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2023 Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Food and Wine Festival

Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival will offer guests a one-of-a-kind flavor and rhythm experience from various world latitudes.

Beginning today, the highly anticipated event will provide guests with an elevated culinary experience and the opportunity to enjoy live musical performances from some of the most popular artists in the entertainment industry.

The event runs through May 21, featuring a total of 20 food and beverage cabins for guests to sip and savor and 23 live concerts.

The Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival is included with park admission.

All-New Globally Inspired Culinary Offerings

Inspired by various cultures, guests will have the opportunity to explore more than 20 globally inspired culinary offerings.

For the perfect pairing, the choices range from 39 wines from regions near and far, 14 craft, domestic and international beers, bourbon tastings, and more.

From flavors of Asia to Busch Gardens’ own Xcursions store serving house-made coaster-themed sweets, there is a dish for every palate at the Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival.

Guests can indulge in the following delights:

NEW! – Trek Through Africa Cabin – African Vegetable Curry & Naan Bread (Vegetarian)
NEW! – Twisted Egg Rolls Cabin – Buffalo Chicken Egg Roll with Ranch Dipping Sauce
NEW! – Moroccan Market Cabin – Berbere Spiced Chicken Batbout
NEW! – Greek Isles Cabin – Lamb Lollipop with Mint Demi-Glaze (Gluten Free)
NEW! – European Delight Cabin – Mushroom Ravioli with Truffle Cream Sauce (Vegetarian)
·NEW! – Asian Inspired Cabin – Spicy Pork Belly with Mandarin Orange Soy Glaze (Gluten Free)
NEW! – Springs Taproom Bar & Lounge – Traditional Tuna Poke
NEW! – Cocktails & Beer Cabin – Spicy Watermelon Margarita Craft Cocktail
NEW! – Xcursions Gift Shop – Signature Coaster Cupcake 4-Pack
NEW! – Latin Twist Cabin – Piña Colada Trifle

Headlining Concerts for Every Taste

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is dishing up a variety of headlining concerts for every taste as part of the Food and Wine Festival.

Twenty-three headlining acts spanning pop, rock, country, and more genres will take the Festival Field Stage for 11 weekends jam-packed with rhythm and flavor.

Kansas – March 11	+LIVE+ – April 8
Maddie & Tae – March 12	The Fab Four – April 9
SWV – March 18	38 Special – April 15
Dustin Lynch – March 19	Mitchell Tenpenny – April 16
Rodney Atkins – March 25	Air Supply – April 22
Flo Rida – March 26	Gabby Barrett – April 23
Jeremy Camp – April 1	Hoobastank – April 29
*Coming Soon!* – April 2	WALK THE MOON – April 30

All headlining concert performances are included with park admission and will take place on the Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival main stage located past the cabins on the Festival Pathway.

To view showtimes and purchase reserved seating and VIP packages, guests can visit BuschGardensTampa.com.

A Celebración with Latin Flare for Cinco de Mayo and Viva la Música

The Food and Wine Festival transforms into a melting pot of Latin cultures featuring world-renowned iconic dishes and live música from award-winning Latin artists.

For this Latin fiesta, guests can expect a complete transformation of the festival area and enjoy authentic Latin gastronomy and entertainment.

Cinco de Mayo and Viva La Música celebrate the diverse Latino heritage and culture with the authentic flavors and rhythms of Mexican, South American, and Caribbean countries in the mix.

Cinco de Mayo and Viva la Música occur every Saturday and Sunday from May 5 – 21 and are included with daily park admission, Annual Pass, or Fun Cards.

The full Latin artists’ lineup for 2023 is:

The Como La Flor Band – May 5
Celia Vive – A Tribute to Celia Cruz – May 6
El Gran Combo – May 7
Toño Rosario – May 13
Grupo Niche – May 14
Elvis Crespo – May 20
Luisito Ayala y la Puerto Rican Power – May 21

Sampler Lanyards Provide the Best Way to Experience the Food and Wine Festival

The best way to experience the Food & Wine Festival flavors at Busch Gardens is with a Food and Wine Sampler Lanyard.

Starting at $70 and redeemable at the numerous cabins located throughout the park, Sampler Lanyards offer the best value for guests and will be available in quantities of 10 and 15.

