kentski's Profile
Driving from Tampa to Raleigh ... Suggestions for a Great Meal/Sleepover
Beaufort it is! Thanks for the suggestions, everyone.
And, yes oh yes, I'm going to miss my Cuban and Spanish food ... I currently live within walking distance of the La Segunda Bakery and the original Columbia, as well as a number of other outstanding restaurants, so I'm really going to miss just walking out and having those options for lunch or dinner. I haven't found a place in Raleigh yet for something similar, but I'm looking at Glenwood South.
See you Raleigh Chowhounders soon!
Driving from Tampa to Raleigh ... Suggestions for a Great Meal/Sleepover
Excited to be moving to Raleigh next month, and driving from Tampa to Raleigh (about a 10-11 hour drive). Want to split the drive up and layover after 5-7 hours driving, which will put me anywhere between the Savannah and Myrtle Beach areas for the night.
Would prefer not to deviate too far from the Interstates and not too particular about the hotel for just one night (Hilton Garden Inns, Courtyard Marriotts, etc. are all fine) ... but would love to have a great meal that night just to remember the drive. REALLY dig good seafood and price isn't an object ... since I'll be on my own, would prefer to eat at the bar. If there is a great restaurant near a decent hotel, even better so I could have a few glasses of wine without worrying about driving.
Any suggestions?
50 things to eat in NC
There sure is! It was even part of Andrew Zimmern's "Bizarre Foods" in a 2008 episode. The waitresses at the Shelby Cafe even wear t-shirts that say (something like) "I got mushed at the Shelby Cafe".
50 things to eat in NC
I'm originally from Shelby (about 40 miles West of Charlotte, right on the SC border) and go home at least once a year. My mom is still there, and is a terrific cook, so I don't eat out much ... but when I'm there, she knows that there are certain outside foods that I have to have as a "true North Carolina boy":
- the tomato slaw from Red Bridges Bar-be-que on Highway 74
- the grilled pimento cheese sandwich with a side of fried okra (with ketchup) from the Shelby Cafe
- Fried liver mush during the Liver Mush festival (if its going on when I'm there)
- 'Nana pudding from Jackson's Cafeteria
- Fried catfish with homemade tartar sauce from the Shelby Fish Camp (anything named "Fish Camp" gets my mouth salivating)
- a cold Cheerwine or Sun-Drop (God, I miss Cheerwine) with any of the above
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Shelby Fish Camp
1025 E Dixon Blvd, Shelby, NC 28152
Michigan Hound Comes to Tampa - Needs Recs Please!
I put together a list of all the area restaurants just a couple of weeks ago -- if you search for "DOWNTOWN TAMPA", it should appear.
All the recs above are great ... a few others pop to mind. For lunch:
Bamboozle (Downtown) - great Vietnamese "fusion"
Paninotecca (Downtown) - Mediterranean
L'Eden (Downtown) - French
Cafe Dufrain (Harbour Island) - right across from your hotel and one of my favs
Mise en Place (Downtown) - delicious food, hit or miss service, prices more reasonable at lunch. You could also try their new outpost at the brand new Museum of Art
Five Guys Burgers (Downtown at Skypoint) - great, simple burgers and fries
AVOID the restaurants in your hotel. Even Champion's messes up a simple bar food menu.
For dinner:
Malio's (Downtown) at Happy Hour - I think the burgers at the bar are still $5 and the drinks are half priced from 5pm to 7pm. Very expensive afterwards
New World Brewery (Ybor) on Wednesday evenings - they have a barbeque for $5 which I found delicious, plus great selection of beers that you won't see elsewhere
Tinatapas (Channelside) - Not the best restaurant but I always find it, at least, good. You could easily escape with 2-3 tapas dishes and a sangria for under $30
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New World Brewery
1313 E 8th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
Tinatapa's
615 Channelside Dr Ste 127, Tampa, FL 33602
Malios
400 North Ashley Drive, Tampa, FL 33602
Cafe Dufrain
707 Harbour Post Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
Best Sushi in Tampa?
I haven't been in at least three years, but there used to be a terrific sushi place in a non-descript strip mall in Palm Harbor -- I think it was owned by the brother of one of the Iron Chefs.
