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Friday, January 18, 2013
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Jiro dreams of sushi. Do you? Why yes, I do. I dream of lump crab meat, asparagus, and scallions, topped with filet mignon and eel sauce, then torched (Vue 19 Surf n Turf). I dream of Hook's Toyko Love Story Roll which is no longer on the menu (BOO!). I dream of sushi shared with friends, and of a day where I can use chopsticks correctly!
Here are some of the sushi adventures I have had this month:
Yoko's Japanese Restaurant - soft shell crab, spicy tuna, Hurricane, & Volcano
Sushi Rock Grill delivered by 727 Food Now - Krazy Zobe, California, & Bang Bang Chicken
Chopstick Express - California roll
Yes, sushi via drive thru!
Here are some of the sushi adventures I have had this month:
Yoko's Japanese Restaurant - soft shell crab, spicy tuna, Hurricane, & Volcano
Sushi Rock Grill delivered by 727 Food Now - Krazy Zobe, California, & Bang Bang Chicken
Yes, sushi via drive thru!
Thursday, October 18, 2012
I recently made my first visit to Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar in Tampa. My sweetheart picked Fleming's for his birthday dinner after falling in love with their steak during several work dinners with various vendors. He claimed that Flemings is the best steak he's had in Tampa.
We arrived at Fleming's around 8pm on a Tuesday night. The parking lot, bar, and dining room were still relatively full. The food menu is 2 pages, and the wine menu is huge! I ordered a glass of champagne, and skipped the wine. Maybe next time.
We started with our appetizers: Sweet Chile Calamari ($13.95) and Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes ($15.95). These were gone before I even remembered to take a picture. The sweet chile sauce on the calamari was light and not overbearing at all. The crab cakes were full of real crab meat, and no filler! The crab meat was tossed with red pepper and lime butter sauce. The 2 crab cakes were worth every penny and were the best crab cakes I've ever had.
The biggest downside to Fleming's is the a la carte menu. If you are ordering steak you get just that - steak. (Note: There are a few exceptions to this, but not many. Check the menu for details.) Any salad or side items are optional and will cost you extra. The good news is that the side items are large and big enough to share with 2 or 3 others. Sides range in price from $7.95 to $9.95 . Side options include potatoes prepared to your liking (baked, mashed, loaded, or fried), veggies (corn, spinach, green beans, asparagus, mushrooms), and Chipotle Cheddar Mac and Cheese. 4 varieties of salads are available, and range in price from $8.50 to $9.50.
The steaks at Fleming's are USDA aged prime beef, and seasoned with only salt and pepper. They are broiled at 1600 degrees to the doneness of your choosing. I ordered the Lite Filet Mignon which is around 6 ounces and actually came with a side of Fleming's potatoes ($35.95). The peppercorns on the outside of the steak were a little too big and coarse for my taste. Luckily, a quick swipe with my fork easily removed the offenders.
We were too full to order dessert. The best part of the night was that the server presented us with a $25 gift card for our next visit for celebrating a birthday there. I have never seen a restaurant present something so valuable for a birthday, and I thought it was pretty awesome! Thanks, Flemings!
So does Fleming's cook the best steak in Tampa? You will have to pay them a visit and decide for yourself.
We arrived at Fleming's around 8pm on a Tuesday night. The parking lot, bar, and dining room were still relatively full. The food menu is 2 pages, and the wine menu is huge! I ordered a glass of champagne, and skipped the wine. Maybe next time.
We started with our appetizers: Sweet Chile Calamari ($13.95) and Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes ($15.95). These were gone before I even remembered to take a picture. The sweet chile sauce on the calamari was light and not overbearing at all. The crab cakes were full of real crab meat, and no filler! The crab meat was tossed with red pepper and lime butter sauce. The 2 crab cakes were worth every penny and were the best crab cakes I've ever had.
