Nosh Pit Episode 20: Craig Dean, Rawbar, July 4th Wines
Brian and Taylor chat with Craig Dean, wine director at Hyde Park’s Wine Exchange, discuss Brian’s review of new downtown spot Rawbar, and discuss what we’ll be drinking on July 4th.
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Brian and Taylor chat with Craig Dean, wine director at Hyde Park’s Wine Exchange, discuss Brian’s review of new downtown spot Rawbar, and discuss what we’ll be drinking on July 4th.
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Rawbar
3.5 Stars
777 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, 813-422-5220
It’s interesting to see Taps and Rawbar anchoring adjacent corners of downtown Tampa’s Skypoint building. Both are owned by the same man — James DeVito — and both are attempts to fill niches in downtown Tampa nightlife. The jury’s still out as to whether DeVito is meeting a need, or creating one in a “build it and they will come” moment, but the results are shockingly different at the two joints.
Taps always seemed unfocused, a beer bar with lounge aspirations. DeVito’s brand new Rawbar is entirely different, the concept distilled to the bare essentials, which are then taken to extremes. It’s a Miami scene bar built around an updated sushi menu, the decor almost self-consciously hip, the entire package almost veering into poseur territory. Almost. Read the rest of this entry »