joan's Profile
Base Camp: The Don (St. Pete Beach)
Hi Miss E!
You are going to have a wonderful weekend. I live on Treasure Island so here are my favorite local recs:
Walk to the beach bar at the BonAire for cheeseburgers. Can be hard to find a place to sit, and the service ain't all that, but the burgers are worth it.
Breakfast at Beverly's. Across the street is the Frog Pond, which also has a great rep, but the quantity there is way too huge, and the Benedicts and croissants at Beverly's beat out FP in my opinion.
Best seafood and fine dining is at Middlegrounds on Treasure Island. They have a good wine selection, and get their fish of the day, no matter what it is you cannot go wrong. Also, sit in the bar instead of the restaurant, for great people watching and live music.
Some of my other go to places:
Cuban sandwiches at the Floridian on TI.
Italian at Verducci's, pizza at Vito & Michael's. These two are next door to each other on Blind Pass Road, on the northern end of SPB.
Bar hopping at the bridge between TI & SPB: Salty Rim and Sea Hags. Both have good food and live music.
If you're in the mood, take in a movie on Corey Ave (down the street from Beverly's) at the old time movie theatre. Bonus: they sell beer and wine!
Other folks here like the Pearl, Mad Fish, Snappers. I haven't been in a long time to these, so you're on your own. But remember Mem Day will be busy busy so make reservations first if you can.
P.S. Any of the dining at the Don will be great. We don't do brunch anymore, too much food,(but of course if you could go upstairs and collapse afterwards that might be the way to go!) but we've had memorable dinners at both the Maritana (up up upscale) and the Sea Porch (their poolside resto).
Have a great weekend!
seeking recs for in and around Treasure Island, Florida
Jeff, excellent choices - so glad you digested all the ideas and acted on them!
As for the cocktails, there are two basic types of licenses in Florida: a beer and wine, which is cheap, easy to get, easy to insure. Full liquor, which is difficult and extremely expensive to get (several hundred thousand dollars vs under $1K for the beer and wine), and also expensive to maintain. So that is why you see the fake cocktails.
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-09-26/business/os-liquor-license-lottery-20110926_1_liquor-license-full-liquor-lottery
Live Blue Crabs served up in Tampa Bay Area restaurants?
The only place I know of is the Crab Shack, on Gandy Blvd on the St. Pete side of the bay.
http://www.crabshack.com/
seeking recs for in and around Treasure Island, Florida
Hi Jeff! Another TI resident here. Yes, stone crabs are in season til May 15th, and widely available. I agree with most of the recs above, too, especially the Floridian for Cuban Sandwiches, VIP for margaritas and Tex Mex (order the top shelf margarita and plan on walking home - or you can take the "free" (meaning tip only) Jimmie's beach taxi), and Middle Grounds Grill for fancy (sit at the bar for people watching and live music). However, for pizza I'd skip Gigi's and go to Original Pizza instead. Have fun!
Recommendations for St. Pete Beach
Agree 100% with debbed. Only thought I 'd add would be that you could also barhop on Treasure Island, a mile or so north. First you could hit Sea Hags and Salty Rim, both at the foot of the bridge between SPB and TI. Then a bit further north, at the intersection of 107th Ave and Gulf Blvd (the "heart" of TI), there's at least four bars worth stopping at: Ricky T's, the VIP (beware the killer Margaritas), Sloppy Joe's and Tiki Woo Woo behind the Bilmar and the Thunderbird, Duke's etc. All have decent food and lots of good people watching.
Have fun and enjoy the beach!
P.S. There are several "tip only" open air taxi services in the area, that specialize in taking folks from bar to bar from St. Pete beach thru Treasure Island. Google "free beach taxi treasure island" and you will find a couple. Although I have not personally used them, friends have...just not on a Saturday night. Better off with Bats Taxi service on high volume times...
Tampa recommendatons please (Researched!!)
Re smoked fish: probably not the same. A quick google of Russ and Daughters website shows what is commonly called "cold smoked" fish, usually salmon, which has a texture close to that of raw fish. Ted Peters sells "hot smoked" fish which has a delicious smoky flavor and the flaky texture of cooked fish. However, I just noticed that R&D also sells "kippered" fish, which is the same as the hot smoked...hope this is not too confusing!
Tampa Burger Aficionados------ ACHTUNG!
