Wine: Its In His Blood

California winemaker Kirk Venge's family has been in the wine business in some form or fashion since the early 1900's. His father was the first American winemaker to receive a 100 point rating from esteemed wine critic Robert Parker. So it makes perfect sense that Venge (Kirk) is now at the helm of  the vineyard  producing highly acclaimed, hard to find wines.

Venge made a rare appearance in Southwest Florida last week at a winemaker's dinner at Bistro 41 in The Bell Tower Shops. I've had Venge wines before so I was really looking forward to the meal and to meeting the man behind the vines. Venge was gracious, hospitable and handsome; and Bistro 41 served up a spectacular meal, as usual.

We began with a white blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. It was paired with conch and crab ceviche, a warm and creamy combo on the palate.

Next up was the 2010 Scout's Honor which, to me, still needs some time in the bottle compared to last vintage. But it is still a delicious blend of mostly Zinfandel with some Petite Syrah, Charbono and Syrah. This wine and food pairing was my favorite of the night. Chef Heath Higginbotham made a Pan-roasted Mallard Duck Breast on top of green pea puree, with baklava and Scout's Honor plum sauce. When I put all three flavors on the fork for the perfect bite (the fatty salty duck, sweet baklava, nuts and vegetable) it was a musical match to the wine.

Third course was a 2009 Silencieux Cabernet, full dark chocolate, cherry and smoke. Only 100 cases were made. The wine was a bit overpowered by the smoke of the Osso Bucco it was served with, however, it was superb with the marrow inside of the bone.

We finished the night with a chocolate parfait, each layer contained a new, delicious surprise. It was a rich treat with the Late Harvest Zinfandel.. Only three barrels of the Zin were made and it typically only leaves CA if you pack it in your luggage. So next trip to wine country, make an appointment to visit Venge's winery.  It will be well worth the effort.

Ingredients Matter...

....That's the theme at the newest burger joint to open in Southwest Florida. Elevation Burger, based in Virginia, is billed as the nations first organic burger chain. Open this week at Gulf Coast Town Center in Estero, this Elevation Burger is only the second in the nation to use a new cast-iron griddle for cooking each burger to order.

Elevation Burger is also among the first several hundred restaurants nationwide to have a Free-Style Coke machine. The touch screen allows you to pick a specific beverage, which is further broken down by individual flavors. For instance, when you hit coke a second screen gives you all the possible sub variations like Cherry, Lime, Vanilla, etc. for a total of 130 different drink options. And coming soon; I Pad stations and apps to order at the door and on the way.

OK, enough about the cool technology. Let's get to the meat! The beef is organic and ground fresh, on site. It comes from cows that are grass-fed and free range. Build your own burger with both the number of patties (10) and toppings (15)!

I love a good burger and had a hard time deciding what to try. I settled on a Half The Guilt Burger ($6.19), with one beef patty and one veggie patty. As for toppings, I got the basics; mustard, ketchup lettuce tomato and caramelized onions. Next time, I'll order extra of all of the toppings, I like a messy burger. My co-worked noted that the beef did taste different. I said, "Yes, the way it is suppose to taste." No hormones, preservatives or things you can't pronounce.

There are two Veggie Burgers on the menu. The Veggie Burger #1 tastes like, veggies. It's consistency is a bit creamy. I like the Veggie Burger #2 better. Its vegan and actually tastes and looks more like a real burger. Both are good, just different. If you are watching your carbs or gluten you can bypass the potato bun for a lettuce wrap.

Its a five step process, making Elevation Burger's hand cut fries ($2.79). They are cooked in Bertolli Olive Oil. It's a bit tricky to get olive oil hot enough for frying potatoes while not adversely effecting it's flavor. The potatoes are blanched before fried.

A good burger joint should have good shakes. These are hand scooped and the ingredients are all organic. I tried the coffee ice cream ($4.29) without any toppings. It was light, creamy and delicious. The fresh baked organic cookies tasted pretty good alongside it. The oatmeal cookie was moist and full of flavor; rich chocolate chips and a bit of pecans


It's obvious that Elevation Burger would appeal to people who are conscious about the food they put in their mouths. So why not list the calories of each item after the ingredients. Patrons are not only aware of their food source but how that food fits into their daily goals. I looked at the board, thought about it, and went for it; a 900 calorie lunch and an hour on the treadmill for an afternoon snack.

A second Southwest Florida Elevation Burger is opening on Airport Pulling Road in Naples this spring.

Small Plates, Big Flavor

The concept of "small plates" is a great marketing tool for restaurants. I thought it was so great to be eating "small" amounts that I ordered seven of them with a co-worker last night at a media sampling hosted by Bahama Breeze Island Grille.

