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Out and About: Some Local Restaurants

February 24, 2015 by KTgreen

I was planning on hitting all 50 of those restaurants that the Tampa Bay Times published last month but only made it to two so far–Dimitri’s on the Dock in Tarpon Springs and Capital Taco in Land ‘o Lakes. Been too busy locally! But I’ve got plenty of time–the rest of my life!

As far as I know, we do not have a top 50 restaurant list in any of our newspapers. If there is one, alert me please! And if there isn’t one, don’t we need our own list of the best restaurants on the Nature Coast?

So I’ve decided to create one. I’ll be the undercover occasional restaurant critic. Another one of my projects that I will most likely do haphazardly. (Kind of like our great chicken wing quest that we’ve been on for the last few years.)

Bet you didn’t know you needed a local restaurant critic!

I admit that I’m totally not qualified to be a restaurant critic. We hardly go out to eat. We actually like to cook! Weird, right? And Terry has been doing research on cooking with cast iron so we’ve been having fun experimenting with these really HEAVY pans so we have even more reasons to stay home and burn food!

But once in awhile, usually when we are out gathering info and pics on things I might post about, we try a new place. We stay away from chain restaurants. Been to all of them!

A few weeks ago we went to a meeting just outside of Yankeetown so thought it would be a good excuse to check out Riverside Inn at the Izaak Walton Lodge. Once upon a time we had a special dinner with friends from Texas at the lodge when it was Ike’s. And it really was special. We had to make reservations. A great view. Tablecloths. Excellent service. Delicious fancy schmancy food.

This is NOT Ike’s. No tablecloths. Absolutely the opposite, they use paper plates and plastic tableware. Both lunch and dinner menus are the same. Mainly sandwiches, fingerfood, and deep fried. Nothing wrong with that–but plastic tableware? We were there on a Saturday at lunch. One server. Wasn’t busy and then it was jammed with a large group waiting for a table. Our food took a very long time although we ordered before the horde arrived. My lunch was good but how can you screw up a grilled cheese sandwich? Okay, I have to admit that I really liked the former version of Izaak Walton Lodge so I might be a bit biased. But really, plastic tableware?

When we were in Ozello checking out those crazy speed limit signs, we stopped at Backwater Fins.

It was a Friday at noon. We were the only ones there! Zowie! I asked our server about the lack of customers and she said it starts getting busy about 3 pm. It’s a bar so I guess that makes sense. But Pecks Old Port Cove which is right down the road was slammed so they’re probably getting the lunch clientele.

I ordered the Blue Crab Chowder and fish tacos. OMG! That was the most fantastic delicious chowder ever. They make it right there in their kitchen. Terry hadn’t ordered any but after I let him have a very teeny tiny taste he got his own bowl of chowder. Seriously. I am wanting a bowl right now!

Last week we stopped at Yanni’s Restaurant for lunch. Don’t know why we never checked it out before. It’s right there in Homosassa Springs and we drive by it almost every day. And it was really good. I had Wild Salmon on Ciabatta bread. Yum. The restaurant was clean and shiny and our server was excellent.

Terry and I also went to the Shamrock Inn in Floral City with friends. No pictures for this one since I’ve posted about it in the past and I left the camera in the car. (What? Me without a camera?) We both love going to Shamrock’s. Terry likes the wings. I just like the place. Fun. Noisy. Great service. Really delicious food that will give you a heart attack if you go very often.

I meet a friend every few weeks for lunch at the Breakfast Station that’s close to Sugarmill Woods. While I said I wouldn’t review chains, I’m calling this a mini-chain. Only six locations–and all right in Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco counties. Food, service and price are all great. Every time I’ve been there the place has been packed and I’ve had to wait a few times but never for long.

Okay. That’s my critique for February. I’ll think about some criteria for rating the restaurants. Like the view, how fancy schmancy the place is, the decor, how quick the server asks why I have a camera. All important stuff. Then I’ll start my list of the 50 Best on the Nature Coast!

Hey, I’m open to comments and suggestions!

More to come!

Out and About: Capital Tacos

February 2, 2015 by KTgreen

It’s so much fun going to a highly-rated restaurant and it’s really really good! And bonus points that it fits right into our budget!

Last week Terry suggested that he might need to go to Golfsmith to check out golf clubs. And all I hear is HOME GOODS! OMG! I love Home Goods and the only one is way down in Carrollwood. (That would be an area of north Tampa for my northern friends) Probably 75 miles from us here in Perfect.

