Put Some Butterscotch on My Bacon: International Pig Week Continues - St. Pete Beach, Florida

Hello LilyOnTheLam.Com Readers:

It is DAY FOUR of International Pig Week at LilyOnTheLam!  I hope you have been enjoying this week of porcine posts.  If you are just joining us mid-Pig week, please make sure you check out the previous posts:

Day One: Divin Porcello in Budapest, Hungary
Day Two:  The Thirsty Pig in Portland, Maine
Day Three:  Pork Sausage and Mustard-flavored potato crisps from the UK

and now Day Four ... Bacon Butterscotch Beignets from Castile Restaurant at the boutique Hotel Zamora in St. Pete Beach, Florida!

I loooooooove a good beignet (check out my Bitches and Beignets post from New Orleans, LA), so when I went to the swanky new boutique hotel in St. Pete Beach, FL - The Hotel Zamora and saw that Castile Restaurant had "Bacon Butterscotch Beignets with a Navel Orange Gastrique" on the menu, I said "SOLD!"  I went to brunch with my friend, the CEO of an organic home and body care line.  The decor is fabulous with a view of the lovely inter coastal.  A perfect place for brunch.

Despite my fun-loving palate, my day-to-day eats are pretty Joe Schmo.  The only time I hear the term "gastrique" is when I am watching Bravo TV's "Top Chef."  And even then I roll my eyes.  For the record, a gastrique is a reduction of vinegar and sugar.

I have to say I had very high hopes for these beignets.  They were decent but did not live up to my high expectations.  I am used to beignets that are bit more puffy and fluffy in the middle.  These were overcooked.  I suspect the cooking oil was too hot to allow the dough to properly puff up.  I would have appreciated more bacon flavor.  The butterscotch was tasty and the navel orange gastrique was delicious.  If I were to get these again I'd ask for the sauce on the side as some pieces were drowning in the sauce and overly sweet.  

All in all it's a great concept for a beignet, it just needs more work.  And more bacon.  (Check out my vegan bacon post here.)

I will say overall the atmosphere, customer service and cocktails at Castile Restaurant are top notch and are worth checking out.  So if you're in St. Pete Beach, don't miss out on this one!

P.S.  Yesterday was National Cat Day.  My youngest cat plopped himself down in front of me spread eagle and demanded a belly rubbing.  These cats -- give them a day and they think they are little Princes!

It's Like Southern Tapas - The Tasting Room - Winter Garden, Florida

Happy Saturday, LilyOnTheLam.Com Readers!

To get your weekend started right, I would like to share with you one of my favorite restaurants that you should definitely try if you are in or near Central Florida.  

In the cozy, charming little city of Winter Garden, Florida is a historic downtown area that I love to visit.  In the center of this area is the Historic Edgewater Hotel.  On the first floor of the hotel is a fabulous restaurant that has received much acclaim called "The Chef's Table."  But my favorite part is the bar/patio of the restaurant which is "The Tasting Room" where you can get Southern-style tapas and incredible cocktails.  

Throw this all together and you get the multi-word title of the restaurant which is called "The Tasting Room at The Chef's Table at the Edgewater Hotel."

I have been to this restaurant several times.  In fact any time I am near the Orlando area, I try to make time to visit The Tasting Room.  And it NEVER disappoints.  When the weather is beautiful, I love sitting outside on the patio with friends.  Even better is timing it when they are doing a music series in the main square park across from the restaurant.  Who doesn't love live music with their al fresco dinner?

The most recent time I have been to The Tasting Room was with one of my foodie partners in crime, Ms. Wrigleyville.  We were starving after a busy day of shopping (it's hard work, people) and we knew that a meal at The Tasting Room would make us happy little foodies.  We arrived and basically ordered EVERYTHING.  Here is a look at all the lovely edibles we sampled ...

First - for me, a jalapeño margarita hold the cilantro.  I am one of the select percentage of the population who have the genetic variant that makes them hate cilantro.  My sister also has the same gene variation.  Our mother, on the other hand, loves it and cannot get enough of it.  A childhood of smelling cilantro (or as my Mother refers to it "Chinese Parsley") was enough to turn me off for life.  

This Jalapeño Margarita from The Tasting Room (called The Muerto Verde with five pepper infused tequila) is one of my favorites.

After I had my cocktail in hand, Ms. Wrigleyville and I ordered the Muffaletta Sliders - mini muffaletta sandwiches.  I looooooove Muffaletta sandwiches.  I believe the secret is in the olive salad and the bread.  The best olive salad (in my opinion) comes from Central Grocery and Deli in New Orleans, Louisiana.  But as I am not rich enough to fly to New Orleans whenever I want a good olive salad, locally I go to Mazzaro's Italian Market in St. Petersburg, Florida.  Their olive salad is not as good as Central Grocery's, but it is still pretty darn tasty.  

These mini muffalettas were toasted which gave a nice crunchiness to the bread and an oozy juicy savoriness to the fillings.  This was the perfect start to our Tasting Room experience.  

