Delta Sky Magazine, The Lodge

July 1st, 2009

This newer nightlife hot spot has a great vibe and loyal following. The bar itself is a large open and inviting space that holds true to the lodge-themed décor. The drink and late-night food menu are delicious, cleverly worded and moderately priced. Sip on the Crazy Candy Cane, with vodka, peppermint schnapps and crème de cacao, or Grandma’s Sweet Team, with sweet tea vodka, water and fresh lemon. And if you’re hungry, you can munch on what they call “American Sushi” on the late-night menu, which has choices such as the Fiery Buddha, a grilled steak with cucumbers, jicama, fried onions and a spicy sauce.

http://www.deltaskymag.com/Destinations/Tampa/Nightlife/The-Lodge.aspx

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Tampa Tribune; The Lime’s owners retool eatery in New Tampa

June 17th, 2009

The Lime’s owners retool eatery in New Tampa
By KENNETH KNIGHT
kknight@tampatrib.com

The Lime restaurant in New Tampa has gone sour.

“The Lime just didn’t work out,” co-owner Jimmy Lanza said.

Lanza and his business partners moved quickly last month to change the concept at the fledging eatery.

They closed The Lime, a Latin-themed restaurant and sports bar, on May 5, made some renovations and reopened three weeks later as two trendy restaurants under one roof.The larger spot will be ideal for Ciccio’s, which operated out of a smaller, adjacent storefront as the well-established Ciccio & Tony’s restaurant, Lanza said. It will share space with The Lodge, an eatery with a large, traditional menu that caters more to families.

Owned and operated by the same group that owns Ciccio & Tony’s, The Lodge is a successful dining concept that was launched in South Tampa before it was introduced to New Tampa. The Lime on Howard Avenue, which is doing a robust business in South Tampa’s SoHo district, will remain open, Lanza said.

“We tried the concept of The Lime,” he said. “It wasn’t necessarily conducive to the New Tampa clientele.”

The Lime caters to a younger crowd who enjoys dining on Mexican and South American inspired entrees while watching ESPN on flat-screen TVs and listening to loud, pumping music. The concept proved to be not as appealing in New Tampa.

Prior to The Lime, the space at City Plaza at Tampa Palms was occupied by Winners Grill.

Lanza said he hopes the combination of Ciccio’s and The Lodge is more in line with the appetites of New Tampa residents. So far, the change has been well received.

“We have doubled our lunch business,” Lanza said. “Business is very, very good.”

Both restaurants operate out of a combined space of about 5,000 square feet that includes a shared kitchen and seating for about 30 on the patio. Each restaurant covers about 2,000 square feet of space.

The total square footage is large enough under Tampa’s wet zoning to allow beer, wine and liquor sales, said Lanza, who also co-owns Ciccio & Tony’s, Daily Eats and Water, all restaurants on Howard Avenue in South Tampa.

“Ciccio’s lease was up in the smaller space,” Lanza said. “It was perfect timing.”

The new combined location can accommodate about 200, managing partner Robert Garofano said.

While both restaurants share the same menu, loyal Ciccio’s customers will find plenty of their favorite entrees included, he said. The same is true for popular appetizers served at The Lodge.

“It’s a complete fusion of the two; and the menu is available all day,” said Garofano, a Tampa Palms resident and Rotarian.

Ciccio’s and The Lodge, 16023 Tampa Palms Blvd W., are opened seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. to close, which usually runs past midnight.

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MetroMix Tampa Bay, Inside: Ciccio’s SoHo

June 12th, 2009

South Tampa mainstay remains a trendy, affordable dining destination

Wade Tatangelo
http://www.ciccioandtonys.com

Address: 1015 S Howard Ave. , Tampa, FL, 33606
Phone: 813-251-8406
Hours: Monday and Tuesday: Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday: Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday: Lunch Noon to 3 p.m. Dinner 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Sunday: Dinner 5 p.m.to 10 p.m.

Formerly Ciccio’s & Tony’s, Ciccio’s has been on South Howard Avenue in Tampa for more than a decade. It’s located across from SideBern’s in the heart of SoHo. Along with sister businesses Lodge, The Lime and Daily Eats, Ciccio’s has proved key in making SoHo one of Tampa Bay’s chief restaurant rows and entertainment districts.

Inside: Ciccio's SoHo

South Tampa mainstay remains a trendy, affordable dining destination

Ciccio’s began as more of a traditional Italian kitchen. It then morphed into primarily a “California Cuisine” eatery. Ciccio’s latest transformation has been the addition of the Water Unique Sushi menu.

