Author: gatorgirl.outoftheswamp@gmail.com

Scarpa’s Italian – Lakeland, FL

There is a wonderful Italian restaurant in Lakeland, Florida that is only open for dinner. And it is a small place, so it is impossible to show up without a reservation. It had been many years since I had been there, so I decided to check them out. We had a reservation for a Monday, it made it a little easier to get a table.

As soon as you walk in you must check out the chalkboard. This is where they list all their specials for the day.

We were one of the first groups to be seated so the restaurant was still a little empty. But by the time we got our drinks the place was full.

Freshly made bread and olive oil came to the table as we were looking over the menu. The bread was crispy on the outside and soft inside. The olive oil with an Italian blend of seasonings, was creamy and had a buttery texture.

The first appetizer we ordered was one of their daily specials, Strawberry Balsamic Brie. We were excited to try this because it is the start of strawberry season in Florida. They took a beautiful brie cheese and baked it in the oven with honey, balsamic vinegar, sliced almonds, and fresh strawberries. The dish came out sizzling to the table; it took a few minutes for it to cool off slightly. They served toasted ciabatta bread on the side. The crunch from the bread was a nice complement to the softness of the cheese. The sweetness from the strawberries and honey paired perfectly with the saltiness of the cheese.

The other appetizer that came to the table was the Eggplant Rollatini. They served 2 pieces which was perfect to cut in half to share. The eggplant was thinly sliced and fried until crispy. Then it was rolled with ricotta cheese and baked until the cheese melted. Then they topped it off with a freshly made marinara sauce. The eggplant was cooked wonderfully allowing the outside to be crispy and the inside soft, not mushy.

Two of the dishes ordered for dinner were the special, Spinach Artichoke Chicken. They grilled the chicken and topped it with a creamy spinach artichoke dip. They ran it through the oven to make the dip a little crispy. They served the chicken with a side of orzo rice and grilled zucchini and yellow squash. The creaminess of the spinach artichoke made the dish very rich.

I ordered the Chicken Florentine for my meal. They chargrilled this chicken as well with amazing Italian seasoning. They served angel hair pasta and fresh spinach on the side. These were drizzled with olive oil and garlic. It was simple but delicious. This was some of the best spinach that I have ever had. There was no bitter taste the way it was prepared.

The last meal that was ordered was the Lasagna. This classic dish was layers of cheese, sauce, and noodles. It came with 2 large homemade meatballs. The meatballs were tender and juicy. They were a nice accompaniment to the lasagna.

It was time for dessert. They had many options to choose from. We ordered the Crème Brule. This sweet dessert had the crispy melted sugar on top covering the creamy filling. The filling was cool, and the sugar crust was warm. It was a wonderful contrast of temperature.

The Tiramisu was delicious. It was layers of lady fingers soaked in espresso. Then they were layered with a mascarpone cheese mixture and dusted with chocolate and powdered sugar. The espresso flavor was not too strong as it was mellowed by the cheese filling which was extremely creamy.

The food at Scarpa’s was fantastic. Our waiter was attentive and very friendly. It was an amazing evening out. Give them a call and make a reservation that next time you are in Lakeland. Check out their menu at www.scarpasitalian.comEnjoy!

T

Nineteen Sixty-One – Lakeland, FL

If you are in downtown Lakeland and looking for a wonderful Spanish influence restaurant then Nineteen Sixty-One is the place to visit.

There are many great starters that are perfect for sharing around the table. The Brussel Sprouts were one of those dishes. They were flash fried and tossed in a maple balsamic vinaigrette. Then they were topped with raisin caramel and Manchego cheese. These were the sweetest Brussel sprouts that I have ever had. The maple vinaigrette and raisin caramel were a flawless combination of flavors that mellowed out the bitterness of the Brussel sprouts.

The Peruvian Ceviche was marvelous. The ceviche was made with Corvina (a sweet fish) and soaked in Leche de Tigre (the liquid from the fish mixed with ginger, lime juice, & cilantro). There was cancha choclo mixed in with the fish. Cancha Choclo are whole corn kernels that have been soaked so that they puff up. They served plantain chips on the side. The ceviche was full of immense flavor.  It was tangy from the acid in the lime juice which accented the sweetness of the fish.

