MY SECRET WEAPON FOR PLANNING THE BEST BACHELORETTE WEEKEND IN VEGAS & HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR TRIP!

I. Was. Soaked! My clothes were dripping wet! And yet, I couldn’t stop dancing!

It was July and I was in Las Vegas celebrating my girlfriend’s bachelorette. It had been excruciatingly hot all weekend long and going out during the day when the sun was at its highest was almost painful. Thankfully today I had planned for us to go to Encore Beach Club for the Chainsmokers pool party and the jets of water being sprayed over the crowd were an absolute godsend! A momentary break from the heat that I welcomed with open arms!

This trip to Vegas had been months in the making and as maid of honour it was my duty to plan and put it all together. The bride-to-be had invited a small group of people along and even though the numbers were manageable I didn’t know any of the other girls. As someone who doesn’t go to Vegas often I was also a little worried that I: 1) wasn’t up-to-date on what the best parties and restaurants in Vegas were, and 2) didn’t know if the girls were big partiers and would be into what I planned for us. Overwhelmed and nervous, I reached out to a friend who I knew had either planned or attended her fair share of Vegas bachelorette parties and she let me in on one of Vegas’ best kept secret.

Enter the Venetian Resort’s Celebration Team, an in-house concierge service available to guests of the hotel who need help planning the perfect Vegas trip itinerary. My contact Kylie not only helped me secure two Bella Suites next door to one another (ensuring we were all together), but also helped me arrange dinner reservations, provided pricing for show tickets, put me in contact with club promoters, and decorated our room with balloons and champagne for an unexpected dazzling arrival! Within a week of contacting The Celebration Team, our entire weekend itinerary was planned and I started to feel way more confident the girls were going to enjoy themselves - and I was right!

The entire weekend went off without a hitch. The girls and I danced at some of the best clubs, ate at some of the best restaurants, and celebrated the bride-to-be all weekend long. Fast forward to the end of the weekend, the girls and I huddled around in a circle at the Vegas airport laughing as we recapped the events of the past couple days. Together we made a list of highlights from our weekend so that anyone planning a trip to Vegas would have a great place to start. Here is what rose to the top:

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The first of many interior design decisions to come! Now that we are half way through the last phase of our interior renovations (the basement) I am getting really excited about shifting my focus from renoing our Toronto Victorian home to styling a
No more scary basement! 🏡 Here is a little before and after of our basement underpin by @icy.reno We went from 6 foot ceilings to just under 8.5 and installed new drains, waterproofing and a radiant floor! DYK that doing an underpin and finishing

Parties, Restaurants and Bars!

When it comes to partying in Las Vegas everyone knows there is no shortage of mega clubs and amazing pool parties to choose from. Although the girls and I did go out pretty much every night our favourite ‘night out’ or should I say ‘day out’,  was definitely the Sunday we spent at the Chainsmokers pool party at Encore Beach Club. Little did we know, Kylie had totally hooked us up. The promoter she had put us in contact with made sure we got a great booth in front of the stage and even a free bottle to get us on our way. I don’t think the day could of gone any better. We had our own little private area to put our stuff down, dance till our feet hurt, and let go of any inhibitions we may have had. We stayed in that booth for over 5 hours, dancing despite being completely soaked from being sprayed by the water jets overhead. This was a Vegas party for the books and we were all here for it!  

While in Vegas the girls and I splurged on some pretty extravagant dinners but none was more delightful than our dinner at Rivea. Located on the 64th floor of the Delano Hotel, Rivea is Vegas fine dining at its best. Chef Alain Ducasse uses bold flavours and inventive approaches to add new life to classic French and Italian dishes. As an added extra bonus, the restaurant’s patio also offers the most breathtaking view of the Vegas strip during sunset - a perfect backdrop to an incredible meal. The girls and I got to sample the majority of items on the menu by way of the tasting menu and both the Ricotta Ravioli with Swiss chard and Mint, and Lobster Risotto were two table favourites. If you have cause for celebration like us, dining at Rivea is a must!

