Two downtown pioneers.
by David WarnerWhy Fly: Both Tafuro and his favorite restaurant are pioneers of a sort. Fly kickstarted a once-desolate stretch of Franklin, and Tafuro, 36, is an enthusiastic proponent of the once-mythical Downtown Tampa lifestyle. President & CEO of Conscious Capitalism Florida, he loves that he can walk to Fly from his apartment nearby at Metro 51, and if he has to go farther than that, he takes the bus — and likes it!
Favorite dishes:“I often order the hummus but really enjoy the spicy tuna tartare. The best deals on the menu for sharing are the authentic nachos and ropa vieja.”
Quaff of choice: Craft beer. But now that Fly mixologist Dawn Heidemann has gotten national recognition, competing as one of the few women in the “Bartender Olympics” in NYC, he’s going to broaden his horizons. “I have not had their cocktails,” Tafuro says, “but will now make a point of having Dana make me try all of them — just not in one night.”
Other places to spot Tafuro and his ad crowd: Carne ChopHouse and The Bricks in Ybor City; The Independent in Seminole Heights.
Serendipitous soundtrack: During CL’s photo shoot on Fly’s front patio, the theme from Mad Men comes over the sound system.
Fly Bar & Restaurant, 1202 N. Franklin St., Tampa. 813-275-5000, flybarandrestaurant.com/tampa