A while back I wrote about an Italian market called Felice’s Deli. They have amazing dishes and desserts that can be eaten there or taken home to enjoy. Well it turns out they have a sister location called A & N Italian Deli. It is in Clearwater, Florida. I was excited to check them out.
They are a little smaller inside, but they still carry all the desserts, deli meats and cheeses, and prepared Italian specialties, like meatballs and eggplant.
For my visit I wanted to get a nice, big Italian sandwich. I figured I would not go wrong with The Godfather. This sandwich was loaded with Genoa salami, capicola, pepperoni, mortadella, and provolone cheese. There was so much meat. Then they added a little tomato and lettuce. They drizzled Italian dressing across off the it. The dressing soaked into the fresh made sesame seed hoagie roll.
The bread was amazing. It really tied the entire sandwich together. The crust was crunchy and held together nicely. The meats were so tender and full of flavor. The saltiness of the meats were smoothed out by the creaminess of the cheese and the fresh juiciness of the tomato.
Knowing the meaty sandwich would fill me up, I got some desserts to go. The mini cheesecakes and mini cannoli would be perfect for later.
The cannoli were amazing. The shell was crunchy and had a hint of cinnamon. The filling was extremely smooth and creamy. There was no grittiness to it at all. The few chocolate chips added a little extra crunch.
The mini cheesecakes were also creamy in texture but firm. One was topped with cherries and the other with blueberries. That added a little extra sweetness to each bite. The graham cracker crust held it all together but did not take away from the cheesecake itself.
I loved my lunch and dessert from A & N. The flavors were wonderful. It is nice to find another authentic Italian deli in Florida. Check them out at www.felicedeli.com
During the crazy time of the virus shutdown, being able to write about restaurants was impossible. But food trucks were open and rolling all around town. I was excited that I got to try Got Dessert two different times.
The first time I enjoyed them was when I visited a local blueberry farm. They were offering a few blueberry themed desserts.
The blueberry mini pie was delicious. It was both sweet and tart. It was slightly warm, which made the filling even better. The crust was crispy which went well with the soft filling.
But I could not settle for only one blueberry dessert. I needed to try their blueberry sundae too. The creamy, soft serve vanilla ice cream was covered in a fresh blueberry compote. It was also sweet and sour, but the sweetness of the ice cream toned down the sour taste.
A different day I was able to check out Got Dessert at a different location. They had a completely different menu for this visit.
I tired the mini chocolate pie. The crispy pie shell was filled with a creamy chocolate pudding. It was topped with a meringue that was firm to the touch but light and fluffy to taste. It added texture to the pudding that traditional whipped cream would not have done.
I really liked that I was able to visit Got Dessert on two different occasions. They do have great desserts to satisfy any sweet tooth.
The pandemic that we have all been facing has affected every single person in one way or another. One area hit hardest has been restaurants. I have been trying to do my part by getting take out from local establishments. La Imperial Bakery is one of those local places.
This Puerto Rican restaurant was having a “Hard Times” menu with specials that I thought I would check out.
One of the items on the menu was a chicken and rice soup. The chicken broth had a great salty taste. It was filled with fresh carrots and onions, plus a ton of fresh chicken breast meat that was shredded. They served a slice of toast on the side. This was no ordinary toast. They pressed a slice of Cuban bread extremely thin until it got extra crispy and savory from the butter they added.
I also got the half Cuban special. This was a half Cuban sandwich served with a side of rice and beans. The Cuban sandwich was on the delicious, fresh Cuban bread. It was the perfect proportion of ham, pulled pork, and cheese. The rice and beans were full of flavor and the perfect accent to the sandwich.
They were also running a BOGO special on their homemade pastries. They had several to choose from.
The Guava and Cheese Pie was crispy and sweet. The filling of cream cheese and guava paste was very sweet together. The two different textures did go well together. The pastry shell was light and flakey. It reminded me of a turnover. I ended up warming it slightly in the microwave. This made the cheese a little softer and easier to eat than being cold.
The other dessert was the Cream Filled Horn. This was light and fluffy whipped cream stuffed in a crispy pastry shell. They sprinkled powdered sugar on top for added sweetness. I really liked the flavor of the cream. It was messy to eat, but totally worth it.