An exclusive 18-item sampler for the same price as a 15-item is available for all Pass Members. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Food and Wine Festival 2020

Add More Flavor to Your Experience with a VIP Seating Package

Busch Gardens has the perfect ingredients for an exclusive experience at the Food and Wine Festival with VIP Seating packages.

Guests can get up close to their favorite artists, enjoy one complimentary beverage and gain access to a private VIP bar.

The package includes one entry per reservation to the VIP reserved seating area on the concert field and one beverage at the VIP Bar.

Reservation is only valid for the date and time purchased.

Annual Passes and Fun Cards Offer the Best Way to Play

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Annual Pass is the best way to enjoy a year of thrilling attractions and exciting seasonal events.

Categorized in easy-to-use tiers, options provide guests unlimited year-round admission and unbeatable benefits, including free parking, in-park discounts, and monthly rewards starting at $15.

Additionally, those interested in paying for a day and playing all year can use the current buy-one-get-one Fun Card offer.

For a limited time, guests purchasing a Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Fun Card will receive an Adventure Island Fun Card for FREE.

Guests can visit BuschGardensTampa.com to purchase tickets and learn more about the Annual Pass program’s benefits and monthly rewards

Busch Gardens Tampa Bier Fest Fun

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Bier Fest 2022 Selfie

Bier Fest at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay returns as festive as ever, with cabins throughout the park serving more than 50 drinks options, including seasonal, local, and international brews.

From the selection, non-beer options such as ciders and sours are also available to pair with an all-new Oktoberfest-inspired menu.

This popular event, now in its fifth consecutive year, allows guests to sip, sample, and savor, enjoy the tunes from rising local artists, step into immersive animal habitats, and top off a day of festive fun with Florida’s most thrilling rides.

Bier Fest runs every weekend from Aug. 12 through Sept. 5 and is included with park admission.

2022 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Bier Fest

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Bier Fest 2022 Food

All-NEW Oktoberfest Menu Includes Array of Delicious Bites

The menu for this year’s Bier Fest is a match made in heaven for all the foodies at heart. Guests can pair their brew of choice with all-new Oktoberfest-inspired menu offerings that include:

NEW – Bratkartoffeln – Fried Potatoes with chives, caramelized onions, and bacon
NEW – Konigsberger Klopse – German Meatballs in a white wine caper sauce
NEW – Pretzel Bratwurst
NEW – Sauerbraten Sliders
NEW – Potato Pancakes
NEW – Brisket Poutine
NEW – Cheese Pierogis
NEW – Ruben Brats

Giraffe Bar Busch Gardens Tampa Bay March 2021

Refreshing Drink Options

An array of more than 50 types of drink offerings await all Bier Fest guests including lagers, ales, pilsners, IPAs and hefeweizens. Featured Tampa Bay area favorites include:

NEW – Cigar City Fancy Papers Hazy IPA
NEW – Leaven Brewing Cheeky Blonde
NEW – Tampa Bay Brewing Reef Donkey
NEW – Bitburger Premium Pilsner
NEW – Coppertail Free Dive IPA
NEW – Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc

For refreshing options other than beer, a cabin will offer local ciders and sours. Options include:

NEW – Keel Farms Agrarian Two Henrys Mango Cider
NEW – Cigar City Homemade Apple Pie Cider
NEW – Crooked Thumb Strawberry Sour
NEW – Flying Boat Raspberry Passionfruit Sour

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Bier Fest 2022 Couple with Beer

Those wanting to delight and indulge should know that the best way to get a taste of all the flavors at this year’s Bier Fest is with a Sampler, which can be redeemed for any food or beverage item offered throughout the festival.

Offering the best value for guests, Samplers start at $35 and are available in quantities of five, eight, and 12.

Pass Members can access an exclusive 15-item Sampler for the same price as a 12-item Sampler.

Guests must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages.

Best Way to Play

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Bier Fest 2022 Park

Bier Fest is included with park admission and one of the best ways to experience this year’s event is by becoming an Annual Pass Member for $13/month + tax with no down payment.

With a Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Annual Pass, guests will enjoy 12 months of visits with special benefits like free parking, free guest tickets, access to special VIP events, savings on merchandise, and more!

