Cafe Ole

We decided to head to Cafe Ole due to the spectacular rating here on Yelp.  Overall it was good, but I don't think it's the best restaurant I visited in Tampa.  On our visit to Cafe Ole, we took advantage of Happy Hour.  Beers were 2 for 1, and (chock full of ice and a little watered down) Red Sangria was a little under $4 a glass.  The atmosphere was nice, and there were many friendly people at the bar who were largely locals.  They also had appetizer specials around $5.  I cannot imagine paying full price for the appetizers.  I ordered croquetas de pollo, and was disappointed.  Croquetas here in the States are nothing like croquetas in Spain.  They were sort of like chicken crab cakes, if you can envision that.  The bread was a little hard and stale, and I was disappointed by that too.  The deal was made a little sweeter though by the check in offer, 1 free glass of house wine.
Prices are high, portions are small.  If that's your thing, this is your type of place to go!

I rarely give out 5 stars- seriously- I rarely do. You have to be pretty gosh darn special to earn the perfect 10 from me and although some come close- most miss the mark.

Cafe Ole- where do I begin? First, I want to apologize for never giving you the time of day when I lived in WC for years. Shame on me- laughed then but I cry now.

As you park in front of Ole, you're not real sure what you're getting yourself into. It looks bland from the outside- standard strip mall fare which has unfortunately become standard practice in Florida. It's boring- sure- but it's Florida so learn to live with it.

Once you walk in, all preconceptions shall be left at the door. The restaurant is split- bar side and dining side (however you can eat at the bar side as well with several tables available). We elected to sit at a table a few feet away from the nice, wooden bar that stands as a showpiece for Cafe Ole. We were instantly greeted by the bar tender who asked us to take a seat. He made us comfortable right from the start- can't say most bar tenders have this quality.

As we were seated, he brought menus to look over. The bar tender walked up to us, exchanged pleasantries, and then went over the bar specials (it was happy hour). Liz ordered their Sangria (awesome) and I ordered their Mojito. Yeah, quite possibly the best mojito (save the one I had at the Rue Hotel in Aruba). Yup, Ole was already off to a killer start.

We ordered the Paella Valenciana (I hope I spelled that right) and the New York Strip with chimichurri. Liz, who often fascinates over a recurring dream of her swimming miles in end through waves of rice, saffron, and chorizo with the darting seafood in a well prepared paella, had such a glee on her face after her first bite of the paella that I knew instantly that Ole would be a main staple whenever we returned to WC. My steak was prepared perfectly with beautiful seasoning, cooked right on the dot at medium rare, excellent roasted potatoes and veggies. We also had a side order of plantains which were perfect- sweetened and salted right at that fine line of absoluteness. We drank, ate, conversed- it was a beautiful time at Ole.

I think the best moment at Ole was when we were asked for dessert. We wanted to try the Tres Leches cake because of what we had heard. The waitress said that they were unfortunately out. Again, I must look so obvious when I'm disappointed (like a big cry baby) because it was at that precise moment that the waitress said "You know what, let me ask the owner-he's in the kitchen. His wife is who makes the cake. Maybe she has one coming- she normally delivers it around this time"

Ask me if we had cake that night? Go on- I dare you. She came rushing over when she heard  a customer wanted a slice- that's dedication to her craft, to her husband's restaurant, to the customers. I'll never forget that. As for the cake-it was delicate, mildly sweet, and just on point. Splendid.

Sometimes I end my reviews with a rhetorical question of will I return or will I abstain. I think it's clear where I stand with Cafe Ole. All I ask is that more of the Wesley Chapel faithful to venture on over as well and give Ole a shot. You won't be disappointed- I guarantee you that much. Where so  many chain restaurant varieties do fail at delivering the customer what they really want in a fine meal- Cafe Ole does the complete opposite and wants to make your night as special as can be. When it's a desire of theirs to make your night memorable- you have found a winner and as a diner- you can't ask for anything more.

