In this year’s Food Issue we’re playing a numbers game. From root beer floats to side-of-the-road burritos, from artful finger sandwiches to cauliflower florets, we’re counting up all the flavors we can’t shake from our noggins, as well as the ones we leave the neighborhood (and state) for.
You’ll find a list by CL Food & Drink Critic Jon Palmer Claridge of the 25 dishes he still dreams about from his past year of reviewing, and a where-to-go guide to 25 tempting local spots, broken down by the type of gastronomic adventure you seek. Plus, he offers recommendations for five top-notch out-of-town destinations.
But wait, there’s more: To kick off Tampa Bay Restaurant Week, we talk to eight participating chefs about kitchen secrets, the next big grub trend and more; Leslie Joy Ickowitz luxuriates in the multiple gourmet ingredients of a massage at The Epicurean’s spa; we take you on a tour of five soul-satisfying taquerias; and Scott Harrell sums up the season’s five best beer-tails. In News, Kate Bradshaw tallies up the cost of wage theft to workers in the service industry; and Leilani Polk, in the Music section, lists 11 songs about food that are really about, um, something else (hint, hint, nudge, nudge).
So count your blessings — and get ready to indulge.
—Meaghan Habuda & David Warner
This article appears in Jun 11-17, 2015.