While I bought into the "small plate" idea a long time ago, I have to confess I never really bought into the skinny cocktail craze until last night. I sampled the Skinny Margarita, Skinny Mojito and Skinny Paloma. The Margarita's pucker was deliciously evened out with a little fresh OJ. I enjoy Mojito's but sometimes find them to be a little sweet, this one was just right. However, the Paloma was a little too sweet for me with passion fruit, grapefruit, Fresca and Tequila.

New on Bahama Breeze's small plate menu: Mojo-Marinated Pulled Pork on top of plantains with a smokey BBQ sauce. The sweet plantain, salty pork and tangy sauce formed a nicely balanced trio.

The new Citrus Shrimp was like ceviche. A good portion of shrimp in a fresh, light citrus marinade, accompanied by avocado, cilantro and tomato; my new favorite. An old favorite, the warm goat cheese stuffed in a roasted red pepper. The sweet pepper and spicy creamy cheese mix is a comforting combo.

My least favorite new menu item was the Parmesan Stuffed Zucchini with sauteed veggies. It just didn't have the same great bold flavor of the other dishes, although I suspect it was the most healthful. So for that option, I'm thankful.

The Chicken Adobo Empanadas were a perfect small plate; three handmade pastires stuffed with chicken, mushrooms and onion, served with a black bean and corn salsa and a creamy sauce to cut the heat.

As the table next to us raved about  the Jerk Chicken Pasta, it magically appeared in front of us. I thought I was going to explode but the cream sauce was light, the spice just hot enough and the aspargus was al dente; just perfect. The marathon dining felt more like a sporting event, I could imagine the wait staff saying things like, "$5 the girls can put away one more dish."

Sadly, we had to pass on dessert but they looked fabulous. So make sure you leave some room after trying the new small plates at Bahama Breeze.

***COMMENTS: Thanks to all my Facebook friends for posting so many great comments. I would LOVE it if you could also post your comments here on this blog site. Many people tell me they posted and it never showed up. Disappointing for us both. So click comment, type your comment, check the box that says "comment as" then hit post. If a word verification box does not appear next (a scrambled word to retype) your comment did not post. Thanks!

More Than Smiles, at "Smiley's Snack Shack"

If you've ever been to St Pete Beach, you've seen the landmark Don Cesar; a sprawling pink hotel built in the 1920's. Just a few blocks north on Gulf Blvd, in stark contrast, stands the unassuming Smiley's Snack Shack. In my experience, "shacks" that sell food are incredible or terrible, there's generally no inbetween. This one was awesome!

I hesitate to write about it because one of the cool things about this place, at least for now, is the lack of tourists. Smiley's is truly a "local's" place.

The shack has about five stools, and not all of them will fit comfortably at the counter, it's a small space. After announcing we were Smiley's virgins, a man bragging about his "redneck" roots graciously surrendered his regular spot to the two new girls.

We played our "new girl card" for all it was worth over the next several hours. First, we sampled all three of the beers on tap; lined up side by side. Then ordered a bottle of Mont Gras Cabernet for a mere $11.

Over the course of the evening we tried many of Smiley's specialties, seems everything they do here is special. Like the single burger ($5), grilled to perfection, on an egg and potato bun. Everyone had an opinion about how to cook it, what ingredients to put on it and in what  order. The discussion got very animated; building a burger is taken seriously here.

You can't have a burger without fries. I loved opening the box to see smiley faces looking up at me. "Freudo", the bar tender, squirted ample amounts of ketchup on pieces of block paper used in lieu of plates.

We tried the Yum Yum Shrimp ($7.50) with Boom Boom sauce (chipotle and red pepper). It was messy,  had a great kick and offered lots of juvenile entertainment. For instance, "Hey chef, put the boom boom on my yum yum."

The staff appreciated the fact that we appreciated the  food and sent out a few more must have items. Like the giant Kegger Dog boiled in beer and something that's not on the menu; Griddlin' Cheese. Chef rolled tomato, onion and jalepeno inside of cheese then slow cooked it on the griddle. My new redneck friend was all about the Griddlin'. He assured me in a thick southern drawl "he (chef) don't make that for just anyone."

Someone cranked the volume on an old boom box behind the bar and we joined in the chorus of an even older Journey song. Bad dancing soon followed with too much laughter to measure. The laughter accompanied us on our walk home and still surfaces when I think of our spontaneous adventure at Smiley's.


***COMMENTS: Thanks to all my Facebook friends for posting so many great comments. I would LOVE it if you could also post your comments here on this blog site. Many people tell me they posted and it never showed up. Disappointing for us both. So click comment, type your comment, check the box that says "comment as" then hit post. If a word verification box does not appear next (a scrambled word to retype) your comment did not post. Thanks!

