Trip around the world and never leave downtown? Do it with food and drinks. Go ahead. We dare you.
World flavors abound from mainstream Italian to out of the way spicy Latin to fresh and fabulous East Asian. We knew that Cbus was a foodie paradise, but we were even a bit surprised by the culinary diversity found right downtown. Keep reading and find out how to enter to win some munchies on us.
How about starting off in the South Pacific? Whether you’re a Mary Ann or Ginger, or a sultry Professor wanna be, Grass Skirt Tiki will most definitely become a downtown hotspot. It just opened so check out the Facebook page if you want some scoop before you go. We heard the coconut bra is optional.
Some other newbies include Madrid where you feast on small plate tapas; ZenCha Tea Salon provides cultural diversity (and great eats) using tea as the medium; Fresh 50 brings a Chipotle-style Asian lunch to downtowners; and munch your way through a brick and mortar taco truck at El Camino Inn. Sidebar 122 mingles Mediterranean with South American, but forget cocktail peanuts at the bar – you will find perfectly crisp pieces of bacon waiting. Can’t afford a trip to Ireland? No worries. Dempsey’s brings the Irish Pub to Cbus, and the 17th of every month, live music, traditional grub and a little extra Guinness might transport you to Belfast.
Time for Italian. Find gourmet pizzas at Element Pizza and a killer made-to-order Stromboli at The Little Palace. Caffe Daniela launched lighter prices with their lighter portions and specialty salads. Café Napolitana, a long time staple downtown expanded their hours and menu through the dinner hour, and you can now grab a beer. For an upscale experience, you can never go wrong with Due Amici.
Grab and go your French fix or sit down and relax in the outdoor café at Au Bon Pain. While you’re there grab a freshly baked baguette for dinner.
Now, let’s get spicy. Whether it’s South American, Cuban or Cajun you can’t go wrong at El Arepazo, Café Sazon, J. Gumbo’s, Mexica, Plantain Café and Si Senor. Plantains a plenty, spicy salsas, ceviche, black beans and gumbo give plenty of choices for even the pickiest eater.
There’s tons more to visit, and now we want to hear from you. Leave a comment and give us the scoop about your favorite downtown foodie feast, and you will be entered to win a gift certificate from one of these great restaurants.