Also, haven't been in a while, but how about Kiku's in Clearwater Beach? Have never heard anything but praise about this place. I know you don't want to leave Tampa, but it (used to be and probably still is) worth a drive across a couple of bridges.
DOWNTOWN TAMPA DINING GUIDE (Includes Ybor City, Harbour Island, and Channelside)
Polly, I *absolutely* agree. That was the first "famous" deviled crab I tried in Tampa, and I swore I'd never try another one -- dry, WAY too much breading, a bit cold by the time it got to me. Have since tried other ones (haven't tried them all, but Brocato's was delicious and definitely worth a drive) and like them, though I still prefer Maryland-style crab cakes if I'm going to have crab (I know we're staying away from chains, but since its a local chain, GrillSmith has terrific crab cakes).
But Carmine's should change up the deviled crab offering ... though viewing the lunch crowds during the week, they're definitely popular.
DOWNTOWN TAMPA DINING GUIDE (Includes Ybor City, Harbour Island, and Channelside)
Definitely understand the comments. Mise en Place continues to have the most inventive and comprehensive menu downtown, with terrific food, but the last time I went at lunch, the service was terrible. I'd still put it at an "A minus" because of the food, as well as the hope that it's not slipping.
Smoke, I still rate an "A", simply because I could feast on the side dishes there. The only food where I'm a total "Hound" is Barbeque, having grown up in one of the BBQ capitals of the US. Compared to Kojak's or Jimbo's -- the two most commonly mentioned Tampa BBQ places on this board -- Smoke kills them, and I'm addicted to the BBQ duck and the pesto macaroni and cheese (best in town), as well as 10 or more delicious side dishes. If they offered a plate of sides as an entree, I'd go there all of the time.
Cafe Dufrain? Yeah, probably should be a "B Plus" ... but pick a beautiful spring/fall day out on the water with some still-damn-good food, and its up there. I do wish they'd mix the menu up a bit though.
I've never understood the hate toward Carmine's. Seems either people love it or absolutely hate it. I'm not quite to the complete love side, but when I'm craving terrific yellow rice and beans and/or succulent baked chicken, I go there (as well as some pretty damn good lasagna).
EDIT: And AskDrTodd and MissE (and others), PLEASE get a list started for Hyde Park/Westshore! I'm over there a bit but its not my neighborhood, so I know I'm missing some places.
DOWNTOWN TAMPA DINING GUIDE (Includes Ybor City, Harbour Island, and Channelside)
Following YosemiteSam's outstanding post for Orlando dining, I've tried to put together a list of restaurants in the downtown Tampa area, separated by my experiences with them rather than by food type or occasion type. Like YosemiteSam, I've tried to avoid chain restaurants (though we have very few down in this area); putting together the list, I'm also surprised by the choices that we have in this area. I'd love to include the Hyde Park area restaurants (like Bern's, Sidebern's, Datz, Wine Exchange, etc.), but I feel that's a whole new list as there are so many terrific choices. I also tried to make the average grade a "C", meaning those restaurants are absolutely fine but nothing spectacular.
