Eating and Playing in Seminole Heights, Ybor and South Tampa

Getting back from Boston on Wednesday, I was invited to a birthday dinner for a good buddy and luckily it was at my favorite Italian places, The Laughing Cat in Ybor City. There was over a dozen of us, the owner always comes out to greet you, and mentioned he had a special Italian Family style dinner he could provide for us since we were a large group with Apps, Salads, Main Courses, and desserts...we opted to just order off the menu,,,I write about the Cat many times...and again, a winner..just fresh, flavorful, large portion Italian at it's best in a great atmosphere.

Thursday it was off to Fort Lauderdale for the day for work(nice to have 5 daily non-stops on Southwest to Lauderdale, quick 45 min and easy flight),and arriving back I met with a buddy at the Wooden Door Irish Pub a few blocks from my house for some dinner. We decided to check out thier wings, and a Cheesesteak Sandwich and a Cuban Sandwich. The wings were ok, nothing spectacular, the sandwich's were horrible to say the least. The Cheesesteak came on a very tiny roll, barely any cheese or toppings, just some very small amount of chewy meat, with a side of some chips. The Cuban was barely a cuban at all, as in barely any meat, my buddy took the meats and cheese off one one half and just pout them on the other half...and I wont go into the rest of his night..let's just say he advised me he didn't get any sleep. I like the fact there is another watering hole in my neighborhood, but I think it be wise to keep with the liquid refreshments.....

Friday, about a dozen of us decided to go see a play, Choosing Your own Shakespeare, in Ybor City from Hat Trick Productions. A friend I know is an actor in this very small, independent troupe. There plays take place at the Silver Meteor Gallery off 6th Avenue near 22nd Street(just near the Columbia Restaurant).
Before the show, we decided to grab some eats at the Columbia, we were having our typical late afternoon torrential downpours so it was easy to valet park in front of the place, and decided to eat in the Bar area, ..very authentic and historic decor, very large bar area and tables for dining, they also usually have a live band playing jazz or the like. Professional service, we ordered the Imported Red Sangria which they make fresh in front of your table, and also shared the 1905 salad, which they also prepare tableside, and a few tapas items including meatballs, calamari, and an crab dip with artichoke and fresh Romano cheese...very good, although we unfortunately tasted the meatballs for the rest of the night.
The play was one of the Best I have seen in a while, and had the whole sold out audience, about 2 dozen of us - obviously a very small, intimate theater- laughing out loud, excellent stage presence, acting and comedy, It was perfect how they blended so many of Shakespeare's plays together and also involved the audience.
After the play, we walked along 7th Avenue, Ybor was starting to come alive with the numerous bars, clubs and restaurants, we went over to Streetcar Charlies, as some of us wanted to eat, then it was over to Spurs, Club Czar-which had two different DJ spinning, and a very fun and entertaining atmosphere, then 7/14 and The Forge.

Saturday we returned a friends truck to his house in the South Seminole Heights neighborhood after using it to move some furniture. He has done alot of work to this 1920's bungalow, nice wrap around front porch, and great detail to the structure, many of the homes in this area are all unique and well cared for.....we grabbed some lunch in that neighborhood at Bungalow Bistro. A quaint small restaurant along Florida Avenue. Ive read about their burgers, and the reports are correct, one of the tastiest burgers, juicy and thick, I had mine loaded with portabella Mushrooms and Provolone cheese. We also had a crab cake sandwhich and Roast Beef sandwich were were both very good as well, although my buddy said the roast beef lacked some flavor and was a little small on the portion size. Very friendly service, when in this area, I recommend the place. Towards the end of Saturday and after helping my buddy spend some money on new furniture and a nice flat screen TV, we had some slices of pizza at Westshore Pizza, and am very happy to see my favorite Gelato is back, La Casa Dolce gelato is now being served at Westshore Pizza, and just a few blocks from home!!

St. Pete Pizza; Tampa Bay Kayaking; MAD Theater in Ybor

Friday after work I went with a buddy of mine to his sisters in Clearwater for a small gathering, and to learn a bit about a Marketing venture dealing with the Travel Industry. Seems very interesting, but not for me right now, but the Chicken Balls and Spinach Dip was yummy. We headed to downtown St. Pete afterwards, and sat outside at Joey Brooklyn's on First Ave for some NY Style Pizza with meatballs. Pizza was great, people watching even better, St. Pete draws a variety, and depending what is going on at Jannus Landing, you can usually see all kinds of people. One thing about St. Pete compared to going out in Tampa, is it's typically a little more laid back, people in nice pants and shirts, but wearing flip flops, and wearign shorts was common as well.

Saturday after taking the kids to their favorite dog beach and park, Picnic Island down the street, I decided I wanted to read today's paper on my own island. So I got the kayak on the truck and headed about a mile from the house to put in at the Friendship Trailbridge at the foot of the Gandy Bridge on the Tampa side, also called Al Palonis Park. The Bay was crystal clear, unusual for the Bay most times, and paddling up along the coast northward there were lots of small islands for anyone's taking. Along the Bay are also multi million dollar homes which are nice to see how see other half live in Tampa.
Saturday evening we had tickets to another MAD Theater production of "The Life". This independent theater company performs in the Historic Ritz Theater along 7th Avenue in Ybor City, which recently underwent an amazing refurbishment. The play was great and very entertaining. For eats afterwards we walked over to Centro Ybor and the Rock n Sports Bar and Grille, grabbing a table outside for people watching. Great eats here of Buffalo Chicken Tenders, HUGE pieces of chicken breast lighted battered, and a great Cuban sandwich, thick and full of Roasted Park, Ham, Salami and Swiss Cheese and pressed. We also all tried the Sweet Potato fries that can come with your sandwich if you ask, they were excellent as well, and lightly sprinkled with Cinnamon Sugar, the place has about two dozen domestic and import beers on tap, and a Rockin' Juke Box, many flat screen TV's throughout. There was word that a new Country/Western Bar opened up in Ybor called Spurs, so we wondered over there to find a great place with large outdoor patio area with a stage and large bar, and inside was a nice new wooden floor, and plenty of cowboys and one or two cowgirls line dancing..I could never understand how they know what they are doing when they are out there, entertaining none the less.

My own Island in Tampa Bay!