Further, I would be remiss if I didn’t also recommend doing some pre-dinner drinks at Skyfall Lounge, a laid back lounge club that offers the same amazing panoramic views as Rivea. The girls and I enjoyed a couple cocktails and glasses of champagne here before heading into dinner at Rivea and in hindsight it was probably the perfect place for us to kick off our trip and get acquainted. Since the atmosphere was relaxing and the music wasn’t overbearing, carrying on conversation and getting to know one another was super easy. Having a couple drinks here before dinner not only helped set the mood for the evening but was also the perfect way for us all to get to know each other and ease into a Bachelorette party weekend in Vegas.

Another crowd-pleaser I was happy to see made the list was our dinner at TAO! This Pan Asian bistro is not only one of my favourite restaurants in Vegas but also happen to be conveniently located in our hotel. The restaurant’s menu and atmosphere never fails to impress and since the girls and I decided to share everything family-style we really got to explore the menu. Although the Crispy Orange Chicken and spicy Lobster Kim Chi Fried Rice were originally ordered for the table I definitely took the lion’s share - sorry not sorry. The fact that the bride-to-be told me later that it was one of the best meals of her life was just the icing on the cake.

If you are as obsessed with the roaring 20’s, art deco interiors, or just have an appreciation for delicious hand-crafted cocktails, Rosina is definitely worth seeking out. Nestled into a corner of the Palazzo casino floor, Rosina is where class and cocktails intertwine. The girls and I had a couple rounds of drinks in the intimate space before dinner and we just loved it. We actually ended up being late for our dinner reservation that night because we were having so much fun taking cute photos by the bar and enjoying delicious libations we completely lost track of time. Considering how close it was to the Venetian and TAO, if you are staying or dining at either you should definetly add in a quick (or not so quick in our case) drink at Rosina to your itinerary.

So there you have it! Our Vegas top 5! If you have any questions or are looking for more insight/want to know more about our trip or how to contact the Celebration Team at the Venetian, just hit me up in the comments below and I will be happy to help answer any questions you have.

Until then, safe travels!

xx

-Soheila

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HOTEL REVIEW: MY PUPPY STAYCATION AT HOTEL X TORONTO

Whenever I get the chance to look at the Toronto skyline it becomes ever so apparent to me how much this city is changing. In the last 15-20 years, Toronto has seen a massive boom in new buildings and the truth is the demand for more is still going strong. With the influx of new residents and businesses comes more work opportunities, neighbourhood gentrification and development, and my favourite, more options for cuisine! Toronto has never been a more popular travel destination than it is now. And not just for fellow Canadians, but for international visitors, students, and businesses. In the past three years, Toronto has seen at least a half a dozen hotel openings or redesigns (Broadview, Andore, Bisha, Saint James, and Le Germain all come to mind), but none have been more highly anticipated than the newest and first Canadian Library Hotel Collection property, Hotel X Toronto.

Why was it so highly anticipated you may ask? Well because of the service of course! The Library Hotel Collection group is known for raking in the awards on TripAdvisor – a customer ranked awards system! That means that they are the clear leader in customer ratings for consumer satisfaction, and service – no small feat! In 2017 alone they won 18 TripAdvisor awards including ‘Best Hotel IN THE WORLD’ – an outstanding achievement for their new property in Budapest, the Aria Hotel! So when I heard they were setting up their first Canadian location in Toronto, I had super high expectations.

Left to Right: @SincerelyKn, Me, @TheCuriousCreature, and @DineandFash

As you can imagine, when Hotel X Toronto invited to host me for a staycation with my little puppacino and some girlfriends I had to say yes! One of the hardest things about going away for me is having to leave my beloved little fur baby, Ms. Sophie, behind. No matter where I go there isn’t a day that goes by where I am not looking at old photos of her on my phone or showing them to other people I meet. Since she’s a little squishy face French Bulldog I have always been scared to travel with her in the case she faces any breathing issues or heaven forbid becomes a victim to one of those horrific airline news stories *shutter*. Anyways, pushing those thoughts out of my mind, I was excited to have my first ‘away from home’ experience with Ms. Sophie and hang out with my girl gang to boot!

