Picture
Caption: Sacred Pepper
Restaurant Dining Experience
Tampa, Florida
#wtfrueating
Picture
Caption: In recent days we visited Sacred Pepper, a new dining experience in North Tampa. The restaurant is a lively, modern and elegant destination where food is celebrated by its finest execution. And the first impression didn't disappoint. It sits at the tip of a non-descript strip mall on Dale Mabry Ave. North. The end of the commercial building has been transformed into an elegant colonnade with a grand entrance dressed in light stone and celestial blue light accents amongst sculptural
Picture
Caption: 馃幖 Lively Bar Area
Picture
Caption: metal columns. You enter a small foyer past the tall smoked glass doors and unto a large bar area past the hostess station. The bar area has a backdrop of deep blue bubble tanks, a central high top bar with backlit amber stone and a gigantic glass chandelier hanging from the center of a large clerestory light well. To one side is a private dining room with large wooden tables and a clear glass wall that holds their wine collection. Opposite to that is the main dining area which is crowned by hanging circular sculptures composed of white tree branches.
Picture
Caption: Restroom Corridor
Picture
Caption: Barrel Ceiling Detail
Picture
Caption: Lighting is a combination of recessed lights, silver glass pendants and dim lights that wash the wall behind the tall cushiony banquettes.
I started with a house cocktail named the Black Widow which consists of silver tequila, agave nectar, fresh blackberries and lime juice. A stringent balance of bitter tequila with acidic lime juice and sweet blackberries to render a fruity and smooth taste. Mr. G had a glass of prosecco wine fizzing with bubbles. We ordered two appetizers and bread service unaware of the portion
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Caption: sizes and being faced with so many alluring options. Their bread service consists of three small flavored rolls (black olives, basil and garlic lemon). They are served with a bright and crisp sundried tomato dipping sauce. The first appetizer is the Shisito Peppers. A sweet Asian pepper that鈥檚 about the length of a finger and has a slippery skin. Every few of these peppers may have a peppery after taste depending on the soil conditions under which it was grown. The extra light tempura
Picture
Caption: Shishito Peppers 馃尪
Picture
Caption: batter gives a crusty texture to the otherwise soft vegetable. They are served in a small bunch along with a syrupy ginger spice sauce. The second appetizer was a Brie.L.T. served with roasted pepper gazpacho. It鈥檚 a liberal variation of a BLT sandwich made with Nueske bacon, arugula, tomato and brie in finger size sandwich triangles. The sweet gazpacho softens the salty combination of the bacon and melted brie.
Now moving on to the entr茅es. Mr. G ordered the Grouper Picatta served
Picture
Picture
Caption: over cauliflower mash and a side of fresh and shiny asparagus. The grouper was saut茅ed in lemon juice and capers. A moist and plump filet which benefitted from the acidity of the lemon juice to bring out some of the flavor in the otherwise mild tasting fish. The cauliflower mash was salted lightly and created a velvety texture for the bite that didn鈥檛 over powered the fish. My choice was the Deconstructed Oysters Rockefeller. The preparation consisted of oysters off the shell and deep fried in a sizzling batter alongside a small bite of bacon.
Picture
Caption: Grouper with Cauliflower Mash
Picture
Caption: Deconstructed Oysters Rockefeller
Picture
Caption: The fried oysters were served on a bed of spinach au gratin that completed the piquant Rockefeller composition. A very alluring way of combining the gelatinous texture of the oyster with the robust meat flavor of the bacon and the creamy consistency of the spinach and cheese sauce. A satisfying combination of flavors with a salty aftertaste. Sort of a "cheesy fondue" for oysters. We finished up with the Br没l茅e Bread Pudding. A small loaf of house made bread pudding with a brittle top of br没l茅e sugar.
Picture
Caption: Br没l茅e Bread Pudding 馃嵂
Picture
Caption: A comforting ending to a great meal.
Picture
Picture