A few weeks ago, I ventured into New Tampa to try out Cafe Ole with some friends. I pulled into a strip mall which contained quite a few ethnic restaurants to find Cafe Ole tucked away inside. Upon walking in, I met up with Carlos, Jen and Blaire and knew instantly I was in for a treat as it was National Paella day.

We were greeted by a pitcher of delicious red sangria. It had the perfect flavor. Not too sweet, not too fruity and a hint of cinnamon. I instantly thought that I couldn't wait to bring Gabe here since he is such a Sangria snob.

We started off with an order of Bruschetta which is not on the menu. Fellow foodie and friend, Leslie, dined at Cafe Ole a few weeks back and has raved about this, so we had to try it for ourselves. It was truly the best Bruschetta I have ever had.

Cafe Ole's menu has something for everyone. I love eating with a group at Tapas restaurants since you can taste a little bit of everything and that was our plan. The four of us each ordered an appetizer and being it was National Paella day, we decided to split two orders of paella among the four of us. My Tapas choice was the SETAS CON CHORIZO, Spanish sausage and mushrooms, sautéed in olive oil and garlic, in a sherry wine sauce. There comes a time when you are forced to put down your fork because you don't want to be full, but you lose all self control. As Blaire and I were sitting closest to this dish, we had a few issues turning away. It was out of this world chorizo goodness.

Carlos ordered the CALAMARES FRITOS - Tender calamari dusted in seasoned flour and lightly fried. Served with tomato pesto sauce. Perfectly seasoned and fried rings of calamari.

Jen ordered the PATATAS ALIOLI with a side of BRAVAS sauce- Deep fried diced potatoes finished in a light Alioli sauce. The side of spicy tomato sauce was very spicy.

Blaire ordered the TORTILLA DE PATATAS - A classic Spanish potato omelet.Served with homemade alioli sauce.

Four Tapas for four people is the perfect amount of food. What we were not expecting was the Chef sending us multiple  daily special Tapas. Before we knew it, we were stuffed and the Paella hadn't made it's way out. Of the Chef choice lineup, my favorite dish of the meal was presented. Let me start with the sauce - a Bakon Vodka cream sauce. OMG. Best sauce ever.....laying on top was tender and moist stuffed chicken surrounded with a layer of prosciutto and topped with black caviar. I want to recreate this at home and I luckily have the Bakon vodka to experiment with!

We received an order of Bacon wrapped shrimp with a light fruit sauce. I normally steer clear of anything bacon wrapped since it is never executed correctly. Not the case here. The bacon was crispy while the shrimp was cooked to perfection.

Just when we think the Paella is on it's way, we receive another specialty tapas, a ripe beefsteak tomato stuffed with pork, shrimp, breadcrumbs, fresh herbs and spices.

OK, it is time for the Paella! We ordered two of the three kinds, the PAELLA VALENCIANA, which is a classic paella, featuring shrimp, calamari,clams, mussels, fish, chicken and chorizo baked with Valencia rice in a home made saffron sauce. It was perfection in a paella pan.

We also tried the PAELLA NEGRA Sautéed with pulpo, shrimp, calamari, fish, and scallops then baked with Valencia rice and squid ink. Although I love squid ink, it was a little much for my taste in this dish.

When my stomach cannot handle anymore food, dessert comes out. Thank goodness I wore my stretchy jeans. The highlight of the end of our delicious meal was a traditional TRES LECHES, a rich meringue cake soaked in 3 different types of milk. Tres Leches is not something I would order as I feel this is never executed. Cafe Ole has perfected the Tres Leches and I urge you to order this to end your perfect meal.

We also tried the CREMA CATALANA, a Cafe Ole original recipe of vanilla citrus pudding topped with raw sugar and then burned to make a hard candy shell. It reminds you of a fruity Creme Brulee.

And finally, the FLAN DE LA CASA, Homemade Spanish caramel custard. The flan is normally what I would have ordered on my own. While it was delicious, it was overshadowed by the amazing Tres Leches.