The Long Awaited Trader Joe's

I love living in Florida. What is not to like? I've been to the beach in January, 70% of my weekends a year can be spent outside, and the cost of living is pretty darn good. I mean the weather right now is out of control amazing!

On the not so bright side, Florida doesn't tend to lead in health trends, hip stores, or innovative products... but we do have the ability to create some *big time chain restaurants and are in the national news frequently (both of which might be considered a bad thing). Somehow along the way I had learned of Trader Joe's, so way back in September 2012 when a Trader Joe's opened in Sarasota (which is 50 plus miles south of us), we heard ALL about it. Apparently people were very excited and pledged to make frequent trips to the store. This is a grocery store people- with a 70 minute drive! I really didn't understand but when the time came to build a Trader Joe's here in Tampa (mere minutes from my home) I did get a wee bit excited I mean it has to be good since everyone is so stoked about it. Only 5 days after our newest TJ's opened, I decided to trudge through the traffic and crowded mess just to find out what all of the fuss was about. You see the things I do for you?

First this store is tiny so the amount of people was massive compared to the amount of space. I realize that this is part of their business plan and maybe it'll get better with time but  I for one do not like crowds when shopping. It actually makes me spend less. (And this is one reason I do a lot of online shopping) Although I love it (hello I am a woman) I don't do tons of shopping so when I do I want to enjoy it; I do not want to be elbowed. Yes, this applies to grocery shopping as well. There are only 60 parking spots. Should it really be necessary for a grocery store to have a traffic cop? Ok how about 2? They had two! This seems excessive but on the bright side parking was relativity easy considering I had to drive past the store, make a u turn and wait in line to be allowed in the parking lot. All on a Wednesday afternoon.

Once I stepped in the store I was immediately reminded of Whole Foods with the fresh beautiful flowers- only cheaper. Then I was overcome by the amount of people in my view. I wandered around the store aimlessly. Then I started over; now that I knew where everything was located. I made sure to pick up TJ's brand olive oil, and several different varieties of their wine. Which I feel like they can no longer call Two Buck Chuck since the price is $2.99. (Dear Trader Joe's, I would accept  the name revision of Three Buck Chuck.) I also picked up their brand of olive oil potato chips. This potato chip victory was a pretty good one since Rolling Oats and Health Village Market are the only stores that carry potato chips not made with rancid vegetable oils  and I don't frequent these too much. Unless the need for chips arises.

Overall, Trader Joe's has a decent price for sprouted bread, bulk nuts, dairy products and organic produce. I don't know what I was expecting but I was surprised by how sparse the shelves were, the overwhelming TJ's brand items available and the lack of specialty items. They do have tons of frozen meals, processed foods and snacks galore. I now see why the general public loves this store so much. This store would really be good for someone who lives alone and doesn't cook or throwing a party cheaply/ last minute. This girl is a homemade, making things from scratch, pre-planning machine so I don't see much need for it.

UPDATE: After consuming all the items I bought, I will go back and get the wines, olive oil and the **chips from time to time but I am not on the Trader Joe's BANDWAGON. It was good but I didn't drink the cool-aid, just the wine.

_____________________________________________________

* Your welcome <Outback/Carrabbas/Bonefish/Flemings/Roy's/IHOP/Applebee's/Olive Garden/Red Lobster/LongHorn Steackhouse/Bahama Breeze/Seasons 52/The Capital Grille/Benihana/Village Inn/Anthonys Coal Fire Pizza/Hooters/Shula's/TooJay's/Wendy's/Burger King/First Watch/Checkers/Smokey Bones/Pizza Fusion> lovers! (Just to name a few)

**Honestly, I wish I could just find Jackson's Honest Potato Chips locally.

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/

2012: TO DO list

It's SUMMERTIME and the year is more than halfway over! **I am pretty sure there is more fun to be had out there but since we bought a house back in December our focus has been more on decorating/maintenance.** #joysofhomownership

Every few months I sit down to stake out fun things to do with either my honey or girlfriends...So I think its about time to get back in the swing of things. Can't wait to cross everything off this list!


Summer

• Visit the Aquarium ($5 off if you use your Summertime Savings Card)
• Summertime Classics Series @ the Tampa Theater
• Boating &/or Beaching with Friends (at least two more times before the end of summer)
• Attempt Rocking Climbing
• Tampa History Museum followed by lunch at the Columbia Cafe
• Ghost Tour in Ybor
• Hyde Park Sunday Morning Market & HP Village Live Music Series

Before the end of the year

• Run my first 5K
• Urban Bike Tour of Tampa 
• Visit the Dali Museum 
• Rock in the Park (when it gets cooler) 
• Camping
• Attend a Hockey game before the season ends
• 1st Friday in St. Pete

A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.  ~James Dent

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.