Samurai Blue Sushi is a japanese restaurant in Ybor City, Tampa.
Samurai Blue in Centro Ybor runs sushi rolls and Japanese plates with a busy weekend bar in the heart of Ybor City's nightlife corridor. A Tampa table.
Must order: Samurai Blue specialty roll and the spicy tuna crispy rice.
Tip: Centro Ybor location is the bigger of the two; cocktails and sake until late.
Address: 1600 E 8th Ave M111, Tampa, FL 33605
Mise en Place across from Oxford Exchange has run modern American since 1986 under chef-owner Marty Blitz, with a tasting-style chef's menu and famous Sunday.
Order: The Get Blitzed multi-course chef's tasting menu.
Tip: Marty Blitz has been a James Beard semifinalist multiple times; the menu changes monthly.
Han Hand Roll inside Heights Public Market at Armature Works runs hand-rolled temaki and tonkotsu ramen, with a counter open through the food hall.
Order: Trio of hand rolls plus a bowl of tonkotsu ramen.
Tip: Inside the Heights Public Market; order at the counter and pick up.
Ling's Dumplings inside Heights Public Market hand-folds soup dumplings, pork dumplings and scallion pancakes to order. The kitchen leans on local Florida.
Order: A dozen pork soup dumplings plus a scallion pancake.
Tip: Counter inside Armature Works; the soup dumplings sell out by 2pm.
Empamamas inside Heights Public Market bakes and fries empanadas across Latin American styles, from Argentine beef to Cuban chicken. The patio fills first.
Order: Half-dozen empanadas across styles, plus chimichurri to dip.
Tip: Eat at the picnic tables on the Riverwalk lawn; the empanadas reheat in a toaster oven later.
The Fold at Heights Public Market folds Neapolitan-style pies fast for the Armature Works lunch crowd, with classics and seasonal specials. The room fills.
Order: Margherita pie or the weekly seasonal special.
Tip: Order at the counter; eat at the picnic tables on the Riverwalk lawn.
La Teresita on Columbus Drive has run a Cuban counter and dining room in West Tampa since 1972, owned by the Capdevila family across two generations.
Order: Palomilla steak with yellow rice and black beans.
Tip: The counter side runs 6am to midnight Friday and Saturday; the dining room takes reservations next door.
