Gaspar’s Grotto – Tampa, FL

Ybor 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 attention. The entire restaurant is pirate themed.

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The first thing I noticed on the front of the menu was that they are known for their sangrias. They make a homemade red and white every day. Depending on how thirsty you are you can order them by the glass, half carafe or pitcher. I just went for a glass.

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I started off with the red. This version was not overly sweet. They used a unique blend of watermelon and honeydew for the fruit decoration. It made the drink feel more tropical. It paired great with the appetizer I started with.

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My bartender recommended I try the Tostones with Mojo marinated shredded pork. This pork was served on top of fried plantains with a spicy salsa and a guava sour cream drizzle.

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The pork was juicy and shredded to perfection, no need for a knife at all. The salsa had a huge kick but then the heat was softened by the guava sauce. The fried plantains reminded me of potato pancakes, except that they were a little sweet. They tasted amazing dipped in the guava sour cream.

It was time for a drink refill. This time, I went for the white. I knew I had to try their other option. The white sangria is much sweeter than the red.

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This one also had the melons on top.

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One of the other items that Gaspar’s is known for is the Cuban sandwich. Of course I had to try that. The bread was toasted and the cheese melted wonderfully around the meat. The sandwich was much bigger than I was expecting so I had to take half of it back home.

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The sandwich came with fried plantain chips. These chips were slightly sweet and lightly salted. They were extremely addicting. I could not stop eating them. They were better than any kettle chips I have had.

If you want great food and drinks Gaspar’s Grotto is a great spot. Plus with their outside seating area you can enjoy an array of live music. Visit them at www.gasparsgrotto.com

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Enjoy!

T

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Scarpa’s – Lakeland, FL

Some 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 choose from.

I ordered a glass of their Rose Prosecco. It was pretty in color and light in flavor. It is not as dry as other Proseccos can be.

The fresh bread they brought to the table was amazing. This Italian bread was crispy on the outside and soft and warm inside. They served it with a side of seasoned olive oil. I could have eaten the entire basket so I had to pull myself back.

As planned I ordered the arancini. Two huge rice balls came out on the plate. I could not wait to see the chef’s interpretation. The breading on the outside was very crunchy. Inside was the cheesy rice. There were no peas or chopped meat which was ok because they used a ton of cheese that made it super creamy. The flavor was great on its own but the pasta sauce they served on the side was a nice complement to the cheese.

The eggplant rolatini came out fore I could finish the arancini. This was considered an appetizer but I thought it was big enough for a meal. Two large pieces of eggplant was plenty for me. The eggplant was sliced very thin and breaded just enough to get crispy on the outside. Inside the eggplant was loaded with a soft, creamy cheese mixture. The cheese had a sweet taste. It had pasta sauce drizzled on top along with a little extra cheese. The flavor was great and the cheese made the dish extremely filling.

The few things that I had a Scarpa’s were wonderful. I want to make sure I make another visit to try some other items. I heard the Parmesan crusted grouper is amazing.

Check them out at www.scarpasitalian.com and make sure you have a reservation.

Enjoy!

T

Rocca Ristorante – Burlingame, CA

Just a little south of San Francisco is an area called Burlingame. I found a quaint little Italian restaurant called Rocca Ristorante. It is located on the main street among several other cute restaurants and shops.

The restaurant was a little small inside so I was glad I made a reservation. There was a great bar when I walked in that had a beautiful mural painted on the wall. It reminded me of some of the restaurants I visited in Barcelona.

They brought some wonderful fresh bread to the table, along with some fresh olive oil and Italian spices. The focaccia bread had great flavor and was elevated when I dipped it into the olive oil mixture.

I started off with a cocktail, a raspberry cosmopolitan. I had not had one of these in a long time. It brought back wonderful memories of the first time I ever had one during a trip to Hong Kong. It was the perfect blend of sweet and sour. The fresh raspberry puree made it taste fresh.

