Brian Wexler
Vice President Local Division, Television Advertising Bureau
Favorite place for a night out with the boys: Charley’s Steak House. I love to sit at the bar, watch the game and enjoy a great drink and a fantastic steak.
Favorite place to take out-of-town guests: Bern’s Steak House for dinner and the Epicurean Hotel rooftop bar, Edge, for a nightcap. A Tampa tradition, everyone needs to experience all that Bern’s has to offer at least once in their lives. The hotel next door offers a great view of Tampa above the treetops to finish out the evening.
Favorite place for a power lunch: Ciccio Water. They’ve got a great variety and a beautiful staff, and the food is always healthy and fantastic. Get there at 11:45 to beat the rush.
Favorite place for special family occasions: Koto Japanese Steak House. Sake bombs, flaming onion volcano, hibachi cooking and they sing on your birthday – what’s not to love?
Best place to watch a Lightning game with friends: On the glass at Amalie Arena. It’s voted one of the best venues in the country year after year. It’s a great venue for food, drinks and an amazing fan experience.
Favorite burger joint: Hula Bay Club. Often thought of as a boater’s hangout, this place has the best darn burger in town, the Hula Bay Burger. Topped with bacon, Swiss cheese, grilled pineapple, teriyaki sauce… Yum!
Favorite waterfront restaurant: Armani’s. If great food and an amazing view is what you’re looking for, no need to search any further. Tampa’s only five-star restaurant, the view 14 stories over Tampa Bay is just as incredible as the food.
Favorite weekday breakfast spot: Daily Eats. If you love old-school diners with awesome coffee, Daily Eats is your place. The food is always good and consistent with plenty of healthy or not-so-healthy choices.
Favorite Italian food: Iavarone’s Italian Steakhouse. A Tampa family-owned secret, they serve great food at great prices. They know how to cook at Iavarone’s, and it’s real Italian like your grandmother used to make.
Best barbecue: Holy Hog Barbecue. I spent many years in the home of barbecue, Memphis, Tennessee. Holy Hog has the best brisket, pulled pork, burnt ends and sides anywhere in this country!
Favorite place to grab a drink downtown: Franklin Manor. They have a great location, a great vibe, inside and outside seating and always live music. It’s a good place to run into your friends. They did this place right!
Favorite exercise class or gym: CAMP. Tampa’s newest cross-training facility, they have a half circuit training, half yoga class that’s awesome. I also like the hip-hop and rock-and-roll yoga – the music keeps you going through all those ridiculous poses!
Favorite Bay-area beach: Sand Key. Don’t tell the secret – it’s a public park right next to the Sheraton with plenty of parking, tons of white sand beach and vendors to satisfy any adventure you desire, from paddleboarding to Jet Skis.
