The Black Pearl
315 Main St, Dunedin, FL, 34698
The Black Pearl Menu
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Address :
315 Main St
Dunedin, FL, 34698 - Phone (727) 734-3463
- Website https://theblackpearldunedin.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Intimate
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Rick Z.
I really can't say enough good things about this establishment, the staff, the service and omg the food, especially the Lobster Risotto and the Pork Belly appetizer. You have to make a reservation and try it yourself!
(5)Steve A.
One of Florida's great restaurants. Only thirteen tables, intimate lighting, great service, spectacular food. The duck pate appetizer is one of the best pates I've ever had, and now that it's served with fennel aspic it's even better. Another favorite is the Black Pearl ice cream, which is also a fennel favorite. When we want a romantic dinner, this place is tops on our list.
(5)Dave C.
Excellent food, and the staff was great. My wife and I stopped by for dinner last night, and I couldn't be more pleased. Ron, our server was wonderful and the rest of the staff, including the owner were great. From the pork belly appetizer (that Ron aptly described as "meat candy", to the Lobster Risotto, to the Peanut Butter Pretzel Pie... everything tasted amazing and presented wonderfully. Great job, guys.
(5)Ira S.
Very nice looking restaurant, great food presented really well but there comes a time when slow service becomes painful. The salmon was served braided, which was something I've never seen. A beautiful dish. If the service wasn't so slow, I'd give this place a 5 star.
(4)Christina S.
My FIRST 5/5 restaurant since I have joined. This is what any restaurant should strive to be: excellent service, excellent customer service, and of course, excellent food. An intimate setting off Main Street. Our server genuinely knew the menu inside and out and respected the chef's food. If he wasn't sure about something, he would ask. They were flexible and respected our personal requests (we don't eat pork). Had the goat cheese tart as an appetizer. HOT melted goat cheese in a pastry shell topped with marinated mushrooms. YUM! Next was the salad which had a warm, sweet onion dressing drizzled with pine nuts and feta. YUM! Entree was the white truffle lobster risotto...BEST.MEAL.EVER. Piping HOT when I dug in. Perfectly seasoned, creamy, with a whole shelled lobster simmering on the side like it was sitting in a hot tub of risotto. Plus a side of asparagus. Perfect. The only minus was that it was so filling and rich that I couldn't finish it! Worth every single pretty penny. Dessert was the hot chocolate cake with homemade vanilla ice cream. YUM again! Even the after-dinner mint was delish. I usually don't like liquorice, but the chocolate liquorice mint was perfectly non-overwhelming and sweet. Definitely recommend this place from top to bottom. Family-owned restaurant that has worked out all the kinks and executes the perfect dining experience from the ground up.
(5)R G.
Made reservations through Yelp for Dinner. Received call to confirm on the day of the event. Had an excellent dinner with my business guests. We tried two appetizers - Mussels and Mushroom Gnocchi, both were excellent. My guests tried Lobster Risotto. I tried fillet and it was excellent. Great service. Small restaurant, so reservation is a good idea.
(5)Jason I.
One of the best meals I've ever had. We shared the pork belly appetizer and it was meat candy just like described. For dinner I got the special of the night which was a pork chop cooked to absolute perfection.
(5)Robert P.
Excellent. Great atmosphere. Great pace. Great food. Wonderful. Elegant and high-end and a nice place for a special date.
(5)Casey C.
First time eating here, and it was amazing. Our server was Michael and I trusted every recommendation he gave and I am super happy I did. From the wine to the entree to desert the food was spot on delicious. My wife had the diver scallops and I had the teres major then ended our night with the pecan pumpkin pie. While eating we also enjoyed a bottle of halter ranch Syrah which was great with everything we ate. I will be back again because the menu looks so amazing that we want more.
(5)Mike V.
Kim and I celebrated our 17th anniversary here and we were absolutely wowed! We started off with truffled lobster & pork bellies as appetizers, then had mushroom ragout with tagliatelle an a beef Wellington made with a really unique cut of beef from the shoulder. It's a little place, so it was nice & romantic, and the wait staff was attentive, knowledgeable and friendly! An outstanding evening out!
(5)Richard M.
(note: I am posting this review late. I had visited a few months ago.) I love this place. It is a place you will want to go when you don't want to think about a diet. Everything is so delicious, you won't really care. My companion and I arrived to a full restaurant at 7:30 on a Sunday evening. The place slowly emptied out, one table at a time, but with only 12 tables or so, this process lasted until about 9:30. Everyone seemed to want to linger over over their meal. The cozy atmosphere is subdued, not loud. The close proximity of the other tables makes loud conversation obtrusive, so everyone spoke in hushed tones, even whispers. We started a nice conversation with the couple at the next table, who were regulars, and they gave us some nice insights on the menu. We started our dinner with two of the appetizer specials. My companion enjoyed the Gruyere and Leek Creme Boulee. It's not sweet, but rather the sweetness come from the leeks, which are drenched with melted Gruyere cheese and served in a ramekin. I had the oft mentioned Candied Pork Belly starter. Tender bits of meaty pork that's glazed with a maple reduction and served over a spoonful of grits. Heaven. My dinner partner went with the Lobster Risotto for her main course. She was stunned at how much lobster meat was in the dish. A lot! Including a whole 6 oz tail, plus claw and knuckle in the Risotto itself. The truffle oil was a bit overwhelming, and it made the dish a little heavier than it ought to have been. The only minor disappointment of the evening was my Shrimp and Red Pepper Scampi entree. While I was hoping for something a bit on the lighter side, my dish was served in a large bowl that was obscured by a heavy cream sauce. Mind you, I expected it to be a bit heavy, as the dish included homemade ravioli and mozzarella. But to find everything swimming in the cream was a bit much. Nevertheless, I ate all of the solid items. It tasted delicious. For dessert we were told to try the black licorice ice cream, which is made on premises. She loved it, while I could not get enough of the bananas foster. That was the best Bananas Foster I have ever had. The staff was absolutely superb in every way. Knowledgeable about the whole menu was just the beginning. They are true professionals. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Amie T.
Outstanding experience. The chef is a marvel - creative dishes without being over the top. Artistic presentatin and the freshest ingredients. Appetizer, salad, and entrees were all beyond excellent. Lobster risootto was the best we've ever had. And the service was wonderful - attentive and professional without being intrusive. Worth the trip in every way!
(5)Rebecca H.
The Black Pearl was recommend to me by a friend , I had never heard of this little hidden treasure . I was very pleased with our experience . It's a cozy , romantic restaurant with amazing food .. The pork belly was amazing . One of the best appetizers I have ever had .. This is definitely a place to return to...
(5)Jim A.
An absolutely excellent dining experience. The service (our waiters name is Pablo) was very attentive without being overbearing. And now the food. We started with glazed pork bellies (delicious) and the entre's. Filet Mignon with a delicious lobster tail poached in butter, wow! The other entre was Lobster risotto with chunks of lobster meat with a gain a poached lobster tail. Being from New England I have eaten lobster for many years. Never have I eaten a more tender lobster! All I can say is wow! Waiting for a spectacular dessert!
(5)Allen W.
Perhaps the finest dining in the area. Food, service, environment are all perfect. We ordered the lobster risotto and the stuffed pork chop; both were scrumptious and served in generous portions, enough to take some home for a second meal. Both were also rich, so talk to the waiters if that is an issue for you. They are wonderful and will discuss menu options in detail. Be aware that this is also perhaps the priciest place in the area, but it is really ideal for special occasions -- birthdays, anniversaries, etc. -- so keep it in mind especially for that.
(5)Nick K.
Utterly and totally amazed by our experience with the Black Pearl. Could have easily been the best meal I've ever had. We started with the lobster risotto which was decadent and rich with perfectly balanced flavors. After the appetizer I wasnt sure it could possibly get better but i was so wrong. I got the filet Mignon and I don't think I've had a better steak in my life. Cooked to perfection, the sear left the top crispy without over cooking the meat. Very skilfully done. The plate was beautifully presented with life changing sauces and demiglazes. My girlfriend got the seabass which contended for the best plate of the night. Perfectly cooked, flaky and buttery texture...the way seabass is supposed to be done but rarely is. The goat cheese on top gave it that WOW factor. I recommend not looking at the price and just go ahead and eat here because the price isn't THAT high. I have gone to places and spent twice the cost I paid here for food that wasn't half as good. I think it's worth every penny and then some. The staff are INCREDIBLY helpful, personable and attentive. You feel like a VIP as soon as you walk in the door. The place is very romantic and cozy. Not a ton of seating so reservations would be ideal. The room has sound deadening panels that are tastefully done so that your conversation isn't shared with everyone in the restaurant. This place has thought of everything and I will be finding ways to get back here even though I live in Seattle.
(5)Warren R.
I've been wanting to try this place for quite awhile, so when our anniversary rolled around, it finally gave me an opportunity to make a reservation, which I did directly through Yelp. One thing that I've learned over the years, is that if you see whit truffle lobster risotto on a menu, you order it, so that's precisely what I did, only I ordered the appetizer versus the entree. When it arrived, it did not disappoint, my wife and I enjoyed every single bite. For our entrees, the wife ordered the Chilean Sea Bass Lyonnais. It consisted of shoestring wrapped filet, chevre, pine nuts, chopped salad, creamy polenta, and lemon butter. She let me try a bite, and it was delicious and tender. I ordered the Veal Paillards. It was adorned with vanilla bean sauce, with shiitake and crimini mushrooms with sweet marsala. It was decent, but not the best I've ever had, and I was a bit let down. The bread that they served, along with the Black Pearl salads were quite tasty. For desert, we had the Tarte Tatin. It came with granny smith apples cooked in butter, brown sugar and spices, topped fresh whipped cream with puffed pastry and baked to order. We added the homemade vanilla ice cream for an additional charge. Although good, it didn't knock either one of our socks off. The service was outstanding, and I would definitely come back, but I would try a different entree.
(4)Chaung A.
Was a perfect way to spend our 5 year anniversary. Ron our waiter was very knowledgeable and helpful. The setting was small and intimate. The food was AMAZING, I had the pork belly for my appetizer it was just WOW, for dinner I had the filet mignon and it was delicious. My wife had the white truffle lobster risotto she loved it it was enough for dinner and lunch the next day. It is a must try in the Clearwater area.
(5)Noemi C.
Truly an amazing experience. We had three different appetizers, all excellent, four entrees, and three different desserts, nothing short of stellar. Will without a doubt recommend to our friends and families. Thank you chef :)
(5)Matt F.
