed me again for the $44. This was my wife's birthday dinner which I think was totally ruined. The couple at the next table also sent they're scallops and risotto back for being over cooked. This place will not get my money ever again and I hope whoever reads this doesn't make the same mistake as we did!!!!
(1)
Don L.
I cannot say a single negative thing about this place. The food? Delicious. The service? Top Shelf. Ambiance? Very comfortable and inviting. Yeah it's pricey but it's an upscale Tampa restaurant- not Applebee's... I had a veal dish and I can truly say it was one of the best ever. My date didn't see a simple Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo on the menu however the server said that he'd ask the chef to prepare one anyways,which he did and it too was superb! I'm sorry - but these people who've posted bad reviews are more than likely people who are just impossible to please under any circumstance because this place hits on all cylinders-every time!
(5)
Frank M.
The main reason I like this restaurant is because it's on the 14th floor and gives you awesome views of both the city and the water. The prices are what you would expect for the atmosphere and quality of food. The service is good but could be improved based on my experience at other restaurants with similar prices. To give you an idea on prices, if you get an appetizer, a glass of wine, and a main course, expect to pay about $70 per person on average.
(4)
Melissa L.
My boyfriend and I went for a late Valentine's Day dinner on February 15. We both got one of their seafood dishes and they were excellent. I was surprised that a restaurant as fine as this one did not have any specials. Moments later I heard our server, Stephanie, tell another table about their specials. I was highly offended that she didn't tell them to us. She also did not offer to take care of our valet parking like she did to our neighbors. Although the food and atmosphere was amazing, I was highly unsatisfied by this mistreatment and will not be back.
(1)
Ben Z.
Oh my God, this place is so, so good. So expensive, and you have to make reservations a long way off, but it'd be so worth it. Go at night when the sun is going to set. If it's not hot, you can sit outside even. Bring a date, that'd be the best date spot for dinner ever. I haven't seen a view so beautiful in a while. They are so friendly there too. And I swear everything and anything on the menu will blow you away. I mean anything. I've been to plenty of expensive restaurants, and this takes all the cakes.
(5)
Xaxira V.
Two stars on Yelp apparently means "Meh. I've experienced better." Being a person who feasts on her birthday at places I would normally not go to because I'm not a millionaire and honestly can find and/or cook delicious food on the low, I would definitely describe Armani's as "Meh. I've experienced better." Do not get me wrong, the view is amazing. We were able to see the sun slowly set over the bay and that was beautiful. If this review was solely based on the view and service I would have given Armani's 5/5 stars, but alas we went there to eat. The food, oh lord, the food. The chef/chefs had a heavy salt hand. Perhaps they are catering to rich, white, aging people with no taste buds or those who have had just enough wine to enjoy beautifully plated yet subpar food, but for those of us who can actually taste our food it was a bit too much. The Good: -Banana Tart Tatine (I wanted to Marry it. I would come here just for that. You should sit at the bar, grab a drink and eat the Banana Tart Tatine because it is worth your while.) -Calamari Fritti with Key Lime Aoli (The Aoli was delightfully delicious. The calamari was fried and the breading was the right thickness, you really shouldn't be able to mess fried calamari up though.) -The Bread (The bread was delicious and soft, but the crushed Kalamatta Olive spread was too salty) The Bad: -Everything else that we ordered aka: -Pasta -Veal -Swordfish -Molten Chocolate "Cake" The menu on their site right now does not accurately reflect what they are offering so I cannot tell you the exact name of the dishes we ate as most of them are not on there or may have had different sides. However, this will be updated once that menu is updated. I had the Swordfish with Crab. The Swordfish was bland, bland, bland. The crab was crab, nothing special. There was this sauce on the side that tasted exactly like a Whopper. I'm not kidding you, I put the fish in the sauce, placed the bite in my mouth, and all I could think of was "Burger King." Everything on my plate was edible, but it wasn't exciting or innovative. As a foodie it did nothing for my tastebuds and for the price tag I expect amazing. I ate at Texas de Brazil for lunch that day and my dinner at Armani's was a dramatic step down. My sister had this pasta with Shrimp and Scallops. It left much to be desired and she took most of it home because she did not find it edible. She believed that the Shrimp and Pasta were more undercooked than she would have liked. I would have described the pasta as al-super-dente. Mother had this veal with some asiago polenta or something else asiago on the side. I think vegetables and sea creatures were involved as well. She ordered it cooked Medium. It was not cooked medium. However, I was okay with that since I'm a medium rare gal which is what the temperature was actually at, but someone must have dipped it in the Bay and thrown it on her plate because that veal was SALTY. Apparently they are known for their veal. One of our two desserts could have been considered a tragic chocolate soup aka the Molten Chocolate Cake. It was more chocolate goo than cake. I think the only cake part was the top of it. Gordon Ramsay would not have been thrilled about that. All in all, I would come here for a drink at the bar and an appetizer/dessert just to watch the sunset. Someone in the kitchen is not tasting what they are giving to the clients and that is a tragic thing. Luckily, people will still come, eat, smile and be mesmerized by the elegant setting and the wonderful view and thus Armani's will forever have business. It would be nice if their food matched the view.
(2)
Eric H.
Trying to describe the experience but it can be summed up with "elegantly delicious"! Great time, great appetizer, dinner & desert.
(5)
Charlie D.
So this place is great I think! If you wanna get away from the everyday run of the mill dinner joint, this is a place to try out if you have the money. Super romantic, I recommend coming here around 6-7 because when the sun sets, its AMAZING! =) But yeah... Food- I wouldnt say its the BEST i have ever had but you do enjoy the time and thought they put into the dish. You wont find many other places trying 2 replicate the sophisticated dishes Armani has unless u go to NYC or Cali has to offer. Staff is amazing, top notch service, and you cant beat the view =)
(4)
Mr A.
if you are unfortunate enough to have to stay at the tampa grand hyatt (not deserving of being grand), escape the filth of your room and head up to the 14th floor to armanis. Its a great view and respectable food. Price point is on the higher side, but what do you expect at a hotel. The anti-pasta bar was something different with a great variety of options to choose from. Im glad i tried it, though i would probably say the options are more impressive than the taste. Not that it was bad, but nothing to blow your socks off either. I will definitely eat here again next time I cant escape this hotel.
(3)
Winston C.
Honestly, the food is okay- the view and bar are truly highlights. Worth checking out for a quiet drink on the balcony but don't race here for the food.
(3)
Chris G.
Fantastic Ambience ! One of the best views of Tampa Bay. The Caesar Salad excellent but the veal scallopini a little heavy. Excellent wait staff.
(4)
Mark S.
When asking people in Tampa about the best Italian restaurant, chances are the answer is "Armani's"...very wrong, in my opinion (see review of Caffee Amaretto)!! My experience in this place was quite mediocre. The "chef special" lobster and crab filled lamb shank was very salty and encrusted with an almost uneatable crust comprised of too many spices not fitting the lamb or the sea food ($56!). My wife's seafood dish was also sub par (-the chef definitely should take some evening classes in Italian cooking!) The only outstanding aspect of this meal was the appetizer plate, which is maybe the way to enjoy this restaurant: just go there for the appetizer and view over Tampa bay and then move on somewhere else once the sun has set.
(2)
Simone J.
I've eaten here several times and have never been disappointed. The view is amazing especially at sunset. If you have never been here I would certainly make a plan to.
(5)
Cristhian A.
Great atmosphere for a romantic dinner
(4)
Leyka M.
I was looking for a romantic place to have dinner with my love, and I found this restaurant. It's so beautiful, the view is spectacular, and the food!! Totally recommended!!!!
(5)
Brian J.
Excellent server whom we had that's been with them for 20 years. Wine was excellent, and food stood out (we both had pasta though) and had a small "happy anniversary" stenciled out with a lemon cheesecake. Patio outdoors was the best with views of the Clearwater area and the skyline of tampa with the airport in front of it. Highly recommended for special occasion but you pay for the price in everything. Not like I would be a regular customer but I will be a returning customer. FYI, if you valet, they will validate your valet thus saving you $8 (because I didn't see how much it cost because I had a van blocking the sign) and only paying a tip.
(4)
Trey S.
I took my wife here for our 5 year wedding anniversary and let me tell you it was a fantastic evening. The service was fantastic once we got over the confusion with our table that they originally tried to seat us at which was so crammed in the corner that one wouldn't have been able to get seated without moving the entire table. They prepared a second table for us quickly and we were sat shortly thereafter. We were walked through the menu by the waiter who was extremely helpful in choosing our dinner selections. We began with the bread and an olive tapenade which was a good way to ease into dinner considering that we began the meal super hungry. We then opted for the antipasti bar chef's choice. The meats, cheeses, and seafood that was brought to us were delicious and good quality. For our main courses I chose the grilled veal loin with seafood gratin and angel hair pasta cake. It came with a remoulade sauce and a demi glaze reduction. The entire dish was well balanced and every bite complimented the next. My wife had the catch of the day (tile) on top of lemon roasted potatoes and shrimp. It was a fair dish but the potatoes had an odd earthiness to them and the arugula salad that it was served with was under dressed and wilted along with the micro greens on top of the fish most likely from a heat lamp. We finished the dinner with a hazelnut cheesecake that put a cap on a wonderful dinner and an even more eventful day with my wife.
(5)
Gerard D.
This was an amazing meal. Great service. Good ambiance. Would be a great place for a date. The waitress was helpful and excited to be there. The food was pricy but worth it. We went on the patio for drinks and the sunset was unforgettable. I had the veal. Cooked perfectly as was everybody's meal.
(5)
Khrystyna C.