Here's my take:
A – I’d Eat Here No Matter What City This Restaurant Was In
Café Dufrain (Eclectic) – Harbour Island
Columbia (Spanish) – Ybor City
Mise En Place (Eclectic) – Downtown
Smoke (Barbeque) – Downtown
B – Very Good; You Can’t Go Wrong
Acropolis (Greek) – Ybor City
Algusto’s (Mexican) - Downtown
Bamboozle (Vietnamese) – Downtown
Bin 27 Bistro (Eclectic) – Downtown
Buddha Lounge (Asian) – Ybor City
Cafe Hey (Vegetarian) - Downtown
Carmine’s (Cuban/Italian) – Ybor City
Columbia Café (Spanish) - Channelside
El Puerto (Argentinian) – Ybor City
Five Guys Burgers (American) – Downtown
Fly (Eclectic) – Downtown
Grass Root (Vegetarian) - Downtown
IKEA Cafeteria (Swedish) – Ybor City
Jackson Street Bistro (American) – Downtown
Jerk Hut (Jamaican) – Downtown
La Terrazza (Italian) – Ybor City
Laughing Cat (Italian) – Ybor City
L’Eden (French) - Downtown
Malio’s (Steakhouse) – Downtown
Paninotecca (Mediterranean) – Downtown
Pizzaiolo Bavaro (Italian) - Downtown
Samurai Blue (Sushi) – Ybor City
Shrimp and Company (Seafood) - Ybor City
Spain (Spanish) - Downtown
Splitsville (Eclectic) – Channelside
The Stone Soup Company (Soup) – Ybor City
Tampa Bay Brewing Company (American) – Ybor City
C – Good Solid Food; Nothing Special
Bernini’s (Italian) – Ybor City
The Bungalow (Eclectic) – Downtown
Café DeSoto (Eclectic) - Downtown
Eddie and Sam’s NY Pizza (Pizza) - Downtown
Famous Al’s Barbeque (Barbeque) – Ybor City
Fresh Mouth (Burgers) – Ybor City
Fresh Watch (American) - Downtown
Gallagher’s (Steakhouse) – Channelside
Gilligan’s (American) – Downtown
Green Iguana (American) – Ybor City
Hattricks (Sandwiches) – Downtown
Hamburger Mary’s (American) – Ybor City
Indigo Coffee (Sandwiches) - Downtown
Jackson’s (Eclectic) – Harbour Island
Jalapeno’s de Ybor (Mexican) – Ybor City
La Creperia (French) – Ybor City
The Loading Dock (Sandwiches) - Downtown
Lonni’s (Sandwiches) – Downtown
Mema’s Alaskan Tacos (Mexican) – Ybor City
Oriental Restaurant (Asian) - Downtown
Precinct Pizza (Italian) – Channelside
Streetcar Charlie’s (Eclectic) – Ybor City
Taps (Eclectic) – Downtown
Teatro’s (Eclectic) – Ybor City
Thai Thani (Thai) - Channelside
Tinatapa’s (Spanish) – Channelside
Westshore Pizza (Pizza) – Downtown/Channelside
Zelda’s (American/Jamaican) - Channelside
D – Might Give It One More Chance
725 South (American) – Harbour Island
Bennigan’s (American) – Channelside
Champion’s (American) - Downtown
Il Terrazza (Italian) - Downtown
JAX Grill (American) – Ybor City
Karma Bar and Café (American) - Downtown
La Tropicana (Cuban) – Ybor City
Oishi Sushi (Japanese) – Channelside
Rock N’ Sports (American) – Ybor City
Samarra Café (American) – Downtown
Spaghetti Warehouse (Italian) – Ybor City
Stumps Supper Club (Southern) - Channelside
That’s Amore (Italian) – Harbour Island
Trolley’s Café (American) - Channelside
Wet Willie’s (Sandwiches) - Channelside
F – Never Again
Boss Hogs (Barbeque) – Downtown
Café Waterside (American) - Downtown
Gaspar’s Grotto (Eclectic) – Ybor City
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Precinct Pizza
615 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602
La Tropicana Cafe
1822 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
Mise En Place Restaurant
442 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606
Spaghetti Warehouse
1911 N 13th St, Tampa, FL 33605
Laughing Cat
1811 N 15th St, Tampa, FL 33605
Hattricks
107 S Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602
Tinatapa's
615 Channelside Dr Ste 127, Tampa, FL 33602
La Creperia Cafe
1729 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
Thai Thani Restaurant
615 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
Malios
400 North Ashley Drive, Tampa, FL 33602
Sidebern's
2208 W Morrison Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
Five Guys Burgers
700 Pier Park Dr Ste 100, Panama City Beach, FL 32413
Wet Willies
615 Channelside Dr Ste 116, Tampa, FL 33602
Bin 27 Bistro
2702 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609
Fresh Mouth
8 E Ave Ste D101, Tampa, FL 33605
New Soup Place in Tampa - Ybor City
Chowhounds -
Disclaimer, only tried samples today, as I was returning to my car from another delicious lunch at Shrimp and Co. (love that place).
