A Meal at The Columbia Restaurant in Tampa's Ybor City
This week, I traveled to St. Petersburg, Florida to appear on the Home Shopping Network to sell our amazing line of Martha Stewart Crafts. Once again, it was a very successful visit. After the morning session, a small group of us took a drive in the area and ended up in the historic Tampa neighborhood of Ybor City. Founded in the 1880s by cigar manufacturers, Ybor City became known as the cigar capital of the world for all of the millions of cigars that Cuban, Spanish, and Italian immigrants would roll each year in its factories. The city grew and prospered until the Depression, when worldwide demand for cigars plummeted and hand-rolled manufacturing was replaced by cheaper mechanized methods. Many of those factories were closed down. Even though Ybor City has changed drastically over the years, one place still remains, the Columbia Restaurant, which opened in 1905.
1 Between our morning and evening appearances on the Home Shopping Network, we took a drive to historic Ybor City. This is Columbia Restaurant, the oldest restaurant in Florida and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world.
2 In the late 1800's, Ybor City was becoming home to Cuban immigrants. Among the group was Casimiro Hernandez, Sr., who opened a corner café, frequented by Cuban cigar workers.
3 Today, the restaurant has grown to encompasses an entire block.
4 The Columbia has a lavish décor, including hundreds of hand-painted tiles depicting various scenes from Don Quixote.
5 Historic Ybor City has a 'Walk of Fame' Paver Program, where one can have a special message engraved in a hexagonal sidewalk paver, with proceeds going to the Ybor City Development Corp.
6 The intersection of 7th Ave. and 22nd St. was a sandy cross-road connecting three army encampments in the Ybor City area during the Spanish-American War. At this cross-road was lacated a water trough where the Rough Riders watered their mounts. Col. Teddy Roosevelt frequently rode by here on his horse, Texas.
7 The Krewe of the Knights of Sant' Yago is dedicated to the preservation of Latin traditions in Tampa. The Columbia Restaurant is Krewe headquarters and many of its functions are held here.
8 And another plaque states that the Lions Club of Ybor City was organized on April 19, 1951 at the Columbia Restaruant - Meetings each Thursday at 12:15 noon
9 The total number of dining rooms at the Columbia Restaurant is fifteen, making it a popular venue for private events. This is the Red Room dining room.
10 The Don Quixote dining room, as it looks today - This elegant dining room was built in 1935 and was the first air-conditioned dining room in Tampa, complete with an elevated dance floor.
11 My lunch companions - Alex Perruzzi, VP Merchandising and Daisy Schwartzberg, my makeup artist
12 Having a good time
13 The ropa vieja was delicious - Originally introduced to Cuba by Spanish sailors, the name means 'old clothes' because the beef is shredded, sautéed, and simmered with onions, green peppers, and tomatoes. It's served with platanos and white rice.
14 A beautiful fresh salad of diced beefsteak tomatoes, tossed with julienne sweet onion, extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, and garlic
15 The original Cuban sandwich - The 'Mixto,' as it was known in the beginning, was created in the 1890's for the cigar workers as they walked to and from work. Different cultures blended the ingredients - the standards are ham, Genoa salami, Mojo marinated roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickle, and mustard between freshly baked Cuban bread.
16 After lunch, we walked a few doors down to the Columbia Restaurant Gift Store.
17 Inside the gift shop is a little cigar factory, where one can watch professional cigar rollers demonstrate their trade. Ybor City was founded in the 1880s by cigar manufacturers and was populated by thousands of immigrants, mainly from Spain, Cuba, and Italy.
18 Its factories would roll millions of cigars each year. This gentleman is in the process of applying the paper bands to finished cigars.
19 Of course, one can also purchase these highly sought after hand-rolled cigars.
20 These are traditional cigar molds which contain bunched filler leaves. They are pressed to give them the proper shape before a wrapper leaf is rolled around.
21 You can also buy the famous Columbia Restaurant Cuban roast coffee, created in-house using Colombian and Central American coffee beans, giving it a rich full-bodied flavor.