So let me just start by saying thank you. Thank you to Zach the owner for everything he did for me and my girlfriend. Thank you to our waiter Michael, who by far was the most knowledgeable server I have ever met. The night we ate here was a special night, it was the dinner right before I proposed to my girlfriend. I made a reservation through yelp and let them know what my plan was. They set me up with a perfect booth in the back of the restaurant so we could feel secluded. We had in my opinion the perfect waiter for the evening. He knew everything about the food and the way it was prepared to perfect wine pairings to go with our choices. We started the meal with the pork bellys and lobster risotto. The pork actually melted in your mouth. And the risotto was so amazing I wish I ordered a bucket of it to go. Our main course was the lamb which was delicious and perfectly cooked. And my girlfriend ordered the filet mignon. I ate some of hers and it was the most delicious meal I have ever had. We wanted to stay for dessert but I had a photographer waiting for us on the beach at sunset to take our pictures while I proposed. So time didn't permit. I have been to some of the top restaurants in Montreal, New York, Tokyo, Bangkok, Athens, etc... I have never truly appreciated a meal as much as I did at the black pearl. Thank you so much to everyone there. And by the way SHE SAID YES!!!!
(5)Jason V.
Everything that we ordered was delicious. We went as an early anniversary dinner while we were in Florida, and we were not let down at all. Sure the prices are extravagant, but you get what you pay for. Their free fresh ciabatta bread and olive oil shames any bread starter at any restaurant. I could have eaten an entire meal of this starter. Our Lobster Risotto appetizer was to die for. It was creamy, it was cheesy, and it was perfect. I ordered the rack of lamb with pecan crust. It was great. I was a bit ashamed of myself because I was eating it like a regular rack of ribs at such a fancy establishment, but I couldn't keep my hands off it. The potatoes were perfectly mashed and had great flavor to accompany the meat. My wife ordered a pasta dish. Although she wasn't a huge fan of her dish, it was simply based on her taste. There was nothing wrong with the dish, it just didn't appeal to her taste buds. Without shame, I ate her dinner while we shared the rack of lamp. This is definitely a must go if you are in Dunedin or Clearwater.
(5)Tom D.
The restaurant is good. Prices are average to good deal. There were two waiters quite laid back but professional which I like. (They had personalities). It is not a stuffy atmosphere. My girlfriends seabass was one of the best meals she ever had. They also give you a great tasting salad with an entree. Now the reasons for an average score. I was not asked how I wanted my duck breast cooked which I found odd. It was cooked correctly but was not seasoned properly and was average at best. The leg was good. The men's washroom had a dirty door. Random ceiling tiles and was not clean. Not sure why they would make a nice dining area and skip on the bathroom. Was quite displeasing starting the dinner. Also was a birthday dinner but they forgot the instructions during the reservation. Had to request a dessert instead of having it just come out as a surprise.
(3)Keristen B.
I visited the Black Pearl along with my sister during our short stay in Clearwater. The restaurant was small but well appointed and elegant - just the way that I like it. We were immediately greeted and promptly seated. Service was excellent. Our waiter was friendly, charming, and very knowledgeable. I think his name is Michael, but I'm terrible with names. We opted for the White Truffle Lobster Risotto which was accompanied by a small salad. Our waiter assured us that we would be very pleased with our choice. Bread and oil was served while we awaited our entrees. The bread was soft and warm and the oil was well seasoned. Now for the main dish - Amazing! This was the best risotto that either of us have ever had. In fact, it was one of the best dishes we have ever tasted. The rice was perfectly cooked. The texture was creamy without being soupy. It was perfectly seasoned and filled with chunks of lobster in addition to the lobster tail which was placed on top. This restaurant is a must-go if you are ever in the Clearwater region!
(5)Shane S.
This place is amazing. I've been there twice this month. The first time to celebrate an ocation the second to celebrate the great food. It's the best restaurant I've been to in the Tampa Bay area. It's a little pricey but worth every penny
(5)Lisa M.
Was able to make last minute reservation on 4th of July! Food and service was exceptional! One of the best dining experiences we have had in a long time! Lobster risotto, sea bass, boar, white molten chocolate cake! Michael was our waiter and we enjoyed every minute as a guest. We will be back soon!!!!
(5)Mary H.
We are Dunedin residents and overlook this lovely restaurant too often! We went in August for my birthday and had an exceptional meal. The escargot was extremely tender, the lamb perfectly cooked and the kafir lime ice cream a special treat. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Cherie C.
Great find! I usually book by Open Table and thank goodness I did a search for Dunedin restaurants or I would have missed out, (reservations are engined via Yelp Seat Me). This is a small, intimate upscale gourmet delight! Service is superior and the food matches the atmosphere. The escargot isn't your expected but is amazing. The fried green tomato tower is a dream and you can tell the chef is a good artist. I had the Chilean sea bass which melted in my mouth and my husband had the lobster risotto. From the liquified sugar water to sweeten the tea to the real flame candles on the table, you will be lost in this superb dining experience. This is the reason they call it The Black Pearl but I won't spoil that for you, you'll find out at the end of your dinner. Enjoy!
(5)A B.
Outstanding dining experience. The Chilean sea bass and the citrus halibut were fantastic. The escargot was a wonderful surprise. Table service was world class, but a little too much attention for us. An absolutely enjoyable dinner.
(5)Veronica M.
My husband and I went to The Black Pearl for our one year wedding anniversary. He found it through Yelp a few weeks ago and was able to make a reservation right through Yelp (not Open Table like we usually do). The Black Pearl is a very elegant, quaint, romantic, 10 (or so) table restaurant. Our main waiter, Pablo, was very knowledgeable about the menu and helped us pair our wine with our meal selections. The service is very personalized and five star. We had the short rib as an appetizer and it was extremely tender and very flavorful. My husband loved the Black Pearl salad and fell in love with the dressing. We both had the filet mignon entree and were very happy with it. The meat was very well seasoned and cooked perfectly. It was so tender it melted in my mouth! We ended our dinner with the melting chocolate cake a la mode. Exquisite! I highly recommend this restaurant and will be coming back whenever we are back in town!
(5)Adam L.
Booked a reservation for my anniversary. A walk in couple steps in front of us when I hold the door - the couple asked for our reserved table after being told it was reserved - the manger gave it to them leaving us the other option that they declined - sitting practically on top of two other tables - thanks for a special night, Black Pearl - my wife had been a regular ....
(1)G S.
The real deal! Celebrated our anniversary at this beautiful comfortable delicious place. The staff is tremendous, the food is scrumptious,and the ambience is peaceful and calming. This place hits the mark every time. We found every delicious bite better than the last. Five yummy stars!
(5)Richard T.
Unusual gourmet menu and everything is world class Waiter Ron and co owner Trevor provided this superb personal service Save up your pennies before enjoying this delightful dining experience
(5)Steve B.
We had to try this restaurant after reading such great reviews. We figured they could not all be wrong. The flavor in all the food was amazing. Yes, even the salad. This restaurant must be filled with perfectionists. Literally everything on my wife's plate and mine could not have been better. Service was also amazing. So friendly and helpful. This really was a great find and can not wait to go back again.
(5)William H.
Another night. No real occasion. Took the suggestion of another review and had two appetizers. Escargot, still the best I have ever had, and lump crab gratin. Very filling. Sop up the extra escargot sauce with the house bread...great. Wife had veal this time, she reports it is as perfect as the duck was last time. Finished it off with a shared bananas foster. Only three waiters tonight...all taking care of us at one time or another. Perfect food, perfect service, good price and a nice new atmosphere. Thank goodness the new owners have kept everything.
(5)Brian C.
Dinner May 20 I want to give this place 4.5 Stars. The chef takes great pride in his offerings and creations. You can tell that everything is made to order, fresh and prepared with great care. No short cuts are taken at the Black Pearl. This is a great restaurant if you truly want to enjoy food. Bread was warm, fresh and very tasty! Imperial Lump Crab cake was amazing! Salad was made to perfection, just enough of all ingredients as not to have any dominant the others. I really liked the home made dressing as well - very unique! Got the dinner special Pork Osso Bucco with Broccolini, Risotto & Jicama Slaw. The Broccolini was cooked and seasoned to perfection. The Risotto may have been the best I have ever had - especially loved the Pearl Onions in it! I normally don't like Jicama Slaw and kind of thought that side was out of place on this dish - but once I tasted it, I found it fit in perfect harmony with the entree. The Pork Osso Bucco was fall off the bone tender and nearly perfect. My only drawback (and this is just my personal taste) was the Duck fat reduction based gravy on the Pork. I know this is a delicacy and takes many hours to prepare, but I just thought the gravy over powered the meat more than I would have liked (plus I am not a big Duck fan). Although overall the entree was OUTSTANDING! The desert was a made from scratch Bananas Foster. The homemade whip cream and homemade ice cream were incredible - wow! But I thought the sauce was a bit excessive and strongly dominated the entire dish way too much for my liking. Oh yeah, and at the end, they bring you Black Pearl homemade licorice (black jelly beans) - they basically melted in your mouth. A very nice parting gift! Bleak Pearl - classy, fine dining - great place for a special date or just a really great meal!
(4)Kabe G.
Took my wife for dinner here about a week ago. The restaurant is small. Really small. It does have a very cozy feel to it. Not bad. Food was great. Service was exceptional. Very nice staff. Answered all our questions and explained the menu very well. The reason for my 4 star and not 5 was because of pricing. I like to rate places based on the whole experience not just one item. Staff 5 star. Food 4 star. Price 3 star. So that averages to 4 star. I felt that the price was too much for the food. However not to say that the food lacked much. Was very good. I would go back again in the future.
(4)Al E.
Made reservations for our fifth anniversary dinner based on recommendations from friends. Small restaurant with about 10 tables. Wife had the twice cooked duck and I had the pork ossobuco. Both were done to perfection. Service was generally good but had to ask for water twice, which is odd given the number of staff to tables. Biggest disappointment was they knew it was our fifth anniversary which they verbally recognized but I would have though they would have comped a desert given the occasion, but no. All in all a great meal. We would go back.
(4)Melanie C.
Hoity toity place for an anniversary dinner. Food, ambiance & service were all excellent. Don't forget your wallet - it ain't cheap.
(4)Cheryl O.
