TRAVEL
MOVE OVER MIAMI , FOR THE SUNSHINE STATE HAS A NEW SUN-SOAKED BEACH , VIBRANT ARTS- CENTRIC , CITY-BASED CULINARY OFFERING , SAMANTHA READY TELLS ALL ABOUT THE LATEST EPICUREAN HOTSPOT YOU HAVE TO SAMPLE !
Over the past decade , Tampa has emerged as a vibrant , welcoming and , ideally for us , family-friendly destination for holidaymakers seeking not only sun-soaked beaches and cultural experiences but also a burgeoning culinary scene . The rise of the fine dining and foodie movement in Tampa , led not least by an influx of predominately New-York-based chefs and notably acclaimed kitchens upping city sticks to the unlocked-down state during the pandemic , has transformed the city into a gastronomic hotspot , ready to entice with its balmy winter temperatures , standout beaches , top-notch attractions and , of course , diverse array of culinary delights .
Today , the combination of a rich cultural tapestry , led by the tobacco-driven Spanish and Cuban surge a hundred years or so ago , to more recent flavour melting pot additions of Italian and Vietnamese culture and cuisine , has created a fusion of flavour and a flair for cultural Community . The end result a gastronomic journey that can take any visitor from cosy cafes serving up Cuban sandwiches to upscale Michelin-starred eateries , spearheaded and inspired by those aforementioned chefs and restaurateurs that arrived in a lockdown trailblaze and , like many before them , never had need to leave .
So what does this mean for a Tampa visiting newbie ?
Well , for starters , an exceptionally easy journey direct to Tampa Airport with British Airways from London Gatwick . Having enjoyed ( read : endured !) the Orlando International school holiday arrival ( and departure ) chaos a year before ( bus to hire car after a 10-hour flight , in a new terminal with no signs and seemingly a million jet-lagged people anyone ?), I can attest that travelling to Tampa was nothing short of life-changing !
Firstly , there ’ s the ease of movement through the terminal ; the train / monorail connections to car parks and hire car pick up points are noteworthy on their own , especially when passing a boredom-busting giant pink flamingo - thanks Busch Gardens ! Throw in outposts of some of Tampa ’ s signature eateries in lieu of many airport ’ s go-to chain name , bland , microwaved menus however , and it ’ s the perfect culinary holiday revolution .
And that ’ s before hitting the town … and midtown , and downtown , and beach …
With an emphasis on fresh , locally sourced ingredients , innovative processes and some great wine and cocktails , Tampa ’ s food scene has been well and truly refocused , reinvigorated and of course , refined .
Here , you ’ ll find upscale steak and seafood , Michelin-starred Italian , and avant-garde bistros set in blissful companionship with boundary-pushing food movements , laid-back bars and taste-bud-punching street food - all garnering national and soon to be international attention in the process . The food scene is now worthy of a trip alone ; I mean , who needs art installations , national hockey and football teams , festivals , farmers ’ markets , theme parks , boat tours and beaches …? (* Spoiler alert - Tampa has all that and more too !)
Having spent a whirlwind five days tasting around Tampa , here are some of our absolute highlights :
Rocca Combining New York know-how with ‘ how Nonna would make it ’ Italian homemade passion , chef Bryce Bonsack ’ s contemporary , vibrant eatery is a sleek affair of skillfully house-made pasta , classic flavours and perfected technique alongside tableside theatrics and Insta-worthy daily sharing platters including the so-good-itsells-out-daily dry aged Rohan duck and the insane dry aged bistecca , a prime 20oz NY strip , served rare with chianti butter , fried potatoes and greens .
Pasta is of course a must . Our tagliolini al ragu was beautifully textured and full of rich , mouth-bursting flavour courtesy of the slowcooked pork and beef , house-roasted tomato sauce and ridiculously heady 30-month Parmigiano . Every pasta dish , including the raved about spaghetti al limone with hunks of blue crab , zucchini , lemon and shaved garlic , is , of course , notable .
That said , you cannot visit without ordering the mozzarella , which was hand-pulled tableside much to the delight of the littlest ( and biggest ) Readys who watched in openmouthed awe as the most incredible soft cheese was warmed , formed and stretched to utter perfection before being lavishly drenched in 10-year-aged balsamic vinegar and served on a bed of heirloom tomatoes and basil . Honestly , incredible !
As noted by Michelin , dessert is a delightful bookend to an impressive meal , try to save room !
roccatampa . com
Breakfast at Driftlight at the JW Marriott Water Street A right of high-end American city culinary passage , breakfast that ’ s like brunch is a must , and where better to indulge than at the beacon of luxury and sophistication , JW Marriott Water Street ’ s signature Driftlight restaurant .
Think upscale New York vibes , faultless service and copious amounts of breakfast fare combined with an incredible waterside location next to the Hillsborough River
Sinking into a round booth table , the buffet was a cornucopia of scrambled eggs , bacon , waffles , pancakes , pastries , doughnuts and fresh fruits , and that ’ s before you even peruse the à la carte menu of signature classics that include honey almond granola parfait , custom omelettes , eggs Benedict , avocado toast and of course steak and eggs .
Honestly , we were filled up ‘ til dinner after this one , and that ’ s without the gifted takeaway basket of donuts and fruit !
www . driftlighttampa . com
Columbia Restaurant As Florida ’ s oldest restaurant , the Columbia Restaurant in Tampa ’ s Ybor City is a true culinary institution and an epic testament to good wholesome food done right .
Since 1905 , this family-owned establishment has delighted diners with its authentic Spanish cuisine and oldworld charm . From its opulent decor to its legendary flamenco shows , the Columbia offers an unforgettable dining experience steeped in tradition . Stepping back in time , guests are greeted by traditional waiting staff and shown to a cosy table in the labyrinthian dining room which can cater to an epic 1,700 diners !
If you can , opt to go barside , here you ’ ll get to watch the bartenders stir up an iconic mojito while you wait for your classic 1905 Salad – prepared to the same recipe as its founding year , it ’ s chopped fresh tableside for some extra theatrics .
But , a visit here is not complete without The Original Cuban Sandwich .
Named ‘ Best Sandwich in Florida ’, it was created in the 1890s for the original immigrant cigar workers to devour on their way to work . Today , the Columbia uses the original 1915 recipe of Casimiro Hernandez Sr , with Spanish fine ham , Sicilian salami , Cuban mojo-marinated pork and Swiss cheese layered with pickle and mustard in simple , butter-basted Cuban bread perfection .
www . columbiarestaurant . com
www . insidekent . co . uk • 147