I made sure to order a bowl of the minestrone soup since I love soup so much. The soup was loaded with vegetables from beans to potatoes. The only thing that was missing was a little pasta. Normally I find that in minestrone soup. There was a savory taste to the broth that I thought had a comforting feeling.

For my main dish I ordered the gnocchi. As anyone who reads my blog will know, gnocchi are my favorite. These gnocchi were actually filled with butternut squash. They offered two different options for sauce. It was a tough choice so I asked the opinion of my waiter. He said to go with the pesto sauce. This sauce was slightly creamy. The gnocchi themselves were pleasantly sweet. It was balanced out by the herby nature of the pesto.

This dish was extremely rich and it filled me up fast. Naturally I could not finish it but I knew what I would be having for lunch the next day.

I did get to try the Tortellini alla Casalin. Talk about another extremely rich dish. These tortellini were stuffed with meat and cooked in a cream sauce along with peas, mushrooms, and pancetta. I could tell right away that this pasta was homemade. There was tenderness to the dough. The meat filling was savory and had a creamy texture. It went perfectly with the savory sauce that made the dish so filling.

These filling dishes made it so I was not able to order dessert. I would want to come back just to try a few of those sweet treats on the menu. If you are in the San Francisco area and want to get away from the crowds and tourist spots, head a little south, past the airport to Rocca Ristorante.

Visit their website at www.RistoranteRocca.com

Enjoy!

T

JCT Kitchen – Atlanta, GA

There is this great farm to table restaurant that I got to visit in Atlanta recently called JCT Kitchen. It’s located in an area that use to be old factories and now it is being transformed to a popular hangout.

The restaurant inside is beautifully decorated with reclaimed wood, flowing curtains, and cozy lighting.

The choices that the chef had on the menu the day I visited were unique and not found at many restaurants I visit. Everything from rabbit to swordfish,  no matter what type of protein you prefer there is something for everyone on the menu.

My table started off with a few appetizers. We started with the deviled eggs. These delicate eggs came out topped with thin slices of country ham and drizzled with olive oil. The filling was extremely creamy and fluffy. The ham added a slight salty taste.

The other snack that came out was the toast. This is a very vague name to be sure. What this dish contained was a toasted slice of baguette topped with out of the ashes (which is goat cheese), celery and a fresh apple salad. The cheese was so creamy with a slight tang. The celery added crunch and the apple salad offered a sweetness that counter balanced the cheese.

The final starter was the Stracciatella. Stracciatella is a buffalo cheese. They make this cheese fresh. It comes with African squash and a hazelnut drizzle. It is served with a fresh flatbread. This cheese too was super creamy and had a mild, light taste. The squash had a savory taste that paired well with the cheese. The flatbread was soft and had a great taste from the light grilling they did to it.

One of the most popular dishes at JCT is their fried chicken. I was able to try one of the wings because one of my dining partners ordered this dish.  The breading on the chicken was extremely crispy; I love that with fried chicken. That crispy outer layer helps seal in the juices and flavor. As soon as I took a bite the juices just flowed out. The chicken was cooked perfectly. The flavor that the chef captured in this chicken proves why this is their most popular item.

I ordered the Gulf shrimp for my dinner. This was their version of shrimp and grits. The shrimp were chopped up into pieces, which made it a little easier to eat. These shrimp were mixed with red mule grits and shrimp bordelaise. They also added a generous amount of cheese in the grits as well. That cheese made the grits really creamy and salty, which was the perfect accompaniment to the fresh shrimp. The dish is rich so I was not able to finish the whole thing.

We shared a few sides around the table. The macaroni and cheese is a must try. This cheesy goodness was blended with bacon. That crispy, salty bacon flavor was fantastic with the cheese. They cooked it in the oven to create that wonderful crispy top layer.

The other side was the Brussels sprouts. These were paired with apples from Georgia and tossed with chili honey. They were roasted to create those crispy edges on the Brussels sprouts. The sweetness of the apples offset the bitterness from the sprouts.

