The First Flight Becomes The Cafe By Mise en Place
Tampa, Florida USA
Cuisine Style: American
Average Price: $$
Overall Rating: 2/5
Dined in: September 2018
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:
The Cafe Executive Chef:
Marty Blitz
The Cafe by Mise En Place is the sister to the Mise En Place restaurant in downtown Tampa, and according to Creative Loafing is a premier restaurant for modern American cuisine, with exiting and dynamic fare and flavors reflecting Chef’s insatiable love of food. The focus is quality over quantity, by ordering produce, meats, alcohol, and dry goods from local independent companies instead of the bigger names when possible. My wife and I were first introduced to the Mise En Place restaurant concept by visiting a satellite restaurant they had in the main concourse of the Tampa International Airport called the First Flight Wine Bar. When we would fly out it was our spot to enjoy some small bite appetizers and great wines by the glass. Unfortunately, the main concourse began renovations in 2016 for expansion, and the wine closed down. They moved over to the international terminal and reopened under the name Cafe by Mise En Place. As I normally flew Delta to Atlanta then switched to international flights, my wife and I never got a chance to try the new location and we really missed the First Flight Wine Bar. On a recent trip out instead of Delta, I took Lufthansa and got to try the Cafe by Mise en Place for the first time. This is my thoughts…
Menu:
- Appetizers
- Salads
- Sandwiches
- Entrees
- Sweets
I sat at the bar starting out with a glass of 2016 GD Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo, a 100% Nebbiolo aged for 8 to 14 months according to the winemakers’ notes. The maker also comments that the wine has a crystal ruby red color with some delicate reflection of purple perfectly representing these grape characteristics. With a reddish-rich fruit smell and touches of violets, leather, and spices the sip is dry, warm and soft. Fresh and with silky tannins this wine is a beautiful interpretation of the main features of this grape and its potential. He says that 2016 was a beautiful, classic vintage. Locals called it “A farmer’s year” for what is a very rare combination of high quality, purity of aromatics, and generous crop.
 |
| The Cafe by Mise En Place / Wine |
I was trying to decide between the black bean muneta with salsa verde or the fried green tomatoes dipped in buttermilk with a roasted poblano chive vinaigrette. The Green tomato won the toss topped with piquillo pepper oil and pickled red onion relish. The crusting was crunchy light and flaky with not too much seasoning or spice so that you could still taste the bitterness of the unripened tomato that was all around a very sweet treat. You can also order the fried green tomato dish in the salad section served with jumbo lump crab meat, arugula rocket lettuce and grape tomatoes, or as a BLT sandwich with Bibb lettuce under that section.
 |
| The Cafe by Mise En Place / Fried Green Tomatoes |
For my entree I ordered the Mahi-mahi which sat on a bed of sweet potato succotash, tossed in heirloom tomatoes to a fine dice, mixed together with a Fresno chili vinaigrette and a brown butter spinach that was half wilted from the heat of the other vegetables. The fish had a nice golden sear to the top, was flaky, medium in taste with a slighter mild characteristic, but full of flavor as the Fresno chili sauce blended in perfectly as the fish soaked up the sauce. I had a 2017 Adelsheim Pinot noir from Newberg, Oregon near the same area my wife and I did a Willamette Wine Tasting back in 2015. According to the winemakers’ notes its broad array of origins and clones, this 2017 Pinot Noir displays aromas of cocoa, pomegranate, and raspberry on the nose and the palate as well as a light touch of nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice. True to the Adelsheim house style, it is elegantly textured with seamlessly integrated, silky, polished tannins, aging in 20% new French oak for 10 months.
 |
| The Cafe by Mise En Place / Mahi-mahi |
I had only one issue with my meal and service during my visit. The bartender gave me some time to look over the entire menu requesting that I put in both my appetizer and entree at the same time, and then he would hold the entree and fire it when I was done with the starter. So I did that. The appetizer came out, and I was enjoying it, eating it a little slower than most people eat an appetizer, even myself since I’m known to gobble food down when I’m hungry. As I was eating and enjoying the first glass of wine, the entree comes out. I tell the bartender I’m not ready for it, so they take it back. I finish my starter about five minutes later maybe a little longer and say that I want to relax and digest. During this time I order my second glass and tell them to fire the fish. I expect to get it in around 10-12 minutes. Less than a minute later it comes out. It was the same fish plate that came out earlier, and it had been sitting under a heat lamp for nearly twenty minutes. I’m usually not one to complain since I am in the food service industry, but this was unacceptable. The bartender took it away and fired a new fish, which came out ten minutes later.
