We don’t drive up to Tampa for dinner very often so since we had to be there for a concert, we took the time to look for one of their great restaurants. The good news is we found Mark Murphy’s new restaurant Grey Salt. It is located inside the Seminole’s Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa.

When you walk through the casino, all you see are a lot of elderly individuals who still think smoking is good for you. We were there late afternoon so the younger group didn’t show up yet but it definitely had cigarette haze as you walk through it.

Ah, Grey Salt, is a respite from the smelly casino and it is next to what looks like a beautiful spa area. It is a beautiful space. The light grey wood on the ceilings and walls are just lovely. The seating areas are also very nice as they provide lots of space and has a wonderful feel.

You are greeted just outside the restaurant. We were immediately seated but I have to say, in an empty restaurant they put us at a table next to the water and side stand. This is one of my biggest beefs with restaurants. They will take you to the worst table even if the restaurant is empty. Even worse, if you aren’t a regular, they save the worst tables for you. Of course, we refused the table and went to another one. After all, the restaurant just opened at 5 and we were there at that time because we were going to a concert at 7. It wasn’t as though it was busy quite yet. When it is busy, it gets pretty loud quickly.

The kitchen is open and it is fun to see the three wood fired ovens going along with the chef and cook’s working in harmony and putting out flat breads, charcuterie, or any of the wonderful looking pasta’s, fish, or steak.

The wait staff is very attentive. The waiters came right over with water and delicious hummus and crackers to start you on your way to a wonderfully prepared dinner. The hummus was amazing! It was light, lemony, and just wonderful. I could have eaten just that and have been happy.

The menu is Mediterranean and the food is simply but elegantly prepared. For the wine list, they have an IPad with a very nice wine list and, for those who need it, suggestions about what to pair with food they may choose. We shared a half bottle of Sonoma Cutrer because we were going over to the concert after dinner.

We shared the octopus appetizer. It is marinated overnight and then grilled (with a little char) and presented with smashed potatoes. It was simply wonderful. I can still taste it!

For dinner, I had the grilled shrimp over polenta and sautéed mushrooms. Ordinarily, I am not a polenta lover but this polenta was transforming and even I loved it. The shrimp were large and grilled just right. I may have to start making polenta at home after that!

The other entrée was the duck breast. It was very good as well but the skin could have been a bit crisper. It was still delicious.

Where they need to improve is the desserts. We shared the tarte tatin. It was tasty but was served too cold and the delicious vanilla gelato that was with it was really frozen. Warmed up, it would have been pretty amazing. Having said that, the coffee was delicious.

All in all, we really liked Grey Salt. We would highly recommend it and would go back often if it weren’t so far from home. The next time we have the opportunity to eat in Tampa, we would be happy to eat there again.