Bern’s Steak House is a Tampa institution. Known for their impressive selection of steaks and expansive wine collection, dining at Bern’s is an experience you don’t want to miss out on.
However, that experience 1) generally requires making a reservation weeks, if not months, in advance, and 2) can get quite expensive, especially if you’re enjoying some of that amazing wine collection. While I have always felt that a dinner at Bern’s is worth the price – for us, it’s typically around $100 per person, and I always have leftovers to bring home – it’s something we typically save for big celebrations. I most recently ate there with my in-laws to jointly celebrate my husband’s and my birthdays.
Fortunately, there’s a way to get a taste of Bern’s Steak House without securing a reservation in advance or breaking the bank: the Harry Waugh Dessert Room.
Located on the second floor of Bern’s, the Harry Waugh Dessert Room provides a decadent getaway for drinks and desserts. While there, you and your party can enjoy one of the private booths, which are made from old wine casks, and place a call on the attached phone to request a song from the pianist.
Reservations are available between 5 and 6:45PM daily; after that, the tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis. When we had friends visiting in September, we were able to get a booth on a Saturday night without issue. Note: if you’re dining at Bern’s for dinner, you are guaranteed a table in the dessert room following your meal.
The menu, while not quite as involved as the one available for dinner, has plenty of options to choose from. I’ve indulged in several of their desserts, and while the Baked Alaska was a little boozy for me, there’s never been a bad option. The King Midas carrot cake is a delicious classic, and the Brown Sugar provides a great sampler of sweets, but my absolute favorite dessert there is the Macadamia Nut Sundae. The menu describes it as the “best sundae in the world,” and I’m inclined to agree.
And these after dinner treats can be indulged in without clearing your accounts! Desserts range from $6 to $14 per person, with drinks starting at $3.50. While I have generally gotten wine to accompany my dessert, though they’re known for their Irish coffee. I’ve made a note to try it on my next visit, especially since it can be made decaffeinated; I wonder how it compares to The Buena Vista’s Irish coffee…
So if you find yourself in Tampa, Florida, even if it’s just a quick trip, I highly recommend making a stop at the Harry Waugh Dessert Room. If you have the time, it’s also worth checking out some of the other Bern’s family brands, like Haven and Little Midway.
