Tag: Tampa

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Check them out at www.lasegundabakery.com

Enjoy!

T

After a long day of traveling to get to Tampa, I was looking forward to dinner. I was excited to get seafood. I always try to eat seafood when I am in Florida. Skipper’s Smokehouse topped the selection for this evening. They have been around for over 30 years, so I know they would be a good choice.

I started off with their Cajun popcorn, which was a fun way to say fried crawfish tails. The crawfish was incredibly tender and sweet. They were lightly breaded so the crawfish took center stage. They came with a homemade tartar sauce that reminded me of a thousand island dressing. These bite size morsels were fun and easy to eat.

I ordered a bowl of their conch chowder. It was a classic style vegetable soup with conch all mixed in. It was a wonderful tomato based broth and it was loaded with fresh vegetables.

To wash down all the great flavors, I ordered a fun drink – “Swamp Juice”. I thought it was fitting on so many levels. The swamp juice was pretty much like a rum punch made with fresh juices. All that was missing was a cherry on top.

While I was there I got to enjoy some live music from a local band. They have an outside stage area where you can grab a drink and listen. They have music almost every night so you can check out their website for a complete listing.

   

If you are looking for a fun place for food and entertainment then Skipper’s Smokehouse is where you have to go. Visit their menu at www.skipperssmokehouse.com

Enjoy!

T

 

Earlier this year I had written about the brunch I had at Datz. I was fortunate enough to get to go back for a second visit. This time I got to try something off their dinner menu.

I had forgotten that their menu was printed like a newspaper. My waiter said they had just changed a few things around. There were several things that sounded good. He recommended I try their Music City Chicken Tacos. They apparently are really popular.

I was very surprised when 3 tacos came out on the plate. It was a lot of food. The chicken was grilled not fried. It had some nice heat but if they were going for a “Nashville Hot Chicken” idea the chicken really needed to be fried. There was a fresh cole slaw on the top of the chicken that added crunch and creaminess. If the spice of the chicken was too much, this slaw calms that down.

Mexican rice and Mexican street corn accompanied the tacos. The rice was simple, nothing out of the ordinary. The corn was great. It was off the cob so it was easy to eat. The taste was sweet and really creamy from the cheese they sprinkled in. It was a perfect compliment to the tacos.

To wash this all down I enjoyed a strawberry mule. It was a subtle strawberry taste. It was sweet compared to a traditional mule. I loved the fresh strawberry they added on top. I saved that for the very end.

One of the things I remembered from my first visit to Datz was their assortment of desserts. I knew I wanted to try something but a slice of their cakes were way too big for me. I opted to go for a cupcake since it was slightly smaller. I went for the chocolate bourbon cupcake.

It was so pretty when it came out.

What I did not realize till I picked it up was that the chocolate on the top was a hard chocolate shell. I had to break it open to reveal the moose like cream icing.

It was layers and layers of chocolate. If you love chocolate this cupcake is for you. The cake was super moist. It was also quite light in texture. The icing was really sweet and there was a lot of it. I ended up scraping some of it off because it was so sweet. Having the cupcake was the perfect way to end the meal.

I was so glad I got to visit Datz again. I still recommend them for anyone visiting Tampa. Check them out at http://www.datztampa.com/

Enjoy!

T

Ybor City is a historic area in Tampa, Florida. In the late 19^th 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.

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.

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.

   

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.

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.

This one also had the melons on top.

    

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.

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

    

Enjoy!

T

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.

    

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.

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.

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.

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

Enjoy!

T

 

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

 

 

 

I was hungry for a homemade empanada. If you have never had one empanadas are a stuffed pastry that is filled with a savory or sweet filling and deep fried. I had asked some friends where they recommended I go when I was visiting Tampa. They all suggested Mr. Empanada.

Tucked away in the corner of a shopping center sits Mr. Empanada. If I did not have the address of where to go I would never have seen this place from the street. However, based on the line of people inside, no one else had any problems finding this place.

They have a large selection of empanadas to choose from.

