I am a huge fan of Mead. Not many people are familiar with that mead actually is, or that it has been around for centuries. It dates back all the way to Ancient Greece long before what we know as beer and wine. So what is mead? It is fermented honey that can be blended with fruits and spices.
To my surprise there is place in Ybor City that makes their own mead – Cigar City Cider & Mead. I could not wait to check them out.
They have a huge selection of meads, ciders, and craft beers. They have chalkboards on the wall that lists everything they have available. You can tell which ones are ciders because they have apples on the sign. The meads are noted with a bee.
Cigar City offers meads in flights so I was able to taste a few of them. I went for the following three:
(1) Braggot – 8% ABV
(2) Blind Eye – 7.5% ABV
(3) San Juan Hall – 11% ABV
The Bragott was not sweet like I was expecting. It was thicker in texture but smooth. It went down easy. By the third sip I tasted the coconut that was blended in.
The Blind Eye was very sweet. This one was light in texture. I could really taste the wild flower that was in it.
The San Juan had the highest alcohol content. When I sniffed it, I could smell the hint of pepper. By the second sip the taste got spicier. As I continued drinking, the after-taste became sweeter.
It was a really fun afternoon visit. I would definitely go back not only to try additional meads but to also take one of their tours of the facility.
It was Sunday night and time for dinner. What better dinner than some homemade Italian food. It was recommended that I try Frank’s Pizza & Ristorante. Since their dining room was shut down, I had to get the food to go.
I ordered a couple of things that way there was an assortment of things to try. I got an arancini (rice ball). The size was huge and perfect for sharing. It was crispy on the outside but when I sliced in, the melted cheese just poured out. The cheese blended with the soft rice. In the middle was a great blend of chopped meat, peas, and a little marinara sauce. This filling paired with the cheese and rice made the dish filling.
I got two different calzones. One was just cheese and the other was vegetables and cheese. The cheese calzone was loaded down with cheese. It poured out when I cut into the crispy crust. You must be careful, so you do not burn your mouth. If you like cheesy dough this is the calzone to try. Dipping in in pasta sauce just helps break up the overwhelming amount of cheese.
The vegetable calzone had a few vegetables, including from broccoli rabe. The vegetables helped break up all the cheese. They added a nice texture as well. The dough they used was sweet and complemented the saltiness of the cheese.
I ordered a cup of their chicken noodle soup. There were large chunks of chicken in the soup, but the broth was more like a vegetable soup. There was a sweetness to the soup rather than a salty taste. They loaded the soup with noodles which I really liked. I do like it when soups have lots of noodles.
I did order one main pasta dish to try. I went for the gnocchi in a marinara sauce. These gnocchi were dense but still tender. The marinara sauce was slightly tangy from the tomatoes. However, that eased when I sprinkled some fresh grated Parmesan cheese on top.
I was so full after all this food. I ordered plenty so I was able to have lunch the next day. The next time I visit Frank’s I want to order a pizza. That seemed like a really popular item with the customers who kept coming in.
I love getting fresh seafood when I am near the beach in New Jersey. I was feeling like some homemade soup for dinner. That took me to Shore Fresh where they make homemade chowders and bisque’s every day.
Because of the indoor dining rules in New Jersey I had to get my order to go. That was ok by me. I was planning on eating down by the water so I could watch the boats and fishermen.
Shore Fresh has a variety of fresh caught seafood all on display. All of which would make delicious meals!
I ordered the Manhattan Clam Chowder. This is one of my favorites. They loaded up with tons on tender clams. They used lots of vegetables as well. All these ingredients worked so well in the savory broth. The chunks of potatoes were my favorite in the chowder because of all the flavor they absorbed. The clams were fantastic and could not be any fresher.
I also tried the Shrimp Bisque. This was extremely creamy. They chopped up the shrimp which made it a little easier to eat. There were a few vegetables in the bisque, but they were more of a flavor accent. They made sure to let the creamy broth stand out.
