Perfect Birthday Night at The Black Pearl My husband took me to The Black Pearl for my birthday, and it was absolutely perfect from start to finish. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere felt special--elegant but comfortable, the kind of place that makes you feel like you're celebrating something important (because we were!). The service was outstanding--attentive without being overbearing--and the staff truly made the evening feel memorable. Our meals were phenomenal, beautifully prepared, and worth every bite. It was one of those dinners where you're already planning what you want to order next time before you've even finished your plate. Between the incredible food, wonderful service, and getting to spend the evening with my favorite person, it was exactly how I wanted to celebrate my birthday. The Black Pearl helped turn a special night into a truly unforgettable one. Highly recommend for celebrations, date nights, or anytime you want an exceptional dining experience. We'll definitely be back! read more

The Black Pearl - New American Near Me - Dunedin, Florida

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Came in for anniversary dinner and had a terrific experience at The Black Pearl. Restaurant itself is very small and intimate but not cramped. We were seated and taken care of by a fantastic waiter. We opted for wine and sparkling by the glass and the sommelier was able to provide some good recommendations and even provided some insight on the region of the wines. Waiter explained the menu which was à la carte but included bread, their Black Pearl Salad , and a palate cleanser before the main entree. The food was prepared and spaced out perfectly so you did not feel rushed or waiting at any point during the experience. From start to finish, it ended up being around 1 hour and 45 minutes which is a good range for a fine dining experience for 2. Our food order as followed: Hors d'oeuvres - Pork belly rillettes Bread (included) - Potato bread with garlic herb olive oil Starter - Pate of Foie Gras Salad (included) - Black Pearl Salad Entremet (included) - Watermelon Jalapeño popsicle Entrees - White truffle lobster risotto , Hereford filet mignon Dessert - Tarte Tatin with side of vanilla ice cream Everything was absolutely amazing and the execution and technique was perfect. If I did have a complaint (if you can call it that) was the choice of using a watermelon and jalapeño popsicle as a palate cleanser. The taste was amazing but it may be too aggressive in flavor prior to an entree. Putting my fake chefs hat on, I would have gone with a similar concept but using watermelon and maybe a yuzu citrus for a palate cleanser. Amazing experience, amazing food and presentation, amazing staff. 5/5. If you are in the Tampa Bay Area and you are looking for a true fine dining experience, check out The Black Pearl. read more

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Absolutely spectacular from start to finish. Quaint meets sophistication. Excellent performance by the chef down to the wait staff. Made our 35th wedding anniversary celebration an evening to remember. The food was impeccable and there wasn't a crumb left to be found. Delightful and delicious to the last bite with the wine pairings pushing it over the top. Did not disappoint!!! read more

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Excellent service. The food was exceptional. The only thing that I would say could use improvement is the decor.

My husband and I have been to the Black Pearl a few times. We invited my mom and a friend to join us. The doors opened promptly at 5 which was our reservation time. The service is consistently attentive. The restaurant has remained small with only 11 tables. It allows for quiet celebrations from small groups for the majority of the time they are opened in the evening. The menu is small yet favorable. We took the opportunity to try some things we have not had in the past. Food overall was very tasty and flavorful. We ordered just a few of the starters, appetizers and desserts so we could share and all try. We all ordered our own entrees. The presentation of the food and pacing of each course was perfect. The temperature of the food was the only issue we had. Ut was a very hot day and the AC was working overtime. We had a vent directly over us and I feel this is the reason the food cooled so quickly. We ate all but did ask for the steak to be heated up. They promptly did this and checked in later to make sure we were satisfied. Overall- we have always enjoyed The Black Pearl and will be back! read more

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I'm glad we have a place for fine dining, like this, in Dunedin. The creative menu was a nice departure from everything else in the area and food was good. I don't know that it was worth $500 for the two of us to have dinner, but everything was very good. The service was also wonderful. The bread had amazing flavor, the lobster risotto had large chunks of perfectly cooked lobster and the salad had a wonderful dressing. We both had the steak for the entree and this was the only disappointment for me. It was only about 4oz and sliced in the middle for $62. The center was perfectly cooked but the char on the outside was too heavy for my taste and the sauce wasn't necessary. If you're looking for a great steak at that price point, this is simply not on par with Berns, Flemings, Ruth's Chris, Capital Grill, etc. Their seafood is great, so I would suggest sticking with the scallops or Chilean sea bass. I had also heard that the restaurant was small, but it is honestly a little bit uncomfortable to be in one of the small tables for 2 along the edge, with nowhere to put a jacket or umbrella. That's an unusual issue in FL, but it happened to be one that evening. "Intimate" is nice, but this is honestly a bit tight. It's so small that you walk through a skinny hallway to go to the restroom and a staff member literally has to run to hold the kitchen door closed, shrinking against the wall, to avoid collisions. This is a successful restaurant. They should consider moving to a different space. read more

