Eddie V’s in Tampa
Another amazing BACA event at Eddie V’s in Tampa!!!
As always, the ambiance and vibe was everything you would expect from a premier restaurant and lounge in Tampa Bay, with delicious delectables and perfectly poured cocktails, along with live Jazz to boot!
A little bit of history I learned last night is that the first Eddie V’s was established in Austin, Texas and currently there are over 20 locations nationwide. The newest location recently opened in Boston, with sights on Denver in the coming year. Eddie V’s not what you expect from a chain restaurant and up until this event, I never would have known it was even a chain. This only exemplifies the quality and efforts by the management and team to not only meet the high expectations of the Tampa Bay’s high end clientele, but to exceed them – Visit Eddie V’s Website
That being said, big kudos to the GM Stephen Hickey for forming a team that epitomizes what hospitality and quality should be. An integral part of his team that must be recognized is Kimberly Kraimer, Sales Mgr. & Special Events Coordinator, who made our event a great success! Some may have been unaware of the construction in front of the establishment that will eventually come to house added space to seat private parties, able to accommodate up to 60, in what is to be named the Boulevard Room. Currently Eddie V’s offers two other rooms for private events with seating for up to 20 in the Speakeasy Room, equipped with a peephole to allow only the people in the know access, as well as a private exit to the exterior of the building. For larger parties, the Wine Room seats up to 52 in a more formal setting – perfect for wedding parties or corporate events. With the upcoming Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium, the new additional space will be the perfect venue for fans or groups seeking an upscale facility to relax and have their fill before the big game.
Enough about the facility, let’s talk about the spread of delicious eats that Chef Taro and his team created for us to enjoy. Chef describes his cuisine as “New American / Asian Fusion” specializing in fresh ingredients, and after tasting the various delights that was offered on our spread, it is clear that he is an expert with his flavors and visual appeal, making each offering not only pleasant to gaze upon, but to devour as well! The Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes with Remoulade Sauce and micro greens were out of this world! With so much crab in each cake, I could not locate a hint of filler, only succulent crab meat.
Another tasty treat were the Lamb Lollipops with Morel Crust & Fig Glaze that would make ‘Little Bo Peep’ eat her sheep. The crispy Shrimp with the Thai Peanut Sauce was one of my favorites with the perfect balance of sweet & spicy.
But, in my opinion, the stars of the show had to be the Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Sauce and the Roasted Salmon with Ginger Soy Glaze, kinda like a Surf & Turf!! The perfectly seasoned tenderloin was cooked to perfection and so tender I was able to cut it with my fork. The salmon had to be done well or it can be unappealing and let me say, that it did not disappoint as it was perfectly paired with a ginger soy glaze and melted in your mouth. One thing that we did not get a chance to see was the raw bar and numerous options of raw oysters with species gathered from coast to coast – I can’t wait to try a few those on the half shell on my next visit!
If you or your guests are looking for an elegant night out for two with delicious food, or a quick cocktail and appetizer with a couple friends, you have to go to Eddie V’s! Every time you visit you will want to come back again & again. Kimberly kept us feeling welcomed and Chef Taro filled our bellies, but the true unsung heroes of the night were our wait staff and bar keeps. Our waiter Corey was so fast and efficient keeping up with our tables he was easy to miss – moving like a shadow in white, he was able to make sure that we enjoyed our food and drinks without clutter and was like a ninja, darting in and out without being noticed – THANK YOU Corey for you professionalism and attention to detail, I’m sure our guests will be well taken care of when they have a seat at one of your tables. Keeping our drinks full were Stephanie & Robert behind the main bar. Not only were they busy with the other patrons, but they always had time to smile and offer a warm welcome to all of us. They expertly crafted many cocktails for myself and I saw plenty of wine glasses being toasted throughout the venue! Thank you both for keeping up with our thirsty group and for making us feel like we were the only ones at the bar even though they had their hands full with others. To Stephen, Kimberly, Chef and all of the crew that made this evening such a joyous event, myself and all of B.A.C.A thank you for all that you do.
Fun fact I learned from Kimberly that I wish to share and maybe you could also share with your guests, is that one of the original founders of Eddie V’s, Larry Foles, is not only famous for his ventures in the restaurant biz, but he is also known for another reason that residents of Philadelphia may know: In 2018 when the unexpected happened when the New England Patriots lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 52, does anyone remember who the MVP of that game was? Let’s just say if it wasn’t for Larry Foles, who also happens to be the Father of NFL Quarterback Nick Foles, the Eagles may have never won their first and only Super Bowl to date!!