HARPOON HARRY’S CRAB HOUSE

Let’s Talk about “Harpoon Harry’s Crab House.”

Location:  Located in the heart of the downtown Tampa Bay area, close to the convention center. Last time we bumped into this place when heading to Anchor and Brine for our anniversary celebration. Please call ahead for reservations. Parking can be a challenge, we did the valet, but it starts at 5:00pm for the restaurant. 

Service: We were greeted by the host as soon as we entered the crowded restaurant. Thank God we made a reservation. If not, it would have been a 45 minute to an hour wait. We were sent upstairs to meet our server, Sammy. He was instrumental in helping us select our dishes from the menu. Overall, the service was top-notch.

Food:  I would say brace yourself as my review might be a tad bit in the disappointment zone. I was excited to get started with the appetizers, so we ordered the Cuban egg rolls (House-made Harpoon Harry’s original mojo pork, salami, Black Forest ham, Swiss, pickled mustard sauce. I would say stick with the original Cuban sandwich. The flavors did not connect with my taste buds as the egg rolls. In my opinion, they were on the salted side. So, next, they brought out the main courses. I ordered the Grouper Shrimp and Grits (Chef Eric Lackey’s Signature Item, Bronzed Jumbo White Shrimp, Gulf Grouper, Grilled Andouille Sausage, Cheddar Grit Cake, Spicy Tomato Reduction, Vegetables). The grits, shrimp, and grouper were tasty; what did not do the dish justice was the red sauce as it tasted like one of the red spaghetti sauces I can buy from Publix. Again, the flavors just did not jive.

On the other hand, hubby ordered the seafood Rissotto (Half a Grilled Maine Lobster, Sea Scallops, Gulf Shrimp, Parmesan Risotto, Lobster Cream Sauce, Vegetables). He was also disappointed with his dish, but I tasted the sauce, and I would have much rather had his sauce on my dish. We ordered a side of mashed potatoes, and they were indeed the best dish we ordered. Overall, the food choices were disappointing. 

Ambience:   The ambience was genuinely entertaining. I like that there was an upstairs and downstairs. It is quite an open space when you go upstairs with outside seating on the veranda. We sat close to the opening instead of on the existing patio. It was loud as you could hear the cars honking. We even witnessed an accident. But, like I said, it opens, and you can listen to and see everything happening on the street. The inside reminds me of the cabin feel, with all the wood interior. There were specific names of people engraved on the wood table at each table. That evening the restaurant was crowded due to a concert going on downtown. I would say a great place to hang out before heading to an event downtown.

PRICE: $$

A Dash of Encouragement: It was a birthday weekend celebration, and this restaurant was a choice given to me. I like different, so I chose this one. However, everything you see is not really what it can cut out to be. How many of you haven’t experienced that? You thought it would be this way, or you expected better. This experience at the restaurant made me think of this question. The outside of the restaurant was rocking, the ambience seemed entertaining, but oh man, the food was truly disappointing. This scenario can happen to anyone on this life journey. A job, a marriage, a friendship, or anything you can think of. But, here is the kicker, you never know what the situation would bring if you don’t experience it right.

Some things I want to explore and some things I rather not. Regarding a marriage or relationship, everything is not perfect because we are human and imperfect people. I like to say marriage takes work. So, even though the marriage isn’t perfect, I would not trade the love and work we put in for the world. Although it was not what I had envisioned, indeed, it is good and hard work. The same with a relationship or even a job. It is how you look at things. See, even though I was disappointed with the food, I would not trade the experience and the ambience and quality family time of celebrating me for the world. In the end, we have to ask ourselves, what is your perspective on the disappointments in your life?

A DASH OF LIFE, LAUGHTER & LOVE!