22 There's a lovely assortment of handmade and handpainted ceramic pieces made in Spain.
23 And cookies and confections
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Martha, that is a beautiful picture of you...photo #12.
My brother just moved from that area. He was a deputy in Pinellas Park, and was right across the bay from Tampa, I think. All the places are so close together that I can't keep them apart.
I wish I'd known about the place you visited when he lived there, it would have made a nice day trip.
He is now back home and looking for a job, but...when he goes back to visit his children, maybe I can go and see Ybor City.
Thanks for the tour and information.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | November 15th, 2012 at 12:14 am
Martha,
I am so glad that you were able to visit Tampa. I grew up in Orlando, but all of my relatives live in St. Pete. I spent many wonderful Saturdays exploring Tampa with my grandparents. The day always ended with a wonderful meal at the Columbia. My favorites were always the black bean soup, the bread and the fried plantains.
Posted by: Diane | November 15th, 2012 at 7:16 am
I love that you visit interesting places and then share them with your fans Martha.
According to the chamber of commerce, Ybor City is one of only two National Historic Landmark Districts in Florida. I've never been to Tampa, I usually head to Miami and the Keys. My interest is peaked now and I'm certainly going to put Ybor City and the Colombia restaurant on my list of places to visit! By the way, you look pretty as usual in pic# 12, I love the peak of color in your turquoise earrings, lovely!
Posted by: Cindy F | November 15th, 2012 at 8:23 am
I did miss you on HSN and must have been first for me as you know how I admire you. Thanx so much and many of us have great memories of family vactions in Florida and opportunity to learn about a life away from our comfort zone. (or not so comfortable winter)
Posted by: ann | November 15th, 2012 at 8:28 am
Martha, my brother lives in Tampa, I'll have to ask him if he's ever eaten there. Thanks for the tour. Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | November 15th, 2012 at 8:58 am
I was so excited to see you on HSN and can't wait to get the TS and other items I ordered. Your products are fantastic and this new Circle Edge cutter - amazing! You really do think of everything. Thanks for sharing the information about your excursion to Ybar City. This looks like a neat place to visit! I'm glad you and your team had a chance for a little downtime with the 24 hour day on HSN.
Posted by: Lin M. | November 15th, 2012 at 8:59 am
Our friends took us to this lovely restaurant when we visited Ybor City.
The Scallops were my most favorite of all!
I liked their gift shop as well. The Sangria mix is wonderful.
The cigar museum was most interesting. Our friend's mother is a board member.
Posted by: Leigh Bonifield | November 15th, 2012 at 9:16 am
Hi Martha - You look absolutely stunning in picture 12!
Posted by: Walter | November 15th, 2012 at 9:45 am
Hi Martha, Thanks for taking us to this tremendous, historical restaurant in Ybor City the cigar capital founded in the 1880s! It's so much fun to learn and tour such an interesting historical place! How nice it was that the weather looked so beautiful after that Sandy Hurricane and the Nor'easter you had at your Bedford farm! These photos are wonderful and I love seeing you, Alex, and Daisy "having a good time" touring and having a meal at the historical Columbia Restaurant which opened in 1905! The three of you look so happy in photos #11&12 and the food looked delicious! That gift store was amazing! Interesting to see that elderly fellow making cigars! The last three photos were fabulous, also! Seeing you and Alex on HSN was outstanding and all of the crafts are beautiful and fun to use! Was so much fun to hear you and Sophie on SiriusXM110 live yesterday afternoon and I love all of your tweets! Hope you have another great day! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | November 15th, 2012 at 9:59 am
The next time you decide to come to Florida, drive a little further south to Sarasota and you we'd be amazed at what a "big little city" Sarasota is like. It is filled with all types of gems from great architecture to fabulous theaters and everything in between. Then go to St. Armand's Circle for a bit of shopping and have lunch at the Columbia Restaurant. You won't be disappointed on all front.....
Posted by: Bev | November 15th, 2012 at 10:13 am
My favorite there is the "1925 Salad" - wonder if Martha and her crew ordered that traditional feast? I love the Columbia - grew up on Cuban sandwiches from Ybor City and ate there as a little girl back in the 60's. This restaurant has character!