I am glad that I could help a local restaurant during these difficult times. I am looking forward to when everything gets back to normal and I can go to enjoy one of their many other dishes that they normally have on their menu,
In the wake of the country’s new social distancing reality, it has been a challenge for a food blogger to write about restaurants. Fortunately, there are a few places open for take-out that I have been able to visit. Stasio’s Italian Market in Orlando, Florida is one of those places.
This is an Italian market that offers meats, cheeses, and homemade dishes that you can take home and enjoy.
They also have a little market area where you can get sauces, pastas, cookies, and some everyday cooking essentials.
I got a container of anti-pasta salad. This was a blend of pepperoni, cheese, salami, ham, peppers, olives, and celery. It was tossed in an Italian dressing that had hints of basil and oregano. It was very filling. They were very generous with the amount of meats they used.
I also got a container of pasta salad. They used tri-colored pasta and mixed it with carrots, cheese, and zucchini. They combined it all together with a little mayo and a little seasoning. The pasta was tender. I liked the raw zucchini they included; it added a nice crunch.
The final thing I ordered was their meatballs. They were huge in size which were perfect for sharing. The meatballs were tender and moist. There was the perfect ratio of meat and breadcrumbs. The flavor from the seasoning was spot on. Their marinara sauce was a little tangy and complemented the meatballs.
I was grateful that Stasio’s was open for takeout. I am glad I was able to help a local business during this time of uncertainty. The items I ordered were great. I look forward to when everything gets back to normal, so I can go and enjoy a few other items from their menu at their restaurant.
Well I made it back to Rum Fish Grill sooner than I expected. I really enjoyed my last visit, so I figured I would go back and try some other dishes. Plus, I needed to see the fish in the tanks again.
I really enjoyed the Banana Colada I got last time, so I ordered it again. I love the creamy texture and the sweet taste of banana and coconut. They are a great flavor combination.
I was looking forward to trying some new dishes. I ordered the crab cakes first. They use fresh blue crab meat and mixed it with seasoning and breadcrumbs. They used a lot of crab meat that was sweet tasting. There was an Old Bay remoulade that added nice spice to the crab cake. I really love the flavor of Old Bay on seafood. There was a shaved fennel salad and arugula on the plate that also tasted great with the remoulade.
I also ordered a flatbread. This was the caprese flatbread loaded with fresh mozzarella, fresh cut tomatoes, fresh basil, prosciutto, and drizzled with a balsamic reduction. The crust was extremely crispy and had a nice char from the oven. All of the toppings worked well together. The creamy cheese and the salty prosciutto were the best part.
Both of these dishes went perfect with my Banana Colada. I am glad I went back to Rum Fish Grill. This is a really good restaurant. I highly recommend them.
Near the Tradewinds Resort in St. Pete Beach is a seafood restaurant called Rum Fish.
Inside the restaurant are these great fish tanks that are filled with an array of tropical fish. They were all different sizes and I even saw an eel hiding under some rocks. I could sit there all day just watching the fish swim back and forth. The tanks were built by the show TANKED on Animal Planet.
I grabbed a seat at the bar and ordered my first happy hour cocktail, the Mango Rum Runner. This was mango rum, blackberry brandy, banana liqueur, orange and pineapple juice, and a splash of grenadine. This drink definitely made me feel like I was on vacation. It was sweet, and I enjoyed how refreshing and tropical tasting it was.
This cocktail went really well with the Tuna Poke that I ordered. The tuna was marinated in a miso dressing which was sweet and salty. The tuna was tender and just melted in my mouth. I love fresh tuna. They served it on top of sliced cucumber and some arugula. The cucumbers added a crunch while the arugula added a peppery taste. They also served some crispy wontons on the side. These were great when I loaded up pieces if tuna on them. It added extra crunch to the soft tuna.
Since the tuna was so good, I also ordered the Peppercorn Tuna. This tuna was thinly sliced and seared on the outside. I could taste the pepper, but it was not overpowering. It blended well with the salty soy sauce they poured on top as well as the hot mustard. They also included arugula on this dish for extra pepper taste. They topped it off with some pickled ginger. This added a nice tangy bite in between eating the slices of tuna.
The last dish I ordered was the Crab Dip. It came out sizzling hot. They blended together creamy cream cheese, parmesan cheese, spinach, and artichokes. Then they loaded it up with lump crab meat. They used a generous amount and it was extremely sweet. They served pita chips on the side. They were perfect to scoop the rich crab dip.