New Music: Eric Hutchinson

Eric Hutchinson is one of those artists; talented singer, talented songwriter, unpretentious and sadly unsung by the masses. Making the radio station rounds in hopes of getting his music heard by more people, Hutchinson stopped by 96-9 WINK-FM today. He's got a new CD coming out April 17th and gave us an acoustic preview of his new single "Watching You Watch Him"; an upbeat song about heartbreak. I can't explain it but the song feels like Texas to me, as in the state.

I really enjoyed "The Basement". Hutchinson said a bar by the same name in Massachusetts was his inspiration; a crazy dance party with music from the 40's and 50's, spun by an "older" DJ. He said it was one of those nights where you wake up the next morning and ask, "did that really happen?" If the acoustic version of that song had me dancing in my seat, I can only imagine how good it's gonna sound with a full band.

I first met Hutchinson about four years ago when he played a small Spring concert for the station. I assumed he would duck-out soon after he was done playing but he sat at a table with us in the bar, having drinks; so unassuming that people just walked by. I didn't know if it was cool or disappointing. I wanted to shout "DIDN'T YOU JUST HEAR THIS GUY???" But then again, he was followed onstage by The Script. At that time The Script was just starting to blow up in the U.S. and our audience was crazy for the Irish boys.

If you get a chance to see Hutchinson live, take it. His voice (to me) is more soulful live, than in these videos.  "Rock & Roll" is the first song that comes to mind when I think of Hutchinson. I like the second video, "OK, It's Alright With Me", because it shows more of that soulful style. Listen to the end to really get it. Newest video at the bottom







***COMMENTS: Thanks to all my Facebook friends for posting so many great comments. I would LOVE it if you could also post your comments here on this blog site. Many people tell me they posted and it never showed up. Disappointing for us both. So click comment, type your comment, check the box that says "comment as" then hit post. If a word verification box does not appear next (a scrambled word to retype) your comment did not post. Thanks!

Unexpected Bedfellows

I have blogged about my love of pizza, and how I've eaten it in even the most remote places in the world, so when I was invited to a pizza/wine tasting at Grimaldi's Pizzeria last night, I could hardly stand it!

The first pairing, presented by General Manager Phil Lawson, was completely unexpected; white pizza and white wine, a Riesling at that. Sometimes the wine snob within tries to raise it's ugly head and I could feel it stirring. Best way to subdue the beast is to feed it. The piping hot pizza was loaded with salty artichokes and spicy sausage. The flavors knocked the peach and other sweet fruits right out of the Mondavi Riesling ($7 glass/$25 bottle) for a surprisingly nice partnership.


I initially went to last night's tasting in search of an Italian Malbec, exclusive to Grimaldi's. Yes, Argentina's flagship red is being grown and bottled in Northern Italy, and while it doesn't hold candle to it's South American brother, it did the job when served with the meatball pizza. In a blind tasting I don't think I would've nailed the KRIS ($8 glass/$30 bottle) as a Malbec. It was a bit thin with some blueberry notes; a little earthy with a hint of cassis in the finish. I tasted some cardamon when drinking it with the meatballs. I would like to try it again with a few more years in the bottle.

I'm a big fan of Italian wines so was really looking forward to the next pairing. The Santa Christina Sangiovese ($6 glass/$20 bottle) from well-known Italian producer Antinori, was a delicious glass of dark fruit; a bit floral with some all-spice. That combination with the sweet, roasted red peppers and ricotta cheese pizza was a hit. Lawson said his chef's roast between two to three cases of red peppers a day. They cut cheese about seven hours a day. (insert Beavis and Butt-Head joke here)

There's something about saving the best for last. My favorite combo of the night was the Educated Guess Cabernet ($10 glass/$40 bottle) from Napa, paired with a bold onion and pepperoni pizza, with a lightly charred crust. The wine had hints of cocoa, french vanilla, cherry and leather. Lawson calls it one of the best values on Grimaldi's menu. Order this combo!

A little inside info for my gluten free friends; Grimaldi's has been working on a dough recipe for you. It's a challenge, finding one that holds up to the heat of the coal oven while maintaining the integrity and reputation of the dough that Grimaldi's is famous for. But know that you are not forgotten and will hopefully soon be accomodated!

***COMMENTS: Thanks to all my Facebook friends for posting so many great comments. I would LOVE it if you could also post your comments here on this blog site. Many people tell me they posted and it never showed up. Disappointing for us both. So click comment, type your comment, check the box that says "comment as" then hit post. If a word verification box does not appear next (a scrambled word to retype) your comment did not post. Thanks!

