An Organic Break-Fast
Carrollwood-Tampa, Florida, USA
Cuisine Style: Breakfast, Brunch
Average Price: $
Overall Rating: 3/5
Dined on November 2016
By Sean Overpeck (CFE)
**A full article and index glossary of restaurants, wines, recipes and travel for
Wine Dine and Play are in the pages section above, or by following these links:
Terms that ten years ago were taboo to most people and only used by the “eco” hippy crowds are now becoming part of the mainstream. Words like organic, sustainability, Non-GMO, free-range, cage-free, antibiotic free, Monsanto, and so on. I was one of the mainstream that thought these terms were crazed liberal revolutionary thoughts and shook my head at them. Today thanks to my wife and research into the subject, and opening my mind to other ideas, I see that it wasn’t crazy after all, but healthy. This is where restaurants like First Watch come into play. They are taking these words and practices and not only adding them to a small part of the menu to appease all groups but making it the standard where you can’t get anything but the healthy good stuff. This review is based on November 2016 visit at the Tampa, Florida location.
Vice President of Culinary Strategy:
Chef Shane Schaibly
My wife and I were in the area dropping our dog off at the veterinarian and wanted to get some breakfast. She had been to First Watch a few times and wanted to introduce me to them. The restaurant is in Carrollwood, an unincorporated community in North Tampa, Hillsborough County. Early every morning the kitchen crew begins slicing fresh fruits and vegetables, baking muffins and whipping up french toast batter from scratch. Everything is made to order, and freshness is never compromised. Chef Shane graduated at the top of his class from Johnson & Wales in 2005, then worked in fine dining for brands like the Ritz-Carlton in Miami Beach and Tampa’s Café Ponte. He joined Front Burner Brands concept The Melting Pot in 2007, where he helped the company set the Guinness World Record for Largest Cheese Fondue Set while working as manager of culinary development. From there it was time for First Watch where everything was to be fresh, organic, GMO-free and all natural, not just a few set menu items like most restaurants.
First Watch is a chain restaurant, with the home location in Bradenton, Florida. As of 2016 there are105 stores operating in 17 states, with the first in Pacific Grove, California in 1983 by Ken Pendery and John Sullivan. They moved the business to Bradenton in 1986. First Watch restaurants are named for the nautical terminology that refers to the first shift of the day. No microwaves, heat lamps, or deep-fat fryers are used. The business is largely owned by private equity company Freeman Spogli & Co., who bought out the 85 percent stake previously held by Catterton Partners.
When you arrive, you are welcomed with a pot of their Sunrise Select Premium Blend® coffee, along with complimentary newspapers and WiFi Internet access. From there you can have a juice made from their fresh fruit juice bar, and then relax and look over the menu in a clean quiet atmosphere that smells fresh and inviting. Their menu is broken down by:
Breakfast
- Omelets and Frittatas
- The Healthier Side
- First Watch Egg-clusives
- Power Bowls
- The Middle Griddle
Lunch
- Sandwich
- Salads
- Soups
If you want to be healthy and have a good start to the day and your body stick to the healthier side with items like avocado toast, energy bowl, or the sunrise granola bowl to name a few. My wife had the Chickichanga® from the egg-clusives part of the menu, which consisted of whipped eggs with spicy all-natural white-meat chicken, chorizo sausage, green chilies, cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, onions and avocado rolled in a flour tortilla. The dish was then topped with Vera Cruz sauce and sour cream. On the side, the dish is served with fresh fruit of the day depending on the season, and fresh non-GMO seasoned potatoes.
There are many other dishes on this portion of the menu as well along with several egg benedict recipes, sandwiches, and skillet choices. My selection, the pesto chicken quinoa bowl was jam-packed with protein-rich quinoa, mixed with kale, shredded carrots, and house-roasted tomatoes, topped with all-natural lemon chicken breast, cooked on the char grill, then slapped with a basil pesto sauce, feta crumbles and fresh herbs for garnish. The dish was fantastic.
On the side, we ordered some of their bacon to share, cooked with maple syrup and filled with knock your socks off flavor. You could also order fresh fruits, biscuits, and several other items as well. For lunch, they offered eight sandwiches and four power salads and soups, along with a kids menu, and a full allergen and dietary restriction guide.
