Favorite local restaurants thread (Tampa, Sarasota: credit, to buy, law)

[beerme1]

So reviving this thread, so far on this trip, we seem to be adding to our local favorite restaurants. We are staying on Siesta Key for our annual anniversay trip.

First night here SKOB. Awesome environment very Key West and saw Mike Tozier playing there and will say that I would go out of my way to see him. Especially after the crap that my brother in laws wife took us to while we were staying at their house in Cape Coral. Thumbs up to SKOB. The wife had the Siesta Key Extravaganza and is a fan. I had blackened Grouper taco's and will say I was blown away with how tasty they were. It was the first time I had Fish Taco's. Awesome grub!

Second day Village cafe for breakfast. Nice typical breakfast except their omlettes have FOUR eggs!
Dinner was Our second visit to the Blase Cafe and I had the Potato Encrusted Grouper and I can say it was the best fish dinner I have ever had! The wife had some Panko Parmesean encrusted Shrimp that she loved also.

Yesterday (Monday) kind of dragged with the rain and we ended up eating Pizza and wings at Solarzano's in Siesta Key. Solarzano's Restaurant is one of our go to places when we are here but we have never tried their pizza locations. The pie was great but the wings, well they were not.

Had breakfast today at Broken Egg in Lakewood Ranch and Dickie V was there with a large table outside and signed some stuff for a few people and did pictures. Tonight he's on ESPN doing a College basketball game.

Dinner was at The Cottage and I must say while taking a risk on some very different food for my tastes I walked away with one of THE BEST dining choices I have found! Again the wife had Shrimp in some spicy broth and the Lobster Bisque and I had their version of a Caesar Salad and Skirt Steak and Plantains and jokingly said it was the best skirt steak I ever had. After laughing I will say I mean it. It was fantastic but I just couldn't do the Ceviche. Maybe next time but I would only try the beef on that list. I can say we will definitely go back. We sat out back with only only one other couple braving the cool evening but with a patio heater it was fine. (we're from Buffalo and the cool evening was still 69 degrees although without the patio heater we would have stayed inside)
This was another Key West type of experience for us out back. Highly recommend.

Here for a couple more days and will find more new favorites or re visit some old ones but Ruth's Chris is on the menu for an anniversary dinner on Thursday and really looking forward to that as we dont have one in Buffalo and I am kind of a steak fan although lately not so much because it is disapointing getting a sub par steak in a restaurant when I think I can do better with a thick cut Rib Eye at home.

Sarasota we love you and I want to move here damnit!

[Rushmore]

Originally Posted by beerme1

Dinner was at The Cottage and I must say while taking a risk on some very different food for my tastes I walked away with one of THE BEST dining choices I have found! Again the wife had Shrimp in some spicy broth and the Lobster Bisque and I had their version of a Caesar Salad and Skirt Steak and Plantains and jokingly said it was the best skirt steak I ever had. After laughing I will say I mean it. It was fantastic but I just couldn't do the Ceviche. Maybe next time but I would only try the beef on that list. I can say we will definitely go back. We sat out back with only only one other couple braving the cool evening but with a patio heater it was fine. (we're from Buffalo and the cool evening was still 69 degrees although without the patio heater we would have stayed inside)
This was another Key West type of experience for us out back. Highly recommend.

You're so right about their Caesar with skirt steak.

That place is such a surprise, food-wise. Nice place to bring a party of four or more and sit out back.

Get brave and try the ceviches. All of them are excellent.

[mrs.cool]

What is SKOB?
I LOVE ceviche!!

[beerme1]

Cool SKOB is Siesta Key Oyster Bar.

I can now say that Blu Smoke does not make the favorite restautant list. It's not bad mind you, but not as good as the others we have been to and doesn't hold a candle to BBQ at home. We both had Ribs and caesars.

I forgot to mention at Blase Cafe I had the Fire Grilled Caesar Salad and it was one of the most unique and BEST Caesar's ever had!

[kingofsorrow]

Captain's Italian Restaurant-Pizza‎
324 Main Street
Safety Harbor, FL 34695-3645

(727) 725-2846

Hellas Bakery & Restaurant‎
785 Dodecanese Boulevard
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689-3131

(727) 943-2400


Costas Restaurant and Greek Cuisine‎
521 Athens Street
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

(727) 938-6890

costascuisine.com‎

Lincoln Spanish Restaurant‎
3247 West Columbus Drive
Tampa, FL 33607-1852

(813) 354-8335

Petra Restaurant
4812 E Busch Blvd # E,
Tampa, FL 33617-6083
(813) 984-9800 ‎

[Rushmore]

Originally Posted by beerme1

I forgot to mention at Blase Cafe I had the Fire Grilled Caesar Salad and it was one of the most unique and BEST Caesar's ever had!

A little hit or miss, but the hits are very good.

At least they're creative.

Also, it's a very nice spot to have a drink or two. Nice bar.

[mrs.cool]

I know I'm still a visitor/vacationer, but I have no interest in an Italian restaurant, or even a great steak place in Florida. Someone mentioned Ruth's Chris. We have that here. meh. overpriced.
I can't help but wonder if I will EVER get sick of seafood in Florida.
Probably not, 'cuz even here in WI I don't usually order a steak when eating out. I always figure I can do it better at home. Of course we get steaks direct from the farmer, so they're pretty dam good. No grocery store steaks for us!

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by mrs.cool

I know I'm still a visitor/vacationer, but I have no interest in an Italian restaurant, or even a great steak place in Florida. Someone mentioned Ruth's Chris. We have that here. meh. overpriced.
I can't help but wonder if I will EVER get sick of seafood in Florida.
Probably not, 'cuz even here in WI I don't usually order a steak when eating out. I always figure I can do it better at home. Of course we get steaks direct from the farmer, so they're pretty dam good. No grocery store steaks for us!

haha - I'm with you. I've lived in Florida all my life and have ZERO interest in Italian restaurants. I have never liked any I have been in, and that food is just too cheap and easy to make at home. I make better steaks at home, too.

That said, I NEVER get tired of great seafood places, and we have plenty here. Just had our anniversary dinner at Pier 22 (on Manatee River in Bradenton). I had lump crab cakes (out of this world!) and my husband the ahi tuna, which he loves and he couldn't stop saying "mmmmm" MMMMMMMMMM" throughout the whole meal - said it was the best he ever had! Great place - great quality fresh seafood and a beautiful setting!

[mrs.cool]

Thanks Gypsy! I think we should check that place out when we're down next month! So many seafood/waterside restaurants, so little time, right??

[gettinoutofjersey]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

haha - I'm with you. I've lived in Florida all my life and have ZERO interest in Italian restaurants. I have never liked any I have been in, and that food is just too cheap and easy to make at home. I make better steaks at home, too.

That said, I NEVER get tired of great seafood places, and we have plenty here. Just had our anniversary dinner at Pier 22 (on Manatee River in Bradenton). I had lump crab cakes (out of this world!) and my husband the ahi tuna, which he loves and he couldn't stop saying "mmmmm" MMMMMMMMMM" throughout the whole meal - said it was the best he ever had! Great place - great quality fresh seafood and a beautiful setting!

thank you. at least a couple others that think its crazy to come to florida and have to find new york italian or nj pizza. enjoy whats local, after all isnt that why we all moved here to begin with. save the ny or nj cravings for when you have to go back up to that s**t hole.