7 Things to Know About the Highly Anticipated Barterhouse in Ybor City
The moment I heard a Charleston-inspired restaurant was opening in Tampa, I couldn't stop thinking about it.
*Before you silently whisper "this girl is extra" in your head, let me tell you why.*
Charleston is one of the best food cities in the world. And the thought of having a single ounce of their food philosophy trickle into Tampa Bay made my heart spin. As a food professional and enthusiast, the Barterhouse is one of the best gifts I could've ever asked for. And it will never even belong to me.
After meeting with parters Kenneth Emery and Kevin Lilly, I quickly realized that the Barterhouse wasn't just another restaurant to add to my "to-eat" list. It's a symbol of a culinary movement focused on sustainability. The kind of concept run by humans whose love for the community and environment runs deep.
Their daily mantra is "eat good - do good," and from where I'm sitting, it translates into everything they do. From supporting local farmers like Panacea Oyster Co-Op and Little Pond, to rotating their menu based on produce availability, the guest experience aims to celebrate a convivial commitment to food culture.
For me, it's a gigantic breath of fresh air. Literally and metaphorically.
I had the pleasure of dining with them during one of the restaurant's sneak peek pop-up events. The theme? STEAK NIGHT. I'll be sharing glimpses of what was served throughout the article, but before you make the trip to Ybor City, there are 7 things you should know:
1. The meaning behind Barterhouse's name.
The Barterhouse was initially dubbed The Bowery, as an ode to the lower district of Manhattan, driven by food and creative energy. As someone who personally worked for a luxury catering + events company on The Bowery, I can second how perfect this name would have been, but unfortunately it was already taken.
Today's name, and the words "barter house," nod to a concept built on trade. In their case, curating ingredients from farms based on what's available, instead of demanding ingredients for a standardized menu. Hence, the menu rotation.
2. Ybor City was always their first location choice.
From their first meeting, Emery and Lilly always deemed the historic district of Ybor City home for the Barterhouse. Emery is fascinated by the challenge of transforming unique neighborhoods into culinary meccas. The Barterhouse hopes to inspire a new kind of foot traffic on 7th Avenue, and overall, add value to the immediate community.
3. Just like their ingredients, their staff is sourced from all the best places.
In addition to the Barterhouse's Executive Chef, Justin Sells, the restaurant has sourced an all-star staff from near and far. Front-of-house and General Manager, Drew Morrow, supported Emery in fine turning the details of the concept including all things service and hospitality. The team is also excited to have top talent from Emery's Burwell's location in Charleston, leading the bar charge. Make sure to say hi to Miles Ray (previously at Prohibition), Joe Joe Fahey and Jon Calo if you're sitting at the bar.
4. Expect sustainably sourced ingredients, always.
The first time I met Emery, I walked away thinking about his passion for ingredient sourcing. The restaurant hadn't even opened yet and he'd visited over 40 farmers in an effort to build relationships. During the "Charleston comes to Tampa," dining series, their culinary team worked with Tampa Bay Markets to emphasize readily available ingredients, as a way to champion the environment and like-minded growers.
The Barterhouse will source from a variety of Southwest Florida and Southeast United States producers such as Joyce Farm, Brasstown Beef, Panacea Oyster Co-Op, Little Pond Farm, Worden Farm and Snake River Farms for above prime grade, environmentally-conscious cuts.
Don't be surprised if you rub elbows with Emery during the St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market.
5. What's on the menu.
The menu at the Barterhouse will be vegetable and ocean-forward, with an emphasis on modern American fare. Dishes are designed for sharing, yet the portion size is rewarding. As mentioned above, they'll also be hosting weekly themed nights like Steak Night. I know all of these photos are making you hungry, just saying.
As a guest, you can also expect to see rotating charcuterie selections alongside braised pork shank, prime wagyu beef, hog fish and crab chilau. A favorite small plate during my visit was "two pigs on a date," a date stuffed with spicy chorizo and wrapped in bacon.
6. Their cocktail program stirs up nostalgia.
You should know that the Barterhouse is first a bar, then a chef-inspired culinary adventure. Emery worked with Miles Ray to design a thoughtfully curated menu of spirits, beers, wine and cocktails categorized by emotion. Something tells me you'll find their bar menu is an invitation to feel, play and indulge.
7. The design was inspired by Ybor City's 1940's era.
Emery's inspiration behind the Barterhouse is fueled by Ybor City's rich history. It honors a period in time when Italian mobsters rolled through 8th Avenue with a contagious thirst for drinks and entertainment. Times were simpler back then, but the love for food and drink has never changed. Local designer, Thomas Lamb, and local artist, Ron Francis, were a huge part of bringing that vision to life. Under Emery's direction, the team exquisitely created an atmosphere with edge, panache and undeniable personality.
Historic design elements like open trusses and beams were preserved along the way, adding to its vintage feel. The bar, sitting in the center of the space, resembles that of a speakeasy. You'll want to admire it from the lounge area's royal blue velvet couches. I know I did.
Online reservations are available on OpenTable. You can also call 813-542-1710 to save a seat. And I highly recommend you do.
The Barterhouse is located at 1811 N. 15th Street in Tampa, Florida. Doors open at 5 P.M.
See you there!
Melissa