Category: Florida

Bella Mia – Bradenton, FL

I love Italian food. When I came across a little family owned restaurant called Bella Mia I wanted to make sure I stopped in for lunch.

I was greeted so warmly as soon as I walked in. As I walked to my table I noticed a wall full of pictures. These pictures captured years of customers enjoying the food created at Bella Mia.

The waitress brought over a full plate of garlic knots. This fresh made bread was loaded with melted butter and garlic. They also covered the knots with grated Parmesan and mozzarella cheese. After just one bite I knew these were addicting. I had to be careful because if I ate too many knots I would not have room for the rest of my lunch.

They offered a few lunch specials in addition to their regular menu. I went for the eggplant rollitini. It came with a side of pasta and a side salad. It was a large portion, especially for lunch.

The salad was a typical side salad. I got it with blue cheese dressing.

The eggplant was fantastic. It was thin slices of tender eggplant that was loaded with Ricotta cheese filling. The pasta sauce had wonderful flavor that was slightly sweet with a tanginess.

They gave a generous portion of pasta on the side. They covered it in the same pasta sauce. It was very filling and almost too much with the eggplant dish. It was rich because of all the cheese.

Bella Mia was a great little local place to get a quick homemade Italian meal. Check them out at http://www.bellamiafl.com

Enjoy!

T

Roux – Tampa, FL

I have written many times about brunch. Normally when I have brunch it’s on a Sunday. It’s a fun thing to do and enjoy time with friends. I was really surprised when I found a place that offered brunch on Saturday. Roux offers New Orleans cuisine in the heart of Tampa.

          

They are located in a small strip center and the parking lot is small. I got there right when they opened so it was not an issue but at dinner it could be a challenge. The good news is they offer valet parking. Though it looks small on the outside, they are fairly large inside. They have a huge bar so that you can enjoy a happy hour drink.

Since I got there early in the day getting a table was easy. However, I would recommend a reservation if you head there for dinner. My waiter mentioned that the evenings are usually very crowded.

   

I started brunch off with one of Roux’s BOGO mimosas. I had my choice of juice so I went with pineapple. I love pineapple juice; it makes the mimosa much sweeter than orange juice, which can make a mimosa sour.

Since they are a New Orleans restaurant they had boudin balls as a starter. They came with three jumbo balls filled with pork, rice, and seasoning; right in the center they were stuffed with pepper jack cheese. They were lightly breaded with a seasoned flour and there was a decoration of spicy mustard on the plate.

When I cut open the boudin ball, the melted cheese poured out. The spiciness of the pepper jack added extra flavor to the finely shredded pork that was used. The breading on the outside added a lot of crunch but it did not have a lot of flavor, but I used the spicy mustard for that.

Part of their brunch specials were $1 oysters. They naturally could be ordered raw, but it would not be a proper New Orleans restaurant if they did not offer char-grilled oysters. They can be ordered in 6’s and 12’s. I started off with 6, this way they would stay hot and if I got too full I would not waste any.

The oysters they use come from New Orleans, so they are a little sweeter. They came loaded with parmesan and Romano cheese and a house made compound butter.

As soon as the first oyster hit my lips I knew I was going to order another 6. The butter was loaded with garlic and each oyster was drenched in it. The cheese was melted in the center but the edges were crispy as they touched the hot shells. They were smaller in size which I prefer because it makes them easier to eat in one bite. Little pieces of grilled toast came with the oysters, which were essential to dip into the excess garlic butter.

If you have never eaten oysters before I can offer up one little trick. Make sure after you have eaten one you turn the shells over. This way you do not miss a single bite.

Roux offers up a very different brunch experience than I am use to. It was delicious and I would recommend them to anyone. They have many more traditional brunch items on their menu as well. You can check everything out at http://www.rouxtampa.com/

Enjoy!

T

 

 

 

Felice Italian Pork Store – Clearwater, FL

Are you looking for a little piece of New York’s Little Italy in Florida? If you said yes then you must head over to Felice Italian Pork Store & Deli. It is tucked away in a shopping center but when you walk in you think you have been transported to New York.

There are racks of imported Italian sauces, oils, and foods including a freezer section filled with pastas.

There are deli cases full of fresh cheeses, homemade sausages, deli meats, fresh Italian breads, and pastries. Plus there are fresh made Italian dishes that you can either get them to go or have them warmed up and eat in their small cafe area.

     

     

     

I did get some items to go in order to fill up the refrigerator at home. However, I could not pass up having lunch there. I started off with a bottle of Manhattan Special. This is a coffee soda that is sweet and bubbly. I have never seen this outside of New York.

I made sure to get some of the fresh Italian bread. It had a crispy crust and was soft on the inside. I ate a few pieces with some fresh olive oil but saved the rest to dip in the pasta sauce that would be coming with my order.

I picked out a few things from the deli case. The good thing is they warmed everything up until it was nice and hot and then they drenched it in the pasta sauce.

The aranchini was the first thing I tried. I love aranchini and I always get them when they are on menus. The filling was ground sausage, peas, and mozzarella cheese. The sausage was full of flavor and tasted amazing with the sauce. These rice balls were really cheesy. The rice helped soak up more herb flavor from the sauce. Absolutely delicious!

The next thing on the plate that I tried was the meatball. It was only one and it was huge. The meat was dense but still very moist. They did not use a lot of filler so the seasoning of the meat shined through and it had great texture.

The final item was the eggplant. This was an Eggplant Rollatini. It was filled with cheese so when I cut it the cheese just oozed out. The eggplant was cooked perfectly. It was tender but still firm. Eggplant and cheese go so well together.

Now I could not go to an Italian place without getting a cannoli. Because my lunch was so filling I got a cannoli to go. I knew I would enjoy it later.

This was one of the best cannoli I have ever had. The shell was super crispy. Sometimes cannoli shells can get slightly soggy once the filling is in. The filling was creamy and soft. It did not have that gritty texture that sometimes can happen. They also were extremely generous with the filling; they filled all the way through the shell. I took a bite and filling went everywhere.

Felice’s was a great find. Whether you are eating there or taking something home you will not be disappointed. Check them out at www.felicedeli.com

Enjoy!

T

Coney Island Drive-Inn – Brooksville, FL

While on a drive coming back from the Gulf Coast of Florida, I came across a local restaurant along the side of the road called Coney Island Drive-Inn.

     

The parking lot was packed with cars, trucks, and motorcycles. I figured it had to be good considering how many people were visiting.

It had a cute roadside attraction feel inside. There were old signs on the wall, licenses plates from all over the country. It was fun to see where they were from.

     

There were a lot of items on the menu. But since the place was called Coney Island I felt that I needed to get a hot dog. They had a variety topping that you could get on their foot long dogs. I got a plain cheese dog and a chili dog. I actually shared the hot dogs because I knew there was no way that I could eat them by myself.

The cheese dog reminded me of how my mom would make them when I was a kid. A soft, squishy bun with a grilled hot dog nestled inside was covered with slices of melted American cheese. The cheese was creamy and coated the entire hot dog.

The chili dog was the same grilled hot dog on the soft bun. It was loaded with a meaty chili that was full of beans. And a chili dog would not be complete with out fresh chopped onion on top.

A hot dog would not be complete without french fries. They had these great shoe-string fries. I could not order just plain fries. I had to try the chili cheese fries. That same yummy chili from the hot dog was put on top of the fries. Then liquid cheese was drizzled on top. It was messy to eat with a fork but they are worth the mess. It was a salty, meaty treat.

They also offered Poutine on the menu. I was so excited to see this. It is a Canadian dish that is hard to find in the states. I knew I needed to order this too.

The french fries were covered in a brown gravy and chunks of cheese curd was tossed throughout. The gravy added the saltiness to the fries and as the cheese curd melted it added creaminess.

Coney Island was a fun place to check out. Naturally everything I ate was salty so I made sure to wash it down with a fountain soda. If you are driving near the Gulf Coast, you should go out of your way to check out Coney Island Drive-Inn. They are totally worth the stop.

www.famousfootlongs.com

Enjoy!

T

Grove Roots Brewing Company – Winter Haven, FL

Breweries are popping up everywhere in the United States, sometimes in the most unexpected places. Winter Haven, Florida is no exception. Not far off the main road I came across Grove Roots Brewing Company. I actually passed by it and took a double take, not sure what the building was.

The place was busy both inside and outside. They make all their beers on the premises. They have so many to choose from it was hard to narrow it down. Luckily they do offer tastings. That is what I did.

     

I tasted Pineapple Hula. This was a cider and it was the only tap that belonged to a “Guest” – Cider Boys. This cider had a slight sweet taste, with strong pineapple overtones. It was good but I did not think I could drink a whole pint.

The next beer I sampled was called Hopwarts Express. It caught my attention because I thought it read Hogwarts Express. This was a lighter beer that did have a hoppy aftertaste. It was refreshing to me so I ended up ordering a pint.

While enjoying the company I was with, I noticed a sign that was advertising a local business called A Cow Named Moo. They made homemade ice cream sandwiches. They had a deep freezer set up in the brewery, selling a few of their flavors.

I went for the Peanut Butter Cup. This ice cream sandwich was amazing. The ice cream was super creamy and full of peanut butter flavor. The cookie part of the sandwich was a dark chocolate cookie. It was soft and sweet. The chocolate flavor complemented the peanut butter. The cookie made the dessert absolutely perfect.

     

Grove Roots Brewing Company is a fun place to hang out and drink some local beers. You can also enjoy some local treats and place giant Jenga.

Check them out at www.groveroots.com

Enjoy!

T

Tsukuro – Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Walking up and down A1A in Ft. Lauderdale there is the beach on one side and a ton of restaurants on the other. There are so many choices; it all depends on what you are in the mood for. All the restaurants have their menus blown up and on display right there on the sidewalk. It helps you make a decision by glancing over their offerings.

When I passed Tsukuro and looked over their menu I got instantly hungry for sushi and fried rice. This was the place I was going to spend my evening.

     

As soon as I sat down I had to order the edamame. They were steamed perfectly and covered in sea salt. It was a huge bowl so it was perfect for sharing.

They were running a drink special on their jumbo 45oz. cocktails. Since they were basically half price I had to order one. I went for the Miami Vice which is a blend of a pina colada and strawberry daiquiri. The drink was naturally sweet and super cold. I got a brain freeze a few times. This drink really was too big. I would recommend if you order this, share it with someone.

     

The fried rice came as a side dish so the portion was a little smaller than I expected. It was not good for sharing if you order just one bowl. This rice had a perfect combination of ingredients that included scrambled egg, ginger, garlic, cabbage, and scallions. The flavor was fantastic. That salty taste from the soy sauce and the smokiness from the wok it was cook in pulled the entire dish together.

Rather than order more traditional sushi, I wanted to try something a little more unique. The Spicy Tuna Tower fit what I was looking for. The chunks of fresh tuna pieces were blended with avocado, wasabi, and a little soy sauce. Then this tuna mixture was spread on fried wonton wrappers. Then each wonton was stacked on top of each other.

It was a fun presentation. The only way to really eat it was to take the layers apart. This made it perfect for sharing. The tuna was so fresh it melted in my mouth. It was not that spicy which was a tad disappointing but the flavor was so good it ended up being ok. The creamy avocado paired so well with the tuna. The wonton added a contrasting crunchiness. I was definitely glad I tried this dish.

Tsukuro was a great beach front restaurant. It was great to feel the breeze off the Atlantic Ocean and people watch everyone walking up and down.

     

Check them out at http://itsbetteronthebeach.com/tsukuro/

Enjoy!

T

Sunset Grille – St. Augustine, FL

Driving along the coast in St. Augustine, Florida is beautiful. The tranquil sound of the waves is extremely relaxing. After spending some time on the beach, you can easily work up an appetite.

Just across A1A (the main road that follows the coastline) is Sunset Grille. The place was extremely busy so I figured the food had to be pretty good.

  

  

As always I started off with a tropical drink – The Captain’s Coconut. They blended Captain Morgan Rum, Malibu Rum, pineapple juice, and blue curacao. They accented the glass with a fresh orange. This truly was a tropical drink. It was the perfect drink to enjoy at the beach. The rum was strong but the pineapple juice calmed down the flavor.

It was time to order a few things off the menu. I ordered a cup of the Minorcan Conch Chowder. It was a great vegetable based broth that was full of flavor. The fresh conch was cut up into smaller pieces and as very tender. I just love fresh seafood.

 

I also tried a little of the clam chowder. Someone else in the group ordered a bowl and I got to have a taste (actually a few spoonful’s). It was very creamy. There was a nice amount of fresh clams throughout. I really liked the chunks of potatoes.

I ordered the appetizer size of the coconut shrimp. I love coconut shrimp so I always like ordering it when I see them on a menu. They are so much more interesting than just plain fried shrimp. The breading was not overly sweet because of the coconut. It was very crispy too. They tasted wonderful with the pina colada dipping sauce. It added an extra tropical taste.

One of the last things that I ordered was the chowder fries. The waitress recommended these. She says they are extremely popular, plus they are perfect for sharing. These French fries were covered in their homemade  clam chowder. Then they were topped with bacon and cheddar cheese. The cheese was a nice accent to the chowder. The bacon added a crispy element to the dish. I have never had chowder on top of fries before but it was a delicious adventure.

Sunset Grille was a fun place. It was an extremely busy, popular place. I would definitely want to go back and try something else from their menu. And to remember where they are located, just remember the sign they had on the wall “Somewhere on A1A”.

Check out their website at http://www.sunsetgrillea1a.com/

Enjoy!

T

Ice Plant – St. Augustine, FL

St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest city in the United States. It is extremely fascinating to think about the generations of people that have walked the shores and streets. It was cool to see a stone fort along the inlet that has protected Florida since before it was a state. Traveling this beautiful country is amazing.

St. Augustine is a magical city filled with the old and the new. Part of that new is the St. Augustine Distillery. There they make vodka, bourbon, gin, and rum. If you get there early enough you can take a tour of the distillery.

  

I did not make it there in time for the tour but luckily for me they also have a bar / restaurant located inside called Ice Plant.

Inside is a beautiful, industrial feeling place. There are beams on the ceiling and walls. The bar was a tall wooden, decorative piece that reminded me of something out of a 1920s bar.

  

The bar staff was an entertaining group. When they made cocktails, they put a lot of care into each ingredient they used. Watching them shake cocktails in unison was funny.

  

The drink menu alone had six different options for ice. Each one was used in a different cocktail. The coolest thing I watched the bartender do was make an ice ball. A cube of ice is put into an aluminum press that melts the ice and molds it into a ball. I took a video to show the process. You can check it out on my Twitter page (@GatorGirl_Swamp).

Because I missed the opportunity to tour the distillery my bartender let me sample each one of their homemade liquors. They all tasted wonderful and were smooth. My favorite was the vodka.

  

They did have a menu with a few small bites to try. While they sounded wonderful, I had already eaten so I was not very hungry. However, the few items I saw looked delicious.

I wanted to try one of their hand crafted cocktails. I ordered the Florida Mule. It used St. Augustine Distillery vodka, ginger, lime, and soda. The bartender took a sprig of mint, slapped it on the bar, and then added that to my cup.

  

This was a great tasting mule that was extra cold because of the copper mug. The vodka was smooth and paired well with the tanginess of the ginger.

Ice Plant is a fun environment to enjoy food, drinks, and friends. I would definitely want to go back to experience the food and another crafted cocktail. If you are visiting St. Augustine I would recommend you stop by. I plan on going back so I can take the distillery tour.

http://iceplantbar.com/

Enjoy!

T

Central Tavern – Winter Haven, FL

There is a quaint local bar on the main street in Winter Haven, Florida called Central Tavern. While visiting them one evening I got to talking with the manager and he mentioned that the first Sunday of every month they do a special brunch. They offer a Bloody Mary and Mimosa bar along with some homemade food. It sounded like a fun time so I made sure to put it on my calendar for the next month.

     

So Sunday rolled around and I made sure to get to Central Tavern when they opened up. There was already a line when I arrived. It turns out that the brunch buffet is actually free. I was shocked. It was an assortment of homemade breakfast dishes and fresh fruit prepared by the management team. It is all first come first serve, so when they are out, they are out. It allows customers to enjoy a bite to eat while ordering a few custom made cocktails.

Naturally the menu of food items changes each month. This visit I got to enjoy:

     

  • Veggie quiche – The fluffy eggs were filled with fresh vegetables.
  • Sausage Balls – Spicy ground sausage was loaded with cheddar cheese.
  • Sausage & Cheese Hash Browns – The crunchy potatoes were topped with a ton of cheese. This was my favorite dish.
  • Shrimp & Grits – This was both creamy and cheesy. The shrimp were fresh and tender.

They also offered up some fresh fruit. It was the perfect blend of peaches, pineapple, and mango. I even put a few pieces in the mimosas I ordered.

The star of this Sunday brunch is the Mimosa and Bloody Mary Bar. They give you a menu and you get to select every aspect of your drink.

For the Bloody Mary, I picked spicy Old Bay on the rim for a little kick. For the ingredients I went for the classic – Worcestershire, celery salt, horseradish, and Tabasco. When it came to the garnish, I went a little safe – celery, bacon, bleu cheese olives, and pepperoni. I could have gone wild and add a pork rib but I passed. The flavor was just the way I like it with a hint of spicy.

The mimosas were a lot of fun to get to put together. Since they were not huge I was able to try three different versions.

The first I ordered was Peach. The peach juice came with fresh peach garnish. This was my favorite because it had such a fresh taste.

Up next was the Raspberry Lemonade. There was fresh raspberry garnish that gave this a great sour taste that made my lips pucker a little.

Finally I tried the Blackberry. The blackberry juice was accented with fresh blueberries. There was a slight tang from the juice but the blueberries were sweet.

Central Tavern was a really fun place to hang out on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Check them out on Facebook at www.linksterstaproom.com

Enjoy!

T

The Red Top Pit Stop – Lakeland, FL

When people think of Florida usually what comes to mind is South Beach, Disney World, and Daytona Beach for a NASCAR race. But there is more to Florida than these places. Florida is loaded with lakes, state parks, nature preserves, and wild animals that you would not expect. Located in Lakeland, Florida is the Colt Creek State Park that sits inside the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve. Here you can enjoy miles of walking and bike trails and hopefully spot a bald eagle or white tail deer.

Just on the outskirts of the park you will find a little restaurant called The Red Top Pit Stop. This is the perfect spot to stop for breakfast before spending the day with nature.

The restaurant was packed when I got there. I was lucky to get the last table. The breakfast menu was huge and had all the usual breakfast essentials. I was wanting to try something unique and that is when I saw the pulled pork omelet. They smoke their own meat in the BBQ smoker out front, so I knew this was a great choice.

The omelet was big. I started out by tasting just the pork. The meat had a wonderful smoky flavor. The Red Top makes a homemade BBQ sauce, which is sweet and pairs well with the smoky meat.

My second bite was the combination of the egg, cheese, and pork. Prior to eating this combination, I would not have thought egg and pulled pork would work. I was completely wrong. It was an amazing taste.

The egg had a neutral flavor but added tons of texture to each bite. The cheese added a creaminess, the pork had the moisture and smokiness, and the drizzle of BBQ sauce on top added the sweetness. It all worked together and each flavor was balanced out. If you like bacon in an omelet, having pulled pork is similar. It added the saltiness but offers less crunch. It really made the omelet heartier. Keep in mind they give you a large portion so you can fill up rather quickly.

Each breakfast comes with a side. They have a homemade hash brown potato that looked good. However, I knew that would be way to filling to pair with the omelet. I went for the buttery grits. They were cooked perfectly, creamy and salty. A great breakfast staple.

There is more to The Red Top Pit Stop than breakfast. They have a large selection of sandwiches and burgers. I definitely plan on heading back to try one of their burgers topped with their BBQ.

Whether you are heading out to the park for a bike ride or coming back from a sunrise nature walk, you are certainly going to work up an appetite. The Red Top Pit Stop is a must visit along the way. Check them out their Facebook page at facebook.com/The-Red-Top-Pit-Stop

Enjoy!

T