Category: Florida

400 Beach Seafood – St. Petersburg, FL – Visit #2

St. Petersburg, Florida is a beautiful place. The entire city is growing quickly. There are so many places to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. During this visit to St Petersburg, I wanted to get brunch and I decided to check out a restaurant I had visited years ago called 400 Beach Seafood.

You cannot enjoy brunch without a mimosa and bloody Mary. They were not bottomless, but they were still a great price. The mimosa was made with Brut champagne and fresh orange juice. The sweetness of the juice helped cut down the sharpness of the brut. The bloody Mary was made spicy, just the way I like it. It had a wonderful horseradish flavor. It was a drastic contrast to the mimosa.

I started off with a bowl of Clam Chowder. It was extremely creamy. They loaded it up with tender, fresh clams and big chunks of potatoes. It was a good ratio of clams to potatoes. The soup was seasoned perfectly.

I also tried a little of the Island Seafood Chili. This was extremely hardy. It was thick but not like a traditional beef chili. It was more like a stew. They used a variety of seafood which was nice. Each bite had a different texture.

For my brunch meal I ordered the Crab Cake Eggs Benedict. They took an English muffin and laced a fresh crab cake on it. They then put a traditional poached egg with hollandaise sauce on top of the crab cake. They accented it with a few pieces of fresh spinach. The egg was light, and the creaminess of the yoke soaked into the crab cake, which added a rich texture to the crab meat. The crab was sweet tasting and there was a lot of it.

A potato hash came on the side. These were diced potatoes mixed with onions and peppers. There was also fresh fruit. Both were the perfect complement to the filling breakfast.

I also was able to try the Fish Tacos. These were blackened Mahi Mahi pieces topped with avocado, a fresh made mango salsa, and queso fresco. They drizzled a charred lime aioli on top. The few bites I got to try highlighted the fish. It had a great spice to it from being blackened. The mango salsa was my favorite part. It added a complementary sweetness.

I really enjoyed the dishes I got to try at 400 Beach. Even the season visit have me several surprises. This is definitely a place to would continue to come back to.  I loved seeing how busy St. Petersburg was. Life has been getting back to normal and it feels great.

Check them out at www.400beachseafood.com

Enjoy!

T

Fancy Q Sushi – Lakeland, FL

I love sushi and it had been a whole since I had some. I wanted to try a different restaurant. There was a little place that had gotten great reviews that I decided to try, called Fancy Q Sushi in Lakeland, Florida.

It is not very big inside, so I am glad I got there when I did. Otherwise, I would have been waiting for a table. When I got seated at the table, the waitress brought over a fried sushi roll as a welcome appetizer. It was a nice surprise. It was really tasty. It was a crab and shrimp roll that was tempura fried. They drizzled a yum-yum sauce and soy sauce on top.  The sauce was sweet and creamy. The soy sauce was not overpowering and added a slight salty taste.

The miso soup came out next. This was a simple broth that helped cleanse the palate before the sushi came out.

I ordered the sushi plater that is perfect for sharing. It offers up a little bit of everything to try. This platter had a spicy tuna roll, a California roll, and fresh cuts of fish – mackerel, tuna, salmon, and white fish.

The spicy tuna roll had the seaweed wrap on the outside. There was a nice amount of wasabi on the inside, which gave it a kick.

The California roll is the simplest roll that actually is simple in taste as well. I like to add a little wasabi to make it spicy. They also have extra yum-yum sauce at the table, so I made sure to drizzle that on top of the roll. It helps give extra sweetness.

The tuna and salmon were extremely fresh. They were tender and melted in my mouth. The white fish was interesting, it is not something I would have ordered on its own. It was light and had a mild taste. I did dip it in some soy sauce that I mixed wasabi in. I really like when there is a little heat. It added some additional flavor to the fish itself.

The mackerel was also very interesting. I had never had it before, it was a little oily and did have an oily taste. It was a little too fishy for me. Even with adding the yum-yum sauce, it did not care for it. The texture was also different from the other fish I normally eat.

I had also ordered a side of shrimp fried rice. It was so good. I dove in as soon as it came to the table. I did not even remember to take a photo. The shrimp were grilled up and had a great ginger flavor. The rice was perfect with a slight salty taste and a few crispy edges from the grill.