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| Classic Caesar salad |
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| Half and Half - fries and onion rings |
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| Sautéed mushrooms |
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| Grilled asparagus |
The steaks at Fleming's are USDA aged prime beef, and seasoned with only salt and pepper. They are broiled at 1600 degrees to the doneness of your choosing. I ordered the Lite Filet Mignon which is around 6 ounces and actually came with a side of Fleming's potatoes ($35.95). The peppercorns on the outside of the steak were a little too big and coarse for my taste. Luckily, a quick swipe with my fork easily removed the offenders.
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| Lite filet mignon |
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| Prime bone-in ribeye |
We were too full to order dessert. The best part of the night was that the server presented us with a $25 gift card for our next visit for celebrating a birthday there. I have never seen a restaurant present something so valuable for a birthday, and I thought it was pretty awesome! Thanks, Flemings!
So does Fleming's cook the best steak in Tampa? You will have to pay them a visit and decide for yourself.
Check out what others are saying about Fleming's on UrbanSpoon:
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Last week, when trying to decide where to meet for dinner with a friend (hey, AJ!), Cappy's came up as a suggestion. After hearing many rave reviews of Cappy's, I jumped at the opportunity to try it.
Cappy's Pizzeria was founded in 1995, and currently has 4 locations: St. Pete, Brandon/Riverview, South Tampa, and Seminole Heights. We met at the St. Pete location at 2900 1st Avenue North. Upon entering, the aroma of fresh baked pizza greets you like a warm hug. The location does too - it has a homey feel, not that of a busy restaurant. (Note - we were there on a weekend...YMMV on weekends!)
I knew I liked the place when I saw that every table was outfitted with Trivial Pursuit cards. Have some fun while waiting for your pizza to be baked! Then I saw the menus... old record covers. Pretty cool, right? This place really has a vibe of being at a friends home.
We started with a small greek salad to share ($4.95). This salad was enough for 3 people! It was served family style. The dressing had a sweet greek taste. The salad was outfitted with fresh black olives, peperoncinis, cucumber, diced green pepper, and topped with a generous sprinkling of feta. While Cappy's is a pizza place, the greek salad was better than I've had at local greek restaurants.
We ordered a medium Chicago style pizza that has 6 slices. Our deep dish pizza was topped with pepperoni, mushrooms, and black olives. Then, it was covered with chunky tomato sauce. Where else can you get fresh Chicago style pizza like this in St. Pete? I took the leftovers home and it reheated very well!
I did not see a dessert menu, so I am not sure if desserts are offered at Cappy's. We did not have any room for dessert, but a homemade tiramisu, cannoli, or bowl of gelato would have been the perfect ending to a perfect meal.
I am happy I've now been to Cappy's, and can rave to others about it. Next time you want a casual meal in a laid back environment, you know where to go!
PS: Cappy's WON Best Pizza in Creative Loafing's 2012 Best of the Bay awards!
Cappy's Pizzeria was founded in 1995, and currently has 4 locations: St. Pete, Brandon/Riverview, South Tampa, and Seminole Heights. We met at the St. Pete location at 2900 1st Avenue North. Upon entering, the aroma of fresh baked pizza greets you like a warm hug. The location does too - it has a homey feel, not that of a busy restaurant. (Note - we were there on a weekend...YMMV on weekends!)
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| Seat yourself or sign in |
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| The menu |
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| Have some fun while waiting for your pizza |
We started with a small greek salad to share ($4.95). This salad was enough for 3 people! It was served family style. The dressing had a sweet greek taste. The salad was outfitted with fresh black olives, peperoncinis, cucumber, diced green pepper, and topped with a generous sprinkling of feta. While Cappy's is a pizza place, the greek salad was better than I've had at local greek restaurants.
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| Greek salad |
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| So good I forgot to take the picture |
I did not see a dessert menu, so I am not sure if desserts are offered at Cappy's. We did not have any room for dessert, but a homemade tiramisu, cannoli, or bowl of gelato would have been the perfect ending to a perfect meal.
