Seminole Hard Rock Life August/September 2013 | Página 6

Council Oak

A cut above the rest.

Tampa Bay’s rich culture is steeped in world-famous
cigars, legendary sports franchises and world-class
beaches. The only thing more celebrated than the
annual century old pirate-themed parade is Tampa’s
renowned cuisine. Moreover, our celebrated steakhouses are known throughout the country as part of
the main attraction to visit this great city.
So when the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Seminole
Hard Rock Tampa opened Council Oak Steaks & Seafood back in 2007 there was stiff competition. However, any doubt about who was the new crown jewel
in town was removed after this restaurant opened. To
this day the Tampa Bay Times’ Laura Reiley’s words
ring true, Council Oak Steaks & Seafood is “a new
contender in the great American steak house wars.”
What sets Council Oak apart from the rest? The
name alone lends itself to further examination. The
Council Oak is an actual tree located on the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Hollywood, FL reservation
which is where the Seminole Tribe’s Tribal Council
gathers to conduct official business, like the signing
for the purchase of Hard Rock International. The tree
is still standing and is part of the logo for Council Oak
Steaks & Seafood.

Beyond that, simply notice the attention to detail paid
by each and every single one of the staff members.
They are knowledgeable, thoughtful, and will remember which one is your favorite out of the 43 wines bythe-glass for your next visit. They are a close group

who has a very low turnover; there hasn’t been a
new hire in this restaurant in over a year. Many have
been there since day one and helped arrange the pink
Himalayan salt brick wall seen inside the exhibition
stainless steel butcher shop that greets you upon arrival. They can spend up to one year training in all
aspects of the restaurant, from learning each ingredient that goes into the food to the hostess stand and
then back into the wine cellar which boasts over 200
bottles that range in vintages and labels.

There is a good reason this award-winning steakhouse has been recognized for the Taste of Excellence Award five years in a row by Wine Spectator
Magazine.
Of course, the core of any steakhouse is the beef.
The USDA Prime strip, porterhouse and rib eye along
with the filet mignon make up the core of any steakhouse menu and many restaurants stop right there.
What does Council Oak do better than the rest? “We
invested in the aging room and monitor the dry aging process in house for the quality we want,” said
Dave Miller, Senior Vice President of Development
for Seminole Gaming. “Additionally, some of the key
pieces of the menu are made from ideas that people
will remember and talk about like the unique presentation of our onion rings, our wedge salad served
with a shot of vodka, our crab legs caught fresh from
the Bering Sea by the guys from the Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch” and our commitment to fresh
line-caught seafood from local waters.”

Must be at least 21 years old and a Seminole Player’s Club member with
proper ID. Player’s Club members that have been trespassed or banned by
the Seminole Tribe of Florida or opted into the self-exclusion program are not
eligible to participate. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem,
please call 1-888-ADMIT-IT.

Miller and his team designed the restaurant to ensure an exclusive dining experience from anywhere
inside which overlooks the impeccable show kitchen from three different levels; like a theater where
the kitchen is center stage. The lounge doubles as a
sleek cigar-friendly lounge (it is Tampa!) with entertainment to a walk up bar from the casino floor.

As with other well-known steakhouses there exists a
VIP Club. The VIP Knife Club is on full display next to
the Butcher Shop and features engraved $55 French
handmade steak knives with dozens of celebrity
guests to VIP casino guest names. There’s no set rule
to own your own knife - but this club is invite only.
Miller explains why Council Oak’s success has led to
the Seminole Tribe’s partnership with the New York
Yankees via the NYY Steak concept in Yankee Stadium in New York and Seminole Casino Coconut Creek.
There’s also another one planned to open in midtown
Manhattan. He credits the expertise of the staff. “The
world is full of beautiful empty restaurants, but our
staff’s ability to create outstanding dining experiences for our guests by utilizing what has been designed
and built to the fullest potential is what has led to
our success”.

Must be at least 21 years old and a Seminole Player’s Club member with
proper ID. Player’s Club members that have been trespassed or banned by
the Seminole Tribe of Florida or opted into the self-exclusion program are not
eligible to participate. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem,
please call 1-888-ADMIT-IT.