This was a great place to sushi. They have many other things on the menu, including some Thai dishes. I am looking forward to going back. Check them out at www.fancyqlakeland.com

Enjoy!

T

Omusubee – Lakeland, FL

It was a beautiful Spring morning and I headed to downtown Lakeland for the Saturday Farmers Market. It is a great place to go help support local businesses.

Each time I go I find something, and this Saturday was no exception. I saw a sign for a Japanese rice ball, and I was curious what that was all about.

They had a pretty large crowd around their booth. It seemed that everyone was interested in these rice balls. These are made with Japanese sushi rice that is stuffed with different filling and then wrapped in a seaweed sheet. It was also not in the shape of a ball but a triangle. The entire item was fascinating.

I took a chance and ordered a tune rice ball. Even the wrapping around the rice was unique.  You needed to pull the red arrows on the wrap in order to remove it, otherwise the seaweed might all have come apart.

It was creamy tuna salad in the middle of the soft rice. The rice did have a slight vinegar taste just like sushi. The seaweed wrap added a little crunch when I took a bite and it kept the triangle shape. It acted almost like an editable napkin.

The entire item was delicious. All three of the elements worked so well together. It was super easy to eat and easy to walk around the market.

They do have a website where you can order some other flavors. Then you can pick them up at the following weeks market. This is exactly what I did. I ordered another creamy tuna since I enjoyed it so much. I also ordered the eel. This was strips of cooked eel (just like I get when I order sushi) topped off with the sweet eel sauce. Then it was covered with the seaweed.

It was like eating a jumbo sushi roll. I actually popped it in the microwave for a few seconds to warm it up. That made it a little easier to bit in to the eel.

I am so glad I found the at the Farmers Market. These rice balls are a nice snack and very easy to eat. Check them out and order a few at www.omusubeefl.com

Enjoy!

T

Harry Waugh Dessert Room – Tampa, FL

After enjoying a wonderful steak dinner at Bern’s Steakhouse. I had two options for dessert. I could either eat there at my table in the restaurant or I could head upstairs to the Harry Waugh Dessert Room. Naturally I went upstairs for a unique experience. Luckily, we had a reservation, otherwise we would not have been able to get in.

We were seated in a semi-private space. It was intimate enough for small groups without making you feel like you are closed in.

Their menu was filled with dessert and dessert like cocktails. I orders one of each. The actual dessert was shared with the table.

The specialty drink I ordered was called Dreamsicle. The drink was vanilla ice cream that was blended with orange juice, orange liqueur, and a splash of Valencia orange vodka.

This drink was rich and creamy. The orange flavor was extremely impactful and paired with the ice cream perfectly. It truly reminded me of a creamsicle/dreamsicle that I would get from the ice cream man in the summer.

For dessert, as if the cocktails weren’t enough, I ordered the King Midas. This was a nut infused carrot cake. The moist, spicy cake was topped with a Macadamia Nut ice cream and a slice of thin chocolate. The ice cream was sweet, and the nuts gave it a unique flavor that paired well with the nutty carrot cake. As the ice cream melted, it got soaked into the cake, which made it even more moist.

I am so glad that I went to the Dessert Room for dessert. It was the best way to end my evening.

If you want to learn more about the Dessert Room check out the website for Bern’s Steakhouse: www.bernssteakhouse.com

Enjoy!

T

Bern’s Steakhouse – Tampa, FL

For over 50 years Bern’s has been serving the Tampa area. What started as a small sandwich shop turned into a famous steakhouse. With their enormous wine cellar and a special dessert room, they have appeared many times on the Food Network and Travel Channel. I could not wait to check them out for dinner.

To start off the meal I ordered a bottle of Syltbar Prosecco. It is from Veneto, Italy. I love Prosecco and I never had this brand before. It was not very sweet, but it also was not overly dry. It was smooth to taste.

They brought out an assortment of breads. There was some fresh wheat bread that was soft. They also had these little crispy toasts. They had a garlic, buttery taste.

We started off with an appetizer of Tuna Tartare. This was the softest tuna that was diced into small pieces. It was then tossed with an array of spices, soy sauce, wasabi dashi (a wasabi dressing). It was topped off with tobiko (flying fish roe). They served crispy wontons on the side. The flavors of the sauces married perfectly with the flavor of the tuna. Because the tuna was so soft, the wonton crisps added a nice texture.