The Chips, Avocado Mousse, & Tomatillo Salsa was another great sharable. They made homemade tortilla chips to dip into the mousse and salsa. They also included plantain chips. The avocado mousse was extremely creamy and a little tangy. It was delicious on the plantain chips. The tomatillo salsa was a blend of roasted tomatillos and jalapenos. It was not as spicy as I was expecting with the jalapenos.

To help enjoy these appetizers we ordered a bottle of red wine called Finca La Mata. It was a Tempranillo, which is a black grape from Spain. It was bold but smooth in flavor.

I got to try the soup of the day which was a creamy clam chowder. There was an overall sweet flavor to the soup. The clams were tender.

I made sure to order the 1961 Salad. I heard that this was a best seller. They had chopped up lettuce tossed with Manchego cheese, baby Swiss, and manzanilla olives. They coated the ingredients with a homemade house dressing. The dressing reminded me of both an Italian and Greek salad dressing. It had a tangy taste, but I could not get enough of it.  I wish I could have bought a bottle of this dressing for home.

For my dinner I ordered the Arroz Chaufa. This was a Peruvian style Chinese fried rice. They used Peruvian spices, bean sprouts, soy sauce, cilantro, and scrambled eggs. They drizzled a Fresno aioli on top and sprinkled green onions all over. I ordered the rice with chicken. They had tender pieces of chicken chopped up throughout. They had marinated the chicken which added extra flavor to the rice. It had a nice smoky taste to it from the Peruvian spices.

The Seafood Paella was also ordered. This took a little extra time to make so it needs to be ordered right away so that it will come out with the rest of the meals. This was a traditional Spanish paella with bay scallops, lobster tail, shrimp, clams mixed with calasparra rice (the traditional Spanish rice used in paella), cantimpalo chorizo, bell peppers, onions, peas, saffron, cilantro, and sofrito (onions, garlic, bell peppers, tomatoes in a sauce). This paella had extraordinary flavor. The saffron in the rice pairs perfectly with the seafood. The lobster was tender, but the bay scallops were my favorite part. They were sweet, which was a contrast to the saltiness from the other components.

The other dish that was ordered was the Churrasco Steak. They marinated a flat iron steak in aji panca (a Peruvian red pepper marinade). It was cooked to a perfect medium. It was served on top of a black bean chorizo risotto. On the plate they included an avocado crema, salsa criolla, and chimichurri. The steak was tender and full of bold flavor. But it was the black bean risotto that was the star. It had a hint of spice and a creamy texture. It was something unique that I was not expecting when I hear risotto.

Each dish was amazing at Nineteen Sixty-One. We did not save room for dessert so we will definitely have to go back another time for that. Check out their menu at www.nineteen61.com

Enjoy!

T

 

Range Café – Albuquerque, NM

So, if you are a fan of Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives on the Food Network like I am going to a restaurant featured on the show is a fun thing to do. Especially when you are traveling to a different city. So, when I was in Albuquerque, New Mexico I had Standard Diner on my list to go visit. Unfortunately, they shut down in 2020. But luckily for the community a locally owned restaurant chain came into the building, and it re-opened as Range Café. And at this location they kept some special dishes on their menu from the original Standard Diner: meatloaf, jalapeno poppers, and the deviled egg cobb.

When you walk in you are greeted by huge cases of desserts. There is everything from cakes, pies, pastries and a giant cream puff.

On the wall still hangs the signed poster of Guy Fieri. It’s a nice tribute to the original restaurant that was featured on the show.

There are toy ovens all over the restaurant, which is a cute novelty look.

Our friendly waitress Camille was helpful in making suggestions of what to try on the menu. Since we were there early in the day, we all went for breakfast dishes.

I ordered the Papas Con Carne. This was a breakfast bowl that started with range fries at the bottom. These were their version of home fries. Then a layer of carne adovada (this is New Mexico’s version of pork and beans). White cheddar cheese, green onions and 2 eggs were placed on top. I got my eggs over-well. With every dish you get in New Mexico you get a choice of Green Chilis or Red Chilis. If you cannot decide, order Christmas, which is a little of each. The chilies give a little added heat and flavor to any dish. This breakfast bowl was very filling; it is much larger than I thought it would be. The pork shoulder and the red beans went well with the potatoes.

