The Epicurean Hotel has curated a special menu to raise funds for Hurricane Florence victims. Last week, Florence made landfall as a Category 1 storm, devastating families and businesses in the Carolinas, and the boutique Tampa property's "Carolina Cuisine for a Cause" pays homage to the region from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, and Friday, Sept. 21.
The $35 prix-fixe lineup of "Carolina Cuisine" is available at Élevage and the new Lobby Bar. Diners choose from Lexington-style pork tartine or she-crab fettuccine, Brunswick stew or fried green tomato salad, and shrimp 'n' grits or Cheerwine-glazed chicken breast.
According to a statement from Epicurean executive chef Chad Johnson, the Carolinas influence Élevage's dishes on a daily basis.
"The history and soul of their cooking are inspirations we commonly come back to," Johnson said. "In the restaurant community, we show our love for people through the food we serve and the hospitality we provide. It may only be a drop in the bucket, but we hope that our friends in Tampa can come share a meal that will help provide a small measure of relief for our friends in the Carolinas."
Earmarked for Florence relief, all of the proceeds from "Carolina Cuisine" go to the Red Cross.
The Lobby Bar and Élevage's Hyde Park neighbor, Haven, also plans to donate the sales from its happy hour items between 5 and 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Cheeses made in the Carolinas are up for grabs.
This article appears in Sep 13-20, 2018.