The most perfect Cesar salad! The most amazing fruits of the sea with garlic butter sauce, I don't like fra diovlo and they changed my sauce! Love it! Here comes dessert highly recommended by the wonderful bartender. A lovely blond women with great taste in food! Highly recommend this place. No reservation needed. If alone sit at the bar and chat us the lovely bartender and enjoy a stellar meal! Banana dessert was lovely. The beautiful and extremely talented piano player has wonderful music!
(5)
michelle l.
This place is worth visiting for the view. On the west side is the amazing sunset, on the east side is TPA and the runway. The decor is understated and lovely. It's a pretty cool place. There are some great things about this place. Their wine list is impressive, and they have decanters and aerators for the older wines. Unless you are super-attached to your own wine, don't bring it. Corkage is $35. Service was okay, although I found our waiter rather off-putting, even if he was completely competent. The food is okay but not special. We shared the pork belly, and I didn't like how it was sliced before cooking. I prefer that the pork belly be cooked served in slab form so that it maintains its tenderness. We also shared a Caesar salad, which was totally fine but not remarkable. For the main course, I had the veal scaloppini, and I found it okay but not great. Donatello does a much better veal scaloppini for a similar price. My husband had the Carbonara Pettini, which he enjoyed. For dessert, we had the cheesecake, and the crust was artificial tasting. I could see returning here for a drink at sunset, but I think there are other places to go for better meals.
(3)
Steve D.
This was our first time. The view was very impressive, however the food quality was not. The "Misto Own" had the option for the customer to select food items for the plate which was good, but upon eating the items, they tasted as if they were in the case for quite awhile. The crab cake which was described by the server as "decent size" was small by any comparison. The bar does not have "happy hours" and the good tables ,facing the bay, are automatically reserved for hotel clients. I'd only go back after eating some place else and enjoy the sunset view with a cold beer.
(2)
Larry C.
I have personally been on many corporate events/meetings. This is by far the best food, presentation, and service I have ever had during a corporate event. Please please please take care of this awesome facility.
(4)
Cindy W.
We had dinner here on a Saturday night. The floor to ceiling windows reveal an amazing view of the bay! Our server was wonderful & made the evening that much more special. The food was great - the chef was very accommodating with requested substitutions. There is an outdoor patio for drinks and allows cigars if that is what you enjoy! Will definitely be back!
(5)
I P.
My husband is active duty Navy and has just returned home. His birthday is on Sat February 7th so I thought I'd take him somewhere special. I've heard great things about the food at Armani's so I chose to make my reservation online last week but I called today to confirm and ask them a few questions to check and see if I could make it special by having them thank him for his service or saying happy birthday. The girl (she sounded young) seemed so annoyed to answer just two questions! She said they don't make a big deal of military or birthdays. I was disgusted with her and I'm not sure if I should keep my reservation for this saturday. I don't want my husband to miss out on a great evening because of my terrible experience on the phone. I am already disappointed!
(1)
Karen F.
We go here about once a year, for special occasions. Yes, it is expensive, but the atmosphere and food are quality and it is worth the splurge. We split a "Chef's Choice" antipasto plate to start, and it was a nice assortment of meats and cheeses - the meatball was my favorite item on the platter. For my meal I had the Frutti di Mare, a mixed seafood dish in "spicy" tomato sauce. Not spicy in the least bit, and the lobster was dreadfully overlooked, but the clams, shrimp, scallops, and mussels were delicious enough to make up for those shortcomings. Dessert was a moist chocolate espresso cake-yum! Dinner for 2, with a bottle of Moët Imperial, was $200+, but they will definitely see us again.
(4)
Ronald F.
The fish was prepared with to filets with a delicate sauce on a bed of potatoes and rock shrimp. Very light and went well with the pinot Grigio
(4)
L R.
Armani's has a quaint bar scene with beautiful water and bridge view. We like to order a drink in the bar and chat over the piano music before dining in the restaurant. The antipasto bar is wonderful and is perfect as an appetizer. I would suggest one plate per couple so as not to ruin your appetite for your entree later. The filet mignon was delicious and it was served with a yellow tomato slice and red tomato slice. It was divine. The outdoor balcony has a fire table and sexy view of the water and lights at night.
(5)
Lori V.
Meh... That's my review. I went there years ago and went again recently to celebrate a special occasion. Nice ambiance but service wasn't great and the food is just average. The view is pretty great though. Go for drinks at sunset or around Christmas time for the pretty decorations.
(3)
M A.
Any extraordinary dining experience. First you can't beat the amazing view of the bay during sunset from the 14th floor. The staff goes above and beyond to meet your every expectation. Then the food: extraordinary!!!! Their bread is phenomenal. Their calamari with a key lime sauce is fresh. And I had the pasta carbonara with shrimp and scallops and the shrimp are the biggest I've seen in quite some time. Highly highly recommend this restaurant and look forward to dining here again.
(5)
Alex F.
Amazing service for a special night! I was looking for a great setting to have dinner then propose to my girlfriend and I couldn't have asked for better service. I coordinated with Annie earlier in the week and she was amazing in her attention to detail in coordinating the surprise to perfection. I can't explain what a relief it was to have that anxiety lifted during a stressful week and knowing that the team at Armani's was there to assist me on what was the biggest evening of my life thus far. I would recommend ANYONE who is looking for first class service to spend their evening there. And a special THANK YOU to Annie!
(5)
Jess I.
I loved this place. This was my first time visiting Tampa, and next time I'm in town I will definitely return to Aramani's. Everything was perfect. The hostess was super friendly. My friend and I booked at 9PM reservation. We headed to the bar for drinks before seating. The bartender couldn't have been friendlier, I'm not sure what his name was but he was defiantly spanish, judging by his accent. We take a seat, and our waitress Stephanie introduces herself, and is quick and great from the start. She had extensive knowledge of the menu, which is rare nowadays, and knew what she was doing. We ordered a bottle of White wine to begin with. My friend ordered veal, which he enjoyed and I ordered a shrimp salad. Which was also very delicious and light(perfect for a 10PM dinner). We shared dessert, it was a banana-something with hazelnut ice cream(YUM!!) The wine was perfect as well. All, in all I enjoyed Armani's and loved the atmosphere.
(5)
Sam C.
Exceptional and I am a very hard critic of restaurants. Note one thing: if you have any problem with politically incorrect meat - aka veal - you should run from this restaurant. They specialize in veal and while over half the menu does not contain anything with veal, many items do have it. My dinner included cannelloni di vitello (basically cannoli looking, ravioli tasting, veal based appetizer), osso buco (veal shank with risotto - I actually don't really like risotto but it was still good and the veal was extraordinary!), strawberry daiquiri (made with real strawberries, not some mix), and a cappuccino which tasted better than something I get at a fine coffee shop. The service was outstanding. And if all that wasn't enough, the view is unbeatable. Although I haven't been to many restaurants in Tampa, I would easily say this is by far the best I've been to in Florida, and I would put this as the top 10 restaurants I've ever eaten at. I highly recommend this for anyone staying at the hotel and I would recommend this for any locals who are looking for a very special date night or even the perfect place to propose (I honestly thought someone in the restaurant would propose at any moment). Bravo Armani's, Bravo!
(5)
Mary Ellen H.
After glowing recommendations, I was looking forward to a nice meal. Unfortunately, that did not come to fruition. After waiting 1.5 hours for food, it was no better than the average chain and certainly had much poorer service. The waitress never came by to say anything to our table about why our food came so slowly. We were seated before the crowds showed up. the table next to us was actually part of our party and seated at the same time with a different waitress. They ate their meal, was offered dessert, and paid before we were ever served our meal. She brought the checks and left them in a stack. I had to distribute them to the group. The 18% tip was added already. Had it not been in a professional setting, I would have asked for the manager and refused to pay the tip. Clearly the worst 60 meal I have ever experienced!
(1)
Windy C.
Haven't been here in years and regret it. This is a fantastic dining experience. Service is impeccable, ask (or not) and you shall receive. Food is lovely and tasty. The antipasti bar is enough alone. The other menu items (Italian fare) are of fine quality and quantity. Wine list and bar drinks are wonderful. The view is the best you will find in Tampa. Everything is top of the list. If you're looking for the best dining Tampa has to offer, this is one of those places.
(5)
Trung N.
Wanted to cap the weekend off in Tampa at a nice restaurant and my friend chose Amani's, which was a really good choice. Let me start by saying that Armani's has an awesome view. It's definitely worth to pay the place a visit if you're in Tampa. We ordered the following dishes: 1. Cacao Brasato di Maiale - Cocoa braised Palmetto Creek Farms pork belly, hazelnuts, onion marmalata, arugula, date dressing 2. Cannelloni do Vitello - Ground veal, spinach, Parmesan, ricotta, tomato cream sauce I personally really like pork belly so I enjoyed that dish - it was a good mix of flavors and textues. The veal dish was pretty good as well. I'd like to try out the other things on the menu. It was a good dining experience at Armani's and I'd definitely recommend this place for someone looking to take a date out to a nice dinner.
(3)
Alicia P.
For our anniversary this year, my husband took me to a fabulous dinner at Armani's. Pricey. WOW. But so awesome. Definitely a "special occasion" kind of place. On the top floor of the Grand Hyatt overlooking the bay. From the Chef's choice or pick your own antipasti to the lobster bisque - seriously the best I've ever had. The view is phenomenal. Our dinners were perfect. And I mean perfect. Dessert and coffee were wonderful as well. The staff (and we mean staff) were all so professional and made you feel like the royal family dining there. Will return.....when we save more money! ;)
(5)
Frank A.
Best view in Tampa! Antipasto bar is second to none! You go select from a bounty of marinated veggies, meats and cheeses. Food is wonderful. Their signature veal scallopini is amazing, but can't lose with any selection. Yes, it's expensive. In my opinion, it's well worth it. We like to go for date night and sit by the bar, listen to the pianist, have a couple drinks, get the antipasto bar and dessert.
