yeah yeah's Profile
GOOD Mexican food in Tampa Bay???
A great new edition is Cinco de Mayo on 7th and 20th in Ybor. They have some awesome tacos for the adventurous including goat, al pastor, and beef tongue. The breaded steak is also great, and the margs are strong and cheap. I'm also partial because the staff barely speaks english.
GOOD Mexican food in Tampa Bay???
Guadalajara on Hillsboro has a menu that reads much more authentic than a tex-mex joint. My wife and I went on a Sunday evening and were one of only two tables of grengos in the restaurant. I had a sampler plate that was good, but included a barbacoa (braised beef cheek) taco that was awesome. I think that with repeat visits and better ordering a fantastic meal lies within.
Miami Show with Giada, Bourdain and Alton Brown?
I'd be equally interested in hearing any info.
Puffy Tacos in Clearwater/Tampa Area?
I'm not sure what you mean exactly.
Mema's shell is great. It's actually by far the best part of their tacos. As far as I can tell it's just a deep fried flour tortilla as opposed to the usual fried corn tortilla you might be used to. Imagine the edible bowl of a taco salad.
Or do you mean a gordita which is also kind of puffy? It's more of a flat bread than a tortilla.
Definitive Ybor City Eating Guide (Tampa)
(This rant began as a reply for Ybor City Recs and it just wouldn't stop.)
I live in Ybor. I am a chef. I do not like to drive. I eat in this neighborhood a lot. Here are my recs.
If you want something nice, I'd say go to the little Italian joint next to the Creperia on 7th or Bernini. They're both Italian, and I recommend them based more on atmosphere than anything else. The one name alludes me but it's a very nice quaint, romantic spot.
About four years ago my wife and I had one of the best meals of our lives together at The Laughing Cat and it has never come close since. There's still that glint of hope though and we still eat there regularly, don't get me wrong.
Samurai Blue is reliable in that urban high-ceilinged Asian-fusion cool kind of way and the ladies seem to really love it. A good place to accidentally get drunk on fancy cocktails and sake as well.
A good burger can be had at either Fresh Mouth or The Green Iguana. Green Iguana has the advantage of a liquor license and several other good menu items in the Floribbean vein. Both are very fairly priced.
The Columbia is the Columbia and it always will be. The salad with a number in its name, like 1851 or something, is a very nice salad. The food is always good and traditional and the house red sangria can be drunk in mass quantities.
Tropicana's Ok, but I'd just as soon hit one of several better spots on Columbus for a Latino lunch.
I used to love Mema's tacos. I mean I ate there like 2-3 times a week for several months. Awesome fish tacos. Not anymore. Something has changed. The protein all comes in this half-moon shaped patty. Too weird. Not OK. I was and still am seriously pissed. Jalapenos de Ybor however makes their own tortillas and well as all their fillings fresh daily and serves 2-4-1 beers. I had some potato flautas in red sauce there that were awesome. They close at 2pm though vs. Mema's 2am. So beggars can't be choosers.
There's so much pizza it's like a mine field. My favorites are New York New York and D'Italia.
You have to go to Cepha's and get the aloe drink with you jerk or curry. Make sure to let him know if you like lots-a-peppa.
A very authentic Euro-trashy breakfast/lunch can be had the Creperia on 7th. The variety is huge and varies from good to quite good.
We go to Acropolis a lot. We happen to live very close, but also because we like it. We usually go with a couple of friends order a bunch of apps and treat it like tapas. Very satisfying. Opa.
Street Car Charlie's operates a very gay-friendly space across the street from Laughing Cat. My wife and I recently walked passed a packed Sunday brunch there and while I've never been, I mean, c'mon, you know those guys are going to throw an awesome Sunday brunch.
Ybor City recs
I have to add on here. I've said so much I can't leave out a couple of favorites.
You have to go to Cepha's and have the aloe drink with your jerk or curry. I love the curried goat. Make sure to let him know if you like lots-a-peppa.
There's also The Creperia on 7th for a great breakfast/lunch.