Next was a newer item on the Tasting Room's menu - PIMENTO CHEESE.  I had never had the Southern staple, Pimento Cheese, until I went to Nashville, Tennessee.  (Read my 12 Things to do in Nashville blog post here.)  I am now a Pimento Cheese believer.  This was not the absolute best Pimento Cheese I have ever had, but I would say that The Tasting Room's Pimento Cheese was in the Top Three.  Sharp cheddar, savory pimento and crisp lavash style crackers.  

Next up was The Tasting Room Empanadas - slow braised ox tail with a mango cilantro salsa.  Even with my sharp distaste for cilantro, these empanadas rocked the house.  The ox tail was extremely tender and the salsa gave a nice kick.

If you're a regular LilyOnTheLam.Com Reader, you will know I am known for two things - my 1034 cats and my love for arancini - Italian risotto balls.  When I saw that Shrimp Arancini - etouffe risotto balls with Gulf shrimp and a creole aioli were on the Tasting Room's menu - I knew we had to order them.  These crisp little deep-fried balls of love certainly delivered.  

We noticed that several of our items had the same creole sauce, but since this sauce was crazy tasty we did not mind at all.

I'd like to say we ended our dinner at The Tasting Room at The Chef's Table at The Edgewater Hotel on a light note, but ohhhhh nooooo ... when you're having Southern-style tapas, you need to go whole hog and go for the Fried Green Tomatoes.  But not just any fried green tomatoes -- noo, a stack of fried green tomatoes with crab and house cured Bacon Maque Choux (which is usually a corn, onion and tomato mixture).

I am not a stranger to the fried green onion stack and this was definitely one of my favorites of all that I have tried.  I would have liked the tomato to have been cooked about a minute less, but otherwise it was sheer gastronomic gluttony in a tower formation.  The crab was big puffy chunks of seafood deliciousness that "lightened" up the fried tomato.  A great combination.

Other items that I love from The Tasting Room menu from my previous visits are: the Mini Beef Wellington Trio (soooo freaking good!), the New Orleans BBQ Shrimp and Heirloom Cheese grits (this was the ONLY time I have not ordered them, it is a Lily Must Order), the Smoked Fish Dip, the Duck Fat French Fries, the Fish Tacos and the Pan Seared Scallops.  

I had ordered the onion and potato galette once.  The potatoes were undercooked and it had the rare distinction of being one of the only dishes I did not enjoy at The Tasting Room.  

I have never had dessert at The Tasting Room - as you can see from what Ms. Wrigleyville and I ordered, there simply was no room.  They do have mini desserts for those who have a mini amount of room left.  They look quite lovely and maybe one day I will experience them.

Lucky for us, Winter Garden's historic downtown area is the perfect place for an after dinner walk.  We window shopped and tried to burn off a couple of the calories after the great Southern-style tapas feast we devoured.  It makes for a lovely evening - dinner and a stroll.

The Historic Edgewater Hotel also has a Thai restaurant called Thai Blossom that I vow one day I will try, but it is simply difficult to go anywhere else in Winter Garden when The Tasting Room is just sooooo good.  If you're in Central Florida, you must check it out!

Have a great weekend!

    

Will You Be My Chip Buddy? The Queens Head, St. Petersburg Florida

Happy Friday, LilyOnTheLam.Com Readers!

I am extremely happy that the weekend is here.  If you know me or are a regular reader of LilyOnTheLam.com; you may know that I love, love, love breakfast foods and brunch!  So with the weekend upon us, I thought it would be a good time to have a Sunday brunch restaurant review!

Today's post is about The Queens Head Restaurant and Euro Bar in St. Petersburg, Florida.  I have no clue what a "Euro Bar" is.  I was hoping it meant 1) Hot Europeans hitting on me at the Bar, 2) a bar full of Euros that I can spend at my will or 3) a fancy European candy bar.  

When I walked in to The Queens Head, there were only Floridian locals sitting at the bar.  There were no big bowls of free European currency.  And while I received some flirty looks, no one looked like they were going to hand me any free chocolate bars.  So still no clue what a Euro Bar is, but I was hungry and thirsty and I wanted brunch!

For this brunch at The Queens Head, I was accompanied by Miss Kentucky and her friend Sassy Ms. S.  Although The Queens Head is an Anglophile's dream (check out the Brit tabloid-wall papered bathroom!), I spotted the French "Croque Madame" on the Brunch Menu.  Unlike a traditional Croque Madame sandwich, this one was served on raisin toast.  I was intrigued.

Miss Kentucky and Sassy Ms. S ordered a breakfast sandwich with chips (French fries) in it, called a Chip Buddy.  Now I love a good breakfast sandwich, so I was hoping their Chip Buddy wasn't better than my Croque Madame.  No one likes a heaping side of BRUNCH REMORSE in the morning!

My Croque Madame arrived and I was even more intrigued.

Unlike a traditional Croque Madame where the sandwich of sliced cheese, sliced ham and béchamel sauce is in one piece and topped with a fried egg.  This raisin bread sandwich had diced ham, cheese and pickled onions.  It was cut into fourths, topped with an egg on a plate that had drizzled berry syrup on it.  