What a great post! Although I just had breakfast, my mouth was watering while I smiled through the lovely story of the Chipotle burger. Bill, no self-respecting chowhound would EVER roll their eyes upon seeing love sauce anywhere on your person. It's part of the job description!
Beach or Central Ave, St Pete
Assuming by the word "Beach" you mean Beach Drive, and not just the beach area in general (ten miles west of Beach Drive), then you basically are asking about the downtown waterfront. A few months ago, my family had a birthday brunch buffet party at 400 Beach Seafood and Tap House. The food was excellent, and the service was good - especially for a buffet. They readily agreed to use our centerpies for the table dec, and servers were attentive to plate clearing and those clamoring for more Mimosas. They also honored a discount coupon we printed off the internet - for all 18 of our guests!
There are a number of restaurants I'd recomment in that area: Cassis, Bella Brava, Parkshore Grill, 400 Beach, and Marchand's inside the Vinoy. If you have the $$$, I'd splurge on Marchand's - the hotel is beautifully decorated for the holidays and it would be very festive IMO.
Of course, you must call all these restaurants if you plan on eating out Dec 25th, as some independents definitely will be closed that day.
Enjoy!
Lotsa Lobster
If you google, there's a Lotsa Lobster in Sarasota.
I know you must have paid alot for a two pound lobster, and you have my sympathy. But I personally think that's just the chance you take with a very large lobster. It is very difficult to gauge the difference between done and over-done. I am assuming you had the market boil it for you as opposed to doing it yourself. Waiting for the water to re-boil after throwing the lobster in complicates the timing. But I know, I know, they should be experienced at this, right?
Before you write them off, have you ever bought other seafood there, any other experiences? Did you tell them about the tough lobster? They have several great reviews on Yahoo.
Where to take company on the water around John's Pass?
I have driven by Waltz at least ten times on my bike and it has been open only one of those times, and they were in the process of closing (it was still light out, early evening). Even during the Johns Pass Seafood festival in October, they were closed. The atmosphere is very cute, picnic tables, across the street from the dock. But as laboheme says, call first.
I am with you, floridaeater, Salt Rock Grill has always been our go-to place. But it is more expensive than Woody's for sure, but that's like comparing a Cadillac to a Pinto! If you wanna go "downscale" then try Sea Hag's - much better food than Woody's, and they do have a small section outside with a view of the marina.
Unfortunately, the best seafood is "near" the water but no views: Middle Grounds. You can't go wrong there, but you are facing Gulf Blvd...maybe you could eat there and take a walk across the street on the beachfront sidewalk after dinner.
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Salt Rock Grill
19325 Gulf Blvd, Indian Shores, FL 33785
Tampa / St Pete Beach recommendations?
You're welcome, Warren. I did give two breakfast recs (Beverly's and Frog Pond) in the other thread, but for true Southern style, you will have to cab it to St. Pete and go to Skyway Jack's, the ultimate southern breakfast spot. By the way, there is a great inexpensive trolley system up and down the beaches so you won't have to worry about rental car or taxi on Gulf Blvd. But to get to someplace in St. Pete requires either a bus connection, which can be time consuming, or a taxi.
P.S. When you leave on your cruise, try to time it so you and your family are standing on the highest deck you can find when you go beneath the Sunshine Skyway bridge. Quite a sensation, as it feels like you can almost reach up and touch the bridge. I'll be waving at you from three miles north on Treasure Island :)
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Frog Pond
16909 Gulf Blvd, North Redington Beach, FL 33708
Skyway Jack's Restaurant
2795 34th St S, Saint Petersburg, FL 33711
Tampa / St Pete Beach recommendations?
Warren, have you done a search of the boards? I recently responded to a St. Pete Beach question, almost the same as yours, here is the thread:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/810645
(I am feeling lazy today and did not want to retype).
Meanwhile, do a search for Tampa, and review the threads, and maybe come back with specific ideas?
Have a great trip!
P.S. Back when I had more $$$, I loved eating at the Sea Porch (the Don's midpriced restaurant), the food was very good. Also went to the Maritana Grille for a very special occasion (their high end resto) and that was wonderful, especially the service. So you can't go wrong right inside the hotel itself for the Don.
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Sea Porch Cafe
Don CeSar Beach Resort Spa, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706
Why is Chef Robert Irvine hosting Restaurant: Impossible?
