Domani Bistro Lounge

many regrets that it burned down and was bulldozed, with no signs of re-​building

This was one of the best independently owned restaurants in Tampa… until it burned to the ground due to faulty wiring. I miss Domani and all my friends that frequented the place.
Bernardo & Bosco, please rebuild soon.

This is one of our favorite locally owned dinner spots! If we aren’t here weekly it’s at least ever other week. The service is friendly, the cocktails are unique and fun, the food is even better, and we always enjoy the atmosphere.
When friends come into town this is a place we always bring them too. We wish they would open for lunch on the weekends or try a brunch.
Give it a try. You won’t be disappointed.

Love!
Such a cute place! I was a little skeptical of the area (I’m not gonna lie) but the food was amazing. They have a cute covered patio in the back and the inside looks like a modern italian resultant with white linen table cloths. The décor is very simple with mirrors on the walls and then a collaberation of plates. The décor is cute but it could use a picture or two. Sage was our server and she did a great job!
I ordered a Moscow Mule to start off with and it was AMAZING! It was made perfectly. Our server brought over fresh bread and a pesto dipping sauce which was so fresh and yummy! We ordered a Suppli to start off with. It was a deep friend risotto ball filled with mozzarella. I wish there had been more of the spicy tomato sauce! There defiantly was not enough of it for my fiancé and I. I had the Shrimp and Gnocchi for my main course and it was devine! I can honestly say I never finish my dinner and I did this time! It was perfection! We didn’t get dessert but I can’t wait to go back and try something new and then get dessert!
Def. don’t pass this place up! Can’t wait to go back!

Definitely a place to try.
The food was definitely worth it. The bread was super fresh and pesto dip was tasty. We had a refill because it did not last. The appetizer that was ordered was the Suppli. It was really interesting concept. The two suppli did not last. The spicy sauce added to the flavor. I will definitely order this again. I was a pain and decided to do a custom order for my main course. I ordered the New York Strip, but instead of the sides it came with I had switched them out for the Filet sides. The blue cheese mash and asparagus were well seasoned. The strip was cooked perfectly. The only issue I had with my main course was that the food was warm, not hot. Even though this was the case the food was still really good. I tried the curry ketchup with my steak. The ketchup was really good, makes me wish I had ordered the tater tots also.
The décor was confusing. The concept that this restaurant was going for seemed to be upscale italian (at least this is what I thought from the website and walking to the restaurant). But the décor inside the restaurant through this off. There were TVs in the dining room and the silverware was mismatched (normally good) but it looked dingy. The service was well paced and my glass was promptly refilled.
We will be back, I wanna try the spaghetti and meatballs or ravioli.

What a GEM! I love exploring new places to dine and Seminole Heights is a wonderful area for just that! I started out with a moscow mule, my favorite beverage, and it was very good. For appetizers we got the stuffed peppers which were delicious! I believe one was spicy and one was more mild, not sure if that was on purpose but it worked out well! We also had the rolled grapes which were surrounded in brie cheese and pistachios. I would never have thought about putting these flavors together but they worked so well and were delicious! A friend of mine got the fried risotto (Suppli) and it was SO good I will order this one next time for sure.
For my entrée I had the seared filet which was perfectly drizzled in a bacon soy caramel sauce with blue cheese mashed potatoes and asparagus as the sides. I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed a dish this much in a LONG time! The semi-​sweet sauce complimented the steak, which was cooked to perfection, so well and the blue cheese mash balanced it out nicely. When I return it will be difficult to try another dish, I was that impressed.
To top the night off out amazingly attentive server poured us all a glass of champagne to toast my friends birthday. Overall, the night was perfect and I can’t wait to return!

Finally made it here! My friends and I really enjoyed the entire experience — although the free glass of Sangria with Unilocal check-​in helped to get me in the right mood. :-)
For an appetizer, my friends and I split the Pumpkin Ravioli special. The outer crispy crust was delicious, although the filling wasn’t very pumpkiny.
I fared much better with my entrée — I had the tater tots with curry ketchup and the Napa cabbage salad with apple and candied walnuts in an apple miso vinaigrette. I added a generous portion of grilled chicken to the salad and it was delicious! And those little pillows of potato goodness? I don’t know how they make them, but they were awesome. I liked the ketchup they came served with, but I actually thought it was overpowering to the delicate flavor of the tot, and as a result, used it very sparingly.
The dining room was very clean and charming, and our server pleasant and efficient. Can’t wait to bring others!