(5)
Amy R.
Another 5 star review for a Tampa eatery. This Italian restaurant was on the top level of the hotel where we stayed in Tampa and it was amazing. Our waiter was the friendliest and had plenty of suggestions for menu items we should try. The absolute best thing about this place was that it was absolutely fine dining but it couldn't have been less pretentious. It wasn't the usual long wait for drinks and courses. Our waiter was so available and didn't try to force us into predetermined times for courses. NICE! I know that eating out is supposed to be relaxing but sometimes you just want to go cuddle up in your awesome hotel room and watch some Netflix. That was the case here. We seriously had the shortest, nicest dinner possible. We started with the calamari,which was amazing because it had a lovely key lime aioli to accompany and then my husband had the veal scallopini and I had the veal canneloni. Both were out of this world. We got back to the room (less than an hour later) ordered two desserts from room service and were watching Damages by 9 pm! Awesome vacation weekend!
(5)
Karyn L.
The view gets four stars. The food ..... it was a three and a half. We had the same issue as another reviewer with making a reservation and requesting a seat on the water side and getting sat on the opposite side. However, we've had the water view on a separate occasion and I didn't mind the change. There's a lot to look at with the city view- we could see the stadium, all of downtown Tampa, the HF bridge, CC bridge and even across to downtown St. Pete. Plus, it was kind of cool to watch the planes land at TIA. I guess if you want a waterview you need to call and speak to someone, not just note it on Open Table (which is what we did). But either way, it worked out fine. To drink: Canvas Chardonnay, which is a private label from Mondavi. Super smooth. Their bread and white bean dip is a great start to the evening. We had the gnocchi as an appetizer. Pros: Definitely homemade. Roasted veggies served with it were wonderful. Cons: The sauce was really bland and muted the flavors of the dish. Entrees: We had the Chicken (I don't eat veal and wasn't hungry for fish) and the Yellowfin Snapper. The chicken was surprisingly good. Sliced thin and sitting atop a creamy polenta with fresh asparagus. The fish wasn't as flavorful. Dessert was a definite disappointment. We tried the pears in vin santo. It weirdly didn't taste like pears OR vin santo, so I'm not sure what it was.
(4)
Elizabeth D.
Great view, great food, tasty dessert. I would definitely recommend the calamari and the seafood carbonara on papardelle- rich but so worth it! Minus one star for the hostess alone. If you care to hear my rant, read on. Otherwise, just skip the rest... I made a rezzie on Open Table for 7:30pm then called twice. Once to request a window table. Again to request that it face the sunset. I was polite and sweet and emphasized that it was a special occsaion, my big sister's birthday. When we arrived the weather was rainy. We expressed concern about not being able to see the sun set. The hostess piped in saying "The sun might poke out of the clouds. It doesn't usually set until about 8:10 lately." She then proceeded to take us to the opposite side of the restaurant facing the highway. ???????? She refused to acknowledge that I had called (and I know I spoke to her personally twice because I remembered her name). I understand if tables aren't available but to 1) not acknowledge not being able to meet a request and 2) to add the bit about possibly being able to see the view when you knew you were seating us facing the highway. It's like rubbing salt in a wound! I'd return but probably only as a party of 2 since there seem to be more two tops next to the bay-facing window. I just can't justify the price if I'm facing the highway.
(4)
Kelly D.
Absolutely excellent. Service, Scenery, and food were all outstanding. The staff treated us like kings. We both ordered drinks at their waiting/bar area since we arrived early. Both drinks were good. To start we had the Calmari - Excellent (they must have put a form of crack in this) We couldn't stop eating it. And then that was followed with the Lobster bisque, It was good served at the perfect temperature. (It is pretty heavy for a starter) I had the Seabass Special and my boyfriend had one of their steak dishes. Nothing but the best. The food was exceptionally good. Everything was served at the proper temperature and at the right time. We cannot wait to go back and take some friends along.
(5)
Brad H.
Good (not great) Food Marred by Spotty Service I splurged on a fancy dinner based upon the good things I have heard about Armani's. Unfortunately, the end result was that I was disappointed principally on account of the service. My dinner guest and I were seated right away but next to a loud table of guests celebrating a birthday. We asked to be moved and were seated near the antipasto bar--that's fine. However, we waited for 15 minutes before the waiter stopped by to check on us and another 10 minutes before he came back with the hostess and asked if we would mind moving to a table on the main floor. Again, fair enough since the main floor table was better and had a gorgeous view of Tampa Bay. We got the feeling that we were moved so that the waiter would have all of his tables in one area. Again, fair enough. However, at this point my guest and I were feeling that something was not quite right that night in the restaurant. After re-seating, we waited another 10 minutes for the waiter to reappear. It seemed that the restaurant, which was perhaps 60% full, only had 2 or 3 waiters for all of the guests. When we had the waiter's attention he was professional and knowledgeable and provided crisp service, but the seriously long periods of time between visits was beginning to turn a special evening into something less than that. We made sure to order everything (appetizers, salads and entree) all at once since we had the feeling we were potentially looking at a 4 hour dinner. The appetizer (calamari) was good. The entrees (salmon, grilled beef tenderloin with jumbo shrimp) were also good but not better than I have had at other restaurants at half the price (i.e Outback) with much more attentive service. We did not have to wait long for the food to be served so I was hoping that things were looking up. Unfortunately this was not meant to be. After we finished our meals we sat for 15 minutes before our plates were cleared and sat for another 10 minutes before we were offered dessert. We figured if we ordered gelato (scoop and put in a dish) we would have dessert quickly. No... more than 20 minutes passed before we were served dessert and despite asking for the bill at this time, another 15 minutes passed before we received it. We paid and left and determined that this would probably be our last visit to Armani's. We overheard other guests openly talking about the service so our experience was not unique that night.
(2)
Eri K.
Awesome views, very good food, service should have been better.
(4)
Christine G.
My husband and I have gone to this place several times celebrating our Wedding Anniversary or other special occasions. We like to be seated in time to watch the sunset. Our favorite thing about this restaurant is their create your own Antipasto Misto. You get to go up to their Antipasto bar and point to everything you want on your plate (or plates, as in our case because we get so much). It's definitely enough to share. Their cheese selection is awesome and they give you several slices of each type. We ended up with over 10 pieces of cheese the last time we ordered this. Their gnocchi is OK, not great...it has good flavor, but the texture is too dense. We have had delicious fish entrees and desserts in the past, but since this is a AAA four-diamond restaurant (it used to be, not sure if it still is) it's expensive to eat an entire meal there. When we go now we just split the antipasto, split an appetizer, and we each get a glass of wine. It turns out to be a great, gourmet meal for around $50!
(4)
Jason C.
Expect a $100+ for a night out here for you and your significant other - not cheap, but a great experience!
(4)
Danielle V.
Amazing. By far the best view in Tampa, especially during sunset. I went last month with my husband for my birthday and, wow. Valet parking can be validated with your visit to the restaurant... spectacular, for people like me who don't go to snazzy restaurants like these on a regular basis. Definitely do the Antipasto Misto... so worth the price. Everything on the menu looked superb, but I ordered the veal cutlet with the seafood pasta and my husband ordered the veal chop. Great meal. All in all, we were treated spectacularly and I got a birthday cheesecake at the end! Great night.
(5)
Eric H.
Possibly the very best service and food in Tampa. Add to that the amazing view of the Bay from the Grand Hyatt's 14th floor. Not cheap but this is a "you get what you pay for" place. This IS fine dining. Go for an Anniversary, take that very special client, or any reason at all. Just go here. Also check out the amazing outdoor terrace veranda 14 floors up.
(5)
Tina D.
Can't beat the view here. Food was excellent as well. Minus one star because the service wasn't bad, but nothing stellar. Attended with a group. Cocktail hour in the bar during sunset. Wine was tasty, and there was beautiful live piano music. Antipasti plate for an appetizer was tasty. Cesar salad was OK. Very lightly dressed, and hefty shavings of Parmesan cheese. I had the veal piccata for my entree. It was De.Lish. Wonderful mushrooms and truffle sauce with it, and the polenta served on the side was creamy and had a wonderful flavor. Portion not huge, but not too small either. I would visit again when in the area. Well done, Armani's.
(4)
Paul M.
I'm astonished at the critical reviews Armani's has collected here. I won't belabor the view and ambiance as it has been appropriately lauded in other reviews. My wife and i have been there twice and we've had fabulous meals both times. This is NOT a typical hotel restaurant. It is elegantly appointed and definitely in the fine dining category. The service is professional and very attentive. We were introduced to a staff of three who would be caring for us and one or the other of them was always available for any need,but not overbearing. This time around we availed ourselves of the antipasto bar where you can make you own platter from over 50 items - just fabulous. My wife had a salmon and scallops special which was impeccably prepared and delicious. I had the veal scallopini on the recommendation of the server and it was fabulous with truffles and exotic mushrooms. Except for the well heeled this may be a special occasion place so dig up a special occasion and take your beloved to Armani's at sunset. you won't be disapointed.
So the only reason why this place even has 1 star is for its view. I admit, the view is fantastic - from the 14th floor of the Grand Hyatt, you can sip on some wine and watch the sunset over the bay, cars driving down the Courtney Campbell Causeway Bridge, while listening to a live pianist. Aside from that, I think Armani's should be embarrassed to serve the food they do at the prices they charge. For appetizer, I ordered the tagliatelle. Pasta - the test of a true Italian restaurant. Tagliatelle was slightly over-cooked but veal ragout was okay. Some friends ordered the lobster bisque. From what I heard, there was a weird bitter wine taste. Maybe the wine wasn't reduced down? For dinner, I ordered the sea bass with a side of risotto. Sea bass was also overcooked and a little bland. Risotto was by far the worst I've ever had. Very undercooked center - the result of trying to cook risotto too fast. When we returned it to the server, his reaction was "oh". He took it and walked away. No "I'm so sorry" or "Is there something else we can get for you". Maybe they're just hotel staff and really don't care about the restaurant. I hope Armani's gets their food on track. Otherwise, it's a spectacular location and view gone to waste. PS - Armani's, I have a great risotto recipe from Epicurious. If you want it, I can send you a link.