Ciccio’s SoHo is now two — nearly three — distinctive restaurants in one. There are plenty of light items on the menu and heavier plates, as well. All are recommended for lining your stomach before a night of serious, SoHo barhopping.

While restaurants come and go, especially in these tumultuous economic times, Ciccio’s appears locked in for the long haul. The restaurant enjoys a loyal clientele and a strong reputation for affordable quality. Metromix has eaten there numerous times over the years. Not once have we been disappointed with a single aspect of the dining experience.

The Drinks: Ciccio’s full-bar has just about anything a serious imbiber could desire, including a fairly substantial wine selection and tasty, homemade red, white and sparkling wine sangria. The only drawback? No happy hour specials. None. Come on, guys. We’re in a recession. How about a glass of that great sangria for less than $8, from, say, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.?

The Food: Ciccio’s truly offers something for everyone, making it the perfect spot to bring the family or a first date. The California cuisine section of the menu includes uniformly outstanding fresh wraps, stirfrys, brick oven thin-crusted pizza, and killer salads like the Goat Cheese ($5.95). It’s at once simple and sensational. Generous amount of terrifically tart cheese made from goat’s milk, mixed seasonal greens, crispy, cheery tomatoes, served with a subtlety sweet balsamic vinaigrette. (Add a breast of Ciccio’s excellent grilled chicken for $3.25.)

Speaking of chicken, the California cuisine “famous entrees” section includes the Pollo Ricotta ($14.95), a first-rate, super-filling plate of two, tender chicken breasts covered in creamy, understated garlic-ricotta goodness and a spot-on sherry sauce. A heaping pile of smartly seasoned mashed potatoes accompanies the poultry.

Enthusiast of old-school pasta dishes should peruse the Ciccio’s & Tony’s part of the menu. That’s where you will find penne four cheeses, linguini and rigatoni dishes. All of them are highly recommended.


The Water Sushi choices equal their older counterparts. There are assorted rolls ranging from the Alaskan crab-stuffed Volcano ($12) to the yellowtail-laced Unicorn Roll ($8). The Asian Slaw ($6.50) looks like a flavorless assembly of tropical foliage. But take one bite and you are unexpectedly inundated with the natural sweetness of mango and honey toasted soy nuts. The Tuna Tar Tar ($8) is another winner that takes the diced ahi and covers it a most agreeable avocado-based sauce. The accompanying crispy wonton chips are mighty tasty, too. Still have room for dessert? Go with the Tiramisu ($5.25). The light, sugary lady finger, cocoa and whipped egg Italian cake comes with strawberries, grapes, pineapples and guaranteed awesomeness.

The Damage: Ciccio’s is the best deal in SoHo. Salads are in the $5 range and entrees hover around $15. Most sushi plates can be had for $10. Two people can easily enjoy an adult beverage and a filling dinner for around $50.

The Décor: The medium-sized room has a tile floor, soft blue walls, and a small but classy bar. The rather low ceiling is lined with what appear to be mattresses. It sounds odd, but works. There’s also covered outside seating. Inside, tables are placed a bit too close together for some, but if you’re into eavesdropping — and, really, who isn’t, especially when we’re talking the SoHo set — Ciccio’s offers great fun!

The Crowd: People of basically all ages frequent the establishment — but mostly it’s young and hip, movers and shakers.

The Service: Beautiful young women serve you with a smile, quickly and attentively.

The Dress Code: You would feel foolish in shorts, T-shirt and flip-flops. Jeans work, though.

Insider Tips: If you are not super-svelte and under six-feet tall, avoid the seating on the far right upon entering. The booths are tiny.

Bottom Line: When considering the variety and consistent quality of the menu, affordability, location, and service, Ciccio’s easily ranks as one of the top restaurants in Tampa. Many SoHo residents swear by it. Visit, and you probably will, too.

***
Ciccio’s SoHo
1015 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, (813) 251-8406 or ciccioandtonys.com.

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Yelp.com, Ciccio’s Reviews

June 9th, 2009

A sampling of reviews from Yelp.com

Good chef. Everything is great (minus the stir fry’s, which I don’t love). Pastas are amazing, as are the salads. Good sangria and drinks. They also have sushi which is surprisingly good. My only gripe is that they can sometimes close on the early side. Claudia R., Tampa FL

So I have the Chicken Milano wrap and it is so friggin delish with that side of mushroom marsala sauce … (I’d recommend getting an extra side of the sauce).  Its so good!, Stephanie N. Clearwater, FL

One of my most favoritest places everrrrrrrrrr!
Yummy healthy wraps…..awesome sushi……stirfrys and meals that will keep you coming back!!!