Now I love sweet and savory when it comes to breakfast.  I am the girl who wants the eggs and the pancakes.  I don't like just one or the other.  I felt the diced ham on this Croque Madame was somewhat skimpy.  Charge me an extra $1 and give me a slice of ham, please.  However other than that, I was in love with this non-traditional version of the Croque Madame.  The raisin toast with the cheese, ham, pickled onions and the sweet berry syrup with the lush richness of the fried egg ... well it was just a heavenly combination and one I ate up with vigor.

The ladies also ate their chip buddy breakfast sandwiches just as fast as I inhaled my Croque Madame.  Sunday Brunch at The Queens Head was a hit!

Also to note - the service was prompt and very friendly.  The atmosphere was relaxed.  The patrons were extremely social.  It felt warm, homey and very "neighborhood hangout."  I would definitely come back to The Queens Head, especially to check out their wonderful sounding dinner menu.        

Ohhhhhh America: Put That Pig In A Tutu and Let's Read British Tabloids!

Hi LilyOnTheLam.Com Readers:

I wrote today's post on Wednesday night, but Thursday night I wanted to add an additional paragraph which turned into many paragraphs.  So consider this blog post - two posts for the price of one.  One sad and one wacky, which is a good metaphor for events in my life.

On Thursday, I started my work day at 5:45 a.m.  It was a hellish day and my first break was not until 8:30 p.m.!  (Talk about exhaustion.)  I am giving reviews to my employees and my first one at 6 a.m. did not go well.  I spent the rest of the day trying to recover emotionally.    

So finally at 8:30 p.m., it was the first chance I had to look at the news BEFORE my 9 p.m. conference call.  Talk about working around the clock!

I went to CNN.com and I saw a headline about a missile and a Malaysia Airlines flight.  I first thought they were talking about Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 and I said a prayer of relief that finally they had found the plane.  But then I realized no, this was another Malaysia Airlines flight - reportedly shot down by a missile.  I couldn't believe I had gone the whole day without hearing any news.  Work has been so insanely busy it is easy to forget there is a world outside my window.

If you're a regular reader of LilyOnTheLam.Com (or if you know me personally), you may recall that I spent almost five weeks living in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia on an assignment.  I had never been to Malaysia and to tell you the truth when I heard I was going there I had to look it up on a map to see where it was.  (Public school education!)  I also somehow didn't know Kuala Lumpur was in Malaysia and I didn't know Borneo was Malaysia.  (Frankly, I'm lucky if I know where New Hampshire is ... ummm somewhere on the East Coast!  But hey, I am super good at pop culture trivia!)

I took Malaysia Airlines from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu.  The flight attendants were some of the nicest I have met in a very long time (and I travel A LOT.)  Malaysia quickly became one of my favorite places in the world, which is a true compliment because I have been to many foreign cities (even if my map skills/geographic knowledge are questionable!)  Kota Kinabalu to me is like Florida, Hawaii and Taiwan all rolled up into one.  It is one of the most gorgeous places on this Earth.  The people are so friendly and open-hearted.  And THE FOOD!  So delicious - consistently terrific.  When I returned home, I made a Malaysian feast for my friends.    (Read about my adventures in Sandakan, Malaysia here.)

When Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared, I felt sorrow on many levels-- the overall tragedy and ongoing grief because no wreckage has been found and no answers have been given.  The sadness for the flight crew who most likely died in service to their passengers.  I work with people who travel all over the world - in fact two people who worked for my company were on Flt. 370.  The thought of traveling for business and losing one's life ... I can't even express the gut-punch I feel.  

I grieved for all the passengers and their families.  How torturous it must be to not have a final answer on what happened.  Most of the people on Flight 370 were Malaysian or Chinese.  I have traveled in both countries and have been treated so well by both nationalities.

Just the other day, I had been discussing with co-workers an upcoming workshop in Kuala Lumpur and who from my team would get to fly in for the event.  I knew it would not be me and I was jealous of whomever on our team would get to go to Malaysia.    

But now to hear that yet another full Malaysia Airlines flight has suffered an inexplicable tragedy ... I have no words to adequately express the sadness and sorrow for the lives lost from so many different countries and their family members who are left behind.

It is shocking and I am sure more answers will come - although probably more speculation and misdirection too as news tends to spiral out on every detail, whether true fact or rumor.  Knowing the full details will not change what has already happened.  How can you make sense of a senseless tragedy?

I had such a wonderful experience living in Malaysia.  I have so many wonderful memories that I cherish to this day.  It breaks my heart that yet another horrific tragedy has befallen a Malaysia Airlines flight.  It also makes me sad that for people who have never been to Malaysia, they may solely associate the country with these two tragedies.  This would be a shame because there is so much beauty in the country and in its proud, generous, kind people.  

I don't know why two tragedies like this have befallen Malaysia Airlines in a relatively short period of time.  What are the odds?  I pray for the families of passengers on Flight 370 and Flight 17.

P.S. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush says it much better than I ever could in his Huffington Post blog: "How Do We Respond To This Really Horrible Day?"

*****************************
Now on to my previously written Friday blog post ... a much less sad post about pigs, vegans and secret shameful love.  Sometimes the only thing we can do during times of sorrow is be grateful for what we have and try to laugh instead of cry.  I hope the following post makes you laugh and forget the world's problems, even if for a minute.