Dessert:
I looked over the dessert menu but was too full. As I paid my tab, the bartender brought a to go box with a dessert on the house for what happened with the fish. I did not request any comps, and this was done of the restaurant's accord. I did appreciate that. They gave me the Signature chocolate pecan toffee mousse with creme anglaise and toffee sauce. I ate it on my flight a few hours later, and it was very delightful, with a nice and rich caramel cake layer bringing out more flavor with the sauces.
 |
| The Cafe by Mise En Place / Pecan Toffee Mousse |
Please see these guidelines for Tipping in Restaurants and on following proper etiquette, customs, cultures, and avoiding assumptions when you dine out.
Wine regulatory’s for the tastings in this article:
“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is the strength, in the water there are bacteria.” - David Auerbach
United States:
Oregon:
European Union:
Italy:
Other noteworthy American / Airport articles and restaurants similar to The Cafe by Mise En Place:
Also known as American fare, comfort, or classic American, as large as the United States is, it also encompasses many cuisine variations. These include the native Indian prior to European colonization, Hawaiian, and not forgetting the melting pot of immigrants that came and fused their styles together to make America. This list will be of restaurants that represent the broader base of American cuisine, using styles from all parts of the country on their menus. Pot roast, chicken fried steak, BLT’s, and hamburgers make up some of the junk we eat. This section is not to be confused with New American Cuisine techniques.
91 Wood Fire Oven Refined rustic American fare in Canton, Ohio
Charleston’s Restaurant Casual American eatery; reviewed in Indianapolis, Indiana
Cypress Refined creative American eats in Charleston, South Carolina
Grace 17.20 Modern and contemporary American cuisine in Peachtree Corners, Georgia
Reflections Bar and Grill American favorites in the Westin Hotel at the airport in Detroit, Michigan
The Biltmore Dining Room Seasonal American cuisine in Asheville, North Carolina
The Cheesecake Factory American chain with 200+ locations, large menu
The Zink Kitchen + Bar Modern and sleek American cuisine in Centennial, Colorado
Airport Restaurants:
Café Cocó A chocolate and Champagne bar by the Rothschild family at the Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam
Cat Cora's Kitchen Organic new American tapas restaurant in Atlanta airport terminal A, Atlanta, Georgia
Ecco Restaurant Seasonally inspired European fare at the Atlanta Hartsfield Airport, Atlanta, Georgia
Lucky’s Lounge slick lounge with a cool retro vibe at Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts
Kebaya Asian Brasserie Technology and taste with cuisine styles from Vietnam, Thai Japan, and China at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam
Safar Restaurant Arabic and Emirati blended buffet at the Dubai International Airport (DXB), UAE
The Dutch Kitchen Buffet of Dutch and French cuisine at the Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
Other Tampa restaurants, and articles on Wine Dine and Play:
|
Hip British-inspired and themed pub
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
Old-school & modern genial Italian eatery
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
Thai Brunch open to all
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
A few Florida restaurant favorites:
|
Cool cocktails and coastal eats
St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA
|
American Family Chain
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
Chef-driven seafood restaurant
City of Anna Maria, Florida, USA
|
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary by country”
Final notes, review basics, observations, and more pictures:
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 The Cafe by Mise En Place a 2 out of 5 stars, meaning that they were far above the average dining experience of most restaurants. The score would have been higher in the 3-star range if they hadn’t have brought out the same fish dish after I returned the first one.
Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:
Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings for The Cafe by Mise en Place
|
Max Points Possible:
|
Total Points Awarded:
|
Total Points deducted:
|
Ambiance
|
11
|
9
|
2
|
Food quality
|
11
|
6
|
5
|
Plate presentation
|
10
|
9
|
1
|
Customer service
|
10
|
8
|
2
|
Alcohol and other beverages
|
10
|
8
|
2
|
Total regular points awarded
|
52
|
40
|
12
|
Total percentage — less the Bonus
|
0.769230769230769
| ||
“Wow” factor BONUS
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
Total bonus percentage
|
0
| ||
Total percentage and bonus for a final star rating
|
0.769230769230769
| ||
Stars Awarded (see chart below)
|
0 - 5
|
2
|
**A full break down and explanation of the observations and point disbursement is available in the linked article above. To receive a detailed copy of your score, feel free to contact me at any time and I will provide it to you.**
***
Overall Star Rating:
|
2 of 5 Stars:
77% Rating with a 0 point “wow” bonus
Above Average Dining Experience
|
The Cafe by Mise En Place Wine rating:
|
7 of 10
Old World selections:
Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain
New World selections:
Argentina, Australia, California, New Zealand, Oregon, Washington State
|
Corkage fees:
|
The Cafe by Mise En Place does not list any corkage fee’s however, most American restaurants charge $25.00 per bottle
|
Restaurant style:
|
Conservative dining
|
Cuisine Style at The Cafe by Mis En Place:
|
American
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Gluten-free choices, Low Carb Choices, Pescatarian, Vegetarian Options
|
Reservations:
|
Not Required
Walk-Ins:
Accepted, but not guaranteed
|
Dress code:
|
Conservative to Smart casual attire
|
Child policy:
|
The Restaurants reviewed on this site may have a kids menu or cater to them; however, for full enjoyment of food and wine, it is recommended that kids not to be in attendance, unless they have been trained in proper etiquette.
If not then:
Hire a Babysitter!
|
The Cafe by Mise En Place Experiences:
|
Place for foodies, Modern, Great bar, Classy, Upscale, and a Neighborhood Gem.
|
Payments:
|
Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
|
Parking:
|
The Cafe by Mise En Place has a private lot and garage at the airport
|
Wifi
|
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.
|
Noise level:
|
Medium
|
Smoking:
|
The Cafe by Mise En Place is a non-smoking restaurant
|
Patio or terrace:
|
No
|
ARE YOU ENJOYING THIS ARTICLE ON THE CAFE BY MISE EN PLACE SO FAR? PLEASE CONSIDER SUBSCRIBING TO RECEIVE NEW POSTS OR SHARING ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA!!
Food Prices
(excludes, alcohol, taxes & 20% gratuity’s)
$£€¥ - Under 50.00 (inexpensive)
$£€¥ x 2 - 51.00- 99.00 (moderate)
$£€¥ x 3 - Over 100.00 (pricey)
$£€¥ x 4 - Over 200.00 (expensive)
$£€¥ x 5 - Over 400.00 (very expensive)
**Currencies reflect the world’s major travelers, restaurant, or wine connoisseur’s**
Currency:
|
Price
|
United States Dollar (USD)
|
$$
|
Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
|
££
|
Canadian Dollar (CAN)
|
$$$
|
Chinese Yuan (CNY)
|
¥¥¥¥¥
|
European Union (EUR)
|
€€€
|
Alcohol prices:
$40.00 USD
The Cafe by Mise En Place:
Airside F
Tampa International Airport
4100 George J Bean Pkwy
Tampa, Florida
33607, USA
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
| |
Maître d or host:
|
+1 813-254-5373
|
Email Us:
| |
Serving hours:
Eastern Standard Time
(GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 5:00)
|
Mon-Sun
4:30 am - 9:00 pm
|
Social Media
And
Accolades for The Cafe by Mise En Place:
| |
****
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.
A few to tease you with…
|
High-end steakhouse chain with aged prime cuts
Akron, Ohio, USA
|
Colorfully inspired twists on American Classics
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
Upscale Pan Asian Fare w/sushi
Orlando, Florida, USA
|
Other Cafe by Mise En Place Pictures:
 |
| The Cafe by Mise En Place / Wine rack |
 |
| The Cafe by Mise En Place / Dining room |
“Culinary perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things,
But in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
-Angelique Arnauld (1591-1661)
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
