The Melting Pot, Tampa Bay

$5 red and white sangria -- proceeds donated to breast cancer research

Many great restaurant franchises have started in Tampa Bay, including The Melting Pot. The Melting Pot is a unique dining experience – a four course fondue meal in a relaxed environment. A full meal takes about 2-3 hours and allows you to savor every bite.

For the full Melting Pot experience, you will want to order the “Big Night Out” selection. This includes cheese fondue, salad, main entrée (fondue), and chocolate fondue dessert. With a changing theme every quarter or so, there is likely to be a new theme on each visit. Most recently we had the French themed meal. Starting November 5th, the Big Night Out theme will change to a Central America theme. 

Salad Nicose, featured salad (Yum!)

The French cheese “Fondue a la France” exploded with flavor. A hearty blend of brie, fontina, gruyere, and raclette danced in my mouth. The flavors blended nicely and were accented with a hint of bacon and truffle. The cheese was then topped with fresh chives. A variety of breads and vegetables are served alongside for dipping. The Salad Nicose was superb! I was very impressed with the fresh Shallot Vinagerette. A little zesty, it popped served with black olives, and haricots verts in the salad. I am sad that this salad won’t be available on my next visit to The Melting Pot. We chose classic Court Bouillon for our cooking style and were not disappointed with the peppercorn crusted New York Strip, roasted garlic shrimp, and chicken provencal. Not big fans of white chocolate, we elected to stick with the always delicious Cookies and Cream chocolate fondue. Overall, the French themed big night out is one of my favorites, to date.

Our Tampa Bay Melting Pot restaurants host a monthly “Ladies Night Out.” Ladies can take advantage of a great evening of delicious fondue for just $35. October’s Ladies Night was hosted by Estee Lauder. For $45, diners got a four course fondue meal and a gift bag full of goodies from Estee Lauder. $10 from each diner’s bill went directly to breast cancer research. (Tax and tip were also included in the $45!) 

Variety of items for dessert - to be dipped in chocolate fondue

Check out www.meltingpot.com to sign up for their Club Fondue – members receive e-mails with special offers and info about events, such as Ladies Night Out.

2221 4th Street North - St. Petersburg,

13164 N Dale Mabry, Tampa

3689 Tampa Road, Oldsmar

(For a complete listing of locations, in Tampa and throughout the US, visit meltingpot.com)

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Toby's Original Little Italy Pizza

I once worked with a lady who would drive 25 minutes (each way) on her lunch break to pick up a Cheesesteak from Toby’s Little Italy. Seeing her dedication to Toby’s made me curious. Was it really worth the 25 minute drive at lunchtime? Once I saw that Toby’s had been open for more than 37 years, I knew it had to be good!

My favorite thing at Toby’s is their garlic knots. The knots are drenched in a buttery basil sauce and served with marinara sauce. Those garlic knots ($3.58 for 6) are worth every penny. They are also very addicting. The pizza is good as well. A “small” 16-inch pizza starts at $10.99 (plain). Cheese slices are served for $2.04. I enjoy 2 slices of cheese pizza, an order of garlic knots, and a Coke. A heavenly combination of Italian goodness!

Little Italy also has a variety of salads, cold submarine sandwiches and Italian classics. The Stromboli and meatballs are also great. Overall, the menu might be small compared to some places – but is high in quality!

Oh, and that cheesesteak? It’s good, but not worth the 25 minute drive. The garlic knots, however, are worth every minute!

Toby’s Original Little Italy Pizza
3523 49th Street N
St Petersburg, FL 33710

Congratulations to Toby's who recently celebrated their 38th anniversary!

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Tsunami Japanese Steakhouse

Tsunami Japanese Steakhouse opened in 2009 to compete against Tampa Bay’s growing and ever successful sushi and hibachi market. I was a little hesitant about trying Tsunami after Arigato’s left a bad taste in my mouth (over-priced, dirty, bad service, etc).  Tsunami is everything Arigatos is not. Their décor is clean and modern. The service is good (although not great). The food is a little pricey but fresh, and well worth it. Tsunami offers a full sushi bar ($4.75-$9.95 and $9.75-$10.75 for specialties). The chefs of the teppanyaki are much more skilled than the chefs at competing Japanese steakhouses. Not just anyone can throw an egg into the air and crack it straight down the middle with a spatula! Teppanyaki dinners range from $15 to $34, with an option for Kobe beef at $99 and Kobe, lobster, and shrimp for $120. Portions of the teppanyaki are large and will provide for leftovers the next day. They also throw in 2 shrimp as an appetizer for everyone at the table before the rest of the food begins cooking. Both rice and noodles accompany your meal, along with fresh veggies. Chefs do not speed through the cooking process, so you do not feel rushed.

If you visit Tsunami, be sure to save room for dessert. Their tempura fried ice cream is delicious! “Vanilla ice cream wrapped in pound cake and a tempura butter served with chocolate, blackberry, and raspberry sauces.” Yum!

They also have a full Japanese menu available if you’re not interested in teppanyaki – separate dining area available.

The best part? They have coupons! Watch your mail for special coupons, including $10 off $50 or more, and early bird prices. 

2176 Tyrone Blvd

St. Petersburg, FL 33710

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Colonial Corner - a Pinellas Park classic

Colonial Corner in Pinellas Park has been around for longer than I've been alive. A hole in the wall, it's the kind of place you only know of because of word of mouth. Driving by, you would never look twice and you definitely wouldn't expect "the best cheese steaks outside of Philly!" It's the epitome of plain and simple: Cash only, friendly staff, and decor that hasn't changed in 3 decades. Prices are reasonable and the food is unforgettable. In my 2 decades of visiting Colonial Corner, I have only ever tried 1 thing: The Cheese steak! It's really not even fair that they feature other items on the menu. (I guess in the spirit of political correctness, they have to offer some sort of vegetarian option...) At $6.30 the cheese steak is cooked fresh right in front of you. It's jammed pack with meat and features melted cheese throughout. No fillers here! The one downside is that the mushrooms are canned and not fresh. Proceed with caution as the cheese steak is hot, hot, hot!

As the owners hail from Philly, it's guaranteed to be an authentic cheese steak. 31 years in business doesn't lie! Colonial Corner is also located near the Philly's training field. In 2005, Philadelphia Magazine rated them as the Best Cheese steak Outside Philly. Please be aware that once you try Colonial Corner, you won't be able to fathom eating a cheese steak from anywhere else.

Colonial Corner is closed Sundays, but opens at 11am Monday-Saturday. They accept cash only, but have an ATM inside in case you forget. Give them a try and enjoy!

7201 49th Street North

Pinellas Park, FL 33781

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