Visitors again in Tampa

Visitors came into Tampa for their first trip ever here...I believe they had a great time lounging by my friends pool on the Bay, soaking up the excellent weekend weather..yet again!

Friday we all went over to Busch Gardens, there was a front that came through and produced huge rains for the morning, but by noon, all was cleared up, and it turned out to be an excellent day...with barely anybody in the park this past Friday, we were able to walk on all rides and attractions...FUN!! We miss the "free samples" of Anheiser Busch beer products that the park used to give out, and they have now turned the Hospitality House into a Cafe, SELLING beers as they do throughout the park..we also noticed prices for food have gone up by $2...the BBQ was great yet again near Sheikra...and its always nice being able to casually walk around and see lots of animals and exhibits between some of the best roller coasters ...I saw an exhibit I've yet to see all the times i have been to the Gardens, the Hippo Gorge near Egypt.

Saturday was a perfect day for yet another outdoor festival, the annual Hyde Park Art Festival, in the Village. Over 200 artisits from all over the world converged in the Village, excellent creativity...we were able to grab a nice table outside of Rastaurant BT for their sandwich's (Lemon Chicken and Sliced Tenderloin), served up on some of the freshest, soft warm baked bread(rolls), and served with a tangy Cucumber salad...Mojitos were on call for the afternoon, and they were excellently prepared here at BT. After walking through the village, and Hyde Park neighborhood, we stumbled upon the Tiny Tap on Morrison Ave near Howard Ave for a pitcher of beer and some socializing in this, one of the oldest bars in Tampa. Simple, plain, cheap bar with Pool tables, TV's, Foosball, a Juke Box and some video games...
Saturday night..Italian food was calling the visitors, so a trip to Ybor was on call for the Laughing Cat...as I have written many times, THE place for Italian in Tampa. Before dinner, we visited a few places..Gaspar's Grotto patio was having a Great Dane Rescue charity party, then we went to a new Mexican place called Cinco de Mayo..it was the old Sushi place Sushi on 7th, and they did a great job inside the long stainless steal bar, where we had some Margarita specials, on the rocks, with Salt. The it was a trip to Columbia's bar, where there was a piano player and small band playing very cool tunes, and we imbibed on the Imported Red Sangria, and as my friends all said, it was PERFECT. Of course I was giving them a little history along the way to Laughing Cat restaurant...Peter was our server this time, and as usual GREAT SERVICE-GREAT FOOD, all were happy and very full, but not too full that we couldn't stop across the street at Streetcar Charlies for an after dinner drink, the Club Czar, where I had to take one of them cause he is a Liquor distributor, and LOVES his Vodka...and this is the place in Tampa, with over 50 varieties of Vodka from all over the world, he was in heaven...a few ice shots that they pour any brand of vodka in an ice shot, and then throw the ice shot against the wall...great DJ's were playing in both rooms of Club Czar.....then a stroll over to Reservior Bar, where Momma did what she does best(besides bartending), and took one of my friends, (the birthday girl), over the pool table while everyone watched, and gave her the Birthday spankings...a tradition in this place when Momma has the time. It was nice to see all the wait staff from Laughing Cat in the Reservoir Bar, we were able to have quite a few laughs there, before hitting up Green Iguana a few blocks down on 7th Avenue, only to find about 2 dozen people in the whole place...with no band(only acoustic) in the one room, and a DJ in the other room spinning dance tunes...we knew it was time to head home, but you cant leave Ybor without a slice of late night Pizza..so off to Demi's Market, where they usually have a band, but this night the bands ended there around midnight...and then a safe Taxi ride back home.

Sunday they all took off for Pass-a-Grille beach, my favorite in the area when you want a beach with some restaurants and shops, but not overwhelming, its a small town/village like just south of St. Pete Beach.

Pass-a-Grille Beach Lunch and the Florida State Fair

Back from the Keys, my friends from Long Island was in town for one more day. It was beautiful day, temps in the 70's, no clouds, so we were off to the beach for lunch, and took Madre with us. Pass-a-Grille beach is one of my favorite Pinellas County beaches, about a 30 minute easy drive from Tampa. A small penninsual that is about 20 blocks long and 2 blocks wide, quiet, small main street witha few shops, and cafe's, and several great seafood restaurants, and B&B's, smaller Mom and Pop type hotels with expensive small homes mixed in, a quaint little town, just south of the Don Cesar on St. Pete Beach. Parking is in assigned spots right on the beach(no big parking lots or garages), and you pay the meter in cash or credit card at $1.25 per hour, very convenient. We checked out Brass Monkey Bar and Grille, on the second floor facing the Gulf, with ample outdoor seating. The waters were an aqua marine greenish blue today and served as our back drop to a delicious lunch. We started with Stuffed Mushrooms, stuffed with crab meat. Although the server advised us that the mushrooms were two portabellas, we expected two large portabella caps stuffed, but what came out was maybe one whole portabella mushroom cap cut in half and stuffed. Although tasty, we felt that the $12 price was a bit much for this appetizer. We dined one of their many interesting burgers, topped with Old bay Seasonging, crab stuffing and cheese, a great combination, tasty, but a little messy. There are over a dozen types of burgers on the menu with very unique flavors. Madre ordered the Fish and Chips, an oversized filet of Halibut, enough for about two people or one very hungry person, and standard french fries. I devoured the Blackened Grouper Sandwhich, very thick, although it could have used a bigger bun, inseatd of breaking the Grouper in two pieces and piling them on top of each other so it would fit on the bun. All very good food, and the service was excellent and friendly, with our server constantly waiting on us.

