THE List

Is it weird that every year I put together a list of restaurants that I really really have to go to by the end of the year? Nah. The List this year was inspired by a recent article by Laura Reiley in Tampa Bay Times. Doesn't she have the best job? Seriously, how do I get that gig? 

Below are the top 37 restaurants according to Reiley. (The original list was 50 but some of them I have no interest in or they are far enough away for me not to include them.)  Her well rounded lineup has pointed out a few that I still have yet to dine, made me reminisce in past deliciousness and showed me a couple of new ones that were not on my radar. 



Tampa Bay's Top Ten
10. CopperFish- This venue has been open since May of last year and every time I pass it on Howard, I am reminded that we still haven't dined there... Add it to The List
9. Birch & Vine- I have been to The Canopy upstairs and although it is not the same menu, it is the same kitchen so I really don't feel the need to dine here until some of the others on the The List have been conquered. 
8. Z Grille
7. Pearl in the Grove- I always love a good theme night but it is a little bit far for dinner. 
6. Rooster & the Till- I am down for anything new in Seminole Heights and I do love a good Farm to Table. Add it to The List
5. Mise En Place- Mr. FFF and I went with friends once but I wasn't really a fan. A little too stuffy for me.
4. The Refinery- Seminole Heights + Farm to Table + multiple time James Beard semi-finalist = So good.  
3. SideBern's- This one has been on The List for quite a while, we just never seem to make it there.  
2. Cafe Ponte
1. Edison- It is number one for a reason, but it is a bit loud for the older generations. 

Part of Tampa Bay's top 50
Bern's Steak House- Oldie but a goodie.
Datz/Dough- Love this place; we go often.
Osteria Natalina
Oxford Exchange- Love this place; would love to go more frequently.
Pane Rustica- Last year's anniversary dinner. Not too shabby. They have both inexpensive items and top dollar. 
Restaurant BT- I have been hearing about BT for a few years but I thought it closed down since I never saw it while driving on MacDill, which isn't far from home. Then the other day, I saw the sign (cue the early 90's pop song) until the other day.  Add it to The List.
Anise Global Gastrobar- Loving the fusion. 
Cena- Of course after we move from the Channelside area there are a few new restaurants and more things to do... But that won't stop me from dinning at Cena. Open since May, I am hoping to try it out before the end of the year. Add it to The List.
Fly Bar- A favorite.
Armani's 
Pelagia
Eddie V's
Seasons 52
Ella's Americana Folk Art Cafe- This is another one that I haven't quite made it to yet. I hear the Sunday brunch is quite good. Add it to The List.
Council Oak
Cigar City Brew Pub- Need to head up to Carrollwood and try out this one. Local beer + food= sounds good to me. Add it to The List.
Yummy House- Take out counts right? I would like to go back for a dine-in experience. 
Taco Bus- It would be devastating if this taco place was not around. 
Capital Tacos- it's in Land O'Lakes but if I am ever up that way, you had me at Tacos. 

DTSP (Down Town St Pete)
Bella Brava
La V
Rococo Steak 
Alesia 
Ciccio's- Great to start off a Sunday Funday! But NOT while wearing a shirt that says Sunday Funday....
Gateway to India
Red Mesa- One of my absolute favorites.
Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish - Really need to get on this side of St. Pete to try the smoked fish. Add it to The List but remember to bring cash. 

If all goes as planned then 2014 will be one delicious year. 

 

Restaurant BT

Cena

SideBern's

Copperfish

Rooster & the Till

Ella's Americana Folk Art Cafe

Cigar City Brew Pub

Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish
Yummy House

There is plenty of room on the The List, so let me know if there is an eatery that you think I need try
 Happy Dinning!

Hyde Park's BOCA: my review

There is this little spot on the corner of Platt and S. Boulevard that just got a whole lot cooler.

For the last few years the restaurant Smoke, an upscale BBQ joint, has been inhabiting this location. Smoke was reviewed pretty well; won some awards... But lets be honest  BBQ  + upscale prices doesn't = a BBQ joint to frequent (or in my case ever go back too).  I noticed last summer that it was closed up, signs outside said "closed for the summer". But it seems this was not the case. Looks like the BBQ idea went up in smoke but foodies like me were rewarded with something much better. 

With Boca, the Owner, Gordon Davis completely renovated the open air building into a chic wooden framed Florida room! This stylish and airy atmosphere reiterates the Boca idea of "local, fresh, seasonal".

