My family moved to Florida when I was 8 years old from Long Island, New York. I remember sitting in the backseat of our Nissan hatchback as my parent’s drove around our new hometown. My face was practically pressed against the glass. I was mesmerized by the palm trees. As we drove, I couldn’t count them fast enough! There were just too many!

Now after decades of being a Floridian, I barely notice them at all. They’ve become regular. Ordinary.

Do you ever watch people in public take photographs? I find it very interesting to watch what others take photos of. I love getting a glimpse of what someone finds striking enough to capture in a photograph.

These are tourists. And I strive to always be one.

I want my eyes to notice the palm trees in my world – everyday beauties that have become regular and ordinary. We need a tourist’s eye to keep us honest and inform us what’s beautiful and different. Fresh eyes are keen to find beauty among our busy, and the uncommon in our routine.

When exploring my hometown, I try my hardest to put on a tourist’s eye. Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to visit two of Tampa’s restaurant gems. I think for most locals, the Columbia Restaurant and Bern’s Steakhouse have become regular and ordinary. But after learning the rich history of these two establishments, they both have amazing stories to tell. Here’s just a taste:

The Columbia Restaurant 

What began as a small corner cafe in 1905 by a Cuban immigrant, is now the oldest Spanish restaurant in the United States. Let’s put that in perspective: Theodore Roosevelt was the President when it opened.

Columbia is bursting at the seams with stories. An original bar still beautifully stands since 1905. And the first air-conditioned dining room in Tampa is the Don Quixote room, which was built during the height of the Depression.

While Columbia has built itself into Tampa tradition, the Gonzmart family is still innovating. Their recent endeavor is Ulele, which repurposed the historic Tampa Heights Water Works building into a restaurant and brewery with an creative take on native Florida cuisine.

Bern’s Steakhouse

Bern and Gert Laxer opened Bern’s Steakhouse in 1956. Over time, their one dining room turned into eight and the 40 seats turned into 350.

Now owned by David Laxer, son of the original owner, Bern’s is world-renown for both food and wine. At Bern’s you’ll find the largest restaurant wine list in the world.

The Harry Waugh Dessert Room was added in 1985 as the restaurant’s second story. You can choose from 50 dessert choices and over 1,000 dessert wines and spirits, during an intimate dining experience in a labyrinth of private nooks constructed from California redwood.

Tradition met innovation with the company’s new venture – Haven. Haven shares namesake with the steakhouse’s original location, which was purchased under the name Beer Haven bar. Haven boasts an inventive menu specializing in cheeses, wine, and charcuterie.

It’s likely that things around you have become regular and ordinary, but that doesn’t make them any less special. What have you recently discovered in your hometown?