Incredible prices and friendly service! get there early to get a seat….lunch and dinner!!!! I love love love their food….chef Luis knows what he is doing!!!!, Jamie Z., Tampa, FL

Feel free to leave your own coments at Yelp.com.

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Advisor Magazine; Ciccio & Tony’s Morphs to Something Bigger & Better

June 3rd, 2009

Advisor Magazine, by C.J. Kaelin

Ciccio & Tony’s, for nine years, one of the most popular eating spots in New Tampa has made a move to bigger & better things. This new and improved version of a great concept is sure to please the most discriminating diner.

The Ciccio & Tony’s concept has been a hit since it opened. A line waiting for a table was often times the norm both for lunch and dinner, and certainly during the weekends for their great brunches.

The Ciccio team, James Lanza, Jeff Gigante, Robert Garofano, and Executive Chef, Luis Flores have certainly been on the cutting edge of Tampa dining and have a number of successful restaurants around town. The group felt that Ciccios needed more room, and decided to move it to where their other New Tampa restaurant, The Lime has been operating for the past two years. With a much larger space and a full bar, they decided to merge two of their most successful concepts, Ciccio’s and Lodge, into one eclectic restaurant and hand picked the best menu items and ideas from both. Thus was born, Ciccio’s ~ Lodge.

Walk into the restaurant and the first words out of your mouth might be “WOW”. This is one impressive restaurant. From the large grouping of red chandeliers over the bar, to the dark wood and white booths, the feeling is casual elegance.. As impressive as this restaurant is visually, the menu is the real star here.

Ciccio’s regulars will not be disappointed as all the best selling items remain, but added to it is an impressive array of appetizers, creative sides, sushi, and an extensive list of entrees.

One of the biggest additions is the American Sushi Roll section with no less than 18 choices. Also new, you will find a number of Sliders Sandwiches that are sure to please any taste. You can still get that great Ciccio pizza, but now you can order 1/2 pizzas for that smaller appetite. Stirfrys, great salads, Ciccio’s California Bowls, pasta, and 14 different wraps are all there to tempt. But now, so are open flame grilled steaks and burgers.

The entire menu is available for both lunch and dinner, except what the menu calls Lodge Style TV Dinners, which are available after 5pm daily. Here you pick from a large number of entrees including Shrimp Tacos, any Wrap, any California Bowl, any Stirfry, any Sushi Roll, Peanut Crusted Chicken Medallions, Tuna Medallions, Sesame Crusted Tuna, and Grilled NY Strip steak, to name a few. Then you pick 3 sides from a list of over 20 options. So in effect you custom make your dinner. You no longer have to ask for substitutions. You pick what you want. Smart! They also have promotional dinner specials such as $5 Sushi Mondays and $2.50 Slider Tuesdays.

There is much more to tell, but space is about gone. Ciccio ~ Lodge has not forgotten those of us who enjoy an adult beverage every now and then. You now can order your favorite drink, not just beer and wine. Two happy hours from 5 - 8pm, and from 10 - close, Frozen Margaritas, live entertainment and drink specials will help make this “The place to go in New Tampa”. Stop in to experience this great new restaurant. Tell them the Advisor sent you. For more info, call 975-1222.

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MetroMix; Get to know your bartender, Roxy, from The Lodge

May 19th, 2009

REVIEWS, Get to know your bartender
Javier Hernandez

What would your favorite bar be like without your favorite bartender? You can’t have Cheers without Woody, Sam, Carla or Rebecca, and you certainly can’t have your local watering-hole without those special drink fillers. Knowing this, we’ve decided to feature a different local bartender each week and share who they are with you.

So, grab your glass, fill it up, and let’s toast this week’s bartender of choice:

Roxy, from The Lodge
Hometown: Tampa, FL

How long have you worked at The Lodge?
Since it opened in January

Have you bartended anywhere else?
Yes, at Cicci & Tony

What is the most requested drink?
Grandma Sweet tea aka sweet tea vodka and water

What is your favorite drink to drink?
Skinny Bitch Margarita aka Patron on the Rocks

Where did you learn to bartend?
I learned from the bottom up, server and then bartender and then I enjoyed making drinks. I learned everything hands on.

What’s your biggest pet peeve with bar-goers?
When they ask how much a drink is before they order it. Then they order the cheapest drink on the menu.