Everything was amazing. We had a reservation or so we thought... Apparently our reservation was in Michigan thanks to a different app. :/ That being said, the restaurant was incredibly accommodating and sat us to our relief. It is our 22nd anniversary so that could've been a bad night. Instead, it was better than we could ever expect. The food... Everything was an explosion of flavor. We started with the risotto- it's a must have. Truly. Just do it. The Black Pearl salad with the warm poppyseed dressing was delightful. We ordered Filet Mignon & the Étouffée. Both incredible. It's pricy but worth it. Fresh made. A chef that enjoys his craft is hard to find out there. Truly a treasure. Thank you Travis & Michael for creating a wonderful night that nearly went south with our reservation mishap.
(5)James T.
We went back for my Girlfriend's birthday in July, this time for the seafood dishes. It was just as great as the first time. My initial review still stands, 5 stars. I do however enjoy the red meat a little more than the fish, but I think that is just my taste preference kicking in. Now to find another special occasion to go back...
(5)Chuck N.
OMG!!! Some of the best food I've ever had! Forget going to Berns, Ruths Chris, Charlie's, Ocean's prime for their award winning tuna appetizer... fall in love with pork bellies and the rest of the fine food here. I had the lightly blackened scallops. They were incredible! If you haven't eaten here you've missed one of Tampa Bay's finest. This chef will tantalize your pallet with creative succulence that will imprint on your soul.
(5)Henry H.
COME BY AND SHARE STORIES WITH GOODFELLA HENRY HILL May 11th 2011 from 6-9 pm With special guest Angelo dundee Henry Hill (born June 11, 1943)[1] is a former American mobster, Lucchese crime family associate, and FBI informant whose life was immortalized in the book Wiseguy, written by crime reporter Nicholas Pileggi, and the 1990 Martin Scorsese film Goodfellas, in which Hill was played by Ray Liotta 727-734-DINE (3463) Excellent food Excellent Service WEB .http://theblackpearlrestaurant.com/
(5)Fulano D.
Anniversary dinner with my Bride. Ordered a excellent French Chablis that was smooth. Bob our waiter was very charming and informative. We ordered the escargot which came in a creamy sauce with a pastry top, sublime. Everything else was spectacular. I will return again and again.
(5)john s.
First and definitely NOT our last visit ! Cozy atmosphere, excellent service And superb food. Wonderful suggestions from Jeff , a great and personable server. Appetizers and entree's perfectly prepared and finished with the best dessert we ever had. Probably the finest food we have had in the 14 years we have been in Florida.
(5)Donna K.
(Restaurant visited February 2013) If food were religion, I'd be a convert. Truly spectacular restaurant. Decor is romantic and understated, wonderful menu, professional, warm, and funny server. A thoroughly wonderful experience. If you are lucky enough to catch the foie gras appetizer, you're very lucky indeed.
(5)Violet R.
The only person that would give this place a bad review would be the one who had the same waiter we did on New Year's Eve in 2012. We have never had a bad meal in this place and it is our "go to" place for special occasions. Veal vanilla vodka paillard..... to die for. Salad...... the best!! Rack of lamb.... gorgeous!! Really, nothing, but nothing negative can be said about any of the lovely dishes they serve. Great service 99% of the time..... except that waiter....that one nasty waiter. A must try for the serious foodie!!
(5)Conner S.
I took my fiancé here right after proposing and they did a wonderful job accommodating us. They even moved a few reservations around to make sure we had a seat to celebrate this major milestone. The decor was ok, but the food made up for it. We had a pork belly appetizer that the waiter described as "meat candy". Hot damn...I should have brought a change of pants.
(5)Kim B.
Amazing food! I actually went for a private event, so we sampled many apps. The service was top notch. Some things aren't on the menu, but we did have the lobster risotto and pork belly. The pork belly was incredible. Very savory and the grits were perfection! The risotto was great too. It has truffle oil in it, which I am iffy on. But the truffle taste was not overpowering at all. We had the Black Pearl salad in between. The dressing was very good, light and just slightly warm. And I loved the pine nuts. For dinner my husband and I order the Filet and the scallops and shared both. The steak was cooked perfectly to med-rare. It came with mashed potato and asparagus. The scallops were spot on - nice crust and perfect inside. They came with risotto and asparagus. It's not much too look at from the outside, but the inside is very intimate. Every bite was delicious!
(5)Paul M.
The Black Pearl offers a consistently excellent fine dining experience that rivals anything you'd find in NYC or any other city. The food is sublime and the service is friendly and attentive. The White truffle lobster risotto is not to be missed. the apple tartin dessert is extraordinary. A gem.
(5)Amanda M.
We went to The Black Pearl for New Years Eve. It was another great meal. This place is amazing. Can't wait for our next visit.
(5)Gerry O.
Flawless execution. Simply delicious. Inventive yet traditional. Arguably best fine dinning in Pinellas. You have to try the pork belly appetizer. You'll never be the same.
(5)Rick Z.
I really can't say enough good things about this establishment, the staff, the service and omg the food, especially the Lobster Risotto and the Pork Belly appetizer. You have to make a reservation and try it yourself!
(5)Steve A.
One of Florida's great restaurants. Only thirteen tables, intimate lighting, great service, spectacular food. The duck pate appetizer is one of the best pates I've ever had, and now that it's served with fennel aspic it's even better. Another favorite is the Black Pearl ice cream, which is also a fennel favorite. When we want a romantic dinner, this place is tops on our list.
(5)Dave C.
Excellent food, and the staff was great. My wife and I stopped by for dinner last night, and I couldn't be more pleased. Ron, our server was wonderful and the rest of the staff, including the owner were great. From the pork belly appetizer (that Ron aptly described as "meat candy", to the Lobster Risotto, to the Peanut Butter Pretzel Pie... everything tasted amazing and presented wonderfully. Great job, guys.
(5)Ira S.
Very nice looking restaurant, great food presented really well but there comes a time when slow service becomes painful. The salmon was served braided, which was something I've never seen. A beautiful dish. If the service wasn't so slow, I'd give this place a 5 star.
(4)Christina S.
My FIRST 5/5 restaurant since I have joined. This is what any restaurant should strive to be: excellent service, excellent customer service, and of course, excellent food. An intimate setting off Main Street. Our server genuinely knew the menu inside and out and respected the chef's food. If he wasn't sure about something, he would ask. They were flexible and respected our personal requests (we don't eat pork). Had the goat cheese tart as an appetizer. HOT melted goat cheese in a pastry shell topped with marinated mushrooms. YUM! Next was the salad which had a warm, sweet onion dressing drizzled with pine nuts and feta. YUM! Entree was the white truffle lobster risotto...BEST.MEAL.EVER. Piping HOT when I dug in. Perfectly seasoned, creamy, with a whole shelled lobster simmering on the side like it was sitting in a hot tub of risotto. Plus a side of asparagus. Perfect. The only minus was that it was so filling and rich that I couldn't finish it! Worth every single pretty penny. Dessert was the hot chocolate cake with homemade vanilla ice cream. YUM again! Even the after-dinner mint was delish. I usually don't like liquorice, but the chocolate liquorice mint was perfectly non-overwhelming and sweet. Definitely recommend this place from top to bottom. Family-owned restaurant that has worked out all the kinks and executes the perfect dining experience from the ground up.
(5)R G.
Made reservations through Yelp for Dinner. Received call to confirm on the day of the event. Had an excellent dinner with my business guests. We tried two appetizers - Mussels and Mushroom Gnocchi, both were excellent. My guests tried Lobster Risotto. I tried fillet and it was excellent. Great service. Small restaurant, so reservation is a good idea.
(5)Jason I.
One of the best meals I've ever had. We shared the pork belly appetizer and it was meat candy just like described. For dinner I got the special of the night which was a pork chop cooked to absolute perfection.
(5)Robert P.
Excellent. Great atmosphere. Great pace. Great food. Wonderful. Elegant and high-end and a nice place for a special date.
(5)Casey C.
First time eating here, and it was amazing. Our server was Michael and I trusted every recommendation he gave and I am super happy I did. From the wine to the entree to desert the food was spot on delicious. My wife had the diver scallops and I had the teres major then ended our night with the pecan pumpkin pie. While eating we also enjoyed a bottle of halter ranch Syrah which was great with everything we ate. I will be back again because the menu looks so amazing that we want more.
(5)Mike V.
Kim and I celebrated our 17th anniversary here and we were absolutely wowed! We started off with truffled lobster & pork bellies as appetizers, then had mushroom ragout with tagliatelle an a beef Wellington made with a really unique cut of beef from the shoulder. It's a little place, so it was nice & romantic, and the wait staff was attentive, knowledgeable and friendly! An outstanding evening out!
(5)Richard M.
(note: I am posting this review late. I had visited a few months ago.) I love this place. It is a place you will want to go when you don't want to think about a diet. Everything is so delicious, you won't really care. My companion and I arrived to a full restaurant at 7:30 on a Sunday evening. The place slowly emptied out, one table at a time, but with only 12 tables or so, this process lasted until about 9:30. Everyone seemed to want to linger over over their meal. The cozy atmosphere is subdued, not loud. The close proximity of the other tables makes loud conversation obtrusive, so everyone spoke in hushed tones, even whispers. We started a nice conversation with the couple at the next table, who were regulars, and they gave us some nice insights on the menu. We started our dinner with two of the appetizer specials. My companion enjoyed the Gruyere and Leek Creme Boulee. It's not sweet, but rather the sweetness come from the leeks, which are drenched with melted Gruyere cheese and served in a ramekin. I had the oft mentioned Candied Pork Belly starter. Tender bits of meaty pork that's glazed with a maple reduction and served over a spoonful of grits. Heaven. My dinner partner went with the Lobster Risotto for her main course. She was stunned at how much lobster meat was in the dish. A lot! Including a whole 6 oz tail, plus claw and knuckle in the Risotto itself. The truffle oil was a bit overwhelming, and it made the dish a little heavier than it ought to have been. The only minor disappointment of the evening was my Shrimp and Red Pepper Scampi entree. While I was hoping for something a bit on the lighter side, my dish was served in a large bowl that was obscured by a heavy cream sauce. Mind you, I expected it to be a bit heavy, as the dish included homemade ravioli and mozzarella. But to find everything swimming in the cream was a bit much. Nevertheless, I ate all of the solid items. It tasted delicious. For dessert we were told to try the black licorice ice cream, which is made on premises. She loved it, while I could not get enough of the bananas foster. That was the best Bananas Foster I have ever had. The staff was absolutely superb in every way. Knowledgeable about the whole menu was just the beginning. They are true professionals. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Amie T.