I am happy I've now been to Cappy's, and can rave to others about it. Next time you want a casual meal in a laid back environment, you know where to go!
PS: Cappy's WON Best Pizza in Creative Loafing's 2012 Best of the Bay awards!
Check out Cappy's on Urbanspoon
Saturday, July 14, 2012
St. Pete is riding on the frozen yogurt wave with Yogurtology, Yogurt Mountain, Yogurtland, and now Menchie's.
The first Menchie's location was opened in 2007 near San Fernando Valley in California. Today they have over 200 locations in the US and have been ranked as one of the fastest growing franchises. A quick Google search yields tons of celebrities dining at Menchie's, including Adam Sandler, Taylor Swift, Jessica Alba, and the Kardashian fam. Now 'Burg residents can get in on the action too!
Menchie's Northeast Park opened today and celebrated with FREE "FroYo" from 11-1. If you missed out on the action, here are their grand opening week specials:
Menchie's flavors change each day, and they offer more than 40 toppings including candy, fruit, and sauce. The possibilities are endless!
What is your favorite frozen yogurt place in the Bay area?
Menchie's Northeast Park
196 37th Avenue N.
St. Pete, FL 33704
The first Menchie's location was opened in 2007 near San Fernando Valley in California. Today they have over 200 locations in the US and have been ranked as one of the fastest growing franchises. A quick Google search yields tons of celebrities dining at Menchie's, including Adam Sandler, Taylor Swift, Jessica Alba, and the Kardashian fam. Now 'Burg residents can get in on the action too!
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| See the People Magazine cutout featuring Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner? |
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| FroYo fans waiting for their free taste |
- Sunday 7/15 at 1pm:
- Free plushie doll, free color-in t-shirt, free face painting (while supplies last)
- Monday 7/16 from 5-6pm:
- $1 yumm hour, fill your cup for $1!
- Tuesday 7/17 from 2-4pm:
- Kids eat free (10 years and younger, limit 10oz)
- Wednesday 7/18 from 11am-1pm:
- Half off your frozen yogurt purchase
- Thursday 7/19 at 3pm:
- Free dodge balls (with cup purchase, while supplies last)
- Friday 8pm-close:
- Buy 1 get 1 free!
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| Start with a bowl or upgrade to a waffle cone |
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| Pretty decor |
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| Choose your flavor - or try them all! |
Menchie's flavors change each day, and they offer more than 40 toppings including candy, fruit, and sauce. The possibilities are endless!
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| Fresh fruit toppings |
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| Pick your toppings. You want it, they have it. |
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| Finish with the hot topping of your choice. |
What is your favorite frozen yogurt place in the Bay area?
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| The finished products |
196 37th Avenue N.
St. Pete, FL 33704
Check out Menchie's Northeast Park on Urbanspoon:
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
If you haven't watched tv, listened to the radio, or driven past a Taco Bell lately, let me fill you in: Taco Bell recently released their new Cantina Bell menu items. Chef Lorena Garcia (I know her from the now cancelled "America's Next Great Restaurant" on NBC) partnered with Taco Bell to create a new line of fresh and gourmet inspired Mexican dishes. They are even using the tag line "Can Taco Bell do gourmet?"
After I read the description of the Chicken Cantina Bowl, I instantly thought of Chipotle. There is nothing featured here that I couldn't already get at my local Chipotle: "Citrus herb marinated chicken, flavorful black beans, guacamole made from real Hass avocados, roasted corn and pepper salsa, a creamy cilantro dressing, and freshly prepared pico de gallo, all served on a bed of cilantro rice."
Today I decided to tackle both the Taco Bell and Chipotle bowls to see how they stacked up. Are you ready for a throwdown?
