ElGimpo's Profile
Best Hamburger and fresh cut french fries
I've had quite a few burgers in Sarasota over the years and so far the best burger I've had is at this little spot right before Venice called Curry Creek Cafe. Second best is The Crab and Fin on St Armands, yeah, the fish place.
J Ryan's (next to the mall) used to have a great burger but haven't had one there in years. Actually, I might just go there this weekend and try one again.
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Curry Creek Cafe
920 Tamiami Trl S, Nokomis, FL 34275
Amigos Mexican Restaurant
It's on the first line of the post? 14837 North Florida Avenue Tampa.
Anyhoo, been back a few times since, and it's been just ok for me. The chorizo and carnitas are very good, but everything else I have had has been just average so far. The pastor was a let down too. Worth a try if you live close by but no need to drive out of the way for them quite yet.
Amigos Mexican Restaurant
You're welcome, I'm going to have to go back tonight or tomorrow and make sure it wasn't a dud. Seems to happen to me all the time.
Amigos Mexican Restaurant
New spot on 14837 North Florida Avenue close to Bearss in a strip mall (Action plaza). Typical little hole in the wall kinda place. Good sign when a Mexican restaurant is full of Mexicans eating there.
On sit down I got some freshly made nachos and homemade salsa, nachos still warm, very good. Big menu, even a vegetarian section. I was intrigued by the deep fried whole mojarra but I found the taco selections and went with 4: chorizo, lengua, steak and carnitas. $7.50. Out of al pastor. Took some time to make, but I was entertained by Spanish tv blaring right above my cabeza. The plate arrived and I was pleasantly surprised with 4 nice fat tacos with homemade tortillas and a side of pickled sliced carrots. Red salsa, green salsa and limes on the side.
Best Mexican chorizo I have had yet, just excellent. Best carnitas too, just the way I like em, nice and crunchy and moist on the inside, the only place I have found these made this way outside my kitchen. The toungue was bland and diced in little squares, skip these. The steak was shredded and a bit crispy, not great but way way better than most places I've been to. I was worried the single tortillas wouldn't hold up but they did. The salsas served were very good. Before I started eating, it didn't really bother me that they were out of the pastor but now I was pouting about it.
The waitress told me they make their own crunchy style tacos in-house so I'll be trying those next time. I left happy and giddy that this place is only 4 minutes from my hacienda.
Mexican food is kinda new to me so I would love to hear what ya'll think about it if you happen to eat there.
In search of the giant burger near Tampa
Tank's tap room in Carrollwood has an 8 pounder. Food network did a show on it a while back:
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/mar/18/181317/freaky-foods-show-bites-carrollwood-pubs-8-pound-b/
Why are baguettes in the US so bad?
I lived in Puerto Rico and we had some of the most amazing baguettes there. I also lived in the south of France for a couple of years where my Aunt would leave early every single morning to get the bread for the family. Amazing bread.
Making a proper baguette takes days and a lot of work. In France the fresh bread sells out in a few hours. Here it goes stale because it's just not part of the daily culture so it's just not worth the trouble. However, I am sure someone somewhere is making them.
My Mother is off the boat from France and our search for a good baguette continues after 25 years here.
The hunt for a particular spatula!
Et Voila!
http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-Vintage-RED-BAKELITE-Androck-Spatula-Utensil-/220680143666?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33618fc332
Many more:
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=vintage+spatula&_sacat=0&_odkw=vintage+spatula&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313
Confessions Of A Tampa Foodie
Just went to a place called Gengiz Khan on s McDill last night with a friend who swore by it and I was blown away. Had the gyro platter over rice and came with homemade pita to make your own gyros. Best gyro ever had, looked like the meat was thinly sliced leg of lamb seared and crispy and moist, just great.
Also had some falafel and again, best I ever had. Instead of the typical dry, grainy texture, this was soft and stuck to your teeth in a good kind of way, very tasty. Highly recommended.
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Gengiz Khan Restaurant
6102 S MacDill Ave Ste C, Tampa, FL 33611
Gourmet grocery
If you are landing in Tampa, might as well go by Whole Foods which is right next to the airport (5-10 min drive) on the corner of I-275 and Dale Mabry. Great selection of imported cheeses and stuff, huge store.
For great patè, Fresh Market has a superb goose liver patè, so does Morton's. I'm sure Whole Foods does also.
Best of Sarasota's hidden gems
Two restaurants I think of as 'gems' that are never mentioned much are Curry Creek Cafe and Roessler's Restaurant, both in south Sarasota. I've been to Curry Creek Cafe twice now for lunch and have been quite impressed. Talk about a small hole in the wall in the middle of nowhere... A mix of Indonesian, Italian and American food. For lunch try the soft shell crab sandwich or the crabcake sandwich along with the seafood stew. I keep hearing their curry is to die for. They are running a special of extra 10% accrual off the bill every time you go up to 40% off on your 4th visit.