(1)
Marcos O.
Armani's, a great restaraunt on top of the Hyatt in Tampa. This used to be my favorite restaraunt until recently. Their view is by far one of the best out of any Tampa restaraunt. However, their food was slightly disappointing. I had the lamb which was good, but not great like it used to be, especially for the price. The service is okay and timely. Additionally, it seems like their aesthetics on the property are lacking maintenance such as non-working lights, and broken water fountains.This may have been an anomaly, but it is still a good place to visit since their view makes up for some of the negatives.
(3)
David C.
Known for its authentic Northern Italian cuisine, the new Armani's restaurant features a fresh, sophisticated design and an atmosphere ideal for a romantic dinner for two, a get together with friends or an upscale business function. With floor to ceiling windows overlooking Tampa Bay, guests can take in spectacular panoramic views during dinner and enjoy a drink on the outdoor patio before or after their meal. Armani's signature antipasto bar allows guests to create their own first course from a selection of more than 30 items and a dedicated station offers fresh made to order Caesar salads. Armani's "primi piatti" menu includes vegetarian, pasta and soup selections, while main courses range from veal scaloppini in a truffle sauce over mascarpone polenta to wild salmon on pan fried risotto bianco.
(5)
Bill B.
Really nice place. Swanky with spectacular views atop the Westshore Hyatt. The food is great with the Anti pasta displays overwhelming. the service is excellent. So, why can I not give this place five stars? I think it is because it lacks that special something that puts it over the top. the food is good, but I have had better. When you figure in the price it leaves you a little wanting. My most recent visit, I felt rushed. I was having a leisurely dinner with great conversation and wanted the evening to last. We were done in less than an hour! And I told the waiters I was in "no hurry." It just was not leisurely, but rushed. This should not happen in a restaurant like this.. The food is very good, but if it is just food you are after, try Donatello's.
(4)
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Address :Grand Hyatt,2900 Bayport Dr
Tampa, FL, 33607
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Validated Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Adam B.
I'm going to stay in line with the reviews here and give this place 4 stars. The view is spectacular and the sunset did not disappoint. We were in Tampa for work and after a long day this place hit the spot. The wine selection is modest but accommodating and unless you are a sommelier you will find a decent bottle. When a place tells me they are "known for their veal" I am going to take the hint. It was by no means the worst veal filet I have ever eaten but, I would have liked to have seen it seasoned a bit more with pepper and seared a bit longer. It was rare but veal tends to lack in the flavor of a more aged tenderloin so a bit of pepper wouldn't hurt. All in all, I was impressed and would recommend this place to anyone looking for a good meal with a great view. Ciao!
(4)Jeff L.
Took the Mrs here for her birthday and couldn't have picked a better place. Went here based on a "Top 10 of Tampa" list and figured we couldn't go wrong. Service was impeccable, food was wonderful and service was spot on. Excellent wine selection and didn't feel rushed. Highly recommended.
(5)Michael Z.
Really enjoyed a wonderful meal here. The view is terrific, especially at sunset whether dining or just grabbing a drink at the bar. The antipasti is arranged so you can make your own selections and focus on your favorites, but if you prefer the chef will make a selection for you. The menu is not overwhelming with choices, but I found that it made for less debate about an entree. This place is known for their veal and it did not disappoint. Portions were just right - not gluttonous but also not minuscule. I regret that I did not have enough room to really enjoy the dessert, but that gives me an excuse to come back in the future. Highly recommended.
(5)Paris H.
Beautiful view. Brought my 3 year old and the pianist played "let it go" from frozen. I wouldn't say it was ideal for kids, but we had a great time since my daughter was well behaved. The food was fabulous.
(5)Jeannette G.
While in town for another work related workshop, my husband and I were trying to get a reservation at Bern's Steakhouse but they were booked. So we thought we'd try the restaurant inside the hotel where we are staying at called Armani's. The restaurant serves Northern Italian cuisine and it is categorized as a fine dining restaurant. When we called earlier in the day we were told that they were completely booked by the hotel concierge. Later that afternoon I called the restaurant directly and was told that we could have a reservation for 8:30 pm. That was a little late for us but I grabbed it nonetheless. The hostess on the phone Mary Ann, graciously suggested we arrive around 7:40 pm to watch the sunset in the lounge while we waited for our table. We thought it was a darling idea and agreed to arrive around that time. When we arrived at the restaurant on the 14th floor of the hotel we were greeted by two lovely hostesses, Mary Ann and Victoria. Mary Ann said that we could actually be seated immediately at our table and assured us that we would still be able to see the sunset. Victoria, who had a beautiful smile by the way, walked us to our table. We were seated at a lovely table facing the Tampa Bay skyline with an awe inspiring view of the sun as it was setting. The view was mesmerizing to say the least! Shortly after being seated we were approached by servers offering us water and making sure that we were comfortable. Our waiter, John joined us soon after and proceeded to go over the hors d' oeuvres bar and to answer our questions regarding the menu. We ordered the lump crab cake appetizer as well as the calamari appetizer. I found the calamari to be uneventful although the aioli sauce served with it was very refreshing and very tasty. The lump crab cake was my favorite of the two. Would definitely get it again if we ever went there again. For our entries I ordered the catch of the day which was snapper with a shrimp bordelaise sauce and potatoes. My husband and his partner ordered the Osso Bucco. Both dishes were superb and very tasty. For dessert we ordered the lemon sorbet for myself and a tiramisu for the men to share. I didn't get to taste the tiramisu but the lemon sorbet was delicious. Our waiter and the rest of the serving staff was very attentive throughout the night. The ambiance in the restaurant was very nice and felt lavish. I would definitely recommend this place and would come again.
(4)Larry C.
Going against the grain on this one but I wasn't that big of a fan. For what you pay you expect the best if the best which was why I was a little disappointed in the final out come. We came here with our cousins from out of town to celebrate their birthday so we got a reservation in advance and asked for a window seat to help us celebrate the occasion. When we got there we were seated at a window but on the opposite side of the sunset which was a little disappointing. The service and our server was top notch and that should be commended but the food just didn't live up to par. We ordered the rib eye steak by but it was a little on the oily and we ended up taking half of it home. The anti pasta appetizer had a lot of great selections as we let our waiter choose for us and we liked that it tasted fresh. Not sure if I would come back again but it was def nice to try
(3)Drew B.
The views of the bay at sunset are pretty rad. The food and wine and service were all excellent as well. I had a veal chop that was very tasty and a Caesar salad that seemed to have a hint of horseradish in the dressing. It was interesting but delicious none the less. I would come back for sure if I was staying in the hotel again.
(4)Loretta Z.
I have been in Tampa for 3 years now and so sad that it took me this long to try Armani's. This beautiful restaurant is set on top of the Grand Hyatt in Tampa. The view is breathtaking. Do your best to time your dinner to watch the sun set. It is just simply amazing to watch. My husband and I decided to each do an appetizer. He went for the antipasti bar and I had the much raved about caprese salad. The caprese was delicious. Tomatoes were flavorful and the fresh mozzarella was perfect. My husband LOVED the anitpasti bar as it appealed to his Italian New York ancestry. They loaded his plate up with meatballs, olives, goat cheese, asparagus, prosciutto, and hard cheeses. Dinner was seafood carbonara and veal scallopine. The scallops were HUMONGOUS and so were the shrimp. They were cooked to perfection. Not dry but thick and flavorful. The veal was tender and delicious. The best part of the night was the unexpected dessert. We told the maître d that it was anniversary and they surprised us with a decadent chocolate and peanut butter cake decorated with the words "Happy Anniversary" Without a doubt, we will be back for the view, the food and the exemplary service.
(5)Minna S.
Not the best Italian food; however, it was a little above average. The service on the other hand was outstanding. I have been here a couple of times and each time the service has been outstanding. I like the fact that they have a strict dress code. I also enjoyed the view at night. I believe that this place is worth giving a shot.
(4)Mack J.
Nice view and ambiance. Antipasti bar is good. Had scallops that were undercooked. Company made it fun but cost is outside of proportion to food quality.
(2)Konstantin R.
There's no denying that Armani's is one of the more upscale restaurants in the Bay Area. The decorative, luxurious interior speaks for itself - and the staff, especially the bartenders, are amicable and flexible with orders. Outside seating is a gem: a meal is not complete without watching a Boeing 747 glide gently over the gulf and onto the nearby Tarmac, quite a site. The appetizer bar will bring out your inner glutton: varieties of sausages, cheeses and hors d'oeuvre with unlimited selection. Unfortunately, the menu itself was a bit sparse and the prices are quite steep,though the matrade tried desperately to accommodate my stubborn palate. This is a fantastic place for a date or anniversary occasion. The view is spectacular.
(4)Virginia G.
One of my favorite restaurants in the area. A combination of upscale dining, great food, outstanding service, nice wine list and lovely music you really can't go wrong here. During my week stay at the Hyatt I dined here more then once and had items that included the antipasto bar, the homemade mozzarella on the caprese salad, the lobster bisque (to die for!) the pork belly, and the tagliatalle Bolognese. Service from Joan and Alicia in the bar area, to Ahmir at the bar and of course Margot on the piano, you just can't find better service in a fine dining atmosphere. A great place for romantic dinners, special occasions or just when you decide you need to treat yourself.
