The culinary landscape of Tampa is about to be transformed as The Rez Grill at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa hosts an extraordinary three-day pop-up event featuring James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein. From Friday, March 28, through Sunday, March 30, guests will experience the vibrant flavors, handcrafted cocktails and lively ambiance of La Cañita, Bernstein’s acclaimed Latin-Caribbean restaurant concept based in Kendall, Florida.
The Culinary Mind Behind La Cañita
Michelle Bernstein isn’t just another celebrated chef passing through town. She’s a culinary force with deep roots in Miami, born to an Argentine-Jewish mother and a father with Russian-Jewish heritage. Bernstein’s cooking philosophy bridges these worlds, creating food that speaks to both her heritage and her professional training.
“The food I love to cook is the food I have loved to eat throughout my life,” Bernstein has said. “Everywhere I have lived, worked and visited, I’ve picked up favorite ingredients, cooking techniques, and flavor profiles that I’ve brought home to Miami and incorporated into my style.”
Her journey began far from the kitchen heat. After graduating high school at 16, she moved to New York City to study dance performance at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater before finding her true calling in culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University. This artistic background infuses her food presentation with a dancer’s eye for movement and composition.
A Caribbean Breeze in Tampa
La Cañita, which translates to “little sugarcane” in Spanish, is a celebration of the rich culinary traditions of Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and beyond. The concept first debuted in 2021 at Miami’s Bayside Marketplace before opening its flagship location in Kendall (Miami) in January 2025.
At The Rez Grill pop-up, guests will savor dishes prepared in the restaurant’s signature woodfire oven, infusing each plate with smoky depth and rich flavor. The menu embraces the bold flavors and vibrant colors of the Caribbean, with each dish telling a story of cultural fusion and culinary innovation.
The cocktail program deserves equal billing with the food. Specialty drinks include the “Mojito Criollo,” a refreshing blend of rum, lime juice, sugar, mint, soda water, and bitters; the “Disco Inferno,” a bold mix of reposado tequila, passion fruit, and spicy agave; the “Domino OF,” a rich combination of rum, rye whiskey, demerara, and chocolate bitters; and “La Cañita,” a tropical fusion of classic rum, banana liqueur, guava, strawberry, and lime.
Where Woodfire Meets Caribbean Flair
The Rez Grill provides the perfect atmospheric backdrop for Bernstein’s pop-up. Located on the smoke-free mezzanine level of the casino and accessible from Orient Road Garage, the restaurant has built a reputation for its “upscale but not uptight” approach, with a Southern influence that complements Bernstein’s Latin-Caribbean concept.
During the pop-up, The Rez Grill will also offer some of its signature selections including Maryland crab cakes; Benton’s Ham; and Prime-Bone-In Ribeye. This culinary collaboration creates a unique dining experience that blends the best of both worlds – The Rez Grill’s American charm and La Cañita’s Caribbean soul.
The dining space itself feels like crossing the threshold into someone’s cherished memory – warm lighting casting honeyed shadows across tables, the murmur of conversations like waves lapping at a distant shore, the occasional burst of laughter punctuating the rhythm of clinking glasses. It’s the kind of place where stories unfold and memories take root.
The Pop-up Experience: What to Expect
Pop-up events have become a powerful culinary trend for restaurants looking to test new concepts and create buzz11. They offer a unique platform to gather feedback and create memorable dining experiences. Bernstein’s La Cañita pop-up at The Rez Grill exemplifies this approach, creating a sense of exclusivity and urgency that encourages both new and loyal customers to make reservations.
The three-day event promises more than just exceptional food and drink. The vibrant atmosphere will be enhanced by live music throughout the weekend, creating an immersive experience that transports guests to the lively streets of Havana or San Juan without leaving Tampa.
For those seeking to secure a table at this limited-time culinary event, reservations are recommended. Guests can call (813) 627-8120 or visit casino.hardrock.com to book their experience. The restaurant location on the mezzanine level of the casino is accessible from the Orient Road Garage, making it easy for visitors to find their way to this gastronomic adventure.
Where Culinary Paths Cross
There’s something almost supernatural about the convergence of talented chefs, unique concepts, and hungry audiences – a kind of culinary alchemy that transforms mere ingredients into experiences that linger in the mind long after the plates are cleared.
As the last weekend in March approaches, the anticipation builds. Will you be among those who can say they were there when Michelle Bernstein brought the flavors of La Cañita to Tampa? The seats are limited, the opportunity fleeting. Some opportunities whisper rather than shout, and this is one worth listening for. In the quiet moment between deciding and acting, remember that the most memorable meals often come from taking a chance on something extraordinary.
The clock ticks. The reservation book fills. Three days in March when Tampa becomes the stage for a culinary performance years in the making. Will you be in the audience?
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