About Me


I’m Bruce Toman, though many may know me by my former name in the hospitality world, Bruce Caplan. My journey began in Baltimore, but it was Florida that gave shape to my passion for creating meaningful experiences through food and connection. I moved to the Tampa Bay area in 1974 and opened a bicycle shop in St. Pete Beach. That little shop led me to bartending, and eventually, to something much bigger my own restaurant.

For over two decades, I poured my heart into Fetishes Dining & Wine Bar. It started in Palm Harbor in the late 1990s, then moved to St. Pete Beach, where it truly became something special. With just eight tables and an unwavering focus on personal service, Fetishes offered French-American cuisine, tableside classics, and a wine list I curated with care. I didn’t go to culinary school I built my skills in the real world, standing tableside with guests who became part of my story.

Even when we faced challenges, like the lease change in 2011, I kept the doors open by evolving. Fetishes transformed into a cozy wine bar, and for 26 years, I stayed true to the same values: attention to detail, warmth, and authenticity.I knew it wasn’t the end of the road it was simply a new chapter.

Bruce Toman
Bruce Toman

Since then 2025, I’ve shifted from serving meals to serving insights. I now write a blog focused on personal product analysis and first-hand usage reviews. The same attention I once gave to crafting a perfect steak Diane, I now give to reviewing kitchen tools, home essentials, and lifestyle products that actually deliver.

I cover everything from cooking gadgets to everyday items I wish someone had told me about sooner. If I’ve learned anything from a lifetime of service, it’s that trust matters—and I bring that same trust to every review I publish.

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Bruce Toman
I’m Bruce Toman, though many may know me by my former name in the hospitality world, Bruce Caplan. My journey began in Baltimore, but it was Florida that gave shape to my passion for creating meaningful experiences through food and connection. I moved to the Tampa Bay area and opened a bicycle shop in St. Pete Beach. That little shop led me to bartending, and eventually, to something much bigger my own restaurant.

Since then, I’ve shifted from serving meals to serving insights. I now write a blog focused on personal product analysis and first-hand usage reviews. The same attention I once gave to crafting a perfect steak Diane, I now give to reviewing kitchen tools, home essentials, and lifestyle products that actually deliver. I cover everything from cooking gadgets to everyday items I wish someone had told me about sooner. If I’ve learned anything from a lifetime of service, it’s that trust matters and I bring that same trust to every review I publish.
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