Although I'd love to report that SoHo's new wine bar, Cork, was packed at a tasting this week, it wasn't. But not due to a lack of desirous customers — the City of Tampa won't allow the new hotspot to have more than 50 people inside at one time. In an effort to curb the youngster drunkfest on hoppin' South Howard, the City is forcing management of the three- week-old establishment to jump through upteen hoops. Per the fire department, the updated and remodeled former gelateria (La Casa Dolce) can hold up to 150 but it won't be until probably the end of the month that Cork can welcome the world.
General Manager Dave Kendall, a restaurant and wine industry veteran of 27 years, is understandably frustrated. Co-owner Barry O'Connor of MacDinton's and Kendall spent countless hours (and dollars) getting the concept right. They hope to fill the void of downscale, casual bars in this party district, where people can chill and not be bombarded with live music or a crew of drunken revelers.
18 wines by the glass (whites, reds, sparklings that will change quarterly)
This article appears in Jan 7-13, 2009.
