Your Personal Taste-Tester

Spinners Rotating Restaurant & Lounge for the best views of St. Pete Beach

2012-03-21T12:34:00.001-07:00

For the best view of St. Pete Beach, there is no place better than Spinners Rotating Restaurant & Lounge. Their panoramic views are one of a kind, and their drink list and prices will keep you coming back. It's a great place to bring guests to dazzle them with the 360 degree view of the Gulf and inter-coastal, and a great place to go if you would like to enjoy the beach without having to deal with the heat and sand.

The restaurant sits on top of the 12th floor of the Grand Plaza Hotel located right on the beach off of Gulf Blvd. The restaurant rotates a complete 360 degrees and takes about an hour and ten minutes to come full circle. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a cocktail while your view changes minute to minute. If rotating isn't your thing, they also have a bar and lounge area that does not rotate. You can still enjoy the scenic Gulf while sitting still, and don't forget to take advantage of the great photo opportunity!

I have now been there for lunch and another time for just some apps and drinks. They cater to everyone. Just go to peek in if you're curious. They know why you're there. ;) The menu prices range from $8-10 for lunch and $22-32 for dinner. The food and service are excellent! They offer seafood, steak, chicken and pasta. I especially love their drink list. They have a banana split cocktail that could serve as dessert. Yum!

For the juicy details, click on Grand Florida Plaza.com

The Brasserie - French Cuisine in DT St Petersburg

2012-03-15T09:39:00.001-07:00

Not only do they have a great dinner menu, but the Saint Pete Brasserie also has one of the best happy hour specials around. $5 appetizers! And not just any appetizers, but items such as the brasserie spring rolls, crab cakes and crab stuffed oysters... $5? You can't beat it! Their specialty drinks are unique and appetizing, too. I wanted to try them all.. The Brasserie is a great place to wind down after work and divulge yourself with a quick drink and app. You can eat and drink inside or out, with its cute cafe set up on the sidewalk.

But, you haven't heard anything sound French, yet, right? What's a French restaurant without some real French cuisine? They have a very French menu and some of it you may never have heard of, even more of a reason to try it! I recommend the 16 Oz. Bone-In Rib Eye Pomme Frites, with Roasted Asparagus, and Béarnaise. Super yum and more than enough to share with your date. Sharing is caring!

They also serve items like:

-- Pork belly with Horseradish Mash, Grilled Endive, Jus, Cranberry Jam

-- Confit Of Duck with Braised Red Cabbage & Yukon Gold Mash; and

-- Moules Frites Du Jour (Mussels) Sauce Of The Day w/ Pommes Frits.

Is that French enough for you? ;)

The ambiance is very nice and the dress can be casual or business casual. This is a great place for tourists and downtowners.

For more information on this cute French Bistro and their full menu, visit:

The St Pete Brasserie.

539 Central Ave. | Saint Petersburg, FL 727-823-3700

Great Cuban Food in Downtown St. Petersburg

2012-03-14T08:37:00.002-07:00

If you are like me, you gotta have your Cuban Food fix. Growing up in South Florida, it was impossible not to have dined on their black beans and rice, sweet plantains and palomilla steak (with onions and lime juice, of course). So, one of the first restaurants I scoped out after moving here was Pipo's Original Cuban Cafe.

Pipo's is a very cute and casual place located right in the middle of it all in downtown St. Petersburg. I have been three times now and have yet to be disappointed. Entrees are cooked to order and they offer a lunch buffet during the week. The lunch buffet changes daily and usually includes pork, beef, chicken, yellow and white rice and two different kinds of beans. They also offer authentic drinks, snacks and desserts in an a la cart sorta way. They also serve breakfast sandwiches 'til 10:30 everyday. To top it off, they have a super cute beer and wine bar, which is where I tend to eat each time I go, and boast being family owned and operating since 1979. Their prices are okay. Not cheap nor expensive, but the food is worth every penny. I definitely recommend trying this place out for lunch.