Happy Friday, LilyOnTheLam.Com Readers!

Another hellacious work week has come to an end - and the merriment of the weekend has begun!  After driving back and forth to Orlando twice last weekend, I am looking forward to staying closer to home and just relaxing.  How about you?

It is Day Five of "Ohhhhhh America!" week, where I shake my head at things shameful, disappointing or really awesome but I am ashamed to admit I think it is really awesome!

Today's post is all about Secret Shameful Love.  

It all happened when three straight girls went to St. Pete Pride Festival - basically a block party of food stands and information booths in honor of the wonderful gays and lesbians in Florida and beyond.  

One of my fellow attendees will forever be known as "Miss Freebie" because she was grabbing everything and anything that was given for free at the event.  Pens, canvas/mesh bags, paper fans, hand sanitizer, lollipops ... It was swag-a-rrific.  Watching Miss Freebie grab fistfuls of freebies made me miss my Mother - the original "Mrs. Freebie."

I had had a delectably spicy Bloody Mary at The Queens Head Restaurant and Euro Bar in St. Pete.  I'm not really sure what a Euro Bar is.  It sounds like a candy bar.  Or a bar of soap made out of colorful European money.  Or a euphemism for what a European tourist is smuggling in his scarily too tight Speedos.   

There were no Europeans sitting at The Queens Head's bar.  This "Euro Bar" sounds like false advertising to me!  But it is very worth it to go to The Queens Head to visit "the loo."  

(Look, I can speak British.  Or even Swiss British!)  

The Queens Head's Loo is wallpapered with British tabloids.  I seriously wanted to stay in there and read awhile ... but there was a long line of people waiting.  Perhaps next time!

The incredible heat, the rockin' DJ, an Atlantan soul singer who looked like a drag queen but was anatomically female, the Euro Bar Bloody Mary and a cup of super crazy good Tropiccool pineapple sorbet were all adding up to a relaxed, mellow, incredibly sweaty LilyOnTheLam.  I was slowly moving like I was crawling through pudding.  

And I didn't care.

But then I saw the most glorious sight.

It was like a syringe of adrenaline to my heart.

It was ...

     
A pig.

In a tutu.

Named Penelope.

At Pride.

The children's book practically writes itself here, people!

A young woman took a piglet, put it into a tutu and on a leash and took her to St. Pete Pride.  Probably the most amazing thing in the world.

In comparison, I realized that I lead the most boring life ever.  

How come I am not dressing up pigs and bringing them to social events?  I don't even own a tutu - adult-size or pig-size!  Suddenly my cats seemed very boring and oh so not colorful.  

"Hello LilyOnTheLam, this is your midlife crisis knocking on your door."

Ohhhhhh America, where we dress up bacon in ballet tutus.

Speaking of bacon, I saw this at Fresh Market ... 

WHAT THE WHAT ...

Vegan coconut bacon.  Bacon substitute made out of coconut.

Seriously - what the what?  AND WHY? 

I know readers, you want me to actually try coconut bacon and let you know how it is in one of my nifty product reviews. 

BUT I JUST CAN'T.  

I can't be the girl who eats coconut bacon. 

Seriously, I can't. 

If I can't be the girl with a pig in a tutu on a leash, I certainly CANNOT be the girl who eats coconut bacon either!  

Will someone please try this product and let me know how it is?  In the meantime, I'll be eating real bacon.  But not Penelope.

And in another porcine-related note, when I was real estate shopping with Mr. Cardamom Monroe I saw this beauty in a staged condo.

Whomever decorated this condo for open house viewing is a mighty super genius.  How can it get better than a graffitied paint splattered piggy on a table?

I nudged Mr. Cardamom Monroe and said "In the offer, make sure they throw in the pig.  I want that pig."

Mr. Cardamom Monroe pretended not to hear me.

"THE PIG!  THE PIG!" I hissed intently.  "MAKE SURE THEY THROW IN THE PIG IF YOU BUY THIS PLACE!"  I was NOT going to be ignored.

Mr. Cardamom Monroe pretended not to know me as he walked to the other end of the unit and discussed ways to spruce up the ugly track lighting with his realtor.

I looked at the paint splattered pig with my eyebrows arched.  "You will be mine, little piggy.  Oh yes, you will be mine."  I whispered.  

I don't care if Mr. Cardamom Monroe has to pay twice the asking price for this condo, I AM GETTING THAT PIG.  

It's important for a girl to have dreams.  

Ohhhhhh America!

What I Am Trying To Say … Writing, Music, Murder and Theater in Tampa Bay

Happy Saturday, LilyOnTheLam.Com Readers!

Some may say Twitter.com is a waste of time, but every now and again a quote will turn up in my Twitter Feed (@SouthTampaLily) that just fits the moment.  It's like an electronic fortune cookie, Magic Eight Ball or freakishly accurate horoscope.  

So today the following quote from writer Rebecca Solnit popped up in my Twitter Feed.  (By the way, I was thinking of titling this post "Solnit is IT!")  