You know how some restaurants feel like they're trying too hard? Like they're that friend who keeps telling you they CrossFit? The Black Pearl in Dunedin is the opposite of that. It's that friend who casually mentions they can solve a Rubik's cube while cooking a five-star meal - and then actually does it. It's intimate in that "we're-all-in-this-delicious-journey-together" kind of way. The waiter, Shane, is basically the food equivalent of Morgan Freeman - narrating every dish like he's telling you the secrets of the universe. The lobster risotto? It's like if comfort food went to grad school and came back with a PhD in making you happy. This is your new 3 AM food memory. Then there's the pork belly - or as the insiders say,"meat candy." It's what happens when a pig decides to fulfill its destiny of becoming the most luxurious thing you've ever put in your mouth. But the real plot twist? The apple tatin. Listen, this isn't just dessert - this is what every apple pie sees when it closes its eyes and dreams about its future in the Big Apple League. The Black Pearl isn't just a restaurant; It's proof that sometimes the best things do come in small packages - specifically, packages containing 11 tables and a waiter named Shane who deserves his own food documentary series. Already booked my next table because life's too short not to celebrate with great food and equally great company. *in my best Maui voice* - "You're welcome!" read more

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The true rating is 4.5 stars. Food was delicious. We got a steak and the lobster risotto for our mains. Salads were very tasty as well. Service was friendly and on point. Only reason for not being 5 stars was we felt not nearly enough lobster with the risotto to justify the price. read more

My husband surprised me with a romantic 50th birthday dinner at The Black Pearl, and it was absolutely magical. From the moment we walked in, we felt special--the ambiance was intimate and welcoming. Our server, Jay, was fantastic--funny, knowledgeable, and super helpful with the menu. Every dish, from hors d'oeuvres to the main course, was phenomenal. We also had the pleasure of meeting their incredibly talented sommelier, Adam. He took the time to understand what we were eating and paired our wines perfectly. We usually stick to cabernet, but Adam introduced us to pairings that complemented our meal beautifully--light, balanced, and educational! He even poured a dessert wine with a rich backstory that made the experience even more memorable. We've never had a dining experience like this before. I came from Las Vegas and had never been to The Black Pearl, but I'll be recommending it to everyone I know. They didn't just serve us--they celebrated with us. Truly unforgettable! read more

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Wow, what an experience... We came in last week for dinner. My wife got a recommendation from a coworker. The restaurant itself is quite small. 12 tables at best in this restaurant. Dimly lit, makes for a great date night spot. Our service by Sean was just amazing. He walked us through the entire menu. Portions are a little small, until the entrees. But it works. :) There are like 6 different courses. -Hors D'oeuves. We shared 2. Chopped cheese & Blue Tartlette. -Starter. White truffle lobster risotto. This was recommended by our Server as it is to be shared. They also have it as an entree. But wanted to sample a smaller course. - Palate cleanser. Lychee Popsicle. This will definitely wake up your taste buds. -Entrees. For her, Maple Leaf Farms Duckling. I chose the Pappardelle Bolognese. Maybe the best I've ever had. -Dessert. Tarte Tatin. We shared this one also. Flaky puff pastry, spiced Granny Smith apples, brown sugar & vanilla whipped cream. This is a special occasion type of place. Highly recommended. Do make reservations at least a week in advance. We did on Opentable. Enjoy your fine dining experience. read more

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Awesome! Best service the food omg the food we had tried the lobster risotto and the duck and the steak and the licorice ice crown and white chocolate cake and champagne did I say how Amazing the service was!!! read more

