One of the more common emails this blog receives is questions about decent places to dine at in Tampa Bay. (Most common requests are probably clothes/fashion related posts but frankly I am not sure how to entertain those suggestions? I'm not big on consumerism but one of my new year resolutions is putting more effort into my make-up/hair/style to improve my long neglected appearance so I guess I can try to whip up some posts on the subject.)
So here is one of my favorite places in South Tampa: "datz".
It's sort of an English pub - European deli - bar - gourmet grocery store hybrid.
2616 South MacDill, corner of MacDill and Barcelona. It has this hard-to-miss big red sign.
I don't really have a befitting way to describe Datz' distinguished atmosphere so here is an iPhone photo to give you a rough idea:
It's got this semi-industrial, somewhat warehouse like interior with upstairs and downstairs sections, complete with low lighting and perfect acoustics.
(By perfect acoustics I mean it's noisy in a lively and happening sort of way yet conducting private conversations doesn't require the possession of sign language or lip reading skills. Next-table-conversations seamlessly blend into the background noise to the point of complete indistinctness. I don't know about you, but to me, good ambiance is pretty much all in the lighting and the acoustics.)
Their menu is online, I usually have the cheese platter. They sell high quality European cheeses, cold cuts, chocolate, pastries, beer and a whole lot of other things in the deli.
Check it out if you're in town. There are quite a few great eateries in Ybor and Channelside too, maybe I'll take some photos next time I am there.
Meanwhile, here's to a prosperous 2012 -- be happy, be lucky.
All the best,
Agnes