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The first of many interior design decisions to come! Now that we are half way through the last phase of our interior renovations (the basement) I am getting really excited about shifting my focus from renoing our Toronto Victorian home to styling a
No more scary basement! 🏡 Here is a little before and after of our basement underpin by @icy.reno We went from 6 foot ceilings to just under 8.5 and installed new drains, waterproofing and a radiant floor! DYK that doing an underpin and finishing

Upon our arrival to Hotel X Toronto (Krystle and I showed up together in a jam-packed car that must have made us look like we were a travelling caravan that was moving in! Haha!) and checking into our room, Sophie and I immediately noticed why Hotel X is already ranking so high in customer satisfaction. Travelling with your furry friend in tow, I quickly learned, can often be hard especially when it comes to them adjusting and becoming comfortable with their new surroundings. At first, I could tell that Sophie wasn’t sure about what was going on and stayed low to the floor, but both our large One Bedroom Suite and the friendly staff made her feel welcome. It didn’t take long for her to settle in and start running around, dodging furniture comfortably like she owned the place. I could really tell that Hotel X knew a happy fur baby makes for a happy mom and if I was going to enjoy my stay, they needed to make both Sophie’s and my stay as comfortable as possible. Their efforts definitely showed and they scored some much deserved brownie points from me for their addition of dog bowls, distilled bottles of water, and a lovely dog bed in our room.

Once Sophie was settled and I felt comfortable enough to leave her in the room alone, I went to check out the rest of the hotel. The hotel itself is located on seven acres of property right downtown within Exhibition Place. At first, I thought it was kind of a strange location, but it soon became apparent that it was actually quite well positioned. Being across from the Enercare Convention Centre, walking distance to Budweiser stage, BMO Field, Liberty Grande, Medieval Times, and a few minutes from Billy Bishop Airport, Union Station, Liberty Village, Toronto’s downtown core, the ACC (now Scotiabank Arena!), and the Rogers Centre (forever the SkyDome to me) make it a perfect location for people visiting the city. Also, if being close to all those things doesn’t sound convenient enough for you, Hotel X Toronto offers complimentary luxury car service to and from Billy Bishop Airport and Union Station, and outbound car service within a 5 km radius. Yup, you heard me right! That includes Billy Bishop Airport and Toronto Union Station! Did I mention it would be in a BMW X5? Double brownie points there!

After spending a total of two nights and three days at the hotel I feel like both Sophie and I really got to explore the hotel and take full advantage of the experience. Although there are many great things to say about the hotel including their friendly staff and impeccable service, here were some of my favourite features:

Massive Sports Complex - I am putting this feature first because I have never seen anything like it at any hotel I have ever stayed at IN THE WORLD! It was quite INSANE and to put it in any other way would be doing it an injustice. Ten X, Toronto’s newest sports complex is attached to Hotel X Toronto and is a huge feature if you are staying at the hotel. That is because guests are able to access this otherwise members-only facility. The complex itself is massive and houses:

-   4 indoor tennis courts
-   9 squash courts
-   4 fitness studios with classes daily (Technogym’s GroupCycle, Pilates, Group Fitness & Hot Yoga)
-   6,500 sq. ft. fitness centre with brand new state-of-the-art equipment
-   3,000 sq. ft. play centre for children
-   pro shop with a juice bar
-   members lounge and cafe
-   junior sports lounge where you will find a pool table and an awesome basketball arcade game, which you know I had to play!

Yes, it’s as insane as it sounds and since you are a guest of the hotel and are likely travelling from a different city or country you don’t need to worry about lugging your tennis racket or sports equipment with you because they have all of it available to rent at your convenience!

Ready for a tennis match at Ten X Toronto - Picture Credit @SincerelyKn

Large Garden and Outdoor Area - Most of the time I wouldn’t think of this as being an important feature, but since I was travelling with my pup having a safe place for her to run around, play, and do her business was important to me. When we are at home Sophie and I often go for at least one long walk a day and at least ten minutes of that she’s off leash (I want her to gain some independence). I wanted to make sure she was happy and comfortable so having a large outdoor area right on the property made it easy for both of us to step out for fresh air, run around, and enjoy ourselves. Since the area was on hotel grounds it was also well lit at night, gated, clean and felt very safe. I never had to worry about Sophie if she was wandering around off-leash, which I truly appreciated.