There's now a new soup place at the old nightclub (Fuel?) on 7th Avenue. Called The Stone Soup Company. Open Mon-Sat and have 5-6 regular soups plus daily specials. I sampled the Thai Curry (delicious!) and the lobster bisque (also delicious, but special for the day). They also have 4-cheese broccoli, Jewish Matzah ball, chili, and a couple of others that they make every day, plus others that rotate. I was diggin' it. The owner told me that what they don't sell, on Fridays, they send to local food kitchens.
They also have paninis and "salads in the glass" (ala McDonalds). I was loving it and going back tomorrow. Address is 1910 E. 7th Avenue and web address is www.stonesoupco.com (though it doesn't look fully functional right now).
But, as a "soup guy" myself, I'm liking the concept right now ...
Tampa. Need recommendations for best Seafood.
Its either 4 oysters or 8 oysters at Mitchell's. And, yes, they're a bit pricey but no more so than other comparable places (Ocean Prime, Malio's, etc.)
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Malios
400 North Ashley Drive, Tampa, FL 33602
Tampa. Need recommendations for best Seafood.
They usually do. I know that of the 10-12 fresh fish choices they have on the menu when I've been there, at least 1-2 have been from the Florida Gulf Coast.
I like the place, particularly the oyster selections.
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Gulf Coast
Pensacola, FL, Pensacola, FL
1 dinner and 2 lunches in Tampa (at least one sushi) for Boston hounds
For a great seafood lunch, check out Shrimp and Company (www.shrimpandco.com), which opened about a year ago in Ybor City (diagonally across from The Columbia). Their lunch menu is pretty standard, but you can order from the dinner menu at lunch and its not expensive. Don't be thrown off by the outside appearance, which is pretty basic -- the food is good.
Another place for a great lunch is Cafe Dufrain on Harbour Island. Plenty of reviews about them on Chowhound, so just search.
For a nice dinner, I'd suggest either Oystercatchers at the Grand Hyatt (especially at sunset) or Bern's. What's surprising about most of the comments about Bern's is that its "only steak", but they have a fairly extensive selection of fresh fish as well. When I say "fresh fish", you actually see the fish tank in the kitchen.
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Cafe Dufrain
707 Harbour Post Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
Tampa, Sunday Brunch recomendations
As someone that lives within walking distance, Jackson's is definitely a disappointment for brunch -- Oystercatcher's and Island Way Grill are FAR better recommendations. Also, does the Don Cesar still do brunch? I went with neighbors a couple of years ago and we had a fantastic brunch.
You might also consider the Hard Rock as well ... their Sunday brunch in the past has been very solid.
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Island Way Grill
20 Island Way, Clearwater, FL 33767
good oysters in Orlando, near I4 & 482
For Sand Lake, Ocean Prime wouldn't be bad for oysters. Not my favorite, but still some decent oysters (I just hate the damn dry ice they put in the oyster tray ... makes everyone turn around and look).
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Ocean Prime
7339 W Sand Lake Rd # 400, Orlando, FL
Christmas Dinner in Tampa
Also just saw in the St. Pete Times today that Fly is open on Christmas Day -- it didn't give hours, so it might just be in the evening. Just another option.
Christmas Dinner in Tampa
I'm sure some of the beach places will be open, but in Tampa, you might also consider Pellagia Tratoria at the Renaissance (I know they've been open in Christmas in the past). Also, not the best Thai food but not bad, the owners at Thai Thani in Channelside have told me that they're open 365 days a year.
Finally, the Cinebistro in Hyde Park will probably be open, so you could combine dinner and a movie as well.
Christmas Dinner in Tampa
From Columbia's website:
Columbia Restaurant Is Open For The Holidays & Accepting Reservations
Happy Holidays from the Gonzmart family and the Columbia Restaurant! We invite you and your family to join us at any one of our Columbia Restaurants for lunch or dinner during the Holidays.
We are now accepting reservations for the holidays, and we look forward to making your holiday memories special.
We’ll be open on:
* Christmas Eve
* Christmas Day
* New Year’s Eve
* New Year’s Day
Our Christmas Day menu offers two traditional choices, along with our full dinner menu. Christmas features include a cup of one of our world- famous Soups or a fresh Caesar Salad. For an additional $1.95, our famous “1905” Salad can be substituted.
