Some restaurants prefer to attract a clientele based on a gimmick, others choose a unique or quirky theme. That can work, but in the end, the food has to be spot-on. Recently, a friend of ours introduced us to a Tampa establishment with an unusual theme. The C House specializes in champagne, charcuterie and cheesecake. If that’s not enough for you, there’s this: every menu item starts with the letter “c.” Yes, I’m serious.
In 2016, while on a drive from Georgia to Tampa with her husband, Danna Haydar talked about introducing the world to her mother-in-law’s cheesecake. She had promised herself years before that someday she would open a restaurant. During the drive, they listed off other items to each other that they felt should be served. They realized everything on the list started with a “c.” The concept was born!
Today, the expanded menu includes cheeseburgers, ceviche, chili, cookies, cupcakes and craft beer. . . just to name a few. Unfortunately, for us, we were having a quick lunch there before heading out on the road to meet the promise of a brand-new city. We couldn’t risk falling asleep at the wheel, so we didn’t try very many menu items.
My husband’s love of fried chicken in any form is well-documented. When we have “treat day,” he usually picks fried chicken or something that is at least a cousin to fried chicken (i.e. chicken and waffles). At The C House, he ordered Chicken Euphoria ($15.00). That name is a darn good start, I’ll say that for ‘em. This is a fried chicken sandwich with cole slaw, pickles and a thyme-infused honey drizzle. The bun is a croissant-style bun. (There’s that “c” again). Of course, it came with homemade fries. My chicken connoisseur said that it’s the combination of the sauce and the cole slaw on the sandwich that makes it special.
I hadn’t had a burger in quite a while, so I chose the Chef’s Feature Burger ($15.00). This included two patties, cheese, bacon, lettuce, black garlic aioli and a drizzle of bbq sauce. It was accompanied by those house-cut, skin-on fries. The bbq sauce was sweet and for me that’s what really made the sandwich perfect. We both declared our meals delicious and the table got quiet while we stuffed our faces.
Farmhouse chic became “a thing” a few years ago. The C House chose this theme for their décor and, in my opinion, seem to do it better than most. The building is a renovated garage with a large dining room and lots of covered outdoor seating. There’s an indoor dessert counter and bar as well as a huge outdoor bar. They do specialize in cocktails and champagne, after all.
The feel is upscale country without being stuffy or cheesy. A restaurant with such an unusual concept can’t risk taking itself too seriously and this place doesn’t. It’s a good place for friends to catch up and the tables are nice and far apart. Yes, there is still a pandemic out there, but I also say that because no one wants the strangers at the next table to overhear their entire conversation. How awkward!
If you stay at the beautiful Marriott Tampa Westshore, like we did, then the drive to the restaurant will only take you about 15 minutes in the middle of the day. They open at noon most days so you can check them out for lunch or dinner. I declare The C House in the historic Seminole Heights neighborhood of Tampa to be Delightful, Delectable and Distinctive. Hey, I didn’t want to steal their entire concept.
Have you ever come across a restaurant with an unusual concept? Share it in the comments!
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