Tampa is known as a foodie's paradise and wine lover's dream, especially for guests staying at Epicurean Hotel in the SoHo area of Tampa. Located in an architecturally desirable residential district Hyde Park, the property is only a few blocks from the picturesque waterfront Bayshore Boulevard.
It's an ideal pre-cruise or post-cruise hotel to stay at when cruising out of the port of Tampa, FL. on the new Margaritaville at Sea Islander cruise.
Epicurean Hotel has four founding pillars – Food, Wine, Art and Culture. These can be seen everywhere one looks. Epicurean is inspired from the Greek philosopher Epicurus, who believed that “Pleasure is the Greatest Good.” The brand's belief is to inspire guests to seek new experiences that bring them joy.
Guests walking into the lobby will appreciate the colorful and thoughtful art and furnishings. Upon check-in, guests receive a glass of wine and cold water to enjoy while in the library lounge or to take up to their spacious room.
The hotel has a partnership with the legendary Bern’s Steak House, located directly across the street. Together they have a commitment to cultivate and enrich the brand for guests to discover new flavors and enjoy exquisite service.
Bern's Fine Wine & Spirits is located in the lobby of Epicurean, displaying over 1,000 labels of wines and premium liquors. Established in 1996, locals come here to purchase rare wines, limited releases, spirits, wines and mixers.
Epicurean has multiple dining venues that includes Élevage SoHo Kitchen & Bar, The Lobby Bar, Edge Rooftop Cocktail Lounge and Chill Bros. Scoop Shop.
While Élevage is the onsite restaurant, its sister restaurant Bern's Steak House has been an iconic culinary venue for locals and tourists since 1956. Husband and wife restaurateurs Bern and Gert Laxer's renowned worldwide restaurant is known for its excellent cuisine. Chefs prepare fresh, quality ingredients to serve with perfectly aged steaks and pair with a glass or bottle of wine. They boast the largest wine collection in the world, with over half-a-million wine bottles.
Diners receive an excellent crafted experience that enhances the enjoyment of a meal. Connoisseurs of life understand and appreciate the care provided throughout the meal from appetizers to the restaurant's internationally famous desserts.
Élevage SoHo Kitchen & Bar was inspired by the traditions at Bern's Steak House with the help of esteemed Chef Jonathan Atanacio. He was part of the hotel's opening team as chef de cuisine, and draws on his Puerto Rican and Italian heritage to curate his menus.
Menu comfort food favorites include the 'Homage To Bern's' sandwich made with layers of shaved ribeye, caramelized onions, cheese onion jus and onion rings. Jumbo shrimp cocktail and a baby wedge salad with savory and sweet candied bacon, blue cheese crumble, chopped tomatoes and toasted walnuts are crowd pleasers.
Entree favorites include grilled King Salmon with three grain salad, Iberico Double Cut Pork Chop with Spanish sweet potato and plantain sauce. There is also Diver Sea Scallops on the menu served with spring pea risotto, wild mushrooms and lavender gremolata, parmesan cheese and truffle.
Finish with Bern's Cappuccino Affogato enhanced with a touch of alcohol, white chocolate and espresso. They also serve a strawberry and rhubarb crumble with pecan brittle ice cream.
To serve customers at Bern’s Steak House and Élevage SoHo Kitchen & Bar, the waiters train for nearly two years, working in all stations of the kitchen. They are guided trainees in their dining room and even visit the restaurant's organic farm. Each server completely understands all of the work that goes into bringing the transformative meals to the table.
Designed as an ideal retreat, Epicurean’s 188 guest rooms and suites combine a luxurious blend of comfort and urban chic. The design reflects the hotel's culinary heritage and unique vibrant flavors of the area.
The Junior Suite has a large fully stocked kitchen, living area, work area, separate private bedroom and luxury bathroom. Sleep on a pillow top mattress on high-thread count sheets with a comfy duvet to ensure a good night's sleep.
Soak in a deep bathtub and shower in the spa-like shower with a rain shower head.Staying at the hotel is like an Airbnb experience. All rooms feature a personal minibar for the connoisseur's palate. Artisan pantries are stocked with carefully curated gourmet treats and beverages to connect guests with local food and wine products. Choose from premium liquors, locally crafted beers, still and sparkling water, coffee and espresso and a diverse selection of half bottle varietals with suggested pantry pairings.
Outside of the hotel is a row of bicycles that guests can take out for a complimentary one-hour ride through the neighborhood to the waterfront Bayshore Boulevard paved bike lanes. Pass some of Tampa's most prestigious homes with ancient trees and beautiful gardens.
Located just south of downtown Tampa, the walking and running path, along with the bike path is 4.5 miles long and 10 feet wide. It's the second longest continuous sidewalk in the United States.
After a bike ride, park your bike next to Chill Bros. Scoop Shop. The Chillura brothers and sister use the finest ingredients to make-from-scratch small batch ice creams. They use Old World principles and modern techniques that they learned in Bologna, Italy to bring exciting flavors to Tampa.
The seasonal flavors might include Bonfire S'mores, Key Lime Pie, Holy Cannoli, Hazelnut Gianduja Crunch, Olive oil and Birthday CakeIt's a “super chill” spot to relax and enjoy a tasty treat during the day or after dinner.
Learn more about the special deals Epicurean Hotel offers to those visiting Tampa. It's an ideal spot to stay, dine and play at before or after a cruise. The cruise lines that leave from the Port of Tampa include Carnival Cruise Line's Paradise and Carnival Pride; Royal Caribbean International's Radiance of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas. Celebrity Constellation leaves the port as does Nowegian Cruise Line's Jade sails out of Tampa to the Caribbean, Key West, Mexico and beyond.