The competitors:
Taco Bell and Chipotle (fast food/quick service Mexican food)
The challenge:
Chicken Cantina bowl vs. chicken burrito bowl
Cost:
$4.79 Taco Bell and $6.25 at Chipotle
Flavors:
The Taco Bell Cantina bowl is standard (see description above) with a choice of chicken, steak, or meatless. You can customize at Chipotle. Substitute black beans for refried or brown rice for white, take or leave the lettuce, choose from 4 salsas and the protein of your choice (chicken, steak, barbacoa, carnitas).
Service:
I love the convenience of a drive thru that Taco Bell offers (especially during the crazy afternoon storms we've been having) but the team at my local Chipotle can't be beat!
Taste:
The best parts of the Cantina bowl were the corn salsa and guacamole. I really could do without the cilantro dressing which had a tang to it. My first bite of rice was crunchy which was a disappointment. I did not see or taste any cilantro in the rice at all. The chicken was bland and I could not tell it had any marinade on it at all. It seemed like just a bigger piece of same old chicken that Taco Bell has been using for years.
I would be happy with just rice and guacamole mixed together in a bowl from Chipotle. I love the fresh cilantro pieces I encounter in my bowl, and the chicken is packed with marinade. The corn salsa is not roasted, but after today I wish it was.
Chipotle offers sour cream and cheese which are not featured on the Cantina bowl.
Overall:
The Taco Bell Cantina Bowl is a quick and easy lunch option at an affordable price. However, if you have more time and a couple extra dollars to spare, visit Chipotle instead.
So... can Taco Bell do gourmet? Not quite as good as Chiptole, but I will not be taking Chef Lorena on her money back guarantee either.
After I read the description of the Chicken Cantina Bowl, I instantly thought of Chipotle. There is nothing featured here that I couldn't already get at my local Chipotle: "Citrus herb marinated chicken, flavorful black beans, guacamole made from real Hass avocados, roasted corn and pepper salsa, a creamy cilantro dressing, and freshly prepared pico de gallo, all served on a bed of cilantro rice."
Today I decided to tackle both the Taco Bell and Chipotle bowls to see how they stacked up. Are you ready for a throwdown?
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| Who will be the winner? |
The competitors:
Taco Bell and Chipotle (fast food/quick service Mexican food)
The challenge:
Chicken Cantina bowl vs. chicken burrito bowl
Cost:
$4.79 Taco Bell and $6.25 at Chipotle
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| Taco Bell Chicken Cantina Bowl |
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| Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl |
Flavors:
The Taco Bell Cantina bowl is standard (see description above) with a choice of chicken, steak, or meatless. You can customize at Chipotle. Substitute black beans for refried or brown rice for white, take or leave the lettuce, choose from 4 salsas and the protein of your choice (chicken, steak, barbacoa, carnitas).
Service:
I love the convenience of a drive thru that Taco Bell offers (especially during the crazy afternoon storms we've been having) but the team at my local Chipotle can't be beat!
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| "Chipotle: Like Subway but with Mexican food" |
Taste:
The best parts of the Cantina bowl were the corn salsa and guacamole. I really could do without the cilantro dressing which had a tang to it. My first bite of rice was crunchy which was a disappointment. I did not see or taste any cilantro in the rice at all. The chicken was bland and I could not tell it had any marinade on it at all. It seemed like just a bigger piece of same old chicken that Taco Bell has been using for years.
I would be happy with just rice and guacamole mixed together in a bowl from Chipotle. I love the fresh cilantro pieces I encounter in my bowl, and the chicken is packed with marinade. The corn salsa is not roasted, but after today I wish it was.
Chipotle offers sour cream and cheese which are not featured on the Cantina bowl.
Overall:
The Taco Bell Cantina Bowl is a quick and easy lunch option at an affordable price. However, if you have more time and a couple extra dollars to spare, visit Chipotle instead.
So... can Taco Bell do gourmet? Not quite as good as Chiptole, but I will not be taking Chef Lorena on her money back guarantee either.
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| Chipotle bonus - amazing chips perfectly suited with their fresh guacamole |
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