Outstanding experience. The chef is a marvel - creative dishes without being over the top. Artistic presentatin and the freshest ingredients. Appetizer, salad, and entrees were all beyond excellent. Lobster risootto was the best we've ever had. And the service was wonderful - attentive and professional without being intrusive. Worth the trip in every way!
(5)Kathy P.
Great experience. Just walking around Main Street and decided to try The Black Pearl because of great Yelp reviews. We were under dressed but they were great! Service was top notch. Wait staff courteous and helpful. We tried the Pork Belly - yum, meat candy! Lobster Risotto was the best I've had this side of the Amalfi coast. Pate and Bisque were excellent, as well. We were happy foodies!
(5)Helen L.
We've been coming to the Clearwater area on business and were tired of the same restaurants every time we were in town. We heard about Black Pearl and read a lot of great reviews so we thought we would try it. We were not disappointed. From the moment we walked in the door, we were lavished with attention. The restaurant is very small - only about 12 tables - so they can treat each patron with lots of attention. The service was excellent and the staff was courteous and attentive - and happy! Whatever you needed, the were happy to oblige. As for the food - it was the best meal we'd had since coming to the area. I personally had 2 appetizers instead of a full meal and for me it was just the right amount of food. I didn't feel too full nor was I still hungry. I'm not a seafood eater and there was quite a bit of seafood on the menu - but I was still able to find something. I had the butternut squash ravioli, which was excellent! I also had a pork belly appetizer (a special for the day) and it was also very tasty. My friend had the fried green tomatoes and said it also was very good. Another friend had the filet and said it's the best he's had in a long time. I will say that the food is a little pricey, but once in a while, it's okay to pay a little more for you meal. All-in-all, we enjoyed the cozy atmosphere, the superb service and the excellent food. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Marty C.
We have driven by this restaurant for years and have never dropped in. I'm so glad that we finally did. It has just a few tables and is a very cozy, romantic venue. The service was impeccable and we felt comfortable, instantly. For appetizers, we had to try the special pork belly offering and the crab imperial. Pork belly is rarely seen in restaurants and this one was close to perfection...great texture and flavor. Crab imperial has a different interpretation wherever you go. This one was wonderful. It was not soupy or overcooked. For entrées, we had the rack of lamb and their special étouffée. The lamb was perfectly medium rare (as I had asked) and was quite a large portion with a delicious demi-glaze and a heap of mashed potatoes and green beans. The special étouffée had beef tenderloin, lots of lump crab meat, corn bread, chicken and andouille sausage in a wonderful Cajun sauce. It was awesome! Here's hoping that the étouffée gets added to the regular menu. We both had the lemon Pavlova for dessert. It was huge! After a bit of port, we made our way home promising to come back very soon!
(5)Josette M.
Perfect place for a special celebration or to simply enjoy an exquisite meal and beyond hospitable staff. We created our own "sampler" by ordering four entrées and splitting them among the three of us dining. We couldn't decide what to get since it all made our mouths water as we read the menu. Don't miss the opportunity to eat here!
(5)Kyle B.
I took my wife here for our 3rd anniversary. We've walked past many times but never knew what the inside looked like. Very classy and elegant. The server was just awesome and it shows he really loves what he does. Very thorough in telling us what he recommends us to try. I like that. I had the rack of lamb and it was the best tasting dish I've ever had. Dessert was amazing. Overall great experience. Would recommend anyone trying it for sure!
(5)Chris E.
We've been to The Black Pearl many times over the years, both on "date nights" and with other couples from FL and from out of town. The Black Pearl does not disappoint!! One of the couples asked specifically to come back to The Black Pearl when they come for the annual FL spring vacation. Everyone we take is impressed with the quality of the food, the atmosphere, and the service. I'll tackle each of these in turn. The interior is cozy (not large) but is very reminiscent of NY restaurants. The inside is dark, but has individual table lights perfect for intimate evenings and good conversations. The music is of the Frank Sinatra era and style and can sometimes be a bit louder than I'd prefer, but after awhile it becomes secondary and you don't even notice it. The service is excellent. When we first came to the Pearl around 5 years ago, the service was never worse than very good, but sometimes, for example, a server lacked the experience to know when to stay back and when to interrupt. Now, the servers are everything but the kitchen sink(!): charming, attentive, knowledgeable, professional, and friendly. The food is top notch! We have enjoyed many of the appetizers here, including the butternut squash, the escargot, and the crab bisque, but a minor nit was the fried green tomatoes. They were gorgeously presented, but the texture of the breading was not what we were used to (spoiled by Grandma's fried green tomatoes!). For our entree this time we got a beautiful salmon braid that was delicious and my wife got the veal paillards for the second time this year, though we have sampled many of the entrees and all are excellent. For dessert, the servers recommend the molten Chocolate Cake and Tarte Tatin, and they do not steer you wrong! We've tried them both several times and enjoyed them immensely each time! Sometimes your luck is amazing: I first heard about The Black Pearl while at Busch Gardens for Hallowscream and started chatting with a woman (our spouses were "elsewhere") sitting behind us at one of the shows. When she heard we lived in Dunedin, she talked about good restaurants and recommended The Black Pearl. We went for an anniversary, and have not stopped coming back since.
(5)Cher T.
WOW. Just...wow. I've been in the vicinity of The Black Pearl restaurant before during somewhat drunken girls nights at Kelly's/Chicka Boom Room/Blur next door and have always made a mental note to try TBP sometime. However, I seemed to have forgotten about it during our millions of "what do you want to do for dinner tonight" conversations with the hubs. We got on Yelp last night and tried to find a new place, saw all the rave reviews for TBP and opted to try it. Walking into TBP, I had to giggle a little. It reminded me of a dozen "chic" Hampton clubs circa the 1980's. The decor is done in black/grey with very modern, angular statues of posed women (If you were a young adult in the 80's, you know the kind I mean) and peppered with pops of color here and there. They have a bunch of mismatched dinnerware in a china cabinet at the back of the restaurant that they serve with. It's so funky and cool and I loved the eclectic mix of dinnerware. Tres cool. Music runs the gamut from Frank Sinatra to funky 70's jams and acoustic versions of modern tunes. All this lends to the atmosphere and is absolutely a pre-cursor to the meal you are about to eat. When you can have duck pate, escargot and foie gras on the same menu as fried green tomatoes and pork bellies? You have something truly special. These are comfort foods done elegantly and elegant foods done homey. It's an interesting juxtaposition. We started with appetizers of fried green tomatoes for me and the pork bellies for my hubby. The FGT were breaded and had crab meat between the layers. Delicious sauces accompany it. It was yummy. But, I need to focus on my husbands pork bellies. INSANE. Tom, our server, who was incredibly delightful, described it to us as "meat candy" and I kid you not, those words are the perfect articulation of what this appy tasted like. These bellies are succulent, flavored in a maple type sauce, sitting on little beds of grated white cheese. It's not always on the menu, but Tom informed us that if you call in advance and request it, the chef will be happy to make it for you. My husband referred to it as a "panty dropper for your mouth". LOL This was followed by a delicious house salad with a stunning raspberry dressing. Heinously delish. For our main course, my husband had the veal paillards (translates to pounded meat. Heh.) It was made with a vanilla bean sauce, shiitake and crimini mushrooms and sweet marsala wine. Served with a little muffin looking thingy that turned out to be spaghetti squash. Tasted like a ball of stuffing. It was just a little mouthful, but left you wanting more! A few stalks of asparagus, perfectly cooked. Warm layer of mashed potatoes. I don't care for veal, but this was delicious. For my meal, I opted for the twice cooked Long Island duckling. Now, understand, I do not like duck. The meat is generally too dark for me and it's just not something I usually enjoy. However, something in the description of the menu drew me to it. It was a semi-boneless leg, slowly braised, and the breast is grilled with a cranberry apple demiglace. It just sounded like it would be so sweet and succulent and that is EXACTLY what it was. My husband tasted it and his eyes literally rolled back in his skull and made a noise that is usually only reserved for our um..."private time", which does not include ducks (usually?) or farm animals of any kind for that matter. I kind of choked on my duck meat watching him react that way and I admit, I think I might have been a tad jealous of the duck. Um, hello? That reaction is supposed to be on reserve for MY breast meat. Hmph. So, now...I was more than happy to eat this duck that was trying to steal my man. Make my husband moan with delight? Not on MY watch, Duck! Back off or I will EAT you! (and did...happily!) Dessert: Bananas foster for him and a creme brulee for me. However, they are well known for a signature dessert called "Tarte Tatin", which is required to be ordered when you order your meal as it takes some extra time to create. It is granny smith apples cooked in butter, brown sugar and spices, topped with puff pastry and fresh whipped cream. They also have their own signature black licorice ice cream. I think my husband and I moaned and groaned through the entire meal so much, we probably sounded like a bad 70's porno. I am usually a kind of classy chick when I am dressed up, out and about. But, poor Tom made the mistake of asking how everything was and I, caught off guard and still reeling in the afterglow of this sexy meal came out with "I wish I brought a change of underwear". Yeah. Classy chick. Thankfully, Tom took it in stride. The meal came out to about $160 for two, without gratuity, and with only one glass of wine each, but well worth every penny. Since hubs is determined to try "everything on the menu", we will definitely be back. I hope they Scotchgardâ„¢ the chairs, you know...just in case.
(5)Annelise D.
It was absolutely wonderful! Great ambience, unique and delicious flavors, intimate setting, and very romantic. The food was exceptional and clearly fine dining at its peak. The space between courses was longer than normal which gave it a relaxed break from the courses, time to sip the wine and talk, and room for the next course. Enjoyed the music as well. Two thumbs up!
(5)Matthew M.
No joke, this was perhaps the greatest meal of my life. Everything, from the service, through all of the courses, until the last bite of dessert, was literally perfect. I had the crab imperial appetizer and my wife had the pork belly. Amazing. Even the slaw garnish was incredible. Who freaks out about slaw? Me tonight apparently. The salad was phenomenal! When was the last time you could call a frickin house salad phenomenal??? For the entree I had the filet and my wife had the veal osso buco special. Yes you can get a mid-rare filet anywhere (sometimes), but you can't get this one anywhere. There was nothing that could have been improved upon. For dessert we shared the fallen chocolate cake. We literally licked the spoons clean. And I would have paid MUCH more than we actually did. We will definitely return soon. You can't go wrong here. LOVED IT!
(5)Tracy H.