What do you like most about bartending?
I love meeting and interacting with so many different people.

Who is that one regular that can always make your day, even when you’re having a bad day?
That would have to be Rick!!!! He comes in every single day and on Fridays he comes in during our happy hours and then comes back to dance the night away. He might walk out without paying his bar tab, but he will always come back the next day and ask for his tab that he forgot to pay. The best thing of all he is never in a bad mood and never complains.

What’s the craziest experience you’ve had while working?
A group of foreigners came in on a Monday when the bar was really slow and got so drunk that they were dancing on our tables. Later on we found out they were from Denmark =)

What do you like to do when you’re not bartending?
I love going to the beach when it’s really nice outside. I rarely go out to night clubs because I am always surrounded by them. I enjoy my free time and do “me things”

What are your plans for the future?
I’m going back to school (USF) and want to get my masters in psychology. I want to get into the mental health and counseling field, because being a bartender you see a lot of people and in a way you becoming their counselor. I become their release point, people will open up to me and tell me everything.

If you could tell customers anything you wanted, what would it be?
“Try this.” I’m a very positive person and I like to give positive feedback. I want to see my customers happy.

What was your first concert?
Debbie Gibson and that was when I was 8 years old.

Any movies you’ve been dying to see?
I just saw the movie I have been dying to see about 3 weeks ago, Dark Knight.

Who is your number 1 preset station in your car?
I rarely listen to radio. I always have my IPod hooked up.

What bars or nightclubs do you like to go out to in Tampa Bay?
Hula Bay, Caddy’s, The Kennedy, and Hyde Park Cafe

Tell Metromix something that not many people know about you?
I have a stripper pole in my house

If you could be in anyone shoes for a day who would it be?
Angelina Jolie. She has made so many changes in her life. She has lived one way and now lives another and being so intrigued with the psychology of the person, I would like to know why she made those changes in her life.

If you are what you eat, what would you be?
String Cheese

Do you have any websites / MySpace / Facebook where we can find you?
You can look me up in Facebook Lodge Lady and add our Facebook for the Lodge under Lodge Tampa.

©2009 Metromix.com

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Creative Loafing, A look at new South Tampa restaurant, The Lodge

April 15th, 2009

The Lodge adds to South Tampa’s exciting new dining scene.

By Brian Ries, Published 04.15.2009

Walk into The Lodge and it’s immediately apparent that the place is easily going to break the curse of this location. It was the sputtering 42nd Street Bistro for a couple of years, then an ill-fated outpost of St. Pete’s Chateau France, then Manny’s Bistro. None of them were able to gain any traction, but then again none of them were imagined by the Ciccio and Tony’s guys.

Jeff Gigante and his crew looked at the space and proceeded to discard all but the barest bones. They didn’t even need to put too much effort into the remodel, just a few decorations and well-chosen pieces of furniture to immediately convey the theme of the restaurant, which is an odd melding of ski lodge and diner. There are gleaming white vinyl booths, tables rimmed by fluted chrome, and servers wearing fuzzy boots to go with their white T-shirts and jeans.

The Lodge has moved in to the oft-used site that has played home to 42nd Street, Chateau France and Mannys Bistro.

The Lodge has moved in to the oft-used site that has played home to 42nd Street, Chateau France and Manny's Bistro.

It’s not minimalist, but it is restrained, which ends up leaving a hell of a lot of room for the kinds of people who make SoHo what it is. Beautiful and young, or plasticized and middle-aged, the place is packed with the kind of energy that might make a restaurateur forget about the recession.

Of course, the menu makes it easy on the participants. Prices stick strictly to the low side of moderate, with very few dishes even reaching the $15 mark. Better yet, this inexpensive grub is fun.

Appetizers range from familiar favorites like calamari and chicken wings, to déclassé treats like mini-corn dogs, to re-imagined finagling like cheeseburger spring rolls. From the simple to the contrived, it’s all fine and tasty, with tater tots available on the side.

Entrées up the whimsical ante big time. There are essentially three sections to the main course menu: burgers, sushi and TV dinners. Burgers branch out from the basic beef patty into turkey, tuna and pork sliders — along with a list of 15 or so toppings. Here again, the food manages to fulfill expectations without wowing the tastebuds. The sushi, though, is another story.

Drop a slice of rice, nori and stuffings into your mouth and your mind is prepared for a certain experience. The Lodge can do that, with capable tuna, crab and shrimp rolls. But more than half the sushi on the list will have your mouth wondering what the hell you’re feeding it.

