Oxford Exchange – Tampa, FL

It’s great living in the town I grew up in during the holidays because so many people come home to visit their families this time of year.  Luckily I’ve gotten to catch up with a lot of my friends who have since moved away from Tampa. 

Today a group of us went out to lunch at Oxford Exchange.  I don’t know how I somehow have missed writing a blog post about this place since I've been there many times, but better late than never.  It opened back in 2012 and having a background in design, I fell in love with it immediately.  They took two older buildings (one from the 1800’s) and transformed them into a multipurpose space with coffee a tea shops, a restaurant, bookstore, and gift shop. 

The interiors are beautiful with a gorgeous glass atrium that lets in the Florida sunshine, a mix of marble and herringbone wood floors, a grand staircase in the center, and a mix of brick walls and detailed wood paneling. 

It is right across Kennedy Boulevard from the University of Tampa, so it’s the perfect place for students to come study while enjoying TeBella tea or Buddy Brew coffee. 

Today I had an arugula salad with grilled chicken, quinoa, roasted butternut squash, crispy Brussels sprouts, dried cherries, pistachios, and feta with a citrus vinaigrette.  It was probably one of the best salads I’ve had – I would definitely order it again.  My friend Alex had a side of the fried Brussels sprouts and they were huge!  

I love all of TeBella’s teas – I’ve tried a different kind each time I’ve gone there.  With my lunch today I had the carrot cake rooibos tea which was sweet and cinnamon-y.  They bring you a little silver teapot so you can enjoy several cups. 

My only complaint is that the prices are pretty high.  Although the food is incredible, I spent $30 on a salad and tea, which is a lot more than I’d normally spend on lunch.  And their gift shop is outrageously priced – I played a game with my friend James once where we had to guess the price of different items in the shop.  They do have some really beautiful gifts and it’s nice to browse. 

I’ve actually been to two wedding receptions at Oxford Exchange – my friend Leslie’s in June of 2013 and my cousin Chris’s in March of 2014.  It is the perfect backdrop to celebrate and since the Oxford Exchange does the catering, the food at both weddings was delicious. 

Photos below of Leslie & Greg’s wedding are by Anna Kirby Photography

And these pictures from Chris & Marty’s wedding are by Jason Angelini Photography (who is our photographer for our wedding next April!)

The Oxford is located at 420 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602 and is open 7:30am – 5:30pm Monday – Friday and 9am – 5:30pm Saturday – Sunday.  

Made Restaurant - Sarasota, FL

 

We spent the day in Sarasota again yesterday and discovered a great restaurant!  Made (short for Modern. American. Delicious. Eats.) takes a gourmet spin on typical comfort foods.  It was voted Best New Restaurant and Best Chef in Sarasota Magazine. 

 

 

It is located in the heart of downtown Sarasota on Main Street.  The weather yesterday was nice and cool, so we dined on their patio.  We were brought food and drink menus (the menus were tattered and creased, but all of the dishes sounded amazing!)

 

I tried their Cucumber Collins – with vodka, muddled cucumbers, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda.  It was refreshing and infused with extreme cucumber flavor. 

 

We started off with their Pork on Pork on Pork Mac-n-Cheese – made with Parmesan and gruyere cream sauce, roasted pork shoulder, billionaire bacon, and chorizo.  Lance kept saying that it was one of the best foods he’s ever eaten.  It was one of the best mac & cheese dishes for sure. 

 

For our entrée, we split the Double Dipped Fried ½ Chicken and Brown Butter and Billionaire Bacon Brussels Sprouts.  The chicken was buttermilk and Cholula hot sauce brined with a hot-n-honey crust and crispy herbs.  It was served with a black pepper gruyere waffle and kale (the greens were cooked with even more bacon). 

 

The crust on the fried chicken was perfectly crispy and flavorful.  The honey Cholula sauce was sweet with just a bit of spiciness.  The Brussels sprouts had a nice charred exterior and paired well with the thick chunks of bacon. 

 

The food definitely isn’t healthy for you, but it is well worth the calories.  All the comfort foods and obsession with bacon reminded me of the menu at Datz. 

At the end of the meal, we were told about the desserts (which we of course didn't have any room for this time).  Their bourbon pecan pie à la mode did sound pretty decadent though.  We were brought "the damage" in an envelope.  

 

If you can’t make it to Sarasota, you can attempt their Double Dipped Fried Chicken yourself with this recipe. 

Made is located at 1990 Main St #112, Sarasota, FL 34236 and is open 11:30am – 2:30pm for lunch then 4:30pm – 10pm for dinner Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30am – 12am Friday, 5pm – 12am Saturday, and 10am – 3pm on Sunday.