I live in the town where the resume embellishment was revealed. Stand up if you are the only person in America who has not exagerrated on their resume. Now that everyone's seated, let me tell you firsthand, the attacks on him were vicious and unrelenting. He was practically run out of town on a rail. And the space he was to occupy? It stood empty for two more years. Good going, St. Petersburg. Happy now?
Meanwhile, he is excellent at problem solving and creating entire menus out of thin air on his Dinner Impossible show. The problem with the new show in my opinion is the premise, especially compared to Ramsay's KNightmares. Ramsay had a whole week, ten times the budget, and the time to get to know both the staff and the surrounding area and all it had to offer. Doing the turnaround with $10K and two days is ridiculous.
The problem with the show is that it does not highlight Irvine's personality and skills, and therefore it just won't cut it. By the way, I watched him get cut the other night on Iron Chef - he may not be the greatest "chef" (however you define it) but he is competent, creative, and man is he a hard worker. I applaud him. The show, not so much.
Really good breakfast in st Pete?
And in St. Pete Beach, two at the same intersection (Gulf Blvd & Corey Ave): the Frog Pond and (my fave) Beverly's. Beverly's specialty is croissants, which I don't actually get, because I love Benedicts. They have a whole section, and my favorite is the veggie bennie. Walk Corey from the shops to the waterfront on each end after breakfast!
St. Pete Native / Old Haunts..
Hmm...have lived on Treasure Island for 28 years, and there is a sub place, but it's not on the corner. It is Original Pizza, and they do have good calzones and stromboli, although I'm partial to their Italian sub and their cheesesteak - it's around the corner across the street from Foxy's, on Gulf Blvd across from the Bilmar. They've been around forever (a couple doors down from the VIP - I know you must remember their Mexican food!). I remember the game room! The Treasure Island Fun Center! I took my kids there a couple of times when they were little, it was kinda creepy lol.
As for Foxy's, well, you can try their wings, but I'd rather see you pick up an excellent Cuban from the Floridian a block away. Have a fun visit!
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Original Pizza
10661 Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island, FL 33706
We make it a point to go there every time we are in St Pete Beach
Maybe we should try guessing where it's NOT LOL!. Not Crabby Bill's, not the Hurricane, not anything on Gulf blvd, as no view, not Woody's....I'm thinking debbed must be right, but I've never been to the Brass Monkey. Only other possibilities would be hotel restaurants, and most of those don't have water view. How about the place that revolves? Now that's gotta have the best view!
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Crabby Bills
7675 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee, FL 34747
Good Hoagie in Pinellas County?
Since you work in Pinellas Park, have you tried Colonial Corner on 49th Street just south of Park Blvd? They have an excellent cheesesteak. Haven't had their hoagie but I'm thinking if the cheesesteak is that good....
For hoagies (I'm a Philly native), I like Original Pizza. They are a small local chain, and I frequent the one on Treasure Island, so can't speak for their other locations, but their Italian is always on excellent bread. My hubby gets that (I get the cheesesteak which is good but not quite as good as Colonial's), so don't know for sure about the peppers.
Happy hunting!
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Original Pizza
6175 Park Blvd, Pinellas Park, FL 33781
Sweetbay supermarkets
RibDog, sounded like the first of November. I think the Orlando guy was posted in Tampa for the month to get things rolling, along with the come-on prices, as he indicated they were Tampa only prices, changing in Nov. $7.99 is still a great price - even wholesale. By the way, he mentioned (and there was a sign to the effect) that you could make special orders by phone with one day turnaround.
Sweetbay supermarkets
Went to Restaurant Depot today. Wow! They have installed a seafood counter inside their cold room. Lobster tank, whole and filet domestic and imported fish, all manner of shellfish and crustaceans. Very good prices. The fellow running it was doing a top notch job -he's from their Orlando store and said that the prices on lobster were a special and would go up to $7.99 (1 to 1 1/2 lb) and 10 something for November. Still good prices. Very impressive seafood counter I must admit!
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Restaurant Depot
810 N 50th St, Tampa, FL 33619
Sweetbay supermarkets
I still think it's worth a trip. What else did you see/buy that was good there? I had never heard of this market before you posted.
Sweetbay supermarkets
Wow! Thanks for the info, both RibDog and CFishman. Now I have a reason to visit the Sanwa market too.
Sweetbay supermarkets
RibDog, wow, we go there at least once a month, I've never see live lobsters there. You must be referring to the frozen cooked whole, yes?
