Sometimes, it takes more than roses to make an impression

Valentine’s Day.

Those two seemingly innocuous words can strike dread in even the smoothest of suitors.  In a pinch to find a worthy place to woo your sweetie? No worries, it’s not too late!  Zest is to the rescue with a list of the most romantic places in Florida for Valentine’s Day, or any other day of the year.  Even Hef would be impressed.

Harry Waugh’s Dessert Room
At Bern’s  Steakhouse in Tampa, FL

Nothing says sexy like a piano player and a dessert menu that rivals an Encyclopedia Britannica. Mister M and I have been known to skip the Bern’s dinner experience altogether and instead head straight to the cocoon-like dessert room for a night cap and something sweet. The piano player can play anything- last time we tested him with a Prince and an Erasure request and he delivered on both!

Wish
Miami Beach, FL

This is candlelit alfresco dining at its best. Located at The Hotel, Wish’s garden provides leafy seclusion from the Collins Avenue hustle and bustle and some of the best contemporary American fare on South Beach.

Dream Chaser Charters
Sunset Dinner Cruise
Key West, FL

Why fight the crowds in Mallory Square for a mere glimpse of the sunset when you can enjoy it during a four-course gourmet dinner aboard the privacy of a chartered sailboat?

Grove Isle Club & Gibraltar
Coconut Grove (Miami, FL)

What’s so incredible about this boutique hotel and spa is that while it’s a stone’s thrown from both downtown and the heart of Coconut Grove, its isolated isle location makes civilization feel miles away.  Gibraltar, the hotel’s main restaurant, offers breathtaking nighttime views of the Miami skyline.

Brazilian Court and Cafe Boulud
Palm Beach, FL

The courtyard of this historic hotel, located a few blocks from Palm Beach’s Worth Avenue, oozes romantic rest and relaxation. Add Café Boulud– Daniel Boulud’s branch of his frenchy Manhattan restaurant–into the mix and you have a date that would make cupid proud.

Beach Bistro
Anna Maria Island, FL

Beautiful Gulf of Mexico sunsets plus outstanding New American and Florribean Cuisine equals romance every time.  Is there anything more decadent than chocolate truffle terrine?

A familiar site on Dale Mabry, stop in the Cafe for one of Tampa's Best Breakfasts

The Tahitian Inn Cafe is an oldie but goodie. Mister M and I have been there at least 20 times for breakfast and lunch and count on the Tahitian for a quick, go-to breakfast or lunch.  I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to include it in the ZEST’s Best list, but I think it’s because it’s such a habit, I take it for granted.

The Tahitian Inn has a long history in South Tampa. In the 1950′s The Tahitian was situated on a parcel of land owned by Santo Trafficante Jr., the notorious mob boss, and was a hotspot for his mobster associates. More recently, the Tahitian Inn allegedly was the site of Michael Lohan’s latest bout of domestic bad behavior that landed him in Hillsborough County Jail with a new criminal charge.

Sorrid history aside, we frequent  The Tahitian Inn Cafe because the menu features simple and straightforward coffee shop fare that’s cheap–eggs, pancakes, waffles, and a variety of omelets are all in the $7 to $9 range. Food comes fast and with a smile from friendly servers. At lunch, the variety burgers and BLTs are consistently great.

Once evening comes, the Tahitian Inn Cafe turns into Kon-Tiki, featuring a Island fusion menu inspired by the restaurant’s recently-updated Polynesian décor. Dinner at Kon-Tiki falls short on flavor and translation but we keep coming back for one of the consistently best breakfasts in Tampa. 601 South Dale Mabry Hwy,
 Tampa, Florida 33609. Tel: 813-877-6721.

Datz Smoked Bacon Burger Credit: Datz

Satirist Peter De Vries once said that “gluttony is an emotional escape, a sign something is eating us.” If the frequency that I visit Datz on MacDill Avenue in South Tampa is an indication of a deep-rooted emotional issue, frankly, I don’t want to be cured. For me, visits to Datz are foodie therapy sessions.