Another dish that was ordered was the Breakfast Burrito. This was a jumbo sized burrito that was loaded with scrambled eggs, white cheddar cheese, range fries, pinto beans, and red & green chilies. All of this was rolled up in a flour tortilla. There was no way you could pick this burrito up with your hands to eat it, a fork was necessary because it was just so big.

The Egg-chiladas was another unique breakfast dish. So instead of a flour tortilla they used an egg to wrap up shredded green chili chicken, cheddar cheese, green chilis, pinto beans, range fries, cotija cheese, and green onion. The egg wrapper really helps this dish stand out. It was a cross between an omelet and an enchilada.

The final dish that was ordered was the Biscuits & Gravy. This traditional Southern dish was extra large here. The buttermilk biscuits were freshly made. They topped them with a creamy, country style sausage gravy. Also included on the plate were eggs and range fries. The eggs tasted great when you mixed it with the sausage gravy. This was a very comforting dish. It would have been perfect for a cold morning.

The breakfast dishes were amazing at Range Café. There were some delicious sounding lunch/dinner items on the menu that we would want to try on the next visit. If you are in the Albuquerque area, check them out. Check out their menu at www.rangecafe.com

Enjoy!

T

Big Ben Pub – Charlotte, NC

If you are looking for a fun place to watch football or soccer, Big Ben Pub in Charlotte is the perfect place. They have several TV’s and a bar upfront and in the back.

On the weekends they have drink specials. When I recently visited, they had a $18 carafe Mimosa special. It was a bottle of champagne and a carafe of orange juice. It was a great deal.

They offer all the classic English pub fair like fish and chips, bangers and mash, and chicken pot pie. They also had some unique dishes on the menu that sounded absolutely delicious.

We started with the Sausage Rolls. These were a classic English sausage that were wrapped in puff pastry and baked until the pastry was crispy. They served mustard on the side along with a homemade relish. Their relish is apparently pretty famous. It had carrots in it along with what tasted like apples. It was tasty on it’s own, but really paired well with the sausage. I felt that it brought out the flavor in the sausage. These sausage rolls were perfect for sharing.

The Steak and Mushroom Pie came highly recommended. We decided to share this dish because we knew we wanted to order something else off the menu a little later. When you order this dish you have to give it 15-20 minutes to cook because they make them to order. They used tender pieces of steak and mushrooms with a savory brown gravy. Then they placed this mixture into a puff pastry and baked it till it was golden brown. They served creamy mashed potatoes and gravy on the side, along with seasoned mixed vegetables. This dish was savory and was perfect comfort food on a cold winter afternoon.

We also ordered the Cottage Pie. They used fresh ground beef, peas, carrots, and onions and mixed it with some beef gravy. Then they smothered this mixture with cream mashed potatoes. They sprinkled a generous amount of cheese on top and then baked it. The cheese melted and came out slightly crispy. The meat and vegetable mixture was savory and creamy. I could not get enough of it. The mashed potatoes were extremely fresh and it help make this dish stand out.

The food was amazing at Big Ben Pub. The staff was very friendly and always checking on us. I would highly recommend this restaurant if you are in the Charlotte area. Check out their menu at www.BigBenPub.com

Enjoy!

T

Barn 8 – Goshen, KY

Barn 8 is a beautiful old horse barn that has been converted into a Farm-to-Table restaurant.

It is located at Hermitage Farm just outside of Louisville, Kentucky.

The interior of the restaurant is unique. You can still see the stalls that were used for the horses. Some have been converted into gift shops and tables have been set up in others for a more intimate dinner setting.

The walls are decorated with barrels from all the great Kentucky distilleries.

Towards the back of the barn is where you will find the bar. This quiet spot is great for enjoying a glass of wine or a glass of bourbon before dinner.

As soon as we sat down, we ordered the Cast Iron Cornbread. This is because it takes about 15 minutes for it to be made. When it came out it was so hot, the brown butter melted instantly as it was placed on a piece. The corn bread was sweet, and the butter added a nice salty element.