VISTING ST. PETE BEACH LOOKING FOR GREAT SEAFOOD & STEAK
OK I got you covered!
For breakfast, go to Beverly's in SPBeach, at the intersection of Corey Ave and Gulf Blvd. You could also go across the street to Frog Pond - both are good, my fave is anything Benedict from Beverly's. After breakfast, go for a walk down Corey (heading away from the Gulf) and check out the cute shops and our historic theatre. Check out what's playing for later (they sell beer and wine at this old timey theatre!).
For lunch, grab a real Cuban sandwich at the Floridian on 107th on Treasure Island. Be sure to get some black beans and rice (with diced onion) to go with. This place has won awards for this sandwich. There's also good takeout subs etc at Original Pizza nearby.
For dinner, forget the all you can eat crab legs (they're from Alaska anyway!) and go for all-you-can-AFFORD stone crab claws (assuming you arrive after Oct 15, when the season begins). Best place on the beach is Middlegrounds Grill on Treasure Island. When I go there, though, I always order the fish special. They usually serve local fish like hog snapper Oscar, which is the best fish in the world, topped with a fried soft shell crab. Out of this world I tell ya! I suppose you could get a steak there too...but I can't stay away from their fish (and I sell fish for a living lol!).
Also, since you are on vacation, there are some great beach bars in the area. There's a cluster of three on the water at the intersection of 75th Ave and the Gulf. Twisted Tarpon is my favorite of the three (sit upstairs) and has good food. Also, you could make an evening of going to the beach bars behind the hotels on the SPBeach strip. Start with the BonAire hotel and head north from there.
Have a great trip!
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Original Pizza
10661 Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island, FL 33706
Great Meal at K Restaurant in College Park (Orlando)
Sent this review to my son in law, who is a big fan of K. He agreed with your review, but his comment was "they don't mention the duck, the best thing on the menu!" So, next time...get the duck and let us know!
Restauarant suggestions St Pete Beach area
Forgot to mention Paddy O'Sullivans. I agree too - had a really good burger there. It is at least the 4th incarnation at that spot, all the previous ones were ick, but this one is good, I hope they make it!
The last two times I went to Agave, the service was just awful. Sorry, but I'm not going back if they act like they don't want me (and my 3 guests) there!
Restauarant suggestions St Pete Beach area
Hmmm....try Sea Hags on the south side of the bridge to Treasure Island (north end of SPB). Good wings and usually good music. Sea Critters used to be good also, in Pass A Grille at the south end of SPB. I haven't been in quite a while. Must see would be Middlegrounds Grill on Treasure Island. Er, must eat would be more like it, as this restaurant is not on the water, but you will find freshest fish. Eat in the bar and there's music some nights as well as people-watching. Also, not for the food but for the on-the-water hangout, try the two bars at the waterfront end of 75th avenue (where the causeway to South Pasadena is): Twisted Tarpon and the Sloppy Pelican. There are two more there, but these two have the best bartenders and bar food. Have fun! and don't forget about the St. Petersburg downtown waterfront - you don't have to go all the way to Tampa to enjoy the city life.
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Sea Critters Cafe
2007 Pass A Grille Way, St Pete Beach, FL 33706
NEW YORKER HEADING TO FLORIDA, SHOCKER!!
hmmm... Assuming you mean the St. Pete/Clearwater airport, and not Albert Whitted (a small private airport), then Cafe Ponte would be very close, and a dive of a place, the Airport Variety store (across the street from the airport surprisingly) for Cuban Sandwiches would be my recs. The cuban place is strictly takeout, get it and take it back to the hotel. Cafe Ponte for lunch and/or dinner. Also nearby is the Venue, a sort of mix of a club and a couple of restaurants under one roof. See and be seen but decent food. Oh, and for Italian very close by, try Antonio's Pasta Grille.
Unless of course, you meant the much busier Tampa Airport....
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Cafe Ponte
13505 Icot Blvd. Suite 214, Clearwater, FL 33760
Antonio's Pasta Grille
11401 N 56th St, Tampa, FL 33617
NEW YORKER HEADING TO FLORIDA, SHOCKER!!
"were staying in the south east of the island the historic part i believe.... so anything on the island is fine"
Can you clarify where exactly you're staying? St. Pete is part of a peninsula, with the city of st pete on the eastern side and the (entirely separate) city of st. pete beach on the southwestern side, so that would change where you'd go so you could drink and not drive...welcome to the 'hood by the way!