Datz is a culinary emporium like none other in Tampa Bay. It’s a full service restaurant and bar featuring modern artisanal comfort food. It’s a market brimming with craft beers and wine, fresh desserts, extensive imported cheeses and cured meats and an addictive cold brew coffee. It’s an education center where people can learn to prepare Vietnamese street food or to cook with mustards.

The cornerstone of the Datz menu will always be their sandwiches and understandably so. Many well-intentioned dieters have been foiled with Datz heaping sandwiches like the “Yo Vinny” or “April in Paris” – both constructed with phenomenal ingredients on artisan breads. The homemade Datz chips topped with a mild blue cheese drizzle rounds out a satisfying sandwich platter.

Clearly, the Datz menu is much more than just sandwiches.  Owners Suzanne and Roger Perry are constantly innovating the menu, be it through the introduction of house-smoked sausages, new brunch items like Red Velvet Pancakes and Eggs Barbacoa or a cocktail menu featuring small-batch local liquors swirled with premium mixers.

It is an exciting time to be involved with distilled sprits because microbatch distillers are now able to mass produce their products.  Embracing this trend, Datz recently unveiled a bourbon, whiskey and scotch list that may be the most extensive in the Tampa Bay area– and quite possibly in the entire State of Florida.

Insiders have told us that Datz is pioneering a new concept (it’s very hush-hush) in the coming months that we’re certain will impress South Tampa diners. In the meantime, we’ll still look to Datz for our weekly foodie therapy.

The cozy interior of Carmel Cafe and Wine Bar in Clearwater

Tampa has been buzzing about Carmel Café & Wine Bar in the Northwood Plaza in Countryside, and for good reason.

Taking inspiration from the casual eateries on the California coast, the convivial ambiance at Carmel Café features a large bar with communal tables, a lounge in the center of the restaurant and an open dining room. Our party of four instantly felt at home.

The Carmel Café concept is spot-on for those looking for value and a place to eat health-conscious food. Offering many small plates and wines by the glass, we enjoyed our evening, sharing lots of different dishes in the restaurant’s vibrant atmosphere.

The best part? We didn’t have to worry about pairing wines with our food! Carmel Café utilizes an iPad application that allows you to see what wines pair well with your food or which foods would be complemented with the glass of wine that you may have started at the bar waiting for your table.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Steve Cook, Carmel Café’s Director of Culinary Operations, who told me that Carmel Café is phasing in a project to offer an iPad for each table to not only assist with wine pairing, but to also send their orders to the kitchen. Chef Cook said that, “We will always offer our customers a menu to order traditionally, but the iPad application allows diners to order courses as they want it, which works well with our casual, spontaneous concept.”  During lunchtime, the restaurant is already set up for customers to order their food from the iPad bar at the front of the restaurant. Diners are seated, and minutes later, their order is brought to their table.

Me with Steve Cook, Carmel's Executive Chef

The Carmel Café menu has something to please everyone’s palate, including vegetarians. Our group thoroughly enjoyed our first selection, a Mezze platter that featured a fresh twist on Mediterranean standards including edamame hummus, crispy fried feta cheese and Muhammarra (a spicy dip with roasted red peppers, walnuts and and usually, pomegranate molasses). We were equally impressed with how fast the next courses came to the table, only a few minutes from when we ordered. The crab cakes contained very little filler that allowed the sweet and succulent meat to shine alongside the avocado salad. The lamb lollipops served with a zesty tzatziki dipping sauce were juicy and perfectly seasoned. Next time, I want to try the seasonal sangria served in a French press and to sample the chickpea fries and the steak frites that Chef Cook says are his favorite items on the menu.

The wine selection is top notch at Carmel Café.  And, since all the wines by the glass are offered in 3, 6 and 9 oz pours, I was able to sample three different zinfandels and felt comfortable enough to drive home.

Carmel Café is ideal for a drink and an appetizer with friends, for a weekend date night to enjoy the live music they offer, or for lunch during the week since the food is served quickly after ordering at the iPad bar.  2548 McMullen Booth Road
, Clearwater, FL, 33761. Tel: 

(727) 724-4228. 