‘The Pond’ Rooftop Pool - A huge feature of the hotel is their rooftop pool and although many similar pools have recently opened up in Toronto this one has become quite the hot spot for both hotel guests and resident Torontonians alike. Getting a chair by the pool was sometimes tough especially towards the afternoon, but while the girls and I were staying at the hotel we made sure to get up early and reserve our chairs to ensure we had somewhere to sit. I’m not going to lie we spent most of our staycation hanging poolside both during the day and at night because it was the perfect spot to beat the heat and enjoy a sunset cocktail.

Library Club Lounge - Depending on your booking at Hotel X Toronto, certain rooms like the Library Club Guestroom or a Suite, include access to the Library Club Lounge on the 3rd Floor. During our stay, the girls and I spent a lot of time at the Library Club Lounge because unlike the pool it was dog friendly. Also given how much time we spent there and how much free wine and food we consumed, it definitely would have been worth the extra charge. The girls and I would find ourselves there first thing in the morning for the Continental Breakfast (6:30-10:30 AM) and then again for complimentary Wine & Hors d'oeuvres hour (4:30-7:30 PM) every day with our little fur babies in tow. There is a large patio space (the dogs are not actually allowed inside) with comfortable couches and tables making it a super convenient place to hang out, drink, eat, and get work done if you so choose.

Two Cinemas - That’s right! TWO! One is a smaller (60 person) screening room for a more intimate setting and the other is a full-blown 11,000 sq. ft. cinema (the same as you would find at a major movie theatre)! I was so impressed and blown away by this feature! Imagine being able to watch a movie in the screening room without even having to leave your hotel! Complimentary! See what’s playing at Hotel X Toronto this month -> HERE!

A Nespresso Cafe and a Starbucks - So as you probably already know I love my morning coffee. Having two high-end coffee shops to choose from was the icing on the cake for me. Every morning I would get up, grab a quality coffee and head out with Ms. Sophie for our morning walk around the garden. Not only are there two coffee shops to choose from but each room has a Nespresso machine making it even easier to get your caffeine fix without having to leave the room. Well played Hotel X, well played!

A Photography Gallery - A lot of the photography art you see around the hotel is actually by a Canadian photographer named Neil Dankoff, whose work consists of mainly beautiful landscapes from all over the world. In fact, he was specifically commissioned by Library Hotel Collection to travel the world and create over 800 pieces to be put on display and scattered around the hotel. The best part about this collaboration is that if you see a piece that you like around the hotel you can head down to Kandy Gallery, a 2,200 sq. ft. art gallery showcasing more of Neil Dankoff’s work, and purchase a piece right on the spot!

Sophie and I in the Kandy Gallery - Picture Credit @Dineandfash

If I have one bad thing to say about the hotel it’s that they don’t have any fine dining options… YET. Most of the food we had was in the Library Club Lounge, which was simple buffet style food, at Falcon Bar, which was more bar-bites, and some in-room dining, which in my experience is never that exceptional and I have low expectations for anyways. Since Library Hotel Collection is a well revered hotel group, somewhat comparable to service standards you would expect at The Four Seasons, you would expect to be able to find an elevated dining experience in the hotel. The good news is that the hotel’s lobby bar and restaurant Petros 82 (a Mediterranean style restaurant) is scheduled to open in late 2018 and I have no doubt it will fill my need for elevated cuisine. I expect nothing more than a mouthwatering Mediterranean menu that will delight my senses, and I can’t wait to come back once it opens with a full report!

The girls and I hanging on my room balcony enjoying some rose and in-room dining ! Left to Right @SincerelyKN, @theCuriousCreature, @DineandFash, Me

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EAST HOTEL - MIAMI, FLORIDA

Brickell City Centre. Photo courtesy Swire Hotels.

Brickell City Centre. Photo courtesy Swire Hotels.

Miami has always been known for its vibrant lifestyle. With its manicured beaches, delicious restaurants, fabulous nightclubs, colourful neighbourhoods and constant sunshine seven days a week there is no question why it’s a huge hotspot and a destination choice for many Canadians.