Lechon Asado
At home, Christmas Eve and day were always more relaxed and festive with a typical Cuban style Holiday menu. The warm and balmy days and nights in Florida reminded us of when we visited family in Cuba. The main entrée was always Roasted Lechon (pork) marinated with sour orange juice, garlic oregano and bay leaves. Slow roasted until the meat was tender and juicy. Served with Mojo, Yuca, Moros y Cristianos and Platanos Maduros. One taste takes us back to Christmas with our grandparents, Casimiro and Carmen Hernandez.
Baked Virginia Ham
A traditional holiday favorite, and the favorite Christmas dinner
of our father Cesar. Slices of baked sugar glazed Virginia ham
served with homemade mashed potatoes, candied yams, fresh
vegetables and orange sauce.
Adult Dinner $18.95 Children’s Dinner $5.95
We need recommendations for Tampa dinner (breakfast and lunch too).
I think he meant L'Eden, which is downtown.
For breakfast, you might want to consider First Watch (a local chain but still decent food) or Samarra, which is in the old 502 Sports Cafe space. I had lunch at Samarra recently and was very happy with the extensive menu as well as the prices. I'm not a breakfast person but looked like HUGE omelets.
Another "hole in the wall" within walking distance with decent food is Gilligan's, on Morgan. Mostly bar food but some very good ceviche and fish tacos.
Tampa Bay Recomendations
Okay, I'm now heading back soon. My neighbors rave about this place as well, and now reading all of these terrific reviews, I'm going to try it again. I went a couple of months back for lunch and I think they were just overwhelmed at the time -- it took a long time to get the food and it seemed like my skirt steak had been sitting under the lights for a while.
But I've heard nothing but great things from everyone else, including on this board. Will hit it for lunch on Monday.
Recent Experiences at Mise En Place (Tampa)?
Hate to start a new thread on this, but couldn't find an appropriate existing one.
I've now gone to Mise en Place twice for lunch in the past two weeks ... and its not like it used to be. Actually two not great experiences. First time, I ate there -- had the Chef's selections of Tapas (all fried, one way overcooked to the point of burning on the edges) and the Grilled Cheese sandwich, which was fine. However, the service was erratic and I had to wait for my check for about 20 minutes, even though I was looking around for anyone to help. Left a bad taste in my mouth.
Today I went, sat at the bar around 11:45am, the restaurant wasn't crowded at all, but even though I was seated by the host who mentioned to the manager (I think) that I was eating at the bar -- three others were there -- no one came to say hello or wait on me for a good 15 minutes. I finally decided to leave and, as I was leaving, the host said "well, I could've sat you at a table".
Seriously, has anyone else had experiences like this at Mise recently? With the recent turnover there, have things really changed? Is it just lunch -- is the dinner service and manager better? I really like their menu, but unless I hear otherwise, I won't be back.
New Restaurant Openings in Tampa
Couldn't find a post that mentions new restaurant openings in Tampa, and thought it'd be helpful -- love to support new businesses starting out right now. Here are six that I know about:
- BRIO at International Plaza. Opening in October. A chain with Northern Italian focus that I know nothing about.
- Marrakesh on MacDill Avenue. French/Moroccan restaurant that I'm looking forward to trying. Think its only open for dinner right now.
- Taverna Opa in Channelside. The former Grille 29 site -- Greek restaurant. Don't know much else at this point, but exciting that something is finally going into this very prime spot.
- New Sports Bar opening at the former Andreychuk's across from the Forum. Know nothing else, but they open tomorrow (September 24th, 2009).
- Seasons 52 at Westshore Plaza. Another chain, focused on healthy, seasonal menus. Think its owned by the Darden Group (aka Red Lobster, Olive Garden). Though a chain, have read many good things about this restaurant.
- Kona Grille at International Plaza. Another chain that I know nothing about. Scheduled to open in November.
Any others?
Tampa for 3 days - What are the best places to eat? Best places to see?
