Recommendations for St. Pete & Orlando FLA rest.

In article , Dorothy Loudermilk
Someone wrote:

> I am going to Florida for the first time over New Year's.  I'll be
> spending most of the time in St.Petersburg.  Does anyone have some
> recommendations for inexpensive or moderately priced restaurants in the
> area?  I'd prefer places unique to the area, not national chains etc.
>
> OT:  I have a recommendation for a bar/restaurant in Tarpon Springs
> called Paul's, does anyone know if its still around?
>
> TIA for any ideas you could give!!
>
> Happy Holidays!!
>
> Dorothy Loudermilk

In Tampa I would definitly recommend BERN'S STEAK HOUSE on Armenia Street, even if it's fish you're looking for, they're committed to excellence and freshness and have a wine selection that is incredible.

There used to be a place in St.Pete on one of the causeways called Ted Peters Smoked Fish. If it's still there it makes a great lunch, local smoked fish, German potato salad, cole slaw and cold beer. Actually I'd like to know if they're still around.....

BTW, La Teresita now has a location in the St Pete area (Pinellas Park actually).  66th st North at about 70the ave.

Bill Gibson

As a 25 year resident of Tampa, I agreewith the response but must add: For genuine Mexican (not Tex-Mex) food you shoyuld try Vallarta's on N. Dale Mabry Highway. As a former Tucsonian, it is the closest to "real" Mexican food I have ever found in the U.S.A.

On Thu, 26 Dec 1996, EJ F. wrote:

> Dorothy L. wrote:
> >
> > I am going to Florida for the first time over New Year's.  I'll be
> > spending most of the time in St.Petersburg.  Does anyone have some
> > recommendations for inexpensive or moderately priced restaurants in the
> > area?  I'd prefer places unique to the area, not national chains etc.
>
> Well, Bern's is excellent, and I wouldn't turn my nose up at a chance to
> eat there, but there are lots of GREAT places to eat here in Tampa that
> don't cost nearly as much.
>
> Le Bordeaux: (TAMPA)  French (big surprise).  Moderately pricey.  Great
> food.  Soups are a specialty (lobster bisque!).  Menu changes every
> couple of days, so you'll never get board.  Reasonably close to the
> Frankland and Gandy Bridges, so not too bad a drive from St. Wrinkle's
> Burg.
>
> Las Mariachis: (CLEARWATER)  Mexican.  Not my favorite Mexican place in
> the area, but pretty darn good, and close to ST. Pete, relatively
> speaking.  Cheap and plentiful food!
>
> Next City Grill: (TAMPA) Nouvelle cuisine.  Great place to spend an
> evening.  Order the Chef's Walk.  You get two samples of two apetizers,
> three entres and four desserts.  A bit expensive and time consuming, but
> worth it.
>
> The Hurricane: (St. Pete Beach, I believe).  Good, not great seafood,
> moderately expensive.  Why the recommendation?  Because it's got a
> killer view of the Gulf of Mexico.  Beautiful place to eat, this time of
> year.  Make sure you sit outside!
>
> Skipper's Smokehouse: (TAMPA) Florida-style seafood with killer
> entertainment at the outdoor "SkipperDome."  A Tampa landmark, Skipper's
> serves good chow and is a stopover for most blues and reggae acts that
> appear locally.
>
> La Teresita: (TAMPA)  You cannot come to the Tampa Bay area without
> trying some of the local Tampa-style Cuban food.  You just can't.  Come
> on down to this vibrant, busy, but homey place and have a Cuban
> Sandwich,  the Genuine Tampa Article.  Black Beans and Yellow Rice for
> the vegetarians.  And EVERYONE drinks cafe con leche, the strong-roasted
> local blend of coffee with steamed milk; drink it extra sweet with a
> piece of pan cubano and you're in a kind of heaven.  BTW, if La Terisita
> is crowded (it happens), check out La Ideal right down the street.  Both
> of these joints are on Colombus avenue, locally known as Boliche
> Boulevard because of the profusion of killer Cuban food.
>
> Hope you get this before you come to the area!
>
> Happy New Year!
>
> EJ
>
>