In my experience, asking "someone in the meat dept." yields about the same result as asking the plumber or the postman. If you want advice on cutting up a dead carcass, ask a butcher. If you want advice on cooking, ask a cook.

As proof, take note that it was the meat dept who cut the eye of round into steaks.

Mid-peninsula seafood is casual and very good= and not really out of the way.

Columbia in Ybor City

You should try New England Fish market in Jensen Beach. It's as nice a seafood market as I have ever seen. They have great daily specials, (20% off salmon on Wednesday, and it's really nice salmon) and the lobster prices have been great for the last few months. It's worth the short drive. newenglandfish.net

11 Maple in Jensen Beach is certainly a nearby contender. There are numerous places in the Palm Beach area.

Ft Pierce is pretty bad. If you're staying on the South Island, just drive south on A1A to Jensen Beach or Stuart. If you're on the North Island, go up A1A to Vero.

I had reservations once at Wolfgang Puck's in Downtown Disney and got a cancellation phone call informing me that it had been bought out for the evening

Try Molly Goodheads in Ozona. I like their grouper sandwich.

"Also, is it possible or worth doing a Saturday day trip to Georgia?"

In a word-NO

Only in Savannah!! Alcohol is a way of life in that town

I am most disappointed to report that after a change in ownership, Fredgie's quality has diminished to an unacceptable level

A grill investment is only as good as the availability of replacement parts. Buy a Weber. You can always get parts

I really don't care for the things, being from coastal GA, but far and away the best I have had around here are from the CITGO Station by the Post Office in Wesley Chapel. They are crabby, crunchy and just a little greasy. My wife and mother-in-law who are native Tampanians say they are the best they have had.

I can confidently advise avoiding the hot dog stand just to the east of the County Court House. I shall check out Frankie

I have never heard of them, but any outdoor, high heat cooker is only as good as the availability of replacement parts. Otherwise, you'll be lucky to get 48 months out of it

Rib Hut is horrible

For the most part, Florida oranges are cultivated for juice. It is more important that a grove produce a high yield of juicy oranges as opposed to edible oranges. Sugar is then added as needed. I have found most local navel oranges to be very dry compared to Californias

Thanks. I may go by today

I saw this special mentioned on another thread a little more recent than this one. Is this deal still going? Bama doesn't have much info on their website. Do they have a retail market?

Strong possibility Lexington will be catering the Champions Dinner before the 2013 Masters

I like Crystal beer parlor. Firefly is good too

Organic Life Coffee shop in Land O Lakes/Wesley Chapel uses Boars Head meats and fresh bread from La Segunda. $7.00 with a side of veggie straws.

They are the best I have had anywhere

I am surprised no one has respondend. I don't get out as much as I used to, but I follow the comments on Tampa closely, and I have a feel for who the knowledgeable posters are. That said, based on what I have been reading, The Refinery has gotten very mixed reviews of late. Also, no one has mentioned Grill One Sixteen for quite a while.

Pane Rustica is always popular.

You may want to try Vizcaya for tapas.

Otherwise, your choices are solid

Rock Shrimp are hard to find as a regular item. The closest place I know of is Lang's in St. mary's GA. That's a bit of an excursion for you, (about an hour) but doable if you really have a craving

http://www.urbanspoon.com/ps/30/5271/...

Lots from which to choose. I'm not sure what you're looking for. I would think probably Maggiano's or Mitchells. I know they are both chains, but they are pretty good and it sounds like you're looking for something easy and close

There are a few chain places at Hwy 54. There is Nouvelle Cuisine in Spring Hill, pretty interesting. Biguns BBQ off Cortez Blvd. is kind of classic

That looks about right

Mis en Place is a good choice, but there are over 100 places just like it (or better) in NYC. I would suggest you go to Oystercatchers around 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. (to catch the sundown) to have some very good seafood with a view you won't find in NYC. Sundown on the West Coast of FL can be incredible, the food is a bonus.

I suggest you reconsider Columbia. It's classic, unique, attractive, and an important part of Tampa's culture. The food is usually very good, and I think you would enjoy a lunch there, but it will likely be pretty crowded that weekend. They handle a big crowd very well though. Oystercatchers is a must for you.

Oystercatchers is an easy enough drive from Dunedin, and I am sure it would be great. If you are looking to stay close to home, try Dunedin Golf and Country Club. It is a very nice place, and a Holiday Country Club buffet has alot of tradition in America, especially the South.