This fresh chowder and the ocean air were the perfect combination for dinner. It was a relaxing way to end a busy day. You should check them out at www.shorefreshseafood.com
There are so many Italian restaurants to choose from in Brick, New Jersey. But with the shutdown preventing restaurants from opening or allowing patrons to eat inside, I had to find a place I could get food to go. Mulberry Street was a great option.
They have a full deli with freshly made sandwiches, pasta dishes, desserts, fresh bread, and a full market to get Italian specialties. They had it all.
There was even a section of the shop where you can sample all varieties of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. That is not something that I normally see.
Their list of sandwiches was long, and it took me a few minutes to read it over. I finally decided to order the EldridgeStreet.
I got my choice of bread for this sandwich, so I went for the fresh bastone. A bastone is a traditional Italian bread. This sandwich had layers of fresh capicola, pepperoni, provolone cheese, and freshly made mozzarella. They topped it off with shredded lettuce and tomato slices. There are lots of dressings to choose to go on the sandwich, but I only got oil and vinegar. I kept it simple.
The sandwich was delicious. They were generous with all the ingredients. The meats were salty, and the cheeses balanced that out. The olive oil added a creamy texture and softened the bread slightly, which made it easier to take a bite. The tomato added some sweetness, while the lettuce added crunch.
The sandwich was very filling. It was the perfect lunch. I look forward to getting to go back to try something else.
When I was on vacation in Cocoa Beach, I passed by a cute little shop that had signs for wine tastings. I thought I would check them out and see what they had to offer.
This little boutique was set up very different from a typical winery. It was a shop that sold several types of things from jams to juices. The side of the shop that sold wine offered wines from two different wineries on the west coast of Florida.
The friendly hostess offered tastings on any bottle I wanted. This was great because these were brand new wines that I had never seen before. When deciding how to write about my experience, I decided to break it down by each winery. That allows for an easier understanding of everything I tasted.
Florida Orange Groves Winery
This winery is located in St. Petersburg, Florida. All their wines are made in Florida with 100% Florida citrus juices. Many of their wines have won awards across the state.
I started off with the fun wine called Hurricane Class 5. This is a tropical sangria wine that blends pineapple, watermelon, passion fruit, key limes, and mangos. It was sweet. It was served chilled which made it refreshing. The label has the actual image of Hurricane Andrew that hit South Florida in 1992 as a Category 5 storm.
Up next was the Key Limen. It would not be a Florida wine without some key lime. This was a true specialty with fresh key lime juice. It was both sweet and tart. If I closed my eyes, I could picture myself on Duval Street in Key West. This is a true vacation wine.
The third wine was Blueberry Blue. This blueberry wine was semi-sweet. It was full of flavor. The blueberries tasted so fresh in this wine. It was made with 100% Florida blueberries.
White Gold was next up. This was a peach wine. This was served chilled which made it refreshing and crisp. It was a subtle peach flavor. It would be perfect sipping by the pool on a hot summer afternoon.
The final wine I tried was the St. Pete Sangria. This was a red sangria. They used Florida muscadine grapes, citrus juices, and fresh raspberries. I could taste the subtle hint of the raspberries. They also added a little brandy to the wine to give it a little kick. It was a nice touch. All that was missing was some chopped up fruit.
Murielle Winery
This winery is located in Clearwater, Florida. They also make all their wines in Florida. They take their traditional wines and blend them with fresh fruit juices to create updated flavors.
The first wine I tired was the Dragon Fruit Blush. The dragon fruit was infused into a bold Shiraz. It created a unique flavor that was surprisingly sweet.
Staying with the sweetness I tried the 3 Berry next. They took the Shiraz and blended it with raspberry, blackberry, and boysenberry. This wine was lot sweeter than the previous wine. I felt like the taste of the boysenberry really shined through.
The third wine I tried was Raspberry. It was a simple name but there was nothing simple about the flavor. They took their Merlot and infused it with black raspberries. This wine was delicious. It was slightly sweet. It could easily be sipped by itself or with a nice salty cheese. I bought a bottle of this to enjoy at home.
