USF’s On Top Of The Palms restaurant is a hidden gem

The restaurant, located on the third floor of the MSC, is a cut above USF’s other dining options. ORACLE PHOTO/MARIA DE ABREU PIRES

If you live on the USF Tampa campus, chances are you’ve dined at one of USF’s major dining halls – Argos, The Hub and Juniper Dining — more times than you can count.

I’ve personally had enough flatbreads from Argos to last until graduation.

But nestled away on the third floor of the Marshall Student Center is a spot you might not have heard about.

On Top of the Palms is a buffet-style restaurant with a small, daily-rotating menu. The USF Dining website describes it as “sophisticated,” offering a “gorgeous view of campus.”

Too many times throughout freshman year, my friends and I would make plans to visit — only for us to cancel at the last minute because the hours conflicted with other commitments.

This semester, though, I finally found the time.

If this is your first time hearing about the restaurant — or, like me, you simply never had the time — definitely add it to your list this semester.

Such high-quality dining shouldn’t be left so underrated.

The restaurant’s Google page boasts an impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars from a meager 13 reviews. In comparison, Juniper Dining has over 500 reviews, but only 3.9 stars.

Entry traditionally costs $12.75, though USF students paying with dining dollars receive a $2 discount, according to a sign placed in front of the restaurant.

The website also recommends guests to place a reservation at least one day in advance to guarantee seating.

Sophomore business management major Nas César, who recently dined without a reservation, said he waited about 40 minutes before a table opened up.

Despite the delays that dampened his mood, César described the overall experience as wonderful.

“I do plan to go again, though with a reservation this time,” César said.

Just as On Top of the Palms has restrictive seating, it also has shockingly limited hours – from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. only from Monday through Friday.

These hours are easily the biggest impediment to dining at the restaurant.

But the cumbersome hours and seating don’t overshadow the quality of service On Top of the Palms provides.

I arrived shortly after opening and was shocked to discover a rather substantial line overflowing from the restaurant’s doors into the MSC’s hallway. I hadn’t placed a reservation, so I joined the line.

I made small talk with the couple ahead of me – evidently regulars – who told me the restaurant had the “best food on campus.” My expectations were high.

About five minutes later, I was let in. Nearly half-a-dozen parties of three to four people each filled the dining room.

I was greeted by my hostess, who showed me to my table. Upon realizing it was my first time visiting, she enthusiastically offered to show me around.

Above everything else, the service was impeccable. Matching the hostess’s enthusiasm, the behind-the-buffet chefs eagerly jumped at the opportunity to ask me if I was enjoying the food.

It was certainly a far cry from the impersonal atmosphere of USF’s other dining options.

Unfortunately, my view didn’t break this tradition of sterility.

While the website boasts about the restaurant’s “gorgeous view” — a massive window overlooking the palm trees that give the restaurant its name — not all seats actually offer it.

My seat offered little more than a peek into the overcrowded and drab MSC — shattering any illusion of fine dining.

More seating is always appreciated, but it’s unfortunate that many of the restaurant’s seats provide a significantly less atmospheric experience than others.

Despite this, I made my way to the buffet with optimism. The main dishes of the day were grilled chicken and wild salmon with mango sweet chili sauce.

The chicken was respectable. It seemed to be made of the same meat used at The Hub and Juniper Dining, but — unlike at those dining halls — it was properly sauced and seasoned.

I thoroughly enjoyed it — a rare feat for USF’s chicken.

The salmon fared much better — it was mild and unassuming, but with a very pleasant taste. I was reminded of the way my parents cook salmon, which is always a compliment.

I finished my main course with the California spa salad — an assortment of veggies including grilled asparagus, red onion, goat cheese, avocado and almonds.

It was almost sickeningly sweet, which is not how I like my salads, but that excess of flavor still gave it the leg-up on USF Dining’s frustratingly bland salad offerings.

And as I finished the dish, I realized I quite liked the aftertaste.

In true USF Dining fashion, the desserts were far and away the best part. I tried the New York cheesecake, chocolate torte and lemon bars — and loved all three.

By that time, it was well past noon. The line had died down to the odd couple staggering in, and my first class of the day was rapidly approaching.

I made my exit, letting the staff know how deeply I appreciated their hospitality.

As I walked to class, I felt something I never thought I’d associate with USF Dining — satisfaction.

So, when you’ve grown bored of Argos and The Hub feels bland, consider stopping by On Top of the Palms.

It might be your new favorite on-campus spot.

USF’s On Top Of The Palms restaurant is a hidden gem

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