Local flavor has arrived at Tampa International (TPA), thanks to HMSHost Corp.
Six new restaurants have opened at the airport, all of which are widely known around the Tampa Bay area.
First Flight, a wine bar by Tampa restaurant Mise en Place, offers more than 35 wines from around the world, together with a menu of classic European appetizers created by Chef Blitz. Charcuterie flights and cheese flights are featured on a menu that includes Allepo Sea Salted Marcona Almonds and Harissa Poached Shrimp, along with Biscotti with Chocolate Fondue. It can be found in the Main Terminal.
On Airside A, the Green Iguana Bar & Grill offers its award-winning burgers, appetizers such as Iggy’s Coco Shrimp, Lava Martini and Ybor City Mojo Nachos. Among the cocktail offerings, guests will find the Famous Green Margarita in a two-fisted goblet.
New Airside C restaurants are operated by HMSHost and Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprise joint venture partner George Tinsley. At Cigar City Brewing, travelers will find beer selections and Tampa’s cigar-making heritage. The eatery serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and it has Cigar City Beers on tap, such as Jai Alai IPA, Maduro Brown Ale and Hotter Than Helles Lager, along with a rotating selection of craft beers. It also brews beer on site, offering Tony Jannus Pale Ale, created exclusively for TPA.
Shula’s Bar & Grill , also on Airside C, serves up burgers, salads and appetizers, as well as cocktails and wine. The menu features SHULA CUT Filet Mignon, Sweet Chili Chicken Bites, Premium Black Angus Beef burgers as well as a veggie burger. There is also Shula Burger, a fast-casual burger concept with a walk-up counter, feature salads, sandwiches and sea salt fries.
On Airside E, The Columbia Restaurant Cafe brings its 107-year history to the airport. The original restaurant, in Tampa’s Ybor City, was founded in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez Sr. It was one of 50 restaurants in the country to be named an All-American Icon by Nation’s Restaurant News. The airport location serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering family recipes such as the Original Tampa Cuban Sandwich (recently proclaimed by the Tampa City Council as the city’s “Signature Sandwich”), and Spanish bean and black bean soups. There is a full bar, as well as selections from the Columbia’s private label wines and spirits.
“HMSHost is very proud to continue our successful partnership with Tampa International Airport,” says René©e Tedesco, vice president of business development for HMSHost. “We’re committed to making the Tampa traveler’s day better by bringing the best dining and shopping the region has to offer.”
Airport CEO Joe Lopano says the airport “couldn’t be happier” about bringing in the local concepts.
“They really say to people as soon as they land here, ‘Welcome to Tampa,’ and they let people who are leaving sample a final taste of their time here,” he says.
In other TPA news…
TPA has hired John Tiliacos as its vice president of operations. He replaces Ed Cooley, who retired in February after 37 years at the airport.
Tiliacos has 27 years of experience in the airline industry,, most recently as managing director for American Airlines in Los Angeles. He led one of the company’s largest operations in the U.S./Canadian Division with more than 150 flights a day and 1,200 employees. He also lead the led the launch of the first in-flight Wi-Fi system on a U.S. airline, as well as the airline’s fully lie-flat Business Class Seats program.
“These accomplishments are a testament to John’s strength in the area of customer service,” says Lopano. “We’re delighted he will be applying those talents here along with bringing us his operations expertise.”
Tiliacos began his career as TWA’s general manager in Nassau, Bahamas, in 1985. From there, he joined American in 1990, working in various capacities for the company, including time as its general manager for Tampa and Fort Meyers, Fla.
“My family and I are very excited to be returning to the Tampa Bay area and I am equally excited to be joining the leadership team responsible for Tampa International Airport,” he says.
He earned his bachelor of science degree in aviation management from the Florida Institute of Technology, and he is a private pilot.