Posted by: jeanne | November 15th, 2012 at 10:45 am
We were in the neighborhood of Ybor City when we were making the rounds of amusement parks in several states years ago but I don't remember visiting it. I don't think we liked the area very much back then. It was nice of you to go and share your experience in this blog - historic places are always interesting. Maybe next time we visit our friend in Tampa, we'll stop in just to eat at the Columbia Restaurant. Trish
Posted by: Trish | November 15th, 2012 at 11:08 am
Martha wanted to let you know how blessed I have been thru the years with all you have shared, places I cannot afford to go yet and all you have taught me. It helped me be a better teacher, mother, wife, grandmother, & great-grandmother. Thank you seems so small, when I visit your blog everyday and if I'm stumped on something, usually you have information to help me. Appreciate your wisdom and sharing! Sharon
Posted by: Sharon Key | November 15th, 2012 at 11:28 am
Wow! Cuban food is my absolute favorite cuisine, no doubt. Cuban sandwiches, mojo, picadillo. Yum yum! Would love to go to Ybor City.
The hand painted tiles and ceramic pieces were absolutely beautiful.
And I do agree with Leigh Bonifield, you do look stunning!
Thanks for a wonderful blog!
Check out mine? http://saraforsoker.blogspot.se/
Best,
Sara
Posted by: Sara | November 15th, 2012 at 1:07 pm
Greetings from London. Beautiful place and decor. the food looks delicious. You look beautiful, love your turquoise earrings
Best wishes
Posted by: Rowaidaa Flayhan | November 15th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
Thank you for a trip down memory lane. I went to travel school in Tampa in 1975. My aunt and uncle vacationed in Tampa that year and took me to the Columbia Restaurant. It was so wonderfully exotic for a young girl from Minnesota. I haven't been back in many years. Wonderful history!
Posted by: Sheila | November 15th, 2012 at 4:45 pm
I have eaten here! 30 years ago - I was about 15. My dad was in the Air Force, stationed at Patrick AFB on the Atlantic coast of Florida and we took a weekend trip to St. Petersburg. I have never forgotten that restaurant. I remember an interior courtyard, lots of tile, and entrees that included eggs, which seemed very unusual to me but which I loved. Are the streets around the restaurant still unpaved? My recollection is there was an "old town" area near the Columbia with shops and dusty dirt alleyways that the shop doors opened on to.
Posted by: Jennifer Barbour | November 15th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Did you see any chickens pecking about - downtown? Always S-O everlastingly quaint to see them when we visit Ybor City.
Posted by: Cairn | November 15th, 2012 at 6:09 pm
Dear Martha: I am happy to hear that you enjoy The Columbia Restaurant as
much as I do. The first time I visited the restaurant was in 1950. The food is as good now 62 years later as it was then.
My wife and I still visit the Columbia Restaurant at least once a month.
Thanks
Anthony & Cheryl Garcia
Posted by: Anthony Garcia | November 15th, 2012 at 7:30 pm
I was born in Ybor City at the Gonzalez Clinic 61 years ago... I spent many weekends walking to downtown Ybor to catch a movie (or three) at the Ritz Theater with my brother and cousin from my father's duplex across the street from the Cuban Club (now a parking lot for Hillsborough Community College)...My grandparents all rolled cigars at one time or another...One grandmother worked in garment manufacturing and my other set of grandparents owned a small grocery store on 10th Avenue...While many things have changed over the years, The Columbia Restaurant remains a jewel from my past! My family and I have, at times, enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner and other celebrations there...The food and atmosphere are outstanding! Glad you could visit such a historic part of Tampa...
Posted by: Joyce from Florida | November 15th, 2012 at 7:51 pm
Great Choice!! The Colombia Restaurant, is one of the best! Especially for the entertainment.. the dancers are amazing, always a good time there!!
Posted by: Alishia Mason | November 15th, 2012 at 8:18 pm
Have loved eating at Columbia several times. Great to have history and wonderful food.