Guests can also purchase the 2022 Fun Card, which offers park admission through December 31, 2022, for one low price, or they can take advantage of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s limited-time BOGO ticket sale.

Busch Gardens Tampa Food & Wine Festival 2022

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Food & Wine Festival, Tampa’s premier spring festival returns on Friday, March 11, with more than 20 NEW delicious dishes to pair with curated beverages and a diverse concert lineup.

The Food & Wine Festival runs Fridays through Sundays from March 11 to May 22 and is included with admission to the park.

Delicious Bites and Sips

New this year, guests can indulge in savory bites like Hawaiian BBQ pork with coconut jasmine rice and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos elote street corn.

Complete with signature cocktails like the Iron Gwazi Fizz or frozen watermelon margaritas, a selection of more than 40 wines and beers, this year’s menu offers an endless variety of flavors to sip and savor.

The Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival includes non-alcoholic beverages such as the new Gwazi snow cones with unique flavors like black raspberry and cotton candy.

Discover boundless combinations of food and drink selections with a Food & Wine Festival sampler.

Guests can embark on their culinary journey with a 10-sample lanyard starting at only $65 or take it up a notch and with the fan-favorite 15-sample lanyard for the best savings.

Busch Gardens Pass Members get the VIP treatment and can purchase an exclusive Pass Member lanyard including 18 samples for the price of the 15-sample lanyard.

Music Lineup for Every Taste

The can’t miss Food & Wine Festival lineup features chart-topping musicians with genres of all tastes – from nostalgic bands to national headliners.

Concert acts include Sean Paul, 3 Doors Down, Kansas, Air Supply, Gente De Zona, plus many more!

Concerts are included in park admission. For the best seats in the house, reserved seating is strongly recommended and can be purchased online.

Best Way to Play

Iron Gwazi Busch Gardens Tampa Bay March 2022

Annual Pass Members enjoy 12 months of visits with special benefits including exclusive access to Iron Gwazi now, plus free parking, free guest tickets, access to special VIP events, savings on merchandise, and more!

Annual Passes start as low as $13/month with no down payment. Restrictions apply.

Plus, guests can pay for a day and play all year with a Busch Gardens Fun Card. For a limited time, a Busch Gardens Fun Card includes Adventure Island FREE.

Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in the Parks and beyond by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Bier Fest 2021

During the fourth year of Bier Fest at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, guests can sip seasonal beverage offerings and savor new recipes featuring fan-favorite breweries.

Beer flows through the park on an all-new beer trail, weaving between iconic coasters, local live music and fascinating animal habitats while incorporating fan-favorite restaurants and outdoor culinary stations, including the new Giraffe Bar.

This year, park guests can toast to new adventures eachFriday through Sunday from August 13 to October 31.

Bier Fest Pairs Epic Thrill Rides with NEW Hoppy Culinary Delights

Brew fans will have dozens of beers to choose from at this year’s Bier Fest, featuring over 50 varieties of IPAs, wheat ales, stouts and more! This year’s event shines a spotlight on breweries that bring flavor to Florida and beyond, with iconic local, regional and national brews incorporated into new shareable samples at over a dozen culinary locations, including:

Brews & Chews with Funky Buddha Brewing:Pair a “Hop Gun IPA” with NEW Drunken Shrimp Papaya Salad, featuring beer-battered and golden fried shrimp topped with Tajin and Thai chili Buddha dressing.
Pub Grub featuring Alcatraz Brewing: Indulge in a “2 X IPA” with pepper smoked chopped brisket poutine, including beer-battered French fries smothered in blue cheese, caramelized onions, and chipotle BBQ sauce.
Garden Gate featuring Anheuser-Busch: A nod to the park’s roots include the return of fan-favorite Mojo roasted heritage pork pub chip nachos topped with pepper jack mornay cheese and a savory avocado crema.
Kraft-Heinz Kitchen featuring Sierra Nevada Brewing: Enjoy a mountain of flavor packed into the NEW High Altitude Smoked Elk Jalapeño Sausage Chili topped with a drizzle of Kraft-Heinz cilantro sour cream.

Plus, more brew-dedicated locations throughout the park feature favorite breweries from Tampa’s backyard, including fan favorites like Big Storm, 3 Daughters, Motorworks, Cigar City, Coppertail, Yuengling, and more!