For dessert I ordered another cocktail. The Banana Colada sounded like the perfect way to end my meal. This drink was amazing. They blended banana rum, pineapple juice, pina colada mix, and topped it off with a dark rum floater. I could taste the banana flavor, which I loved. The other juices helped make the cocktail sweet.
I totally enjoyed everything I ordered. The food was fantastic and the drinks were fun and flavorful. I would recommend Rum Fish Grill to everyone. I plan on going back soon.
I was told by a friend if I was ever visiting St. Pete Beach in Florida, I had to go to Boulevard Burgers because they had the best burgers on the beach. So when I was there a few weeks ago I made sure to stop in. That weekend I actually visited two different times.
The restaurant and bar were pretty busy both times I was there. I grabbed a seat at the bar. The staff was amazing. They waited on me right away and were attentive the entire time.
The first night I ordered The Boulevard, which is a double patty burger with American cheese. It also came with my choice of sides. I went for the French fries.
The French fries were thick cut. They were crispy but definitely needed some ketchup since they were so thick.
The cheeseburger was extremely juicy. The ground meat was tender and extremely fresh. They used two slices of American cheese, one on each patty. The cheese was so creamy and just oozed down the sides of the patty. The cheese also added extra moisture to the burger. It was the perfect blend of meat and cheese.
Later in the weekend I went back to Boulevard Burgers. I really enjoyed them, so I thought I would get another burger. I got The Boulevard again. This time I shared it and got tater tots.
The tots were crispy and had the
right amount of salt on them. The burger came out with the American cheese but
this time the cook only put the cheese on one of the patties. This made the
burger not as moist as my first one. The meat had good flavor from the
seasoning. I was just disappointed it was not oozing with cheese.
The second night I was there they were having a chicken wing special. So I ordered a couple of wings in medium Buffalo sauce. I made sure to get them well done and extra wet.
The wings were plump and full of
meat. They were crispy when I took a bite. The sauce was very tangy with a hint
of spice. It was a really nice surprise to be able to get wings. These would be
perfect for an afternoon of watching football.
The burgers are really good at Boulevard
Burgers. It was definitely worth the visit. If you are hungry for a burger,
this is certainly a place I would recommend.
St. Petersburg has many fun beach bars to check out. Toasted Monkey is one of those. Thy have the main bar in the front and the actual beach bar in the back.
The day I visited it was cold, so sitting outside at the beach bar was out of the question. Yes, it does get cold in Florida. I stayed nice and warm inside enjoying a cocktail.
While there I also ordered a few starters to snack on. The calamari was a given to me. We were so close to the water I knew it would be fresh. The calamari was breaded and fried. It came out crispy and tender with a hint of pepper. I did not even need to use the marinara sauce on the side. The flavor from the pepper and the salt I added was enough.
I also ordered the zucchini sticks. This was zucchini that were cut into stripes, breaded, and deep fried. The zucchini was fresh and tender, and the breading was crispy. It was a light breading, not taking away the texture of the zucchini. There was a nice salty taste to the breading. They also sprinkled a little parmesan cheese on top that added extra flavor.
Toasted Monkey was a fun little
local place to hit in St. Petersburg. The staff was friendly and there seemed
to be a lot of locals who visited. I would want to go back on a warmer day to
check out their beach bar.
La Segunda is an institution in Tampa. The bakery has been operating since 1915, making fresh breads and pastries. I went to visit their restaurant and grab something to eat.
There was a lot to choose from. They had pastry cases full of pure happiness. I did get three desserts to go so that I could enjoy them at home later. They had so many things to choose from it was a hard choice for me.
I finally decided on the carrot
cake, the cheese danish, and the guava cheese turnover.
The carrot cake was extremely moist. The spice in the cake was great, it tasted like nutmeg. The cream cheese frosting was sweet and creamy. It paired well with the spice in the cake. There was also a lot of sweet raisins mixed throughout the cake. It was perfect with a cold glass of milk.
The guava cheese turnover was my favorite. The flakey pastry was moist and held in the filling nicely. The sweet cream cheese paired well with the semi-sweet and tart guava jam.
The cheese danish was huge. It is good to share because one person could not eat all of it. The cheese filling was creamy and super sweet. They used a generous amount that made the danish heavy in weight. The dough they used for the pastry was light and flakey.
