Sweet Secrets Enoteca

Recently discovered this fine Italian wine bar and met the adorable husband and wife that run it, along with a few friendly regulars and I'm sold. They have great wine at various price points. With the hospitality and decor of a cute Italian couple I felt as if I were a guest in their home. The first to admit and stress that they are not a restaurant, the owner showed me a menu, and while there was amazing looking bites, dinners, and desserts on it, he stressed it was all about the wine. I'm dying to go back and see them, and hopefully all the friends we made the short time we were there. This is a secret must-try for locals who THINK they have done it all. This is just the beginning for this tiny, cannoli-sweet secret!

This place really is a sweet secret.  We were crawling thru the plaza parking lot when we saw the sign, which read "Italian wine and food."  Curious as always, we walked in and were promptly greeted by the owner and his adorable wife.  He explained that this "enoteca" (pronounced enoteche) carries only Italian wines not commonly found in the U.S. and that he personally knows many of the bottlers "back home in Italy."  He also explained that while they do have food, it's a wine bar first.  The food is all made from scratch by the owner's wife, so I'm dying to try it.  We weren't hungry, so we didn't sample any.  We did however order two very delicious glasses of wine.  Chard for me and red for her.  Because of the close quarters in the back room, we quickly made some new friends at the table next to us. One of which is a woman who has been coming once a week for 9 months.  We explained that we were celebrating one year of being together by bar hoping and trying new places.  The owners caught wind and brought us two cannolis on the house; really nice couple!

Imagine you know an Italian couple who have a large wine reserve and like to cook up some food for you while you hang out in their dining room.  That is what the atmosphere here is like.  Very warm, friendly and unique.

I've been passing by this place for the past few months and been intrigued by the name of the place alone.  Last night I decided to finally give this place a try with my girlfriend at about 10pm.  The place advertises Italian wine and food.

First things first the wine.  They have a purely Italian selection with bottles ranging from $15-$150+.  You can also buy wine by the glass ranging from $7-$25.  You can't find 99% of these wines in your local supermarket.  If you don't like wine, but your friend does, they also have beer selections ranging from $2 a bottle to $8 a bottle.

You can buy a bottle of wine from them and go back home, but you would be missing out on an experience that I have never had in Tampa before.  The owner works there exclusively with his wife and daughter.  He makes you feel like you're a good friend welcomed in his home.  There are only four tables in the back of the restaurant, which facilitates an intimate gathering between loved ones or friends.

With so much emphasis on wine, you'd wonder if the food was any good.  We ordered a parmesan plate which came out with an assortment of bread and crackers.   For $5 the value was great.  We also ordered the farfalle in a tomato sauce and the portion size was enough for a meal.  The entrees are very affordable and range from $7-$12.  If want more variety for food but still want their wine, some restaurants in the plaza will deliver anything on their menu for no charge.

To top off our experience, the owner's wife even brought us a complimentary piece of Tiramisu after we were done with dinner and drinks.

This entire experience felt homey and authentic.  It is a great place for good wine and conversation.  We will certainly be back for more.