Hey! I'm Leslie! Join me in my Food meets fashion adventure!
I absolutely love quirky and quaint hole in the wall diners...especially those that serve consistently drool-worthy breakfast classics and wonderfully executed breakfast inventions. Pinky's Diner on Bay to Bay in the heart of Palmaceia is a South Tampa gem that delivers delicious diner breakfasts, every time, guaranteed.
Just like anyone, I love nothing more than wining and dining at 5-star restaurants where truffle oil, Carpaccio and foie gras are king. However, I am also the first female to pull over in no man’s land for delicious street fare goods. I have no reservations when it comes to entering a rundown dive where the food is deemed godly. Furthermore, I have no serious problem with the absence of décor and the presence of drab white walls, stained and torn cushion-top chairs and mismatched utensils so long as the food is incredible. Recently, I rounded up my favorite foodies and visited the one and only, Yummy House. My brother had just been to China last September and for some time was raving about the authenticity of Yummy House’s stir-fry, noodles and hotpots. I had also heard great things from many other reputable food lovers who dropped their jaws and judged me when I admitted I hadn’t been there yet. It was finally time to see what this Yummy House place was all about.
I already miss the easily accessible mouth-watering lobster rolls…those fresh and oh so luscious wonders of the world. I long for pizza that ranks supreme in my long list of creatively concocted and expertly executed crusts with sauce and toppings galore. I ache for authentic Chinese dim sum- especially those delicious dumplings I dipped in soy sauce and Sambal. Fresh North Atlantic seafood and bona fide Italian cuisine are also begging me to come back to the great city of Boston.
When I ask my friends to leave the comfort of South Tampa, there better be good reason. If it’s to venture off to St. Pete Beach on a sunny day, no convincing powers are necessary. If it’s a fifteen-minute drive north of Kennedy Blvd. for a bite to eat, I might as well be pulling teeth. That is, until, Seminole Heights began turning up fantastic, top-notch eateries just a couple of years ago. Gaining continuous city wide recognition, a couple of the new powerhouse “players” in the Tampa culinary scene are planted sturdily and successfully in this up and coming “hipster” part of town. Ella’s Americana Folk ArtCafé is one of the two establishments with rave reviews coming out the wazoo and it’s really no wonder why.
I am no stranger to any restaurant on South Howard Avenue. I’ve been to them all…some I’ve had the absolute pleasure in dining at numerous times; others, I’ve written off as mediocre fare with dishes I could easily whip out at home. To be perfectly honest, the Ciccio Restaurant Group eateries have fallen somewhere in the middle of the long line of exceptional and poor Soho joints. Never having been displeased, yet never overly impressed, Ciccio’s, Lime, Lodge and Daily Eats are establishments I’ve frequented less and less as I’ve become more and more cultured and well-versed in the art of pleasing my palate. However, when recently offered a generous invitation to dine at my favorite of the four, I immediately accepted. Ciccio’s/Water has always had the potential-that's never been an issue. Inventive culinary efforts, a young, sexy and outgoing staff and true to “Soho style” hip ambiance all exist in this trendy colorful bistro. I was feeling quite stoked to see if they would rise to the occasion and really blow my little socks off.
I am not recipe savvy. For I am the gal who sneers at the idea of having to put down my spatula, rinse my flour dredged hands and pick up a “how-to” for the cuisine I am preparing. Now don’t be fooled, I often drool over the photos and recipes from my fellow food bloggers, my mother’s torn and stained vintage cookbooks, Southern Living’s seasonal staples, and of course, dishes from my favorite Food network chefs. I look, I drool, I quickly process the ingredients and directions in my little noggin and then I never look back. Modifications are unintentionally and intentionally made along the way, making the cuisine my very own.
I would have never given this restaurant a chance. Modern Mediterranean fare…right up my alley. A Mediterranean eatery nestled in an unsightly shopping center next to a Chuck E. Cheese of all places…definitely not my scene. Wait a second. Don’t let me lose you yet. Thank goodness I accepted the very generous invitation to Carmel Café! This is a restaurant that deserves serious acclaim for its culinary efforts, spectacular service and esthetically appealing atmosphere. I had the absolute pleasure to wine and dine at the Carrollwood location but this one of a kind dining experience also has locations in Sarasota and Countryside. Oh and they are currently building a flagship location in: drum roll please…South Tampa.