(5)Carol C.
Great place for drinks and dinner. We didn't have dinner but drinks in the lounge area can be dressy or casual, which we were. Great atmosphere!!
(5)Michaelle W.
The perfect environment to foster romance and relaxation! Parking: Being that I was in a beautiful dress and a stellar pair of 6" heels, valet parking comped by the restaurant was wonderful. However, upon further inspection, I could have parked in the garage and walked a few feet and been inside the hotel too. When the valet parks, take your ticket upstairs and the restaurant will give you a voucher when you leave. Fabulous! Wait Staff: We were seated with a view at a table for our 8:30pm, thanks to our reservation from Yelp. We had a great table with a view spanning not only the bay but the city too. The waiter was helpful and there to serve knowing the menu inside and out. Food: As with any high tag restaurant, the food was delicious, but very small portions. We got a plate from the antipasto bar making our own combination. This was a tasty option allowing us to choose a wide variety of pieces. We both had pork dishes which were scrumptious but of course came in minimal portions. Luckily the antipasto was a great starter. Environment: This is what makes this restaurant so fabulous. The views are breathtaking and after dinner we had wine on the roof which was the platform for a gorgeous sunset. This aspect truly makes this restaurant a place that everyone should visit at least once for fine dining and a beautiful view. Negatives: No bug protection outdoors Small portions Close inspection the decor is a bit dated
(4)Elissa N.
Armani's has one of the best locations and views in Tampa Bay. The wine list is FANTASTIC. However, there must have been a chef change because after all of the good the past two times there are so many misses lately. The salads are underdressed and thrown on a plate and the pasta is off..no flavor in the sauce. You can taste the difference and whatever change your made, it isn't good.
(3)Robert P.
Ok, there's no 4.5 on this scale, and when compared to Monsieur Paul or Victoria and Albert's in Disney, this isn't at that level. That said, compared to the number of very good restaurants in the Tampa Bay area, Armani's deserves a five: for food, ambiance, price, and service. I'll be brief about the ambiance. The seats are comfortable, the tables are nice, the sound level is pleasantly low (gasp!), and the view is one of the best in the area. You're on top of the hotel, and there is great view to all sides from the outdoor porch, which you should visit. It's not covered, though, so it's for good weather only, but still worth a walk out the door to get that special feeling of being up high and looking down on the world. But really, they had me at the sound level. I could actually hear the person sitting next to me. The prices are hotel prices plus some to account for the location, think $40 for osso bucco or a steak and $28 for chicken. Service was nice and efficient, with our waitress serving as a competent sommeliere. No long lectures shouting the specials at a table of 12 (thank you!) and courteous in the face of people ordering all sorts of things at various times. It takes a pro to get that right and be nice about it. Food: A good bread and olive tapenade were served just before appetizers. Note: Some reviewer wrote the tapenade was salty. Really? There is no way they would add salt to the tapenade. It's in the olives. I had the lobster bisque, which was a different but very flavorful soup, perfectly thick for a bisque, and not overly creamy at all. Did I say lots of flavor? The chunks of lobster floating in the the middle were not prime pieces, but then again, they could have been left out, and I'd be happy. (Not salty.) I examined the large selection on the antipasto bar and decided that those were the things I eat myself at home, and I wanted all cooked items. However, it would be a nice item for a party. You can select items yourself (all you want on a plate) or have the chef select items for you. I had the osso bucco, which was falling off the bone tender, as expected. A nice touch was the little marrow fork, allowing me to dig out the goodness from the bone. But the showpiece on this entree was the beet risotto on the side. It was haltingly red, but the flavor and texture were both beyond my imagination. Just the right amount of cheese and bite. I had it again as left-overs, microwaved, and it was just as good. (Again, this was not salty. I like salt, and I would have added more.) I won't review what everyone else had, but I didn't hear a single complaint. Go and enjoy. If you have to skip a couple of nights out to justify the cost, do it. You'll have good memories and experience a fine restaurant with a beautiful view.
(5)Melanie R.
Flawless. Came here for an anniversary dinner recently. We had 3 waiters taking care of us, and everyone who walked by asked how we were doing or made a recommendation or did something else to show superior service from the whole team. The antipasta bar is absolutely amazing!! Do the "choose your own" and go to town! So many cheeses, meats, mushrooms (soooo good) and other appetizer things that are delicious. I can't explain it other than that. Just do it. Then there's dinner, for which we both had the chef's special: a giant veal chop with two of the BEST scallops I've ever tasted, seasoned perfectly. We split a dessert molten chocolate cake thing that was really good, and they even brought it out on a plate that had "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate, completely unprompted and unexpected, just because we casually mentioned it was our anniversary. Add the amazing service, delicious food (those appetizers... Those scallops!) and the beautiful rooftop views of the water and you get five stars from me!
(5)Lucy P.
The view outside next to the fire pit is so pretty! This place is so nice! We stopped in for drinks (which where amazing) the piano was pretty, so romantic and cute.
(5)SANDI S.
Terrible food, worse service. Great atmosphere and view. I'd reccomend it for happy hour, NOT for dinner. Started with the spinach salad, which was basically spinach and canned parmesan cheese with a few pine nuts. Definitely not high end cuisine. Had the branzino as a main course, and it arrived with limp, soggy skin and a bizarre 'mediterranean sofrito', which tasted oddly of cinnamon. It did not complent the fish, nor did the tasteless sauteed spinach (which could've benefited from the addition of some acid or even some salt). I was dining solo in the lounge, and my server completely disappeared after dropping off my entree. After sitting around for approximately 30 minutes after completing my lackluster meal, the maitre d finally showed up with my check. When I returned to my hotel room at the Grand HYatt, there was a room service tray with dessert and bottled water. Since there was no card, I called the room service operator, who informed me this was compliments of the maitre d from Armani's. While this was a very nice gesture, I do not believe I will be returning to Armani's for a meal anytime soon.
(2)Stacy J.
Food was just okay and overpriced. Luckily, there was a nice view since it took an hour to get the meal.
(2)Diana D.
The place is lovely on the top floor of the hotel. We came later in the evening so we didn't see much of the view. But you can see the lights outside which was very nice. Our waiter, Wesley was very nice and helped us with our order. We had the calamari as an appetizer. It was really good. It had a lot of meat inside. Just a thin layer of fried batter. So it was very tasteful. Then my boss and I shared the special (lobster tail and rack of lamb) and the veal scalpolini. They were both delicious. But I wouldnt say its the best I've ever had. I don't eat veal much but I would recommend that as an entree if you had to pick. We enjoyed it with red wine. Then we ended with an order of tiramisu but the waiter ended up giving us chocolate cake. So we got to try both and I actually liked the chocolate cake better. The tiramisu had too strong coffee taste. Overall, wonderful classy restaurant with an awesome view. Food and service was good. This would be a good place for a date.
(3)Roscoe H.
This place has a beautiful view and that's about it. I took my wife there for her birthday and she ordered veal tender loin medium rare and got it well done which they refused to replace and that wasn't even the worst thing I ordered the seafood soup with clams, mussels, shrimp, lobster and squid. After eating 90% of the dish I open the last clam and it was full of sea mud that smelled so bad. They comped the meal minus the three glasses of wine which came out to $44 but after giving my card to pay the server he charged me for the whole meal $127. When I went to sign the bill and leave I noticed it and let them know they quickly tried to refund my money but said it would take 24 hrs then they billed me again for the $44. This was my wife's birthday dinner which I think was totally ruined. The couple at the next table also sent they're scallops and risotto back for being over cooked. This place will not get my money ever again and I hope whoever reads this doesn't make the same mistake as we did!!!!
(1)Don L.
I cannot say a single negative thing about this place. The food? Delicious. The service? Top Shelf. Ambiance? Very comfortable and inviting. Yeah it's pricey but it's an upscale Tampa restaurant- not Applebee's... I had a veal dish and I can truly say it was one of the best ever. My date didn't see a simple Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo on the menu however the server said that he'd ask the chef to prepare one anyways,which he did and it too was superb! I'm sorry - but these people who've posted bad reviews are more than likely people who are just impossible to please under any circumstance because this place hits on all cylinders-every time!
(5)Frank M.
The main reason I like this restaurant is because it's on the 14th floor and gives you awesome views of both the city and the water. The prices are what you would expect for the atmosphere and quality of food. The service is good but could be improved based on my experience at other restaurants with similar prices. To give you an idea on prices, if you get an appetizer, a glass of wine, and a main course, expect to pay about $70 per person on average.
(4)Melissa L.
My boyfriend and I went for a late Valentine's Day dinner on February 15. We both got one of their seafood dishes and they were excellent. I was surprised that a restaurant as fine as this one did not have any specials. Moments later I heard our server, Stephanie, tell another table about their specials. I was highly offended that she didn't tell them to us. She also did not offer to take care of our valet parking like she did to our neighbors. Although the food and atmosphere was amazing, I was highly unsatisfied by this mistreatment and will not be back.
(1)Ben Z.
Oh my God, this place is so, so good. So expensive, and you have to make reservations a long way off, but it'd be so worth it. Go at night when the sun is going to set. If it's not hot, you can sit outside even. Bring a date, that'd be the best date spot for dinner ever. I haven't seen a view so beautiful in a while. They are so friendly there too. And I swear everything and anything on the menu will blow you away. I mean anything. I've been to plenty of expensive restaurants, and this takes all the cakes.
(5)Xaxira V.