One correction, I did not mean to recommend Carmine's above. I do not recommend Carmine's. I'm thinking of the tiny little Italian place next to Creperia.
Ybor City recs
I live in Ybor. I am a chef. I do not like to drive. I eat in this neighborhood a lot.
If you want something nice, I'd say go to Carmines on 7th or Bernini. They're both Italian, and I recommend them based more on atmosphere than anything else. Carmine's is quainter.
About four years ago my wife and I had one of the best meals of our lives together at The Laughing Cat and it has never come close since. There's still that glint of hope though and we still eat there regularly, don't get me wrong.
Samurai Blue is reliable in that urban high-ceilinged Asian-fusion cool kind of way and the ladies seem to really love it. A good place to accidentally get drunk on fancy cocktails and sake as well.
A good burger can be had at either Fresh Mouth or The Green Iguana. Green Iguana has the advantage of a liquor license and several other good menu items in the Floribbean vein. Both are very fairly priced.
The Columbia is the Columbia and it always will be. The salad with a number in its name, like 1851 or something, is a very nice salad. The food is always good and traditional and the house red sangria can be drunk in mass quantities.
Tropicana's Ok, but I'd just as soon hit one of several better spots on Columbus for a Latino lunch.
I used to love Mema's tacos. I mean I ate there like 2-3 times a week for several months. Awesome fish tacos. Not anymore. Something has changed. The protein all comes in this half-moon shaped patty. Too weird. Not OK. I was and still am seriously pissed. Jalapenos de Ybor however makes their own tortillas and well as all their fillings fresh daily and serves 2-4-1 beers. I had some potato flautas in red sauce there that were awesome. They close at 2pm though vs. Mema's 2am. So beggars can't be choosers.
There's so much pizza it's like a mine field. My favorites are New York New York and D'Italia.
You have to go to Cepha's and get the aloe drink with you jerk or curry. I'll say no more.
Street Car Charlie's operates a very gay-friendly space across the street from Laughing Cat. My wife and I recently walked passed a packed Sunday brunch there and while I've never been, I mean, c'mon, you know those guys are going to throw an awesome Sunday brunch.
Culinary Crawls around Tampa Bay
I live in Ybor and I have been unwittingly doing the Columbus Ave Crawl. It's is a great strip to cruise and just pop in somewhere to eat. Thanks for the tip on Brocato's, we'll hit it up soon.
I definately think Ybor deserves some love. Though you couldn't isolate it to just one street, within just a few blocks we have some really great and/or unique little joints. Cepha's, Creperia, Jalapenos de Ybor, just to name a few.
St. Augustine luncheons
As a chef having lived in St Augustine for several years, I'd agree with The Columbia. Weather permitting, the courtyard is gorgeous and the sangria is great. The balcony at A1A Ale Works also offers great views and acceptable food. The food at Gypsy Cab Co. is great and there's a nice back room. If you're going casual and it's nice out, there's outdoor atmosphere at Conch House as well as Cap's in Vilano and Saltwater Cowboy's out in the sticks but worth the ride if you're looking for that "cracker" kind of vibe.
Shot glass desserts
I work as a cook at Cafe Dufrain in Tampa where we make all of our desserts in house. Each is offered in a full size and in a shot glass "mini" size. I'm sure you can guess which one sells more.
Chilean Sea Bass alternatives
It's important to remember that Chilean sea bass isn't a bass at all. It was originally referred to as "Patagonian toothfish" but the common name was changed for marketing purposes. As noted already, that marketing has worked all too well.
As well as halibut and the sable fish, I've heard that the snapper family is a better place to turn.
Big restauant news on Davis Island, Tampa
Master Chef Laurie Black has just sold his Caprice Davis Island Bistro to hot shot chef J. Bryce Whittlesey, most recently of Wheatleigh in the Bershires of Lenox, MA. With a resumé that includes Boston's Espalier, Nantucket's Chanticleer, and time under numerous Michelin-starred chefs including Frank McClelland and Micael Rostang, J. Bryce will definitely be one to watch.