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Service was exceptional, the only thing better was the food! The menu is semi preset, you select from just a couple items for a 6 course meal. The lobster risotto was one of the best I've ever had. They offer a robust wine menu, and the Sommelier was exceptionally knowledgeable with wonderful recommendations. For tourist and locals alike this is a must do experience! read more

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Food was good. Super crammed in and crowded. Sea bass was good. Appetizer was tiny. The palette cleanser was stupid. Not impressed. read more

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This restaurant is absolutely perfect. The grouper and filet were amazing. We tried every dessert and everyone was good. Adam the som was hilarious and made the experience exceptional. We will be coming back here every time we are in Clearwater! The atmosphere was really cool and it's a fun experience! read more

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Dinner at Black Pearl was as close to perfection as we've ever found, and we have tried restaurants all over the country. Intimate but not uncomfortable, ambiance, lighting, and music were all very relaxing and comforting. The wait staff are attentive and very knowledgeable. The wine list is excellent and fairly priced, especially selections by the glass. And, of course, the FOOD. Presentation = spectacular. Pacing from the kitchen = perfect. The attention to detail and the combination of flavors added up to a meal we will be talking about for a very long time. A truly wonderful dining experience! read more

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We had an outstanding dinner at The Black Pearl. Follow the online recommendations. Lobster risotto was delicious! The bread was amazing with fresh strawberry butter. Sea bass was prepared to perfection. And the desserts were perfect. We will be back for more soon! read more

Overall, a great dining experience at The Black Pearl in Dunedin! The Humboldt Fog Tartlette was a dream, perfectly balanced with blue cheese, and that puff pastry? Absolutely divine! The Japanese Milk Bread was delicious, especially when paired with a super garlicky olive oil infused with fresh parsley and mint--so good! For starters, we indulged in Pâté de Foie Gras and the White Truffle Lobster Risotto. The star of the night for me was definitely the lobster risotto. Insanely buttery and soft, it stole my heart. Let's not forget the Black Pearl Salad with its warm poppy seed vinaigrette--one of the best salads I've ever had! Before the entrees arrived, we enjoyed a delightful Caramel Apple Popsicle to cleanse our palates. We ordered three entrees: the Hereford Filet Mignon, Maple Leaf Farms Duckling, and Veal Paillards--all beautifully plated and perfectly cooked. To top it all off, we had the Tarte Tatin for dessert--it was a bit messy and not quite what I expected. Tasty, but I probably wouldn't order it again. An incredible wine selection for all the wine lovers out there. read more

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Portions are incredibly small. Food is just ok to not very good . Extremely expensive! So disappointing. Lovely ambiance. Came from an hour and 20 minutes away. read more

Quite possibly the best restaurant experience I've had. Went on a Monday night. Sean and Adam made the whole night smooth and delicious. read more

We went here right after we got engaged, and we enjoyed it very much. It is a beautiful, small restaurant with the most incredible service. I cannot remember what we ordered because it was several months ago. However, I remember everyone liked their dishes and we left in a very good mood. The sommelier's recommendations were spot on. We will definitely go back next time we are in Tampa area. read more

Excellent experience - thoughtful menu with exceptional wines. From start to finish, we were well taken care of. Romantic setting. Well done! read more

I got lucky and was able to get a reservation during Restaurant Week 2023 (the only place I chose this round). I enjoyed all the different, perfect portioned food samplings. I ate it all and left with a perfectly full stomach. Friendly service, especially as I was solo. Ambiance is upscale. Tiny restaurant as well. I really enjoyed the risotto! read more

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The Black Pearl is my absolute favorite restaurant in all of Tampa Bay! It's going to take a lot to top them. This is fine dining with a price tag to match so go in prepared. My bill for 2 people only 1 drink each was $240. Note: they automatically add gratuity to the check no matter the size of your party. Mostly a special occasions restaurant from what I could tell. So next Birthday, promotion, business launch or engagement, treat yourself here! This is a very small restaurant in downtown Dunedin and reservations are a MUST. Parking can be challenging so allow time. When you walk in it's a small quaint setting with romantic lighting and only a handful of tables. Each table is set with white linen tablecloths, wine glasses and a vase with roses. Dress code is semi formal to formal Service is attentive All dishes are made by the executive chef himself with care and precision. After all of the reviews we started with the Lobster Risotto and it did not disappoint. A must try For both entrees we chose the Hereford Filet. Another fine selection. For the Finale a decadent chocolate cake and the cardamom crème brulee. Both divine. A nice touch that stood out to me was the palate cleanser they bring between meals. I would recommend this restaurant to anybody that can afford it. Loved the Black Pearl The only criticism I have is that I do wish the restaurant was a bit larger because it felt a little awkward like everybody could hear your conversation and felt a bit stuffy being against the wall in a 2 top. There was also a large wealthy party that hired their own musician or something that we were forced to listen to at a loud volume for half of the meal and couldn't hear each other. I understand catering to customers but the restaurant is too small for all of that without imposing greatly on others. read more

