Tampa Area Restaurants

Epicurean Hotel Tampa – Unveiled

Something new and wonderful is coming to town. Something fit for foodies and wine lovers.

Epicurean Hotel Tampa bread bike

The Epicurean hotel is designed for “connoisseurs of life” – those who celebrate life by enjoying all the wonderful flavors it has to offer. The various outlets that will be available to visitors of the Epicurean will be sure to create an incredible experience. The hotel is an extension of Bern’s; if you live in or have visited the Tampa Bay area, you will certainly have heard of this legendary restaurant (as well as SideBern’s, it’s New American Cuisine counterpart). Dining at Bern’s is a complete experience; from the food, to the staff (waiters train for more than a year, learning all stations of the kitchen and even training at the organic farm), to the extensive wine cellar. I can only expect a continuation of the brand will be incredible.

Elevage Tampa Manifesto Sauvignon Blanc

Last night, I was invited to attend the unveiling of the Epicurean. Attendees were treated to a preview of the various offerings the hotel will offer.

Epicurean Hotel launch event

Élevage will offer “nostalgia meets nouveau” cuisine under the direction of 2012 James Beard Best Chef South Semi-Finalist, Executive Chef Chad Johnson. We were lucky enough to sample a few bites of culinary perfection, from raw oysters, to ham and cheese sandwiches with truffle and apricot, to “duck duck goose” burgers (foie gras and goose confit stuffed duck burgers), to country ham on biscuits with sawmill gravy…

Elevage Tampa lobster and bacon hash

…to my personal favorite of the evening: the lobster and bacon hash, topped with a perfectly tiny fried quail egg. I’d like a full size portion of this menu item, please!

Elevage Tampa baguettes

I can’t forget about the amazing baguettes on display from Élevage either; they made a lovely addition to the display, but also served as a welcome take home treat from the event.

Elevage Tampa White Lady Cocktail pour

Edge is the “social drinkery” that will be perched on the Epicurean rooftop. The cocktails are designed by the Director of Spirits, Dean Hurst. Guests will be able to enjoy crafted cocktails or sip on wine from the impressive Bern’s Fine Wine & Spirits collection.

Elevage Tampa White Lady Cocktail

I was happy to taste test the White Lady cocktail, created with Nolet’s Gin, Cointreau, and lemon juice.

Elevage Tampa Rum Black Tea Punch and Key West Southernmost Wheat

Other offerings from Edge sipped by friends included the Rum Black Tea Punch (with Ron Zacapa 23, strong black tea, lime juice, and Demerara sugar), and a Key West Southernmost Wheat (from Melbourne, FL). I wish I would have been able to sample each drink from the menu, as each glass shaken and poured looked incredible.

Chocolate Pi Tampa dessert barChocolate Pi Tampa dessert bar

Chocolate Pi will be the sweet side of Epicurean, and they truly offered an impressive spread at the unveiling. From macarons, to salted caramel truffle pops, to homemade chocolate marshmallows (dipped in chocolate), my sweet tooth was satisfied. I am eagerly anticipating a future visit to Chocolate Pi once the hotel has opened its doors.

Epicurean will also feature Evangeline: a delectable spa featuring beauty and relaxation treatments designed to tantalize the palate and the body. After experiencing a chair massage during the event, I am quite ready to book a future treatment, and I can’t wait to see what unique spa offerings will be on the menu.

Finally, the Epicurean Theatre is one of the features of the new hotel I am most excited about. The theatre will be an open forum for discussion of food trends, technique, mixology, and the like. A calendar of future events will be released on October 1st; as a passionate learner, I know I will be signing up for programming.

Epicurean Hotel Tampa bread bike

It is clear to see: every element of the Epicurean hotel is being expertly crafted with care. They will be offering unique and original experiences for their guests, allowing them to explore and indulge. Doors to the Epicurean hotel will open in December 2013, and I for one am looking forward to learning more (and hopefully experiencing) what they will have in store!

Would you be excited to experience a hotel like the Epicurean?

***Disclosure: I was invited to the unveiling event as a media guest, but all opinions and experiences are my own***

4 Comments

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  • I am so sad I couldn’t make it! My 24 hour notice invite didn’t exactly work in my favor. But I must say, I am ridiculously jealous about that lobster and bacon hash-Wow. Gorgeous photo too. Also need that Rum Black tea Punch…sounds pretty sweet…and stiff! As one who has been singing Berns praises for 15 some years, I know the Epicurean will be an absolute showstopper. Can’t wait.

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