In the last year, Miami’s cityscape gained a newcomer to the U.S. hospitality scene.  With the development of the Brickell City Centre, a large-scale, mixed-use project in the Brickell financial district of Miami, came the East Hotel in Miami, Swire Hotels’ first U.S. property.

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Brickell City Centre. Photo courtesy Swire Hotels.
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Swimming pool at EAST Hotel in Miami. Photo courtesy Swire Hotels.

Swimming pool at EAST Hotel in Miami. Photo courtesy Swire Hotels.

With 352 rooms (89 of which are residence suits) East Hotel Miami attracts young professionals who come to town for business and for pleasure. With two restaurants, a poolside bar lounge, 20,000 square feet of event space with phenomenal views of the Miami skyline, and a rooftop garden that makes you feel like you have stumbled upon a Balinese oasis there is no question that this property offers an unconventional experience for those interested in innovation, elegance and personalized boutique service.

A suite at East Hotel in Miami. Photo courtesy of Swire Hotels.

A suite at East Hotel in Miami. Photo courtesy of Swire Hotels.

The best part about being a guest at the hotel is that you can ‘stay in’ to go out! With East Hotel in Miami’s two restaurants come some of the best food and nightlife scenes Miami has to offer. Conte Nast Traveler recently voted East Hotel’s Rooftop Bar and tapas restaurant Sugar as ‘The best rooftop bar in the United States!’ Occupying the top two floors of the hotel, East Miami’s Sugar is an Asian-inspired garden oasis in the heart of the city. With unimpeded views of the Miami skyline, delicious cocktails, and a well-curated Asian Tapas menu it is easy to lose track of time and spend a whole afternoon/evening eating and drinking under the stars. This rooftop lounge also features a wrap-around deck made of Brazilian teak and a Balinese bar carved out of reclaimed oak!

The bar at Sugar, EAST hotel in Miami’s rooftop bar. Photo courtesy of Swire Hotels.

The bar at Sugar, EAST hotel in Miami’s rooftop bar. Photo courtesy of Swire Hotels.

East Hotel in Miami’s Quinto La Huella restaurant is also a ‘must’ when staying at the hotel or visiting the city. This Uruguay-inspired restaurant located on the 5th floor of the hotel features a large beautiful outdoor patio, elegant bar, and a wood burning parrilla. Since opening, the restaurant has become quite the urban sanctuary and caters to both hotel guests and local professionals working in the downtown core and Brickell center. Their menu is a mixture of sushi, seafood, and grilled meats that are cooked to perfection in front of you on their parrilla. The restaurant prides itself on featuring simple dishes with only the best ingredients. With that being said the food here is delicious; from the cocktails to the dessert everything I ate was made with great care and embodies the cultural cuisine the restaurant is inspired from.

Quinto La Huella at EAST Hotel in Miami. Photo courtesy of Swire Hotels.

Quinto La Huella at EAST Hotel in Miami. Photo courtesy of Swire Hotels.

To encourage business travellers and first time visitors the East Hotel in Miami is offering special packages, room rates, and incentives to help you experience all that the hotel has to offer. Located in the Brickell City Centre it takes only 15 minutes to drive to the hotel from Miami International Airport. Built on top of the Brickell Plaza, East Miami is conveniently connected to a huge shopping mall and popular Miami districts like Wynwood, The Design District, and South Beach making it the perfect place for you to stay on your next trip to Miami.  To learn more about the East hotel in Miami, room rates and special offers please visit www.east-miami.com

Poolside Bar and Lounge at EAST Hotel in Miami. Photo courtesy of Swire Hotels.

Poolside Bar and Lounge at EAST Hotel in Miami. Photo courtesy of Swire Hotels.

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The first of many interior design decisions to come! Now that we are half way through the last phase of our interior renovations (the basement) I am getting really excited about shifting my focus from renoing our Toronto Victorian home to styling a
No more scary basement! 🏡 Here is a little before and after of our basement underpin by @icy.reno We went from 6 foot ceilings to just under 8.5 and installed new drains, waterproofing and a radiant floor! DYK that doing an underpin and finishing

I hope you enjoy your time at East Hotel in Miami, Florida as much as I did! If you have any questions or comments about Miami East Hotel, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below!

