Bay Bites & Beyond

  Hey Tampa Bay! Hassan here, back with another local food spotlight to help you conquer our city’s incredible culinary scene. When you spend your week diving deep into keyword analytics, running intensive search campaigns, and managing clients to keep up that Top Rated Plus profile on Upwork, your downtime becomes sacred territory. By the time Saturday morning rolls around, the laptops close, the spreadsheets are saved, and my only priority is finding a fantastic meal that gets everyone out of the house. But dining out with a family means navigating a minefield of different cravings. You want a health-conscious, nutrient-dense bowl to fuel your weekend, but the kids just want the most decadent pancakes they can find. Enter Daily Eats . Located right in the heart of the South Howard (SoHo) district at 901 S Howard Ave, this Tampa institution has completely solved the weekend breakfast debate. Here is my full breakdown of why Daily Eats is the ultimate reimagined diner, and why it h...

  When dining in South Tampa’s vibrant SoHo district, it is easy to get caught up in the modern aesthetics and trendy menus of the local restaurant scene. But behind every great neighborhood staple is a story. For Water + Flour —formerly known as the iconic Ciccio & Tony’s—that story spans over two decades, originating far beyond the Florida state lines. Understanding the history of Water + Flour means understanding the very foundation of the Ciccio Restaurant Group (CRG) . Here is a deep dive into the roots, the legacy, and the philosophy that built one of Tampa Bay's most successful culinary empires. From NYC to SoHo: The Origins of a Tampa Staple Long before the Cali bowls and naturally fermented sourdough pizzas took over South Howard Avenue, the journey began in New York City over 25 years ago. The concept was spearheaded by James Lanza. When creating the restaurant group, Lanza looked to his family for inspiration, naming the company after his father: Frank (Ciccio) Lanza...