The food I got to enjoy was extremely filling. Because of that, I had no room for dessert. That was a bummer because many of the desserts sounded wonderful. I would definitely come back to JCT and would bring more friends with me. Check them out at www.jctkitchen.com

Enjoy!

T

Murphy’s – Atlanta, GA

Located in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood of Atlanta is Murphy’s, a restaurant that had been feeding residents and visitors for 35 years. They were packed inside so it was a good thing I had a reservation.

To start off the wonderful evening with friends, I ordered a Sangria. It was full of fresh fruit and had the right amount of sweetness.

The artisan cheese plate was the perfect appetizer to share with the table. They served as assortment of cheeses, including warm ficelle. On the side they served fresh strawberry jam. It paired perfectly with the ficelle. I ate it on top of the crispy, warm buttery bread. It was almost like having jam and cream cheese for breakfast.

For my starter I ordered the Mexico City Tortilla soup. The broth was very savory and loaded with fresh chicken breast pieces. Mixed throughout were tomatoes and creamy avocado. They crush corn tortilla chips on top for a little crunch.

For my main dish I got the grilled Atlantic Salmon. The salmon was flakey and cooked to a perfect medium. They put a sweet bourbon maple glaze on the outside. I could taste the maple and it surprisingly went well with the taste of salmon. They also served a warm lentil salad underneath the salmon. It helped soak up the extra maple glaze and it tasted great.

Now the main part of my meal was delicious but I could not wait to dig into all the desserts we ordered. The first one I tried was the Key Lime Pie. The crust was a combination of coconut and graham crackers. The filling was tart and creamy. They topped it off with a fresh sweet cream and toasted coconut. The flavor was perfect and you would think it came from Key West.

The second dessert was the Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake. The cheesecake was sweet, soft, and creamy; exactly how cheesecake is supposed to be. They covered the cheesecake in a bourbon based caramel sauce. It added richness to the cake.

The Apple Bread Pudding was a nice subtle dessert. They used pieces of fresh apple mixed between the bread. When it baked together the apples and bread became one. They drizzled a crème anglaise all over the pudding. They also served it with homemade vanilla ice cream. The ice cream was creamy and full of vanilla essence.

The last dessert was the richest – the Mocha Cake. This was a flourless chocolate cake. In between the layers of cake was an espresso mousse. Now if that was not enough rich flavor, they covered the top with a layer of chocolate glaze. There was no way that one person could eat this whole slice of cake. It was just so rich and heavy. The combination of chocolate and espresso paired perfectly on my taste buds.

The food and desserts at Murphy’s were fantastic. I would recommend that everyone visiting Atlanta to check them out. www.murphysvh.com

Enjoy!

T

Bartaco – Atlanta, GA

There is a really cute restaurant in Atlanta that I had dinner at with friends – Bartaco. It is located in a cute area with lots of trendy restaurants and shops. The best part is our Uber driver actually suggested it to us.

This was not a typical Mexican restaurant. It was a fusion of Mexican and a hint of Japanese influence. Everything came in small dishes or bites so you could order a lot to share.

Since we were there to have a fun time, we all got a cocktail. I went with the red sangria. It was slightly sweet and had a slight taste of allspice. It was loaded with chopped up apples and peaches. I just wish it did not have so much ice.

The table started off with the guac+roja+verde. The guacamole was really fresh. There were nice chunks of avocado throughout. The roja salsa had a major kick of heat. I was not expecting that. The verde salsa had a fresh feeling that was full of flavor, no heat with this one. They served full size round tortilla chips. They were like flat taco shells.

I ordered their chicken soup. This was not a chicken tortilla soup. This was a classic, hearty chicken soup. The broth had a wonderful savory flavor. It was loaded with shredded chicken, pieces of potato, and fresh corn, right off the cob.

I did order a taco (which they have several options). I went for the Baja fish. It was the perfect size for a few bites. The fresh fish was cut into strips and lightly breaded. They fired it up until crispy. On top of the fish they served a cole slaw that added a super crunch. There was also a slight sour taste to the slaw that complemented the sweetness of the fish and the tortilla shell.

