When Smoke Barbecue on Platt in South Tampa closed, I kept an eagle eye peeled on the vacant restaurant spot for what seemed like a year. Every time I would drive by, I'd scan the area for any sign that a new restaurant was taking over the space. But it always seemed to be deserted and vacant.
Then one day, I saw stirrings of life. I wondered what could possibly be opening in the former barbecue space. Pierogis? Cheesecake? Gourmet sauerkraut? What, oh what, could possibly be opening there?
Finally, I saw a sign ... Boca Kitchen Bar and Market. The restaurant was focused on locavore and seasonal cuisine. I have to say that I snorted with a bit of cynicism. Before the restaurant location was a barbecue joint, it was several incarnations of auto detailing and other types of motor shops. Now it was supposed to be a gourmet locavore joint? I wondered if this was all just hype and hot air versus great cuisine.
I called up JWS and said "We need to go to Boca Kitchen Bar, I want to write about it for my blog." Now I like how none of my friends ever say "no" to such requests like that. Instead JWS said "OK, what time?"
We headed over for a weekday lunch. The interior decor was more upscale than the prior restaurant. The menu looked promising. Our server was foaming at the mouth with excitement over telling us the lengthy locavore story behind each and every menu item. It was very interesting to hear, but for two women with a one hour lunch break we had to hurry this guy along. We cut him off mid-sentence and placed our order.
I was still skeptical. Sure, sure - it all sounds good, but will the food taste good? The food arrived in a timely manner and looked great.
JWS had ordered the beet salad. I decided to go old school and had ordered the burger of the day with house made potato chips.
JWS and I were amazed at the flavors. This was the juiciest, most flavorful burger I had had in years! Boca Kitchen Bar and Market made me a believer with the very first bite. JWS liked how the items in her salad - cheese, nuts, vegetables and greens all worked together versus overwhelming each other in the flavor department.
The food tasted fresh, simple and yet flavor-wise was complex and lush tasting. It was a great lunch. And I had to force myself to stop eating the wonderful house made potato chips! They were so good!
I tip my hat to you, Boca Kitchen Bar and Market - you preach a tale of locavore gourmet and you absolutely deliver it all and more!
If you're in South Tampa, check out this great new restaurant!
Want to hear more about Boca? Check out Creative Loafing's recent article.
Then one day, I saw stirrings of life. I wondered what could possibly be opening in the former barbecue space. Pierogis? Cheesecake? Gourmet sauerkraut? What, oh what, could possibly be opening there?
Finally, I saw a sign ... Boca Kitchen Bar and Market. The restaurant was focused on locavore and seasonal cuisine. I have to say that I snorted with a bit of cynicism. Before the restaurant location was a barbecue joint, it was several incarnations of auto detailing and other types of motor shops. Now it was supposed to be a gourmet locavore joint? I wondered if this was all just hype and hot air versus great cuisine.
I called up JWS and said "We need to go to Boca Kitchen Bar, I want to write about it for my blog." Now I like how none of my friends ever say "no" to such requests like that. Instead JWS said "OK, what time?"
We headed over for a weekday lunch. The interior decor was more upscale than the prior restaurant. The menu looked promising. Our server was foaming at the mouth with excitement over telling us the lengthy locavore story behind each and every menu item. It was very interesting to hear, but for two women with a one hour lunch break we had to hurry this guy along. We cut him off mid-sentence and placed our order.
I was still skeptical. Sure, sure - it all sounds good, but will the food taste good? The food arrived in a timely manner and looked great.
JWS had ordered the beet salad. I decided to go old school and had ordered the burger of the day with house made potato chips.
JWS and I were amazed at the flavors. This was the juiciest, most flavorful burger I had had in years! Boca Kitchen Bar and Market made me a believer with the very first bite. JWS liked how the items in her salad - cheese, nuts, vegetables and greens all worked together versus overwhelming each other in the flavor department.
The food tasted fresh, simple and yet flavor-wise was complex and lush tasting. It was a great lunch. And I had to force myself to stop eating the wonderful house made potato chips! They were so good!
I tip my hat to you, Boca Kitchen Bar and Market - you preach a tale of locavore gourmet and you absolutely deliver it all and more!
If you're in South Tampa, check out this great new restaurant!
Want to hear more about Boca? Check out Creative Loafing's recent article.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Lily On The Lam wants to hear from you ... Seriously, she does ...