Two stars on Yelp apparently means "Meh. I've experienced better." Being a person who feasts on her birthday at places I would normally not go to because I'm not a millionaire and honestly can find and/or cook delicious food on the low, I would definitely describe Armani's as "Meh. I've experienced better." Do not get me wrong, the view is amazing. We were able to see the sun slowly set over the bay and that was beautiful. If this review was solely based on the view and service I would have given Armani's 5/5 stars, but alas we went there to eat. The food, oh lord, the food. The chef/chefs had a heavy salt hand. Perhaps they are catering to rich, white, aging people with no taste buds or those who have had just enough wine to enjoy beautifully plated yet subpar food, but for those of us who can actually taste our food it was a bit too much. The Good: -Banana Tart Tatine (I wanted to Marry it. I would come here just for that. You should sit at the bar, grab a drink and eat the Banana Tart Tatine because it is worth your while.) -Calamari Fritti with Key Lime Aoli (The Aoli was delightfully delicious. The calamari was fried and the breading was the right thickness, you really shouldn't be able to mess fried calamari up though.) -The Bread (The bread was delicious and soft, but the crushed Kalamatta Olive spread was too salty) The Bad: -Everything else that we ordered aka: -Pasta -Veal -Swordfish -Molten Chocolate "Cake" The menu on their site right now does not accurately reflect what they are offering so I cannot tell you the exact name of the dishes we ate as most of them are not on there or may have had different sides. However, this will be updated once that menu is updated. I had the Swordfish with Crab. The Swordfish was bland, bland, bland. The crab was crab, nothing special. There was this sauce on the side that tasted exactly like a Whopper. I'm not kidding you, I put the fish in the sauce, placed the bite in my mouth, and all I could think of was "Burger King." Everything on my plate was edible, but it wasn't exciting or innovative. As a foodie it did nothing for my tastebuds and for the price tag I expect amazing. I ate at Texas de Brazil for lunch that day and my dinner at Armani's was a dramatic step down. My sister had this pasta with Shrimp and Scallops. It left much to be desired and she took most of it home because she did not find it edible. She believed that the Shrimp and Pasta were more undercooked than she would have liked. I would have described the pasta as al-super-dente. Mother had this veal with some asiago polenta or something else asiago on the side. I think vegetables and sea creatures were involved as well. She ordered it cooked Medium. It was not cooked medium. However, I was okay with that since I'm a medium rare gal which is what the temperature was actually at, but someone must have dipped it in the Bay and thrown it on her plate because that veal was SALTY. Apparently they are known for their veal. One of our two desserts could have been considered a tragic chocolate soup aka the Molten Chocolate Cake. It was more chocolate goo than cake. I think the only cake part was the top of it. Gordon Ramsay would not have been thrilled about that. All in all, I would come here for a drink at the bar and an appetizer/dessert just to watch the sunset. Someone in the kitchen is not tasting what they are giving to the clients and that is a tragic thing. Luckily, people will still come, eat, smile and be mesmerized by the elegant setting and the wonderful view and thus Armani's will forever have business. It would be nice if their food matched the view.
(2)Eric H.
Trying to describe the experience but it can be summed up with "elegantly delicious"! Great time, great appetizer, dinner & desert.
(5)Charlie D.
So this place is great I think! If you wanna get away from the everyday run of the mill dinner joint, this is a place to try out if you have the money. Super romantic, I recommend coming here around 6-7 because when the sun sets, its AMAZING! =) But yeah... Food- I wouldnt say its the BEST i have ever had but you do enjoy the time and thought they put into the dish. You wont find many other places trying 2 replicate the sophisticated dishes Armani has unless u go to NYC or Cali has to offer. Staff is amazing, top notch service, and you cant beat the view =)
(4)Mr A.
if you are unfortunate enough to have to stay at the tampa grand hyatt (not deserving of being grand), escape the filth of your room and head up to the 14th floor to armanis. Its a great view and respectable food. Price point is on the higher side, but what do you expect at a hotel. The anti-pasta bar was something different with a great variety of options to choose from. Im glad i tried it, though i would probably say the options are more impressive than the taste. Not that it was bad, but nothing to blow your socks off either. I will definitely eat here again next time I cant escape this hotel.
(3)Winston C.
Honestly, the food is okay- the view and bar are truly highlights. Worth checking out for a quiet drink on the balcony but don't race here for the food.
(3)Chris G.
Fantastic Ambience ! One of the best views of Tampa Bay. The Caesar Salad excellent but the veal scallopini a little heavy. Excellent wait staff.
(4)Mark S.
When asking people in Tampa about the best Italian restaurant, chances are the answer is "Armani's"...very wrong, in my opinion (see review of Caffee Amaretto)!! My experience in this place was quite mediocre. The "chef special" lobster and crab filled lamb shank was very salty and encrusted with an almost uneatable crust comprised of too many spices not fitting the lamb or the sea food ($56!). My wife's seafood dish was also sub par (-the chef definitely should take some evening classes in Italian cooking!) The only outstanding aspect of this meal was the appetizer plate, which is maybe the way to enjoy this restaurant: just go there for the appetizer and view over Tampa bay and then move on somewhere else once the sun has set.
(2)Simone J.
I've eaten here several times and have never been disappointed. The view is amazing especially at sunset. If you have never been here I would certainly make a plan to.
(5)Cristhian A.
Great atmosphere for a romantic dinner
(4)Leyka M.
I was looking for a romantic place to have dinner with my love, and I found this restaurant. It's so beautiful, the view is spectacular, and the food!! Totally recommended!!!!
(5)Brian J.
Excellent server whom we had that's been with them for 20 years. Wine was excellent, and food stood out (we both had pasta though) and had a small "happy anniversary" stenciled out with a lemon cheesecake. Patio outdoors was the best with views of the Clearwater area and the skyline of tampa with the airport in front of it. Highly recommended for special occasion but you pay for the price in everything. Not like I would be a regular customer but I will be a returning customer. FYI, if you valet, they will validate your valet thus saving you $8 (because I didn't see how much it cost because I had a van blocking the sign) and only paying a tip.
(4)Trey S.
I took my wife here for our 5 year wedding anniversary and let me tell you it was a fantastic evening. The service was fantastic once we got over the confusion with our table that they originally tried to seat us at which was so crammed in the corner that one wouldn't have been able to get seated without moving the entire table. They prepared a second table for us quickly and we were sat shortly thereafter. We were walked through the menu by the waiter who was extremely helpful in choosing our dinner selections. We began with the bread and an olive tapenade which was a good way to ease into dinner considering that we began the meal super hungry. We then opted for the antipasti bar chef's choice. The meats, cheeses, and seafood that was brought to us were delicious and good quality. For our main courses I chose the grilled veal loin with seafood gratin and angel hair pasta cake. It came with a remoulade sauce and a demi glaze reduction. The entire dish was well balanced and every bite complimented the next. My wife had the catch of the day (tile) on top of lemon roasted potatoes and shrimp. It was a fair dish but the potatoes had an odd earthiness to them and the arugula salad that it was served with was under dressed and wilted along with the micro greens on top of the fish most likely from a heat lamp. We finished the dinner with a hazelnut cheesecake that put a cap on a wonderful dinner and an even more eventful day with my wife.
(5)Gerard D.
This was an amazing meal. Great service. Good ambiance. Would be a great place for a date. The waitress was helpful and excited to be there. The food was pricy but worth it. We went on the patio for drinks and the sunset was unforgettable. I had the veal. Cooked perfectly as was everybody's meal.
(5)Khrystyna C.
The most perfect Cesar salad! The most amazing fruits of the sea with garlic butter sauce, I don't like fra diovlo and they changed my sauce! Love it! Here comes dessert highly recommended by the wonderful bartender. A lovely blond women with great taste in food! Highly recommend this place. No reservation needed. If alone sit at the bar and chat us the lovely bartender and enjoy a stellar meal! Banana dessert was lovely. The beautiful and extremely talented piano player has wonderful music!
(5)michelle l.
This place is worth visiting for the view. On the west side is the amazing sunset, on the east side is TPA and the runway. The decor is understated and lovely. It's a pretty cool place. There are some great things about this place. Their wine list is impressive, and they have decanters and aerators for the older wines. Unless you are super-attached to your own wine, don't bring it. Corkage is $35. Service was okay, although I found our waiter rather off-putting, even if he was completely competent. The food is okay but not special. We shared the pork belly, and I didn't like how it was sliced before cooking. I prefer that the pork belly be cooked served in slab form so that it maintains its tenderness. We also shared a Caesar salad, which was totally fine but not remarkable. For the main course, I had the veal scaloppini, and I found it okay but not great. Donatello does a much better veal scaloppini for a similar price. My husband had the Carbonara Pettini, which he enjoyed. For dessert, we had the cheesecake, and the crust was artificial tasting. I could see returning here for a drink at sunset, but I think there are other places to go for better meals.
(3)Steve D.
This was our first time. The view was very impressive, however the food quality was not. The "Misto Own" had the option for the customer to select food items for the plate which was good, but upon eating the items, they tasted as if they were in the case for quite awhile. The crab cake which was described by the server as "decent size" was small by any comparison. The bar does not have "happy hours" and the good tables ,facing the bay, are automatically reserved for hotel clients. I'd only go back after eating some place else and enjoy the sunset view with a cold beer.
(2)Larry C.
I have personally been on many corporate events/meetings. This is by far the best food, presentation, and service I have ever had during a corporate event. Please please please take care of this awesome facility.
(4)Cindy W.
We had dinner here on a Saturday night. The floor to ceiling windows reveal an amazing view of the bay! Our server was wonderful & made the evening that much more special. The food was great - the chef was very accommodating with requested substitutions. There is an outdoor patio for drinks and allows cigars if that is what you enjoy! Will definitely be back!
(5)I P.
My husband is active duty Navy and has just returned home. His birthday is on Sat February 7th so I thought I'd take him somewhere special. I've heard great things about the food at Armani's so I chose to make my reservation online last week but I called today to confirm and ask them a few questions to check and see if I could make it special by having them thank him for his service or saying happy birthday. The girl (she sounded young) seemed so annoyed to answer just two questions! She said they don't make a big deal of military or birthdays. I was disgusted with her and I'm not sure if I should keep my reservation for this saturday. I don't want my husband to miss out on a great evening because of my terrible experience on the phone. I am already disappointed!
