JW Marriott Water Street Showcases Design, Function, New Eatery

www.TampaBayFoodTours.com toured The JW Marriott Tampa Water Street and dined at Six. The hotel offers multiple social spaces and amenities across six levels, including a full-service spa, fitness center and an expansive pool and sun terrace.

The hotel is visually an impressive showcase of design and function everywhere you turn.

Six, where we are dining, is located on the sixth floor offering two outdoor terraces and an approachable, relaxed vibe inside and out.

Let's look at beginnings as Six calls them.

The ceviche is a local rock shrimp quickly cooked in a citrus poaching liquid and marinated with our “Leche de tigre” (traditional Peruvian dressing commonly paired with ceviche), then tossed with shaved red onion, Fresno pepper and cilantro, accompanied with blue corn tortilla chips.

Executive Chef Pankrath’s varied techniques and modern culinary twists are the result of a quarter century of hotel and gastronomic expertise. Staying abreast of current culinary trends, he creates inspiring dishes, accented with seasonal flavors and local ingredients of the Tampa Bay region.

Shrimp Humphrey- Feta Ricotta, spinach, bacon & madeira sauce. Chef shared the back story of this dish. He told his mom he wanted a car, his mom told him to get a job, he took a restaurant job and this is the first dish he perfected. I could totally have this starter as my meal.

Vegetable croquettes- Arborio rice, roasted red peppers, mushrooms & herb aioli.

When Chef Joe interviews he askes the chefs to make him a dish. He was blown away with this dish and it is now featured on the menu. Focaccia Crusted Grouper- seasonal mushroom broth, potato gnocchi, fresh peas and lemon. Yes he got the job!

Bouillabaisse- grouper, scallops, cedar key clams, shrimp, roullie (a ruddy, bread-thickened sauce) adds an essential garlicky richness and delivers a true burst of Mediterranean flavors served with grilled baguette.

The lamb shank is seared and braised until tender in a red wine/beef au jus accompanied with a velvety celery root puree, the reduction of the braising liquid, crispy Brussel sprout leaves and kumquat gremolata (similar to chimichurri) as a nice flavor contrast.

Six burger- Brisket, short riband chuck beef patty, smoked bacon, onion jam, parsley on a pretzel roll with fries

The house made tagliatelle is a semolina pasta made in house tossed with braised Wagyu beef cheeks, seasonal exotic mushrooms, braising liquid reduction, fresh grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and lemon zest

Day Boat Scallops- smoked bacon cassoulet, key lime basil emulsion & watercress

A surprise twist on peanut butter and jelly in this Valentine's Day dessert.

The 519-room JW Marriott Tampa Water Street features sweeping view of downtown and the bay.

The JW spa features a luxe co-ed lounge for a serene space to chill between treatments. The spa plans to offer a day pass so we locals can enjoy some pampering. They also offer express services if you don't have that kind of time.

Driftlight the ground-floor restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating and an open kitchen.

If you are downtown and want to try an alternative to Starbucks the new JW Market is a great option.

When you visit tell them www.TampaBayFoodTours.com sent you. Food tours in downtown St. Pete & Tampa and Dunedin.

Learn more at jwmarriotttampawaterstreet.com.