I ordered the Media Noche. It is the ingredients of a Cuban sandwich on a special bread called Medianoche (a sweet, eggy bread). The bread was loaded with marinated pork, smoked ham, Genoa salami, swiss cheese, crunchy dill pickles, and a special sauce. I had the sandwich pressed so that it would warm up the fillings and make the outside of the bread crispy.
The pork was my favorite part of the sandwich. The shredded pork was tender and juicy. It was full of flavor from the Mojo marinade. The special sauce did have mustard in it but I could not make out the other ingredients, but it did help tie all the components together.
I loved all the pastries and the
sandwich that I got at La Segunda. I can see why they have been around for over
a century.
Downtown Lakeland does a fun food truck rally the second Thursday of every month. They close the main streets down and different food trucks line the streets around Munn Park. It is a fun way to get to experience all the local food trucks in one spot.
So over the course of a few months I have made my way to
downtown to experience a few of those trucks. I thought this would be a great
write up to talk about each truck I tried. The Lakeland food truck rally is a
fun time for the whole family.
The name of this truck says it all. They are all about
bacon. Who doesn’t love bacon. It was a hard choice for me of what to try, it
all looked delicious.
I went for the Fat
Tony Tater Tots. These were crispy fried tater tots that were smothered in
their homemade mac and cheese. Then they were topped with a ton of crumbled
bacon.
The mac and cheese was so creamy. They used so much cheese,
which is what made it so good. I also loved how much bacon they used. It was so
crispy. Each bite had bacon in it, adding a great crunch.
This is a Venezuelan food truck. I ordered the Arepazo
special. Arepa is a flat corn bread
that is stuffed with different meats and cheeses. The special arepa I ordered
came stuffed with pork, beef, and chicken along with gouda cheese.
The corn bread was like a shell. It was soft and had a nice
corn taste. It was a little sweet which paired well with the saltiness of the
meats. I also loved how much cheese they used. The creaminess went so well with
the corn bread.
I also got two of their empanadas. I got one pollo (chicken) and one carne (beef). Both the chicken and beef were shredded. The empanada shell was deep fried until crispy. The dough was slightly sweet. It helped hold in the heat, so each bite of the meat was hot. The meats were full of flavor from the spices they used to tenderize the meat.
The owners of this fun food truck are originally from New
Jersey. This inspired them to bring a bit of the Jersey Shore to Florida. And
when I think of the shore, I remember all the fun times I had on the boardwalk
eating French fries. So it was only fitting that I order one of their French fry
options.
The bleu cheese fries looked really yummy. They took crispy French
fries and tossed them with Buffalo wing sauce. Then they covered it in bleu
cheese sauce with extra bleu cheese crumbles. These fries tasted just like
chicken wings. The tangy vinegar taste from the wing sauce was minimized by the
creamy bleu cheese sauce.
This food truck offers up Nicaraguan cuisine. I do not remember
ever trying Nicaraguan food so I was looking forward to trying something. I
ordered the Cerdo Asado. This meal
included charbroiled pork in an achiote rub. It came with white rice, a tangy
slaw, and fried plantains. I also got a side of homemade Chimichurri sauce.
The pork was tender and the seasoning on it was fantastic.
It was very impactful. It reminded me almost like a blackening seasoning. I
drizzled the Chimichurri sauce over the pork and rice. The sauce added even
more flavor to the dish. It had a salty and herby taste.
The slaw was very interesting. It was very sour tasting. It reminded me of a Korean Kimchi. The fried plantains were very sweet. They were cooked up just how I like them. I enjoy ripe plantains in all cuisines, Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Jamaican. They are the perfect side dish.
I was not sure what to expect when I walked up to Spontaneous
Consumption. Their name did not really hint at what they would be serving. When
I saw their sign for loaded baked potatoes they grabbed my attention. I had not
had a loaded potato in a while. Then when I saw their Philly Potato on the
n=menu I knew this is where I was going to eat.
This one pound potato was covered with tender beef steak, grilled onions and peppers, tons of cheese, sour cream, and green onions. The potato was full of flavor. The beef was tender and tasted great with the onions and peppers. It was as if I was eating a cheese steak. I liked that they used shredded cheddar cheese rather than a cheese sauce. It prevented it from being messy to eat. The sour cream just added extra creaminess. Table