Fried chicken and lettuce maki with a spiced blue cheese fondue for dipping. Pulled pork and cole slaw tucked into rice and seaweed. Steak and fried onions, hot dog and sauerkraut, burger and bacon — and somehow, The Lodge’s kitchen manages to make them work. There’s even the occasional flash of brilliance to accompany the off-kilter fun of the experience.

The last type of entrée might be slightly less fun, but it’s also something I want every restaurant in the Bay area to think about. The Lodge’s TV dinners offer a list of main courses ranging from fried chicken to mac and cheese, along with a choice of three sides from an extensive list. You wanna go with a classic? Get Shake-N-Bake pork chops with tater tots, baked beans and fudge brownie. Yep, there are desserts on the list, so you can go all sweet with some mac and cheese laced with chopped hamburger accompanied by chocolate flan, fresh fruit and twinkimisu.

The only big flaw in The Lodge’s TV dinner plan — besides terrible fried chicken — is the way it’s served. No divided trays? What? The main course comes on a plate, with a separate plate for the sides. A glaring error.

The desserts are tasty — although the twinkimisu is not nearly as interesting as it sounds; the servers are attractive and occasionally pay attention to your order, and the scene will make you feel like things out in the world are still alright, especially if you’re on the patio drinking it up with the rest of the SoHo regulars.

Wow. Add The Lodge to recently opened Datz Deli a couple of miles away, and South Tampa is turning into the most interesting spot for new restaurants this year. Say goodbye to top honors, downtown St. Pete.

The Lodge, 516 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-251-5634

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Yelp.com, Daily Eats Reviews

April 11th, 2009

A sampling of reviews from Yelp.com.

I had the coconut covered french toast, with the coconut honey cream cheese. It was pretty awesome. They seemed busy but the service was prompt, and I didn’t see any ridiculous line waiting like I would a t breakfast spots in Chicago… Food was plated well, and the portions were right on. The only thing I didn’t like was the turkey sausage was tiny, but its only a minor err. Everything was not too terribly expensive either.My girlfriend ordered the Tijuana Breakfast Bowl, and said it was pretty awesome too. Outside seating was comfortable. Definitely recommended for breakfast. Justin R, Tampa

Deeeellliiigghhhtttffullllll!

Not a Tampa native, so I have to admit that I couldn’t be more pleased with this cute little diner. I’ll break it down and make it real simple like so you can decide for yourself whether or not to go. BUT if you want to take the easy road stop reading this review and hustle your sweet lil self down there. Alli J. San Jose, CA

Okay, so I’m in Tampa at the moment and need to comment on this AWSOME eatery!  I went here for Sunday Brunch and it ROCKED my world!  I started with a nice cup of joe.  Nothing to brag about, but not bad, either.  I was kind of a coffee snob, pre-tea drinking, so it’s possible my taste buds were off about the coffee…  Anyway, I ordered an egg omelette bowl.  It had egg whites, turkey sausage, provolone cheese and was served on a warm bed of spinach in a big ol’ bowl!  It really was Delish, so I need to share!  :)  I also split a coconut crusted french toast with coconut honey cream cheese.  Yeah, you read that right…yummy coconuts!!!  It was pretty crazy…I don’t normally eat frech toast, but HELLOOOO, this was AMAZING!!!  People don’t seem to Yelp much in Tampa, but I am really glad that someone already reviewed this place.  Hooray for their breakfast!!! Audrey B. New York

Feel free to leave your own coments at Yelp.com.

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Yelp.com, Lodge Restaurant & Bar Reviews

February 14th, 2009

A sampling of reviews from Yelp.com.

$2.50 Natty Lights on Friday night, with BJ Upton, Evan Longoria, and Matt Garza….The Tampa Bay Rays (for all you non MLB fans).

Went here on a Friday night around 8:30. The place was jam packed and really loud! Really cool decor…feels like your in a lodge! Love the red chandeliers, the antlers and the white booth seats.

We ordered several of the sliders… tuna, sirloin, and country chicken.  They all were very good… though a bit expense at $3.25 each.

We also had a basket of the sweet potato fries.  They come with maple syrup and powdered sugar.   So good!

Feel free to leave your own coments at Yelp.com.