OVER THE TOP FOOD!! I want to thank the chief for going to cooking school. To make food this amazing and not let the public experience it would be a crime. Make a reservation to ensure you get a table, your gonna want to savor every flavor that the chief makes for you. WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND ENTERTAINING STAFF! Going with their recommendations leads the way to some great dishes. We had the starters Fried Green Tomato's, and the Pork Belly. The only way to describe the Pork Belly would be man meat candy!! Every bit of the plate was tasted! They have a weekly menu that my husband ordered off of, The Rib Eye was ohh how to explain a flavor explosion of perfectly pick, cooked, and seasoned piece of beef this is it!! I ordered the Veal Liver with onions, not just any onion, my favorite crunchy onions!! If you don't like liver please eat this and understand how good liver can be! Leaving not a bit of food on the plate we dared to move to dessert. Thanks to the wait staff we took their advice and ordered ahead, the Tarte Tartin OOOO MMMMM GGGG! Not that sticky toffee pudding does not still own my heart in the top ten desserts of all time, it is just not number now. Take this home don't eat it all!! Not because you wouldn't want to, but because as our server suggested, taking home this tart and heating it up for breakfast with some center cut bacon AHHHHMAAAZZZING! The food orgasm never has to stop! LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THE BLACK PEARL.
(5)Jennifer F.
Recently went to the Black Pearl for an anniversary dinner. There were four of us. The setting was intimate and the food was delicious. It really was. However, afterwards, we all talked about the chefs fixation on sweetening up the meat. We had a meat appetizer that the waiter called "meat candy" because it was so sweet. My husbands filet mignon was covered in a sweet syrup and my rack of lamb, which could have been oh so good, also came with a sweet glaze. I get it. I do. But the chef needs to see the beauty of the savory side of life as well. Sometimes just a good old fashioned dose of savory, smokey, salty meat makes the meal one to die for.
(4)Chad B.
Interesting decor. Can't figure out if they were going for a dated hodge podge look or if it just happened by accident. Somehow it kinda works as it transports you back to perhaps an 80s version of upscale dining with antique flare. With that said it was delightful. Food and service were excellent.
(4)Stephanie B.
We tried a ton of food here (5 people who all shared): fried green tomatoes, venison with risotto, escargot, Maryland crab imperial, french onion soup, lamb, rib-eye, apple tart, and lemon-cello strawberries. And amazingly EVERYTHING exceeded our expectations. What a gem in Dunedin for a special occasion. This place is not cheap but nothing about the place is. The service was also excellent. The decor is slightly throw back and the food while innovative is not modern or overly trendy or intimidating.
(5)Michelle E.
Perfect restaurant for a romantic dinner. We celebrated our anniversary here. Quiet and intimate dining. We started off w/ the fried green tomatoes, then my husband had the lamb and I had the surf and turf pot pie. All was delicious! Excellent service! There are only about a dozen tables here so make reservations.
(5)Allen W.
Perhaps the finest dining in the area. Food, service, environment are all perfect. We ordered the lobster risotto and the stuffed pork chop; both were scrumptious and served in generous portions, enough to take some home for a second meal. Both were also rich, so talk to the waiters if that is an issue for you. They are wonderful and will discuss menu options in detail. Be aware that this is also perhaps the priciest place in the area, but it is really ideal for special occasions -- birthdays, anniversaries, etc. -- so keep it in mind especially for that.
(5)Jim A.
An absolutely excellent dining experience. The service (our waiters name is Pablo) was very attentive without being overbearing. And now the food. We started with glazed pork bellies (delicious) and the entre's. Filet Mignon with a delicious lobster tail poached in butter, wow! The other entre was Lobster risotto with chunks of lobster meat with a gain a poached lobster tail. Being from New England I have eaten lobster for many years. Never have I eaten a more tender lobster! All I can say is wow! Waiting for a spectacular dessert!
(5)Matt F.
So let me just start by saying thank you. Thank you to Zach the owner for everything he did for me and my girlfriend. Thank you to our waiter Michael, who by far was the most knowledgeable server I have ever met. The night we ate here was a special night, it was the dinner right before I proposed to my girlfriend. I made a reservation through yelp and let them know what my plan was. They set me up with a perfect booth in the back of the restaurant so we could feel secluded. We had in my opinion the perfect waiter for the evening. He knew everything about the food and the way it was prepared to perfect wine pairings to go with our choices. We started the meal with the pork bellys and lobster risotto. The pork actually melted in your mouth. And the risotto was so amazing I wish I ordered a bucket of it to go. Our main course was the lamb which was delicious and perfectly cooked. And my girlfriend ordered the filet mignon. I ate some of hers and it was the most delicious meal I have ever had. We wanted to stay for dessert but I had a photographer waiting for us on the beach at sunset to take our pictures while I proposed. So time didn't permit. I have been to some of the top restaurants in Montreal, New York, Tokyo, Bangkok, Athens, etc... I have never truly appreciated a meal as much as I did at the black pearl. Thank you so much to everyone there. And by the way SHE SAID YES!!!!
(5)Jason V.
Everything that we ordered was delicious. We went as an early anniversary dinner while we were in Florida, and we were not let down at all. Sure the prices are extravagant, but you get what you pay for. Their free fresh ciabatta bread and olive oil shames any bread starter at any restaurant. I could have eaten an entire meal of this starter. Our Lobster Risotto appetizer was to die for. It was creamy, it was cheesy, and it was perfect. I ordered the rack of lamb with pecan crust. It was great. I was a bit ashamed of myself because I was eating it like a regular rack of ribs at such a fancy establishment, but I couldn't keep my hands off it. The potatoes were perfectly mashed and had great flavor to accompany the meat. My wife ordered a pasta dish. Although she wasn't a huge fan of her dish, it was simply based on her taste. There was nothing wrong with the dish, it just didn't appeal to her taste buds. Without shame, I ate her dinner while we shared the rack of lamp. This is definitely a must go if you are in Dunedin or Clearwater.
(5)Tom D.
The restaurant is good. Prices are average to good deal. There were two waiters quite laid back but professional which I like. (They had personalities). It is not a stuffy atmosphere. My girlfriends seabass was one of the best meals she ever had. They also give you a great tasting salad with an entree. Now the reasons for an average score. I was not asked how I wanted my duck breast cooked which I found odd. It was cooked correctly but was not seasoned properly and was average at best. The leg was good. The men's washroom had a dirty door. Random ceiling tiles and was not clean. Not sure why they would make a nice dining area and skip on the bathroom. Was quite displeasing starting the dinner. Also was a birthday dinner but they forgot the instructions during the reservation. Had to request a dessert instead of having it just come out as a surprise.
(3)Mary H.
We are Dunedin residents and overlook this lovely restaurant too often! We went in August for my birthday and had an exceptional meal. The escargot was extremely tender, the lamb perfectly cooked and the kafir lime ice cream a special treat. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Cherie C.
Great find! I usually book by Open Table and thank goodness I did a search for Dunedin restaurants or I would have missed out, (reservations are engined via Yelp Seat Me). This is a small, intimate upscale gourmet delight! Service is superior and the food matches the atmosphere. The escargot isn't your expected but is amazing. The fried green tomato tower is a dream and you can tell the chef is a good artist. I had the Chilean sea bass which melted in my mouth and my husband had the lobster risotto. From the liquified sugar water to sweeten the tea to the real flame candles on the table, you will be lost in this superb dining experience. This is the reason they call it The Black Pearl but I won't spoil that for you, you'll find out at the end of your dinner. Enjoy!
(5)A B.
Outstanding dining experience. The Chilean sea bass and the citrus halibut were fantastic. The escargot was a wonderful surprise. Table service was world class, but a little too much attention for us. An absolutely enjoyable dinner.
(5)Veronica M.
My husband and I went to The Black Pearl for our one year wedding anniversary. He found it through Yelp a few weeks ago and was able to make a reservation right through Yelp (not Open Table like we usually do). The Black Pearl is a very elegant, quaint, romantic, 10 (or so) table restaurant. Our main waiter, Pablo, was very knowledgeable about the menu and helped us pair our wine with our meal selections. The service is very personalized and five star. We had the short rib as an appetizer and it was extremely tender and very flavorful. My husband loved the Black Pearl salad and fell in love with the dressing. We both had the filet mignon entree and were very happy with it. The meat was very well seasoned and cooked perfectly. It was so tender it melted in my mouth! We ended our dinner with the melting chocolate cake a la mode. Exquisite! I highly recommend this restaurant and will be coming back whenever we are back in town!
(5)Adam L.
Booked a reservation for my anniversary. A walk in couple steps in front of us when I hold the door - the couple asked for our reserved table after being told it was reserved - the manger gave it to them leaving us the other option that they declined - sitting practically on top of two other tables - thanks for a special night, Black Pearl - my wife had been a regular ....
(1)G S.
The real deal! Celebrated our anniversary at this beautiful comfortable delicious place. The staff is tremendous, the food is scrumptious,and the ambience is peaceful and calming. This place hits the mark every time. We found every delicious bite better than the last. Five yummy stars!
(5)Richard T.
Unusual gourmet menu and everything is world class Waiter Ron and co owner Trevor provided this superb personal service Save up your pennies before enjoying this delightful dining experience
(5)Paul M.
The Black Pearl offers a consistently excellent fine dining experience that rivals anything you'd find in NYC or any other city. The food is sublime and the service is friendly and attentive. The White truffle lobster risotto is not to be missed. the apple tartin dessert is extraordinary. A gem.
(5)Amanda M.
We went to The Black Pearl for New Years Eve. It was another great meal. This place is amazing. Can't wait for our next visit.
(5)Gerry O.
Flawless execution. Simply delicious. Inventive yet traditional. Arguably best fine dinning in Pinellas. You have to try the pork belly appetizer. You'll never be the same.
(5)Keristen B.
I visited the Black Pearl along with my sister during our short stay in Clearwater. The restaurant was small but well appointed and elegant - just the way that I like it. We were immediately greeted and promptly seated. Service was excellent. Our waiter was friendly, charming, and very knowledgeable. I think his name is Michael, but I'm terrible with names. We opted for the White Truffle Lobster Risotto which was accompanied by a small salad. Our waiter assured us that we would be very pleased with our choice. Bread and oil was served while we awaited our entrees. The bread was soft and warm and the oil was well seasoned. Now for the main dish - Amazing! This was the best risotto that either of us have ever had. In fact, it was one of the best dishes we have ever tasted. The rice was perfectly cooked. The texture was creamy without being soupy. It was perfectly seasoned and filled with chunks of lobster in addition to the lobster tail which was placed on top. This restaurant is a must-go if you are ever in the Clearwater region!
