Columbia Restaurant

Columbia Restaurant
Type Private
Industry Food Service
Founded 1905 in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida
Headquarters Tampa, Florida
Number of locations 6
Area served central Florida
Key people Casey & Richard Gonzmart
Products Spanish Food, Wine & Entertainment
Revenue $42M (1991-last published)
Employees 1,200
Parent Columbia Restaurant Group
Website columbiarestaurant.com

The original Columbia Restaurant, located in the historic Ybor City neighborhood in Tampa, Florida, is the oldest Spanish restaurant in the United States[1] and one of the largest (with 1,700 seats in 15 dining rooms taking up 52,000 ft²) in the world. Founded in 1905 in, the landmark is still owned by the Hernandez/Gonzmart family and serves Spanish and Cuban cuisine.[2]

In June 2009, the Columbia Restaurant was selected as one of the 25 iconic restaurants of the Tampa-St.Petersburg area by Laura Reily, the food critic of the St. Petersburg Times.[3] Also Nation's Restaurant News named it a "Top 50 All-American icon."[2]

Contents

Wine

All locations feature a substantial wine list, and the Columbia received Wine Spectator magazine's "Best of Award of Excellence" in recognition of an outstanding variety of Spanish wines (more than 750 wines with an inventory exceeding 50,000 bottles).[4] The Columbia also won Wine Enthusiast magazine's "Award of Ultimate Distinction".[5]

Several private label wines were created to honor the memory of family members. The house Sangria is mixed tableside.

Activities

Flamenco Dancing

The restaurant features performances of flamenco, one of Spain's traditional dances, consists of rhythmic steps performed on a hardwood floor, and originated with Spanish Gypsies. It has evolved through the years to the more structured form we have become familiar with. Classical Spanish dances consist of ballet moves in colorful Spanish costumes accompanied by the sound of castanets.

Community Harvest

Over 90 nonprofit organizations received more than $122,000 from the Columbia Restaurant’s 11th Annual Community Harvest campaign, held annually in the month of September. The chain donates 5% of all guests’ lunch and dinner checks and allows patrons to designate the charitable organizations their choice. Over the past 10 years, the event has generated more than $820,000 to nonprofits throughout Florida.[6][7]

Cesar Gonzmart Memorial Golf Tournament

The CGMGT was begun in 1998 by Columbia Restaurant owners Richard and Casey Gonzmart in memory of their father. Proceeds from the event are donated to a local charity or non-profit organization.

1905 Day

On a Sunday in mid-September every year since the restaurant's 75th anniversary in 1980, they celebrate 1905 Day. On that day, a special menu with 1905 prices is in effect from noon to 7:00pm.[10] Menu items have included:

According to Richard Gonzmart, President of the Columbia Restaurant Group, "1905 Day is our way of thanking all of our customers who have contributed to the success of the Columbia for over 100 years and five generations of ownership. We are convinced that we would not be celebrating our 102nd anniversary without the support of the communities we serve."[10]

References

External links