Another visit to Domani’s the other day and I am completely sold. I got there a bit earlier for dinner this time and sat at the bar. I tried the grapes rolled in brie and pistachios and holy crap are they ridiculously good. Completely original and addicting.
I tried the spaghetti and meatballs this trip and I’ll tell you, from someone with a Sicilian grandmother, that this is not your grandma’s spaghetti and meatballs, and I mean that as a huge compliment. The meatballs are the size of jawbreakers and the lemon is such a nice compliment to the richness of the meat and sauce. By far the best spaghetti and meatballs I have ever had.
Some things on the menu have changed and as the seasons continue to progress, so will the menu, so I will be here as much as possible to see what they come up with. Also, the bar menu is based on fresh ingredients, so that menu will change throughout the year with new, exciting drinks to try. If you live anywhere in Tampa and you haven’t been here, you’re seriously missing out on killer food.

Seriously. Seminole Heights rules the world for great restaurants.
Another gem that you would totally miss if you weren’t looking for it. You walk in and have no idea that you’re right off Florida Ave. It’s an upscale vibe– but not too nice for jeans and flip flops. Do note the chandeliers made out of colanders.
We were greeted and sat immediately by the friendly staff. I was a little confused at the menu at first– I expected more classic Italian dishes. It’s also not a huge menu. But, each item is quality.
Agreeing with the other reviews, the rolled grapes are delicious. I got the filet, that was cooked perfectly and seasoned to deliciousness. And the blue cheese mashed potatoes… wow.
The red sangria (free coupon with a Unilocal check in) was really good as well– different than a lot of places– stronger I think.
Overall a great experience and I will be back!

This place is a nice addition to the Seminole Heights foodie spots.
We had reservations and were seated promptly. The restaurant was very loud, and I had to shout to be heard for most of the night. However, I otherwise enjoyed the night.
We started with the charcuterie plate. I enjoyed the cheeses that we tried (the aged Gouda, the feta, and a soft Italian cheese), but I found the salumi lacking a bit. Why is it so hard to find good prosciutto in Tampa?
I had the grouper, and I enjoyed it but found the peas a little starchy. My husband had the burger, and he liked it but found it sort of blah. He did enjoy the accompanying tater tots, though.
For dessert, we tried the crème brûlée and the flourless chocolate cake. I found the chocolate cake was a little too dense and might have benefited from some whipped cream to lighten it up.
I thought their wine list was reasonable, although we brought our own (corkage was $ 15).
Service was enthusiastic and good. I wouldn’t mind returning, if I’m in the area again.

Domani is a real gem and lives up to the hype I’d been hearing the last few months.
My dining mate and I took at seat at the bar while waiting for our table. As we sat there with the sun coming through the windows, we both agreed the vibe here felt more like Brooklyn or the East Village rather than little ol’ Tampa. I would have been happy posting up at their bar all night.
Our cocktails were excellent and the bartenders were so friendly. I think every bartender greeted us while we were sitting there. I had the Blueberry Basil Lemonade which was as pretty as it was refreshing. My friend had the Bee Sting which was a lethal amount of moonshine (which they store in a big mason jar!), honey and ginger beer.
Once we were seated, we were given their delicious focaccia with a pesto-​like dipping sauce. We ordered the pistachio and brie rolled grape appetizer which I had read about in other reviews and they did NOT disappoint. For my main I had the rack of lamb crusted with goat cheese and pistachios. It was cooked to perfection — so tender covered with just the right amount of the cheese/​nut topping which complemented rather than overpower the lamb flavor. I also ordered a side of blue cheese mashed potatoes which were UNREAL.
Although I was stuffed, I had to get dessert and went with the flourless chocolate torte with raspberry coulis. It wasn’t huge, which was a good thing since I just wanted a few bites. It was just the right amount of decadent to top off an amazing meal.
My only complaint is that our server wasn’t very attentive, but I was enjoying the food and ambiance so much that I didn’t mind. I can’t wait to move closer and spend more time here.

First time here and I was a satisfied customer. I have been wanting to go here for months, and I’m glad I finally tried it.
My friend and I spent a small fortune here in an attempt to try all the cool dishes (rolled grapes, corn soup, etc)… I give them points for creativity and presentation! It’s hard to make things look cool on square plates, but they do. Each dish was practically a work of art. And they were relatively good, too!
However, I can’t give Domani five stars because almost all the dishes that I REALLY wanted to try after reading previous Unilocal reviews were no longer on the menu and they did not offer any substitutes or suggestions. I mean… wouldn’t you keep the things that are making a name for you? I don’t get it. In fact, the dish that I did order (chicken focaccia) wasn’t even served the right way (on a bun, not focaccia… doesn’t that make it no longer a focaccia entrée?). I dunno, I guess it was an off night/​month for the chef. Le sigh.
I don’t want to knock a Seminole Heights gem too much… this place is good but a tad overrated, just like SH itself. I’ll probably be back at some point.