(5)Shane S.
This place is amazing. I've been there twice this month. The first time to celebrate an ocation the second to celebrate the great food. It's the best restaurant I've been to in the Tampa Bay area. It's a little pricey but worth every penny
(5)Steve B.
We had to try this restaurant after reading such great reviews. We figured they could not all be wrong. The flavor in all the food was amazing. Yes, even the salad. This restaurant must be filled with perfectionists. Literally everything on my wife's plate and mine could not have been better. Service was also amazing. So friendly and helpful. This really was a great find and can not wait to go back again.
(5)Lisa M.
Was able to make last minute reservation on 4th of July! Food and service was exceptional! One of the best dining experiences we have had in a long time! Lobster risotto, sea bass, boar, white molten chocolate cake! Michael was our waiter and we enjoyed every minute as a guest. We will be back soon!!!!
(5)William H.
Another night. No real occasion. Took the suggestion of another review and had two appetizers. Escargot, still the best I have ever had, and lump crab gratin. Very filling. Sop up the extra escargot sauce with the house bread...great. Wife had veal this time, she reports it is as perfect as the duck was last time. Finished it off with a shared bananas foster. Only three waiters tonight...all taking care of us at one time or another. Perfect food, perfect service, good price and a nice new atmosphere. Thank goodness the new owners have kept everything.
(5)Brian C.
Dinner May 20 I want to give this place 4.5 Stars. The chef takes great pride in his offerings and creations. You can tell that everything is made to order, fresh and prepared with great care. No short cuts are taken at the Black Pearl. This is a great restaurant if you truly want to enjoy food. Bread was warm, fresh and very tasty! Imperial Lump Crab cake was amazing! Salad was made to perfection, just enough of all ingredients as not to have any dominant the others. I really liked the home made dressing as well - very unique! Got the dinner special Pork Osso Bucco with Broccolini, Risotto & Jicama Slaw. The Broccolini was cooked and seasoned to perfection. The Risotto may have been the best I have ever had - especially loved the Pearl Onions in it! I normally don't like Jicama Slaw and kind of thought that side was out of place on this dish - but once I tasted it, I found it fit in perfect harmony with the entree. The Pork Osso Bucco was fall off the bone tender and nearly perfect. My only drawback (and this is just my personal taste) was the Duck fat reduction based gravy on the Pork. I know this is a delicacy and takes many hours to prepare, but I just thought the gravy over powered the meat more than I would have liked (plus I am not a big Duck fan). Although overall the entree was OUTSTANDING! The desert was a made from scratch Bananas Foster. The homemade whip cream and homemade ice cream were incredible - wow! But I thought the sauce was a bit excessive and strongly dominated the entire dish way too much for my liking. Oh yeah, and at the end, they bring you Black Pearl homemade licorice (black jelly beans) - they basically melted in your mouth. A very nice parting gift! Bleak Pearl - classy, fine dining - great place for a special date or just a really great meal!
(4)Chuck N.
OMG!!! Some of the best food I've ever had! Forget going to Berns, Ruths Chris, Charlie's, Ocean's prime for their award winning tuna appetizer... fall in love with pork bellies and the rest of the fine food here. I had the lightly blackened scallops. They were incredible! If you haven't eaten here you've missed one of Tampa Bay's finest. This chef will tantalize your pallet with creative succulence that will imprint on your soul.
(5)Henry H.
COME BY AND SHARE STORIES WITH GOODFELLA HENRY HILL May 11th 2011 from 6-9 pm With special guest Angelo dundee Henry Hill (born June 11, 1943)[1] is a former American mobster, Lucchese crime family associate, and FBI informant whose life was immortalized in the book Wiseguy, written by crime reporter Nicholas Pileggi, and the 1990 Martin Scorsese film Goodfellas, in which Hill was played by Ray Liotta 727-734-DINE (3463) Excellent food Excellent Service WEB .http://theblackpearlrestaurant.com/
(5)Mary J.
Very nice. Intimate seating with well paced service. Beautiful presentation of flavorful entrees and appetizers. They seem to have a fairly wide selection of menu offerings with specials added in print and available beforehand online. This seems nicer to me than a quick oral presentation of the specials. Pleasantly quiet dining room, very good service. The location is superb as well with a beautiful place to walk around and enjoy surroundings. Would recommend to friends, will plan to return.
(4)Donna K.
(Restaurant visited February 2013) If food were religion, I'd be a convert. Truly spectacular restaurant. Decor is romantic and understated, wonderful menu, professional, warm, and funny server. A thoroughly wonderful experience. If you are lucky enough to catch the foie gras appetizer, you're very lucky indeed.
(5)Violet R.
The only person that would give this place a bad review would be the one who had the same waiter we did on New Year's Eve in 2012. We have never had a bad meal in this place and it is our "go to" place for special occasions. Veal vanilla vodka paillard..... to die for. Salad...... the best!! Rack of lamb.... gorgeous!! Really, nothing, but nothing negative can be said about any of the lovely dishes they serve. Great service 99% of the time..... except that waiter....that one nasty waiter. A must try for the serious foodie!!
(5)Conner S.
I took my fiancé here right after proposing and they did a wonderful job accommodating us. They even moved a few reservations around to make sure we had a seat to celebrate this major milestone. The decor was ok, but the food made up for it. We had a pork belly appetizer that the waiter described as "meat candy". Hot damn...I should have brought a change of pants.
(5)john s.
First and definitely NOT our last visit ! Cozy atmosphere, excellent service And superb food. Wonderful suggestions from Jeff , a great and personable server. Appetizers and entree's perfectly prepared and finished with the best dessert we ever had. Probably the finest food we have had in the 14 years we have been in Florida.
(5)Kathy P.
Great experience. Just walking around Main Street and decided to try The Black Pearl because of great Yelp reviews. We were under dressed but they were great! Service was top notch. Wait staff courteous and helpful. We tried the Pork Belly - yum, meat candy! Lobster Risotto was the best I've had this side of the Amalfi coast. Pate and Bisque were excellent, as well. We were happy foodies!
(5)Helen L.
We've been coming to the Clearwater area on business and were tired of the same restaurants every time we were in town. We heard about Black Pearl and read a lot of great reviews so we thought we would try it. We were not disappointed. From the moment we walked in the door, we were lavished with attention. The restaurant is very small - only about 12 tables - so they can treat each patron with lots of attention. The service was excellent and the staff was courteous and attentive - and happy! Whatever you needed, the were happy to oblige. As for the food - it was the best meal we'd had since coming to the area. I personally had 2 appetizers instead of a full meal and for me it was just the right amount of food. I didn't feel too full nor was I still hungry. I'm not a seafood eater and there was quite a bit of seafood on the menu - but I was still able to find something. I had the butternut squash ravioli, which was excellent! I also had a pork belly appetizer (a special for the day) and it was also very tasty. My friend had the fried green tomatoes and said it also was very good. Another friend had the filet and said it's the best he's had in a long time. I will say that the food is a little pricey, but once in a while, it's okay to pay a little more for you meal. All-in-all, we enjoyed the cozy atmosphere, the superb service and the excellent food. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Marty C.
We have driven by this restaurant for years and have never dropped in. I'm so glad that we finally did. It has just a few tables and is a very cozy, romantic venue. The service was impeccable and we felt comfortable, instantly. For appetizers, we had to try the special pork belly offering and the crab imperial. Pork belly is rarely seen in restaurants and this one was close to perfection...great texture and flavor. Crab imperial has a different interpretation wherever you go. This one was wonderful. It was not soupy or overcooked. For entrées, we had the rack of lamb and their special étouffée. The lamb was perfectly medium rare (as I had asked) and was quite a large portion with a delicious demi-glaze and a heap of mashed potatoes and green beans. The special étouffée had beef tenderloin, lots of lump crab meat, corn bread, chicken and andouille sausage in a wonderful Cajun sauce. It was awesome! Here's hoping that the étouffée gets added to the regular menu. We both had the lemon Pavlova for dessert. It was huge! After a bit of port, we made our way home promising to come back very soon!
(5)Josette M.
Perfect place for a special celebration or to simply enjoy an exquisite meal and beyond hospitable staff. We created our own "sampler" by ordering four entrées and splitting them among the three of us dining. We couldn't decide what to get since it all made our mouths water as we read the menu. Don't miss the opportunity to eat here!
(5)Kyle B.
I took my wife here for our 3rd anniversary. We've walked past many times but never knew what the inside looked like. Very classy and elegant. The server was just awesome and it shows he really loves what he does. Very thorough in telling us what he recommends us to try. I like that. I had the rack of lamb and it was the best tasting dish I've ever had. Dessert was amazing. Overall great experience. Would recommend anyone trying it for sure!
(5)Chris E.
We've been to The Black Pearl many times over the years, both on "date nights" and with other couples from FL and from out of town. The Black Pearl does not disappoint!! One of the couples asked specifically to come back to The Black Pearl when they come for the annual FL spring vacation. Everyone we take is impressed with the quality of the food, the atmosphere, and the service. I'll tackle each of these in turn. The interior is cozy (not large) but is very reminiscent of NY restaurants. The inside is dark, but has individual table lights perfect for intimate evenings and good conversations. The music is of the Frank Sinatra era and style and can sometimes be a bit louder than I'd prefer, but after awhile it becomes secondary and you don't even notice it. The service is excellent. When we first came to the Pearl around 5 years ago, the service was never worse than very good, but sometimes, for example, a server lacked the experience to know when to stay back and when to interrupt. Now, the servers are everything but the kitchen sink(!): charming, attentive, knowledgeable, professional, and friendly. The food is top notch! We have enjoyed many of the appetizers here, including the butternut squash, the escargot, and the crab bisque, but a minor nit was the fried green tomatoes. They were gorgeously presented, but the texture of the breading was not what we were used to (spoiled by Grandma's fried green tomatoes!). For our entree this time we got a beautiful salmon braid that was delicious and my wife got the veal paillards for the second time this year, though we have sampled many of the entrees and all are excellent. For dessert, the servers recommend the molten Chocolate Cake and Tarte Tatin, and they do not steer you wrong! We've tried them both several times and enjoyed them immensely each time! Sometimes your luck is amazing: I first heard about The Black Pearl while at Busch Gardens for Hallowscream and started chatting with a woman (our spouses were "elsewhere") sitting behind us at one of the shows. When she heard we lived in Dunedin, she talked about good restaurants and recommended The Black Pearl. We went for an anniversary, and have not stopped coming back since.
