THE hairs on the again of my neck stood on finish as I gripped the sting of my seat, mounted on the efficiency under.
Then, a big cannon exploded throughout the stadium and the gang erupted alongside it.
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had simply scored their first landing.
I was on the mighty Raymond James Stadium in Florida’s Tampa Bay, the place American soccer is a lot greater than the sport itself with beers, barbecued meals, dazzling cheerleaders and music.
The ambiance was infectious.
Though soccer is a big custom within the States, it isn’t my sole purpose for visiting Tampa Bay on Florida’s gloriously golden coast.
This area, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, is residence to a number of the world’s prettiest seashores and has change into a hub for foodies in recent times, with increasingly more eating places incomes a spot within the Michelin Information.
One among these Michelin Information spots might be discovered at Epicurean Resort, within the fashionable Hyde Park district of South Tampa, the place I used to be staying for the following few days.
The fashionable lodge has fashionable, spacious rooms, an onsite health club and a swimming pool, however the shining star was eating spot Elevage.
World cigar capital
The cooks right here reimagined classics from all over the world, serving up blackened pork stomach with black mole, pickled inexperienced apple and hazelnuts, in addition to garlic grilled octopus smothered in pistachios and oysters full of spicy nduja sausage.
It’s positively value a go to if you’re staying within the four-star joint, however if you’re in search of one thing extra usually American, then Ciro’s Speakeasy and Supper Membership in Tampa’s historic Bayshore Royal Constructing is for you.
You want a password to achieve entry (do your analysis earlier than reserving) to the dimly lit house, the place jazz music serenades diners.
Right here, white Russian cocktails and espresso martinis are accompanied by duck-fat fries, fried rooster and waffles and humble desserts akin to milk served with sizzling, gooey cookies.
Then there’s Hyde Park Village, certainly one of Tampa’s most prosperous neighbourhoods and THE place to attempt for Michelin-star meals.
However there’s additionally the way more laidback Goody Goody Burgers, which serves impossibly good hamburgers for little greater than a fiver.
Observe it up with a candy deal with from Sprinkles, the place a need to serve late-night prospects led them to a genius invention: the world’s first cupcake ATM.
It seems to be identical to the odd form, solely it dispenses freshly-baked cupcakes and cookies, not money, around the clock.
When you’ve gotten indulged in as a lot of the foodie scene as your abdomen can deal with, there’s a load of enjoyable for households in Tampa.
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Busch Gardens, a theme park and zoo rolled into one, is residence to the world’s quickest and steepest “hybrid coaster”, Iron Gwazi, which sends you hurtling by way of the air at speeds of 75mph.
On prime of the thrilling rides, I’d suggest a safari tour across the park’s 65-acre Serengeti Plain.
I received up shut and private with a rhinoceros, hippos and elephants, and even fed a giraffe some lettuce — simply be careful for his or her large tongues.
For tradition buffs, the well-known Oxford Trade is a social house the place historical past and commerce mix — anticipate marble flooring, a limestone fountain and footage of former presidents hanging from the outdated, uncovered brick partitions.
My great journey ended simply because it had begun: with me in a meals coma
There may be additionally a bookstore, espresso home, reward store and (unsurprisingly) extra meals — attempt the apple crumble pancakes at The Restaurant (that’s its precise title), which have been essentially the most scrumptious I’ve ever had, dripping with pecan streusel and honey butter.
Earlier than you permit, make sure that to go to Ybor Metropolis, as soon as thought to be the cigar capital of the world and certainly one of solely three Nationwide Historic Landmark Districts in Florida.
Exploring on foot is one of the simplest ways to see town, with its outdated cobblestoned streets.
Ebook a guided tour with Tampa Bay Excursions to study its wealthy historical past because the state’s first industrial city.
I even hand rolled my very own cigars within the iconic El Reloj Cigar Manufacturing facility after watching grasp hand rollers at work in its three-level museum.
Columbia, the oldest restaurant in Florida AND the oldest Spanish restaurant within the US, is simply not far away.
It has been serving Cuban and Spanish specialties for over a century and the well-known Cuban sandwich, full of thick cuts of ham and gooey cheese, is not going to disappoint.
My great journey ended because it started: with me in a meals coma.
