A Taste of Tampa Bay: Ichicoro Ramen in Seminole Heights

At Ichicoro Ramen in Seminole Heights, owner Noel Cruz, Masa Takaru, Chakira Hiratsu and the rest of the crew radiate a big-city rock star vibe (which seems about right, because Takaru is the bassist in the New York band Trouble Andrew). The restaurant space is hip and modern (hats off to Brand Architecture in Orlando and Live/Work Studios in Seminole Heights), with a bar on one side where people cool their jets and wait for a table, and, on the other side, an open kitchen that allows for maximum viewing of the flames, steam and drama of ramen preparation. Read food critic Laura Reiley's full review here