Sticking with the true Florida them I went with the Tropical Storm as my last wine. This was a Pinot Grigio that was blended with pineapples and pears. It was not that sweet but not too dry either. One sip I could taste the pineapple and the second sip I could taste the pears. It was a unique blend. It was not chilled, but I could see it being chilled to enjoy with something salty.
So Cocoa Beach Winery is not a typical experience. It was a great way to try different wines from around the state in a relaxing environment. The owner of the shop was sweet and friendly. She was very knowledgeable about the wines she was serving. She really liked what she was doing.
If you are in the Cocoa Beach area you should check them out. Visit their website a www.cocoabeachwinery.com to see everything they have to offer.
I was driving around Port Canaveral and came across a restaurant that had a big sign that said now open. This was Rusty’s Seafood & Oyster Bar and they had been closed because of the pandemic. Lucky for me they were open once again and I was hungry for some oysters.
They had tables on a great back deck. It overlooked the water which allowed me to watch boats go back and forth.
It was brunch time, so I ordered a Bloody Mary to enjoy while looking over the menu. This was a nice spicy Bloody Mary, just how I like it.
I started off ordering the calamari. The tender calamari were breaded and lightly fried until crispy. They sprinkled parmesan cheese on top while it was still hot, so it melted slightly. They also served a side of marinara sauce. The calamari were so soft and fresh. It melted in my mouth. It tasted great when dipped in the marinara sauce. The sauce was loaded with flavor of oregano and basil.
Now one of the main reasons I wanted to eat at Rusty’s was because of the oysters. They had four options to choose from. I went for their Oysters Parmesan. I asked the waitress how these were prepared because the menu was not clear. The shucked fresh oysters and topped them with garlic butter and parmesan cheese. Then they baked them in the oven until the cheese was melted and the butter was sizzling.
These smelled glorious when they were brought to the table. They were extremely hot, so I waited a few minutes for them to cool.
They used a ton of cheese on these oysters, which is fantastic. The oysters were sweet tasting and the cheese added a slight saltiness. It was a great contrast. The butter made the oysters savory and smooth. Since these were baked instead of chargrilled, they did not have a smoky taste. They were delicious.
I also got the grouper sandwich with French fries. Typically, I would get the fish blackened. However, they offered a Jamaican jerk option. I thought that was something unique and wanted to try it on fish. I have only ever had Jerk chicken.
The grouper was a beautiful piece of fish when it came out. It was light and flakey. The jerk seasoning added a nice heat that had a slightly sweet taste. It went so well with the fish because the taste of the fish itself was mild and the seasoning could shine.
Now just because I was done eating did not mean I was ready to leave Rusty’s. The views were so spectacular I wanted to enjoy them a little longer. To enjoy the views, I ordered a classic tropical cocktail, a Pina Colada. This drink was cold, which was refreshing for hot, sunny Florida. The creamy texture and the sweet taste of coconut put me in a happy place. Plus, I got a souvenir glass.
The food was fantastic at Rusty’s. I enjoyed everything and I am still thinking about those delicious oysters. I am glad that they were back open when I was in town.
If you are in Port Canaveral or near Cocoa Beach check them out. www.rustysseafood.com
I found a great little hole in the wall bar in Cocoa Beach called Graham’s Beach Bar. It is nothing fancy, but a lot of locals were there enjoying drinks and food. I love finding places like this.
I was a little hungry for lunch, so I order a few things off the menu. I got the cheddar jalapeno poppers. I love the cheddar version more than the cream cheese, but most restaurants only serve the cream cheese. I was happy to see the cheddar on the menu.
They came out popping hot; I needed the cheese to cool a little so I would not burn my mouth. The cheese was creamy and cooled down the heat from the jalapeno. It was the perfect dish to start with.
I also ordered the Buffalo cauliflower. These were breaded and fried pieces of fresh cauliflower. I was a little disappointed because they were plain. There was no Buffalo wing sauce on them like I was expecting. They were crispy and tasted fine with the ranch sauce but I think they would have been better with some tangy wing sauce and maybe some blue cheese crumbles.