Posted by: Gloria | November 15th, 2012 at 10:06 pm
We too have a Columbia restaurant on St. Armand's Circle in Sarasota FL. I have the recipe for their 1905 salad. I have posted the recipe on "What's For Dinner?" group on My Manilow Network a few months ago. Gisèle
Posted by: Gisèle Bakondy | November 15th, 2012 at 10:11 pm
The other Tampa place you HAVE to visit is Bern's. Ybor is amazing. I went to school in Tampa (college) for awhile as an art student and enjoyed the amazing diversity of cultures in the Tampa area. The cuban food there is hard to beat and at the Columbia, the best is their sangria, their 1905 Salad, or just about anything on their menu! Simple Arroz con Pollo is pretty amazing as well there. I am glad to see that you got to taste the Columbia. Now try Bern's and especially their weird little dessert rooms made out of old giant wine barrels. Each room seats a part of maybe 6 or less and you can make requests to the live piano player while seated at your table via phone. It's all very dark and heavy fabrics, a steakhouse, but with a wine list the thickness of a phonebook.
Posted by: AmyT | November 15th, 2012 at 10:25 pm
I have the 1905 salad recipe and I have posted it on "What's For Dinner?" group on mymanilow.com
We have a wonderful Columbia restaurant here in Sarasota on St. Armand's Circle.It's very popular with locals and tourists.
Gisèle
Posted by: Gisèle Bakondy | November 15th, 2012 at 11:01 pm
El Columbia has the best1905 salad,Cuban samdwich and black bean soup in the world. Hands down the best Cuban sandwich I have had in my life. My family went here 2-3 a year and have missed many a flight because we just had to have the Cuban sandwich one more time.
Posted by: Darcell brown | November 15th, 2012 at 11:26 pm
Martha if only I had been a few days later. We got to visit The Columbia House on the 11th of November, Sunday at noon. I think I was sitting in exactly that same seat as you pictured. I also took some of the same photos. We truly enjoyed the restaurant's fine food and service. This was our first visit to the Tampa area. We had two recommendations to try the 1905 salad. Was it ever great!
I still remember with great fun the time I visited your show in NYC. I hope I get to visit on of The Columbia House restaurants again.
Posted by: Carol Blair | November 16th, 2012 at 2:40 am
I miss watchin you everyday on the Hallmark channel. If I ever get to visit the Columbia House I will certainly try the Cuban sandwich and Black Bean Soup. Thanks. You do look great, by the way.
Posted by: Dorothy Jamison | November 16th, 2012 at 8:20 am
Oh Martha! you should have had the 1905 Salad! It's just THE BEST! I went to University in Tampa and my BFF and I would run down and have a pitcher of the Sangria del toro and the 1905 salad... and be "creative" for our afternoon painting classes!
Even today, if I mention The Columbia... EVERYONE I know (on facebook) will say, "order the 1905 Salad!" :>
Posted by: Sony | November 16th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Agree with the group best item on their menu is the salad! Have had it at both locations and just can't wait to return to have it again! The Bern Steak House is agreed another oldie but goodie ! There just aren't many like these left!
Posted by: Margie Wolczak | November 16th, 2012 at 10:56 pm
Martha,
I'll have to agree with Dave Letterman who said when you were on his show not too long ago that you're looking the best ever.
Posted by: Vera | November 17th, 2012 at 2:49 am
Martha, I have to admit, I LOVE all of your recipes and cherish several so much that my friends and family think that they're my very own creation. They say imitation is the highest form of flattery! One of my favorite is from Martha Stewart Living from at least 6 years ago, the cookie of the month for February was cherry-almond biscotti [pg. 148]. I've used the base of the recipe for many other variations and this month I've used pumpkin puree, instead of cherry, and added pumpkin seeds with the egg/sugar wash on top.
Looking forward to taking the family to the Columbia over the holidays! My son is completing his pediatric residency in Tampa/St. Pete -- it will no doubt be a place we will enjoy. Thank you.