The Black Pearl - Lobster Risotto - New American Near Me - Dunedin, Florida

Is the Black Pearl the best Resturant East of the bay? Yes. By far. Bottle of wine, Caesar salad, foie something, best filet ever, more wine, lobster claw, French press coffee and bananas foster and chocolate cake. The best. read more

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To start, parking was a bit challenging. Restaurant small (11 tables) very dark and a bit cold. Service was great. Jay was our server. Food at best was mediocre. Pricey. Bread, black pearl salad and palate cleanser good. Pork belly was delicious. My husband had Bolognese and paparedelle. Sauce was just ok. Pasta a little tough for home made. My sea bass was good. I ordered a side of poached lobster claws. Claws were very dry! We had bananas foster for dessert which was very good. We enjoyed our evening, but most likely will not go back. It was just ok. read more

Really enjoyed most of our meal. I ordered the filet mignon and it was fantastic. My husband ordered the duck and it was very dry. It had good flavor but the meat was def. on the dry side. Felt like it needed a sauce or something. Not worth sending back or complaining since it still had good flavor though. Wine was amazing. Service was amazing. Will try again! read more

Nestled in the heard of Downtown Dunedin, the Black Pearl is a one-of-a-kind restaurant with some of the highest quality cuisine I've experienced. From the moment I stepped into the black pearl, I was treated like royalty. If I didn't know better, I would have thought I was the only customer in the whole restaurant with the type of service I was receiving. Our waiter started us off with two tastes of different white wines, which paired perfectly with our starters and main dishes. He explained every aspect of every dish to us and left us with no questions about the menu. The menu included a light (one to two bite) starter, followed by appetizers, then a delicious salad followed by your main courses. I ordered the filet with mashed potatoes and asparagus, and it was perfectly charred and cut like butter. Although extremely pricey, everything we ate and drank was perfect, and the experience at the black pearl was like no other. I will definitely be back to try the rest of the menu! read more

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My most recent visit to Black Pearl was mixed. I do enjoy the small, intimate atmosphere but the service was not up to upscale expectations. The booths are dated and hard to get in and out of and it feels as if they need a bit of a face lift in decor. The menu was a bit disappointing for late spring. The flavors were more of a fall profile. The food was good but not exceptional. The wine list is better than our previous visit. We did enjoy an excellent bottle. read more

Second time we went to Black Pearl but first time in about a year. First time we were blown away but its excellence. The staff, the music, the menu, the wine. But as the year went on, we would often pass the unassuming storefront and wonder - was it really that good? Were we just imagining this? Well, back for our 7th wedding anniversary, and wow - it is STILL EXCELLENT! Everything about this place is lovely. Tried almost everything on the menu and very excited to take down the pappardelle bolognese leftovers for lunch. Drank the Austin Hope cab; wife went with the filet mignon and a glass (or two?) of the champagne Jeeper. Best restaurant in Tampa Bay in my opinion. Think "The Bear" without the stress! read more

This is a 5 star establishment!! I highly recommend this restaurant for a special occasion with your favorite person (people). Dress to impress and enjoy being treated to an upscale dining experience!!! read more

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I've been wanting to eat here for years and I'm so glad I did. It's a very romantic and intimate restaurant, it's great for special occasions or if you want to wine and dine. I did notice people not adhere to the dress code which was a little annoying since it isn't a cheap spot to eat. Reservations can be made online and it is all street parking. Service - Sean was my server and he was fantastic. Took a minute to break down that super fancy demeanor but he was awesome. Speaking of service, I believe they add on 20% gratutity but I had one too many glases of wine and didn't have my itemized receipt so I couldn't tell you LOL! I even tried calling and emailing the restaurant because I wanted to make sure I took care of Sean. No response yet! Food - everything was outstanding. I had the pork belly which I could cut with a fork. Black Pearl salad comes w every entree it was okay, I could go without it. They also bring out these frozen palate cleanser things. I didnt eat mine. For my entree, I got the filet with lobster claws. And it was delicious. For dessert I had the bananas foster and white chocolate cake. Wine - they only serve beer and wine but their wine list is great and Sean made great recommendations. I'm taking my husband here for his birthday. read more