After a nice walk through the village to the fishing pier and back, we decided to check out the annual Florida State Fair in Tampa, about a 45 minute ride to the Fairgrounds from the beach. The Fair is an amazing site, and takes up the entire Fairground propery, lasting 12 days. All kinds of exhibits relating to the state, from Agriculture, Farming to Wildlife and Forestry, to Cracker Country(original Floridians were called Cracker beacuse the Florida cowboys would crack their whips on their lands to herd the cattle). Lots of shows and famous musical acts throughout the Fair are also available. We went and saw the Hollywood Circus, which is a must if you go, about a 90 minute show with very entertaining stunts, and acrobats, and only one animal section with amazing Black Stallions. The highlight was the caged motorcross riders in the round cage criss crossing within inches of each other. The Midway at the Florida State Fair is the largest in the country, over 40 rides, unique to the Midway, and of course the rows and rows of games of Chance. One thing you dont want to miss out on as well is the FOOD...lots and lots of FOOD..this year we saw Fried Oreos and Fried Fruit....seems they will fry anything!! Just kicking back and people watching is very entertaining. Admission is only $10, and that includes all the exhibits and shows.

This week work brings me to West Palm Beach, and Tampa is gearing up for yet more Gasparilla Festivities with the Gasparilla Knight Parade on Saturday night in Ybor City.

Dali Fest, St Pete Beach, Tampa GreenFest

Another great weekend come and gone - Saturday morning, made the trip to Home Depot to complete the Spring Yard Cleaning, and plantings. Lisa and Bryan came over and we headed to Dori and Darrin's in Roser Park to go to DaliFest in downtown St. Pete at the Dali Museum. Dori and Darrin have an awesome 1920's home is the Historic Roser Park section of downtown St. Pete, just south of Bayfront Hospital. I'd recommend a walk or at least drive thru this VERY unique historic neighborhood. Lots of hills, older homes. DaliFest was celebrating its 25th year, with live bands on some vendors along the waterfront. Weather couldn't be more perfect. The museum was having 1/2 price admission and free guided tours, so Bryan and I went in to take a look at Salvador Dali's amazing collection - this museum in St. Pete boasts one of the largest Dali original collections in the world.
After the Festival we headed to St. Pete Beach for dinner and sunset. Driving down Gulf Blvd from Central Ave towards Pass-a-Grille, we could tell there were LOTS of people in town, the Blvd was very busy. We finally made it to Pass-a-Grille beach and ended up watching the sunset from the Hurricane rooftop bar, then went over to The Brass Monkey for dinner. Had a great table out on the deck over looking the Gulf of Mexico. Lisa had the Fish n Chips, Huge piece of White Fish with Fries, and 5 Onion Soup which was very tasty. Bryan got a Burger, and I had the Salmon with Pesto Sauce. All in all, an excellent spot!!
We then headed to Georgi's Alibi in St. Pete, as Bryan had never been there before, he just moved to Tampa from Dallas 6 weeks ago and was getting to know the area. Nice crowd, not too busy, but it was just before 11pm, and i was told it gets very busy by midnight. Green Iguana Westshore was next on our list, as it was walking distance to my house. We hung out on the Tiki Bar deck, checkin out the people, and listening to an all time fav band, Velvet Jones.

Sunday was Family Fun Day - it seems a term me and my bro made up as we have been spending the last few months getting together every Sunday, usually with my mom, aunt and uncle, and of course his wife and new baby boy. Today we went to the Tampa GreenFest, at Plant Park downtown. Plant Park is a beautiful park on the grounds of the University of Tampa along the Hillsborough River. Great photo ops of downtown skyscrapers, lots of shade trees and plams, and of course the UT famous minarets and historic buildings around the University as a backdrop. The festival had numerous nearby nursery and garden center booths, i had no idea Tampa had so many small mom n pop type garden centers around town. After a few hours here, we were hungry and headed to Hawk's on Bay to Bay near MacDill Ave. Great choice we sat outside, the NCAA games were on (Florida and Oregon), inside was packed with Gator fans. Sandwiches were big and extremely tasty, excellent Quesadilla's with lots of chicken. The Beef Melt is one of my favs, lots of Cheddar Cheese and Grilled Onions on a Garlic Buttered Cuban Bread. We then headed to Dairy Joy, my local neighborhood Ice Cream shop on Manhattan Ave, just south of Euclid Ave, with Soft Serve, and Sundaes. They have a walk up window, and picnic tables outside. We relaxed at my house in the backyard, and watched videos and pictures from the days adventure. The weather over the next few weeks through May is my favorites time, very low humidity, clear blue skies, breezy, and temps from the upper 50's at night to about 80 during the day....PERFECT!