Ovation Bistro & Bar, Lakeland

I went on Thursday, specifically for the prime rib. It was worth it. If you like smoked prime rib, this is the place for you. The beef was cooked medium rare just the way I ordered, the salad was fresh and flavorful. The baked potato was cooked just right as well, not dry or overcooked. The staff was friendly and helpful. It is always helpful when the staff knows the menu and the food. The place was clean and the atmosphere pleasant. I would recommend this restaurant.

I went on Thursday, specifically for the prime rib. It was worth it. If you like smoked prime rib, this is the place for you. The beef was cooked medium rare just the way I ordered, the salad was fresh and flavorful. The baked potato was cooked just right as well, not dry or overcooked. The staff was friendly and helpful. It is always helpful when the staff knows the menu and the food. The place was clean and the atmosphere pleasant. I would recommend this restaurant.

We had been wanting to give this place a shot for several years but I think we weren't missing much. Upon entering the left area is a large bar and to the right a dimly lit spacious seating area with what feels like a lot of empty space. I mention this as it could be better positioned to allow more tables as there was a 15-20 minute wait for my party of 2. The overall feel/atmosphere was lacking for a restaurant that sought to attract a higher clientele with quality food at higher prices. We arrived at dinner time and looked over the menu of mainly high priced, $20+, meals. We were told the Lamb options would take 30 minutes or more for them to cook so we skipped those options as we were a bit hungry. Based on the "#1 smokehouse in Central Florida", I figured I would try their Smokehouse sandwich. As pictured there was more bread than brisket and for $16 expected more. Especially when another "smokehouse" next door is a much better value. It lacked any significant smoke flavor and therefore required the spicy BBQ sauce to dress it up. The burger was smothered in cheese and cooked to well done. The Mac N cheese looked only served in the cast iron pan and not fully cooked there based on the lack of rusting along the edges. All in all, I am not sure if I would risk the more pricey options as I went home hungry still with the brisket.

We had been wanting to give this place a shot for several years but I think we weren't missing much. Upon entering the left area is a large bar and to the right a dimly lit spacious seating area with what feels like a lot of empty space. I mention this as it could be better positioned to allow more tables as there was a 15-20 minute wait for my party of 2. The overall feel/atmosphere was lacking for a restaurant that sought to attract a higher clientele with quality food at higher prices. We arrived at dinner time and looked over the menu of mainly high priced, $20+, meals. We were told the Lamb options would take 30 minutes or more for them to cook so we skipped those options as we were a bit hungry. Based on the "#1 smokehouse in Central Florida", I figured I would try their Smokehouse sandwich. As pictured there was more bread than brisket and for $16 expected more. Especially when another "smokehouse" next door is a much better value. It lacked any significant smoke flavor and therefore required the spicy BBQ sauce to dress it up. The burger was smothered in cheese and cooked to well done. The Mac N cheese looked only served in the cast iron pan and not fully cooked there based on the lack of rusting along the edges. All in all, I am not sure if I would risk the more pricey options as I went home hungry still with the brisket.

Food took literally forever to get there and then they dropped my food and rushed it when they made it (fettuccine pasta, tossed the shrimp in and made it super oily when it was supposed to be buttery, ruined the whole thing). Not to mention this ridiculous Caesar salad like what is this 😂 they did not even bother to chop up the salad properly just gave me a chunk of lettuce. Then people wonder why they get little to no tip 😪

Food took literally forever to get there and then they dropped my food and rushed it when they made it (fettuccine pasta, tossed the shrimp in and made it super oily when it was supposed to be buttery, ruined the whole thing). Not to mention this ridiculous Caesar salad like what is this 😂 they did not even bother to chop up the salad properly just gave me a chunk of lettuce. Then people wonder why they get little to no tip 😪

I visited Ovation Bistro Bar for a quick lunch after an inspection day and was pleasantly surprised by the food, service, and location. The restaurant offers both dine-in and terrace seating options, providing a comfortable and versatile dining experience. The food exceeded my expectations, and the service was excellent. I didn't have time to try the steak cuts, but they looked promising. I'll definitely be coming back to explore more of the menu.

I visited Ovation Bistro Bar for a quick lunch after an inspection day and was pleasantly surprised by the food, service, and location. The restaurant offers both dine-in and terrace seating options, providing a comfortable and versatile dining experience. The food exceeded my expectations, and the service was excellent. I didn't have time to try the steak cuts, but they looked promising. I'll definitely be coming back to explore more of the menu.

Tiffany was an excellent bartender. She was very helpful explaining the happy hour menu and served delicious cocktails. The French onion soup was great. Tiffany also made my wife a custom cosmo. My wife doesn't like really sweet drinks, so she did it with light cranberry and fresh lime juice. Delicious.

Tiffany was an excellent bartender. She was very helpful explaining the happy hour menu and served delicious cocktails. The French onion soup was great. Tiffany also made my wife a custom cosmo. My wife doesn't like really sweet drinks, so she did it with light cranberry and fresh lime juice. Delicious.

If you’re looking for a great evening in Lakeland, look no further than ovation. We had a party of 13 for dinner on a Friday night without a reservation. The staff was incredibly supportive and friendly. Sophia, our waitress, was friendly, professional, and courteous; she took time to work with us and ensure we had an amazing experience. Great service all around!

If you’re looking for a great evening in Lakeland, look no further than ovation. We had a party of 13 for dinner on a Friday night without a reservation. The staff was incredibly supportive and friendly. Sophia, our waitress, was friendly, professional, and courteous; she took time to work with us and ensure we had an amazing experience. Great service all around!

Food was very good. Our server, Julia, was very nice and attentive. My wife had the sirloin and Julia asked her to cut it once at the table to ensure it was cooked to her satisfaction. My wife was very satisfied. I had shrimp and grits which was great. Definitely recommended!

Food was very good. Our server, Julia, was very nice and attentive. My wife had the sirloin and Julia asked her to cut it once at the table to ensure it was cooked to her satisfaction. My wife was very satisfied. I had shrimp and grits which was great. Definitely recommended!

We had Tiffany as our server. She was amazing. Super kind and timely. We loved how the other severs assisted with cleaning tables for the other servers. Everyone over all was super nice and we loved this place. We will be back when we are back in town.

We had Tiffany as our server. She was amazing. Super kind and timely. We loved how the other severs assisted with cleaning tables for the other servers. Everyone over all was super nice and we loved this place. We will be back when we are back in town.