With no online presence as far as we can tell, Wine & Wood has quietly introduced "veggie-forward fare" next door to a Chase Bank in Tampa. Hyde Park's new hangout at 614 S. Howard Ave. is the younger sibling of its neighbor, Fruitwood Standup Market, yet the place feels a little more grown up.
The wine selection — divided into nine categories, everything from Oaked Whites to Wines on Tap — certainly helps, as does the industrial chic decor and the food. Guests pick from a menu of cheese and charcuterie, small plates or wood-fired pizza.
On a recent visit, we decided on fire-roasted cauliflower with mozzarella, crumbled blue cheese, scallion and buffalo drizzle, which had us scraping the small cast-iron skillet it's served in for any last bit of cheesy goodness. But wood-fired gulf shrimp, Kim's Dip (mozz smothered in house marinara and topped with fresh basil) and roasted veggie pizza were just as tempting.
Not big on wine? Wine & Wood carries two cocktail-y options, red sangria and mimosas, plus draft beer.
Go check it out.
This article appears in Feb 7-14, 2019.