Daily Loaf

Cafe Dufrain
3 stars
707 Harbour Post Drive, Tampa, 813-275-9701 or cafedufrain.com

One glance at Cafe Dufrain’s new menu — which is still evolving — and you can see where new chef Ferrell Alvarez has come from. Alvarez spent the last seven years next to Marty Blitz in the kitchens of Mise En Place, Chef de Cuisine in Tampa’s grande dame of modern American dining. He moved over the bridge to Harbour Island this summer to serve his own brand of cuisine in the casually elegant restaurant with expansive views across the water, at prices that are much more comfortable to the pocketbook than his former home.

I can recognize Blitz’s influence, though, just by reading Alvarez’s entree list, each entry topped by a bland protein — veal flank steak, Korean short ribs — followed by a procession of fabulous-sounding concoctions that always seem more interesting than the headliner. Polenta sandwich, duo of kimchi, “loaded” frites. Ordering becomes a gut-wrenching choice between groups of side dishes you don’t want to miss. Can I order several plates of accompaniments, hold the protein?

Those sides, which list ingredients and techniques that range from North African preserved lemon to the aforementioned kimchi, illustrate Alavarez’s excitement and vision. It’s modern food that flirts with trends without being trendy, unique enough to stand out in Tampa’s stifled dining scene, with a flair for gorgeous presentation on the table. All of that sets the bar rather high, however, for when you finally put fork to mouth. Read the rest of this entry »

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Wednesday, October 14: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits
Potluck Wednesday. Beat the mid-week dinner blahs by stopping in for SideBern’s gourmet take-away — and enjoy a complimentary mini-wine tasting while you wait. This week’s one-stop wonder is cassolette with pork belly, lamb, white beans and an herb crust . $19.95. 5-8 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Wednesday, October 14: Cafe Dufrain
New Twist Vodka Tasting. Most of us need a little pick-me-up by mid-week, and this free tasting, featuring Hangar One vodkas,  is just what the doctor ordered. Free. 6-7:30 p.m., 707 Harbour Post Dr., Tampa (813-275-9701)

Wednesday, October 14: Rigatoni Tuscan Oven
Wild Tuscan Wednesdays. Indulge in decadent seafood at dirt-cheap prices on high-end items like all-you-can-eat Alaskan snow crab and oysters, along with beer and pasta specials. $7-$22. 5-10 p.m., 3437 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa (813-879-7000)

Thursday, October 15: Restaurant BT
Organic, Shaken and Stirred. Pick up your autographed copy of Organic, Shaken and Stirred: Hip Highballs, Modern Martinis, and Other Totally Green Cocktails, along with two tickets for drinks detailed in the book. $30, 5:30-7:30 p.m., 1633 W. Snow Ave., Tampa (813-258-1916)

Many more events after the break: Read the rest of this entry »

Tuesday, June 30: A Taste for Wine
Wine doesn’t have to bear a hefty price tag to please your palate. Sample a tasty selection of quality wines that only taste like a splurge. $10. 6 p.m., 241 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727-895-1623)

Wednesday, July 1: CL Wine Club Happy Hour at Datz Deli
BBQ Wines. Need wine for July 4th? We got you covered. Try six, tasty, specially selected wines by the glass for only $6 each. Paired with complementary appetizers. Free. 7-9 p.m., Datz Deli, 2616 S MacDill Ave., Tampa (813-831-7000). RSVP here!

Wednesday, July 1: Cafe Dufrain
Summer Series Wine Tasting. Try a new variety of wines every Wednesday. Free. 6-7:30 p.m., 707 Harbour Post Dr., Tampa (813-275-9701)

Wednesday, July 1: ABC Fine Wine and Spirits
Sample more than 50 wine selections accompanied by appetizers and an outdoor cigar sampler. $10. 5:30-7:30 p.m., 3535 4th St. N., St. Petersburg (727-894-4875)

Wednesday, July 1: Publix Apron’s Cooking School
Basic Knife Skills. A menu designed to teach you slicing, dicing, julienne, and chiffonade knife techniques. Includes: gazpacho; miso glazed carrots; szechuan ratatouille; tomato salsa; warm vichyssoise. $50. 6 p.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)

Read the rest of this entry »

Starting July 1, Sous Chef Ferrell Alvarez, Marty Blitz’s right-hand-man for many years at Mise en Place, is moving to the Executive Chef slot at Cafe Dufrain. Also making the switch in October is Ty Rodriguez, General Manager at Mise.

Ferrell and Andy Bonnemort, owners of Cafe Dufrain, couldn’t be happier, although they came to learn of Chef Ferrell’s interest in a round-about way. Ferrell Bonnemort called Chef Ferrell (yes, same name, different genders, different pronounciations) for a reference on another candidate and when she described the position, he said, “Hey, I might be interested in that.” At first, Ferrell turned him down, since she wasn’t interested in “stealing” away a chef from a fellow indie restaurant owner. But Chef Ferrell doggedly pursued the position, also asking if Ty Rodriguez could be considered for the General Manager opening (Cafe Dufrain was also looking to replace their current GM, who is leaving in October to go to nursing school). A package deal made in restaurant heaven.

After Andy and Ferrell both met Ty and Ferrell, they knew they’d found the right team. Bonnemort said, “All the right elements just fell into place. We combed through over 400 applicants and Alvarez and Rodriguez are clearly who we need to take us to the next level.”  

Surprisingly, there are no hard feelings coming from Mise en Place co-proprietor Maryann Ferenc, who said, “It’s a positive thing… I’m ridiculously happy for them. All things happen as they’re supposed to…”