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Bierfest 2020 Howl-O-Scream Halloween

Not into Beer? No fear! Enjoy frozen cocktails, live music and more!

Beyond the brews, Busch Gardens offers plenty of delicious options for everyone to enjoy at Bier Fest this year.

From delectable bourbon tastings to chilling frozen cocktails and seltzers, satisfying refreshment is abundantly available in every corner of the park.

Several festival locations feature non-alcoholic beverage options as well, including the new Giraffe Bar. Barrilitos strawberry hibiscus or watermelon Agua Frescas offer cool relief on warm summer days and Serengeti views from panoramic windows or the open-air patio.

After enjoying live local music at the Coke Canopy, a stop at Xcursions gift shop is a must for anyone with a sweet tooth.

The NEW sangria and mimosa bar pairs with the whiskey-inspired gourmet cupcake flight fresh from the park’s bakery for the perfect dessert combo.

Savor and save with a Bier Fest lanyard!

For the best value to taste a variety of food and drink offerings, guests can purchase a Bier Fest Sampler Lanyard, starting at only $49.99 for a 8-sample punch card.

Pass Members get an exclusive offer: 15 items for the same price as a 12-item Sampler to enjoy three extra samples for FREE!

For all alcohol purchases, including sampler lanyard redemption for alcoholic items, guests must be 21 years of age or older to be served.

For more information about brews and more follow @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!

Giraffe Bar Opens at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

This Friday Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is set to welcome guests to the all-new Giraffe Bar at Serengeti Overlook, featuring panoramic indoor and outdoor views of the park’s expansive Serengeti Plain, under limited capacity.

While taking in panoramic views of African animals on the Serengeti Plain, guests will enjoy a curated selection of frozen specialty drinks, hand-crafted cocktails, Florida craft beers and domestic favorites.

The spacious indoor/outdoor venue offers shaded and air-conditioned comfort, with plenty of space for physical distancing.

The Giraffe Bar also features multiple TVs so sports fans can ROAR for their favorite teams when taking a break from the park’s world-class roller coasters and amazing animal experiences.

The menu will also feature a selection of wines and spirits that support wildlife conservation efforts around the world.

Frozen specialty cocktails such as the “The Hungry Tusker,” featuring Amarula African Cream Liqueur (a South African favorite made with the fruit of the African marula tree), Hula Hawaiian Dark Rum, Coconut and Pineapple flavors. This cocktail will satisfy more than thirst: the Amarula Trust Conservation Fund safeguards and protects African Elephants in the wild.
Sparkling cocktails on draft including the refreshing “Thorn and Berry,” inspired by the bar’s namesake giraffes that strip thorns off of branches to eat leaves, and the “Masai Margarita,” named after the Masai, the largest species of giraffe native to East Africa.
Flights of specially selected local craft brews (the “Toucan” and the “Safari Graze”) that will be presented on an Instagram-worthy hand-carved giraffe tasting paddle.
Proud Pour wines which support wildlife and wild places, including “Save the Bees” Pinot Noir from Oregon, and “Save the Oceans” Sauvignon Blanc from California.
Non-alcoholic beverages for all ages, including refreshing juices available on tap which can be served in a refillable, limited edition giraffe souvenir cup.
Chef-crafted menus offer a range of shareable savory bites, including bourbon-glazed sticky wings, braised brisket mac and cheese, and smoked brisket-loaded French fries.
In a nod to the bar’s herbivore namesake, guests can graze on vegetarian-friendly shareable items, including loaded hummus and fresh oversized Bavarian soft pretzels.

The Giraffe Bar will also feature an exclusive selection of limited-time branded merchandise as a reminder of the unique experience with every sip.

Pass Members get the VIP treatment, with a free collectible Giraffe Bar color changing pilsner with the purchase of a frozen cocktail or draft beer any Monday through Thursday by April 29th (while supplies last).

I’m looking forward to checking it out on my next visit to Busch Gardens Tampa!

Summer Nights 2020 at Busch Gardens Tampa

Modified with enhanced health and safety measures to keep guests safe, the Summer Nights event offers summer fun every Friday-Sunday from July 17 to August 16.

Summer Nights is returning to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay this weekend with an all new laser and fireworks finale, tasty seasonal eats, and extended park hours every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until August 16.

