The Rack

1809 W Platt St., Tampa, FL 33606

(813) 250-1595

http://www.hittherack.com/website/

Categories: Bar, Restaurant

Cuisine: American upscale, Sushi

Features: Big-screen TVs, Darts, Date night, Happy hour, Ladies night, Late-night dining, Outdoor seating, Party room, Pool tables, Takeout, tbt* Top Bar

Cost range: 10.01-20.0

Payment options: Credit cards accepted

Alcohol: Full bar

Delivery: Yes

More in this neighborhood: South Tampa

Eightball and tekka maki are a combo made in yuppie heaven. A poolroom sushi hall, The Rack opened to an enthusiastic audience in 2002 at the site of the Blue Gardenia restaurant. No one's bringing their own spiffy Schon or Predator cues, but there's decent play at most of the tables in the fun, loungy space. The crowd is young but not too young, cool but not too cool. Rack 'em up and then order an array of rolls. The grouper volcano (baked grouper on a California roll), the Blue Gardenia (smoked salmon, crab, smelt, avocado) and The Rack (eel, crab stick, cucumber and cream cheese) -- a wasabi rush may improve your game. The Rack also offers spins on familiar barroom staples. The bar scene: Why is the Rack such a favorite among the South Tampa crowd? Could be because of its prime location, sidewalk patio, bright decor, great sushi, purple pool tables, myriad gathering areas, lively conversation, nice tunes, crowded weekend parties, great dinner and drink specials and all-around positive vibe. Other than that ... who knows?