Cafe Twenty Two

Tried this today as recommended by Peggy L who noted my search for good Haitian food… Bingo! I regard this as best of class for Haitian food, in addition to an extensive menu of Island dishes & other international-​regional touches as well as standard US fare… ranging from Greek salad, to alfredo pasta, Tex-​Mex, Buffalo chicken, and lots of pita wraps and sandwiches & hot dogs (check the website menu)
But we were there for authentic Haitian dishes and found lots of options using pork, beef, chicken, oxtails, plantains, 4 kinds of rice including mushroom rice, beef/​chicken/​codfish patties, and some fine pureed bean sauces. I had a unique dish of Beef with Chayote, watercress, carrots & cabbage (LEGIM MILITON AK KRESON, KAROT, CHOU) and my wife had a chicken in sauce combo… and both combos came with fried plantains (like tostones), choice of rice & sauce. We also sampled the freshly-​made very flavorful beef & cod patties. Most dishes were quite mildly flavored, but we each got a small container of hell-​fire disguised as a sort of slaw, but potently laced with habaneros or worse (PIKLIS). Well presented in to-​go boxes, without all mushing together as experienced elsewhere. Reasonable prices for generous servings.
Service was very friendly for the early-​bird first customers of the day. Excellent descriptions of dishes, in a very neat, bright, almost chain-​burger clean setting. Located on 22^nd St just south of Hillsborough. They deserve to thrive. Give it a try… the best of Haitian cooking in Tampa in an almost elegant setting.