Love The Label

I was at a wine tasting this week and got to sample a lovely Riesling from Milbrandt Vineyards, in Washington State. It's a fruity Riesling, but not too sweet. For example, I tasted juicy apricots but also crisp citrus for a nice balance. I was dying to have a plate of spicy red curry from my favorite Thai restaurant with this wine.

I was looking at the bottle, taking notes when the distributor said, "Here take this". She ripped a perforated piece of the label off of the back, to my surprise, and handed it to me. The band-aid sized paper had such pertinent information as the grape, the year, a few tasting notes, a pairing suggestion and vineyard website.BRILLIANT! I wish all bottles had this.

I'm currently working on an article for "Times Of The Islands" Magazine about wine labels and Milbrandt, for sure, will be one of the wines I include. If you have any favorites for labeling, please share them with me!


***COMMENTS: Thanks to all my Facebook friends for posting so many great comments. I would LOVE it if you could also post your comments here on this blog site. Many people tell me they posted and it never showed up. Disappointing for us both. So click comment, type your comment, check the box that says "comment as" then hit post. If a word verification box does not appear next (a scrambled word to retype) your comment did not post. Thanks!

The Cellar Called; I Answered

I was recently trading stories of Tuscany with a friend who had just returned from three months in the beautiful Italian countryside. It made me want to buy a plane ticket in the worst way. As I sat reminiscing about the amazing food and wine I've consumed in Italy, a faint voice beckoned. I went to my wine cellar and peered at the rows of Italian treats I've been collecting over the years. I gently pulled out a bottle of 1996 Podere Capaccia, Querciagrande (a Sangiovese from Chianti) and decided it's time had come.

The big question when opening a big bottle is what to serve it with. It may not have been the best pairing, but I wanted eggplant parm. As I was cooking I opened the bottle for an initial taste. It started out remarkably balanced and smooth with lots of dark fruit and some tobacco. About 2 hours into the bottle (yes, I milked it that long) the chewy tannins started to appear; time has been kind to this wine. I was so happy!

I brought this bottle back from Italy ten years ago; when you could still carry liquids on planes and the dollar was actually worth something. I tried in vain to find tasting notes and values for the 96 vintage. I mostly wanted to see if it was a vintage that aged well.  But at the end of the day those stats really don't matter. What mattered was that the wine was awesome and I got to share it, and it's story with good friends over good food. Cheers!


***COMMENTS: Thanks to all my Facebook friends for posting so many great comments. I would LOVE it if you could also post your comments here on this blog site. Many people tell me they posted and it never showed up. Disappointing for us both. So click comment, type your comment, check the box that says "comment as" then hit post. If a word verification box does not appear next (a scrambled word to retype) your comment did not post. Thanks!

"That's What Friend's Are For"

Cell Phone: ring, ring
Me: Hello
Caller: Hello Gina, this is Dionne Warwick.

Cool, one of show businesses most successful female recording artists phoned me to talk about her performance this weekend in Fort Myers.

I started digging into Warwick's career and discovered that she is second only to Aretha Franklin as far as the most charted hits on Billboard by a female artist. She has 56 of them. Songs like; "Walk On By", "I Say A Little Prayer", "What The World Needs Now is Love" and dozens more.

But The first song that comes to mind when I think of Warwick is the 80's classic with Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Gladys Knight; "That's What Friends Are For". I will even admit to tearing up to it, on occasion. She told me that was one of the highlights of her career.

When I told her my full-time job was in radio she reminisced about how great radio was for her career, how it propelled her and how grateful she was for it. We talked a lot about how that has changed for artists now, many of whom get famous from video and the internet. I'm glad the interview was for print not broadcast because many of her answers to my questions were short and to the point. For example I asked what  her favorite song to perform was, she simply said "All of them."

I wondered what she was doing and where she was when she called me. I envisioned her stylist standing in front of her waving beautiful gowns for approval while someone was giving her a pedicure and her assistant was pointing at his watch. In reality, she was probably still in her PJ's with a cup of coffee in her other hand.

I interviewed Warwick for Fort Myers Florida Weekly. The issue is out tomorrow (1/4/12) so be sure to pick it for more of our conversation.

The concert is 8:00 Saturday, January 7th at the beautiful Sydney & Berne Davis Art Center on First St, downtown Fort Myers. Warwick will be joined on stage by her son, guitarist David Elliott. Tickets are still available ($175)

By-the-way, I did save her number. I thought I might see if she would be up for a martini after her performance.