Cooler nighttime temperatures and enhanced health and safety measures provide guests at Busch Gardens a more comfortable and safe summer escape with their favorite thrills.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Summer Nights 2020 — *📸 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay*

End a Day Full of World-Class Coasters with a BOOM:

After coasting the day away on Florida’s best thrill rides, guests can watch the park light up in a whole new way with an exciting fireworks and laser finale each weekend.

In a physically distant setting, guests can enjoy a dazzling combination of lasers and fireworks with plenty of space to spread out on the Festival Field.

Indulge in Limited-Time Summer Flavors:

Park guests are invited to the biggest backyard BBQ in the neighborhood with a limited-time menu including frozen cocktails and delicious twists on summertime classics.

From gourmet hot dogs with specialty toppings to a collection of desserts and drinks inspired by the iconic s’more, guests can grab their favorite dish on the way to the fireworks, including:

BBQ classics: Kung Pao ribs, pulled pork and brisket chop sandwiches
Loaded Mac & Cheese featuring your choice of beef short ribs or the park’s popular “Boujee” bacon from the Food & Wine Festival
Pick-Your-Pack Specialty Cupcakes: including Chocolate Oreo Explosion, Red Velvet Cheesecake, Spiced Apple Salted Caramel, Chocolate Chocolate Chip S’mores and FUN-Fetti Delight.
Spicy Strawberry Jalapeño and Summer Lime Margaritas
Assorted frozen cocktails and much more!

Expanded Health and Safety Measures:

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is committed to the health and safety of our guests, employees, and the animals in their care.

The park has worked diligently with state and local health officials, outside consultants, and attraction industry leaders to enhance their already strict health, safety, and cleanliness standards.

These protocols and guidelines will be modified based on evolving industry standards and methodologies, public health, governmental directives, and advancing scientific knowledge on the transmissibility of COVID-19.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is excited to continue to provide guests with fun, inspiring, and memorable experiences, while addressing important health and safety needs during this time.

For detailed information about the measures that guests can expect when visiting the park, including key operational changes, visit buschgardens.com/tampa/safety.

You can find more information about theme park news and tips by subscribing to our YouTube Channel and following @onthegoinmco on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Food & Wine Festival 2020

The Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Food & Wine Festival kicks off earlier than ever, starting February 29!

Featuring dozens of all-new menu items, including delicious food, wine, craft brews, specialty cocktails such as the Iron Gwazi Gimlet, and a fantastic line-up of world-class musical acts – the 6^th Annual Food & Wine Festival runs every weekend February 29 through April 26 and is included with park admission.

World-Class Entertainment to Satisfy All Tastes

The Food & Wine Festival line-up reflects musical genres of all tastes – from nostalgic bands to modern favorites.

Concert headliners include:

Feb 29: Collective Soul
March 1: The Commodores
March 7: Chase Bryant & Danielle Bradbery
March 8: Rachel Platten
March 14: Ezra Ray Hart
March 15: THREE DOG NIGHT
March 21: LOCASH
March 22: Fitz & The Tantrums
March 28: Home Free
March 29: Taking Back Sunday
April 4: Third Eye Blind
April 5: KC & The Sunshine Band
April 11: 38 Special
April 12: Micah Tyler & Austin French
April 18 Lee Brice
April 19: Clint Black
April 25: El Gran Combo
April 26: Toad the Wet Sprocket & The Verve Pipe

Fans can book the ultimate festival experience with one of two exclusive VIP packages available for each act, including reserved concert seating and a 5-item Food & Wine Festival Sampler Lanyard.

NEW for 2020, upgrade to the ultimate concert-goer experience with Unlimited Food & Wine Festival VIP Seating which includes VIP seating for EVERY concert of our 2020 Festival!

All-New Menu, All-New Flavors

Busch Gardens’ new award-winning Executive Chef, Ernie Reyes brings a fresh approach to this popular event.

With 25 NEW food items in addition to fan-favorite dishes and over 80 wines, beers and cocktails to choose from, the Food & Wine Festival offers an endless variety of flavors to sip and savor!