I was so excited to order a side of the grilled corn. Two cobs came out and were covered in cayenne pepper and cotija cheese. The corn itself was super sweet. The cayenne did not really add any heat. The cotija cheese added a lot of tanginess, which paired perfectly with the sweetness from the corn.

We could not pass up dessert. We shared a few around the table. The churros were amazing. These were fresh made and were piping hot when they came to the table. They were covered in sugar. The first bite was like WOW! I could have eaten a dozen of these. The cinnamon and sugar encompassed every inch of the churro. They were also accompanied by a chocolate sauce. I tried it with the churro and it was good, however, this churro was perfect just with the sugar and cinnamon.

The second dessert was the key lime pie. They served this in a jar which was a unique presentation. I really liked seeing the layers of the pie with the graham cracker crust at the bottom. The key lime filled most of the jar. It was extremely smooth and creamy with the best tart, tangy flavor. They topped off the pie with fresh whipped cream that was light and fluffy.

The last dessert out was the horchata. This is like custard. It was really creamy and sweet. It was topped with a salted caramel sauce. The first taste of the sauce was bitter. But once I went back for a second taste that bitterness went away.

Bartaco was amazing. I am so glad that our Uber driver suggested it and that we listened to him. I would recommend everyone check them out. One side note is they are a cashless restaurant so make sure you take a credit or debit card.

Check out all their wonderful food options at www.bartaco.com

Enjoy!

T

Trattoria Nonna – Boca Raton, FL

I 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 and soft inside and homemade garlic bread that is crispy and full of flavor.

We ordered a few appetizers for everyone to enjoy. The calamari fritti was perfect for everyone. The calamari was tender and was fried to a perfect crisp. They also fried up some cherry peppers which was a nice addition. These were served with a spicy marinara sauce for dipping.

They had a really special dish I have never seen on a menu but see on cooking shows all the time – zucchini flower blossoms. They stuffed the delicate blossoms with Ricotta cheese and pesto. These were extremely rich. The cheese was so creamy and the pesto added all the flavor. The zucchini blossom actually did not have much taste.

For my dinner I ordered the Tortelloni Piemontese. These were jumbo size tortelloni that were completely hand made. They were stuffed with generous amounts of Asiago cheese. They were very rich and creamy. The pasta was sauteed with fresh sliced mushrooms, pancetta, and peas. The peas added a slight sweetness, while the pancetta added saltiness. The mushrooms added soft texture that paired perfectly with the cheese.

There was a singer going around the restaurant playing an accordion. I was able to get him to sing happy birthday to my grandmother, which she got a kick out of.

The restaurant also brought out a huge slice of tiramisu to enjoy. They make their desserts fresh everyday and I could tell as soon as I took a taste how fresh it was. The cake was soaked in espresso which was amazing. The cream that was placed in between the cake was so creamy. It helped cut down on the flavor of the espresso. The dusting of cinnamon on top added just a hint of spice.

The food at Trattoria Nonna was amazing. Everything was so fresh it made eating each bite so enjoyable. I cannot wait to go back. Check the out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Italian-Restaurant/Trattoria-Nonna-175664596312233/

Enjoy!

T

Whiskey Joe’s – Tampa, FL

What 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.

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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.

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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 different rums along with orange and pineapple juices as a splash of grenadine.

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Their menu is extensive with many different seafood options. Their “Island Firecracker Shrimp” caught my attention. These were fried shrimp that are tossed in their “Joe’s Island Glaze”, which is essentially a sweet Thai chili sauce. It’s served on top of fried wonton noodles. The breading on the shrimp was crispy even as it soaked up the sauce. The flavor was both sweet and a little spicy. I really enjoyed snacking on the fried wontons once the shrimp were all gone.

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If you want to enjoy a Florida sunset while eating and drinking something fun and tropical, then Whiskey Joe’s is where you have to go. Check out their full menu at www.whiskeyjoestampa.com

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Enjoy!

T

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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