Posted by: Dana Marie Luszczewski | November 17th, 2012 at 9:39 am
Martha I purchased one of your 9' Christmas Tree and it is beautiful. However ,when I tried to place it in my large revolving stand the tree base is too large for my stand. Could you design a revolving stand for your nine foot tree that would fit this tree base? I just love to see all my decorations not just one side of my tree, I also would like to express I miss seeing your show. I hope it will rescheduled to show once again.
Thanks
Cathy
Posted by: Cathy kinstler | November 17th, 2012 at 11:16 pm
Thanks for the tour martha...looks like a fabulous place. I shopped your new products on HSN and have a request. On the new circle edge punch you and Alex had said when people called in asking about the instructions for the angel and the xmas tree you showed on display during the air, that the idea sheets for these would be posted on the blog. Well I have looked at every martha blog I can think of and can't find anything...including Alex's blog which has not been updated since September. Could you please let us know where we might find these instructions. I belong to a charity group where we mainly make cards...but would like to make these for the upcoming xmas parties at the nursing homes. PLZ HELP US that purchased this punch and would like to make these items. Thx in advance...the circle edge punch is fabulous by the way. Wish I had purchased the other 2 they were offering (carridges) but they sold out right away before I could get back in an order them. But I did get the auto ship..can't wait.
Posted by: Annie Miller | November 19th, 2012 at 11:54 pm
I was born and raised in Tampa and still just live 30 north of there. You need to go to The Columbia at night. Call first and see when, but they have a flemenco show, which I'd bet you have never seen. It is fantastic.
Posted by: Donna Mitchell | November 21st, 2012 at 1:57 pm
Dear Martha-
Ropa Vieja is actually a dish you find in Cuba and the Canary Islands, Spain. All else found elsewhere is an unauthorized copy. Cuba was full of immigrants over 1 million if not more from the Canary Islands ( we have friends, family, neighbors, merchants, etc. from there). History says that stock which was made with flank steak and seasonings, veggies, etc. daily in many homes was drunk as a preventive remedy for stomach maladies and whatnot. The liquid reserved and drunk throughout the week while the flank steak was shredded and served as the famous "Ropa Vieja" of Cuba. It is a Cuban original because the sofrito base and tomato sauce base are what are used in practically all of Cuban cooking/recipes. This is not true of Spain. As we know Spain has a regional cuisine varying from region to region. Canary islanders traveling from Cuba to the Canary Islands and back brought the recipe to the Canary islands. Ropa Vieja appears in an 1857 Cuban cookbook by author J.P. Legran. The reference to shredded clothes is due to the visual aspect of the dish- a garment in disrepair, shredded hemlines-this sort of thing. Cubans as a society prior to the revolution were and the older generation (living in the U.S.) still are very fond of humor, banter wordplay explaining even further the origins of the dishes name.
Posted by: Teri Perez | November 26th, 2012 at 11:02 pm
Hi Martha I hope one day you can come to SRQ better known as Sarasota,Fl
I know you would love our little town as a Circus Performer you would fall in love with the Ringling Museum and the circus heritage we have ... and we have a Columbia restaurant here also it is the same family owned as the one in Tampa only twice as good! Please come visit our SRQ and we have lots of dogs at the best farmers market in Florida! check out my FB for photos of Circus,Farmers market,and Dogs Dogs and more Dogs... enjoy
Posted by: Julianna Vazquez | November 27th, 2012 at 10:31 pm
Thanks for sharing great pictures - I will be eating at the Columbia in St. Augustine this Saturday after touring "Night of Lights" with friends for our Christmas get-together.
Merry Christmas Martha.
Posted by: Diane Appleby | December 12th, 2012 at 9:23 am
Having grown up in Tampa, Ybor was always the playground of youth. The Columbia, however, was a family institution. There was always large family gatherings celebrating any occasion. I've kept that in my heart and in an attempt to recapture those feelings purchased a second home there and have never regretted it. It is like a baby Austin, TX. Thanks for the press Martha.
Posted by: Michael Bercaw- Texas | December 31st, 2012 at 4:19 pm