Summer is a fantastic time to hop in the car and hit the road in search of good eats. Foodies and fans of weekend trips alike love to explore new places and restaurants. One of the best new restaurants to hit the popular destination city of Tampa is Hilton’s Che Vita, a celebration of the Mezzogiorno, an area of Italy known for its focus on la dolce vita — “the good life.”
The taste of Southern Italy
Chef James King aims to create a completely unique experience with Che Vita, one that will draw day tripping food lovers to Tampa in search of food infused with the flavors of Southern Italy, featuring Neapolitan-style pizza, exquisite seafood dishes, and delicious housemade pastas.
Trained at Le Cordon Bleu in London and certified as a Master Pizzaiolo in Napoli, Chef James King brings three decades of culinary artistry to Che Vita. His background spans boutique hotels across New England, but it’s his deep passion for Italian flavors and techniques that shape every dish at Che Vita.
Chef King has 30 years of experience that informs the creation of Che Vita. His flavors are always bold, and his innovative techniques make Che Vita a standout Italian food destination for Tampa and all of Florida.
A relaxed atmosphere and time-honored comfort foods
When people go road tripping to find an exceptional culinary experience, they want the end of the journey to be relaxed and enjoyable. After all, they just spent a good amount of time in the car, so they’re ready to snuggle into a cozy chair and be pampered with good food and incredible service.
The team at Che Vita has created an atmosphere that embraces dolce far niente — the “sweetness of doing nothing.” The feeling favors slow living, savoring time, and indulging in comforting foods. Nothing about the restaurant is rushed or needlessly complicated. Instead, it’s all about the simplicity of enjoying life’s flavorful moments.
“We are about heartfelt hospitality and service,” says Chef King. “Our atmosphere blends the modern and traditional.”
The team at Che Vita leads guests on a journey through Southern Italy’s rich culinary traditions. The recipes are time-honored, authentic Italian cuisine that embraces a decidedly modern approach. Chef King and the team at Che Vita have created a menu with a deep respect for ingredients.
“Our menu has dishes infused with locally sourced ingredients from land and sea,” Chef King explains. “Our one-of-a-kind dishes are distinctive and, of course, delicious.” There is also a noticeable nod to local fare, ensuring that each dish is not only authentically Italian but also speaks to the Tampa vibe as well.
Worth the day trip
When foodie day trippers set out to find the best bites within a day’s drive, they are looking for innovative menus, prime locations that make the trip fun, hospitality, and an opportunity to explore. Che Vita offers all of this and more. The new restaurant concept from the mind of Chef King is the perfect draw for those looking for delicious, novel dining experiences.
Located in Downtown Tampa, the restaurant’s location gives day trippers an opportunity to explore a vibrant city, including the incredible Tampa Riverwalk, MacDill Park, and the historic Tampa Theater. There’s so much to do in Downtown Tampa before and after your stop at Che Vita, it may just become a favorite repeat day trip destination.
Hilton, which hosts Che Vita as part of its renowned family of restaurants, has a long-standing reputation for exceptional guest care and high standards. The restaurant is no exception, and visitors are sure to feel they are receiving a top-notch experience on their day trip. Che Vita also hosts special occasions, such as birthdays and business gatherings, which are great reasons to get out-of-town guests to visit Downtown Tampa.
Che Vita at the Hilton in Downtown Tampa offers a fresh take on traditional Italian fare, with hospitality and the relaxed feeling of dolce far niente taking center stage. With an enticing blend of innovative dishes for both breakfast and dinner, second-to-none service, and its position nestled in the heart of vibrant downtown Tampa, Che Vita is sure to disrupt the Florida culinary landscape. Chef King and his team have made a commitment to quality ingredients, a modern culinary approach, and heartfelt hospitality.
Whether you’re setting out for an unforgettable meal, meeting up with friends, or experiencing a new city, Che Vita should be on your day trip bucket list.