triff's Profile
Dissapointing Dinner at Friends House
In regards to an intimidating dinner guest, I once met a young woman who was hired right out of high school as a personal favor to her family to be a private cook for a very famous actress and actor's mother. One night she had to cook for JULIA CHILD! I asked her what she prepared, and she told me the menu (she made her French dishes!) and she said Julia said she had done a very nice job! One evening I made dinner for a friend that brought over the executive pastry chef from a local high-end restaurant and that was intimidating enough!
Authentic Chicago Italian Beef Sandwhiches in Tampa?
The place in Largo you are probably referring to is Chicago Grill & Dog House on Ulmerton, just east of Belcher. "Mayor" Bruce that owns it is quite a character (originally from Chicago), and puts out some pretty good dogs and beef sandwiches that give us our Chicago fix. My only complaint is he uses a crinkle cut fry instead of a perfectly crispy on the outside and soft in the inside one we know and love from Chicago. Yes, I miss Al's, Johnnie's, Portillo's and countless hot dog joints we had all over the place back home, but Chicago Grill is really a taste of it.
ABC or Lucky Star in St. Pete
ABC is better than Lucky Star. Lucky Star is better than most here in Pinellas and closer to my house, but I make the extra drive to ABC (in fact went tonight!) Almost all of ABC's tables were taken and had Asian diners except one. Most were eating family-style with the central revolving trays. Their seafood, meats and veggies have pure, fresh flavors, the sauces are spot on, and they are light-handed with their breading. Just wish it was closer!
Saint Petersburg key lime pie
I had a pretty decent Key Lime Pie this weekend at a friend's house, made by Mike's Pies. They are made in Tampa and distributed locally - I think this one was bought in a Sweetbay Supermarket's bakery section, but here's a list:
http://www.mikespies.com/retailers.html
Clearwater/St. Pete's Beach - Specific Questions
I live near Redington Shores and for a fresh seafood store that hasn't let us down yet, I suggest Trappman's J-n-K's Seafood Shack in Largo. From Gulf Blvd. take the Park Blvd. Bridge - also called 694) east until you get to Seminole Blvd. Turn left and go just north of 102nd Ave. N - it's on the right-hand side. You can buy the fish raw or they will cook it for you for take-out. http://www.trappmans.com/
trader joes in SWFL
Here's the info on the proposed Sarasota TJ's opening: http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120215/ARTICLE/120219703/2416/NEWS
Can I really bake dinner in a toaster oven?
Meatloaf was cooked brilliantly, as was a pork sirloin roast (on Roast setting) in the Breville last night. My regular oven was roasting fresh veggies, so I put the almost 5 lb. loin roast in with a remote thermometer (sensor wire worked well with the Breville door closed on it), and that too turned out juicy and worked well.
Can I really bake dinner in a toaster oven?
LOL - in a serious way or sarcastic one?
Can I really bake dinner in a toaster oven?
We also use our full-size Breville convection toaster oven all the time. Didn't take long to convince us the extra cost was well worth the price. Aside from toasting breads and pastries perfectly, I have also baked fruit breads, cakes, pies, casseroles, meat loaf and other entrees and desserts. The other nice thing is you have another oven to use while your conventional one is at a different temperature baking another dish (like having a double oven!) It heats up to temp quicker and doesn't heat our whole Florida kitchen in the process. The only, and I mean ONLY thing I would improve would be to add a helpful interior light, but otherwise, it's perfection!
Beirut Cafe - St. Petersburg
My daughter and I stopped by the Beirut Cafe last week and ordered a small take out of one shawarma sandwich, an order of hummus and one of baba ghanoush. We were on a tight schedule and it took half an hour while we waited (they had one table finishing up and a two-top just sat down). We thought the shawarma was a little short of meat but was tasty, the baba ghanoush was just okay, but the hummus was the best my daughter ever had, she said, and I had to agree! Next time we will allow more time for the slow (but friendly) service and be sure to have some breath mints for the ensuing garlic dragon breath!
Trader Joe's in Naples, FL
Saw online the Naples TJ's is opening February 10th. I'm sure it will be a mob scene, but hope to get there soon after that!
From NY and desparately searching for cheese curd!!!
I was in Mazzarro Italian Market in St. Pete today and saw cheddar cheese curds for $6.99/box in the cheese room. There was only one left, so you may want to call their cheese department first.
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Mazzaro Coffee & Italian Market
2909 22nd Ave N, Saint Petersburg, FL 33713
Trader Joe's?!?
When I wrote this it was only a dream, but pigs CAN fly and wishes do come true! Yay for TJ's FINALLY opening in Florida soon in Naples. After that, bet there will be more Florida locations - but for now - Naples is going to be a foodie destination for thousands of Floridians!
GULFPORT/ST PETERSBURG
If anyone has gone to the former Gulf Beaches Elementary School's Mullet Festival in St. Pete Beach, the fish was cooked on old bedsprings and some of the best we have ever had! A little smoky, not fishy and quite tender. Too bad the school closed.