  

It was a hard choice but I narrowed it down to three:

1. Beef & Cheese
2. Italian Sausage & Cheese
3. Buffalo Chicken & Blue Cheese

I was really excited to dig into these. They had just come out of the fryer so they needed to cool down a little.

  

I started with the beef and cheese. The tender ground beef was mixed with a ton of cheese. It was extremely creamy because of all the cheese. The beef was full of great spicy flavor. The empanada pastry was sweet and crispy. It held in the meat and cheese as I took a bite so I luckily did not make a mess.

Up next was the Italian sausage and cheese. I was not sure what the sausage would be like inside the empanada shell. They actually took the sausage out of the casing ad cooked it up in crumbles. They then covered it in melted cheese. The sausage had amazing robust flavor. It was even more flavorful than the ground beef and was very tender.

The last empanada was the Buffalo chicken and blue cheese. They took fresh chicken breast meat and shredded it till it was very fine in texture. It was tossed with blue cheese that melted once it was fried up. The cheese and chicken were covered in a tangy Buffalo wing sauce. When I took a bite it was exactly like eating a chicken wing. The empanada shell added crunch to the soft chicken and the blue cheese toned down the tang from the sauce.

I had a great experience at Mr. Empanada. I want to go back to try one of their other varieties. They also made a fresh Cuban sandwich that looked pretty good. Another good thing about Mr. Empanada is they now can ship directly to your home across the country.

Visit their website to order your empanada or check out one of their local shops http://www.mrempanada.com/

Enjoy!

T

Florida has a rich history that many visitors do not realize. Back at the turn of the 20^th century, Ybor City was thriving with Cuban cigar factories. With all those factories, there was a need for restaurants to feed all those workers. The Columbia Restaurant was one of those places. It is officially known as the oldest restaurant in Florida, founded in 1905.

They have a few locations around Florida now, but I was thrilled to be getting to go to the original location in Ybor City.

The restaurant takes up an entire block (if not more). They also have a shop where you can buy everything from sauces to Spanish painted plates. You can take a little piece of Columbia home.

The restaurant inside was beautiful. It was extremely crowded but luckily I did not have to wait too long for a table.

 

While I was waiting I walked around and noticed they were decorating one of the main dining rooms for what looked like a wedding.

  

A meal at Columbia had to start off with a pitcher of homemade sangria that they make right at the table.

I took a few videos of them making the sangria, I posted those videos on my Twitter page (@GatorGirl_swamp).

  

 

Their sangrias are delicious. Theirs was the first sangria I ever tried years ago and it made me fall in love with them. I ordered the Sangria de Cava. It is their sparkling sangria.

They use Jaume Serra Cristalino Spanish Cava, brandy, and orange liquor. Plus they squeeze fresh juices in and top it with maraschino cherries.

This sangria is slightly sweet and extremely refreshing.

To accompany my sangria I ordered the Queso Fundido. It was Tetilla cheese from Galicia, Spain. It is baked in Rioja tomato sauce. In the cheese and sauce mixture were olives and capers. I was not expecting those. They were a nice salty surprise. To eat this dip they included toasted Cuban bread.

This is not your typical queso. The flavor was amazing. It was salty and creamy. It reminded me of an Italian type sauce that you could eat with pasta. The salty taste helped balance the sweetness of the sangria.

There is another item that is a must order when visiting Columbia. It is their 1905 salad. The legendary, award winning salad is made tableside just like the sangria. You can check out my videos of the salad being made on Twitter (@GatorGirl_swamp).

 

This salad has chopped up iceberg lettuce mixed with thinly sliced ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese, olives, tomatoes, and tons of Romano cheese. Then it is tossed with their famous dressing that includes Worcestershire sauce and fresh lemon juice.

  

This salad definitely needs to be shared. However, even sharing it, I still got a giant plateful. It is a filling salad. The dressing adds a sour taste but that is mellowed because of all the cheese. I love the fact that every element in this salad is chopped up. It makes it so much easier to eat.

Once you have tried this salad you will find yourself starting to crave it. I tried my best but the salad kicked my butt. I was not able to finish it. I felt so disappointed in myself.

