The bar in this oasis of chic serenity offers the same precise food, same delicious (if faintly medicinal) martinis, even the same elegant service as the dining room — watch, for instance, the graceful way the barkeep rolls out the bamboo place mats — but the atmosphere is still casual enough for a light meal and a drink. And while you’re sitting there you can make a study of the photos behind the bar — portraits of BT friends and staffers captured in mid-sip by co-owner/ photographer Norman Batley, who’s just as good at shooting people as he is at serving them. 1633 W. Snow Ave. Tampa, 813-831-9254.
This article appears in Sep 13-19, 2006.