One Day/Night in Tampa - give me your best suggestions!

From what I can tell, it seems like Oystercatchers is suggested on most of the threads ... along with Guppy's and Cafe Ponte. Just curious if anyone has any other suggestions based on our location!

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Cafe Ponte
13505 Icot Blvd. Suite 214, Clearwater, FL 33760

KrazyB in Florida

One Day/Night in Tampa - give me your best suggestions!

Hey folks!

I'm going to be in Tampa for one day and night in a few weeks before sailing away on a week long cruise and am hoping to get some suggestions for your MUST VISIT foodie havens. We will be staying at the Doubletree on the water near the airport and will not have access to a car, so everything will either need to be in walking distance or worth the cab fare.

For dinner we are looking for something with a good view, good food (preferably seafood) and not more than $50-60 a person. I'm thinking that Oystercatchers is probably the best bet, given our location and the criteria but I'd love to know if there is some other place we should consider.

We will also be in town for lunch. Are there any local hotspots that we should seek out? Something near the beach? We'd be looking for something a bit more casual for lunch (probably not more than $20 person). Our biggest concern is down right good quality food ... with a preference for local, sustainable, healthy-ish cuisine.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

KrazyB in Florida

Overly Browned Butter, is it trash?

I'm whipping up a batch of browned butter shortbread cookies and in my noble quest to accomplish something as allegedly easy as browning butter, I managed to overly brown the first batch!! Apparently, butter goes from brown to burnt in a heartbeat!!

I made a second batch for the shortbread that looks nutty, perfect and delicious. I'm curious if the first, very dark batch should just be tossed. I saw somewhere on the internet that even "burnt" brown butter made a great sauce or topping for fish (?).

Does anyone have any ideas/recipes/thoughts on my brownish/black butter? Trash?

KrazyB in Home Cooking

Glut of apples, but no-sugar, no-flour diet. Ideas?

Not sure if you are allowed to have Splenda (or another artificial sweetener) on your diet ... but I love to slice them up, toss them with a dash of splenda, cinnamon, nutmeg & salt and then roast them with a little bit of butter. Super easy, fast and it's like a diet apple pie!\

Another option -- I haven't tried it myself, but I've seen lots of people slicing apples very thin (probably with a mandoline if possible) and crisping them up in the oven to make apple chips. Probably would be great with a little sprinkle of cinnamon or salt. :-)

KrazyB in Home Cooking

Agave help

I've been experimenting with some agave recipes lately and have had some minor success. Check out Hedi Swanson's blog for her Amazing Black Bean Brownies. They use black bean puree and agave. They are super fudgy and delicious. (I skip the step with swirling the egg mixture on top and just mix it all in.)

http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/amazing-black-bean-brownies-recipe.html

Also, this blog has a lot of recipes using agave. I haven't made any of them yet so I can comment on them, but it's worth a try!

http://www.sweetsavvy.com/sweeteners/summary.php?id=Agave%20Nectar

KrazyB in Home Cooking

Creative frosting flavors for a chocolate layer cake?

I think that nut flavors would be ok. I thought about Nutella but I think that might be too close to the prohibited "chocolate on chocolate." I was thinking of perhaps doing an amaretto or Kalhua flavored buttercream.

Does anyone have a surefire buttercream recipe that is easy to add flavors to? I want something that will firm up a bit. Thanks!!

KrazyB in Home Cooking

Creative frosting flavors for a chocolate layer cake?

Rockycat, would you mind sharing your recipe for the rum buttercream? That sounds fantastic! What fruit filling do you think would go well with the flavor combo?

KrazyB in Home Cooking

Immersion blender or hand mixer?

Thanks for all the replies, folks! It sounds like they are pretty different tools that can't really do the job of the other. Since I don't do a lot of soups, I may try to find a hand mixer that has an immersion blender attachment. Maybe. Or maybe just ask for both!!

KrazyB in Cookware

Creative frosting flavors for a chocolate layer cake?

I've been assigned the task of making a birthday cake for a close relative in a couple weeks and have been given pretty sparse, yet specific instructions.

