I was in Jacksonville, and I remembered there was a great diner I had been to before.
Metro Diner was also featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives which has helped this restaurant expand to other locations.
It was breakfast time so I was ready to enjoy their Classic Breakfast. It was simple, scrambled eggs, grits, and toast. There was a lot of food on the plate. The eggs were fresh. The grits had a great creamy and salty taste once I added some butter.
Another Classic Breakfast was ordered. This one had eggs over medium, and it came with bacon, homestyle potatoes, and fresh biscuits. It was extremely hearty.
A side of Pancakes were ordered. This buttermilk batter had great taste. It was perfect to share with the classic breakfast.
Biscuits and Gravy was a larger breakfast than I was expecting. The two biscuits were smothered with creamy pepper country gravy, hashbrowns, and scrambled eggs. There was also extra country gravy on the plate which tasted perfect with the eggs and hashbrowns. I would recommend getting a side of the gravy to eat with a homestyle potatoes.
If you want a great place to go for breakfast, Metro Diner should be on your list. Just keep in mind, they are popular so there could be a small wait.
There is a wonderful rooftop restaurant at the Reunion Resort called Eleven. I got to go there for an event, and I was excited to get to be wined and dined.
This rooftop bar/restaurant has great views. There’s a pool you can lounge in if you want. You can see all of the theme parks in the distance. It’s cool at night because you can see all the fireworks.
We started the event off with some cocktails as we socialize with other guests.
The appetizer table was set up outside so we could enjoy the views. The spread was nice. We had an array of options:
– Caesar salad
– Two different kinds of Hummus
– The Charcuterie Board was beautifully arranged with cured meats and artisan cheeses. There were sauces of jalapeño hatch peppers, and honey.
For dinner, it was served family style at each of the tables. The food just kept coming out. There was something for everyone to enjoy.
The Spinach Artichoke Dip was extremely creamy. It was a blend of Fontina and Manchego cheese. They served colorful tortilla chips on the side.
Meatballs came out and these were lamb meatballs with basil, a peanut crumble and saffron aioli. They had a slight gamey taste, but the saffron aioli helped hide that.
The Flatbed Pizza came out and everyone got excited. It was a Margarita Pizza. The dough had great flavor. There was a lot of melted cheese that normally a margarita pizza does not have. I love this because the cheese is sometimes the best part of the pizza.
There were beautiful Beef Steak Skewers that were on top of the bed of Couscous. The steak was tender and had a great pepper taste.
The Shrimp and Grits were amazing. There was so much on the plate. The grits were creamy and cheesy, the best I’ve ever had. The shrimp was tender, but not the star of the dish.
One of the side dishes was Broccolini. They sautéed this with butter and garlic. It was also cooked with raisins. This added a spectacular sweetness to the broccolini, which can sometimes be bitter.
Salmon was the fish for the night. This was a pan seared perfectly. It was flaky and fresh.
The Mac & Cheese came out last and now I know why. Because I would’ve eaten the entire bowl myself and would not have had room to try any of the other dishes. This mac & cheese was made with Fontina Mornay cheese. It was so creamy. Total comfort food.
It was time for dessert. They set the dessert tables up back outside. We got to enjoy:
– Key Lime Cheesecake. It was both sweet and tangy.
– Layered Cake Cups – there was chocolate, strawberry and vanilla icing available
This was the best way to experience Eleven. If you were in the area or staying at the Reunion Resort, you must check them out.
I have visited Caddy’s many times. It is one of my go-to restaurants in Madeira Beach.
I love the view of the Gulf. The second floor of the restaurant is the best spot.
It was a hot afternoon, so grabbing some frozen drinks was a must. The Frose blended vodka, Moscato, sour mix, peach purée, and pear syrup. This combination was both sweet and sour, almost like a piece of candy.
The Rocky Margarita was a nice take on a classic. It blended Silver tequila, triple sec, sour mix, orange juice, and lime juice. It was a very fresh tasting margarita.
The Calamari was a great appetizer to start with. They were flash fried to crispy. A sweet Thai chili sauce was served on the side for dipping. The calamari were tender, and there was just the right amount of breading.
Another great appetizer is the Kickin’ Watermelon Bites. They chopped up watermelon and mixed it with feta cheese, dust it with chipotle & extra-virgin olive oil. A balsamic glaze was drizzled all over. Some mint and lime juice accented the dish.
