Robata Steakhouse – Clermont, FL

There is a stupendous Japanese steakhouse call Robata located in Clermont, Florida. I have been to this restaurant multiple times over the year. I have tweeted about them before but after another big family dinner there, I decided I needed to finally write about them on my blog.

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With all my visits, Robata is always consistent in their flavor and quality of the food they serve. Their hibachi chefs always prepare flavorful entrees with a fun show. So it was the perfect option to take the family to celebrate my grandmother’s 90th birthday.

Since this was a celebration, I went for a little change in my hibachi dinner. I ordered the chicken and scallops. I knew it would be a lot of food but I figured I could always get a to-go box.

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As with all hibachi meals, I started off with the salad with ginger dressing. My salad had extra dressing, which made me really happy because I LOVE this dressing!

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Out next was the soup. They do not have a traditional miso soup; it is more like a chicken soup with chopped up mushrooms. The unique aspect of their soup is they sprinkle fried onions straws on top that added extra flavor to the broth.

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It was fun to watch the chef cook the fried rice and noodles. He made it look easy the way he cracked the eggs on the spatula.

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I forgot how hot that grill was until I saw how fast the egg cooked.

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The butter and sauces they use on both the rice and noodles was delicious. I could have just eaten bowls of these two items all night. I wish I could make my fried rice taste like this at home.

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Another favorite part of the hibachi meal is the grilled shrimp.

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The way these shrimp are cooked on the hot grill to create a crispy edge is something I can never find anywhere else. When I dip them in the ginger dipping sauce the flavor just seems to get even more robust.

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If all of this wasn’t enough food, now comes the sautéed fresh vegetables – zucchini, onions, broccoli, and mushrooms. All chopped up and cooked in a combination of butter and soy sauce. They really are unique and delicious. Again, I wish my vegetables tasted like this at home.

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Now was time for the main dish – the chicken and scallops.

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The teriyaki sauce that the chef put on the chicken was sweet with just a hint of salty. The chicken was tender pieces of white meat. The scallops were seared perfectly, keeping the edges crispy but the scallop itself moist. The added flavor came when I dipped them in the Yum-Yum sauce.

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I really was stuffed but dessert came out. It was their version of fried ice cream. Sweet vanilla ice cream was covered with tempura batter and deep fried. Then it was topped off with whipped cream and a strawberry drizzle. It was heavenly and to me it tasted exactly like birthday cake.

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So if you have a big group of people and you want to have a fun, entertaining dinner then head over to Robata Steakhouse. Check out their menu at www.robatasteakhouse.com

Enjoy!

T

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Galaxy Diner – Bridgeport, CT

Located on Main Street in Bridgeport, Connecticut is Galaxy Diner. You cannot miss it, with the classic diner look on the outside. When I pulled up the parking lot was almost full. Luckily there was one spot left in the back of the parking lot. With the temperature rapidly dropping outside I was looking forward to getting some warm comfort food.

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As I expected from a diner, the menu was large. It was hard to determine what to get. I decided to go with one of their daily specials – Yankee Pot Roast. The sound of that made my mouth water.

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The dinner started off with a cup of their homemade matzo ball soup. It was a nice salty chicken broth with a giant matzo ball. The matzo ball itself was light which was great because it did not fill me up to fast.

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Next out was a really nice garden salad. I ordered blue cheese dressing which I could tell was homemade because of the huge chucks of blue cheese. I needed to cut it up with a knife.

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Finally my pot roast came out. They gave a very generous portion on the plate. The meat was so tender I could pull it apart with my fork. Smothered on top was a great brown gravy. It was the right amount of added saltiness to the meat. To accompany the pot roast were potato pancakes. These potato pancakes were very different from what I was expecting. They reminded me more of hash browns. They were great to use up the leftover gravy.

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For the vegetable I went for the cucumber salad for something different. It was a fresh taste of dill – similar to pickles.