Growing up, it was a treat to go to TCBY, despite its identity crisis (is it “This Can’t Be Yogurt” or  “The Country’s Best Yogurt?”).  Taking advantage of a more health conscious public, today’s Fro-yo stores are multiplying like Blinkys in a Pacman game.  But which ones are worth a stop? To kick off summer, here are some noteworthy Tampa frozen yogurt places:

We like Berryism because the live cultures in the yogurt make for a yummy tummy. (Yea, we just wrote that.) They offer Tart, Wildberry, Chocolate and a Flavor of the Week, plus the usual assortment of dry and fruit toppings. 701 South Dale Mabry Highway Tampa, FL. Tel: (813) 873-2377.

CaliYogurt. This store is one of Mister M’s favorites, mainly because we can walk to it. Besides that, the flavors change regularly (green tea and the peach are delish) but we wish that they would crack a smile once in a while. It’s frozen yogurt, not nuclear physics, right? 2303 West Morrison Avenue Tampa, FL. Tel: (813) 254-2362.

Pinkberry: If it's good enough for Li-lo, it's good enough for us.

Chill: A Frozen Yogurt Bar. This bar is a newcomer to the South Tampa frozen yogurt scene.  Its draw is the 12 flavor variety and the fact that no growth hormones, gluten or high fructose corn syrup are used in their fro-yo. The price tag is pretty good too—it’s only 49 cents an ounce. 3401 D West Bay to Bay Boulevard, Tampa, FL. Tel: (813) 805-2445.

The Pinkberry swirly sensation recently landed in Westshore Plaza. Pinkberry has seasonal flavors (Watermelon is the summer offering) and smoothies as well as our new favorite, the fruit parfait layered with granola.  If it’s good enough for the glitterati, it’s good enough for us. 173 Westshore Plaza, Tampa, FL (next to PF Changs). Tel: (813) 636-5019.

Yogurtology is a self-serve frozen yogurt emporium that offers offbeat flavors (the Bananarama stays true to its 80’s roots) and tons of toppings in a self-service bar. The toppings are premium here, which makes it worth the stop and we like that we can make our serving precisely the way we want thanks to the self serve. (There are Tampa and St. Petersburg locations). 202 South Church Street, Suite C, Tampa, FL. Tel: (813) 251-2717.

What would you add to our frozen yogurt list and what makes them stand out?

The kitchen crew at KitchenBar

Saturday night me, Mister M and two of our favorite foodie friends got to check out the latest installment of Kitchenbar, Chef Jeannie Pierola’s pop-up restaurant concept.

Fashioned after the food trucks that pop-up in various parks and street corners in cities like L.A. and San Francisco, pop-up concepts are advertized by tweets and Facebook posts to those “in the know.” This time, Pierola’s Kitchenbar was located at Chefs on the Loose in South Tampa.

We showed up not really knowing what to expect, but looking forward to something beyond the grind of the South Tampa food scene. And that’s exactly what was delivered.

We arrived and were led to a communal table that sat 20 people. The atmosphere was chic and elegant and provided the perfect backdrop to Pierola’s flavorful food.  We were instantly enveloped in the upbeat vibe of the table.

The menu features small and medium plates (ranging from $6-$12) as well as entrees (starting at $24). For “those who can’t drive” the menu features a $55 tasting menu that can be paired with wine. This week’s tasting installment was Asian-inspired.

Burrata

What’s astounding about Pierola’s concept is that she’s creating food out of a makeshift kitchen that is far superior to the meals pumped out of a majority of Tampa’s established restaurants. This isn’t surprising considering Pierola’s pedigree (she was a chef at both Bern’s and Sidebern’s), but it’s almost like challenging someone to a game of ping-pong with one arm tied behind your back– and still winning.

I opted for the Duck Confit (small plate), the Burrata (medium plate) as well as the Bronzini entrée. The Duck Confit was anything but small as everyone in our party was able to have a substantial sample of it. Accompanied with Coconut Pistachio Binyamin and Chana Masala, it was delicious. The hit of the night was the Burrata. Burrata is like buffala mozzarella, only with a creamier middle. This was served like a caprese salad with tomatoes and a bit of pesto, with the surprise being a lime chipotle sorbet that brought the dish from mundane to magnificent. There was a serious fork war between the people in our party on this dish.

