O ‘Cocina & Flights is not your everyday Mexican. It’s modern, new and the perfect combination of unique flavors that puts a spin on classic dishes. Using only fresh ingredients, the carefully curated menu is deliciously unassuming. It’s not a simple taco; it's chicken, shrimp or steak skillet tacos de la casa served with guacamole salad, grilled peppers, onions and tomatoes in warm tortillas. It’s all your favorite classic Mexican dishes served with a twist, and a unique flare that has become distinctively “O”.
The wait staff will keep the homemade salsa (delicious!) and warm chips coming while you choose from a quality line-up of bocaditos (appetizers) and platos fuertes (main course). The tableside made guac is a delicious mix of staple ingredients with additions of crab and chipotle if you want to splurge. O is so committed to dishing up only fresh food; they won’t serve their guacamole if the avocados are not ripened to perfection. Same with their other dishes. O is committed to using only fresh from the farm fruits, vegetables, and meat selections with lots of gluten free options.
For South Tampa native Bear Galavis, O has been a labor of love. He’s the former owner of Firehouse Subs franchises in the Atlanta area and wanted to come home to start something new. He did commercial real estate development as well but wanted to create his own mark with a signature restaurant that he’d like to expand into other locations and markets.
Galavis’s culinary interest comes from both his maternal grandfather who used fresh ingredients from the family ranch and the European influence from his father. “I loved cooking with each of them,” Galavis said, “and this is something we’re trying to do here.”
Tucked conveniently on Henderson Boulevard between the intersections of Lois and Neptune, O Cocina & Flights has become a South Tampa favorite. Their marble bar is surrounded by a succulent wall and offers a variety of handcrafted cocktails with fresh-squeezed juices. Or experience a flight of Mexico’s hallmark tequilas and mezcals. Wine Wednesday offers ½ off of any wine bottle in the house.
The interior of O’ Cocina is beautifully upscale with rustic wood, modern circular booths, and table set ups with Edison light chandeliers providing a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Open 4:30-10 Tuesday-Thursday; Friday 4:30-11 p.m. and Saturday 12-11:00 p.m. with the bar staying open late on both nights; Sunday Brunch is served 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and includes options for the ninos: churros waffle, eggs and bacon or a cheese quesadilla.
O ’Cocina & Flights is located at 4110 Henderson Boulevard. For more information or for reservations visit call 813.289.0649.
Cover photo from Unsplash
