Bar Louie, International Mall, Tampa, FL

Date: 01/22/2010
Time: Happy Hour
Type: Restaurant/Bar
Where: International Plaza, Baystreet 2223 N. Westshore Blvd B202, Tampa, Fl
Party: 4 Females

Immediate Impression:
I've been here before, mostly for Football Sundays, but I was shocked at the sheer volume of people - mostly men - there for Happy Hour. It was packed!

Service:
Service was lackluster, the bartenders were less than attentive. Our first bartender was helpful, but as the night went on, our new bartender was actually a little smug and slightly bitchy.

Menu/Food:
I normally do not eat at Bar Louie - I have been disappointed each time. However, it was getting late, I was drinking and I needed to eat. I ordered the "safe" Hummus platter, the other ladies ordered the Tuna appetizer and the Calamari.

Honestly, I was caught off guard. They must be using new pita for their hummus platter, it was thick and tasty. The hummus and cous cous was just the right texture and had just the right spices.

The most surprising dish was the Calamari - awesome!!! It was crisp, light and just the right size. Unfortunately, because no one was sure whether there was oyster sauce used in the making of the tuna, I am unable to comment.

Of course, the beer selection at Bar Louie, is what keeps me coming back, and that drafts - including Guinness, Turbo Dog, Red Hook, etc. - is only $3.00 at happy hour. I love drinking at this bar, they always have rotating taps and they have Pabst on tap! Too funny!

Price:
Reasonable...especially during happy hour. However, the service makes the price seem less reasonable.

Final thought:
I will be back, this is a great happy hour spot, and from prior experience, great football place. But I will be pretty cautious about what I chose to eat.