(1) It should be a chocolate cake.
(2) No chocolate on chocolate
(3) No nuts with the chocolate (dislikes them, not allergic)
(4) Doesn't like peanut butter and chocolate
(5) Does like mint & chocolate and strawberries with chocolate

I'm thinking of using the Hershey's Black Magic cake recipe since I don't have a stand-by of my own ... yet. ;-) I'm looking for suggestions for fillings and frosting flavors/types that might compliment the chocolate. I'm thinking of something like an espresso buttercream or maybe a caramel whipped cream frosting. Also playing around with the idea of a strawberry or rasberry puree filling.

Any thoughts/suggestions/recipes/pictures would be fantastic! I want it to be something that I can frost up nicely and make it special for his birthday. So something that has the potential "wow factor" would be great.

Thanks so much!!

KrazyB in Home Cooking

Immersion blender or hand mixer?

I'm putting together a wish-list for the holiday season and, of course, most items are either cookbooks or kitchen things. I have a Kitchen-Aid stand mixer that I love and a small (3 cup) Kitchen-Aid chopper/food processor that I really like. I would like to get a hand mixer or an immersion blender for things like pancake batter, easy brownie and cake mixes that don't need the full stand mixer.

So what are people's thoughts about the handheld immersion blenders over the traditional hand mixers? Is one better for certain tasks? I'm leaning toward the immersion blender since it saves space and seems more versatile. I'd love to hear from people about their preferences and any opinions on the usefulness of either.

Thanks so much!!!

KrazyB in Cookware

Seafood spot for birthday dinner

Now that we are looking for something less expensive, I'm thinking maybe of a place that isn't exclusively seafood ... something with more of a mix, but some quality seafood options. Maybe a mediteranian or greek place? That way the birthday boy can still get a nice seafood meal but the other people have some less expensive entree options.

Any thoughts?

KrazyB in Manhattan

Seafood spot for birthday dinner

Just checked out the website for Aquagrill and it looks really great!

Unfortunately, it looks like another couple is going to be joining us for dinner who won't be able to spend quite as much, so we'll probably have to find a cheaper place. I know this probably knocks out any good seafood places. Grr. Any suggestions for places that are less than $20 an entree?

KrazyB in Manhattan

Seafood spot for birthday dinner

I'm looking for a not-too-fancy seafood place to take my BF for a birthday dinner next week. I've looked through old posts and it looks like Esca and The Mermaid Inn are looking most appealing. We are going to a show after but I'm willing to travel around for good food!!

I'd like to spend no more than $150 total for both of us (we don't drink so that isn't a factor). Neither of us eat a lot of potatoes or fried food so I'm looking for some place with delicious and fresh fish and veggies.

All suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!

KrazyB in Manhattan

Help, two large zucchini's. Recipe ideas?

I second this super easy side dish. Just made it last night, actually! My dinner companion was skeptical that the zucchini would get dry on the grill but I was happy to prove him otherwise! They get so moist and delicious!! Plus it's so simple.

KrazyB in Home Cooking

Chocolate cheesecake recipe?

The more I look around the more interested I am in a brownie cheesecake combo. I'm thinking that might let the cheesecake flavor really shine but there is still the intense chocolate from the brownies (and maybe a chocolate ganache topping?). Anyone have any suggestions along these lines?

Since it's a special party I'd really like it to be something that really shines and I'm worried that the plain chocolate cheesecakes will be a little ho-hum. Does that make sense? I'm looking for something with a serious wow-factor.

KrazyB in Home Cooking

Chocolate cheesecake recipe?

Ok, I got it to work. Thanks!

KrazyB in Home Cooking

Chocolate cheesecake recipe?

Sounds great! Can you re-post the link? It doesn't seem to be working. Thanks so much!!!

KrazyB in Home Cooking

Chocolate cheesecake recipe?

I'm going to be making a surprise desert for a friend's bachelorette party in a few weeks and I'm looking for recipe suggestions. Her soon-to-be-husband suggested a chocolate cheesecake. I'm thinking of doing something with caramel and nuts. I think that just sounds yummy!