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This meal was so filling that I ended up not having room for any dessert. So if you are looking for some classic comfort food on a cold winter day, stop by Galaxy Diner. Visit their website at www.galaxydinerbridgeport.com

Enjoy!

T

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Luna’s BBQ – Hanceville, AL

Forty-Five minutes north of Birmingham, Alabama is the small town of Hanceville. I had passed through when I went to visit The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament founded by Mother Mary Angelica. After spending a few hours at the shrine, I had worked up an appetite.

As I was heading back toward the highway, I noticed a sign for Luna’s BBQ and thought that would be a perfect place to stop. Considering the parking lot was full of cars, I figured this was a good choice.

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The staff was extremely welcoming as soon as I walked through the door. The smell of BBQ filled the restaurant.

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They had a pretty big menu, that had lots of non-BBQ dishes to choose from.

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I went for the smoked turkey plate. It automatically came with baked beans and I got to choose two more sides. I went for the baked potato and the coleslaw.

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I really enjoyed their turkey. Other restaurants usually serve their turkey in slices. Luna’s pulls apart their turkey (like you would see with pulled pork) and they chop it up. Not only did it make the turkey easier to eat, but it allowed the white Alabama BBQ sauce to coat the meat. It was delicious. The sauce was wonderful and toward the end I actually added some of their traditional BBQ sauce to the meat as well. It was a flavor explosion. The two sauces together were a perfect combination.

The baked beans were sweet. I liked how they added green peppers and onions to it. This added extra flavor to the beans. Their coleslaw was prepared my favorite way – finely chopped and sweet. It is the perfect accompaniment to BBQ. And you can never go wrong with a big baked potato loaded with butter.

I had worked up an appetite and Luna’s definitely helped satisfy my hunger. If you are in the area or just driving through, make sure you stop by Luna’s for some awesome BBQ and friendly service. Visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/LunasBBQ/

Enjoy!

T

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Rock N’ Fish – Manhattan Beach, CA

 Well I promised myself if I was ever able to visit Manhattan Beach, California again I would head back to Rock N’ Fish.

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I was glad I got there in time to see the sunset. It was so beautiful to see the sun fade into the Pacific Ocean. This visit I was able to sit on their outside patio. It was the perfect weather for it too, not too hot and not to cold.

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Instead of ordering an appetizer and a main dish I went for an appetizer and a salad. Their portions are pretty large so I knew I would be satisfied with just this.

I started with the jumbo coconut prawns. The prawns were covered with panko breadcrumbs and shredded coconut. The coconut had a subtle flavor that was not overpowering with sweetness. The prawns came with a pineapple dipping sauce that complemented the coconut. Also included on the plate was a side of slaw. It had an Asian flare to it with a sesame dressing. This slaw would have been great just by itself.

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I was excited to try the shrimp and avocado Louie salad. It was a wonderful chopped salad tossed in a Louie dressing. On top were slices of fresh, creamy avocado, tomatoes, olives, and a hard-boiled egg. The shrimp decorated the side of the plate. They did not have any dressing on them so I asked for some cocktail sauce on the side and ate the shrimp with that. The Louie dressing was sweet and was great with the salty flavor from the olives. The salad was huge so it was the perfect meal.

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I cannot recommend Rock N’ Fish enough. I was so glad that I got to visit them for a second time. For great flavors and fresh ingredients check them out at www.rocknfishmb.com

Enjoy!

T

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Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish – Nashville, TN

I was visiting Nashville again and I had a craving for hot chicken. I wanted to go to a place I had not tried before. Bolton’s popped up on my list. They have been cooking up their hot chicken since 1999.

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I went for the breast quarter plate. I went lite mild heat on the chicken because I was not sure of the intensity. I also got a choice of two sides, which they had tons to choose from. I went with the mac n’ cheese and the green beans. Both are the perfect pairing with hot chicken.

