Yes, Bern's USED to be one of the premier steakhouses in Tampa Bay. However, the big change is the quality of the food. If you care more about the ambience and the service, then you'll be okay. However, my last visit to Bern's I had the Dorado (Mahi Mahi), which was supposed to be still swimming just before they cooked it. I've had Mahi Mahi that I cooked myself just a few hours after catching it in Costa Rica, and it was incredible; Bern's Dorado tasted more like frozen fish from Winn Dixie, kind of gritty and tough.
The steak was also disappointing; it lacked that wonderfully tender and delicately balanced flavor of the Bern's of old. The whole dinner made me wonder why anyone would want to spend 80-100 dollars at this steakhouse. Skip the dining room. Instead go straight upstairs to the dessert room. It's still great.
more