Any suggested recipes would be great!! Thanks so much, fellow Chowhounders!

KrazyB in Home Cooking

Does Larchmont Wine Spirits & Cheese have seating?

Second question .... debating between going to Quality on 3rd or Larchmont Wine & Spirits for this upcoming lunch ... any recommendations one way or the other? Looking for a good place to sit outside, enjoy the sun, people watch and catch up with some friends. Relaxing environment and cheap eats are the goal.

Thanks again!

KrazyB in Los Angeles Area

Does Larchmont Wine Spirits & Cheese have seating?

I've been reading some great reviews of the sandwiches at this place and am hoping to go for a cheap lunch while tourist-ing around town. Does anyone know what the seating situation is like? Are there tables provided or is it strictly a to-go kinda place?

Thanks!

KrazyB in Los Angeles Area

Casual dinner spot in Santa Monica/Venice?

What's the story with Malibu Seafood? It looks like a cool experience and some good seafood .. but perhaps a long drive up the coast. Do you buy food and then sit outside or are there tables provided? (Couldn't tell if it is essentially a fish shack or actually a restaurant.) What are the chances of having a good selection of fish available come dinner time on a Friday? Thanks so much!

KrazyB in Los Angeles Area

Casual dinner spot in Santa Monica/Venice?

Just looked at the 26 Beach website ... how crowded does it get on a Friday night? Do they take reservations?

KrazyB in Los Angeles Area

Casual dinner spot in Santa Monica/Venice?

Just checked out the C&O website ... it looks very promising. But they only take reservations for parties of 6 or more. Since we are only 3 ... would the wait on a Friday night (say 6-7pm) be unbearable? Can we request the patio when we walk-in?

KrazyB in Los Angeles Area

Casual dinner spot in Santa Monica/Venice?

Thanks for the suggestions all! How is Baby Blues BBQ?

Also, is there anything within walking distance of the Santa Monica Pier that might be decent? That is our plan for after dinner (walking along the pier). I don't imagine there is much in the way of good eats actually on the pier but it would be nice to park in one place for dinner and be able to walk directly to the pier.

KrazyB in Los Angeles Area

Casual dinner spot in Santa Monica/Venice?

Looking for suggestions for a nice, casual, inexpensive (~$20-30/person or less) dinner spot in the Santa Monica/Venice area. This will be the first time in LA for my two dinner companions so something a little "touristy" isn't out of the question. Maybe something along the beach? I was thinking of maybe The Counter (it was recommended by some friends) but am looking for other options.

Any suggestions would be great!! Thanks so much!!

KrazyB in Los Angeles Area

What to make for a simple, midwestern guy?

Ooooh, thanks for that link! Lots of good advice!!

KrazyB in Home Cooking

What to make for a simple, midwestern guy?

Yeah, apparently I've accidentally hit a nerve. Not my intention. Having not spent any significant time outside of CA and NY I was mostly looking for suggestions about traditional comfort food.

Thanks for the suggestions of meat and potatoes variations. Perhaps I'll try a meatloaf or steak with garlic mashed.

Apologies to anyone that took my classification as a judgment call, it wasn't that at all. He calls himself simple, midwestern so I thought that was the most accurate descriptor, though perhaps it was overly general.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

KrazyB in Home Cooking

What to make for a simple, midwestern guy?

I'm a bi-coastal girl with exotic tastes and a preference for ethnic and very healthy cuisine. Any suggestions for what to make for a self-proclaimed "simple, Midwestern guy"? He likes burgers and eats a lot (too much) fast food ... what can I make that will show him that home cooking can be delicious? I'd like to avoid frying since I don't have a deep fryer. I'm leaning toward traditional "comfort" food ... though I'm not entirely sure what that means ... since my comfort food is sushi!!!

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!!

KrazyB in Home Cooking

Red Velvet Cake and question about Sprinkles cupcake mix

I'm pretty sure that was for the strawberry cupcakes, not the red velvet ones. Adding strawberry puree would not work with the subtle chocolate flavor of the red velvet cake.

KrazyB in Home Cooking