This was extremely refreshing, the sweetness of the watermelon and the tartness of the feta cheese complemented each other. It was also a unique blend of textures. This was a great dish for a hot day.
The Ahi Tuna was tremendously fresh. It was so tender. It melted in my mouth. They did a char-crusted sear on the tuna. They drizzled a spicy mayo and teriyaki glaze on top. There was a seaweed salad also served with the tuna.
A dinner at a beachside restaurant would not be complete without some Mahi Tacos. They lightly blackened Mahi and topped it with pico de gallo, lettuce, cheese, and a chipotle sauce. The soft tortilla shells wrapped around the Mahi, made it easy to pick up and enjoy. The Mahi had fantastic seasoning.
If you are looking for a great beach restaurant, then Caddy’s is the perfect place.
If you want a southern restaurant with a modern twist, check out Fresco’s in Lakeland, Florida.
Grab a seat at the bar and start enjoying some of the great cocktails they have to offer.
The Blackberry Basil Cooler is sweet and refreshing. It blends vodka, basil, blackberry syrup, lemon, and orange bitters.
An Aperol Spritz is a classic cocktail that Fresco’s does well. It includes Aperol, lemon, simple syrup, Prosecco and a splash of soda for bubbles. If you want something that is not overly sweet, this is the cocktail for you.
Their Old-Fashion keeps with tradition, smooth and your choice of bourbon.
Plus the bartender like us so I was able to get a few of those special cocktail cherries just for myself!
If you like whiskey, then make sure to do a Whiskey Flight. You get the sample four options. We got to try:
1. George Dickel 8 year
2. Stranahan’s Colorado single malt
3. Barrell Seagrass Rye
4. Barrell Dovetail
Fresco’s has more than just drinks. They have a great menu offering unique takes on classic dishes. They also have great appetizers that are able to be shared.
The FSKB Loaded Baked Potato Wedges are amazing. The potatoes are covered in pimento cheese, bacon, chives, and sour cream with herbs. The pimento cheese is a unique element. It adds a saltines and a creaminess.
The Deviled Eggs have the southern style creamy filling, but they give it a unique twist with bacon crumbles and candied jalapeños. It’s a nice salty sweet combination.
The Fresco’s Eggrolls are different. They use chicken, bacon, cheese, and salsa inside crispy wonton wrappers. They serve an avocado cream sauce for dipping. It’s a unique take on southwest style eggrolls.
They have a few flatbreads on the menu we ordered the Fig. The sweet dough was covered with an apple fig chutney, mozzarella cheese, goat cheese, arugula, and slices of apple. The pizza overall was sweet and the arugula gave it a slight pepper taste.
I loved everything we tried at Fresco’s. Check them out if you’re in the area.
If you’re looking for an Italian restaurant in Midtown Tampa, check out BellaBrava.
Sitting at the bar is the perfect place to order cocktails and have fast service. We had an Old-Fashion and a Strawberry Balsamic Martini. The martini was sweet with a little sourness. It included vodka, strawberries, sweet balsamic, simple syrup, and lemon.
They brought out homemade Focaccia bread. It was slightly dense but melted in my mouth once it was mixed with the creamy olive oil and roasted garlic.
If you like gnocchi, then you must order the Stuffed Gnocchi al la Vodka. The gnocchi were like little potato pillows that were stuffed with a creamy cheese blend. They served it in a vodka sauce. The sauce was savory and creamy. They mixed roasted wild mushrooms, and oven dried tomatoes on top for some added texture.
The Pasta Brava is a must order. Radiatori pasta was blended with tender grilled chicken and cotto ham. This was tossed with peas and wild mushrooms in an asiago cream sauce. The texture was immensely creamy with a rich flavor from the cheese. I could not stop eating the tender pasta. The peas added a nice sweet touch to the dish.
If you like vegetables, then the Pasta Caponata is for you. Mafaldine pasta is in a Pomodoro sauce. There are tender pieces of eggplant, garlic, red, bell pepper, olives, and capers mixed throughout. These vegetables added saltines, as well as a sweetness. Fresh oregano, basil and pangrattato were accented on top. The pasta in this dish was also extremely tender. I love fresh pasta. It helps make the dish exceptional.
If you are looking for a great Italian restaurant then check out BellaBrava at www.bellabravatampa.com
Did you know that Tampa has a bakery that is over 100 years old? La Segunda Bakery has been baking fresh breads, pastries, and sandwiches for generations.