GULFPORT/ST PETERSBURG
Perhaps your best bet would be Coldstone Creamery. There is one in St. Pete on 4th Street North, and one in Pinellas Park.
trader joes in SWFL
And the adage is - "where Aldi's go, Trader Joe's follows". Didn't think it was going to happen here after they had done their market research and poo-poohed Florida worthy of having their stores here BUT they must have reconsidered (no-brainer considering all the transplants, visitors and snowbirds from up North), They opened in IL after I moved down here and last visited back home, so have only had baskets, bags and cartons of TJ goodies mailed or hand-carried here. I am SO hooked on many of their products and am counting the days when I need to drive 2½ hours to Naples. Over the years, I have whined to TJ's, followed the boards, read and contributed to blogs, and done tons of research for news, so when it was announced last week, thought my eyes were deceiving me! And for anyone still in disbelief, just go to their own web site and check out New Store Openings, SE, and it says Naples FL - Coming Soon! Yayyyy!
Another Indian Food Option (St. Pete)
Great review Robert - and glad you all enjoyed it! Since we haven't had their Italian food yet, your feedback was informative. If you check out the latest Tampa "Creative Loafing" (online or hard copy), this restaurant is reviewed there - main food section article.
Another Indian Food Option (St. Pete)
We went back to Little Pepperoni today, and the food was really spot-on again. Had the chicken tandoori and an order of vegetable biriyani. While we were there, a photographer was shooting several staged dishes, inquired, and turns out it is Creative Loafing doing a story that may appear as early as this coming Thursday, July 14th, The story was already written, so the review is imminent. With any luck, this little unknown gem will soon be slammed!
Another Indian Food Option (St. Pete)
I really would love your take on the place, Robert, knowing how much you love Indian food, and seeking it out in our general area.
Another Indian Food Option (St. Pete)
DH and I heard about a place that has Italian and Indian food - we thought huh?? Went today for lunch and turns out the Sri Lankan owner did culinary school in Italy, hence the two cuisines under one roof - called Little Pepperoni in St. Petersburg - 5600 66th St. North - www.littlepepperoni.com. He said he serves about 75% Italian to 25% Indian at the location (16 Indian entrees), and has had the place for 2 years. DH is a Brit who has been to India, and is always seeking decent curries locally (many places are okay - some better - some worse). This place pleasantly surprised us! We started with chicken samosas that had a tender crust and savory filling. We split a lamb biriyani and again was impressed with the flavors of the components. A chicken tandoori leg was on top of the biriyani and was so good - we know we have to get a full order of that next time. A salad accompanied it, and we were supposed to get naan, but we all forgot! The decor is quite plain and it has a drive-thru, but aside from the strange combo of cuisines, the place is a winner!
PS..We can't vouch for his Italian dishes, but he does have a Bombay curried chicken-topped pizza!
2011 Favorite Places to Eat - Tampa / St. Pete
So are we (except we go the Pho Quyen in Pinellas Park). An order of spring rolls and a bowl of Bún Thịt Nướng for DH and me, and we have our fav comfort food! Even went there at the last minute on our 30th anniversary, when our original beach plans got rained out!
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Pho Quyen Restaurant
4505 Park Blvd Ste 10, Pinellas Park, FL 33781
Trader Joe's?!?
Pouting BIG time. Just read Trader Joe's is opening their first Texas location soon in the Dallas area. So they ARE breaking into new territory - just not here in Florida YET! Our Tampa Bay area has many upscale stores...certainly it would warrant a TJ's, as well as at least 5 other FL Metro areas! Well - a girl can dream.....or take a road trip with several coolers!
Tropical Dessert Recipe Suggestions
Wow - sounds perfect BRB. Thanks so much for posting and hope to make it soon!
Tropical Dessert Recipe Suggestions
Nope - guess the thread is too old and they don't have the setting that shows someone replied to the original.
Deep Dish Pizza in Pinellas
We picked up their State Street Special last night - for about the 150th time! Had the leftovers cold this morning for breakfast - always a sign of good pizza if it is as good or even better the next day cold!
Deep Dish Pizza in Pinellas
I third Michele's (her thin crust is great, too), and also recommend Untouchables Pasta and Pizza - 1150 Clearwater Largo Rd N in Largo. Slightly sweet sauce (I like how it counteracts the acidity), and fresh toppings. Being originally from Chicago, I appreciate their use of real sausage vs. the "bunny bits" you get on many pizzas down here.
2011 Favorite Places to Eat - Tampa / St. Pete
Hubby's sports team buddies occasionally go to Crabby's on the Beach for some beer al fresco after they play. They are hard-pressed to find ANYTHING edible to go with that beer. When I joined them a few weeks ago, I also had the VERY unpleasant experience of being heckled by the hired entertainer as I walked in with some friends. The singer must have thought he was Don Rickles and humiliated and embarrassed me by making insinuating, double entendre comments on his microphone to the crowd, presumably for their entertainment. I felt like I had to defend myself against the comments to the seated diners. It really made a BAD place WORSE!
Tropical Dessert Recipe Suggestions
Sounds AMAZING - I would like more precise instructions please!
Crabby Bill's alert! (Clearwater beach advice)
The owner of Crabby's lived up to his name when he totally insulted an out of town guest of ours that had jokingly remarked Crabby looked JUST like the guy on the bottle of sauce they were selling at his store. Crabby said to my hubby and his unsuspecting friend,"Just where did you two @$$****s come from???
On the other hand, I have known the owners of Mid-Peninsula Seafood for over 20 years (our kids went to school together and hubby and I had a restaurant at that time), and have found them to be some of the nicest people we have met in the biz, with terrific food consistently served.
Taco Bus, St. Pete?
Taco Bus is across the street from the Gemini Lounge, on the site of the old Carbiz Auto Credit building, which is on the south side of Central. Haslam's is on the north side of the street, a few blocks east of there. Counting the days!