The quote was: 'Writing is saying to no one and to everyone the things it is not possible to say to someone.'  

That sentence, to me, is so spot on PERFECT.  Although I am not the meek silent type, so there's not much I have wanted to say to anyone that I have not said.  (It's pretty hard to shut me up!)  Although I do know some people in this world would like me to say more to them.  To those people I would say "be careful what you wish for" - bwahahhaha.

I spent a majority of my free time this week watching the Julie Schenecker murder trial.  Unlike the verdicts in the Casey Anthony and George Zimmerman Floridian trials, I agreed with this verdict.  My former New York-based "Psychology, Psychiatry and Criminal Law" seminar professor was quoted in the local Tampa paper talking about the difficulties in winning a case "not guilty by reason of insanity or mental defect."  I used to see him on talk shows a lot, it was a nice blast from the past to read his quote.  

Hearing the extremely sad details of a mother who shot and killed her sixteen year old daughter and thirteen year old son is not exactly the makings of a happy mood.  So I offset the sadness and horror by seeing three great shows in Tampa Bay.  A much more healthy thing to watch instead of criminal trials, or at least it is for me.     

I started by seeing fabulous local artists Matthew McGee and Scott Daniel in their hysterical "The Scott & Patti Show" where they play a Mother and Son lounge act.  

This particular "Scott & Patti" show was "Mother Lode" - a post-Mother's Day lounge set.  The show was held at freeFall Theatre in St. Petersburg, Florida.  (And no, that's not a typo - their name starts with a lower case f.)  

I had just seen Cabaret at Studio 54 in New York City 2 weeks ago.  Don't tell actress Michelle Williams but Scott Daniel's rendition of "Don't Tell Mama" beats hers any day of the week!  

Matthew McGee as "Mama Patti" sang what is my absolutely favorite song from Cabaret - "Maybe This Time."  This is one of my traditional standards that I sing alone in my car with an umbrella and several pairs of sunglasses as my audience.  The "crowd" just loves it!   

What Michelle Williams did not do in the revival of Cabaret is sing "Maybe This Time" as Liza Minelli, Carol Channing and Cher - as Matthew McGee/Patti did.  Another plus for the Tampa Bay theater scene!

Next on my Tampa Bay theater week was Aaron Sorkin's "A Few Good Men" at Stageworks Theatre in Tampa, Florida.  Now along with "The Shawshank Redemption," "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" and "Pretty Woman," "A Few Good Men" is a movie I have seen over and over and over again - and NEVER do I tire of it.  If it's on cable in the middle of the afternoon, I will stop what I am doing and watch!  It's a mandatory event!  But because I love the movie so much and have never seen the play, I was wondering could the theatre hold up to the movie?

With a cast of eighteen actors, Stageworks' version of "A Few Good Men" delivered!  Dennis Duggan, who won Creative Loafing Tampa's Best Actor Award for his portrayal of Lenny in "Of Mice and Men" at Stageworks made a strong and effective Lt. Col. Nathan Jessep.  It is no wonder this show keeps selling out.  It was really terrific.

Plus points to me for not screaming out "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!" the 942 times I wanted to during the show.

The show was directed by Stageworks Theatre's artistic director Karla Hartley, who also directed the fantastic "The Wiz" for American Stage Theatre in the park.  (Read my review of "The Wiz" here.)  Two cast members from The Wiz were in the front row at Stageworks.  

Scott Daniel - of the aforementioned "Scott and Patti Show" was also in "The Wiz" and was the Costume Designer for Stageworks' "A Few Good Men."  The Tampa Bay theatre people definitely get around!    

Next, it was back to freeFall Theatre for their all-male version of Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Mikado."  Any show with characters named Yum-Yum and Pish-Tush has my attention.      I love, love, love, LOVE shows at freeFall Theatre.  They are THE BEST.  I cannot wait for their production of "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" in August 2014!

   
Matthew McGee is also in "The Mikado."  He is a great, versatile comedic Tampa Bay actor.  He starred as the outrageous Mother Superior in Stageworks Theatre's version of Charles Busch's "The Divine Sister" which I am ecstatic to report will be coming back to Stageworks in August 2014 with its original cast from when it first played there in February 2014.  I had told many friends they should see it and now they will have another chance.  (Must see, must see, must see show!)  

Frankly, I would go to see Matthew McGee read the phone book.  He is hysterical whether in drag or in a male role.  I have seen him in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Fiddler on the Roof in addition to the shows I have already mentioned.  He will also be starring in "Mame" at freeFall Theatre in Summer 2015. 

(Side Note:  In terms of full disclosure … or partial disclosure … I am the "Twitter Girl" (a.k.a. Social Media Coordinator) for one of the theaters mentioned above.  But my comments about all the shows are 100% my true personal opinion!  They are amazing shows!) 

It has been a great week of theater for me.  I saw four Broadway shows in New York City recently, but I get just as much joy as seeing productions with our local talent.  (OK OK Alan Cumming in "Cabaret," Denzel Washington in "Raisin in the Sun," Neil Patrick Harris in "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" and the entire wonderful cast of Harvey Fierstein's "Casa Valentina" are nothing to sneeze at … those were all mind-blowingly fantastic shows!  But our local theater here is extremely good too-- and a lot cheaper, I must add!)  If you are in or near Tampa Bay, you have to check out some of our wonderful local theatre!  