Expect a line when you walk in. But don’t worry, you can make use of that wait by looking over their menu and gazing at all the beautiful desserts.
There’s nowhere to sit so you’re getting your food to go. If you are like me, you will dig into your food as soon as you get in the car.
If you are in downtown Melbourne, Florida, and looking for a great Irish pub, head to Meg O’Malley’s. They offer all the traditional Irish dishes, plus a few extra if you’re there for St. Patrick’s Day.
Start with their famous Irish Parliament Bean Soup. This homemade soup is the same recipe that is served in the Irish parliament, and they keep the price at $0.18. The soup is very savory and has a creamy texture.
If you like cabbage, then definitely order the Cabbage Wraps. They take ground corned beef and wrap it in tender cabbage. It’s served with fresh ground mustard on the side. The corned beef is juicy and full of flavor. The cabbage has a sweet taste that complements the salty corned beef.
The Irish Stew was amazing. Their beef is extremely tender and rich. The flavor of the broth is savory and full of potatoes and root vegetables. This is a very filling stew that has such a comforting feeling.
The Shepherd’s Pie is prepared perfectly and looked so beautiful when it came out. The tender ground beef was tossed in a savory brown gravy, along with root vegetables and sweet peas. Then it was smothered with mashed potatoes and baked until the potatoes get crispy. The beef and vegetable mixture was bursting with flavor. The potatoes were creamy and helped soak up the extra gravy.
If you’re having a hard time selecting something off the menu then I suggest you order the Pub Trinity. This is smaller portions of the Irish classics: Shepherd’s Pie, Irish Stew, and Bangers and Mash. You can’t go wrong with trying a little bit of everything.
Along with all the dishes came a side of Buttered Cabbage and a roll. The cabbage was tender and had a sweet taste. It’s a very classic Irish dish.
If you love Irish comfort food or just want to get a pint of Guinness, then Meg O’Malley’s is the place to be.
If you were in the Tampa area and want a great place to go for brunch, then American Social is the place for you. It is right there on the water, the perfect place for fresh air and a cool breeze.
Brunch calls for cocktails. This brunch we went for mimosas, cosmos, and martinis.
We decided to get a few small dishes to share. The Soft Baked Pretzels were perfect. They were hot when they came out. They had a light salty taste on the outside. I love dipping them in beer cheese. They also served a honey mustard on the side.
Deviled Eggs are perfect for sharing. These eggs came out with candied bacon on top. The sweetness of the bacon was delicious. It paired well with the creamy flavor of the eggs.
The Hot Chicken Sliders were the last thing out. They made fluffy buttermilk biscuits and placed Nashville hot chicken pieces in the middle. They used Mike’s hot honey and drizzled all over. It was a double dose of heat, but the honey also added sweetness.
If you want a relaxing place to enjoy the afternoon, then check out American Social.
Whetstone Chocolates in Saint Augustine, Florida has been making chocolates for decades.
When you walk in, there’s a display set up to look like the I Love Lucy candy wrapper episode.
There is Whetstone history all along the walls from it’s start in 1967 as a home kitchen. Henry and Esther Whetstone started with 13 fudges and hand dipped chocolates.
In 1991 Hershey asked them to make melt resistant chocolate for the military. The result was the Desert Bar used in Desert Storm. They also started producing Hershey kisses with almonds.
In 1995 Nestlé asked them to make Nestlé’s Magic Ball. This is hollowed chocolate with Disney characters inside.
This is still a working chocolate factory, so what is being made in the factory on each tour can be bought in the a shop next door.
To start the tour we got to sample the Fudge. I got to try peanut butter chocolate and cookies and cream. This is how they started their business, and I can see why it was so popular. The fudge was really creamy.
We learned a lot about the chocolate making process. Everything from the bean to the bar. You learn a lot of fun facts about chocolate. For example, all chocolate melts at 80°F; Fudge melts at 150°F; As long as only cocoa butter is in the ingredients, then it’s considered chocolate. Any other oils that are added changes it to chocolate flavoring.
On the tour, we got to try several of their chocolates. We started with milk chocolate and ended with dark chocolate.
Aviles is a blended milk chocolate with 31% Cocco. This is a Swiss formula with light sweetness. It melts fast and is super creamy.
San Marco is white chocolate with 0% cocoa. It’s creamy and light. It has a caramel taste. It’s sweeter than milk chocolate. It’s 55% sugar and 30% cocoa butter.
De Leon is dark chocolate with 47% cocoa. It’s got a reddish tint with fruity wine flavors. This is made from the Dutch process. Dark chocolate doesn’t have any milk in it. There is a little milk fat in this piece, which is what makes it creamy.
Menendez is a dark chocolate with 72% Cocco. It’s made from the Swiss process. It’s low roasted and aged to provide a mellow balanced flavor. It’s very bitter and has a slight aftertaste. Everyone’s taste buds are different so this will taste different for everybody.
Artisan chocolates are made during each tour and you get a special artisan chocolate to try. It’s made special each day for sampling. We even got to watch it being made in the factory.
We got to actually walk the working factory on the tour. We got to watch molds being filled and wrapped. They were making shells and alligators the day we were there. We got to see the cooling racks. We got to see how trays of chocolate got worked.
We even saw popcorn being made, with chocolate being drizzled on top.
It is a really fun tour to get to experience if you’re in Saint Augustine, Florida.
I highly recommend to check it out and enjoy some chocolate.
If you are interested in heading to Disney Springs, go on an empty stomach because they have so many great restaurants to choose from. We went to Jaleo by Jose Andres, a Spanish restaurant that offers unique dishes from Spain.
Ordering a pitcher of Sangria is a must. They have several options to select from, we just went with the traditional red. It had a hint of spice to it.
All the dishes come out tapas style, so it’s easy to share around the table.
The Croquetas de Pollo came out first. These had chicken that was puréed until creamy and mixed with creamy mashed potatoes. They were delicious. I could not get over how creamy they were. They were just like the ones I enjoyed in Barcelona.
The Plato de Queso Manchego was sliced Manchego cheese, which is sheep’s milk cheese. It is creamy and has a tangy flavor. It paired perfectly with the Cinco Jotas, which is acorn fed Iberico ham.
This special ham is aged 45 days. The presentation is amazing. They bring the meat over to your table and carve it in front of you. This Iberico ham just melts in your mouth. The fat that was on this ham was like butter.
While the previous items were shared around the table, I ordered the Gazpacho estilo Algeciras which was difficult to share. This was a chilled soup made with puréed tomatoes, cucumbers, green bell peppers. It was a light soup which was the perfect appetizer.
The Pimentos Piquillos de Queso Cabra is another class Spanish dish. It was seared piquillo peppers and they were filled with goat cheese. The peppers were sweet and had no real heat. The tangy cheese was an excellent complement.
The Espinacas a la Catalana was sautéed spinach, peanuts, raisins, and apples. It was a unique combination that resembled a side dish. This is something that I would want to try to replicate at home for dinner. All the ingredients worked well together with the cooked spinach.
Then it was time for the main dishes to start arriving.
Chorizo Casero con Pure de Patatas al aceite de Olivia is a dish consisting of house made chorizo sausage served with mashed potatoes. The sausage had nice heat. It was tender and full of flavor. The mashed potatoes were creamy. There was a little sauce poured on top that acted like gravy for the potatoes.
Pollo con pisto Manchego is grilled chicken thighs with a traditional vegetable stew. The chicken was moist and full of flavor from the spices. The stew acted like a sauce.
Gambas al Ajillo is a simple but elegant dish. It is sautéed shrimp and garlic butter sauce. There were huge pieces of garlic that added so much flavor. There was bread on the side to help soak up the butter. The shrimp were large in size plus they were tender.
The Tortilla Espanola is an omelet made of eggs, onions, and potatoes. This was a great dish that was perfect for dinner with the savory flavor. It did not feel like a breakfast dish even though it was an omelet.
Even with all the food we enjoyed, it was time for dessert.
Flan al ostllo tradicional de mama Marisa con espuma de crema Catalana is a classic Spanish custard with “aspuma” Catalan cream and oranges. It was creamy. It was the best flan I have ever tasted.
Pan con Chocolate is a chocolate custard with caramelized bread, olive oil, and brioche ice cream. The presentation of this dessert was beautiful.
The chocolate custard was extremely rich and sweet. I was only able to eat a few bites. The brioche ice cream was delicious. It was creamy and sweet with a subtle unique taste. The best way to eat this dish was to combine the custard and the ice cream on your spoon. It blends the two flavors together.
Just in time for dessert, we were able to enjoy the Flamenco dancers, and the band that started performing around the restaurant. It was the perfect conclusion to our amazing meal.
If you are in Disney Springs looking for a great place to eat, check out Jaleo by Jose Andres. Visit their website at www.jaleo.com
