When a restaurant is a good idea around here, often times you’ll see it pop up on the other side of the bay.
And sometimes it doesn’t really work.
Tampa and St. Pete are close, but far from the same town.
Then there are the concepts that feel unassailable. Like Trophy Fish.
Boat drinks, cold local beer, and a hybrid menu of seafood staples and day-of catches to ensure what’s served is the freshest and best of the moment. They use only local fare and proudly support Tampa Bay’s local fishermen. All served in a shaded, bungalow-style atmosphere where a little natural sunlight can still peak through. In essence, it’s extremely “Florida leisure” in all the good ways. Which means a trip to its brand-new Seminole Heights establishment was immediately in order over the weekend.
For starters, the bar is longer and entirely covered at the new spot, meaning those summer days might not be quite as hellish with fans galore. And the food, well, here are our favorite things we took down at Trophy Fish over the weekend. Along with a strong assembly of Green Bench drafts and Pinot Grigio. We’ll be back for the Trophy Fish Boil.
Smoked Fish Spread, $15
Fresh catch smoked in-house, pickled veggies, chef-made hot sauce and garlic crostini.
This isn’t your Saltine’s fish spread. You’re building worlds with this thing. Pickled onion and jalapeno atop a mountain of smoked snapper and toasted crostini seemed to poll the highest as the most desired delivery vehicle. But diving straight in with a carrot is also perfectly acceptable. It’s also paramount you save some hot sauce to try with virtually everything else on the table.
Smoked Peel N Eat Shrimp, $17
Wild Key West Pinks, poached and cold-smoked with a mezcal cocktail sauce.
The mezcal cocktail sauce provides the exact smoke you’re already thinking is a great idea. And the shrimps are the size of Shaq’s thumbs, only if Shaq’s thumbs were coated in a peppery, delicious rub.
Blackened Mutton Snapper Sandwich & Yucca Fries, $29
Fresh catch of the day.
You know when a sandwich’s first bite has such an effect that you immediately widen your eyes and start nodding your head at random people like an idiot? This is that sandwich. We’re confident it’s just as worthwhile with whatever fresh catch is available on the chalk board any given day.