Tampa Confidential: Leila Owens

I was introduced to Pure Barre almost nine years ago when we lived in Cincinnati. I had just had my third child, and a friend of mine told me it was really great for building core strength. I took my first class and fell in love with it. I became an instructor a few months later and have been teaching ever since. I was amazed at how quickly I developed strength in my core and how much I was able to increase my flexibility. I was a competitive distance runner for about 20 years and was amazed at how much Pure Barre benefited me as a runner. I still run seven days a week and take and teach Pure Barre. I am a huge believer in the physical, mental and emotional benefits of fitness.

My husband and I love date nights. We really like walking up to Hyde Park Village for dinner and drinks. I love all the Hyde Park Village restaurants. We also like going to Steelbach at Armature Works or Edison on Kennedy [Boulevard].

My favorite brunch spot is definitely Oxford Exchange. What’s not to love? Great coffee and tea, great food and such a cool spot.

My favorite girls’ night and happy hour spot is On Swann. I love the kale salad, mushrooms and cauliflower.

If I really want to sit down and enjoy tea with a friend, I usually go to TeBella at Oxford Exchange or Davis Islands. I’m a huge fan of the iced turmeric ginger tea.

Bern’s is for sure the go-to for fine dining. I’m actually a vegetarian, but I still find plenty of great things to eat there, and my husband is a definite steak lover. I love the spinach salad or beets and goat cheese. I’m also a huge fan of creamed spinach — even though it’s not the healthiest. I also love the espresso brownie from the Harry Waugh Dessert Room.

My favorite healthy spot is Fruitwood Standup Market. It’s actually my favorite everyday place to eat. I love all of their salads. I go through phases, but it’s usually the 68 Chopped, Paddleboard or Southeastern. The owner and all of the employees are great!

I don’t get a lot of spa and pampering time, but I would say my favorite spot is Kensington Salon. It’s always great to get my hair color revived.

I really love shopping for home furnishings and lighting. I used to love going into Blue Moon Trading Company in Hyde Park and later when she moved to Kennedy.

I have two favorite hidden gems — Osteria Natalina and Sorrento Sweets. Osteria Natalina is a small one-room restaurant, no reservations allowed and no kids. While you wait you can walk down two doors to the wine bar and have cocktails. Osteria has great lasagna and yummy sacchettini, pasta “purses” filled with pears, walnuts and cheese. They also have my favorite dessert — tiramisu. Sorrento’s is owned by a friend. They have amazing coffee and Italian pastries. It’s such a relaxing location in the spot of an old florist in Hyde Park Village.