One of the more common emails this blog receives is questions about decent places to dine at in Tampa Bay. (Most common requests are probably clothes/fashion related posts but frankly I am not sure how to entertain those suggestions? I'm not big on consumerism but one of my new year resolutions is putting more effort into my make-up/hair/style to improve my long neglected appearance so I guess I can try to whip up some posts on the subject.)
So here is one of my favorite places in South Tampa: "datz".
It's sort of an English pub - European deli - bar - gourmet grocery store hybrid.
2616 South MacDill, corner of MacDill and Barcelona. It has this hard-to-miss big red sign.
I don't really have a befitting way to describe Datz' distinguished atmosphere so here is an iPhone photo to give you a rough idea:
It's got this semi-industrial, somewhat warehouse like interior with upstairs and downstairs sections, complete with low lighting and perfect acoustics.
(By perfect acoustics I mean it's noisy in a lively and happening sort of way yet conducting private conversations doesn't require the possession of sign language or lip reading skills. Next-table-conversations seamlessly blend into the background noise to the point of complete indistinctness. I don't know about you, but to me, good ambiance is pretty much all in the lighting and the acoustics.)
Their menu is online, I usually have the cheese platter. They sell high quality European cheeses, cold cuts, chocolate, pastries, beer and a whole lot of other things in the deli.
Check it out if you're in town. There are quite a few great eateries in Ybor and Channelside too, maybe I'll take some photos next time I am there.
Meanwhile, here's to a prosperous 2012 -- be happy, be lucky.
All the best,
Agnes
Nothing destroys a good place as much as bad acoustics and lighting! Overhearing everything next to you or it being so loud you can't even hear the person at your table makes me crazy. My hearing is bad enough, I don't need that extra impediment.
Posted by: Marty Coleman | January 02, 2012 at 09:38 AM
Happy new year to you too Agnes! Cheers!
Posted by: WarmSunshine | January 02, 2012 at 09:46 AM
"Be Happy. Be Lucky." T-shirt worthy...
Posted by: Andy Koehn | January 02, 2012 at 09:50 AM
That looks like a fun place. My husband lived in Tampa when he was a boy, but I've never been. It looks lovely.
Posted by: Amanda Conley | January 02, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Datz looks like a place for me and Honey--laid back and casual. Happy New Year Agnes--your hair and make-up doesn't look like it needs special attention--and style is just something you've got. Forget about it.
Posted by: linda roth | January 02, 2012 at 12:44 PM
Happy new year Agnes. Would love to see more of your posts in this year :) xxx
Posted by: Iqra | January 02, 2012 at 01:56 PM
Looks like a great place! Lighting and acoustics are too often ignored in restaurants. Hope your 2012 brings you lots of laughter and peace. :)
Posted by: Jemi Fraser | January 02, 2012 at 02:10 PM
Happy New Year to you too Agnes!
I love your post. The cheese tray looks yummy and the restaurant looks like a fun place to be.
I totally agree with the comment above me that you have a natural style. I can't see where you need to "work" at anything!
Posted by: Heather Landry | January 02, 2012 at 02:13 PM
Happy New Year, Agnes. Here's to a fresh start.
Posted by: Francine | January 02, 2012 at 04:50 PM
"Be happy. Be lucky." I love it! Wishing you the same in 2012!
Posted by: Barbara | January 02, 2012 at 07:48 PM
Oh wow, sounds great. I agree, food, ambience, very important. What a fabulous kind of place to hang out, loving the interior too, love Posie
Posted by: Posie Patchwork | January 02, 2012 at 08:02 PM
I wish you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. The post is interesting and the photos are nice too.
Posted by: Abraham Lincoln | January 02, 2012 at 08:08 PM
A good ambiance is somewhat the second photograph.
- Happy 2012 to you and friends.
Posted by: Tushar | January 02, 2012 at 10:03 PM
Looks quite a good place to me. Wish you a very happy and joyous year ahead Agnes! Looking forward to more of your pages in 2012!! :)
Posted by: Arti | January 03, 2012 at 02:24 AM
Datz sounds like a cool place!
Happy New Year Agnes! :)
Posted by: Dori | January 03, 2012 at 06:33 AM
Have a wonderful 2012, Agnes.
Posted by: Good Moroccan | January 03, 2012 at 08:30 AM
A very happy new year, seems like a nice place to lounge about with friends...and cheese, the more the happier my fat cells are. :)
Posted by: Rekha | January 03, 2012 at 09:47 AM
Happy New Year Agnes!
I hope it's a good one for you x
Posted by: mystafied | January 03, 2012 at 03:45 PM
Happy New Year, Agnes. Datz seems like a good place.
Posted by: Account Deleted | January 04, 2012 at 12:28 AM
I LOVE the lighting! The cheese platter sounds scrumptious! :)
Posted by: aubrey | January 04, 2012 at 04:52 AM
Good day and welcome to check.
Posted by: Becky | January 04, 2012 at 04:58 AM
Happy New Year to you too Agnes. I know what you mean about ambiance being important. When I was in Brussels, there were so many restaurants/cafes/pubs I would visit for ambiance.
Posted by: colours | January 04, 2012 at 05:03 AM
That looks like my kind of place!
Happy New Years Agnes! I hope it's a wonderful one for you x
Posted by: Sara Louise | January 04, 2012 at 07:52 AM
Reading your blog at the start of the New Year, 2012 does make me happy and I know it will bring me lots of luck!
You have such a natural style, both in your writing and your appearance that it makes it so inviting to be part of your world! Thanks....let's have more in 2012! Lots more!
Posted by: Ernie | January 04, 2012 at 07:58 PM
♥♥♥HAPPY NEW YEAR♥♥♥!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! get ready, dearie! 2012 is gonna be your year... i just sort of have a feeling... :) :) :)
Posted by: lauren | January 05, 2012 at 09:11 AM
A very happy,prosperous and stylish new year with your new wardrobe,hairstyle etc to you :-D
Posted by: Maverickshree | January 07, 2012 at 01:31 PM