(5)Cher T.
WOW. Just...wow. I've been in the vicinity of The Black Pearl restaurant before during somewhat drunken girls nights at Kelly's/Chicka Boom Room/Blur next door and have always made a mental note to try TBP sometime. However, I seemed to have forgotten about it during our millions of "what do you want to do for dinner tonight" conversations with the hubs. We got on Yelp last night and tried to find a new place, saw all the rave reviews for TBP and opted to try it. Walking into TBP, I had to giggle a little. It reminded me of a dozen "chic" Hampton clubs circa the 1980's. The decor is done in black/grey with very modern, angular statues of posed women (If you were a young adult in the 80's, you know the kind I mean) and peppered with pops of color here and there. They have a bunch of mismatched dinnerware in a china cabinet at the back of the restaurant that they serve with. It's so funky and cool and I loved the eclectic mix of dinnerware. Tres cool. Music runs the gamut from Frank Sinatra to funky 70's jams and acoustic versions of modern tunes. All this lends to the atmosphere and is absolutely a pre-cursor to the meal you are about to eat. When you can have duck pate, escargot and foie gras on the same menu as fried green tomatoes and pork bellies? You have something truly special. These are comfort foods done elegantly and elegant foods done homey. It's an interesting juxtaposition. We started with appetizers of fried green tomatoes for me and the pork bellies for my hubby. The FGT were breaded and had crab meat between the layers. Delicious sauces accompany it. It was yummy. But, I need to focus on my husbands pork bellies. INSANE. Tom, our server, who was incredibly delightful, described it to us as "meat candy" and I kid you not, those words are the perfect articulation of what this appy tasted like. These bellies are succulent, flavored in a maple type sauce, sitting on little beds of grated white cheese. It's not always on the menu, but Tom informed us that if you call in advance and request it, the chef will be happy to make it for you. My husband referred to it as a "panty dropper for your mouth". LOL This was followed by a delicious house salad with a stunning raspberry dressing. Heinously delish. For our main course, my husband had the veal paillards (translates to pounded meat. Heh.) It was made with a vanilla bean sauce, shiitake and crimini mushrooms and sweet marsala wine. Served with a little muffin looking thingy that turned out to be spaghetti squash. Tasted like a ball of stuffing. It was just a little mouthful, but left you wanting more! A few stalks of asparagus, perfectly cooked. Warm layer of mashed potatoes. I don't care for veal, but this was delicious. For my meal, I opted for the twice cooked Long Island duckling. Now, understand, I do not like duck. The meat is generally too dark for me and it's just not something I usually enjoy. However, something in the description of the menu drew me to it. It was a semi-boneless leg, slowly braised, and the breast is grilled with a cranberry apple demiglace. It just sounded like it would be so sweet and succulent and that is EXACTLY what it was. My husband tasted it and his eyes literally rolled back in his skull and made a noise that is usually only reserved for our um..."private time", which does not include ducks (usually?) or farm animals of any kind for that matter. I kind of choked on my duck meat watching him react that way and I admit, I think I might have been a tad jealous of the duck. Um, hello? That reaction is supposed to be on reserve for MY breast meat. Hmph. So, now...I was more than happy to eat this duck that was trying to steal my man. Make my husband moan with delight? Not on MY watch, Duck! Back off or I will EAT you! (and did...happily!) Dessert: Bananas foster for him and a creme brulee for me. However, they are well known for a signature dessert called "Tarte Tatin", which is required to be ordered when you order your meal as it takes some extra time to create. It is granny smith apples cooked in butter, brown sugar and spices, topped with puff pastry and fresh whipped cream. They also have their own signature black licorice ice cream. I think my husband and I moaned and groaned through the entire meal so much, we probably sounded like a bad 70's porno. I am usually a kind of classy chick when I am dressed up, out and about. But, poor Tom made the mistake of asking how everything was and I, caught off guard and still reeling in the afterglow of this sexy meal came out with "I wish I brought a change of underwear". Yeah. Classy chick. Thankfully, Tom took it in stride. The meal came out to about $160 for two, without gratuity, and with only one glass of wine each, but well worth every penny. Since hubs is determined to try "everything on the menu", we will definitely be back. I hope they Scotchgardâ„¢ the chairs, you know...just in case.
(5)Annelise D.
It was absolutely wonderful! Great ambience, unique and delicious flavors, intimate setting, and very romantic. The food was exceptional and clearly fine dining at its peak. The space between courses was longer than normal which gave it a relaxed break from the courses, time to sip the wine and talk, and room for the next course. Enjoyed the music as well. Two thumbs up!
(5)Cheryl O.
Everything was amazing. We had a reservation or so we thought... Apparently our reservation was in Michigan thanks to a different app. :/ That being said, the restaurant was incredibly accommodating and sat us to our relief. It is our 22nd anniversary so that could've been a bad night. Instead, it was better than we could ever expect. The food... Everything was an explosion of flavor. We started with the risotto- it's a must have. Truly. Just do it. The Black Pearl salad with the warm poppyseed dressing was delightful. We ordered Filet Mignon & the Étouffée. Both incredible. It's pricy but worth it. Fresh made. A chef that enjoys his craft is hard to find out there. Truly a treasure. Thank you Travis & Michael for creating a wonderful night that nearly went south with our reservation mishap.
(5)James T.
We went back for my Girlfriend's birthday in July, this time for the seafood dishes. It was just as great as the first time. My initial review still stands, 5 stars. I do however enjoy the red meat a little more than the fish, but I think that is just my taste preference kicking in. Now to find another special occasion to go back...
(5)Fulano D.
Anniversary dinner with my Bride. Ordered a excellent French Chablis that was smooth. Bob our waiter was very charming and informative. We ordered the escargot which came in a creamy sauce with a pastry top, sublime. Everything else was spectacular. I will return again and again.
(5)Nick K.
Utterly and totally amazed by our experience with the Black Pearl. Could have easily been the best meal I've ever had. We started with the lobster risotto which was decadent and rich with perfectly balanced flavors. After the appetizer I wasnt sure it could possibly get better but i was so wrong. I got the filet Mignon and I don't think I've had a better steak in my life. Cooked to perfection, the sear left the top crispy without over cooking the meat. Very skilfully done. The plate was beautifully presented with life changing sauces and demiglazes. My girlfriend got the seabass which contended for the best plate of the night. Perfectly cooked, flaky and buttery texture...the way seabass is supposed to be done but rarely is. The goat cheese on top gave it that WOW factor. I recommend not looking at the price and just go ahead and eat here because the price isn't THAT high. I have gone to places and spent twice the cost I paid here for food that wasn't half as good. I think it's worth every penny and then some. The staff are INCREDIBLY helpful, personable and attentive. You feel like a VIP as soon as you walk in the door. The place is very romantic and cozy. Not a ton of seating so reservations would be ideal. The room has sound deadening panels that are tastefully done so that your conversation isn't shared with everyone in the restaurant. This place has thought of everything and I will be finding ways to get back here even though I live in Seattle.
(5)Warren R.
I've been wanting to try this place for quite awhile, so when our anniversary rolled around, it finally gave me an opportunity to make a reservation, which I did directly through Yelp. One thing that I've learned over the years, is that if you see whit truffle lobster risotto on a menu, you order it, so that's precisely what I did, only I ordered the appetizer versus the entree. When it arrived, it did not disappoint, my wife and I enjoyed every single bite. For our entrees, the wife ordered the Chilean Sea Bass Lyonnais. It consisted of shoestring wrapped filet, chevre, pine nuts, chopped salad, creamy polenta, and lemon butter. She let me try a bite, and it was delicious and tender. I ordered the Veal Paillards. It was adorned with vanilla bean sauce, with shiitake and crimini mushrooms with sweet marsala. It was decent, but not the best I've ever had, and I was a bit let down. The bread that they served, along with the Black Pearl salads were quite tasty. For desert, we had the Tarte Tatin. It came with granny smith apples cooked in butter, brown sugar and spices, topped fresh whipped cream with puffed pastry and baked to order. We added the homemade vanilla ice cream for an additional charge. Although good, it didn't knock either one of our socks off. The service was outstanding, and I would definitely come back, but I would try a different entree.
(4)Chaung A.
Was a perfect way to spend our 5 year anniversary. Ron our waiter was very knowledgeable and helpful. The setting was small and intimate. The food was AMAZING, I had the pork belly for my appetizer it was just WOW, for dinner I had the filet mignon and it was delicious. My wife had the white truffle lobster risotto she loved it it was enough for dinner and lunch the next day. It is a must try in the Clearwater area.
(5)Noemi C.
Truly an amazing experience. We had three different appetizers, all excellent, four entrees, and three different desserts, nothing short of stellar. Will without a doubt recommend to our friends and families. Thank you chef :)
(5)Rebecca H.
The Black Pearl was recommend to me by a friend , I had never heard of this little hidden treasure . I was very pleased with our experience . It's a cozy , romantic restaurant with amazing food .. The pork belly was amazing . One of the best appetizers I have ever had .. This is definitely a place to return to...
(5)Mary J.
Very nice. Intimate seating with well paced service. Beautiful presentation of flavorful entrees and appetizers. They seem to have a fairly wide selection of menu offerings with specials added in print and available beforehand online. This seems nicer to me than a quick oral presentation of the specials. Pleasantly quiet dining room, very good service. The location is superb as well with a beautiful place to walk around and enjoy surroundings. Would recommend to friends, will plan to return.
(4)Brie S.
The Black Pearl is what people imagine as romantic. The Black Pearl is pretty small, which gives it charm. The lamb is succulent with crushed pecans and a Demi glaze to die for. As a special, the pork chop stuffed with brie cheese was, well, wonderful! The sea bass is usually too rich, but was not so rich as it was paired with green beans and pineapple salsa! Tony's French Onion Soup was sooooooo good, with rich cheese, and hot and heavenly onions in a "oh so good" broth. Their pate is fabulous, creamy, and just how it should be! Yummy heaven!!!!!!!
(5)Marc P.
We have been there once. the atmosphere was perfect. The service was attentive but not intrusive. The food was creative and tasted wonderful. We had an incredible evening and all 4 of us felt it was one of the best restaurants we had ever been to.
(5)K K.