(1)Karen F.
We go here about once a year, for special occasions. Yes, it is expensive, but the atmosphere and food are quality and it is worth the splurge. We split a "Chef's Choice" antipasto plate to start, and it was a nice assortment of meats and cheeses - the meatball was my favorite item on the platter. For my meal I had the Frutti di Mare, a mixed seafood dish in "spicy" tomato sauce. Not spicy in the least bit, and the lobster was dreadfully overlooked, but the clams, shrimp, scallops, and mussels were delicious enough to make up for those shortcomings. Dessert was a moist chocolate espresso cake-yum! Dinner for 2, with a bottle of Moët Imperial, was $200+, but they will definitely see us again.
(4)Ronald F.
The fish was prepared with to filets with a delicate sauce on a bed of potatoes and rock shrimp. Very light and went well with the pinot Grigio
(4)L R.
Armani's has a quaint bar scene with beautiful water and bridge view. We like to order a drink in the bar and chat over the piano music before dining in the restaurant. The antipasto bar is wonderful and is perfect as an appetizer. I would suggest one plate per couple so as not to ruin your appetite for your entree later. The filet mignon was delicious and it was served with a yellow tomato slice and red tomato slice. It was divine. The outdoor balcony has a fire table and sexy view of the water and lights at night.
(5)Lori V.
Meh... That's my review. I went there years ago and went again recently to celebrate a special occasion. Nice ambiance but service wasn't great and the food is just average. The view is pretty great though. Go for drinks at sunset or around Christmas time for the pretty decorations.
(3)M A.
Any extraordinary dining experience. First you can't beat the amazing view of the bay during sunset from the 14th floor. The staff goes above and beyond to meet your every expectation. Then the food: extraordinary!!!! Their bread is phenomenal. Their calamari with a key lime sauce is fresh. And I had the pasta carbonara with shrimp and scallops and the shrimp are the biggest I've seen in quite some time. Highly highly recommend this restaurant and look forward to dining here again.
(5)Alex F.
Amazing service for a special night! I was looking for a great setting to have dinner then propose to my girlfriend and I couldn't have asked for better service. I coordinated with Annie earlier in the week and she was amazing in her attention to detail in coordinating the surprise to perfection. I can't explain what a relief it was to have that anxiety lifted during a stressful week and knowing that the team at Armani's was there to assist me on what was the biggest evening of my life thus far. I would recommend ANYONE who is looking for first class service to spend their evening there. And a special THANK YOU to Annie!
(5)Jess I.
I loved this place. This was my first time visiting Tampa, and next time I'm in town I will definitely return to Aramani's. Everything was perfect. The hostess was super friendly. My friend and I booked at 9PM reservation. We headed to the bar for drinks before seating. The bartender couldn't have been friendlier, I'm not sure what his name was but he was defiantly spanish, judging by his accent. We take a seat, and our waitress Stephanie introduces herself, and is quick and great from the start. She had extensive knowledge of the menu, which is rare nowadays, and knew what she was doing. We ordered a bottle of White wine to begin with. My friend ordered veal, which he enjoyed and I ordered a shrimp salad. Which was also very delicious and light(perfect for a 10PM dinner). We shared dessert, it was a banana-something with hazelnut ice cream(YUM!!) The wine was perfect as well. All, in all I enjoyed Armani's and loved the atmosphere.
(5)Sam C.
Exceptional and I am a very hard critic of restaurants. Note one thing: if you have any problem with politically incorrect meat - aka veal - you should run from this restaurant. They specialize in veal and while over half the menu does not contain anything with veal, many items do have it. My dinner included cannelloni di vitello (basically cannoli looking, ravioli tasting, veal based appetizer), osso buco (veal shank with risotto - I actually don't really like risotto but it was still good and the veal was extraordinary!), strawberry daiquiri (made with real strawberries, not some mix), and a cappuccino which tasted better than something I get at a fine coffee shop. The service was outstanding. And if all that wasn't enough, the view is unbeatable. Although I haven't been to many restaurants in Tampa, I would easily say this is by far the best I've been to in Florida, and I would put this as the top 10 restaurants I've ever eaten at. I highly recommend this for anyone staying at the hotel and I would recommend this for any locals who are looking for a very special date night or even the perfect place to propose (I honestly thought someone in the restaurant would propose at any moment). Bravo Armani's, Bravo!
(5)Mary Ellen H.
After glowing recommendations, I was looking forward to a nice meal. Unfortunately, that did not come to fruition. After waiting 1.5 hours for food, it was no better than the average chain and certainly had much poorer service. The waitress never came by to say anything to our table about why our food came so slowly. We were seated before the crowds showed up. the table next to us was actually part of our party and seated at the same time with a different waitress. They ate their meal, was offered dessert, and paid before we were ever served our meal. She brought the checks and left them in a stack. I had to distribute them to the group. The 18% tip was added already. Had it not been in a professional setting, I would have asked for the manager and refused to pay the tip. Clearly the worst 60 meal I have ever experienced!
(1)Windy C.
Haven't been here in years and regret it. This is a fantastic dining experience. Service is impeccable, ask (or not) and you shall receive. Food is lovely and tasty. The antipasti bar is enough alone. The other menu items (Italian fare) are of fine quality and quantity. Wine list and bar drinks are wonderful. The view is the best you will find in Tampa. Everything is top of the list. If you're looking for the best dining Tampa has to offer, this is one of those places.
(5)Trung N.
Wanted to cap the weekend off in Tampa at a nice restaurant and my friend chose Amani's, which was a really good choice. Let me start by saying that Armani's has an awesome view. It's definitely worth to pay the place a visit if you're in Tampa. We ordered the following dishes: 1. Cacao Brasato di Maiale - Cocoa braised Palmetto Creek Farms pork belly, hazelnuts, onion marmalata, arugula, date dressing 2. Cannelloni do Vitello - Ground veal, spinach, Parmesan, ricotta, tomato cream sauce I personally really like pork belly so I enjoyed that dish - it was a good mix of flavors and textues. The veal dish was pretty good as well. I'd like to try out the other things on the menu. It was a good dining experience at Armani's and I'd definitely recommend this place for someone looking to take a date out to a nice dinner.
(3)Alicia P.
For our anniversary this year, my husband took me to a fabulous dinner at Armani's. Pricey. WOW. But so awesome. Definitely a "special occasion" kind of place. On the top floor of the Grand Hyatt overlooking the bay. From the Chef's choice or pick your own antipasti to the lobster bisque - seriously the best I've ever had. The view is phenomenal. Our dinners were perfect. And I mean perfect. Dessert and coffee were wonderful as well. The staff (and we mean staff) were all so professional and made you feel like the royal family dining there. Will return.....when we save more money! ;)
(5)Frank A.
Best view in Tampa! Antipasto bar is second to none! You go select from a bounty of marinated veggies, meats and cheeses. Food is wonderful. Their signature veal scallopini is amazing, but can't lose with any selection. Yes, it's expensive. In my opinion, it's well worth it. We like to go for date night and sit by the bar, listen to the pianist, have a couple drinks, get the antipasto bar and dessert.
(5)Amy R.
Another 5 star review for a Tampa eatery. This Italian restaurant was on the top level of the hotel where we stayed in Tampa and it was amazing. Our waiter was the friendliest and had plenty of suggestions for menu items we should try. The absolute best thing about this place was that it was absolutely fine dining but it couldn't have been less pretentious. It wasn't the usual long wait for drinks and courses. Our waiter was so available and didn't try to force us into predetermined times for courses. NICE! I know that eating out is supposed to be relaxing but sometimes you just want to go cuddle up in your awesome hotel room and watch some Netflix. That was the case here. We seriously had the shortest, nicest dinner possible. We started with the calamari,which was amazing because it had a lovely key lime aioli to accompany and then my husband had the veal scallopini and I had the veal canneloni. Both were out of this world. We got back to the room (less than an hour later) ordered two desserts from room service and were watching Damages by 9 pm! Awesome vacation weekend!
(5)Karyn L.
The view gets four stars. The food ..... it was a three and a half. We had the same issue as another reviewer with making a reservation and requesting a seat on the water side and getting sat on the opposite side. However, we've had the water view on a separate occasion and I didn't mind the change. There's a lot to look at with the city view- we could see the stadium, all of downtown Tampa, the HF bridge, CC bridge and even across to downtown St. Pete. Plus, it was kind of cool to watch the planes land at TIA. I guess if you want a waterview you need to call and speak to someone, not just note it on Open Table (which is what we did). But either way, it worked out fine. To drink: Canvas Chardonnay, which is a private label from Mondavi. Super smooth. Their bread and white bean dip is a great start to the evening. We had the gnocchi as an appetizer. Pros: Definitely homemade. Roasted veggies served with it were wonderful. Cons: The sauce was really bland and muted the flavors of the dish. Entrees: We had the Chicken (I don't eat veal and wasn't hungry for fish) and the Yellowfin Snapper. The chicken was surprisingly good. Sliced thin and sitting atop a creamy polenta with fresh asparagus. The fish wasn't as flavorful. Dessert was a definite disappointment. We tried the pears in vin santo. It weirdly didn't taste like pears OR vin santo, so I'm not sure what it was.
(4)Elizabeth D.