For more information and the full menu, visit: Pipo's Cafe

View from Columbia Restaurant on top of the Pier

For a less casual type of Cuban dining, Columbia Restaurant (since 1905; Florida's oldest restaurant) located on top of St. Petersburg Pier is the place to go. Beautiful views of downtown St. Pete can be seen from every seat. There is a full bar in the middle of the restaurant where I would recommend trying their sangria. Super yum! They have several types, try them all! They have an amazing salad too, which they call the Original 1905 salad. It's a must try. Their lunch prices are very affordable. The views are outstanding and the service has always been stellar. If you haven't been to a Columbia Restaurant, go!

They are located in Ybor City, Sarasota, St. Augstine, St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Celebration and Riverwalk-Tampa. For more information and the full menu, visit: Columbia Restaurant Since 1905

Best Dessert in Tierra Verde goes to --> Billy's Stone Crab

2012-03-13T07:45:00.000-07:00

Together with the amazing views of the sunset, tiki bar, piano bar and rooftop bar, Billy's has it all when it comes to ambiance and food. Infamous for their stone crabs and fresh seafood, Billy's holds a secret that should be knows to everyone on the Island of Tierra Verde.

Their pineapple upside down cake is ridiculous! Never would have thought that a seafood joint could hold such a delicious little secret. We go there just for the dessert, and have done so more than a handful of times since moving here two months ago.

Pineapple upside down cake isn't my favorite dessert in the world, but Billy's has the best and making it the BEST dessert on the whole island.

If dessert isn't enough to get you to try out Billy's, their menu and views should be. Watch dolphins swim past as you nom nom your way into their stone crab happiness. Their prices are decent as well. ENJOY!

To view their full menu and for more information, visit: Billy's Stone Crab Website

Billy's Stonecrab, Seafood & Steak
1 Collany Road
Tierra Verde, Florida 33715
727-866-2115

Best Breakfast In St. Petersburg - Skyway Jack's!

2012-03-12T12:45:00.001-07:00

If you love breakfast or brunch as much as we do, then you will love our newest foodie spot in St. Petersburg, Skyway Jack's. They are open from 5 AM to 3 PM every day and boast having the BEST breakfast in the whole state of Florida by Food Network Magazine.

Skyway Jack's is named after the famed Skyway Bridge, where the restaurant was originally located. When the bridge was hit in 1980 by a freighter, the establishment relocated to its current location, and has been serving satisfied customers since 1976.

Skyway Jack's is one of those places that makes you feel at home, and is filled with that pleasing home-cooked aroma, which reminds you how there is no way you can leave disappointed. Their interior design was put together by none other than Porky the Pig himself. They have a sincere obsession with pork, pigs, and National Pig Day on March 15 of every year, when they celebrate with -- you guessed it -- lots of pork.

Every time we visit this place, I order the Banana Chocolate-Chip Pancakes. So light, so sweet, and soooo tasty and delicious. Just amazing. Everything they use at this place is fresh and cooked to order.

Also great to order here are their home fries, cheese grits and scrapple. Yes, scrapple. If you're not from up north, you have no idea what I am talking about. But, supposedly, scrapple is what put this place on the map! Try it!

Oh, yes, their Humpty Dumpty and gigantic chicken out front are also hard to forget...but great for photo ops!

To visit their website or for more information,
go to: Skyway Jacks of St. Pete

Skyway Jack's

(727) 866-3217

2600 34th St S
St. Petersburg, FL 33711

O'Maddy's Bar & Grill is the place to eat in Gulfport

2012-03-12T11:45:00.000-07:00

Vacationing in St. Petersburg? I have the place for you to enjoy the most amazing food! O'Maddy's Bar & Grill in Gulfport has a chef that creates these delicious masterpieces full of concocted flavors that you would never think tasted good together. He's mastered his craft to say the least. We relocated here about two months ago and since then, have visited this place at least 10 times. The food keeps us coming back for more. Every day there is a special which includes his newest concocted, delectable creation, and at an affordable price to boot!

Ever heard of Banana's Foster Mahi Mahi? No? Well we never did either, so we HAD to try it! It tasted like dinner and dessert all wrapped up into one.