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COCKTAILS AND GASTRONOMY IN TAMPA

Although you may never of suspected it Tampa has a booming Gastronomy scene. In the last 10 years there has been a lot of development to revitalize downtown Tampa, especially along the Riverwalk, which made its premiere about 2 years ago. Now Tampa has seen a huge growth in their food and entertainment industry with new farm to table restaurants, cocktail bars and upscale dinning experiencing popping up everywhere. With all those options where would one start, you may ask…

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @ISTHATSOH

The first of many interior design decisions to come! Now that we are half way through the last phase of our interior renovations (the basement) I am getting really excited about shifting my focus from renoing our Toronto Victorian home to styling a
No more scary basement! 🏡 Here is a little before and after of our basement underpin by @icy.reno We went from 6 foot ceilings to just under 8.5 and installed new drains, waterproofing and a radiant floor! DYK that doing an underpin and finishing

1.     ANISE GLOBAL GASTROBAR - 777 N. Ashley Drive Tampa, FL

Anise is one of downtown Tampa’s trendiest cocktail bars and restaurants. What once started off as a food truck selling Asian-style stinky buns, Anise has become a young professional hotspot for lunch and after work drinks. With killer cocktails and an expanded menu (which still includes those delicious sticky buns they got their start with) the restaurant is always busy for weekend brunch, dinner and lunch during the week. The comfy lounge chairs outside on the patio also make Anise a great place for people-watching as the sun goes down and downtown’s lights along the Riverwalk come up.

2     FLY BAR & RESTAURANT - 202 N. Franklin St. Tampa, FL

This craft cocktail bar pioneered Tampa’s downtown bar scene.  10 years ago when there was nothing going on in downtown Tampa, Fly Bar was the first bar to open its doors and soon after became a legendary hot spot for craft cocktails and live music. What once was a destination bar is now see as the pioneer to Tampa’s downtown revitalization and started the boom of bars and restaurants opening up in the area. With a great global inspired Tapas menu and their rooftop patio/bar weekends at fly get packed with college students and young professionals often pouring out onto the sidewalk patio. Arrive before 9PM Thur – Sat to ensure you can get in without waiting in line.

3.     ULELE - 1810 N. Highland Avenue Tampa, FL

This once public water pump house, situated on the banks of the Hillsborough River and at the North end of the Riverwalk features a menu inspired by Tampa Bay’s early native and Spanish explorers. With seasonal seafood options and a large selection of offerings (including their very own award wining craft beer) Ulele is an absolute local favourite! The restaurant also features a great outdoor patio and beer garden making it a great place to enjoy the sunset or to grab a drink after you bike down the Riverwalk.

4.     HOTEL BAR – 200 N Tampa St Tampa, FL

Tampa’s newest cocktail bar is the sister bar to downtown’s legendary Fly Bar (remember #2?) When the owners opened Hotel Bar 2 months ago they were looking to reinvent hotel cocktails in a modern cocktail bar setting.  With a swanky atmosphere, cool music and late night bites (serving food until 2AM) Friday night at Hotel Bar is the place to be.

5.     OXFORD EXCHANGE - 420 West Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL

The Oxford Exchange offers one of the most historic settings in Tampa. Located near the University of Tampa this once upon a time horse stable was redeveloped into what is now the Oxford Exchanged. Inspired by the architecture of the building and English interior design the owners decided to use the space to combine a restaurant, coffee bar, bookstore and home décor shop. Now the Oxford Exchange is a popular place for locals and tourists to pass time drink coffee, eating in their courtyard and perusing through their masterfully selected boutique and bookstore features. Not to mention it’s a great place to snap some photographs!

6.   EDISON FOOD + DRINK LAB - 912 West Kennedy Blvd Tampa, FL

The Edison is one of the most innovative restaurants in Tampa. Chef Jeannie Pierola creates every dish with the intention to push the boundaries of what’s possible in a kitchen. With the help of liquid nitrogen and other unusual cooking techniques her dishes make this restaurant rise to the top when it comes to Tampa’s gastronomy scene. With strong cocktails, an excellent wine list and classic workingman's beer on tap it’s the perfect place to make yourself right at home.

