Category: Florida

West Caribbean Cuban Restaurant – Lakeland, FL

This 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.

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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 best way to cook these is simply sautéing them in some butter and they are ready to go.

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The ham croquettes were also great to share. The ham was chopped up very fine. It was fried to crispy perfection. When I bit in I could taste the smoky flavor of the ham.

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I ordered their Lechon Asado – which is the traditional shredded pork. Cuban shredded pork is my second favorite dish (remember the fried plantains are my first). There is something special about how the pork is prepared and seasoned that I cannot replicate at home. The dish also came with a side of black beans and rice and more fried sweet plantains.

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The pork was amazing. It was juicy and the salty seasonings could be tasted throughout the meat, not just on the surface. There were also a few crispy edges which added a little crunch.

The black beans and rice they served were delicious and different from others I have had. Instead of serving white rice with a bowl of black beans in a sauce on the side, they actually combined them both and cooked it that way. I liked this style because it allowed the sauce and beans to coat all of the rice.

For authentic Cuban food, please visit West Caribbean Cuban Restaurant. They give you huge portions so plan on having a to go box.

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Check out their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/westcaribbeancubanrestaurant/

Enjoy!

T

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Frescos – Lakeland, FL

I 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 knew I made the right selection.

This was a unique take on chicken and waffles. They used roasted chicken thigh meat. It was off the bone so it was easier to eat. The gravy had all the spice because of the chorizo they used. The chicken was covered in it. The waffle was extremely sweet. It created a perfect enhancement to the heat from the gravy. The dish was pretty big in size so it could easily be shared.

Now my favorite thing about Frescos brunch is their bottomless mimosas. However, there is more to it then just being bottomless. They offer several different flavors. So each time you order you can try something new. They had several flavors on the menu that were not available the last visit. They had Prickly Pear listed but when I went to order it my waiter said they had run out. I was lucky the last time I visited I got to try it. Clearly this is a popular flavor, so add that to your must try list.

I started off with the Pineapple. That’s my favorite juice so it is always a must for me.

The Raspberry version had great tartness to it.

The White Peach was light. There was a subtle peach taste, nothing overpowering.

My last mimosa I went for something fun. They were offering a Sex on the Beach mimosa. It was made perfectly with the right amount of grenadine. This was the sweetest of all the mimosas I tried.

Just like my first visit, this visit was fantastic. My waiter was fun and engaging. The food was great and the mimosas were wonderful. Make sure you add them to your brunch list.

www.frescoslakeland.com

Enjoy!

T

 

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