The Burrata and Prosciutto was ordered as an appetizer for the table. When the burrata mozzarella was cut into, the soft curd and cream just poured out.  The thinly sliced prosciutto had a salty taste that paired well with the creamy burrata.

I ordered the Spaghetti Limone for my dinner. The homemade pasta was tender and cooked perfectly. It was tossed with preserved lemon, shallots, black lemon, garlic, and parmigiano. I never had black lemon before. It offered a sweet and tart flavor. The garlic aroma shined through each bite of pasta. Overall, the dish felt light and fresh.

I also got to try the Tortellini. This was a homemade spinach pasta that was stuffed with cheese. They served it with a butter sauce and peas. It was a simple sauce, but it was rich in flavor.

For dessert we started with the Banana Cheesecake. This cheesecake was served in a peanut-cashew crust, with cherry Chantilly cream, and a peanut-cashew crunch. There was cherry ice cream along with cherry coulis and ruby chocolate.  The cheesecake was very soft, not the firm NY style that I am used to. I really enjoyed the cherry ice cream that was homemade and extremely creamy.

The other dessert we ordered was the Tiramisu. This lady fingers were soaked with coffee and chocolate. They were layered with chocolate and raspberry mascarpone filling, and raspberry shrub caramel. This had an amazing flavor of coffee with a hint of richness from the chocolate. The mascarpone filling was extremely creamy.

Once you have finished dinner, take a stroll on the grounds of the farm. They have a wonder Art Walk that follows along the Little Sinking Creek behind the garden. Walk on a boardwalk through trees that are completely lite up and have video projections shining on them. There is music playing that helps to make this a tranquil experience. The photos do not do this luminescent art justice. It is a must see in person.

If you are in the Louisville area, take a drive over to Barn 8 for a fantastic meal. They will not be disappointed. Check them out at www.hermitagefarm.com/food-bourbon/barn8-restaurant

Enjoy!

T

Happy New Year 2024

Merry Christmas 2023

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Enjoy this time with family and friends.

Happy Thanksgiving

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. I hope everyone enjoys time with friends and family.

Enjoy!

T

Blood Brothers Texas BBQ – Bellaire, TX

When I think of food from Texas, barbeque definitely comes to mind. When I went to Blood Brothers Texas BBQ I got a little more than what I was expecting. This is a fusion restaurant combining traditional bbq with an Asian flare.

Their menu is extensive, so I would recommend looking at it on your phone before you get there. When you walk in you head right up to the counter and order.

The starter sampler plate is a great way to try a few different bbq options. We got brisket, sausage, and pork belly. There was great smokey flavor to the meat. The brisket was juicy, and the sausage had a nice pepper taste. The pork belly was crispy on the outside and melted in my mouth.

The Mac & Cheese was the perfect side dish for bbq. It was extremely creamy with all the cheese that was used. On a cold day, it was the best comfort food.

And bbq would not be complete without coleslaw. They made it fresh. It had a crunchy texture. It was both sweet and tangy at the same time.

Another thing that stood out to me was their condiment bar. They offered everything from pickles and jalapenos to pickled onions. You definitely need to make a stop here in case you want to add anything to your dishes that you order.

The Jerk Pulled Pork Tacos are a must try, especially if you like spicy food. The pulled pork was smoked and jerked. It was tender and juicy. They served it with a mango slaw on top which added a sweet crunch. It was all wrapped up in Jamaican curry tortilla, which was extremely unique. The tacos came with pineapple salsa on the side. It was sweet but also surprisingly spicy.

If you want to try something really special order the Smoked Brisket & Gai Lan Chow Fun. This combines my love for bbq with my love for Chinese chow fun. It really is the perfect fusion dish. They stir fry thick rice noodles, bean sprouts, Chinese broccoli, and 44 Farms brisket (www.44farms.com) . There was a fantastic smoky taste to the noodles from how they cooked it in the pan. The brisket had beautiful bark on the outside. The meat was tender and juicy. The bean spouts gave the dish a little crunch but did not take away any of the flavors. The broccoli had a slight bitterness. It was a very satisfying dish.

If you want something unique in the BBQ world, then head to Blood Brother’s Texas BBQ. Check out their website at www.bloodbrosbbq.com

Enjoy!

T

Happy Halloween