Columbia Restaurant

I'd asked several locals (Tampites?) what restaurant they would visit if they had only one meal to eat in the area. I got several suggestions, but everyone mentioned The Columbia as a candidate. It's in a subdivision called Ybor City which is much like 6th Street in Austin, but with more history. The Columbia takes up about a block at the outskirts. When I found it, my first task was to find the right doorway. There's a cigar shop, a bar, and a restaurant entrance, if not more. The place originally opened in 1905 and seems to have been influenced by Portuguese, Spanish, and Cuban cultures. Although there was a long line, I was led to a seat right away. I think I was the only single, and there was a small table squeezed into a tight spot waiting for me. There were a number of large dining rooms, and each had its own atmosphere. Mine had a rich, dark quality, though it was open and roomy. It was about 70 ft by 40 ft, with 18 ft ceilings. The walls were painted a deep ... more

I'd asked several locals (Tampites?) what restaurant they would visit if they had only one meal to eat in the area. I got several suggestions, but everyone mentioned The Columbia as a candidate. It's in a subdivision called Ybor City which is much like 6th Street in Austin, but with more history. The Columbia takes up about a block at the outskirts. When I found it, my first task was to find the right doorway. There's a cigar shop, a bar, and a restaurant entrance, if not more. The place originally opened in 1905 and seems to have been influenced by Portuguese, Spanish, and Cuban cultures.
Although there was a long line, I was led to a seat right away. I think I was the only single, and there was a small table squeezed into a tight spot waiting for me. There were a number of large dining rooms, and each had its own atmosphere. Mine had a rich, dark quality, though it was open and roomy. It was about 70 ft by 40 ft, with 18 ft ceilings. The walls were painted a deep, dark red. The wide trim on the arched doors was dark brown and gold. The walls had a stuffed fabric wainscoting that was flowery, but the colors were muted. The room had a feel that was somewhere between a monastery and an ancient sea vessel. The center of the room had a small platform reserved for a flamenco dancer (which I missed). There was a huge chandelier that looked old and authentic. The rest of the dim lighting came from small simple brass fixtures along the walls and a small candle on the table. The wall fixtures looked like they might have originally contained gas lighting.
I asked the waiter what he recommended for someone who might eat there once in his life. He suggested paella, which I'd never heard of. It took 30 minutes to prepare, and while I waited, I walked around and looked at the artwork. Apparently, I was in the Don Quixote room. Most of the framed works were tile paintings of scenes from the the novel. A statue of Cervantes adorned one recess in the thick wall.
The paella was a baked yellow rice dish with all kinds of sea creatures, still in their shells: pieces of crabs, mussels, oysters, and clams. There were several vegetables mixed in, including tender pale asparagus stalks. The waiter brought it out in a thick steaming pan and dished it onto my plate. It was one of the most delicious meals I've ever eaten. The flan was also exquisite.
If you're ever in Florida, this place is worth travelling some extra miles to experience. less

I'd asked several locals (Tampites?) what restaurant they would visit if they had only one meal to eat in the area. I got several suggestions, but everyone mentioned The Columbia as a candidate. It's in a subdivision called Ybor City which is much like 6th Street in Austin, but with more history. The Columbia takes up about a block at the outskirts. When I found it, my first task was to find the right doorway. There's a cigar shop, a bar, and a restaurant entrance, if not more. The place originally opened in 1905 and seems to have been influenced by Portuguese, Spanish, and Cuban cultures. Although there was a long line, I was led to a seat right away. I think I was the only single, and there was a small table squeezed into a tight spot waiting for me. There were a number of large dining rooms, and each had its own atmosphere. Mine had a rich, dark quality, though it was open and roomy. It was about 70 ft by 40 ft, with 18 ft ceilings. The walls were painted a deep ... more

I'd asked several locals (Tampites?) what restaurant they would visit if they had only one meal to eat in the area. I got several suggestions, but everyone mentioned The Columbia as a candidate. It's in a subdivision called Ybor City which is much like 6th Street in Austin, but with more history. The Columbia takes up about a block at the outskirts. When I found it, my first task was to find the right doorway. There's a cigar shop, a bar, and a restaurant entrance, if not more. The place originally opened in 1905 and seems to have been influenced by Portuguese, Spanish, and Cuban cultures.
Although there was a long line, I was led to a seat right away. I think I was the only single, and there was a small table squeezed into a tight spot waiting for me. There were a number of large dining rooms, and each had its own atmosphere. Mine had a rich, dark quality, though it was open and roomy. It was about 70 ft by 40 ft, with 18 ft ceilings. The walls were painted a deep, dark red. The wide trim on the arched doors was dark brown and gold. The walls had a stuffed fabric wainscoting that was flowery, but the colors were muted. The room had a feel that was somewhere between a monastery and an ancient sea vessel. The center of the room had a small platform reserved for a flamenco dancer (which I missed). There was a huge chandelier that looked old and authentic. The rest of the dim lighting came from small simple brass fixtures along the walls and a small candle on the table. The wall fixtures looked like they might have originally contained gas lighting.
I asked the waiter what he recommended for someone who might eat there once in his life. He suggested paella, which I'd never heard of. It took 30 minutes to prepare, and while I waited, I walked around and looked at the artwork. Apparently, I was in the Don Quixote room. Most of the framed works were tile paintings of scenes from the the novel. A statue of Cervantes adorned one recess in the thick wall.
The paella was a baked yellow rice dish with all kinds of sea creatures, still in their shells: pieces of crabs, mussels, oysters, and clams. There were several vegetables mixed in, including tender pale asparagus stalks. The waiter brought it out in a thick steaming pan and dished it onto my plate. It was one of the most delicious meals I've ever eaten. The flan was also exquisite.
If you're ever in Florida, this place is worth travelling some extra miles to experience. less