  

There is one more part to a meal at Columbia that is a must try, their fresh Cuban bread. They make this fresh and it come to the table warm and wrapped up. Each person gets one. It has a crispy crust and a soft, sweet inside. Put butter in the bread as soon as it comes to the table. This way it has a chance to melt. Then take a bite – it’s heavenly.

Now if you tend to avoid carbs, let me just suggest that you use this visit to Columbia as your cheat day because you MUST try this bread.

I am hoping I made you hungry reading about Columbia Restaurant. They are a must visit when you are in the Tampa area. Check out their website to find all of their different locations http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/

And if you cannot make it to one of those locations, they do have a restaurant at the Tampa airport so you can get some food to go.

Enjoy!

T

Located in the building next door to Datz is a wonderful sweets shop called Dough. They are both owned by the same company.

     

When I walked into this brightly colored and playful shop, I was greeted by the sweet smell of sugar.

Their cases are loaded with homemade treats from donuts, cupcakes, and cookies. They have a machine on the counter where they will make 12 fresh mini donuts right in front of you.

   

If you are not in the mood for donuts, then you can try one of their many homemade ice creams flavors. They are perfect for a hot Florida afternoon.

Since I had just finished a big breakfast I was not hungry for a donut just yet, so I grabbed one to go. Which donut to try was a hard choice but I went for their vanilla cake donut topped with chocolate frosting.

When I ate it later in the afternoon it was heavenly. The cake dough was sweet and moist. The chocolate icing was smooth and creamy. When the cake and the icing combined together it was a dream come true. This was the perfect donut. They put the perfect amount of icing on top so that each bite had both icing and cake.

If you have a sweet tooth then a stop at Dough would be a must. Check them out at: http://bestdoughnuts.com/

Enjoy!

T

 

 

 

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Having breakfast at Datz proves that statement to be absolutely true. Based on the crowd of customers that I saw, they all felt the same way.

  

While looking over the menu of creative breakfast dishes, I ordered a Prickly Pear Mimosa. This was a unique take on a mimosa. They used mandarin-tangerine puree, prickly pear, and champagne. On top it is garnished with candied prickly pear. I enjoyed the sweetness of this mimosa. But be warned the candied prickly pear is extremely sweet.

For breakfast I ordered the Biscuits and Crazy. It is their take on the southern classic. They make a homemade cheddar biscuit and cover it with a creamy sausage gravy. It also comes with a side of bacon, eggs, and tri-colored potatoes.

The biscuit was very crunchy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. I could taste all the cheddar that was mixed throughout. The gravy was creamy and had some heat. It was from the sausage as well as the red pepper that was chopped up in the gravy. It paired perfectly with the cheesy biscuit.

I got my eggs scrambled and they were pretty standard; however, I elevated the taste when I broke up some of the bacon and mixed it in with my eggs. The bacon was on the sweet side compared to a typical salty bacon. They were also thick meaty slices which was great.

I wanted to make sure I gave a call out to makers of a few ingredients to this delicious breakfast.

• The sausage that is used in the gravy comes from a company is Kuttawa, Kentucky called Broadbent. Upon researching them I uncovered that they have been in business for almost 50 years. You can order your own sausage to be delivered at home through their website: http://www.broadbenthams.com/
• The bacon is from a company called Nueskes in Wittenberg, Wisconsin. After researching them, I found that they have been smoking bacon for 3 generations. You can order bacon for yourself at: www.nueskes.com

The potatoes were unique. They were a combination of Yukon potatoes, purple potatoes, and sweet potatoes. The entire side ended up being sweet because of the sweet potatoes. It was a nice change from a typical sautéed potato that you get with a breakfast.

Datz is more than just a breakfast place. They have a full menu of burgers, salads, and sandwiches. Plus you need to save room for dessert. They have a large assortment of rainbow macaroon, cupcakes, and huge cakes. You can eat them there or take them to go.

   

I had a fun visit and plan on going back to try one of their cheeseburgers. Take a look at their complete menu at http://www.datztampa.com/

Enjoy!

T