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The best yet.... Everything made the evening perfect. The service was exceptional, both the waiter and sommelier, I wish I remembered their names but just so friendly and knowledgeable. We did the wine pairing, our first time. I would absolutely recommend, it really rounds out the entire experience. And of course the food is delicious. Thank you for a wonderful evening and for making memories and traditions. read more

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As stated in my previous review of The Black Pearl, my past experience there was outstanding...it was perfection! My sweet husband surprised me with reservations to return once again for my birthday and I was elated. Unfortunately, that lovely memory I had was now destroyed by the words & actions of one individual, the host (or perhaps manager or owner?). I can't review the food nor the service (as we didn't get that far), only the utter lack of hospitality demonstrated by this man which caused us to decide to leave the restaurant despite arriving 15 minutes early for our 8:15pm reservation. His attitude was somewhere between arrogance and apathy, but either way unacceptable and insulting. We could not have been more disappointed! And I might add, while we patiently waited for our reservation in the very small space at the doorway, we observed this host to treat other arriving guests poorly- one couple being ignored, another party requesting one add-on to their reservation and denied. No apologies to anyone as far as we could tell. Having worked in the industry for 20+ yrs, this is NOT "hospitality". read more

Very cool florida style restaurant. Just fun place to eat..All good. We are going back in a few days.

We had a reservation for dinner. The service was excellent. We found the menu selection was limited. Food was ok, nothing special the main course was filet mignon and thought it was very salty. I know the black pearl has been in business for a long time. I think they should expand their menu and refresh it a bit. read more

I reviewed this place before and somehow it disappeared. To summarize: the entrance door (at the time) was about to fall off the hinges), the music (at the time) was Rod Stewart singing classic "romance"' songs on a boombox, my better half's food was severely undercooked- nothing says happy anniversary like raw chicken, and the serving ware was damaged. The oddest part of the entire overpriced experience was the waiter telling us he had brought the serving ware from home. Can't make this up! read more

Amazing experience service and food. If you want to treat yourself this is for sure the place to do it. Will definitely be back again next time we are visiting. read more

While traveling to the Dunedin, Clearwater, and St. Pete area for work/real estate, we were on the hunt for a fine dining experience. Google led us to The Black Pearl, and despite it being 9 PM, they graciously accommodated us. What followed was one of the most memorable and delicious meals we've ever had! From start to finish, every course was a delight, and the atmosphere was both quaint and luxurious. The food was an 11 out of 10! We highly recommend making a reservation ahead of time, as this popular spot is known for its out-of-this-world cuisine. read more

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All I can say is, if you have a special occassion, this is the place to celebrate! Make sure you make reservations well in advance in that they only have 12 tables. It is well worth it! read more

Found this gem on Yelp while looking for a place to dine on my 58th birthday. Located in the charming City of Dunedin, Florida. Restaurant is small, which made for a more intimate dining experience. Decor was simply elegant. We were presented with a nine course meal with wine pairing available. What a memorable way to celebrate my birthday!! The wait staff was very attentive, professional, and knowledge. The restaurant even had a sommelier. Wines by the glass and bottle were overpriced but they do pour generous portions. All food items immaculately plated with precision. So pleasing to the sight. The lobster risotto was cooked perfectly and palatable. Pork belly was crispy yet melted in your mouth. Delicious!! This is the first time I've ever raved about a salad but the Black Pearl Salad is worthy of praise. The warm vinegrette someone accentuated the taste of the salad. I wished I had more!! I had the Chilean Sea Bass. Cook on the fish was spot on!! Delicate. Flavorful. My husband opted for the Filet Mignon, medium rare. Perfectly seasoned cooked. So soft and moist. A must is the warm Figgy Pudding. Oh my!! What a great ending to a completely wonderful dining experience. Highly revommend!! read more

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