Exciting New-Concept Restaurant Opens in Tampa

Tampa's award winning Michael's Grill expands into neighboring space with a novel "fast" food upscale lunch & dinner cafe. The cafe has met with great success.

Tampa, FL (PRWEB) June 22, 2006 -- When is fast food also superior food? One of Tampa's “must visit“ award-winning restaurants, Michael's Grill, is famous for its “worlds best crab cakes”, soups, desserts, and gourmet food and wines at moderate prices. When a neighboring shop closed in Carrollwood's Main Street Plaza, Michael’s Grill owners Andrea and Michael Reilly seized the opportunity. They carefully planned what chef Andrea calls a “quick and trendy” cafe, Michael's Next Door. The delightful dining experience is purposely different from Michael’s Grill, both in food and ambience. At noon, Monday through Friday, this affordable upscale cafe offers both lunch-to-go take out specials for business people pressed for time, and a larger menu for more leisurely dining.

One enters the front door and sees a warm and classy room decorated in soft yellow with Essex green trim, providing a sense of comfort and fun. A few large prints dress the walls. The room feels cozy, yet spacious because of the high ceiling. The order station is immediately inside at the Cherrywood bar. Foods are prepared in full view behind the station. Colorful wine bottles line a mirrored wall. Top grade flatware and fine German dinnerware are indicators of the quality one can expect.

The method is for the diner to order and pay at the entrance, select a table or bar seating, then be served. “Sudden service” pressed Panini sandwiches, soups and sides are featured for on-the-go diners. Eat-in guests can additionally select from treats such as burritos, salads, soups, desserts. Always available are thoughtfully selected standard and reserve wines. Beer, gourmet coffees, teas and soft drinks, biscotti, muffins and cookies are offered. Light jazz complements meals without distracting from conversations.

Michael's Next Door has been booked solid most evenings for private parties. Other times it is used by overflow from Michael's Grill. This cheery cafe can host cocktail parties for up to 60 guests, and dinners for up to 25. Popular are the tapas bar and chardonnay cheese platter with featured wines. In a few weeks, the cafe will be open for dinner as well as lunch.

Chefs Michael and Andrea Reilly have a history of success by offering made-from-scratch foods and quality wines considered among the best and best values Tampa Bay has to offer. There being so few notable restaurants in Northwest Tampa, Michael's Grill, featuring both indoor and patio dining, and now Michael's Next Door, are bright spots at lunchtime for business people and shoppers, or later for those wanting a romantic dinner. They are located, respectively, at 11720 and 11718 North Dale Mabry Highway (Main Street Plaza). Hours at Michael's Next Door are 11-9 M-Th, 11-10 F. Closed Saturdays and Sundays.

Reservations: 813-964-8334.

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