A Century-Old Institution’s Taste Debate: Is It Bad, or Just “History’

Scrolling through Xiaohongshu, we were confused by the reviews of this century-old Columbia Restaurant—some called it a “must-try classic,” others ranted it was “so bad you’d want to flip the table”🤯. We were determined to find out just how bad it could be. So we headed over, and by the time we sat in the Cuban neighborhood’s sunset afterward, the answer to the debate suddenly clicked🤔. 🏛️ Ambiance: Bits of Time in a Century-Old Spot—Even the Chandeliers Tell Stories Tucked in Tampa’s Cuban neighborhood (Ybor City), the restaurant looks like an orange Spanish mansion🏰 from the outside, with bougainvillea tangled around wrought-iron gates🌺. Step inside, and warm yellow light wraps around you—there’s a wooden spiral staircase carved with patterns, its brass railings polished smooth by years of hands✨, and a crystal chandelier with stained glass hanging from the ceiling, casting soft light on old photos on the walls (in one, a 1905 chef holds a pan, eerily similar to the white-uniformed chefs today📸). Waiters in striped shirts have a retro vibe, and when describing dishes, they’ll smile and say, “This braised beef? Same seasonings and method as when we opened in 1905—we even use the same old cast-iron pot passed down through generations🍳.” The restaurant has several sections: some with vintage gramophones🎵, others with Cuban flags🇨🇺, and a corner bar displaying century-old rum bottles🥃. Even the air smells like “old times”—it’s incredibly photogenic. Stand by the staircase, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a classic film🎬. 🍽️ Dishes: A Century-Old Taste, Maybe Never “Stunning” We tried a few signatures with low expectations. They weren’t “bad,” but they weren’t exactly “delicious” either😐: Braised Beef with Yellow Rice: The beef is tender enough, but lacks layered flavor—seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and tomato🍅. The yellow rice has a faint saffron hint, tasting like “grandma’s home cooking”—homely, but not stunning. The waiter noted, “Back then, supplies were scarce—these were the only seasonings we had,” and suddenly it made sense: A century ago, having tender braised meat might’ve been a luxury. It’s just that our palates, spoiled by endless spices now, crave more🌶️. Paella: Generous portions, with fresh enough shrimp and clams🦐, but the rice was a bit dry, and the saffron flavor hadn’t fully infused. Compared to the Cuban paella we had in Miami, it lacked that “wok hei” and rich sauce. A friend joked, “Maybe stoves back then didn’t get hot enough?”🔥 Fried Plantain Chips: A pleasant surprise👍—crisp outside, soft inside, with natural sweetness. Paired with salty meat, they’re more memorable than the main dishes🍌. 🍰 The Only Highlight: Desserts Beat Most Western Restaurants We didn’t expect much from desserts, but they won us over💖: The crème caramel had a “crack” from its crisp caramel top, with a silky, melt-in-your-mouth custard underneath, hinting at vanilla seeds—sweet but not cloying. There’s also a coconut pie, with a flaky crust that crumbles🥧, and a creamy coconut filling mixed with a whisper of rum. It’s more satisfying than many fancy Western restaurant desserts. 🚶 Exploring the Area: “Cigar Scent” in the Cuban Neighborhood & Tips The restaurant is in Ybor City’s heart, a neighborhood famous for its cigar industry—once a hub for Cuban immigrants, and still smelling of tobacco today🚬. Outside old factory-turned-cigar-shops, you’ll often see elders rolling cigars in wicker chairs👴. Daytime is great for exploring: Watch hand-rolled cigar demonstrations, buy local cigars as souvenirs, or hunt for vintage Cuban stamps in corner boutiques📮. But don’t linger like we did after dark: The streets empty out, with occasional drunks wandering🌙, and the “cigar town” vibe carries a subtle edginess. Better to head back to your hotel early—you know what I mean. Some atmospheres are best enjoyed in moderation⚠️. As we left, the waiter smiled and asked, “What did you think?” We said, “We get the controversy now”🤷‍♀️. The magic of Columbia Restaurant, maybe, isn’t in the “taste” itself—it’s more like an “edible museum”🏺. Those “unimpressive” seasonings, that “plain” cooking? They’re snapshots of life a century ago. If you’re a foodie traveling for flavors, skip it. But if you love “hunting for stories in old things,” want to feel history’s warmth in the Cuban neighborhood’s buzz, it’s worth spending an hour or two here—even just for a dessert, listening to the waiter talk about “what the 1905 kitchen looked like”⏳. #ExperienceForeignFood #ColombianCuisine #CubanNeighborhood #Florida #VibeRestaurant #FirstTripOfTheNewYear