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The Lodge in Tampa offers stylish vibe, creative menu

February 4th, 2009

By Laura Reiley, Times Food Critic, Published Tuesday, February 3, 2009

TAMPA — The Lodge Restaurant & Bar’s food is funny. Not funny “strange.” Funny “ha ha.” • It’s got a wink and a nudge on every one of its menu’s seven pages, and a couple of knee-slappers. • There’s a Twinkimisu ($5), a Twinkie dressed up as tiramisu. Get it? There are “American sushi” rolls that include the following: the Home Run ($6), all-beef hotdog, sauerkraut and crispy toasted bun strips with ketchup and mustard puree. • I repeat: in sushi. • Tater Tots feature heavily (called Tatters, doubtless to fend off the copyright ire of Ore-Ida), and there are kooky spins on TV dinners (pick an entree and three sides, served in fun, sectioned melamine, not the sad, ye-old-timey foil trays).

The Lodge’s main dining room is “warm in the cool winters and cool in the warm summers,” says co-owner James Lanza.

The Lodge’s main dining room is “warm in the cool winters and cool in the warm summers,” says co-owner James Lanza.

The Lodge is the newest venture from Jeff Gigante and the Ciccio & Tony’s crew. These are professionals, with many a successful restaurant under their belts (beyond Ciccio’s locations, there are Lime, Water and Daily Eats, all in Tampa). Which is a good thing, because this location has been home to 42nd Street, Chateau SoHo, SoHo Bistro and Manny’s Bistro in the past couple of years.

It’s easy to get spooked with such a Disaster Cafe location, even if it’s across the street from always-mobbed MacDinton’s. But they’ve got a formula: super-attractive servers, a long list of South Tampa well-wishers, and a vibe that, as the evening wears on, leans more on the bar than the restaurant.

The restaurant itself is more attractive than it has been in any of its recent avatars. It’s a wide-open space, deep red, with gorgeous chandeliers and enough mounted antlers and such to hint archly at more traditional lodge motifs. Even the menu font is goofy good fun.

Because Gigante and crew know what they’re doing, the Lodge is funny without being a joke. The price point is modest, servers know the ropes, and much of the food is quite tasty. Very solid hamburgers ($7 to $8.50, with extras 50 cents each) will satisfy, especially the Single Stacked Phaty Melt with its tumble of caramelized onions and provolone, served crisp, panini- style. (On the other hand, the hamburger sushi, $7, left us a little freaked out.) A choice of baked penne dishes provide addictive comfort foods, the best a B and B Penne ($7 small, $13 large), with bacon and broccoli dotting a three-cheese sauce, the whole thing molten in the middle but crispy on top with bread crumbs and bacon bits.

It’s the rare menu that can accommodate edamame ($5) and baby corn dogs with mustard aioli ($4) on the same table. Not a bad combo, really, the salted soy beans adding a healthy gloss to the sweet, corn bread-encased mini dogs.

A number of Asian dishes seem like lifts from other Ciccio menus — seared rare tuna slices with spicy cucumber salad ($8) is a keeper that I’ve seen them do before, and the more traditional rice-paper-rolled sushi (spicy tuna, California roll, $9 and $6) are reminiscent of those at Water. No matter, they’re all competently assembled and pretty.

The wine list provides another strong indication that no one is taking themselves overly seriously at the Lodge: all glasses under $6, with huge-production standbys (Big Yellow cab, Blackstone merlot) and a fair number of misspellings on the menu. Cocktails are a little pricier, with a full complement of sillitinis: Crazy Candy Cane ($9) is Ketel One, peppermint schnapps (shudder) and creme de cacao.

Add live music on the patio some nights, DJs on Fridays and Saturdays, ladies nights and a bathroom attendant on busy nights. So far it’s cheek to jowl at the Lodge in the late evenings, the crowd skewing a little older (30s) than MacDinton’s. It’s too early to say whether Gigante and partner James Lanza have a hit, but it certainly seems like the Lodge suits the times. Not too fussy, not too expensive, and likely to put a smile on your face.

Laura Reiley can be reached at lreiley@sptimes.com or (727) 892-2293. Her blog, the Mouth of Tampa Bay, is at www.blogs.tampabay.com/dining. Reiley dines anonymously and unannounced. The Times pays all expenses. Advertising has nothing to do with selection for review or the assessment.

review

The Lodge Restaurant & Bar

516 S Howard Ave., Tampa

(813) 251-5634;

lodgetampa.com

Cuisine: American

Hours: Lunch, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (weekday lunches start later in the month); dinner, 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday

Details: V, MC, Amex; reservations recommended; full bar

Prices: $7-$14

Rating out of four stars:

Food: ★★ Service: ★★★
Atmosphere: ★★★

Overall: ★★ 1/2

Tomorrow in Weekend: Some off-the-beaten-path Valentine’s Day dining ideas.

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