Out next was the French Onion Soup. There was a thick layer of cheese that was on top of the bowl. The edges were crispy and stuck to the rim of the bowl. As I took my spoon to open up the cheese, the hot steam from the soup poured out. I could smell garlic and the caramelized onions. The soup was loaded with them.

The broth was not too salty, just enough. The spelt toast that was in the soup soaked up a lot of the flavor from the broth. That softness of the bread went so well with the firmness of the melted cheese.

The house salad cam out next. This was a simple, classic salad. There were several dressings to choose from. I went for the White Balsamic Italian. The dressing had a nice tanginess to it that made the salad more exciting.

For my dinner I ordered the 8oz Filet Mignon. It was cooked to the perfect medium. Then it was topped with a garlic butter. The meat was so tender I could cut it with a butter knife. The garlic butter added a little extra herb flavor to the meat. There was a perfect char on the outside of the steak.

There were onion rings on the plate. These were more like onion straws that were fried up crispy. It was a nice textural element.

The vegetable for the evening was fresh green beans and carrots. They were cooked in butter to add a creamy saltiness.

And what side goes best with a steak? A baked potato of course. I got mine loaded with sweet butter, crumbled bacon, and chives. I splashed a little salt and pepper on top and I was ready to dig in. The bacon mixed with the butter made the potato moist and crunchy. It was a nice pairing with the juicy steak.

This was one of the best steaks that I have had in a long time. It was nice to visit a restaurant that has withstood the test of time. They are a must try when you visit Tampa.

Check out their website at www.bernssteakhouse.com

Enjoy!

T

Texas Cattle Company – Lakeland, FL

A special occasion calls for a good steak dinner. That is exactly what I got at Texas Cattle Company in downtown Lakeland, Florida. I got a table by the window so that I had a nice view for dinner.

A steak dinner needs to start off with a good bottle of wine. The Amici Cabernet Sauvignon was mild in flavor, without a dry aftertaste. It paired perfectly with steak.

We got one of their starters, the Blue Chips. These were homemade potato chips with a blue cheese cream sauce drizzled all over. Then it was topped off with extra blue cheese crumbles. All that blue cheese gave the crispy chips a sharp taste. They were delicious and it only helped enhance the flavor of the wine.

Every meal comes with a salad and homemade cheese garlic bread. The bread was amazing. The cheese was baked on till it was crispy. The bread itself was sweet and the cheese added a salty element. The garlic added a nice tanginess.

The salad was delicious. The lettuce was chopped up which made it much easier to eat. They tossed it in a house dressing. It tasted like an Italian dressing. You can get refills on the salad if you want. Although I could have eaten more salad, I passed on refills because I wanted to save room for my steak.

They were running a special on a 16oz bone in filet. I went for that because I have never had a filet still on the bone. It is supposed to help add additional flavor to the meat.

I got it prepared medium so it would be pink in the middle. The steak was extremely juicy which I noticed as soon as I cut into the meat. I got a little truffle butter on top. It melted overtop of the hot steak and that added additional earthly flavor to the meat. The seasoning on the steak was very satisfying.

I also got grilled shrimp on the side. The shrimp were tender and a great accompaniment to the steak, it is the whole surf and turf idea. The steak was just too big, so I had to take the shrimp home. I figured those would be good for lunch the next day.

The best side dish to go with a steak are potatoes. They offered loaded mashed potatoes. They bring out creamy mashed potatoes and they let you select what toppings to go on top. Naturally, I loaded up with butter, cheese, and bacon. It was the perfect choice.

My meal at Texas Cattle Company was delicious. Every dish was comforting and filled me up. This is a great place to go for a special occasion or just to spend the evening with someone special.

Check out all they have to offer at www.texascattlecompany.net

Enjoy!

T

Nero’s Waterfront Café – St. Augustine, FL

So, it is Sunday in St. Augustine and I was ready for brunch. What better was to enjoy brunch the along the water. That is what Nero’s Waterfront Café offered. I was able to get a seat on their patio.