First and foremost, standing ovate for this local gem. It is such a beautiful thing to see a place like this in the heart of a great Tampa neighborhood such as Seminole Heights conducting themselves in this manner. Once you arrive, you find yourself saying «I pass by here all the time and never noticed this!» I think this is the true beauty of Domani, because it is true to it’s city, true to it’s grounds, and true to it’s food.
Upon arrival, my date and I were awed at the ambiance indoors. Being our first time there, we decided to sit in the lounge instead of the bar, but we will definitely be back to try the drinks. The bread and sauce was absolutely amazing and started us right. My date ordered the Gnoochi and Shrimp while I went for the Duck confit that was absolutely amazing. Cooked very well, it hit the spot and I definitely recommend either dish to any Domani Bistro customer.
Inside, the lighting is dim, but not dark, and it sets the perfect vibe for an intimate time, but never swaying far from a cool and casual flow. Our waiter, Kevin, was awesome as well.
All in all, I give Domani a 5 Star rating because they aren’t trying to be anything but true to themselve and their environment. This is definitely a Seminole Heights gem that will and should attract all from everywhere.

Support local business! Upon entering this quaint neighborhood bistro I was immediately impressed. The warm and inviting ambiance and the friendly staff made the evening that much more enjoyable.
My friend and I both ordered a glass of wine and it was accompanied by the freshest foccacia and pesto dipping sauce.
For an appetizer we decided upon the Brie and pistachio wrapped grapes. All though different and unique, I felt like they lacked flavor. They needed a dipping sauce or some salt.
For dinner we shared the most fantastic shrimp and homemade gnocchi and the lemon/​tomato/​cream mussels. Both dishes were to die for… honestly.
The gnocchi were homemade and so full of flavor. I was expecting a heavy sauce and I got just the opposite. And the mussels! Wow… so good in fact that we asked for some extra bread just to dip in the sauce.
I’m planning on returning soon to sample more of their menu.

Any restaurant with a house pinot grigio for $ 15 a bottle will always have a special place in my heart. This place has a true upscale neighborhood feel. The manager was walking around when we were there and checked on us many times and even invited us to come back for a wine tasting later in the month.
We tried a bunch of different appetizers including, the rolled grapes (completely different and a must try), the tots with curry ketchup (these are bigger starchy tots and if you don’t like curry you can ask for regular ketchup) and the toasted goat cheese (very different and not what you would expect, it’s a chunky sauce mixed with tomato and eggplant that you load on top of the toasted bread). I was also a complete glutton and got the Guinness and gruyère soup which is a yummy beer cheese soup with bacon and tomato.
For my main course I tried the special which was cured pork with mashed potatoes, broccolini and a cranberry drizzle. The presentation was gorgeous and the pork melted in your mouth (check out my photo). I literally scrapped everything last bit off the plate.
This is a great place to enjoy a nice dinner out without breaking the bank. I can’t wait to go back and try more of their menu!

I recently got to try this newwer dining establishment for a friends birthday. I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in to see such upscale furnishings and décor. Parking was a bit of a challenge on a Friday night, but that is to be expected in this neighborhood.
I decided to try one of their signature cocktails (Cool Man Cuke) which appeared to be a gin n tonic with a twist. I was shocked to see it served in a martini glass and it had an odd blend of flavors.
Our table ordered a large array of appetizers including the tater tots and the gourmet grapes. I was enamored with the tater tots. There was something about the texture and flavor that immediately won me over. For my entrée, I ordered the bacon wrapped pork tenderloin. It had great flavors and was served with a great accompanyment of spinach and mashed potatotes.
Domani is definitely one of Seminole Height’s best eateries and I look forward to trying more items on my next visit.

