BEST PIZZA
Cappy's
I just like the atmosphere. It's quick. They have great pizza. My regular is the ham and pineapple. And they have a Canadian beer: Molson Canadian.
Cappy's Pizzeria, 309 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-254-4948.
BEST BEACH
St. Pete Beach
I can't really get out there during the season, but I usually stay around for a month or so after the season. It's quiet, a really great getaway. I've been there for Christmas. I don't stay overnight; I just go for the day. I have a home on Harbour Island. I go out there with my parents and my sisters and some cousins. With me playing down here, it's an excuse for them to come down and stay in the warm weather. It works out good. They get to see some hockey games, go to the beach.
BEST GOLF COURSE
Old Memorial
It's very exclusive. I've only played it a couple of times, but it's in perfect shape. The whole experience is great — the way they treat you, how it's like you're going into the middle of nowhere. No one can see you. That's what makes it special. The fairways are perfect; it's the type of course that makes you feel like you're on a PGA course. I think 18 is the toughest hole. It's a tough finish. The last three holes are really hard. I've been invited to play there two or three times. I can be a good golfer, and I can be very bad too. I'm a six handicap.
Old Memorial Golf Club, 13600 National Golf Drive, Tampa, 813-926-8888.
BEST PLACE TO SHOP
International Plaza
I like shopping. During the season, there's not a whole lot you can really do. You play 82 games a year. When I have time off, I can relax in the house or kill some time and go to the mall. I don't always buy a lot of stuff. There's tons of variety at International. And with the restaurants — you go eat, do it all at once. I'm used to up north, where everything is downtown, with all the different shops. Tampa's not that type of city. So the mall is the best alternative. I usually always stop in the Hugo Boss store. They treat me well there. They're good Lightning fans. I also like to stop in the electronics stores.
International Plaza, Boy Scout and West Shore Boulevards, Tampa, 813-342-3790 or www.shopinternationalplaza.com.
BEST RESTAURANT
Bern's Steak House
I remember I first went there with my parents. There's a guy there — Eric Renaud, the sommelier — he's a good hockey fan. I got to know him a little bit. He does what he can to help us out, to get us in there after games if we're running late. It might be 10:30 at night, and he'll make sure we get in and get some food. You can't ask for better food or better wine. I probably eat there about 20 times a year, maybe more. The Lightning guys who live downtown, mostly the younger guys — most of the other guys live up north in New Tampa — we like to go to Bern's. I go with Vince [Lecavalier] a lot. Kevin Weekes, when he was here, we went there a lot. Usually every time someone comes to visit, I go there. I've tried a few different things, but I'm usually a filet guy. And I love drinking wine; we get a bottle or two.
Bern's Steak House, 1208 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-251-2421 or www.bernssteakhouse.com.
BEST RESTAURANT THAT'S NOT QUITE SO UPSCALE
Cheesecake Factory
You can get anything there. It has the best menu, variety wise. It's like a book. And it's convenient if you stop by the International Mall. I always have the pork chops.
Cheesecake Factory, 2225 N. Lois Ave., Tampa, 813-871-6837 or www.thecheesecakefactory.com.
BEST PLACE FOR A BEER
AFTER GAMES
Hattricks
Lots of the guys [on the Lightning] love going to Hattricks. It's close by the Forum. We'll have some beer and watch other games, unwind. Obviously, they like having us there and treat us real well.
Hattricks, 107 S. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-225-4288.
BEST PLACE TO GO
IN YBOR CITY
New World Brewery
I just started going to Ybor City this year. I just sort of stumbled onto the New World Brewery. During the [hockey] season, the crowds are too big on Seventh Avenue. This place is a little off the beaten path, just a good place to hang out and get away from the big crowds. I love the courtyard.
New World Brewery, 1313 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa, 813-248-4969.
This article appears in Sep 25 – Oct 1, 2003.