As Midtown, WaterStreet and Wesley Chapel areas are opening new restaurants, hotels, retail locations and housing, the Tampa Area is booming. Cru Cellars is the newest location to open up at Marina Pointe, located off of Westshore and it seems to be a hit.
As a Wine Lover I had to go and check out the expansion of the third location of Cru Cellars. While I have been to their original store/bar area several timers in Palma Ceia and their smaller spot in Armature Works, I was hoping this location would have more space.
It did not disappoint.
The Marina Pointe Shopping Village is situated in the middle of new townhomes, condo's and apartments that are already built, with others still under construction. Our server shared that on the weekends they have been very busy with residents coming in from this new area.
Walking up to Cru Cellars from the parking lot in back, their restaurant is at the end of one of the buildings, to allow for outdoor seating to wrap around and have more tables in the courtyard area in front. Upon entering, the space is bright and open with white leather and cream fabric, mixed with light woods and sunlight shining in through walls of windows.
To the left is a curved bar area and a mixture of high tops and tables beyond, with a beautiful wine cellar drawing your attention to the side wall. Next to the wine cellar is a door leading out to a lovely outdoor area for diners to sit and people watch. And if you are a pet owner and live in the development, Cru Cellars is pet friendly and allows for an easy walk to grab a glass of wine or cocktail, and allow your pet to hang outside with you during happy hour.
Their menu of food selections is a nice assortment of shareable appetizers, salads, homemade pizzas, and main dishes that will appeal to people looking for Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Pescatarian. Of course, they also have their famous charcuterie boards, known as the Farmer's Platter of three, five or seven choices.
On the other side of their menu is a listing of 20 wines by the glass, as well as Curated Cocktails, Historic Cocktails, draft beers and spirits.
My interest is in their wine selection, which has a variety from France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Argentino, Portual and U.S. vineyards. We decided to try the Broken Earth Cabernet from Paso Robles, CA, since I am a California wine lover, and hadn't tried this wine before.
This red was smooth with a medium body, closer to a Merlot, with light tannins and dark fruit. It was so enjoyable to sip, I decided to continue drinking this one as I paired it with my pasta dish.
I ordered the Langostino Gemelli with seasonal lobster, crawfish creme, pernod redux, mushroom duxelles, cured yolk and sprouts. It was amazing.
Randy chose the Seafood Special of three large scallops sitting on a yummy sauce accompanied with a brussel sprout hash.
This Cru Cellars is definitely my favorite and I will be back to further examine their book of wines by the bottle, try their own Cru Red by Broc Cellars and sample more of their food dishes.