Today I'll give you a real treat — a peek inside my mailbag. Your calls and letters are interesting, amusing, informative and sometimes downright hysterical. Take this anonymous voice mail from a woman who wants to bawl me out for "the great review you gave that new Italian place at West Shore Plaza. I only went there because you praised it so highly. The food was awful! (Suspiciously) I bet someone pays you to write about places like this!"
OK, you caught me. Yes, I am paid to write about restaurants, however meagerly, but in this case, both the byline and the paycheck went to a writer at one of the daily papers. I've never eaten at, or written about, the restaurant in question. Still, thanks for the laugh.
Rick Salzberg called to say he visits here every year and collects my columns to use as a guide to good eating. "I trust your judgment," he says. "You've never steered me wrong. In fact, I just visited Karim's Bistro on Treasure Island, and it was every bit as good as you said it was. I had a wonderful meal. On the other hand, Snapper's, farther down the beach, treated us very shabbily. I saved the review you wrote of them last year, but clearly your experience was different than mine. (Although the creme brulee was great.) They act as if everyone is there for the early bird specials."
Glad you loved Karim's Bistro, Rick. After that review, dozens of people called to thank me for directing them to that delicious Moroccan food. Sorry you had a bad experience at my other choice. I dined at Snapper's recently, anonymously, of course, and can still recommend them. Everyone has an off day. I'm sorry your visit was one of theirs. In any event, I, too, have had problems in restaurants when I try to have a leisurely, full menu, full-service dinner during the "early bird" hours. I've found, when I dine before 6 p.m., that I have a better experience if I let the server know from the git-go what my expectations are. I may say, with a smile, "Don't even show me the early bird menu. I'm here for your best food, not your cheapest! What do you recommend?" (And no, I don't think it's OK to invite people in for early-dining prices and then treat those who come like cheapskates. How dumb is that?)
Lots of reader raves have come in, like this from Don Vanes, a man of few words; "Smoked mullet de-lish!" He recommends a new place named Papayas Cafe-Florida Tropical Cuisine. Most of Papayas' menu comes in at a bargain-priced $5, with items like mojo-smoked and -grilled chicken breast or an Island Cuban served with a choice of sides, such as tropical slaw, island rice, tortilla chips with papaya salsa, and more. Gourmet salads, such as seven fruit salad with mango sherbet or pasta antipasto salad with meats, cheeses and veggies come with banana raisin nut or garlic bread. Sounds like a deal to me!
Clearwater reader Bonnie Wright, an astute foodie, says, "We were at Catches Seafood & More in Port Richey over the weekend. I wanted a tourist-type waterfront place. The food was better than OK, and the atmosphere was awesome. Never have I been to such a '50s seashore-type restaurant and found it in such perfect condition: pretty, clean, neat, not worn. They have little blue slips of paper on the table. I thought, maybe, you write your own order. No. It is to put your silverware on when you unwrap and put your napkin on your lap! Great service too."
Beverly Dargento says "I have to take this time to let you know that I have been to many Italian restaurants in the past but I have not found one as good as Adriano's Italian Restaurant. It's not very big or classy, just a small mom and pop. The food is made fresh. I have not had one bad meal at this place. The sauces are light, not too spicy or sweet. The veal marsala is incredible; the pizza is to die for, and the prices are too good to be true for the quality of food that is served. I know you get a lot of requests for many good restaurants, but this one should not be overlooked.
One of my favorite correspondents is Nancy Eggert from Dunedin, a gal with a nose for sniffing out good food at a good dollar value. She writes, "I've stopped at Mango Millie's for the lunch special a few times. Yum yum, YUM! For $4.95 I got five thin slices of London broil with a ginger citrus marinade, served with pan-grilled mashed potatoes and a veggie medley of broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and zucchini. Another time, for $4.95, I had two large crepes filled with shrimp, scallops and scallions and a delicious cream sauce. Also, their special was a big wedge of homemade lasagna with a small side of ratatouille and a salad, with blue cheese dressing. They always have five or six homemade desserts. I had my dessert in liquid form, a beer from France called Belzebuth. $4 a bottle and worth every penny!"
Weekly Planet film critic Lance Goldenberg has a nose for food as well as film. He says Dwight Otis, who brought Tampa Next City Grille and Antipasto's but has now moved on to J. Ryan's, "is doing incredible things in the kitchen." Check it out. And reader Marie Haley passes on this tip: "Anjelica, who used to serve those great "Like Water For Chocolate" dinners in Ybor, is opening a new place called Viva La Frida at 5901 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa. The spirit of the place celebrates artist Frida Kahlo. It's not open for dining yet, but I peeked in the window and it looks wonderful!" (See above for Viva La Frida pre-opening tastings info.)
This article appears in Aug 2-8, 2001.