7.     BERN’S STEAK HOUSE – 1208 S Howard Ave Tampa, FL

Bern’s Steak House is truly a Tampa staple. Known for having the largest private wine collection in the world, Bern’s draws every politician, well to do businessmen and movie star that passes through Tampa. Their reputation as the finest steak house in Tampa holds true and many locals will easily put this restaurant on their top 10 list. From their dry ages stakes to their dessert room Bern’s Steak House is a destination within itself and is always packed which is why I recommend making a reservation well in advance.

8.     FRANKLIN MANOR - 912 North Franklin Street Tampa, FL

Franklin Manor is downtown Tampa’s newest venue. With a large outdoor patio featuring a stage for nightly live performances Franklin Manors adds a whole new dimension to the food and entertainment in downtown Tampa. Often filled with young professionals Fraklin Manor is the place to see and be “scene”. Hand crafted cocktails, vibrant live music, delicious bar bites and Taco Tuesday specials (try the oyster taco – it is a delight!!!) this is a place you want to be on a night out.

9.     EDGE - 1207 S. Howard Ave Tampa, FL

The Edge cocktail bar located on the roof of the Epicurean Hotel is completely open to the public. With a view of Tampa’s posh Hyde Park neighbourhood the Edge cocktail bar tends to draw a more affluent crowd that has no qualms paying $11 for a drink. Offering small snacks and drinking accompaniments the Edge rooftop is a place you would go for a pre dinner cocktail or a delicious night cap.

10.      HAVEN - 2208 W. Morrison Ave Tampa, FL

Located just down the street from the Epicurean Hotel, Haven is the sleek contemporary sister restaurant to the famous Bern’s Steak House (remember #7). Having just opened in 2015 Haven is one of the most popular restaurants in Tampa. With an always-delicious modern Mediterranean dinner menu that changes seasonally Haven’s menu focuses on charcuterie, a large selection of cheese (more than 60 types), and a variety of meat options. This upscale date night spot also features an extensive bar selection and is famous for its 300 varieties of bourbon and 40 different wines by the glass. They also have a $2 oyster and $4 cocktail happy hour from 5-7PM Monday to Saturday!

11.     CIRO’S SPEAKEASY & SUPPER CLUB –  2109 Bayshore Boulevard Tampa, FL

Although Ben Afflicts 1920 blockbuster Live By Night was based on Tampa Bay in the 1920s – this speakeasy is the real deal. At Ciro’s Speakeasy you can really get a feel for what it was like during prohibition thanks to their intimate setting, private cocktail booths and well crafter cocktails. This small cocktail bar fills up fast on weekends with a capacity of only 70 patrons so make sure to call ahead for a reservation or you may find yourself left out in the cold, sugar. This small cocktail bar is also password protected and it changes nightly so check their website for info.

12.   DATZ – 2616 S. MacDill Tampa, FL

If a gluttnous boozy breakfast/brunch is what you are after this place is perfect. A very popular spot among locals, Datz is always busy for brunch on weekends. This south Tampa gastropub smokes all of the meat in house and bakes all of their bread nextdoor at their bakery Dough. The family friendly restaurant doesn’t take reservations on weekends however you can go on their website and get on their waitlist via a text app. Make sure to try their monkey bread and eggs barbacoa (a gluten free option), two dishes they are absolutly famous for. Also if you need a little hair of the dog they have many local craft beers on tap and make amazing bloody marys!

13.    COLUMBIA - 801 Old Water St Tampa, FL

Columbia is Florida’s oldest Spanish restaurant! Located in the heart of Ybor City (Tampa Bat’s historic Latin Quarter). Columbia brother restaurant to Ulele (remember #3) has been around since 1905. This family run restaurant expanded over the years from a bar and sandwich shop to a restaurant that now spans the entire block and seats 1,700 people. Columbia, like Bern’s is a major attraction in Tampa Bay and draws politicians, movie stars and big businessman that are passing through. With great menu offerings (like their famous salad and paella) there is no wrong choice. Want a little entertainment with your dinner? Columbia has a flamenco show six nights a week! Olé!!