Been to Roessler's many times, very fine dining and $$$, but worth it for special occasions. The baked onion soup is a masterpiece, and the boneless duck new orleans is just amazing. The place gets packed so reservations are needed.
http://www.currycreekcafe.com/
http://roesslersrestaurant.com/index.asp
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Roessler's Restaurant
2033 Vamo Way, Sarasota, FL 34238
Curry Creek Cafe
920 Tamiami Trl S, Nokomis, FL 34275
Tonight! Need Tampa restaurant rec for big group!
Hi,
For Asian, there are 2 great Chinese restaurants off of Armenia Ave. One is the Yummy House and the other is China Yuan. They both can get very packed so call and make sure there is room. You can do a search on this web site to find out more about them, lots of info. Both are the type where half the people eating there are Chinese, not your typical Americanized Chinese food if you know what I mean.
I prefer China Yuan myself simply because I can find a parking spot and a table most of the time, but they both are the best in the city.
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China Yuan
8502 N Armenia Ave Ste 1A, Tampa, FL 33604
Yummy House
2202 W Waters Ave Ste 1A, Tampa, FL 33604
Good eats around St. Armands, Sarasota?
I would also recommend the Dry Dock Waterfront Grill for lunch. The upstairs view is simply unforgettable and the food is good and very affordable. I would recommend the fish and chips for you and the fried whole-bellied ipswitch clam sandwich for he. Both around $14 each and excellent eats.
Another lunch spot you might enjoy is the Old Salty Dog just around the corner from the 'circle'. It was featured in an episode of Man vs Food last year and you are directly on or over the water watchin the boats go by. I've never been there but looks like a fun place. Very casual.
For dinner make a reservation at the Columbia and before or after eating walk around the circle looking at all the quaint shops. Although not my favorite place, it's beautiful and quite a unique restaurant. Very affordable.
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The Old Salty Dog
1601 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236
Best Chinese Buffet in Tampa
I you must eat Chinese buffet, then Crazy Buffet is my rec. Because of their monthly $10 off coupons the place has a LOT of business, thereby keeping the food constantly fresh. Nice looking place too.
Need Recipe Please!!
Here. Over 1000 quiche recipes sorted by highest rating. A bunch are crustless. Most are for 9 inch pie so multiply ingredients by 2 1/2 for a hotel pan:
http://www.recipezaar.com/recipes.php?q[]=quiche&ls=h&Search=Search&s_type=%2Frecipes.php
Need Recipe Please!!
I would suggest posting your question at http://www.cheftalk.com/forum/ where a large number of professional chefs and caterers hang out and answers to your dilema are typical. Try the caterers forum or the recipes forum for starters.
Molto Bene: Authentic DOP Pizza in Tampa...and more: Pizzaiolo Bavaro!
hehe yes, the pizza police. Thanx for the rec, didn't know about it. Can't wait to try it out.
Molto Bene: Authentic DOP Pizza in Tampa...and more: Pizzaiolo Bavaro!
Denominazione d'Origine Protetta or Controllata which means certain products in Italy by law must be made according to set rules and in a set location or region like parmiggianno reggiano.
DOP pizza is 'regarded' as Neopolitan pizza made according to the same strict rules they use in Naples.
The Italians got fed up with people bastardizing their pizzas and claiming them authentic so the they developed a true certification (VPN) with strict rules as to what a true Neopolitan pizza is. There are only 40 or so pizzerias in the US that have been certified VPN pizza.
http://verapizzanapoletana.org/vpn_frames-index.htm
Great Colombian Food (Tampa)
Went to Antojito's on Saturday, we ordered the empanadas, the toungue, the fried fish and the sancocho which was quickly switched to the churrasco after I saw one go by. Everything was fantastic, my steak was sooo good. Nice and crispy on the outside and tender on the in. I love red beans and they make em very good. The fish was good and the toungue was good. My father's parents are Colombian so he was yuckin it up with one of the waitresses most of the time, we had a great time.
I have to confess however that this place is an exact copy of La Pequeña Columbia on Armenia, everything we had looked and tasted deliciously identical. The menu has the same dishes but albeit a much larger menu and the bakery is the same. I never asked, but I will bet they are related somehow.
The scoop on Cuban food in Tampa/Sarasota- La Terasita
Lala's is now Lenny's Latin Cafe, and it's much better now in my opinion, although I've only had the palomilla and breaded steak so far.
The scoop on Cuban food in Tampa/Sarasota- La Terasita
I've tried almost every dish at La Teresita and the only things I will eat there are the picadillo, bistec empanizado and the vaca frita. Everything else there is way below standard.
There's this little place I am currently scouting out in Temple Terrace called Lenny's Latin Cafe. So far I've had the breaded steak, palomilla and the palomilla sandwich which have all been above average. All cooked to order. Great yellow rice. Friendly owner.
I ate lunch at La Tropicana De Havana 2 weeks ago with my parents and they loved it. They had the roast pork and the ropa vieja. I tasted them and were quite good. I ordered the masa frita and got pan browned roast pork instead, not happy. Tasted good, but not what I ordered. My main complaint is they need to serve cuban toast with the meal instead of the pre-frozen french bread they do now. Besides that, not bad, not great. I hope they last, Sarasota is in dire need of more latin fare.
Great Colombian Food (Tampa)
Can't wait to try this place, thanx for the rec. I love Columbian grub.
