Why would you think it is authentic Caribbean food? It is Cuban food as
modified by a few hundred years of exposure to Florida and mainstream US
culture and as further modified by very limited contact with Cuba for
the past 55 years.
The Columbia is a thriving business that sells food most people greatly
enjoy. I have no standard for Caribbean food but do know that I like
what the Columbia serves... even if it's sangria.
ps: I don't understand why Cubans can't have sangria. Cuba is a huge
producer of citrus fruit and also carries on a brisk import business
from Spain, Brazil and Mexico. I'm sure there's got to be some wine in
that mix somewhere. I can also find lots of recipes on-line for Cuban
sangria. Perhaps those recipes are 50 years old rather than 500. Does
it matter?
Chuck Norcutt
On 11/8/2014 5:32 AM, Nathan Wajsman wrote:
We went there a couple of times during our 3 years living in Tampa
(1987-90) but found it to be a tourist trap, and not particularly
authentic. Sangria in a Cuban restaurant?? It must be said that my
wife is from Puerto Rico, so our standards for authenticity when it
comes to Carribean food are probably higher than most guests to the
Columbia.
Cheers, Nathan
On 7 Nov 2014, at 18:31, Jez Cunningham <jez@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Bet the ambiance is memorable!
"...seating for up to 1,700 people. The restaurant has a grand
total of 52,000 square feet, and encompasses an entire city
block."
On 7 November 2014 17:28, Chuck Norcutt
<chucknorcutt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
We've never been to the original Columbia in Ybor City but have
eaten at two others and greatly enjoyed it both times. According
to our very knowledgeable hostess the company places great
emphasis on making the food experience the same in all of their
restaurants. I detected a slight difference between the two
where we've eaten but not very much. Great food and sangria too.
We're very curious to see the original Ybor City location. It is
massive compared to the others. "...seating for up to 1,700
people. The restaurant has a grand total of 52,000 square feet,
and encompasses an entire city block."
Chuck Norcutt
On 11/7/2014 11:02 AM, Charles Geilfuss wrote:
Looks good, Chuck. Extensive menu. I'll keep it in mind if I'm
ever that way. My brother-in-law works in Tampa from time to
time. I'll pass along to him.
Charlie
On Fri, Nov 7, 2014 at 10:48 AM, Chuck Norcutt <
chucknorcutt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
The "Columbia" Cuban restaurant in Ybor City (central Tampa)
and several
other locations in Florida also has grub to travel for. The
Columbia in Ybor City is a planned destination before we
leave Florida for South Carolina.
<http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/>
Chuck Norcutt
On 11/7/2014 8:03 AM, Bob Whitmire wrote:
Have tried Florida in winter. I’m good for seven days max,
and then
only if I spend it in two different places. However, there
is a wonderful cajun restaurant on a river somewhere just
back from Tampa Bay that has grub to travel for. That and
some friends is about all I miss about Florida. If I were
to become a snowbird, it most likely would be in Nathan’s
basement. <wink>
--Bob Whitmire Certified Neanderthal
On Nov 6, 2014, at 3:54 PM, Chuck Norcutt
<chucknorcutt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Try Florida in the winter for a change. There are plenty
of
residents of occupied Canada here as well as for-real
Canucks. Then you can escape some of that global warming.
The power was on and the election noise was incessant but
with the power and internet on I was able to stream
Netflix instead. :-)
Yesterday we took in (for the second time) the Edison and
Ford winter estates in Fort Myers.
<http://www.edisonfordwinterestates.org/> Recommended.
Edison and Ford certainly knew where to go. There was no
snow or ice at all. But only Florida lobster was
available at the Pinchers restaurant next door. We chose
to sit on the second story porch looking out over the
marina on the Caloosahatchee River. It was tough but
somebody has to do it. :-)
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