Russian Summer Punch

Huckleberry Hound

Whiskey Menu

On a Thursday night I suggested Boca to a close friend I was meeting for dinner and drinks.  After valeting (which is a pain and unwanted- its a fact of life down here in South Tampa) I stepped into this cozy restaurant and immediately started to dread the decision based on the crowded patrons in the lobby. The hostess replied that the wait was an hour and a half- on a Thursday?? - but quickly mentioned sitting outside (it was raining) or at the bar which was first come first serve. I sat at the bar.

Waiting for my girlfriend I was able to peruse the menu and rejoiced over not only the beer & wine list but also the fabulously tempting cocktails. I am not usually the girl to get a cocktail at a restaurant because I am always disappointed and happen to love a glass of red wine or craft beer. Some of the featured drinks included a Russian Summer Punch: champagne, russian standard vodka, fresh berries, crushed ice or a Huckleberry Hound: blueberries, ginger, lime, tito’s vodka- with these promising descriptions who wouldn't give it a try? (While one of these craft cocktails will set you back about $10-$12, please keep in mind that most chains will sell you an $8 drink full of syrup.) The best part of sitting at the bar is getting to watch the bartenders make your cocktail from scratch: hand juicing limes, measuring, and muddling whole, natural ingredients right before your eyes. They are also great about chatting with you, answering all of your annoying questions about what kind of drink they are making the others guests- Best seat in the house!

Fire Roasted Mussels

I only ordered a salad and an appetizer but these two were both expertly prepared. My salad was a mixture of fresh and grilled vegetables lightly dressed with a vinaigrette. The mussels were swimming in a creamy garlic wine sauce topped with an accent of greens and grilled bread. Everything on my plate was perfection; my inner foodie even asked for more bread- which they happily brought.

BKBM (Boca Kitchen Bar Market) Chopped Salad

Give it a try but make reservations unless you want to sit at the bar. Don't forget to check out the Whiskey Menu or just get a shot of the pecan infused bourbon. 

Parking: Valet (at least on Thursdays for dinner)
Price: Mid priced. Items range from $6-$26, a meal for under $20 w/o drinks.
Food: quality drinks instead of quantity, light but rich food.
Service: Chatty & Friendly.
Website: http://www.bocatampa.com/

Stacked Burgers: my review

Stacked Burgers is one of the newest restaurants in town; opened just last week.   It took the place of a Tijuana Flats which is a great establishment but in my opinion: chains just don’t do well in South Tampa.

I have been watching this place for a few months now getting excited for a new restaurant to add the lineup.  Being so enthralled with the idea of what kind of burgers they would have, how high they could be stacked and so forth that I didn’t realize the double entendre that lied ahead.  Walking in the atmosphere was to be expected, the walls were colorful and playful, large bar, and big screens. The place was a little bit empty being a weekend night around 8 BUT the staff was all friendly and inviting. This is when it hit me- STACKED Burgers doesn’t just reference the multiple layers of beef and toppings but playfully suggests the other things that might be stacked including our waitress and most of her co-workers. Clever little phrases like “udderly delicious” and “more than a mouthful” illustrated on the wall really brought home the point.  After getting over the fact that I missed this play on words, I took in the menu which was pretty simple. Burgers, Wings, Sides, Beer.  I ended up getting the “2 Hot 4 You Burger” two patties with pepper jack cheese, jarred jalapenos, and wing sauce. Food items at restaurants are not usually too hot for me and this was no exception. I did however regret my decision to get a burger with so many toppings on it because frankly my mouth is not able to (comfortably) open that wide- so I guess they lived up to their name!  I also tried my husband’s plain ole Stacked Burger without any toppings; it wasn’t any better.  For $1 extra I was able to trade in my side of regular fries for Zucchini Fries with Horseradish Sauce- this was a good choice for sure. The Zucchini Fries are thin strips of (duh) zucchini with a light batter and then deep fried- this a great alternative for people like me who love french fries but would like to indulge without eating the dreaded simple carb white potatoes! Don’t be fooled: I know this is no better health-wise but I like it anyways. Although they were not set up for draft beer (it’s their first week so let’s give them a break) the price was right for both draft and bottled beer, $3-$4 glass. The one thing that really did bother me was the distinct look that this place used to be a T.J. Flats from the tables/booths, to the napkin holders, television placement and even the crushed ice- if the owners of Stacked can somehow shake that “ I bought out a Tijuana Flats restaurant and turned it into this” look I’d like it much better.

Overall I think it has a chance of being something good, still some kinks to work out but if it’s done right they can really have another good burger place in SoHo.

Parking: Sparse and hard to find, also a bit dark after the meal.
Price:  Not too expensive, meals range from $6-$10 and come with a side + beer is cheap.
Food: Decent, quality of ingredients are average but would go back for location, price and atmosphere. Creativity of menu is worth checking out.
Service: Stacked and Friendly.