We hope you’ve packed your appetite. This month, we’re finishing our Hit the Road series with a foodie foray into the Tampa Bay area. Whether you’re interested in taking a tour of downtown eateries, putting your cooking skills to the test at a Cozymeal, or trying the Michelin award-winning Cubano at La Segunda Bakery, this driving-distance destination is every foodie’s dream.
Before you start packing your bags, here’s everything you need to know about the area + our insider recommendations.
Drive time: ~40 minutes from downtown
Est. population: 395,912
Avg. high in August: 91°
A tray full of goodies is enough to get us on the road to Tampa Bay.
Photo via Tampa Bay Food Tours, Spain Restaurant + Toma Bar
This isn’t your typical bowling alley fare. This dining and social club has full-service bowling and offers cuisine like sushi, shrimp cocktails, and gourmet burgers.
With a dreamy exterior like this, we know whatever is inside will be extra tasty.
Any Tampa eatery list would be incomplete without La Segunda, which has been considered the gold standard for Cuban bread. Pro tip: There’s no seating, so get your sandwich to go and then picnic at Centennial Park.
A self-proclaimed “foodie’s paradise,” this hotel offers cooking classes in its “Epicurean Theatre” and was launched by the owners of Bern’s Steak House.
Donut miss the chance to share this with someone you’d like to join you on a road trip to Tampa Bay, FL.
EVENTS
Today
Art Night | Tues., Aug. 30 | 8-11 p.m. | Quinteassence Kava Bar, 839 N. Massachusetts Ave. | Free | Relax during this group art session and paint a new prompt every week — bring your own art supplies.
Molly’s Musicians Showcase | Tues., Aug. 30 | 9 p.m.-1 a.m. | Molly McHugh’s Irish Pub, 111 S. Kentucky Ave. | Free | Stop by for a drink + stay to listen to some of Lakeland’s local musicians perform live. 🎤
Wednesday
Disney + Marvel Trivia w/ Big Baby Bitez | Wed., Aug. 31 | 6:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free | Put your knowledge of Disney and Marvel to the test at this free-to-play trivia night while enjoying menu items from Big Baby Bitez. 🏰
Sunset Sounds: Scott Alan Hardy | Wed., Aug 31 | 6-8 p.m. | Keel Farms | Free | Come with friends and family for a night of live entertainment from Scott Alan Hardy and local drinks from Keel & Curley Winery.
Thursday
Winter Haven Pub Crawl | Thurs., Sept. 1 | 4:30 p.m. | Downtown Winter Haven | $100+ | Try tastings and alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages from some of Winter Haven’s most popular local spots — reservations must be booked in packs of two. 🍺
Home Chef is the No. 1 rated meal kit for a reason. | Photo provided by Home Chef
Picture this: You’ve had a long, stressful day at work. All you want is a huge bowl of creamy pasta, but your pantry is completely empty. Then, you remember your Home Chef delivery — crisis averted.
With Home Chef, this could be your reality. Their meal subscription service delivers the recipes + fresh ingredientsto make planning and cooking your weeknight meals easierandmore delicious.
90º | Scattered thunderstorms | 60% chance of rain
Development
The Publix Oakbridge store (3636 Harden Blvd.) will close for renovations on Sat., Sept. 10. During the yearlong project, shoppers can head to the Southgate Publix, Lake Miriam Square Publix, or other nearby locations. Other Oakbridge Centre shops, like Painting With A Twist, are expected to remain open + operational all year. 🏗️ (The Ledger)
Civic
The Lakeland City Commission will select an interim city commissioner to fill the position formerly held by Phillip Walker on Mon., Sept. 19. The commission will choose one of nine applicants, including Commissioner Walker himself, to hold the position through Dec. 31, 2023. (LkldNow)
Drink
Hey there, pumpkin. The thermometer must not have gotten the fall memo, but Publix GreenWise Market did. Stop by the supermarket’s POURS section and try two new fall drinks: The pumpkin spice cream nitro cold brew and the pumpkin spice cream cold brew. 🎃
Biz
Pizza and pasta patrons, listen up —Il Forno Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria(3615 S. Florida Ave., Ste. 1310) has closedfor renovations. The biz plans to reopen its doors + invite hungry customers back on Wed., Sept. 14. Looking for some recommendations? Check outour trip to Il Forno.
Plan Ahead
It’s almost the most boo-tiful time of the year. Flip ahead in your calendar and make note ofthesefall-themed events in September + October at Camp Margaritaville (361 Denton Ave., Auburndale). We’re excited for Celebrate the Harvest’s hayrides, caramel apples, and harvest market. View our calendar for more events. 🍂
Coming Soon
Finishing touches are happening at Bonnet Springs Park. Exhibits are in production at the Givewell Community Foundation Nature Center + installation has started at the Florida Children’s Museum. Check out the Bonnet Springs July newsletter to catch up on everything else happening in preparation for the Sat., Oct. 22 grand opening.*
Lakelander
Real estate agent Maria Santillo holds licenses in both FL + the Bahamas and has been a repeat recipient of the RE/MAX 100% Club Award. Bonus: She holds the CRS (read: Certified Residential Specialist), held by less than 3% of all Realtors nationwide. Learn more about Maria and get in touch.*
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Active
On your marks, get set...
Lakeland Runners Club to host 17th Annual Aching Quad Challenge
There’s nothing like a sunset run around Lake Hollingsworth to get the blood pumping.
Go. The Lakeland Runners Clubis hosting the 17th Annual Aching Quad Challenge on Fri., Oct. 7-Sat., Oct. 8. Thechallenge will put runners to the test with four races in 24 hours on three of Lakeland’s most iconic lakes.
5K | Fri., Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m. | Lake Hollingsworth
1-mile race | Sat., Oct. 8 at 7:30 a.m. | Lake Morton
2-mile race | Sat., Oct. 8 at 9 a.m. | Lake Hunter
5K | Sat., Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m. | Lake Hollingsworth
Following the final race, runners will attend a post-race meal and award ceremony at the Lake Mirror Center.
Participation is capped at 260 participants, and at the time of this newsletter, there were just under 130 spots left. Interested runners can register here for $45. Pro tip: Registration fees increase to $55 after Fri., Sept. 23, so don’t walk — run.
Editor’s pick: All of the Tampa eateries that we shared in our August edition of the Hit The Road series have delicious options... but I would be lying if I said I didn’t have a few favorites of my own. At OLIVIA, I recommend the mini rigatoni and truffle mac & cheese. When I’m in the mood for ramen, I stop by Ichicoro Ramen and order the shoyu bowl.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We kicked off our newest series, featuring Lakeland’s most-loved neighborhoods, here.
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