Named for the French term mise en place, the restaurant started in 1986 as a small catering business.

Maryann Ferenc and chef Marty Blitz began the business, now a group of restaurant/ cafes offering full-service modern American cuisine as well as event catering.

Tampa architect M. Leo Elliott designed the 1925 plaza, built originally as an office building for physicians.

[5] Past spin-offs included Mise en Place Market, a take-out version aiming to serve the "home-meal replacement niche", 442, and the restaurant Mojo on Davis Island.

[6] Tampa Mayoral candidate Frank Sanchez held his runoff election victory party at the restaurant in 2003.