Tucked into Tampa’s bustling SoHo neighborhood, Spa Evangeline, a boutique, culinary-themed retreat, fits right in with the buzzing dining scene — most notably, legendary Bern’s Steak House right across the street.

Browsing through the spa menu during a recent visit, I discovered treatments inspired by the spa’s own locally farmed herb garden, the city’s coffee culture, one of Florida’s favorite sons, and the impressive wines and spirits served at Bern’s.

Always one for chocolate in any form, I began my afternoon at Evangeline with the 110-minute Dulce Delight Body Wrap. My therapist, Amy, had her work cut out for her, what with my body weary from a few weeks of being on the go. I sank into the table as she exfoliated my skin with an Arabica coffee bean salt scrub followed by a full-body dark chocolate mask. After cocooning for a few minutes, I stepped into a shower to wash off before lying back down for a sweet cream body milk massage. Feeling the stubborn knots in my shoulders and back, Amy used a few hot stones to knead them into submission, and it worked — I felt better, body and mind, than I had in quite some time.

All too quickly the treatment came to an end, and I followed Amy into the relaxation lounge to reestablish my bearings. A few minutes later, Maricar collected me for my Hemmingway pedicure, a tantalizing blend of muddled locally grown herbs, fresh-squeezed lime juice, cherry extract and warm butter rum. As she massaged my legs and applied coats of Dazzle Dry polishes, I gazed at the wall across from me in “the cellar,” the mani/pedi room.

Relaxation room © Epicurean Hotel

When my eyes focused in, I realized it was covered with corks from wine bottles. Maricar shared that 20,000 corks cover the wall, a masterpiece in patience and aesthetics. Sipping a glass of bubbles, I sank deeper into the chair and relaxation.

Additional culinary-focused treatments at Spa Evangeline include the 80-minute Gourmet Garden Retreat body treatment featuring dry brushing, an application of body butter scented with lavender and verveine from the spa’s locally farmed herb garden, and a face masque made from a blend of aloe, green tea and chamomile; a neck, shoulder and foot massage completes the experience.

An 80- or 110-minute Hot Whiskey Scour Massage features a spiked molten bourbon back scrub followed by a deep-tissue massage, and the 50-minute Bern’s Bourbon on the Rocks Foot Treatment is a hot stone pedicure with the same scrub and a warm agave nectar stone massage. Scents infused into the Dulce and Garden treatments are available in manicures and pedicures, too.

Scrubbed, buffed and polished, it was time for me to bid adieu to Spa Evangeline. Though I live just 10 minutes away, a big part of me wished that instead of driving home I was staying overnight at Epicurean Hotel, the food- focused boutique hotel that houses the spa. Developed in collaboration with Bern’s Steak House, a culinary theme flows through Epicurean, from the wine crates comprising the lobby desk to the décor in guestrooms featuring butcher block-style cabinetry and artisan pantries stocked with local goodies and sips; and fun pieces throughout from Bern Laxer, the steak house founder’s personal collection.

Élevage restaurant © Epicurean Hotel

What would a food-forward spa and hotel be without its own dining options? Epicurean delivers on that front as well, with three on-site venues. Élevage SoHo Kitchen & Bar, the hotel’s signature restaurant led by Executive Chef Jon Atanacio, serves lunch, dinner, light bites and weekend brunch. All of the dishes are innovative; plated beautifully; and, of course, delicious. For a different perspective, adjourn to the rooftop and have a seat at EDGE, a cocktail lounge serving an impressive menu of mixology creations, local and regional beers, a thoughtfully curated wine list, and light bites. Élevage’s full menu is served at EDGE, too; just ask.

Also on site are Chill Bros. Scoop Shop, a Tampa-based ice cream company; Bern’s Fine Wines & Spirits, a lobby shop that carries rare wines and spirits; and Epicurean Theatre, which hosts culinary presentations, cooking demonstrations, community events and more. Just outside the door, in addition to Bern’s Steak House, are plenty more restaurants ranging from Italian to Mediterranean, Mexican, Spanish and more.