Happy Saturday!    
  

Ease On Down This Road - The Wiz - American Stage in The Park

Happy Monday, LilyOnTheLam.Com Readers!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!  Mine was terrific.  I volunteered on Friday and Sunday, which made for a somewhat tasky weekend but I made sure my Saturday was jam-packed with FUN, FUN, FUN to compensate.  

My Saturday might as well have been called "All of Lily's Favorite Things and Bagpipes too!"  The weather was gorgeous, top down convertible time and I took full advantage!    

I first started out my fantastic Saturday, by heading over to Seminole Heights. Florida.  I was on a shopping mission!  Cleanse Apothecary Bath and Body Boutique was having a weekend shopping promotion event.  They carry two product lines from my home state of Minnesota, so I get homesick whenever I visit!  The owners are fabulous.  I love supporting small businesses.  I also love that for they were serving a blood orange, Fresca & tequila blend for the special event.  (Fresca + Tequila = Happy Lily.)

From Seminole Heights it was over to Cephas Hot Shop in Ybor City for a tamarind drink and an aloe shake with freshly machete-d coconut water.  Tamarind supposedly helps cleanse your liver, so chasing tequila with tamarind maybe zeroed out the effect?  There were five newbies trying the bitter but gastro-intestinally effective aloe shake.  It's like dinner theater (or perhaps Fear Factor) watching the newbies drink aloe shakes!  (Read more about Cephas - the "Guru of My Colon" here.)

We had lunch at the Acropolis Greek Taverna in Ybor City.  My favorite is the Acropolis Salad - a Greek salad with Gyro Meat slices.  A little known fact, it is a Tampa tradition to hide a scoop of potato salad in Greek salads.  I know this may sound gross to some, but it is highly addictive.  Now when I have a Greek salad anywhere else in the country, I look in vain for some hidden potato salad.  Once in Las Vegas, a Tampa friend ordered a side of potato salad with her Greek salad because she said "Otherwise it's just not the same!"  The paramour had the Pastitso which I consider to be like a Greek lasagna - ground beef, pasta and a béchamel sauce.    

If we had had time, I would have loved to be having Greek food in the Greek sponge docks in Tarpon Springs, Florida.  My favorite restaurant there is Dimitri's On The Water.  However Ybor City is a heck of a lot closer to my house than Tarpon Springs, so when I get a Greek food craving I usually go to the Acropolis.    

We also had drinks at The Independent Bar and Cafe in Seminole Heights.  I love, love, love The Independent.  If you're looking for a laid back place to have a beer, this is it.  I love sitting on their patio.  Often there is live music and always there is a fun crowd.  

Although I was experiencing total Murphy's Law there on Saturday.  If I go to The Independent with female friends, the crowd is always couples or families.  But if I go there with a guy, then the place is crowded with good-looking MEN, MEN, MEN!  Saturday was no exception.  There was a large table of adorable military men who were rather appreciative of my shorts and my 4 inch summer heels.  Once again it's either feast or famine in my world when it comes to single men!

At The Independent, I had my favorite Zombie Killer Cherry Cyser.  Because I think I am secretly illiterate, I always thought this was a cherry cider beer.  Um no - it's an apple-honey wine with cherry juice added.  And the only reason I know that is because I read it on the picture I took.  When the bottle is in front of me, I am too busy drinking it to read the label!  Needless to say it is super yummy no matter what is in it!

It was time to bid Date #1 goodbye and turn to Date #2.  I was off to St. Pete to Sylvia's "Queen of Soul Food" Restaurant.  If you haven't been, you MUST go.  (Read my review of Sylvia's here.)  

My "Date #2" was actually me taking my friend "Ms. Kentucky" out for a belated birthday evening.  We were going to have a picnic dinner while we watched American Stage Theatre's production of the musical "The Wiz" held in the park at Demen's Landing.  This is located next to the water in St. Petersburg and is just an ideal, tranquil spot.  

Last time I saw American Stage Theatre in the Park, there was a family next to us that brought fried chicken and champagne.  I had Picnic Envy!  So this year I knew I was bringing fried chicken.  

Not trying to promote any racial stereotypes here, but knowing Ms. Kentucky had yet to try Sylvia's soul food - I thought a soul food picnic for The Wiz musical was a good theme meal.  Is that racially offensive?  It's hard to know where to draw the line.  

    
We had fried chicken, collard greens, mac & cheese, potato salad, fresh fruit - and for dessert - Sylvia's awesome coconut cake.  About a dozen middle school girls wearing Emerging Youth Leaders t-shirts were sitting next to us with giant bags of M&Ms and Cheetos.  They gave us an appreciative nod at our chicken picnic.  

Now normally sitting next to a dozen rambunctious young girls at "the theater" would be highly annoying - but these girls were so funny and adorable.  They were just loving life, full of smiles and spunk.  They chatted with us and I just wanted to make them all honorary little sisters.

