Bar Scene: Tilted Kilt

(Credit: Jacqui Anderson)

Photos:

With fifteen locations nationwide since first opening their doors 4 years ago, there's no stopping the sexy celtic plaid version of Hooters: The Tilted Kilt. The owners have already staked a claim in prime real estate spots in Orlando, Brandon, and St. Pete, with their newest addition in Carrollwood opening this week. And even though they've only had a 'soft launch' at this spot, they've already seen the faces of several Bucs players and New York Yankees superstar, Derek Jeter.

"The best looking sports bar you've ever seen": Sports bar meets Scotland. At least the American version of Scotland with scantily clad women. Inside, Scottish memorabilia and quotes adorn the walls. For the gamers, there's one pool table and several flat screen TVs both inside and out.

Irish pub grub: For some reason, food is much more appetizing when it has a creative name. And, the Tilted Kilt menu is peppered with plenty of Sloppy Jane's, Michael's Caines, and Fat Bastard's. Or the better known: sloppy Joe's (Jane's bro), mozzarella sticks, and meatloaf. But, after thumbing through all the originality I could handle, I settled on the Grilled Chicken Quesadillas to start. The crisp tortillas were jam-packed with sweet onions and colorful peppers, and served with chucky salsa, guac, and sour cream. The Mexicans...er...Scottish would be proud. 

I also conquered the 8-inch Kamana-Wana-Lei-U, which may be the seductive version of a Hawaiian pizza if said three times fast. The Tilted Kilt version keeps the pineapple, but the little piggy shows up in another form: bacon. And who doesn't love bacon? In fact, the crunch was a nice change from the usual ham. My only suggestion: more sauce.

There's always room for dessert: Stuffed or not, you have to try the Tilted Guilt. Trust me--or, at least trust the concensus of the entire restaurant. As my whipped cream covered bowl was brought to me, several servers oggled at my dish, promising that I would be in heaven. Cookie dough pieces floated on cloud tops of vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup. Guilty, I was.

The drinks: Naughty Leprechauns, Scottish Orgasms, and Dirty Girl Scouts, oh my! Belly up to either the inside or outside bar, which open up into one another. This is a nice setup that seems to be a rarity if you're not at a beach bar a few feet from the ocean. The outside sprinklers will keep you cool on a warm day. I tried the Dirty Girl Scout ($6.50) which tasted like the aforementioned, a thin mint concoction plus the alcohol: Kahlua, vodka, green creme de mint, and white cream de cacao. If you don't enjoy dessert in your cup, there's also draft and bottled beer, wine, and specialty shots and cocktails.

Hours: Open 11 a.m. until 3 a.m. with a full menu until 1 a.m. But, night owls need not worry. Bar munchies of pizza and appetizers are still served from 1 until 3 a.m.

The bottom line: Not necessarily the place to visit for an elegant dinner, but surely a hit for a night out. I would come back for the bar experience, and if they decided to add some male eye candy in kilts (okay, I'm a little biased, but still).

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The Tilted Kilt
14457 North Dale Mabry Hwy.
Tampa, FL 33618
813-265-4900

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