But, right next to GOLFSMITH!

And let’s have lunch with Andy! He’s the oldest kid of our four. Always like to catch up with what’s going on with our kids.

And this would be a great chance to check out the Tampa Bay Times’ Top 50 Restaurants for something in the Carrollwood area. But there was nothing listed! WHAT! Carrolwood is a huge part of Tampa with a lot of people that don’t cook. And all they have is chain restaurants?

But there was Capital Taco in Land o’ Lakes on the list so that’s where we told Andy to meet us.

Did I ever mention that Terry and I lived in Tampa for several years? Three of our four kids went to Land o’ Lakes High School so we’re familiar with the area but had no idea where this place was–so we just followed the GPS. And it took us to a strip mall just south of the high school on Land o ‘Lakes Blvd. (Also known as 41)

capitaltacosstorefront — Sign on the door says that they are open 8 days a week 11 am to 9 pm.

Terry and I arrived at about 11:45 and the place was crazy busy. It’s counter service only with about four tables inside and five tables out on the sidewalk. (And since I’ve read their website, I know that those four tables on the inside were made with recycled construction material!)

capitaltacosmenu — Several fillings are offered and can be served as tacos, burritos, wet burritos (covered with sauce), nachos, salad or in a bowl with rice and beans. And they serve breakfast all day long!

capitaltacosm3 — All the tables were filled so we sat outside while we waited for Andy. IT was a bit cold. OMG, I’m really looking OLD!

Customers seemed to come in waves. Packed at 11:45 with no place to sit and then all the tables were empty at 12:15! So we moved inside. Andy chuckled when he got there because he used to order pizza at the very same place when he went to high school. And Andy is 40 so how long ago was that?

There were a lot of people just coming through for take out. But it was a steady stream of customers the entire time we were there.

capitaltacoscounter1

This isn’t the typical taco place. The food is freshly prepared and made-from-scratch ingredients. And the service is FAST! I had the Simon Pure–grilled portabella, black beans, sweet corn, pico, jack & cheddar, cilantro, and bombero salsa all wrapped up in a fresh burrito, I was too busy devouring mine to actually take a picture. Whoops! One burrito was plenty and it was delicious. Oh yeah, they have beer, too. Dos Equis along with many varieties. Perfect!

Five of our grandkids play soccer, football, and basketball not too far from Capital Taco so we will be back! Yeah! Check out their website for all of their story and the menu.

So good! Lovin’ this choice from the Top 50 Restaurant List!

2014 Cookie Week, Day 5

December 19, 2014 by KTgreen

Just kidding.

I don’t really have a day 5. Cause today is Friday and that’s the day I just ramble.

Rambling on….

I’ve had a fun week, not only did Jes come for a long weekend, my friend Mercedes from Houston came for four days. We did a lot of shopping and eating.

Speaking of shopping and eating, Terry, Michelle, Mercedes, Jes and I went to Hyde Park in Tampa for a quick shopping fling before an airport drop off and had lunch at Piquant. So good. Our server made us feel like we were special guests and the food was WONDERFUL. Highly recommend.

On the menu was Banana Bread French Toast. We didn’t order it, but it peaked my interest and I had a loaf of homemade banana bread from Vera. So I went out to Pinterest and found a recipe. Oh YUM!

I used this recipe for Banana Bread French Toast. Except I didn’t have the half and half so just used fat free milk. And didn’t have kumquats. (Does anyone have kumquats other than the ones on the neighbor’s tree?)

Next week I’m doing a CHRISTMAS WEEK!

Just random shots of the Most Wonderful Week of the Year.

Come back, check it out.

Time to let Myra know my picks for the weekend!

So much going on. First, we’re having a Christmas Golf Cart Parade on Friday night at 6 pm. It starts at the Old Mill, winds through back streets, and ends up at the Freezer.

It’s also Friday Night Thunder in Inverness. Very cool cars–both old and new–and caroling.

The 2014 Christmas Celebration of Lights starts at the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park on Friday night continues through Dec 26th but is closed on Christmas. There’s a different theme every night along with the light and music show. Well worth the $5 donation.

Saturday night is the Old Homosassa Christmas Boat Parade. (According to the newspaper, it starts at 6 pm, not 5 pm like I erroneously reported last week) The Tammy Hatch Band will be performing at the Shed.

Have a great weekend!