American Stage Theatre's version of The Wiz was awesome. Their annual show in the park is always a big success and so worth attending!  Because I have been volunteering at a local performing arts theater, I have had the pleasure of getting to know the local Tampa acting community.  In "The Wiz," I knew the Director and two of the actors personally.  Plus "The Cowardly Lion" and the piano player have performed a local cabaret act that I have seen several times.  If you are in or near St. Petersburg, Florida, I highly recommend going to see "The Wiz."  It's a great event for singles, couples, families … an all around good night.

St. Petersburg was hopping when we went to see The Wiz.  It was also the Blues Festival, the Rowdies Soccer Game, the Symphony and the Ziggy Marley concert.  Downtown St. Pete was packed with lots of people having a great time!  The Rowdies game had the UK bagpipe band "Red Hot Chili Pipers" playing a post-game concert.  

Because it's an outdoor stadium, we caught a good chunk of the concert for free.  Trust me, you have not lived until you have heard the Red Hot Chili Pipers doing a bag pipe version of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'."  If you have one goal for 2014, this should be it.  

We then hit the local Starbucks as the Stephen "Ziggy" Marley concert was letting out.  I was feeling bland not wearing rasta colors or having dreadlocks!  But the concert goers were mellow and friendly.  

The perfect Saturday ended with a walk along the water.  The weather was perfect - not too hot, not too cold with an almost full moon dancing off the water as we walked along the shoreline.    

I highly recommend all the places I mentioned in this blog post if you are in or visiting the Tampa Bay area.  I hope you had a Perfect Weekend too - and as always, thank you for reading!

Tater Tot Duel - The Sequel!

Hello LilyOnTheLam.Com Readers:

Happy Friday!  Last November, I wrote a "Tater Tot Duel" post comparing Merchants Restaurant of Nashville, Tennessee's tater tots against Anise Global Gastrobar of Tampa, Florida's tater tots.  (Read more about it here.)  But just like a good tater tot, one tater tot blog post is just not enough!

So ladies and gentlemen -- I give you … Tater Tot Duel - The Sequel.

In this corner … The Jumbo Bacon and Onion Tater Tots from Rise Kitchen & Bakery at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino!

And in this corner … The Cheesy Tots from The Canopy Roof Top Bar at the Birchwood Hotel!

First let's start off with the Jumbo Bacon and Onion Tater Tots from Rise Kitchen & Bakery.  They were not kidding when they advertised them as "jumbo."  They are about two to two and a half times the size of your normal tot.  More of a tater log, if you will.  

Each order comes with four tater (logs) tots and a side of smoky balsamic ketchup from the Hard Rock's Council Oak steakhouse.  

The tater tots were crisp with a breading that you do not find on your "classic tot."  It reminded me more of a potato croquette than a true tater tot.  The inside was moist and packed with potato, bacon and onion.  

However when you advertise a dish as "bacon and onion" - I want to taste intense smoky bacon and onion flavor.  Although I could clearly see the bacon and onion, I wasn't getting a strong taste of it.  The bacon pieces lacked that smoky meaty taste that is bacon.  I wondered if they would have cooked the bacon crisper before blending it with the potato and onion and rolling it in breadcrumbs, would the bacon taste have been stronger?  It tasted more like bland ham bits than bacon.  

The accompanying ketchup was OK - I longed for more tomato and less barbecue-ish flavor.  Overall these tots were decent - I give an A for concept but a C for execution.

Now on to the cheesy tots from The Canopy Rooftop Bar at the Birchwood Hotel in St. Petersburg.  I apologize for repeating the photo here, but these tots were so good I didn't take any other pictures because I was too busy shoving them in my mouth.  

These tots contain cheddar cheese and fresh, vine-ripened shishitso peppers.  They were topped with what I believe to be feta cheese and green onions.  

These tots are from heaven - crispy, spicy, cheesy, pure potato-y, fried pillows of goodness.  Forget the spectacular view from the open rooftop bar.  Forget the swank fireplaces, couches and pretty servers.  Forget all of that!  Just stick me in a box on skid row with a bowl of these tots and I would be in heaven.  I physically had to stop myself from eating the entire bowl, they were that good!

They are on the rich side.  They soaked up more oil than I would have liked, but the taste was so decadent and flavorful!

The Canopy also serves a dish called "Tots, Tots, Tots!" which are tater tots with herb salt and lemon garlic aioli.  They also sell truffle fries, fresh cut fries and sweet potato fries if you are anti-tot (heaven forbid!).  Their menu for these items is titled "Fried Potato Specialities" - which might as well say "Deep Fried Love Messages From Jesus."    

I wanted to try the "Tots, Tots, Tots!" too but I was afraid of Tot Overload (as if there ever could be such a thing?!)  So next time I will have to go to The Canopy to try the non-cheesy tots.  (If I can stay away from those delicious cheesy tots!)

This tater tot duel was an epic battle of tot additives - bacon and onion versus cheese and peppers.  I commend both restaurants for offering the potato in my most favored "tot form."  However in this battle between Rise Kitchen & Bakery versus The Canopy - I have to say that The Canopy's "Cheesy Tots" wins hands down!

