My husband Mark and I have become a little bit picky lately when it comes to dining out.  Now that we have a house with a grill, we have really honed in our cooking skills.  Also, don’t you find that so many places are just not worth the money?  Luckily, our new home is walking distance to our favorite restaurant which is Roux in Tampa.  We have been patrons there pretty much since it has opened and have seen it evolve over the year.  Since NOLA is a very short plane ride from Tampa we pretty much used to travel there once a year.  I do have a soft spot in my heart for Creole food and Mark’s dad lived in New Orleans for a long time.  Therefore, whenever they come in town that is one of the places he often requests.  When I could still partake in adult beverages one of the drawing parts for the weekend brunch were the two for one happy hour of mimosas and bloody marys.  They also have dollar oysters which Mark usually gets them raw and I get the charbroiled.  Before we dive into the food can we please talk about the decor?  This charming restaurant is tucked into a small row of stores on Macdill in Tampa.  Walking in, one is instantly swept away into a swanky spot in NOLA.  The flickering gas lanterns get me every time!  I also love the long bar, makes you want to cozy up with a drink right?

Isn’t the interior so warm, inviting, and authentic?

Now let’s get into the eats for the brunch menu.  What I have a hard time swaying from is the Eggs Nouvelle which is Eggs Benedict with a crab cake as the main event.  It comes with a cheesy hash brown casserole.  After an appetizer and some oysters, I usually take half home and have it for lunch the next day.

Speaking of appetizers, besides the oysters we got the crab beignets which come with a remoulade trio.  Absolutely delicious and a great starter option.  We usually don’t order the monkey bread but we didn’t turn it down when it was brought out for us.  Warm and decadent praline sugar bread with a creme anglais drizzle.  They can also be ordered for dessert in my opinion.

Our other favorite for the main event is the shrimp and cream cheese grits, I believe this is also on the dinner menu.  We were slightly fighting over this bowl.  Also, other honorable mentions of the seafood gumbo, the po’boys, and Mark likes ordering the burger which is always cooked perfectly.  I did also venture out on this occasion and order the banana fosters pancakes.  Seriously, if you go with a group, order them to share.  They are so good.  I am still dreaming about them.

If you have room for dessert they also have a few decadent options as well.

Don’t forget about the drinks.  When I could still partake the Bloody Mary’s were one of my absolute favorites!

Thank you to Roux for spoiling us for their weekend brunch.  We have been long time patrons and I can’t wait to go back and continue to give them business.  Roux Tampa brunch is a gem in the city and should be at the top of everyone’s brunch list.  I do recommend making a reservation on the weekend. We usually do that the day of and have no problem reserving a table.  To my local peeps have you been before?  What is your favorite on the menu to order?  Thank you to Roux for the complimentary meal in exchange for my review.  

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