Edison Food + Drink Lab is the latest project of well-known Chef Jeannie Pierola. It is a unique addition to the Tampa food scene. As its name suggests, the new restaurant is centered around experimenting and having fun with food. Combining fresh ingredients, masterful technique and out-of-the-box creativity, the dishes challenge perceptions and provide twists on familiar and unfamiliar flavor combinations.
Chef Pierola's twist on a mezze platter, with strawberry feta fennel salad, marinated mixed olives, beet hummus, edamame falafel and grilled house flatbread — Photo courtesy of Edison Food + Drink Lab
The menu of New American items follows the science lab theme, noting that it consists of “inventive kitchen food for daily consumption using lab experiments to prove flavor theories.”
Small plates are available to allow for mixing and matching, which is the perfect way to try several dishes on the changing menu. Prices are affordable, too – way more affordable than you would expect from an avant guarde restaurant serving high-quality ingredients prepared by a celebrity chef.
Look for menu items that combine familiar and unfamiliar ingredients. Some examples of the creative kookiness include their popular oysters on the half shell with yuzu kosho mignonette and liquid nitrogen kaffir lime, as well as their Edison cruellers with cardamon glaze, carrot ice cream and white raisin purée. The cruellers provide the taste of carrot cake but are presented in a completely different way. Another favorite is their liquid nitrogen milkshakes.
Recently, Edison was able to acquire a liquor license and has since added a full bar. The newly debuted cocktail menu meshes perfectly with the quirky and edgy food menu. It's receiving rave reviews.
If you are looking to experience Tampa’s cutting edge cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere for an affordable price, then you are sure to enjoy Edison Food + Drink Lab.
Corn flake and sweet corn-crusted lane snapper with edamame succotash, tomatillo avocado broth and coriander salad — Photo courtesy of Edison Food + Drink Lab