The desserts were equally cravable. The Roasted Pineapple Saverin was topped with a strip of bacon and the Pavlova with berries, cherve spheres (little gelatin filled balls bursting with subtle goat cheese flavor) and almond whipped cream provided a sweet and tart balance.

If you haven’t already made reservation, run, don’t walk to your computer and log onto Kitchen Bar’s Facebook page to get on the reservation list. It is only open through May 14th. They have a small, quality beer and wine list, and patrons can BYOB. Chefs on the Loose, 3401 West Bay to Bay Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33629.

Bianchi's Enoteca has a selection of wine from around the world

If you blink, you could miss Bianchi’s Enoteca in the Yoko’s strip on MacDill Avenue in South Tampa. The signage is minimal and frontage nondescript. But you won’t want to miss this Enoteca or the delectable food that it offers—so keep your eyes peeled.

Thursday, my friend Dolce Debbie and I got away for some much needed girl time. Instantly, we were impressed with Bianchi’s intimate, European vibe and the delicious food the kitchen was putting out.

While sipping Pinot, we practically sampled Bianchi’s entire menu of small portions of bruschettas, meats and cheeses ($5-7) and the not-so-small salads ($9)—mine topped with tuna and Debbie’s accompanied with prosciutto.  We feigned embarrassment of the amount of food ordered, but secretly didn’t care because we wanted to try everything.

Tops on both our lists was the white bean bruschetta. To.die.for. We also tried the white anchovy bruschetta, the beet bruschetta, goat cheese, fontina and the bresola– which had an unusual sharp, nutty quality to it.

Bianchi’s is filled with French and Italian shots from photographer Ritch Holben. Lit almost entirely with candles, Bianchi’s is the perfect place for a romantic date or to grab drinks with friends.  3215 South MacDill Ave. Suite G., Tampa, FL, 33629 Tel: (813) 837-2233.

The coal oven is the key to the subtle char on Anthony's pies

The NFL playoffs are my favorite time of the year.

New Years resolutions be damned (because let’s face it, nothing says championship football like freshly-juiced kale and apples), Mister M and I were determined to consume victuals that were worthy of today’s matchups and a binge–even if our beloved Brownies were no where to be found.

Enter Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza in Carrollwood. We ordered the Paul & Young Ron Pizza, wings and large salad for takeout. As the name suggests, the pies are fired in an 800 degree, coal-burning oven, which gave our pizza a crispy bottom with an ever-so -slight char. Delish. Topped with homemade baby meatballs, sweet and hot peppers and fresh ricotta, Mister M and I debated whether this chain could produce the best pizza we’ve had in Tampa. The consensus: yes it was. (And that was after a 25-minute commute home).

The chicken wings were equally well received. These aren’t your run of the mill buffalo wings. Essentially naked, the coal-oven cooked chicken wings shined with simple seasonings and a smoky flavor. The caramelized onions and freshly grilled foccacia bread were a nice touch.

Great food aside, there’s much to be said about the warmth of the restaurant itself. The staff was incredibly friendly and seemed genuinely jazzed about the menu and their product. There’s a nicely appointed bar at the front of the restaurant and Anthony’s has happy hour specials daily.

The only thing that could have made the meal any better would be a Browns appearance on the telly. (A girl can dream.) Until then, I’ll be heading back to Anthony’s.

What’s your favorite pizza place?

Go Fish at Mystic

Mister M and I showed up to Mystic Fish in Palm Harbor hungry. Really hungry. Good thing Mystic Fish has a huge menu with all sorts of choices—and contrary to what the name suggests, more than just seafood. Open since 2000, Mystic Fish has a reputation for serving up some of the best seafood values in Tampa Bay. After our weeknight dinner, it is clear that reputation is intact.

As mentioned, the menu is quite extensive at Mystic Fish, including hot and cold “small plates” ($7-$15) as well as about 20 entrees ($15-$41). We opted for the “more is more” attack on the menu and picked a selection of small plates in lieu of entrees.

