FoodFash

Adventure Begins in the Kitchen

The Birthday Tourist

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After an amazing birthday weekend spanning from wild, wild to super quality time, I was all sorts of overs: overloaded, overwhelmed, overjoyed.  I really couldn’t picture spending the last hours of my birthday doing anything other than…  Appreciating?  Holy mush pot!

I auto-piloted my way to The National’s Alligator album and began my touristy trek through downtown.  The child-sized Boston tee sealed my touristy getup.

In between snapshots, I had a brief moment of panic.  “Is Bamboozle even open for dinner on Mondays??”  A decent amount of cars, flashing christmas lights, and a sidewalk diner indicated yes!

Of my gazillion Bamboozle experiences, this was the first camera accompanied visit.  I couldn’t wait to take pictures of the real thing – the inspiration behind this feast and this feast.

I ordered my staples, read the latest TBT, and was on my way.

An odd birthday ending, it was.  But I enjoyed the solo celebration nonetheless.

Bring it 28!

Rock The Cinco In The Park

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Rock The Park is an event in downtown Tampa where local bands play amongst a crowd of picnicking people on the first Thursday of every month.  When the May Facebook invite hit my inbox and the date read May 5th, I verified I had nothing else planned and quickly clicked Attending.

It wasn’t until the first of May that I realized that I had committed to an event on May 5th and that May 5th is Cinco de Mayo.

It took about two seconds before the sheer joy of not having to sardine my wristbanded way through an overly crowded Mexican restaurant set in.  Fresh air, music, FoodFash food basket, good company?  Heaven.

We settled in, kicked our flops off, and took it all in.

I stuffed a pita with homemade hummus, carrot salad with almonds, and mini cucumbers.  The rest of the gang walked across the street to get Pizza Fusion takeout, which was a huge reminder that a date between Pizza Fusion and KV is long overdue.

I was entertained by the little ones  that were entertained by…

Sombreros and stashes all around.

One could say Cinco de Mayo 2011 was muy, muy bueno!

 

BeeTizzle

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I woke up this morning knowing it was in the cards to go to Restaurant BT for lunch today.  I tossed my point and shoot in my purse, rushed out the door, and texted Robbie the second I landed at my desk.

Unless I’ve exhausted a lunch spot (cough, Cafe Hey) he’s usually up for whatever I suggest, making him the ultimate partner in lunch-time crime.

After my first BT visit last year, I couldn’t get enough of the place.  So when I heard that the Hyde Park Village location was closing, to say I was heart broken was an understatement.  Shortly after closing, news about a new Design District location surfaced and I was overcome by a sense of relief.

This was our first time dining at this location and we were both curious to see what it was all about.  My overall impression was that, although still very hip, it was less stiff than the prior operation – it matured, finding an unassuming confidence.

Then the food arrived and we spent less time spectating and more time noodle slurping.  Robbie had the Hanoi Beef Pho and I had the Tofu “Bun” Noodle Salad Bowl.

I’m pleased to report that we were both uber satisfied with our meals.  BT’s quality is undeniable and I still maintain that it’s the freshest fancy restaurant in town.  And!  Having a variety of intentionally vegetarian dishes on their menu makes me crush on this hip spot even harder.  I’ll be seeing ya soon, BT!

Roll Me Out The Door

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Whether it be Crowdsavings, Restaurant.com, Living Social, TaDa, XYZ – they’re all Groupons to me.  Groupon is the new Kleenex.

So Val has mentioned using this Groupon weekly for… lots and lots of weeks.  And I’ve been saying “take your sister” for lots and lots of weeks.  But this week is her birthday week and I have a really difficult time saying no on a birthday week.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Pizziaolo’s cheeseless pizza.  It’s the only wood fired pizza in close proximity and I am so down with wood fired-ness!

But this is what happens…  I cheers and finish my wine.

Delicious mushroom and artichoke marinara pizza arrives.

And I finish the WHOLE. DARN. THING!