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The chicken had great crunch on the outside and the meat was juicy on the inside. When I took my first bite I could feel the heat on my lips. This is why I went with the lite mild heat, it was just enough without going overboard.

After eating several more bites the tingle from the heat calmed down. It was the first time I actually got use to the heat. Next time I visit I think I will be able to step up my heat level.

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The mac n’ cheese was creamy and that helped calm some of the heat from the chicken. The green beans added a nice salty element to the dish.

I definitely want to go back to Bolton’s because they also have fish on the menu. I would love to see if they could make a hot fish for me to try.

Add Bolton’s to your hot chicken check list. Visit their website at www.boltonsspicy.com

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Enjoy!

T

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Avo – Mountain Brook, AL

Avo is located upstairs from Dram Whiskey Bar that I have mentioned on Twitter before. I remember that my bartender at Dram said that Avo had a great Sunday brunch so I knew I had to try them out.

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Brunch would not be complete without a mimosa. Avo had an Italian mimosa on the menu that I had to try. This mimosa was sparkling wine with grapefruit juice, and an Aperol floater. It was not as sweet as a regular mimosa, the grapefruit juice made it tart, but it was good and a great way to start off brunch.

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I ordered the Bluegrass Breakfast, which is a class is breakfast plate of eggs, a meat, grits, and a homemade biscuit. For my meat I went with the bacon. They were nice thick slices of bacon that had a great smoky taste.

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The grits were perfect as they were already loaded with butter, just how grits should be. Their biscuits were petite in size. I love the size because I did no fill up on it and was able to eat everything on my plate.

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The table also shared the jalapeño hash browns. The potatoes were diced with chopped onions and jalapeño. It was not too spicy and it went well with the extra egg that came on top.

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I recommend you add Avo to your brunch check list if you are in the Birmingham area. Check out their menu and drink options at www.avorestaurant.com

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Enjoy!

T

The Cupcake Collection – Nashville, TN

Driving through the Germantown neighborhood in Nashville, I would never have expected to see a cupcake shop intermingled with homes.

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It was later in the day so I was afraid they would not have any cupcakes left. Lucky for me they still had a few left.

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I patiently waited in line as I decided which cupcake to order. It smelled so good in the shop. The gentleman in front of me in line says he visits The Cupcake Collection all the time and gave me his top choices. They offer classic flavors as well as premium choices like coconut crème and peanut butter mousse. If you really want something unique then their specialty cupcakes, like Butterfinger and Italian wedding cake, are for you.

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I chose two classic flavors – carrot cake and red velvet. The carrot cake was light and moist with wonderful chopped carrots throughout. The cream cheese icing was perfect; it was smooth and creamy. Their icing was not overly sweet. Sometimes cupcake icing can be extra sweet which can ruin the taste of the actual cake. Theirs is perfect!

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The red velvet cupcake also used the same cream cheese icing. The cake was also moist and fluffy. They have the perfect ratio of cake to icing.

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It was a wonderful treat to get to try these homemade cupcakes. They are also the best priced gourmet cupcakes I have seen, almost half the price of other shops.

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If you are in the Germantown area of Nashville, make sure to pick up a cupcake or a dozen from The Cupcake Collection. Check out their flavors at www.thecupcakecollection.com

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Enjoy!

T

 

Columbia Restaurant – Clearwater Beach, FL

One of my favorite restaurants in Clearwater, Florida is Columbia Restaurant. They have multiple locations now but I have been visiting their Clearwater location for years. This Spanish-Cuban restaurant has been serving customers for over 100 years, and it is still family owned which is wonderful! They are rooted in family tradition and you can see that in the consistency of their famous dishes and drinks.

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One of the reasons I love their Clearwater location is I can sit outside on their deck that overlooks the bay. Watching the boats go by reminds me why Florida is a perfect vacation spot.

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On a hot summer afternoon, a pitcher of Columbia’s famous sangria is a must. They have red or white, I went for the white. What adds to the enjoyment of this sangria is they make it for you right at your table.