Congratulations to The Canopy and their delightfully cheesy, spicy tots!

And I have to say - you can't beat the rooftop view at the Canopy - here are some pictures …

Do you have any tater tot recommendations?  Please write them in the comments below!

Southern Food, Modern Down Home Atmosphere - Sylvia's Restaurant St. Petersburg

Hello LilyOnTheLam.Com Readers:

When I moved to Tampa many years ago, I knew that I would be missing out on many of the attributes of a larger city like my former homes in Los Angeles or even Minneapolis.  However I knew the beaches, good weather and the ability to recount half a dozen local "stupid criminal" true crime stories at the drop of the hat were worth taking a sacrifice in the "big city events" department.  

So when I heard that the Soul Food treat, Sylvia's (Queen of Soul Food) Harlem Restaurant was opening a 2nd location in St. Petersburg of all places, I felt proud that my city by the bay was gaining yet another jewel in its crown.  Watch out big cities, we're getting more fabulous places and we have great beaches!

However the holidays and end of the year work insanity hit me full force and my plans to try out Sylvia's were pushed to the back burner.  (For shame!)  However it is now 2014 - Happy New Year! - and time that I got myself over to Sylvia's St. Pete!

The restaurant is located a few blocks from St. Petersburg's "Grand Central" district.  It is down the street from Morean Arts Center for Clay - which has terrific pottery and sculpting classes.

I am not sure what I was expecting when I went to Sylvia's, but I was surprised by the beautiful, modern decor in warm brown tones.  It was like Southern luncheonette as seen through the eyes of a contemporary LA designer.  I marveled at the lovely floor and the ceiling design.  It was a really nice blend to have upscale, sophisticated, modern decor with down-home, "warm your heart and your belly" food.  

There is a nice side alcove and separate entrance to pick up take out orders.  The large glass case filled with pies and cake slices was like a siren's song.  I adverted my eyes!  

Service at Sylvia's is warm, friendly and inviting.  I swear there must be some frustrated monarch in me, because I love when you walk through a restaurant and multiple people say "hello" to you and welcome you to the restaurant.  Call me a diva, but I love it!

Complimentary cornbread and whipped butter greet you at the table.  I have never been a big cornbread fan - which is weird since I love corn, love bread - but go figure.  I did take a bite just to be able to report about it (I do it for you, my wonderful readers!)  It tasted like good quality cornbread.  

I had an unsweetened iced tea - it was crisp and tasted fresh-brewed.  I know if I were a traditional Southerner, I would have had a sweet tea.  However I prefer to eat my calories versus drink them.

Now if you are a dedicated LilyOnTheLam.Com reader, you may remember my post about chicken and waffles from 3 different restaurants.  If not, check it out here.  I had decided to try Sylvia's chicken and waffles.  They sell it two ways - California style (with brown gravy) and Harlem style (regular). I went with the Harlem style fried chicken.  

The plating above may look very simplistic, but I have to say that the waffle all on its own is one of my favorite waffles in Tampa Bay.  It was very crisp on the outside with a custardy-eggy rich center- which in my opinion is the perfect waffle.

The fried chicken had a savory, spicy, crisp coating with moist tender meat.  It was golden, not greasy.  I splashed some of Sylvia's hot sauce on it - it had a nice flavor with a decent amount of heat.

The problem with Sylvia's menu is that I wanted to try everything - ribs, fried green tomatoes, the daily lunch special.  Even though the chicken and waffle were quite filling, I also ordered a side of baked macaroni and cheese and collard greens to be able to try more items on Sylvia's menu.  I figured they would be good as leftovers for dinner.

The baked macaroni and cheese is perfection.  I don't like heavy soupy cheese sauce on my mac & cheese.  Sylvia's baked mac and cheese has firm elbow macaroni with pockets of cheesy goodness.  I also appreciated the bits of crisp baked cheese crust.  Delicious!

If you read my past blog post on collard greens, you will know that I am always on the search for delicious collard greens.  Sylvia's collard greens were terrific.  I find that most restaurant collard greens are overcooked and overly seasoned.  This was not the case at Sylvia's.  They were nicely cooked, very fresh and seasoned well.  You also have the choice of vegetarian collard greens or traditional style, which is a nice option.

With a box full of leftovers to go, I was pleasantly but not overwhelmingly full.  However my very nice server had to tempt me with "how about dessert - to go?"  Ohhhh again with that siren's song!  I acquiesced and ordered a slice of banana pudding cake to go.  Layers of dense, moist, sweet cake with banana filling and a whipped cream frosting and vanilla wafer topping.

I enjoyed lunch at Sylvia's Restaurant.  The decor was beautiful and modern.  The service was down-home friendly.  The food was fresh, well-seasoned and delicious.  And on my way out, four different staffers said goodbye to me, thanked me for visiting and hoped I would come back.  If you read my blog post on Elevage restaurant, you'll know I was frustrated by their poor service.  Perhaps the upscale eatery should send their waitstaff to Sylvia's to see how friendly, good service is done!  

I will definitely be back to Sylvia's Restaurant to try more of their fresh soul food in a modern, welcoming atmosphere.