My husband and I ate here last January, 2009 and we returned again in January, 2010. The Black Pearl is my absolute favorite restaurant in this area, and here's why: 1. The food, the food, the food. I ordered the French Onion Soup, the Wild Mushroom Ragout, and the Molten Chocolate Cake. All of it was delicious and well worth the price. I am pretty frugal and don't like spending a ton of money on small portions but these portions are large and well worth the cost. My husband had the Gruyere and Leek brulee, the Poutine, and the Tart Tartin, which was decadent. 2. The service. The folks here are incredibly proud of their food, and proud to serve you. Both of our servers both times really cared about our experience here and were eager to make any modifications or handle any special requests. There is just no place like it in the area; I really recommend it. The dress is casual to dressy. You don't have to wear a coat and tie, but I wouldn't wear tennis shoes...I wore jeans with black boots, and my husband wore khakis. Now we are back in NYC, and we'll have to wait until next January to return!
(5)Kabe G.
Took my wife for dinner here about a week ago. The restaurant is small. Really small. It does have a very cozy feel to it. Not bad. Food was great. Service was exceptional. Very nice staff. Answered all our questions and explained the menu very well. The reason for my 4 star and not 5 was because of pricing. I like to rate places based on the whole experience not just one item. Staff 5 star. Food 4 star. Price 3 star. So that averages to 4 star. I felt that the price was too much for the food. However not to say that the food lacked much. Was very good. I would go back again in the future.
(4)Al E.
Made reservations for our fifth anniversary dinner based on recommendations from friends. Small restaurant with about 10 tables. Wife had the twice cooked duck and I had the pork ossobuco. Both were done to perfection. Service was generally good but had to ask for water twice, which is odd given the number of staff to tables. Biggest disappointment was they knew it was our fifth anniversary which they verbally recognized but I would have though they would have comped a desert given the occasion, but no. All in all a great meal. We would go back.
(4)Melanie C.
Hoity toity place for an anniversary dinner. Food, ambiance & service were all excellent. Don't forget your wallet - it ain't cheap.
(4)Chris C.
Expected good, got very, very good. The Vibe: Based on this place's name and the general kitsch in downtown Dunedin, I half-expected pictures of pirate ships or something. Thankfully I was dead wrong. (See what I did there?) ;-) It's cozy-elegant and inviting the minute you step through the door. The Scene: In downtown Dunedin you'll see every kind of character, but inside the Black Pearl at 9:30pm Saturday, there was date-night for 2 twenty-somethings, an anniversary dinner for a thirty-something couple, a dinner-with-friends night for some well-dressed forty-somethings, and hilariously, 3 completely smashed 90-year old couples in a big group. The Service: With the dinner rush winding down, our waiter had a few extra minutes to spend with us, and it certainly was worth it. He described the dishes perfectly, gave us a little history about the restaurant and the owner / chef, and had his timing between courses down cold. We never felt rushed, and the pace of the meal was perfect. The Food: Well presented, well seasoned, well cooked. Trends slightly more traditional. The menu was smaller (correctly) but balanced, and of course we were offered several specials. Several desserts needed ordering ahead as they take time to prepare. Overall, well worth it. Nice job Black Pearl!
(5)Matt B.
Since the last visit to the Black Pearl was one of the best meals of our lives, this was the obvious choice for New Years Eve....and it didn't disappoint. The special menu was incredible, especially the chicken stuffed with chorizo complimented with a unique sage bread pudding and a sauce that was so good I wanted to lick the plate! 7 courses was a little over the top, but why not..lol. I strayed a bit from my normal ordering habits and chose a desert(butter cake w/fresh berries)that I wouldn't normally order...it was way too boozy soaked in Lemoncello, but my girlfriend's maple pear creme brûlée was good enough to satisfy both of us...yum! This place will hurt the wallet, but you will never feel like you didn't get your money's worth. This is the best food in the Tampa Bay Area that we have eaten. The Chef(s) are incredible.
(5)Kim B.
Amazing food! I actually went for a private event, so we sampled many apps. The service was top notch. Some things aren't on the menu, but we did have the lobster risotto and pork belly. The pork belly was incredible. Very savory and the grits were perfection! The risotto was great too. It has truffle oil in it, which I am iffy on. But the truffle taste was not overpowering at all. We had the Black Pearl salad in between. The dressing was very good, light and just slightly warm. And I loved the pine nuts. For dinner my husband and I order the Filet and the scallops and shared both. The steak was cooked perfectly to med-rare. It came with mashed potato and asparagus. The scallops were spot on - nice crust and perfect inside. They came with risotto and asparagus. It's not much too look at from the outside, but the inside is very intimate. Every bite was delicious!
(5)David M.
At the Black Pearl you get what you pay for. Very expensive and very good. Romantic fine dining at its best.
(5)Matthew O.
This restaurant has to be one of the best places I've been to in a while. Tucked away in a plaza with a small dining room, the food served is exquisite and service is exceptional. I ordered escargot as a starter and the beef tenderloin and crab pot pie as the entree. The escargot was cooked perfectly. With a slight chew but paired with a very flavorful white sauce and surrounded by puff pastry, the snails were cooked perfectly. With the beef tenderloin and crab pot pie, the beef chunks were perfectly tender and paired with a great cream sauce. While expensive, this place was definitely worth every penny. Definitely going back in the future!
(5)Matthew M.
No joke, this was perhaps the greatest meal of my life. Everything, from the service, through all of the courses, until the last bite of dessert, was literally perfect. I had the crab imperial appetizer and my wife had the pork belly. Amazing. Even the slaw garnish was incredible. Who freaks out about slaw? Me tonight apparently. The salad was phenomenal! When was the last time you could call a frickin house salad phenomenal??? For the entree I had the filet and my wife had the veal osso buco special. Yes you can get a mid-rare filet anywhere (sometimes), but you can't get this one anywhere. There was nothing that could have been improved upon. For dessert we shared the fallen chocolate cake. We literally licked the spoons clean. And I would have paid MUCH more than we actually did. We will definitely return soon. You can't go wrong here. LOVED IT!
(5)Brie S.
The Black Pearl is what people imagine as romantic. The Black Pearl is pretty small, which gives it charm. The lamb is succulent with crushed pecans and a Demi glaze to die for. As a special, the pork chop stuffed with brie cheese was, well, wonderful! The sea bass is usually too rich, but was not so rich as it was paired with green beans and pineapple salsa! Tony's French Onion Soup was sooooooo good, with rich cheese, and hot and heavenly onions in a "oh so good" broth. Their pate is fabulous, creamy, and just how it should be! Yummy heaven!!!!!!!
(5)Marc P.
We have been there once. the atmosphere was perfect. The service was attentive but not intrusive. The food was creative and tasted wonderful. We had an incredible evening and all 4 of us felt it was one of the best restaurants we had ever been to.
(5)Tracy H.
OVER THE TOP FOOD!! I want to thank the chief for going to cooking school. To make food this amazing and not let the public experience it would be a crime. Make a reservation to ensure you get a table, your gonna want to savor every flavor that the chief makes for you. WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND ENTERTAINING STAFF! Going with their recommendations leads the way to some great dishes. We had the starters Fried Green Tomato's, and the Pork Belly. The only way to describe the Pork Belly would be man meat candy!! Every bit of the plate was tasted! They have a weekly menu that my husband ordered off of, The Rib Eye was ohh how to explain a flavor explosion of perfectly pick, cooked, and seasoned piece of beef this is it!! I ordered the Veal Liver with onions, not just any onion, my favorite crunchy onions!! If you don't like liver please eat this and understand how good liver can be! Leaving not a bit of food on the plate we dared to move to dessert. Thanks to the wait staff we took their advice and ordered ahead, the Tarte Tartin OOOO MMMMM GGGG! Not that sticky toffee pudding does not still own my heart in the top ten desserts of all time, it is just not number now. Take this home don't eat it all!! Not because you wouldn't want to, but because as our server suggested, taking home this tart and heating it up for breakfast with some center cut bacon AHHHHMAAAZZZING! The food orgasm never has to stop! LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THE BLACK PEARL.
(5)Jennifer F.
Recently went to the Black Pearl for an anniversary dinner. There were four of us. The setting was intimate and the food was delicious. It really was. However, afterwards, we all talked about the chefs fixation on sweetening up the meat. We had a meat appetizer that the waiter called "meat candy" because it was so sweet. My husbands filet mignon was covered in a sweet syrup and my rack of lamb, which could have been oh so good, also came with a sweet glaze. I get it. I do. But the chef needs to see the beauty of the savory side of life as well. Sometimes just a good old fashioned dose of savory, smokey, salty meat makes the meal one to die for.
(4)Chad B.
Interesting decor. Can't figure out if they were going for a dated hodge podge look or if it just happened by accident. Somehow it kinda works as it transports you back to perhaps an 80s version of upscale dining with antique flare. With that said it was delightful. Food and service were excellent.
(4)Stephanie B.
We tried a ton of food here (5 people who all shared): fried green tomatoes, venison with risotto, escargot, Maryland crab imperial, french onion soup, lamb, rib-eye, apple tart, and lemon-cello strawberries. And amazingly EVERYTHING exceeded our expectations. What a gem in Dunedin for a special occasion. This place is not cheap but nothing about the place is. The service was also excellent. The decor is slightly throw back and the food while innovative is not modern or overly trendy or intimidating.
(5)Michelle E.
Perfect restaurant for a romantic dinner. We celebrated our anniversary here. Quiet and intimate dining. We started off w/ the fried green tomatoes, then my husband had the lamb and I had the surf and turf pot pie. All was delicious! Excellent service! There are only about a dozen tables here so make reservations.
(5)K K.
My husband and I ate here last January, 2009 and we returned again in January, 2010. The Black Pearl is my absolute favorite restaurant in this area, and here's why: 1. The food, the food, the food. I ordered the French Onion Soup, the Wild Mushroom Ragout, and the Molten Chocolate Cake. All of it was delicious and well worth the price. I am pretty frugal and don't like spending a ton of money on small portions but these portions are large and well worth the cost. My husband had the Gruyere and Leek brulee, the Poutine, and the Tart Tartin, which was decadent. 2. The service. The folks here are incredibly proud of their food, and proud to serve you. Both of our servers both times really cared about our experience here and were eager to make any modifications or handle any special requests. There is just no place like it in the area; I really recommend it. The dress is casual to dressy. You don't have to wear a coat and tie, but I wouldn't wear tennis shoes...I wore jeans with black boots, and my husband wore khakis. Now we are back in NYC, and we'll have to wait until next January to return!
(5)