Very few restaurants leave me feeling jaw-dropped impressed. For this to happen, my culinary experience must be exquisitely executed-to every minute detail from the moment I step into a restaurant to the second I leave. Sure, with Tampa’s ever growing and evolving culinary scene, I have been fortunate to wine and dine at some exceptional establishments. However, no Tampa restaurant has left such an outstanding impression as Pelagia Trattoria.
This is no ordinary wine bar. It is anything but ordinary with its exceptional montage of creative cuisines expertly paired with fantastic wines from their massive selection of old and new. I am no wine expert so although I thoroughly enjoy sipping it, I will not even attempt to review it. Cru Cellars is South Tampa’s newest and best-hidden secret. Although located in a prime location on South Macdill with a clear street view and a large sign, Cru Cellars appears as a mere wine market. Up until a couple of months ago, like many, I too was oblivious to the dimly lit, posh lounge nestled discreetly in the back of the market. This little secret has gradually been leaked to more and more wine and food-lovers alike who have been steadily making their way to wine and dine at this classy and quaint eatery. Cru Cellars has only recently opened up their kitchen, enabling them to be part of Tampa’s ever-growing culinary community. Word of mouth has worked well for this up and coming food and wine gem and it seems they are responding well to the recent buzz. Having visited the establishment twice now, both times a packed house, the ambiance, service and fare have been satisfyingly superb.
Oh, Dads. Funny creatures aren’t they? They’ve annoyed us with their lectures, embarrassed us with their silly sayings and cheesy jokes and even frustrated us with their pride. They’ve also shown us the ropes of life, supported our ventures every step of the way and have loved us even when we haven’t deserved any love at all. Their day is upon us once again, the day we must show them just how much we appreciate their kind hearted ways, fatherly protection and even their toleration of us as trouble-making teens. Here’s to the old dads, the new dads and the dads still pretending to be young. Here’s to my Dad, king of all dads.
My mom was a foodie long before loving food was “cool”. A South Tampa native, she grew up with her very own mother’s southern kitchen fixins’ and her grandmother’s authentic Spanish specialties. She adapted many of these family recipes into her very own kitchen, where she’d show my brother and me the ropes around the stovetop. Never into baking, her signature dishes were drool-worthy dinners. When complimented on her scrumptious culinary combos, she would laugh and shake her head, not knowing why on earth anyone would praise her for a skill she deemed mediocre. Although I did not inherit her modesty, I certainly inherited her trim waistline, allowing my love for food to flourish over the years. I’m going to let you in on some of her tried and true recipes, her simple supper secrets and her all-time favorite things to eat.
Cinco De Mayo is officially upon us and I for one; am ecstatic. Sure, I indulge in my fair share of Mexican cuisine a good 200 days out of the year but on this day, those Taco Bus tacos, Miguel’s margaritas and Estella’s enchiladas just taste that much more delicious. This is a holiday that for Americans-with no Mexican heritage, means just one thing; okay, make that two. Good grubbing and sweet sipping. Spicy and saucy concoctions-classics and reinventions- I like it all. Tampa has quite the array of taco joints, unfussy fiesta hot-spots and upscale eateries-all catering to the Mexican loving palates. I’ve got a little bit of everything for my fellow burrito, chile relleno and enchilada enthusiasts. From the casual "grab and go's" to the delicious date night destinations; they all can be found in my top 10 Tampa Mexican spots.
Most people crave a juicy aged prime cut of steak when they think of meat. Some people crave fresh caugh seafood like seabass, lobster, or jumbo scallops. The meat I crave most? Duck. So dively moist and full of flavor, I can't think of a duck dish I haven't loved. This one's no different. My brother concocted this sweet and savory duck masterpiece just a week ago and I have been craving it ever since. Texture and flavor diversity make this unique southern-inspired dish a one-of- a-kind home-cooked wonder. The smoked duck leaves that delicious drool-worthy aftertaste while the sweetness of the mash and the tanginess from the green tomatoes combine in beautiful harmony. His “I’ve died and gone to heaven” Cajun Remoulade is just the icing on the glorious stack as it adds a perfect zing to the already pleased palate.
