PLACES TO EAT
The city of Tampa lies along Tampa Bay, amidst Florida’s west coast and less than 25 miles from St. Petersburg. Tampa features more than 330,000 residents, with close to 20 percent deriving from Latino origin. As a result, the city plays host to numerous eclectic restaurants, including a mixture of high-end and casual eateries, many of which feature full bars. Revered travel guides like Frommers, Fodors and Gayot provide the highest ratings to these 10 Tampa restaurants.
Bern’s Steak House
Located in the Hyde Park region, Bern’s Steak House (bernssteakhouse.com) serves up such fare as filet mignon, porterhouse and Chateaubriand. The upscale setting includes grand staircases, exposed brick walls, candlelight, a cheese cave, wine cellars and a dessert room outfitted with private booths.
Columbia
Situated in the Historic Ybor neighborhood, the Latin-themed Columbia (columbiarestaurant.com) offers such tapas dishes as spiced ground beef empanadas, crab cakes and sauteed shrimp in chili pepper. The 1905 restaurant features 15 dining rooms equipped with such items as chandeliers, glass atrium ceilings and ornately tiled floors.