Simply put, Domani Dominates.
I am finding several gems in the Seminole Heights Neighborhood and glad that I came across this jewel.
I was first exposed to Domani at the Taste of the Heights. I had the Brie and Pistachio rolled grapes with a balsamic reduction. It really was a party in my mouth.
My friends have been raving about this restaurant for the past few months, so when it was one of our other friends’ birthday, Domani was only the most logical choice to celebrate.
The appetizers were amazing. The brie rolled grapes were a hit of course. It is hard to believe that something as simple as a tater tot could cause such pleasure. The tater tots were served with a curry ketchup. I am not a fan of curry, so the ketchup with a kick was not for me.
I ordered the braised short ribs cooked in red wine with gremolata and mashed potatoes. It was a-​mazing.
The atmosphere of this place is very low key, casual and very welcoming. The staff is amazing as well. Billy, the manager came to our table multiple times and is a great conversationalist. He had great personality and cares about the satisfaction of the customers.
I had 2 drinks while I was there. Both were excellent.
B. Major Grade: A

When I heard that there was an Italian Bistro opening within walking distance of my home, my heart did a little pitter pat, but I tried not to get my hopes up so that I wasn’t disappointed. Well, I think it would be impossible to disappoint with Domani.
Atmosphere: Very home-​y, yet really nice! I feel like you could go to this restaurant for a nice date night or a fun night out with friends and it would be perfect for either. Everyone that I have met on the staff have been really nice and helpful. You can just tell that they ENJOY their jobs!
Drinks: Really good wine selection, and if you are pinching pennies, house wines for cheap! The last time I was at Domani, there was a rep there giving out free beer samples, which were delicious as well. I haven’t tried the cocktails but my friend said that his was delicious.
Appetizers: Um, tater tots that taste like mashed potatoes with flavored ketchup, nuff said. The salmon crostini was really good, too. My favorite are the grapes with brie, pistachio, and balsamic — so original and delicious!
Main Course: Although I’ve only been here twice, I’ve gotten to sample bites of friends’ meals each time, so I have a pretty good idea. Let me tell you, it is ALL good.
All in all, a great addition to a great neighborhood!

Domani is a great new addition to Seminole Heights current repertoire of dining and imbibing establishments. You’ll notice upon entry a spacious interior that is refreshing and comfortable for both romantic and casual dining. The fusion menu is well selected and covers a wide spectrum of cuisines from Italian to Asian.
The crab cake appetizer, which while you would assume would be a traditionally fried dish; is served as a salad confined within a wall of avocado. It is both scrumptious and light. A perfect weight for an appetizer that is delectable yet not so filling that you forget about eating your meal.
The Thai chili duck confit entrée was prepared to perfection. The duck was cooked to a ripe tenderness, and lightly adorned with a chili sauce that compliments the duck and the cous cous. The only point with the Thai chili sauce I could make is that a bit more «kick» would have been nice, but not everyone is into spicy dishes.
Their drink menu is run if this mill, however I did not opt for any of the house made cocktails. The beer list could have been more complete, but was satisfactory non-​the-​less for this dining experience.
Service was prompt and courteous. All dishes were served in a timely manner and in an orderly fashion. It’s great when your entrée is perfectly timed to be brought out, when your appetizer is complete, not all at once, leaving room for space and digestion.
A great experience overall for dining in Seminole Heights, and I look forward to dining at their establishment in the near future.

Why 5 stars? Because this is my new obsession.
— — —
The keys to my heart:
— Great Restaurants
— Seminole Heights
— Great Restaurants in Seminole Heights
— Friendly People
— Hard-​Working People
— Friendly, Hard-​Working People that work at Great Restaurants in Seminole Heights.
— — —
Seriously, this is the total package. I swung by to check this place out a few weeks ago and was very pleasantly surprised with the burger on focaccia bread. That was one unique, but nomalicious burger.
This weekend I returned, and was even more wowed.
I had the bacon-​wrapped pork tenderloin, and my g/​f went with the alfredo-​based pasta special. Both were stupid-​good. We had an argument over whose dinner was better, and it got heated.
Neither of us are cocktail drinkers, but we wanted to give their concoctions a shot. I don’t see a menu online anywhere to strike my memory, but I can describe them. Mine was some sort of dessert cocktail that had a marshmallow in it, and the girlfriend had something citrus based… I believe it had the word «Touca» in the name. We both couldn’t believe how a couple of beer drinkers like ourselves, could be so happy sipping on a mixed drink.
Bosco, the owner, is as friendly as they come –he hasn’t had an off-​day since long before Domani opened its doors, months ago… but he still managed to come chat with us several times throughout our meal.
I’m extremely grateful for his dedication and hard work, and I’m even more grateful that he decided to open Domani in my backyard — the SHeights.