Guests can tempt their taste buds with the following NEW items:

The ALL-NEW Chef’s Corner cabin: featuring three signature dishes carefully crafted by the park’s head chefs – arroz con pollo, pork belly taco with kimchi slaw, and pork tenderloin with champagne watercress sauce.
NEW Iconic Coaster Cocktails: including Iron Gwazi Gimlet, Falcon’s Fury Lemon Drop, and Tigris Tea
NEW Pick-A-Barrel tasting: create your own flight of liquors and wines from around the world

Click here to view the entire menu and pick your perfect upgrade or purchase your Food & Wine Festival Sampler Lanyard – the best way to savor and save on everything the event has to offer!

Guests can purchase a 5, 8 or 12-item sampler lanyard to use at each festival cabin to explore sample-sized dishes and drink offerings with ease, starting at just $32.

Pass Members can purchase an exclusive 15-item sampler for the same price as a 12-item sampler and SAVE 20%!

Best Way to Play:

The best value to visit Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival and year-round events is with an Annual Pass that includes 12 months of unlimited visits, FREE parking, FREE Serengeti Safari, merchandise and dining discounts, and special limited-time perks throughout the year.

Or for a limited time, buy a Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 2020 Fun Card and an Adventure Island 2020 Fun Card FREE – Florida families can take advantage of this limited time buy-one-get-one FREE offer and get unlimited year-round park admission to TWO until December 31, 2020.

Blue Jasper Restaurant Review

Last week I discovered a new breakfast and lunch restaurant, Blue Jasper, quite by accident. My mom and I were out running errands and were hungry for breakfast, but not in the mood for our usual breakfast place or any chains. I took to Yelp and stumbled upon a new place I’d never heard of that had only been open a few months.

I pulled up the reviews for Blue Jasper, which numbered almost twenty and average 4.5/5. I looked at the menu and found an article from the local paper from April when Blue Jasper opened. It talked about how they wanted to use local produce and resources as much as possible, and ran through the impressive resume of the owner/chef. My mom and I were sold.

Showing up only minutes later, we weren’t disappointed. Being mid morning in the middle of the week, it was relatively quiet with only four or five of the twenty or so tables being occupied. The server, Hillary was very friendly, attentive, but not overly so, and was knowledgeable.

After taking a long time to peruse the Blue Jasper breakfast menu, and decide we were coming back for lunch later in the week, we placed our orders. We decided to order a few different things to try and share.

First, we started with the lox and three herb cream cheese on a bagel with tomato. We opted for no onions and the capers on the side. The lox was perfectly sliced and nice and thin with a nice smoked salmon flavor. This was complemented very well with the herb cream cheese.

To balance out the savory bagel and lox, we decided to order the crunchy fruit compote French toast brioche with the whipped cream on the side. We both agreed that this was quite probably the best French toast we’d ever had. It didn’t need butter, we used a touch of syrup, and I used a little of the whipped cream, but the berry compote was perfect served cold over the warm French toast. I am assuming the crunch came from cereal or oatmeal on the brioche toast added after an egg wash.

I also chose to give a side of corned beef hash a try. Now, I am very particular about my hash. I do not like salty things, and oddly enough, corned beef is very salty by nature. So I don’t ever want salt added, and I’m not a fan of peppers in my corned beef hash, which a lot of places like to try to sneak in for some reason. This corned beef hash at Blue Jasper again was possibly the best I’ve ever had. It was perfectly seasoned, not salty at all, but still flavorful. I felt a little bad trying some with a dab of ketchup like I usually do.

The food was all fantastic with great flavor and nice presentation. As promised, we returned to Blue Jasper for lunch over the weekend and were not disappointed! We had the duck confit sliders, and their extraordinary grilled cheese. The sliders are served on sour dough bread with brie, arugula, sweet orange rinds, and bacon aioli. Served with tomato bisque, the grilled cheese has smoked bacon, apple butter, grilled apple slices, and smoked cheddar on brioche. Neither made it home for leftovers, but we did have some extra of the yummy sweet potato fries that made a great snack later.

All in all this is a great new spot, and I’m so glad we found it. We will now be adding it into our regular rotation of restaurants. They are open Tuesday through Sunday 7am – 3pm, and also offer catering. There are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options, as well as vegan/gluten free options. If you are in the Sarasota or Bradenton area any time soon, make sure to hit up Blue Jasper for either breakfast or lunch.Follow us for more updates: