Driving down to Key West you pass through a few different island towns. About an hour outside of Key West is Islamorada, Florida. It was the perfect area to stop and get something for lunch. What better place to stop then the World Famous Islamorada Fish Company. There is inside seating but with the restaurant being on the water, the best seats are outside on the deck. The deck was huge, and the views were absolutely breathtaking. It really makes you feel like you are in paradise. I started off with conch fritters for the table. These are a staple…
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Watching football on Sunday’s is a tradition across America. Having a fun place where you can watch the game and have great food is a must. I found that place in Lakeland, Florida called Mojo’s. They were founded in 2008 and are known for their ice cold beer. I was very excited to see that their wings have won tons of awards. Their menu is cute and creative. It’s a newspaper! I was thrilled to try their red raspberry sangria. It can be ordered by the glass or the pitcher. Naturally, since it was game day I ordered the pitcher. They use raspberry liquor,…
Leave a CommentYbor City is a historic area in Tampa, Florida. In the late 19th century, this was home to many cigar manufacturers. Though the area has changed over the years, you can still find a few shops where a cigar can be rolled right in front of your eyes. Now Ybor City is filled with restaurants, shops, and night life. The original Columbia Restaurant that I have previously written about is located in Ybor City. I was not sure what I was hungry for when I got there, but after walking around I saw Gaspar’s Grotto. The pirate flag caught my…
Leave a CommentSome friends of mine knew how much I loved Italian food and told me that I needed to join them at Scarpa’s in Lakeland, Florida. They absolutely love this place so I knew I would love it too. As soon as I walked in I was greeted by a giant chalkboard filled with their daily specials. As soon as I saw arancinis on the board, I knew I would be getting these for sure. The restaurant is slightly small inside so it is necessary to make a reservation. They do have a beautiful wine cellar with several great options to…
Leave a CommentI was so excited to be celebrating my grandmother’s 92 birthday. We took her out to a really nice dinner at one of her favorite Italian restaurants – Trattoria Nonna. Trattoria Nonna is a local, family owned restaurant where they make so many things fresh. It is so warm and inviting when you walk in. It is decorated beautifully. Our waiter was wonderful and really knew how to handle a large party. He made sure to bring us plenty of fresh bread right away. They offer two kinds – fresh made Italian white bread that is crispy on the outside…
Leave a CommentWhat better way to watch the sunset over the water than at a beach bar. Whiskey Joe’s offers this. You can choose to sit on the sandy beach with your toes in the water or on the deck at their Tiki Bar. I chose the Tiki Bar. I honestly felt this was the best seat in the house. The sunset was breathtaking. Completely calming and allows all your troubles to melt away. To enjoy the sunset I ordered a “Gator Juice” cocktail. Being a Gator myself I felt it was appropriate. This drink was a blend of three…
Leave a CommentThis restaurant is a little off the beaten path in Lakeland, but their Cuban food is worth the drive. I love Cuban food and it is not something you can find regularly outside of Florida. So when I visit it is a must have on my list. To start lunch off, I got two appetizers for the table. The first being fried ripe sweet plantains. These are my absolute favorite dish. I can tell that the plantain was perfect because it will be soft and sweet. When it is hard and bland then the plantain is not ripe enough. The…
Leave a CommentI have written about Frescos in Lakeland, Florida before. I went back recently for brunch again. I had such a great experience I thought I would write about them again. I started off with the deviled eggs. They are perfect for sharing. These had a beautiful sweetness to them. They also had crunchy bacon accents that added a very slight touch of saltiness. For my meal I ordered the spicy chicken and waffles with chorizo gravy. After I ordered it my waiter said this was his favorite dish. When I here this from someone who works at the restaurant I…
Leave a CommentI 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…
Leave a CommentI 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…
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