Their menu offered an array of breakfast and lunch type items. I made sure to try their corned beef hash and eggs. They make their own corned beef. It was shredded, almost like pulled pork. It was tender and juicy. It was cooked well done so it allowed it to get a little crispy. It was fresh hash with great flavor.

My meal was the fish and chips. The fish they used was a fresh Mahi Mahi. They breaded and fried the fish in a seasoning blend that was slightly spicy. The entire thing reminded me of fried chicken.

The flavor of the seasoning was amazing. It was the right amount of heat. There was a nice crunch and the breading sealed in the moisture of the fish. The Mahi Mahi was till so flakey even after being fried.

It came with French fries on the side. They were crispy, having just come out of the fryer. They were good with the ketchup but even better with the homemade tarter sauce.

It was such a nice brunch at Nero’s. I would want to go back and try some of their other dishes. If you want a nice and relaxing meal, you will get that at Nero’s Waterfront Café.

Check them out at www.neroswaterfrontcafe.com

Enjoy!

T

Columbia – St. Augustine, FL

I have loved the Spanish restaurant Columbia for years. I have written about two of their locations in Clearwater and Ybor City in Tampa. While I was visiting St. Augustine, I wanted to make sure I checked out this location too. It was in the Historic District which is a wonderful experience.

They were busy the evening I was there, so I was not able to get a table. I was able to get a seat at the bar.

As with every visit to Columbia, it starts out with the waiter bringing out fresh baked Cuban bread. It comes out wrapped up, which makes me feel like I am opening a yummy birthday present. Since the bread is so warm, as soon as the butter is placed on, it melts into all the nook and crannies of the bread. The crust of the bread is crispy and inside is so soft. It is a carb-lovers paradise.

I also love the fresh made sangrias they make right in front of you. They had a new version on the menu, a Sangria de Rose. They used Rose wine along with Torres brandy and fresh citrus juices. Of course, they added cherries and fresh orange slices. This sangria was not too sweet or too dry. It was right in the middle and felt kind of light.

I also split their famous 1905 salad. If there is one thing that you must try on the Columbia menu is this 1905 salad. It is so filling it can be your entire meal. They chop up crispy iceberg lettuce to make it easier to eat. They then toss in julienne style ham, turkey, and swiss cheese. Not to be outdone, they add tomatoes, olives, grated Romano cheese, Worchester sauce, and their famous homemade garlic dressing. Every aspect of the salad gets coated with the dressing.

The garlic flavor shines through. The Worchester sauce added a nice salty, savory taste. The meat and cheese help to fill you up, while the lettuce adds a fresh crunch.

There are so many great dishes on the Columbia menu. But there is something so simple about a salad and a pitcher of sangria that makes me so satisfied.

I highly recommend you check them out. They have seven locations across Florida, so make sure to find one near you.

Visit their website at www.columbiarestaurant.com

Enjoy!

T

Mimi’s Famous Crepes – St. Augustine, FL

St. Augustine is a magical city, filled with a rich history. From wineries to ghost tours, St. Augustine has something for everyone.  Walking along the historic streets downtown, I came across a little crepe shop called Mimi’s Famous Crepes. I decided to check them out for dessert.

They had an assortment of savory and sweet crepes. Since I wanted dessert I went sweet. I ordered the Banana Cream Pie crepe. What was fun about this place is I could watch my crepe being made.

I watched as the crepe batter was poured onto the hot grill and moved around to create a perfect circle.

Once it was perfectly golden brown, it was folded and filled with a vanilla pudding, sliced bananas, and crushed up vanilla wafers.

Then it was folded again a topped with a caramel drizzle, more vanilla pudding, and whipped cream.

I could not wait to try this crepe. They had a beautiful garden, so I went there to sit and enjoy my dessert.

The crepe was still warm, so the pudding melted around the bananas. This created a rich bite. The whipped cream added a cool element and the caramel sauce added extra sweetness. With the addition of the vanilla wafers for crunch, this really did taste like a Banana Cream pie. They captured this beautifully.

This crepe was so satisfying. All the ingredients went perfectly together. I would recommend everyone going to Mimi’s for a dessert crepe. You will not be disappointed.

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

Enjoy!

T

Cigar City Cider & Mead – Tampa, FL

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.

   

To plan your visit, go to their website at http://www.cigarcitycider.com/

Enjoy!

T