Are you coming this weekend? If so, its "Museum" weekend, meaning admission to almost all of the local museums is free. Check out the Tampa Bay History Museum and eat at the Columbia Cafe/Cafe Dufrain/Jackson's afterwards.
Tampa - Hidden Gems?
If Malio's (Downtown Tampa) still has the half-priced steak offer, its a great deal -- plus they have $2 Finlandia Martinis. Check their website -- I know a couple of weeks ago, they still had the details of the half-priced deal up.
Otherwise, all of the other good steakhouses (Council Oak, Charley's, etc.) are about the same price as Bern's. Actually, I don't find Bern's to be expensive at all, considering everything you get with the entree.
Dinner Deals - Tampa
Speaking of Malio's -- just got this card this weekend:
Happy Hour Menu
3pm-7pm Monday through Friday
Finlandia Martinis - $2
Shrimp Any Style - $5
Theresa, BBQ, or Grilled
Mozzarella Malzone - $5
Fried Mozzarella served with Housemade Marinara
Malio's Burger - $5
Aged White Cheddar, Lettuce, Tomato and Onions
Tower of Onion Rings - $5
Housemade and Handcut
Nueske's Bacon - $5
Applewood Smoked
Restaurant near Tampa Embassy Suites Downtown
Thanks chowmensch! Hope you enjoyed your stay in Tampa, and come back down when the weather is beautiful (generally October to early May) -- we'll give you some more terrific places to try out!
kentski
Dinner Deals - Tampa
Gallagher's (through August 31st):
2 salads (wedge or caesar)
2 filet mignons
1 two-pound Maine Lobster
2 sides (mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli, sauteed baby spinach, sauteed mushrooms)
2 desserts (key lime pie or strawberry shortcake)
$75
Restaurant near Tampa Embassy Suites Downtown
I've been to Cafe Dufrain three times since the new menu ... its my favorite place downtown now. I wrote a review a couple of weeks back which is probably a page or two back now. Haven't been for dinner yet, but can't wait to try it. Ferrell, the new chef, is incredible (and yes, he has the same first name as the female owner).
But Malio's is also open for lunch as well (Monday through Friday). They have a lunch menu, but you can also order from the dinner menu. Definitely a good selection as well -- I've had nothing but very good experiences there. Gfr1111 also mentioned Spain, which is another good selection and they're open for lunch. I also just had a terrific lunch today at Columbia Cafe at the History Center (also a quick walk), but it doesn't have much space inside (lots outside) so a fairly large group in the summer might overwhelm them.
Within walking distance from the Embassy Suites, I'd say you've picked the three best options (Cafe Dufrain, Malio's, and Mise en Place). Of the three food options you mentioned in your original post, we're seriously lacking in seafood (Ocean Prime is probably the best in the area now but still a car/taxi ride away), steak is very good at Malio's (you could consider a taxi ride to Council Oaks at the Hard Rock Casino, particularly if you have gamblers in the crowd; otherwise, Bern's is still one of the nation's best). Italian? Avoid at all costs That's Amore across from Cafe Dufrain; the best Italian nearby is Laughing Cat in Ybor City (a streetcar ride away) and Bernini's isn't bad.
Still, if I were you, I'd stick with the three that you have. And, for evening drinks if the weather is nice, you might want to check out the outdoor bar that just opened outside of the Convention Center and a one-minute walk from your hotel (Sailport Bar?).
What's cookin' in Ybor City?
I'm sorry, and I love to support my neighborhood places, but Gaspar's Grotto is one of the worst places where I've eaten recently. Had the "Maine Lobster Roll", where they didn't take out the gristle/tendons, so couldn't even chew through it. The service was atrocious (I ate at the bar and I honestly wondered if the bartender was just out of it) and the place was empty, while Carmine's across the street was absolutely packed (where I originally wanted to go).
The homemade potato chips were good, but having gone there twice now with awful results, I won't go back. Many places in Ybor that are good for lunch (Columbia, Rock N' Sports, Laughing Cat, Carmine's, Tampa Bay Brewing Company, Teatro's, Green Iguana, La Tropicana) but Gaspar's isn't one of them.
Maybe go to Gaspar's for drinks, but definitely not for food.