This was a nice quick little spot to grab a quick bite. I was also happy to be able to support a local business. Check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/grahamsbeach/
There is a ton of things to do in Cocoa Beach, Florida. The beaches are beautiful. They have a huge pier that you can walk along, fish from, or pop into one of the many restaurants.
Towards the end of the pier is a restaurant called Pelican’s Bar and Grill. I popped in there to get a quick snack. It was the perfect place to cool off from the Florida heat, and watch the waves crash up onto the beach.
I ordered the crab and shrimp dip because I wanted a quick snack. I was expecting this to come out hot, but it was a cold dip. It was good cold. It made it feel more appropriate for a summertime snack.
They had a generous amount of crabmeat in this dip. They sprinkled in a few baby shrimp throughout. The dip was creamy and a little sweet. They served the dip with tortilla chips. The chips created a nice crispy contrast to the soft dip. This would have also been delicious with some toasted crostini.
The views were great from the restaurant. It was the perfect stop to grab a quick snack. If you are near the pier you should check the out.
If you like fruity wins, then I found the perfect winery for you. Island Grove Wine Company had a variety of fruit wines from blueberry to strawberry. And they are all made in Florida. I was looking forward to checking them out.
The winery is set up a little differently than the traditional wineries I have visited. This was a touch-less, serve yourself winery. The way it works is you put money onto a chip card. Then you insert that card into the different wine machines and select the wine you would like to try, as well as the size pour.
I made sure I had enough money on the card to try several of the wines. The first one was the Rustic Raspberry. This was one of their seasonal wines. I could smell the raspberries right away. This wine was super sweet to me, and it had a hint of tartness in the aftertaste. It is a great dessert wine.
The second wine was the Bold Blackberry. This was a blend of Merlot and blackberries. To me it was sweet with a dry aftertaste on the first sip. It mellowed out on the second sip.
For my third tasting I went for the Sunshine State White Sangria. This sweet, refreshing wine combined pineapples, peaches, and mangos. I really enjoyed all the tropical flavors. I could really taste the mangos on the second sip. I could see myself enjoying this on the beach, watching the sunset.
In sticking with the sangria’s, I went for the Sunshine State Berry Sangria next. This blended different berries and citrus fruits with their blueberry wine. The aroma was powerful with a slight spicy smell, but it was not in the taste. It was drier for a sangria. After holding it in my mouth after sipping I could taste a hint of pepper.
My final tasting was the Southern Strawberry. They blended strawberries with Riesling. I could smell the strawberry right away, it was very intense, but in a good way. The wine was light and sweet. The perfect dessert wine. I just wish I had some chocolate to enjoy with it.
This was a different type of wine tasting experience. The wines were great, and the casual atmosphere was perfect for sitting and enjoying wine with friends.
I love to hear about food trucks that become overwhelming successful that they are able to open up free standing restaurants. That is exactly what happened to The Crooked Spoon in Clermont, Florida.
It is a very cozy gastropub. The lighting is lightly dim, which helped create the cozy feeling. They used hardwood throughout that helped create an elegant feel. Even with all the social distancing between the table, the restaurant was full of customers.
They had several specials on their menu that seems to change with the season. The Grouper sounded wonderful based on the menu description, so I made sure to order that for my dinner.
The presentation on the plate was beautiful. Each element on the plate way layered perfectly.
The grouper was pan seared in a buttery beurre blanc sauce. The sauce had a velvety smooth texture. It was packed with herb flavors, which accented the sweetness of the fish. It was a light sauce which did not weigh down the flakey fish.
On the plate they included roasted red potatoes and fresh green beans. The potatoes were tender, and the skin was slightly crispy. The green beans were sautéed and still a little crispy as well. They tasted wonderful in the beurre blanc sauce.
To top off the fish they had some fried arugula. The crispiness of the arugula was nice. I had never had it like this before. There was a slight peppery taste, but it did not affect the taste of the fish.
My dinner was fantastic. They served the right amount of food, so nothing went to waste. They have a very eclectic menu and offered a lot of choices for guests. I would go back and check out one of their cheeseburgers. They looked really good.