What we loved: After taking in the eclectic sea-inspired decor, we started with a satisfying salad with apples and blue cheese tossed in a cabernet vinaigrette and a lobster bisque that was sweet, flavorful and not too heavy. We also ordered the crispy duck breast. The accompanying strawberries and salty soybeans played off the moist and perfectly-seared duck in an unexpected, yet pleasing way. The mussels with chorizo were also a hit. The large portion gave us the opportunity to enjoy the tender mussels and dip our bread in a spicy broth. The highlight of the meal was the fork-tender short ribs, slathered with a tart and sweet Asian-inspired BBQ sauce. Many places offer short ribs, but these were the best we have had in a long while.

What we would pass on: The ahi tuna tower fell short for us. Sushi grade tuna tartar was awkwardly layered between house-made wonton chips and mixed with sriracha oil. The oil was a distraction from the fresh tuna– maybe a creamy sriracha drizzle would have been more successful– and the jicima was downright bitter. Overall, the dish lacked zing.

Despite this road bump, we had an enjoyable meal because of the friendly service and the fact that we were able to try a ton of different things and not break the proverbial bank. The food at Mystic Fish is contemporary but not too fussy, good quality and reasonably priced. (The selections mentioned plus a crab martini, dessert and two cocktails cost $82.) The wine list is very reasonably-priced as the most expensive option is a $40 bottle of cabernet, with most of the wines in the $20 per bottle range.

Sunday through Thursday check out Mystic Fish’s special $16.75 menu where you can choose from seabass, shrimp scampi, filet mignon or yellowtail served with a salad, veggie and a starch, all inclusive. 3253 Tampa Road, Palm Harbor, FL 34684. Tel: (727) 771-1800.

Sweet lobby shot from photographer Hannah Goerring (www.hannahgoering.com)

When four of my college girlfriends said they wanted to get away for a girls’ only weekend, I was thrilled to play Sunshine State hostess-with-the-mostess. After all, the tried and true blackmail material from our undergrad days–nearly a decade and a half ago– had grown stale. It was time to cultivate some new memories to hold over their heads. By the end of the weekend though, they were the ones with the goods on me. But more on that later.

Situated in the old Travelodge on the Gulf in St. Pete’s Beach, The Postcard Inn on the Beach delivered everything it promised. Ocean views? Check. Hipster crowd and a shabby beach bar? Check. Barbeque brisket? (You get the idea.) Upon check in, it appeared the PCI was our perfect oasis from reality- with the bonus of a Florida resident rate. The rooms and lobby were decorated in surfer chic and provided a great value for the price point.

The PCI beach was practically deserted Friday and Saturday. We rented cabanas for a reasonable $20 and spent time walking the beach, protecting conch from other predatory beachgoers. PCI has four beach volleyball courts and there was a tournament going on that weekend, as well as beach volleyball primer for beginners. It looked like a lot of fun– but we were content chill-axing on the noodles in the pool, listening to the live music, Dos Equis in hand. There was a nice crowd poolside, but quite a different scene from spring breaks of days past where losing shoes, credit cards and each other was de rigueur.

At night we’d head out to eat. Interestingly enough, the best meal we had was at Wildwood Barbeque & Burger, PCI’s onsite barbeque restaurant. Owned by the restaurant group that created the Dos Caminos concept, Wildwood is an industrial space. Our group really enjoyed the sticky ribs, and maui fish tacos and specialty drink menu. The hands down favorite was the “Splish Splash,” made with muddled granny smith apples and cinnamon, Patron tequila and house made sour mix. Dangerous! After three of these apple libations, I double dog dare you to say “Splish Splash” three times fast.

After dinner we’d camp out at the bar next to PCI where they had live music. Nevermind that the band only knew about eight songs, we had a great time watching really inebriated people attempt their best moves on and off the dance floor. We of course, were models of cool, calm and collected. That’s our story at least, and we are sticking to it–because that’s what good girlfriends do.  6300 Gulf Boulevard, St Pete Beach, FL 33706. Tel: (800) 237-8919.