"Fresh Gulf of Mexico Mahi seasoned then grilled and topped with a sauté of bananas, macadamia nuts, dark rum, brown sugar and butter. Served with choice of side" - $15.95

How about Habanero and Blackberry Pork? No again? Well, let me enlighten you....

"2 Smithfield center cut pork loin chops seasoned and flame grilled then glazed with a habanero and blackberry sauce (not too spicy!) and topped with creamy goat cheese. Served with choice of side" - $15.95

Also, let me note that their 'choice of side' includes the smoked Gouda mashed potatoes which are TO DIE FOR. I recommend that as your side every time. :)

Finally, one last teaser. If different isn't your forte, O'Maddy's also has an amazing Filet and Ribeye

cooked to perfection every day.

Ribeye
$15.95

12oz. Choice hand cut ribeye, seasoned and flame grilled. Served with choice of side
Filet
$16.95

8oz. Hand cut filet seasoned and grilled. Served with choice of side

AND a crab cake dinner that can make someone from Baltimore tear up.

"Chef Wade's Crab Cake Dinner

$15.95

2 Maryland style backfin lump and claw meat cakes pan seared. Served with remoulade, jasmine rice and a vegetable of the day"

If I haven't made your mouth water yet, check out their full menu here: O'Maddy's Bar & Grill of Gulfport

For directions to this amazing place (on the water, I might add): -- Directions to O'Maddy's

Rack of Lamb with Berry Reduction

2012-03-12T11:00:00.001-07:00

So you want to try something different for dinner tonight? How about a rack of lamb?! It's always impressive and surprisingly easy to make. All you need is a trimmed rack (which can be purchased at Publix, or any local grocer), berry of your choice (we use blackberry or blueberry), thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper, brandy, olive oil and a bit of fire. Sides that work well with this are garlic mashed potatoes or jasmine rice.

First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Then coat the olive oil all over your lamb and pour some oil into your saucepan to heat up. Grind the fresh rosemary and thyme and sprinkle all over the rack. You will want to brown the rack in the frying pan, like so...

After about 5-10 minutes, once the lamb is browned, place the lamb on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 400 for about 6-7 minutes. If you like, you can add more of your rosemary and thyme spices before it goes into the oven.

Finally, lower the temperature to 300 degrees and cook for 10 to 12 minutes longer.

While the lamb is cooking, you can begin to make your reduction sauce. You can use anything you like. We prefer blackberries, raspberries and blueberries. Place the berries in a sauce pan with some brandy and heat it up. You will want to add the sugary sauce as well for flavor. Light that brandy on fire for 30 seconds until it goes out on its own. You now have your reduction! Very easy, right?

Once the lamb is finished, it should be medium rare at the most. They can be rarer if you choose, but any more done than medium rare, and you will not get the same 'gourmet' effect. ;)

You can add any sides you like. Mashed potatoes placed in the center of your cut chops makes for a good effect. Also, laying it upon a bed of rice also has a great restaurant-style effect. Pour the reduction all over, and viola! You are a gourmet chef! Thanks to Rob Ali for the tips and techniques!

For more recipes and ideas using rack of lamb, visit:

Rack of Lamb Recipes from Cook.com

Beer Can Chicken Roaster

2012-03-12T10:21:00.001-07:00

What's the newest, coolest way to make chicken? Using a beer can! Kingsford now offers this great new way to roast chicken right on your grill. We tried it and it was super easy and, of course, affordable. It takes a couple of hours to enjoy this very flavorable, juicy way to grill. What's the secret? Beer! After guzzling down 1/2 a can of beer (any brand you choose), you then stick the can (with the remaining beer left inside) up the chicken's...umm...orifice. We also shoved a piece of garlic and onion in that orifice. The results were amazing! You will not be disappointed! Click the link below for the cheapest way to purchase this contraption.

Also, for great recipes, try:

About.com's Beer Can Chicken Recipe

Food Network's Beer Can Chicken Recipe

Epicurious' Beer Can Chicken Recipe

BUY Kingsford's Beer Can Chicken Roaster via Amazon.com

Thanks to Rob Ali for the tips and techniques!