La Septima Cafe Set To Celebrate 17 Years in Brandon

In less than a week, the Fernandez family that opened the La Septima Cafe on Parsons Avenue 17 years ago will pay tribute to the journey that has the family still in business, but now at the corner of Kings Avenue and Lumsden Road.

The aim was to bring "A Taste of Old Ybor" to the Greater Brandon community. (Glad that they did? Post your comments in the box below.)

La Septima Cafe in 2011 received the "Best of Brandon" award for best Spanish restaurant. ("Best of Brandon" is based on a Brandon News & Tribune poll of readers.)

The Fernandez family, listed as "Ron, Dahlia, R.J. and Jennifer," attach their names to a circular advertisement distributed throughout the area that attests to the journey that started with "one dining room, a small kitchen and a handful of staff members, most of which were the two of us and our two children!"

The family was steeped in restaurant experience, "but still didn't now if you would like our food or us," reads the open letter to the community. "But with your help and encouragement, we expanded and blossomed. We grew our staff to 50 and grew La Septima to success."

The family takes notice of its recent move: "Fast forward 17 years, we had to say goodbye to that Parsons location and hello to the present location, at La Viva Plaza on Lumsden [Road]."

"Loyal guests" and new friends are invited to a weekend celebration, with "roll-back prices" to the restaurant's 1995 menu for dine-in only, Feb. 9, and for the following menu items: Cuban, chicken and yellow rice and roasted pork.

Also on Feb. 9, and through Feb. 11, the restaurant will offer "extra special specials" and live entertainment with Cliff Ritchie, from 7-9 p.m.

The Fernandez family has made news in other ways than just being a strong small business in Brandon, working often with community groups. The family in 2010 received the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office's fourth-quarter "Citizen's Award."