Great view, great food, tasty dessert. I would definitely recommend the calamari and the seafood carbonara on papardelle- rich but so worth it! Minus one star for the hostess alone. If you care to hear my rant, read on. Otherwise, just skip the rest... I made a rezzie on Open Table for 7:30pm then called twice. Once to request a window table. Again to request that it face the sunset. I was polite and sweet and emphasized that it was a special occsaion, my big sister's birthday. When we arrived the weather was rainy. We expressed concern about not being able to see the sun set. The hostess piped in saying "The sun might poke out of the clouds. It doesn't usually set until about 8:10 lately." She then proceeded to take us to the opposite side of the restaurant facing the highway. ???????? She refused to acknowledge that I had called (and I know I spoke to her personally twice because I remembered her name). I understand if tables aren't available but to 1) not acknowledge not being able to meet a request and 2) to add the bit about possibly being able to see the view when you knew you were seating us facing the highway. It's like rubbing salt in a wound! I'd return but probably only as a party of 2 since there seem to be more two tops next to the bay-facing window. I just can't justify the price if I'm facing the highway.
(4)Kelly D.
Absolutely excellent. Service, Scenery, and food were all outstanding. The staff treated us like kings. We both ordered drinks at their waiting/bar area since we arrived early. Both drinks were good. To start we had the Calmari - Excellent (they must have put a form of crack in this) We couldn't stop eating it. And then that was followed with the Lobster bisque, It was good served at the perfect temperature. (It is pretty heavy for a starter) I had the Seabass Special and my boyfriend had one of their steak dishes. Nothing but the best. The food was exceptionally good. Everything was served at the proper temperature and at the right time. We cannot wait to go back and take some friends along.
(5)Brad H.
Good (not great) Food Marred by Spotty Service I splurged on a fancy dinner based upon the good things I have heard about Armani's. Unfortunately, the end result was that I was disappointed principally on account of the service. My dinner guest and I were seated right away but next to a loud table of guests celebrating a birthday. We asked to be moved and were seated near the antipasto bar--that's fine. However, we waited for 15 minutes before the waiter stopped by to check on us and another 10 minutes before he came back with the hostess and asked if we would mind moving to a table on the main floor. Again, fair enough since the main floor table was better and had a gorgeous view of Tampa Bay. We got the feeling that we were moved so that the waiter would have all of his tables in one area. Again, fair enough. However, at this point my guest and I were feeling that something was not quite right that night in the restaurant. After re-seating, we waited another 10 minutes for the waiter to reappear. It seemed that the restaurant, which was perhaps 60% full, only had 2 or 3 waiters for all of the guests. When we had the waiter's attention he was professional and knowledgeable and provided crisp service, but the seriously long periods of time between visits was beginning to turn a special evening into something less than that. We made sure to order everything (appetizers, salads and entree) all at once since we had the feeling we were potentially looking at a 4 hour dinner. The appetizer (calamari) was good. The entrees (salmon, grilled beef tenderloin with jumbo shrimp) were also good but not better than I have had at other restaurants at half the price (i.e Outback) with much more attentive service. We did not have to wait long for the food to be served so I was hoping that things were looking up. Unfortunately this was not meant to be. After we finished our meals we sat for 15 minutes before our plates were cleared and sat for another 10 minutes before we were offered dessert. We figured if we ordered gelato (scoop and put in a dish) we would have dessert quickly. No... more than 20 minutes passed before we were served dessert and despite asking for the bill at this time, another 15 minutes passed before we received it. We paid and left and determined that this would probably be our last visit to Armani's. We overheard other guests openly talking about the service so our experience was not unique that night.
(2)Eri K.
Awesome views, very good food, service should have been better.
(4)Christine G.
My husband and I have gone to this place several times celebrating our Wedding Anniversary or other special occasions. We like to be seated in time to watch the sunset. Our favorite thing about this restaurant is their create your own Antipasto Misto. You get to go up to their Antipasto bar and point to everything you want on your plate (or plates, as in our case because we get so much). It's definitely enough to share. Their cheese selection is awesome and they give you several slices of each type. We ended up with over 10 pieces of cheese the last time we ordered this. Their gnocchi is OK, not great...it has good flavor, but the texture is too dense. We have had delicious fish entrees and desserts in the past, but since this is a AAA four-diamond restaurant (it used to be, not sure if it still is) it's expensive to eat an entire meal there. When we go now we just split the antipasto, split an appetizer, and we each get a glass of wine. It turns out to be a great, gourmet meal for around $50!
(4)Jason C.
Expect a $100+ for a night out here for you and your significant other - not cheap, but a great experience!
(4)Danielle V.
Amazing. By far the best view in Tampa, especially during sunset. I went last month with my husband for my birthday and, wow. Valet parking can be validated with your visit to the restaurant... spectacular, for people like me who don't go to snazzy restaurants like these on a regular basis. Definitely do the Antipasto Misto... so worth the price. Everything on the menu looked superb, but I ordered the veal cutlet with the seafood pasta and my husband ordered the veal chop. Great meal. All in all, we were treated spectacularly and I got a birthday cheesecake at the end! Great night.
(5)Eric H.
Possibly the very best service and food in Tampa. Add to that the amazing view of the Bay from the Grand Hyatt's 14th floor. Not cheap but this is a "you get what you pay for" place. This IS fine dining. Go for an Anniversary, take that very special client, or any reason at all. Just go here. Also check out the amazing outdoor terrace veranda 14 floors up.
(5)Tina D.
Can't beat the view here. Food was excellent as well. Minus one star because the service wasn't bad, but nothing stellar. Attended with a group. Cocktail hour in the bar during sunset. Wine was tasty, and there was beautiful live piano music. Antipasti plate for an appetizer was tasty. Cesar salad was OK. Very lightly dressed, and hefty shavings of Parmesan cheese. I had the veal piccata for my entree. It was De.Lish. Wonderful mushrooms and truffle sauce with it, and the polenta served on the side was creamy and had a wonderful flavor. Portion not huge, but not too small either. I would visit again when in the area. Well done, Armani's.
(4)Paul M.
I'm astonished at the critical reviews Armani's has collected here. I won't belabor the view and ambiance as it has been appropriately lauded in other reviews. My wife and i have been there twice and we've had fabulous meals both times. This is NOT a typical hotel restaurant. It is elegantly appointed and definitely in the fine dining category. The service is professional and very attentive. We were introduced to a staff of three who would be caring for us and one or the other of them was always available for any need,but not overbearing. This time around we availed ourselves of the antipasto bar where you can make you own platter from over 50 items - just fabulous. My wife had a salmon and scallops special which was impeccably prepared and delicious. I had the veal scallopini on the recommendation of the server and it was fabulous with truffles and exotic mushrooms. Except for the well heeled this may be a special occasion place so dig up a special occasion and take your beloved to Armani's at sunset. you won't be disapointed.
(4)Erica M.
Food is decent. Great service and one of the best views in town. I recommend sitting in the lounge getting some drinks and apps. The creme brûlée is the best I have ever had anywhere in the world. It's not on the menu but they will make it for you!
(3)Angela C.
So the only reason why this place even has 1 star is for its view. I admit, the view is fantastic - from the 14th floor of the Grand Hyatt, you can sip on some wine and watch the sunset over the bay, cars driving down the Courtney Campbell Causeway Bridge, while listening to a live pianist. Aside from that, I think Armani's should be embarrassed to serve the food they do at the prices they charge. For appetizer, I ordered the tagliatelle. Pasta - the test of a true Italian restaurant. Tagliatelle was slightly over-cooked but veal ragout was okay. Some friends ordered the lobster bisque. From what I heard, there was a weird bitter wine taste. Maybe the wine wasn't reduced down? For dinner, I ordered the sea bass with a side of risotto. Sea bass was also overcooked and a little bland. Risotto was by far the worst I've ever had. Very undercooked center - the result of trying to cook risotto too fast. When we returned it to the server, his reaction was "oh". He took it and walked away. No "I'm so sorry" or "Is there something else we can get for you". Maybe they're just hotel staff and really don't care about the restaurant. I hope Armani's gets their food on track. Otherwise, it's a spectacular location and view gone to waste. PS - Armani's, I have a great risotto recipe from Epicurious. If you want it, I can send you a link.
(1)Marcos O.
Armani's, a great restaraunt on top of the Hyatt in Tampa. This used to be my favorite restaraunt until recently. Their view is by far one of the best out of any Tampa restaraunt. However, their food was slightly disappointing. I had the lamb which was good, but not great like it used to be, especially for the price. The service is okay and timely. Additionally, it seems like their aesthetics on the property are lacking maintenance such as non-working lights, and broken water fountains.This may have been an anomaly, but it is still a good place to visit since their view makes up for some of the negatives.
(3)David C.
Known for its authentic Northern Italian cuisine, the new Armani's restaurant features a fresh, sophisticated design and an atmosphere ideal for a romantic dinner for two, a get together with friends or an upscale business function. With floor to ceiling windows overlooking Tampa Bay, guests can take in spectacular panoramic views during dinner and enjoy a drink on the outdoor patio before or after their meal. Armani's signature antipasto bar allows guests to create their own first course from a selection of more than 30 items and a dedicated station offers fresh made to order Caesar salads. Armani's "primi piatti" menu includes vegetarian, pasta and soup selections, while main courses range from veal scaloppini in a truffle sauce over mascarpone polenta to wild salmon on pan fried risotto bianco.
(5)Bill B.
Really nice place. Swanky with spectacular views atop the Westshore Hyatt. The food is great with the Anti pasta displays overwhelming. the service is excellent. So, why can I not give this place five stars? I think it is because it lacks that special something that puts it over the top. the food is good, but I have had better. When you figure in the price it leaves you a little wanting. My most recent visit, I felt rushed. I was having a leisurely dinner with great conversation and wanted the evening to last. We were done in less than an hour! And I told the waiters I was in "no hurry." It just was not leisurely, but rushed. This should not happen in a restaurant like this.. The food is very good, but if it is just food you are after, try Donatello's.
(4)