Kafe Kokopelli
| Address: | 37940 Live Oak Ave, Dade City, FL 33523, USA |
| Phone: | +1 352-523-0055 |
| Site: | kafekokopelli.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–8PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 5
BO
Bob Benett
My wife and I have been there several times and have always had a 5 star experience. That is until we decided to take my mother-in-law there for lunch on Easter Sunday. The food was adequate at best and the service was severely lacking. It was not because they were busy, it was because the server was unattentive. All through the meal it seemed I was always waiting for my server to appear so I could ask him to bring me something he should have brought me in the first place. That doesnt make for an enjoyable dinner. For example, all three of us ordered sweet ice tea and was only brought two glasses. When I pointed it out, I was then brought a glass of tea but no straw. I was then brought a straw. I then tasted the tea and found it was unsweetened so I then had to wait again for my server to appear so I could get the sweet tea. The sweet tea was brought but once again I was not given a straw. He went back and got it but decided to first stop and chat with another server. Our server was supposed to bring us the bread at the beginning of our meal. We received our meal but no bread. We were more than half way though our meal before I was able to wave him down and point out that he never brought the bread he had said he was going to bring us. I had just taken the last bite of my meal when the bread was brought to the table. I could go on but I think you get the picture. The server was attentive and pleasant enough when he was at the table but he never stopped by to see if we needed anything without first having to be flagged down. I felt like I was in a cheap dinner rather than an upscale cafe. What made the service appear so much more lacking was how extremely attentive another server was taking care of the customers at a table across from us. The bill for the three of us was $112 and even with the less than stellar service we still left an $18 tip. We were disappointed, but far from angry or vindictive. But as I helped my elderly mother-in-law out the front door I noticed my wife talking to the server that I had seen chatting with our server when our server went to get my straw for a second time. I think because he was standing by the podium at the entrance, she may have thought he was the manager. She came out the door a few seconds behind us and was visibly upset. I asked what was wrong and she told me she had relayed some of our service experince to the person upfront and was told "a little kindness would have got her alot better service". My wife is one of those people that are perpetually cheerful and anyone that knows her knows how idiotic and inapplicable such a statement like that was. After helping my mother-in-law to the car I went back into the restaurant to have a word with the manager about our experince. The manager did apologize and said if he had been up front when we left that would never have happened and that he would address what was said to my wife. I told him if I had been standing there when it was said he would have known about it wherever he was. When you go to a restaurant where your experince has always been phenomenal there will come a time when you may be a little disappointed. But the rudeness by the server with the goatee and unbuttoned shirt at the front door was unacceptable. He was not our server so I have no idea as to why he would even say something like that other than to simply be rude, so we will probably never go back again.
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A Private User
I have frequented this place many times over the past several years, and generally had positive experiences with the food and always appreciated the unique atmosphere. Sadly, after the past 3 visits, I will no longer be dining at Kokopellis. While the atmosphere is great and the staff friendly, the food is extremely disappointing. The ingredients seem very cheap and the portions are small. The burgers were the worst Ive had anywhere (fast food, sit-downs, backyard cooking) that I can remember in recent memory; bad meat flavoring, soggy buns, just generally bland and unappetizing. The salads are soggy, sandwich fillings are skimpy, theres really nothing appealing on the menu anymore except perhaps some of the seafood. It makes it much harder to stomach the prices considering the very poor food quality. Maybe a change in management or more qualified chefs would be the remedy, I do not know. It is hard to say this about a restaurant that I was once very fond of, but I will not be returning.
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Gary R
Mixed feelings about Kate Kokopelli. Used to be a great place for dinner and after a few years, quality of food and staff declined so I stopped going. Recently went back for brunch, which was marginal at best, and was surprised how different the inside looked. Waitress was friendly bit the food was pedestrian at best. Will probably try dinner again as they used to serve a great she crab bisque and sangria. After a few years not eating there it might be worth a try again. Update: went again 4/8/17 against my better judgement. Again, food was pedestrian at best and the waitress was less than accommodating. Fish tacos were devoid of fish and she never even voiced our concern to the manager. We got a different entree but really, no manager visit to the table? This is the last attempt for us here and it is a shame. What was a good restaurant has regressed into a major disappointment. I suggest to avoid at all costs.
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A Private User
Came in for my birthday lunch. I was very disappointed. I have been a customer for years but the past year the quality of the food has been sub par. My house salad, which I usually love, was soggy, mushy and wilty. It seemed as if it had been prepared hours before and left to soak in the dressing. Not at all like the fresh salad that I usually get. I usually get the cuban sandwich for lunch, but I wanted to try something else this time so I opted for the cattlemans bbq burger. I was upset to find that the bun was very low quality, it crumbled and fell apart. The bbq sauce had no flavor and tasted more like ketchup. The whole burger itself had no taste. Im not saying I wouldnt try the restaurant again at a later date... Im just hoping they find some new cooks who appreciate customers who spend $28 on lunch. I miss the old Kafe Kokopelli.
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Marcus Caselles
We found this place on the way to somewhere else, and put a pin in it to come back when we were able. Kafe Kokopelli is like coming home for the likes of my wife and me. The decor is inspired. The food is excellent. The people are wonderful. The prime rib was divine, the best I have had in Florida, and among the best anywhere else. But the appetizer and dessert really made the meal. We had calimari with a salty/smoky sauce and another sauce that was like a spicy tomato bisque. And the goat cheese cake was incredible, with a creme-brulee-like toasted top layer and an amazing berry compote. and oh, yeah, they have a great bar as well. Its pricey, but it will feed your soul. As a prior owner of a great restaurant/pub, I would be proud to show off this jewel of an already very cool town to any of my friends and family.
