Tampa Steak House Gets Honored At Sibling Restaurant

Well we knew it was coming, but this is an unexpected treat. A while ago we told you that an iconic Tampa steak house would be closing down for renovations this summer. It's been over 20 years since Bern's Steak House has had any renovations to the front of house. But that's about to change. The restaurant will be closed for renovations starting July 2 for a few weeks. The re-opening date still has not been announced. But in the meantime, you can get a taste of Bern's at their sister restaurant, Haven.

For a few days only, you can try exclusive menu items from Bern's at their sister restaurant. The "A Taste Of Bern's" menu will run from July 5-8 and July 11-15. Both restaurants are run by executive chef, Chad Johnson. Some are still having trouble getting a reservation at Bern's, but that's not the case with Haven. If you look on Open Table, you'll be able to find available slots for those dates.

At Haven, you'll be able to try some Bern's exclusive dishes. Appetizers include: French onion risotto, steak tartare and shrimp cocktail. Featured entrees will include some signature meats such as wagyu filet mignon, dry-aged porterhouses and racks of lamb. Side dishes include: creamed spinach, lobster mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, and steakhouse mushrooms. They're even bringing a little taste of the Harry Waugh Room at Haven. For dessert, they'll be offering: Peanut Butter Truffle, Macadamia Nut Sundae, and Banana Cheese Pie. Haven is normally known for smaller dishes and charcuterie, so this is quite the addition to their menu! But they'll still be offering other entrees like roasted red snapper, peri peri chicken thighs, and more.

When Bern's does open up again, head architect, Richard Zingale, painted a picture of the changes. "The room will be surrounded with banquette seating that brings an upholstered softness to the lounge. Traditional and historical Bern’s references will be complemented with updated details utilizing a combination of natural wood tones and plush fabrics.”

[Source: Creative Loafing]

The food scene in the Tampa Bay area is really taking off. It seems like every week there's a new trendy restaurant that joins the roster. However, if you're looking for a dining experience that goes above and beyond, look no further. We found the 7 most unique dining experiences in Tampa Bay.

From what's on the menu, to the atmosphere, or if there's any table side action, we think these are the most unique dining experiences in Tampa Bay. These spots are perfect for a large group or if you just want to impress a date. These are some of the most popular restaurants, so it might be worth it to call ahead and make a reservation for your visit.

We went to Yelp to help build our list, but it wasn't very helpful. One honorary mention we do want to include from Yelp is the Cruisin' Tikis Tampa. The idea of floating through Downtown Tampa on a tiki bar with 5 of your closest friends sounds so fun! We're only leaving them off this list because it's bring your own food/drinks. The pickup/drop off location is right by Armature Works, so this also means you can grab food to-go from your favorite spot and take it on the water with you. They'll provide the captain, coolers with ice, and Bluetooth radio for you to play your favorite tunes.

If you're looking for a new date spot that will impress them with gorgeous views, look no further. You'll arrive via a private elevator from Bellwether’s lobby level, then diners will transition from a stationary floor to one that slowly rotates. All of this accompanied with 360 degree views of beautiful St. Pete and a menu that's to die for!

The Nona Slice House in Safety Harbor is a hidden gem for some of the best pizza in Florida, (seriously). You may be thinking, "What's so unique about a pizza place?" Well the owner, Jamie Culliton, is a world champion pizza acrobat. Meaning he can seriously toss some dough. He's won competitions all over the world for his performances, and now he's taken some of the staff under his wing. Recently, they competed in Italy with the US Pizza Team and came in 6th for the freestyle acrobatics. If you ever go to The Nona Slice House, just ask your server for a "dough show" and the Jamie or one of the other pizzaiolo's will come out for a performance for the whole restaurant!

We couldn't leave out on of Tampa's most iconic restaurants in this list. You have to experience dining at Columbia Restaurant at least once. The historical Cuban atmosphere will have your head swerving all around the restaurant. The menu is full of things you must try! Like their homemade Cuban bread or the famous "1905" salad that is made right at your table!

One of Tampa's most popular speakeasy has to be on our list! Ciro's is great for an intimate environment, aka the perfect date spot. The drink menu and atmosphere is heavily inspired by the prohibition era. Be sure to call for the daily password.

This may not be for everybody, but we recommend trying it at least once. At Black Rock in Carollwood, you'll have certified angus beef served and cooked to perfection on a 755-degree volcanic rock. Meaning your steak will come out ray and you'll cook each bite directly on the stone as if it's your plate. For those who like their steak done rare-medium rare, this only takes a few seconds on each side. Each bite is hot, juicy, and tender and just the way you like it!

If you've never tried Korean BBQ we highly suggest Sa Ri One. You can get all you can eat for $25 or $35.

The last spot on our list goes to one of the other best speakeasy's in Tampa. Madame Fortune's can be found behind a bookcase in the Roost bakery. They share the password to get in on their social media every week. Check out their “Password” story highlight. The food at Madame Fortune is insanely good, packed with strong southern and West Indian influences.