We never imagined any restaurant dessert might rank in the same class as Grandmother's homemade apple pie, but we were shocked to discover a real contender in one of Hyde Park's trendiest restaurants. Seven 17 South was among this year's Florida Trend magazine Top 20 new restaurants, a judgment with which we heartily concur. All the dishes we tasted there were well executed, but its truly awesome apple pie really took the cake. The pie arrived not on a plate but in a yawning bowl, its hot, steamy filling baked to cinnamon-y perfection and encased in an equally perfect, buttery and crispy crust. On top sat a huge ball of rich, cold ice cream. Move over, Grammy, you've got competition.
Seven 17 South Restaurant, 717 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-250-1661.
This article appears in Sep 25 – Oct 1, 2003.