WHY WE LOVE IT: For quite some time, the Cape has been home to French chefs Fabrice Deletrain and Benjamin Voisin, who have used the culinary traditions of their homeland to inject magic, first into Fathoms and now this spot in the Tarpon Point Marina. At Gather, there’s a decidedly global streak, with influences pulled from Morocco, Italy, Argentina, India and beyond for breakfast, lunch and dinner—it’s perfect for morning and midday meetings, or a rendezvous after the office. The cocktails, some of the finest on the Gulfshore, are worth a visit alone; frothed egg whites, infusions of herbs and obscure liqueurs all have starring roles (berbere syrup, hibiscus gin and Creole bitters, anyone?).
IDEAL MEAL: It depends on what time of day you stop by. A lobster cake Benedict with Key lime hollandaise and Nutella waffles are pretty hard to beat for brunch. Duck wings—yes, you read that right—turn out to be richer than ordinary drumsticks and are dressed up with a tropical salsa for great cocktail-hour nibbles. The “Oh My Gather” burger works well day or night because of how it is festooned with crisped Serrano ham, brûléed goat cheese and compressed tomato. Other can’t-miss mains include braised pork cheeks with basil polenta and snapper afloat in coconut-curry broth.
VIBE: It’s definitely where you can catch the cool kids hanging out. Lending to the funky-fresh street vibe, self-reverential slogans and social media callouts pepper the walls. A bookshelf not only amplifies the au courant feel but looks functional as well—daring you to reach for a title and sink into the long tufted couch by the bar. And let’s not forget the lounge furniture overlooking the boats beyond the front door; anyone can agree those are particularly irresistible at sunset.
