0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false     I honestly cannot remember the last time I had ventured out to the seemingly far away lands of Citrus Park.  I suppose I’ve become all too comfortable with the sights and sounds of South Tampa and Seminole Heights.  However, after a recent pampering with fine wine and scrumptious cuisine galore, I’ve begun to sing a different tune about this underrated area of town.  I’m sure I’ve been missing out on numerous exceptional establishments all along but…after one particularly memorable wining and dining experience, I am now absolutely certain I have been mistakenly neglecting two very noteworthy Tampa gems.   Thanks to the adorably classy and quaint Napa Flair WineStore as well as the fresh and inventive Grille 54, Citrus Park will now be seeing this little foodie frequent its grounds with some serious indulging intentions. 

0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false      In my food-loving world, there is one cuisine that always ranks supreme: Sushi. Oh how it tempts me more often than I should say.  I simply cannot get enough of the rolled up lobster, scallop, salmon or tuna accompanied with taste-bud pleasures like cream cheese, avocado, asparagus, cucumber, roe, aioli and eel sauce…my goodness, I admire it all.  My favorite modern sushi hot spot in Tampa?  Soho Sushi…or as I like to call it, “Sushi Paradise.”  Soho Sushi sets the bar quite high for the seaweed wrapped, cylinder shaped, fish-filled rolls of heaven. Sushi daredevils, these artistic chefs love breaking old-school raw seafood rules and fusing ingredients from Italian, American and even Mexican cuisines making their sushi very progressive and also so uniquely divine.  This joint also boasts one spectacular daily happy hour from 5-7PM with BOGO house wine and beer as well as a featured selection of delicious discounted specialty rolls.

0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false    Ladies nights.  Birthday celebrations.  Business meeting happy hours. Romantic evenings for dates #1 or #50.   South Tampa’s Cru Cellars has got you covered.  This wine and tapas bar is darn near perfect for all of the above and more.  Easy to miss, the new-ish Tampa jewel is located on South Macdill Avenue with Datz as their friendly neighbor.  You may have driven right past the nondescript sign once.  I beg of you-do not make this mistake again.  Many of my readers may remember a blog post I wrote about Cru a while back.  After wining and dining on a few lovely occasions, I praised their culinary efforts as well as their extensive (and superb) wine list.  Consistency is crucial for big city restaurant survival and Cru is proving their greatness time and time again. 

There is a reason I cringe when the drive to the other side of the bay is discussed.  Crossing over the Howard Franklin Bridge and into the far away lands of St. Petersburg is quite the frustrating traffic trek.  Continuing onward to either St. Pete’s delightful (and tasty) downtown or over to the beautiful white sand Gulf beaches is even more bothersome. Yet, as a lover of Tampa’s cooler next-door neighbor, I can’t seem to resist the painfully annoying hour drive.  

Tapas.  You perfectly portioned components of serious smorgasbords.  How I adore you so.  With only two beloved dining destinations for the popular “small plates,” it was time to venture off to new lands.  When both Groupon and Living Social showcased the same restaurant in just one week, I knew it was meant to be.  Vizcaya Restaurante, located off of North Dale Mabry Blvd. in Carrollwood could go overlooked with the slight blink of an eye.  Such a shame, too, since I have been hearing rave reviews about this understated small Spanish eatery for months on end.  Could they possibly stand up to the praise?  Would I find a new joint to enjoy some glorious Spanish goods?  

Did my sci-fi dreams of teleportation finally become a reality?  I must have teleported to a New England city.  Boston?  Perhaps.  NYC?  Could be.  No way is this Tampa. Walking into the brand-new, much talked about, Oxford Exchange is kind of like a dream for Tampa natives and imports alike.  This dazzling and genius mix of 20th century, retro and modern eras is like nothing we have seen before in our modest metropolitan city.  A play house for adults.  An escape from the bland, usual, uninspired eateries speckled all over town.  The word is out.  With only a month and a half behind them, Oxford Exchange is definitely all the rage.  For those who have been, you understand.  For those who have yet to visit…join me in a little journey as I give you the official Oxford Exchange tour. 

       When a lengthy shopping spree at International Mall ignites a severe stomach growl, there is usually one dining destination on my mind.  Zen Bistro, an upscale and trendy diverse Asian and sushi hot spot, dishes out fresh rolls and bowls that shoppers simply cannot get anywhere else.  Tucked away in a corner of Bay Street, this stylish food and drink lounge sets itself apart the second one walks toward its polished wood covered exterior.  A streamlined setting with colors of mostly stark white and red with accents of bamboo, the restaurant’s cool, calm and collective interior atmosphere is fantastically modern.  

         Swanky seating and devilishly dim lighting welcomed me for a fun night of Fall feasting at the new South Tampa Carmel Café just a couple of nights ago.  Since my very first experience at the Carrollwood location this past summer, I have excitedly returned to both Tampa locations numerous times, each time, more impressed than the last. Carmel Café prides themselves in their wonderfully executed Mediterranean tapas as well as their fun and efficient iPad menu which gives customers a refreshing take on placing orders in a restaurant.  This handy device provides pictures of every menu item and complete control of the timing of menu selections.  Because they have so brilliantly set up this nifty ordering system, dishes come out fast, real fast.  Sounds pretty amazing…and it is.

 It is no wonder this Ybor City gem has been featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Equipped with their very own brewery, Tampa Bay Brewing Company pours some of the best bruskies in town and they don’t stop there.  Their cuisine also ranks supreme with their tasty beer expertly cooked into almost all of their delicious dishes.  Truthfully, I've never had "bar food" quite like the fantastic fare they serve their loyal (and new) customers.  I can think of a few Tampa sports bars who could learn a thing or two from these peeps.