My current fav is La Pequena Columbia on Armenia, hard to get a table cause it gets real packed at lunchtime, but good stuff.
Mi Pueblo (Tampa)
If you go to La Casona, be sure to try the beef empanadas, they are superb. They also make the best mofongo. The chicken asopao is to die for. Also recommended are the fried pork chunks. Stay away from the sirloin at all costs.
Fine dining 60 minutes from Venice?
I have always had a soft spot for Roessler's. Great duck. Not too far from Venice. Always impeccable.
http://roesslersrestaurant.com/
Pacci's pizza Tampa!
I'm surprised no one's mentioned this place yet. On a tip from Creative Loafing moseyed on over to find one of the best pizzas I've had in Tampa. Perfect paper thin crust, tasty sauce, lotsa cheese and a great bubbly and crisp outer crust with those black blisters common to high heat ovens. The flavors on this pizza are outstanding in my opinion. Open for dinner only, 18 inches is the only size they have. $14 with pepperoni. Cheap. Highly recommended.
Too bad it's so far for me to drive, I'd eat there at least 3 times a week. S Dale Mabry close to bay to bay. http://www.pacispizza.com/
Heads up to USF area: Wood Fired Pizza, just opened next to Skid's on Bearss serves another excellent pie. 900 degree oven, fresh handmade mozzarella and Marzanos, paper thin 00 crust. The owner likes to call it artisan pizza. Only problem though is that it's expensive, and pizzas are only 1 size: 12-13 inches.
[TAMPA] Jai Ho (Report)
Went to the Jai today on your rec, and found the food to be excellent. All the food was fresh and delicious and the dining room was very classy and inviting. The flat bread was to die for. Loved the goat.
First time eating Indian food so I have nothing to compare it to, but my taste buds work pretty well, and this was very good and high quality. Owners were very nice too.
Nice find.
Birthday dinner- tomorrow night- Tampa/Carollwood
I'd suggest Gio's Italian on Waters and Dale Mabry.
Quaint small fine dining restaurant with piano player and lots of wines. Been there a few times and was excellent every time. Reasonable prices.
menu: http://www.menuism.com/links/show/dDEtEUj9ar3B0Raby-t3N_
review: http://tboextra.com/content/2008/oct/30/fx-italian-food-you-can-rely-on/tboextra-dining/
In search of real scrambled eggs: whither?
Funny, I thought I was the only one with the same frustration as you. I only eat scrambled eggs at home now.
What is happening is not the way they cook the eggs, but that they are not fresh eggs at all, they are an egg product. They are liquid pasteurized eggs with preservatives, food coloring and other chemicals that are purchased in a container.
I remember once at Denny's I asked the waitress if they would, instead of frying 2 eggs for me, if they could just scramble 2 fresh eggs instead of giving me the liquid 'egg' stuff and she flat out said 'no, they will use the liquid stuff'. Their own web site used to show the bizarre ingredients of their scrambled eggs, but they removed it a while ago.
Just about every restaurant uses this stuff because they are much cheaper than real eggs, last a lot longer, and frankly, no one can really tell. Egg drop soup is my favorite but the only China man restaurant I know that still uses real eggs for it is China Yuan.
There is a huge variety of imitation foods widely used in restaurants that most people have no idea about, but that's for another post.
St. Armand's Circle Florida
It's right past the Chart House on the right.
From St. Armand's Circle:
Exit off of The Circle by turning right at the Columbia Restaurant. You'll cross over a drawbridge onto Longboat Key about 3/4 of a mile after exiting off St. Armand's Circle. Proceed 1/2 Mile, turn right just before a BP gas station. Approximate driving time from St. Armand's and Lido Key is 5 Minutes.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=dry+dock+longboat+key&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&cid=0,0,18109960644387490435&ei=F3f7SaPuOcq6mQfVwv3MBA&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1
Sarasota - Tampa Recs for Gift Certificate
May I suggest Armani's at the Hyatt in Tampa. The penthouse restaurant is on the roof 14 floors up, very fine dining, piano player. When done with main course, you go out on the patio for dessert and/or coffee. The view is spectacular from up there. Very romantic. About $30 per dish, but unforgettable.
The Rusty Pelican by the Courtney Campbell Causeway is another nice romantic place with incredible water views.
St. Armand's Circle Florida
I'm sorry you had to endure the Columbia.
I second the Crab and Fin. One of the best restaurants in Sarasota hands down, very unique and creative seafood dishes. However, believe it or not, they have the best hamburgers (lunch) and fried calamari I've ever had. Outside seating with live piano player, very nice. If I am not mistaken, they have half a dozen different species of fresh oysters on the menu, beluga caviar, and whole ophelio crab sometimes. I've eaten there at least 15 times and always top notch. Fine dining.
L'Europe is another great choice. Expensive. Outside seating not as nice as the C&F. But definitely one of Sarasota's best. Very fine dining.
For lunch, a great choice is down the road about 2 miles at 'The Dry Dock'. Best fish and chips you've ever had, actually everything on the menu is high quality. Casual restaurant. And the water view is unbelievable. Outside seating by the docks if you like.