Other noteworthy breakfast, and brunch reviews:
Al Fanar Restaurant and Café Authentic Emirati cuisine, Festival City, Dubai, UAE
Café du Monde Iconic café & coffeehouse serving beignets since 1862 in New Orleans, Louisiana
Food 101 Farm-to-table eatery offering Southern classics in Sandy Springs, Georgia
Fugitives Drift Lodge and Zulu Battlefields African cuisine buffet, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Halls Chophouse Esteemed old-school steakhouse with gospel brunch in Charleston, South Carolina
Metro Diner Local diner chain with classic American breakfast & lunch; reviewed in St. Petersburg, Florida
Noble Crust Modern contemporary Italian and Southern dishes in St Petersburg, Florida
Nueva Cantina Vibrant, authentic, and contemporary Mexican cuisine with brunch in St Petersburg, Florida
Paradise Grille Beachside joint offering casual American eats in Pass-A-Grille, Florida
Safar Restaurant Arabic and Emirati blended buffet at the Dubai International Airport (DXB), UAE
Stella’s Restaurant Southern-inspired comfort eats and diner in Gulfport, Florida
The Dutch Kitchen Buffet of Dutch and French cuisine at the Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam
The Jungle Junction Zimbabwean & international tastings buffet at the Victoria Falls Hotel in Zimbabwe
Waffle House A Southern 24/7 breakfast chain known for their hash browns, based in Atlanta, Georgia
Z Grille Colorfully inspired twists on American classics in St. Petersburg, Florida
Z Grille Colorfully inspired twists on American classics in St. Petersburg, Florida
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
A few Tampa restaurants and articles on Wine Dine and Play:
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Upscale eatery with butchery at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
|
Rustic native American and Floridian fare w/Barbacoa Grilling
|
Asian restaurant with sushi at the Hard Rock Casino
|
|
Eclectic & innovative gastropub using molecular gastronomy
|
Prohibition-themed New American cuisine Restaurant - password required
|
Hip British-inspired and themed pub
|
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary by country”
Final notes and observations:
It was extremely refreshing to see a breakfast restaurant like First Watch. When you drive around you are bombarded with Waffle House, Denny’s, IHOP, and other named chains, and rare to see a smaller chain or mom and pop, then fresh and organic to boot.
Most reviews are subjective, depending on the writer; but they should also be responsible, and respectfully written, upholding the truth, and accurately conveying the experience to the best of the writer's knowledge, even if it includes metaphors the restaurant may not like to read about. My ratings are by the stars I award (from 0 to 5). The rating is calculated on a point accumulation of six separate factors based on individual experience. They include wine and other beverage selections, plate presentation, customer service, restaurant or café ambiance, food quality, and wow factor. To see more details of this rating list, read this article:
Overall from this experience, and the score factors outlined in the ‘about page’ section, based on my individual experience and rating, I give First Watch a 3 out of 5 stars, meaning that they exceeded my expectations and were far above the average dining experience of most restaurants. The six factors used to get this rating include reviewing of their wine selections; overall customer service from host, bar, service, and management; the restaurant ambiance, noise level, lighting, and bathroom quality; plate presentation, which includes garnish, color, and art; quality of the food, where it is produced, and how it is prepared; and finally the “wow” factor. Did the restaurant wow me in any way not listed in the five factors above? Some restaurants do, but most do not.
Overall Star Rating:
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3 of 5 Stars:
Exceeded Expectations
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Corkage fee’s:
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The Restaurant does not list any corkage fee’s however, most American restaurants charge $25.00 per bottle
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Restaurant style:
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Casual
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Reservations:
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Not Required
Walk-Ins:
Accepted, but not guaranteed
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Child policy:
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The Restaurants reviewed on this site may have a child’s menu or cater to them; however, for full enjoyment of food and wine, it is recommended for children not to be in attendance, unless they have been trained in proper etiquette.
Hire a Babysitter!
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Dress code:
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Casual
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Cuisine style:
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Modern, American, Organic, Gluten Free, Vegan, & Vegetarian
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Experiences:
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Place for foodies, Trendy, Rustic, and a Neighborhood Gem.
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Payments:
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Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
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Parking:
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Public Lot
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Wifi
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The restaurants reviewed on this site may have Wi-Fi, but do not require you to go online, because the excitement of the food and wine alone will keep you too entertained instead of checking your social media and emails.
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Noise level:
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Low to Medium
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Smoking:
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Nonsmoking restaurant
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Patio:
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No
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Food Prices
(excluding, alcohol, taxes & gratuity)
$£€¥ - Under 50.00
$£€¥ x 2 - 51.00- 99.00
$£€¥ x 3 - Over 100.00
$£€¥ x 4 - Over 200.00
$£€¥ x 5 - Over 400.00
**Currencies chosen reflect the world’s major travelers and restaurant connoisseur’s**
My food bill:
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Currency:
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Price chart:
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$15.00
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United States Dollar (USD)
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$
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$20.00
|
Australian Dollar (AUS)
|
$
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£12.00
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Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
|
£
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$20.00
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Canadian Dollar (CAN)
|
$
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¥104.00
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Chinese Yuan (CNY)
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¥¥¥
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€14.00
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European Union (EUR)
|
€
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Currency rates as of January 2017
First Watch:
13186 North Dale Mabry
Tampa, Florida
Contact Information:
Maître d or host:
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+1 813 961 4947 |
| Restaurant website: | First Watch |
| Website contact: | Contact First Watch |
Social Media
&
Accolades:
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Facebook link |
| Twitter @First_Watch | |
| YouTube | |
****
The worlds best restaurants is a subjective list of who is writing it and changes on a regular basis. The Wine Dine and Play best experiences are based on my highest rated stared restaurants, meaning that the visit was an outstanding or extraordinary experience. From cafés, chains, mom + pops, hole in the walls, to fine dining including a few Michelin spots. Visit the Top 100 page to see the entire list.
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Landmark Mexican Restaurant
Austin, Texas, USA
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Traditional Spanish & Cuban chain since 1905
Ybor City & Sarasota, Florida, USA
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Acclaimed soul food spot for fried chicken
New Orlean’s, Louisiana, USA
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“Culinary perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things,
But in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
-Angelique Arnauld (1591-1661)
TTFN