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I love getting to watch every ingredient that goes into it, plus the care that the server puts into making it just right.

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They use a Sauvignon Blanco that is made just for the restaurant. They mix in fresh citrus juices and a touch of brandy. This is the BEST sangria I have ever had. I measure all others I try based on this one.

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For an appetizer I got the Ybor City Devil Crab Croquette. It’s made with fresh blue crab, paprika, and garlic. It’s rolled and covered in Cuban breadcrumbs then deep fried. There was a little spice to it but it balanced out with a sip of sangria.

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The show stopper that is a must have for anyone visiting Columbia Restaurant is the “1905 Salad”. This salad is tossed right at your table. The chopped lettuce is mixed with julienne ham, Swiss cheese, turkey (if you want to add that), tomato, olives, grated Romano cheese and their homemade garlic dressing. It’s the dressing that makes this salad irresistible.

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You can get a smaller version of the salad, but I recommend the full size that they table can share. This is one of the only salads that I have ever been able to eat as my meal. It’s refreshing on a summer afternoon overlooking the water.

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Whether you are there on vacation or just having a quick lunch, being at Columbia helps you forget your troubles. Check out their website at www.columbiarestaurant.com  to find a location near you. You can always stop by their Tampa airport location before you get on your plane back home.

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Enjoy!

T

 

 

Anthony’s Homeport – Everett, WA

While in Everett, Washington, it was a must for me to enjoy a fresh seafood dinner. It was recommended that I check out Anthony’s Homeport that was in walking distance of my hotel. Anthony’s is located at the end of the pier at Everett Marina, not far from the Puget Sound Naval Complex. There are wonderful views of the water from both inside and outside of the restaurant.

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It is peach season in Washington and Anthony’s wants to make sure everyone knows. They hung banners up to grab your attention and had fancy peach dessert and drink menus at each table.

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I could not pass up something local so I started off with their Peach Cosmo. I loved that there was a fresh slice of peach floating in the drink. The flavor of the Cosmo was fantastic. The fresh peach puree that was used in the drink made all the difference; it kept the taste smooth with a touch of sweetness.

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The table shared the fan favorite baked Dungeness crab, shrimp, and artichoke dip. I can understand why this dip is so popular, it is extremely creamy and loaded with crab meat and tiny bay shrimp. I could have easily filled up on this rich dish if I wasn’t sharing it.

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Anthony’s had a Sunset dinner menu that I was excited to try. It came with an appetizer, chowder, an entrée plus a dessert. To start with I went for the Bay shrimp cocktail. The shrimp were kind of local, just down the road in Oregon. They were bite sized and chilled perfectly with a fresh cocktail sauce on top. Eating the shrimp with the chopped lettuce added a great crunch to each bite.

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As soon as I finished my last bite of shrimp the cup of clam chowder came out. The broth was creamy, just like you would expect and it was loaded with fresh clams. That is really the key to perfect clam chowder – fresh clams, not frozen or canned.

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They had many awesome options of seafood main courses. It was a hard choice but I settled on the ‘Northwest Duet” which was Alder planked wild Alaska Silver Salmon, topped with Oregon bay shrimp, and citrus butter. Plus it came with fresh green beans and a rice pilaf. It sounded like a lot of food but is was the prefect size portion. The citrus butter was not heavy and the zing of citrus complemented the shrimp and salmon. The salmon was cooked perfectly keeping it light and flakey.

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For dessert I went for their Burnt Cream – which is their version of Crème Brulee. The sugar on top was caramelized exquisitely. The cream itself as smooth and had a fantastic vanilla flavor. The sweetness was the perfect way to send the meal.

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If you are near the naval complex or the Everett Marina, stop by Anthony’s Homeport. Go for dinner or have a drink while you watch the sunset over the water.  www.anthonys.com

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Enjoy!

T