I have to admit, I was quite livid when my favorite Tampa BBQ restaurant, “Smoke” had a sign on their door: “Gone for the Summer” for 10 months straight. What in God’s name were these successful South Tampa restaurant owners thinking? What could possibly top Smoke, an “upscale” but insanely delicious BBQ eatery? My questions linger no more. Boca, the newest South Tampa foodie hot spot tops Smoke, hands (and forks) down. The brains behind Boca who also own the ever so popular Ceviche and the sexy and swanky Circo’s Speakeasy knew exactly what they were doing with this innovative twist on Tampa food. Boca opened up just a few months ago and immediately caught my eye. The words “organic” and “local” inscribed on the building’s exterior shed bright light on Tampa’s very slowly evolving culinary community. Farm to fork cuisine where one can savor the unity of healthy and delicious is finally publicly upon the trendy South Tampa Hyde Park district. Halleluiah, it is about time.
I am an Italian food fanatic. Often inspired from menu items and altering them for accessible ingredients and ease in the kitchen is one thing I do best. I also like reinventing classics. The Mexican stuffed pepper is a classic but hardly strikes my fancy. My Italian stuffed Roasted Reds certainly would not win a top award for creativity but they would win a prize for satisfying both simple and scrumptious supper requisites.
As I strolled into South Tampa newcomer, Wimuma for a late dinner last Saturday night, I could not help but take in the warm welcome I felt while walking to my table. I am not solely speaking of the sincere cheerful greeting I received from the chef’s wife, Amy. I am referring to the “make yourself right at home” southern hospitable ambiance that speaks through this restaurant’s walls. Tastefully mismatched dining room tables and chairs are placed delightfully around the very small dining room. Colorful local art that captures the beauty that is both old and new Tampa covers the restaurant’s walls. A giant chalkboard wall displays beer, wine and special lists. Dim lighting creates charm and romance. Flowers and candles add a fresh flair to my already appealing surroundings.
Only three years ago an immediately proud establishment took South Tampa’s culinary community on a new ride. They knew they were something different. They knew they were something good. Datz, now a household name, has successfully earned its place in Palma Ceia with its location dominant on Macdill Avenue. A self-proclaimed gastro pub featuring a wide array of delicious craft beers, this joint is best known for their sky-high stacked sandwiches and equally enormous breakfasts. They are cheese connoisseurs, comfort food fanatics and meat devotees. Their plates often provoke a jaw dropping, eye popping reaction when served to patrons. Their portions are crazy huge but still perfectly plated. They have certainly mastered the art in simultaneously feeding the hungry and pleasing the snobby.
The most gorgeous St. Pete beach day to date in 2012 quickly came and went. 78 degrees, not a cloud in the sky and a nice breeze keeping the sweat from dripping off our brows…I could not have asked for more. A legitimate Florida native, I have always counted my blessings twice for the incredible weather we are so blessed with ten months out of the year. On this particular heavenly beach day a certain self-proclaimed “foodie” had forgone her standard nutritious gourmet picnic lunch due to an intense feeling of urgency to get to the sand and sun. Absolutely content until the very end of the day, my mind began wandering on where we could venture off to for some post-beach bites. With a long list of St. Pete eateries left untouched, there were endless possibilities until suddenly, I thought no further. Remembering an episode of Diners Drive-ins and Dives, I knew exactly where we would go.
I am my brother's protege. Along with Bobbly Flay, Giada De Laurentiis, and Paula Dean, he's taught me everything I know about the art of cooking. An experimental enthusiast, I have seldom seen him look at a recipe. This guy relies on inspiration. His flair for fare produces some seriously delectable bites. Particularly infatuated with Asian cuisine, he is my go-to expert on stir-fry and curry creations. A Mexican food buff as well, he has an extra special place in his tummy (and his mental recipe repertoire) for tacos-of any kind. This guy has come a long way from the ten-year-old who loved squirting ketchup on his Ole El Paso tacos. I strongly suggest you read and reproduce his Asian Fish Tacos- "killer" does them no justice.
An imaginative and sophisticated farm-to-table restaurant with a serious focus on seasonal ingredients awaits Miami foodies. This is an establishment that noticeably prides itself on creativity, hospitality and most importantly, using the finest local ingredients hand picked from their very own garden. It is a restaurant that exudes class the second you walk through the doorway. It is a restaurant that would undoubtedly stand up to world-renowned eateries in New York and San Francisco. It is a place I plan to visit every time I travel four hours south of Tampa from this day forward. Eden Roc Renaissance’s 1500 Degrees is culinary excellence at its very best.