EATS American Grill Comes to Eastern Hillsborough County

Guess what day it is! That’s right — it’s time for another Foodie Friday feature this week. In between my recent globetrotting exploits, I found time to check out a new restaurant in my neck of the woods along with some of my fellow Tampa Bay Bloggers.  I live in the eastern part of the county just on the other side of I-75 but it always seems like South Tampa/Downtown area gets all of the good spots. Well, I have great news.  If you weren’t aware, EATS American Grill, one of those South Tampa staples, has branched out and opened a location in Riverview in the cute throwback shopping center of Winthrop Town Center.

We were treated to a special menu for the evening fusing foods and local Florida Cane Vodka as well as specially crafted cocktails from Florida Cane Vodka and their newest line of Tamiami Florida Gin.

 

 

Here are some of the most enjoyable cocktails and tastes of the evening:

Winthrop Gimlet – Botanicals, organic juniper, organic coriander, cucumber, tangerine, and Tamiami Gin.

Florida Cane Fire Ant Bloody Mary Soup Shot.  I loved the creative concept of this soup/drink in a jar.  I’m not a big fan of tomato drinks. For me it’s a bit like drinking spaghetti sauce, just not my thing. But, if you are a bloody mary lover, I’m sure you will enjoy this. The others in the group really seemed to like it.

Florida Cane Weeki Wachee Watermelon Cooler was a bit like a watermelon mojioto.  It was my favorite drink of the night!  The Tamiami Gin lemon chicken wings were also very good.  I never thought to infuse gin with chicken wings.  #LifeGoals

Key lime ginger mule was tasty, but it was a bit strong.  If you’re a gin kinda girl (or guy) you will really enjoy that cocktail.  The blackened chicken penne pasta made with Florida Cane Premium Vodka sauce was fantastic.  I’d really like to learn how to make that one.

The drunken Key West lemon lime shrimp over rice pilaf was the star entrée for me. The shrimp was tender and full the flavor was infused perfectly.  It wasn’t too much or too strong — just enough.

The food just kept coming!  There was also a vodka infused dessert too.  This Florida Cane Okeechobee Cherry Chocolate Ganache Tart was divine.  I hope they consider adding this one to EATS permanent menu.  It was very rich, but if you love chocolate like I love chocolate, you will swoon!  I finished it by pure shameful gluttony.

I look forward to returning to EATS again.  You can find them at 6264 Winthrop Town Centre Blvd. Riverview, FL  33578. The flavored spirits from Florida Cane Vodka are perfect to stock your arsenal as you prepare for summer gatherings and refreshing cocktails.  If you haven’t visited the Florida Cane Vodka tasting room, you really should add that to your Tampa Bay bucket list.  In addition to the fantastic flavored vodkas there are also tasty flavored moonshines.  You find out more in my previous review of Florida Cane Vodka.

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As part of the agreement with EATS and Florida Cane, we were asked to come up with a recipe using one of the Florida Cane flavors we took home.  I was so enamored with the Weeki Wachee Watermelon that I selected it as my flavor of choice.  My cocktail creation was inspired by the Weeki Wachee river because it happens to be one of my favorite places to kayak and enjoy the springs and it’s home of the world-famous mermaid show.  For your sipping pleasure, I present to you my Mermaid Watermelon Daiquiri.

[ultimate-recipe id=”2753″ template=”default”]

 

We were compensated with the free meal and drinks in exchange for sharing about the experience with our readers and providing our honest feedback.  You can see my full disclosure here.

Lauren G. , Outdoorsy Diva™

“Adventure is a lifestyle.”