Best Brunch: 2011

When any year comes to an end, we are bombarded with lists that recap everything from music and news to most annoying celebrities and phrases. I thought about what my top lists would be and food was among the first things that came to mind.

I love a good Sunday brunch. What makes brunch special is the food of course, but even more important is the company. The best brunches for me are more often than not, the ones on my lanai with friends and neighbors; sometimes still in PJ's late into the afternoon. They are just too numerous to list.

One of my top stay at home brunches was at a friends home in Ft. Lauderdale, looking out over the New River. My European host placed a polished silver carafe of coffee outside of my bedroom door; fuel for getting ready. A mimosa was put in my hand as soon as I stepped into the kitchen; I could get used to this. We grazed on smoked salmon, fluffy eggs, fresh bread, jams, fruit, puff pastries drizzled in gravy and more. Eventually pushing the food aside, we opened maps, looked at photos, shared stories of our world travels and dreams of more to come.

Mexican brunches may be less conventional but so yummy. How can you not like anything with beans, rice, cheese and eggs? This Sunday brunch at Maudie Milagro was a reunion with dear friends and a celebration of my brother's birthday in Austin, TX.

I have blogged about the BBQ in Austin, but what I want most in this city is Mexican food. There is great debate about where to find the best, and while Maudie's was not at the top of our list, it was on it for sure. The restaurant has been serving Tex-Mex in Austin since the 50's and now has six locations. We picked the one often refered to by Austinites as "Snotty Maudie's".

I couldn't wait to get a plate of Miga's (scrambled eggs with onions, serrano peppers, cheese and tortilla strips) and it was everything I had hoped for. Fried eggs came on top of burrito's and just about everything else. We ate pounds of  crisp tortilla chips, fresh guacamole and salsa with a good kick. Our table was not only full of glasses with sweet Sangria, Mimosa's and Tito's Margaritas ($3.50); but also lots of laughter.We sat back enjoying the breeze over the rolling hills of the West Lake area, rubbing our satisfied bellies.

But the "Best Brunch" was my first brunch of 2011, New Years Day at Gulf Drive Cafe on Bradenton Beach. Dining in beach communities along the west coast of Florida is always an adventure. We skipped the line for indoor seating, grabbed the last table beach-side, then proceeded to fill every inch with food and drink.

The Omlette's were generous ($7) and came with biscuits and potatoes. We ordered sides of tomatoes, fresh avocado, fruit and other delights. Thankfully there was a railing to put our coffee cups and spicy Bloody Mary's on. We offered to give up our table after what seemed like hours, but our server was entertained by us and asked us to stay. We obliged and ordered Gulf Drive's signature cheese blintze; filled with cottage, ricotta and cream cheeses then flavored with a touch of orange cream for $6.99. The clear sky and sparkling water inspired musing of goals and expectations for 2011. Looking back, most were met, some even exceeded.

Looking forward to 2012 and the opportunities that await us all. Thanks for reading my blog!


***COMMENTS: Thanks to all my Facebook friends for posting so many great comments. I would LOVE it if you could also post your comments here on this blog site. I've had dozens of people tell me they posted and it never showed up. Disappointing for us both. So click comment, type your comment, check the box that says "comment as" then hit post. If a word verification box does not appear next (a scrambled word to retype), your comment did not post. Thanks!

Great Gift

I don't understand why Rose' wines aren't wildly popular in Southwest Florida. It's a perfect warm weather wine and goes well with a wide variety of food. But so many people fear the "pink", perhaps relating it to that sweet, pink White Zin.

Over the weekend, I tried a bottle of Chateau D’Aqueria Tavel Rose’ with a salty cheese tray and some tuna tartare. It was beautiful; both in the glass and in my mouth. The wine had a vibrant salmon color, it smelled floral and a bit fruity; but it was bone dry and crisp, with flavors of raspberries and a hint of pepper.  

Tavel Rose’ is made mostly of Grenache grapes grown in the southern part of the Cotes-du-Rhone region of France. It’s a great food wine and the packaging is “tres cool”. If you're in need of a gift for a wine lover, a Francophile or someone who likes to try new things, this is a good one. And with a price tag under $20, it's affordable.  

If you’re in Southwest Florida, Bistro 41 has Tavel Rose’ by the bottle for around $60. In fact Bistro has four Rose's on their wine list now! Hurray for Rose'!!!

Box-vs-Bottle

I recently stayed at a very hip, boutique hotel in a trendy neighborhood in Washington DC. A nice perk was the complimentary champagne and wine, in the lobby for happy hour.

I sashayed through the businessmen and foreign visitors to find a table adorned with linen, sparking glasses and (sound effect of a record scratch) rows of boxes. Boxes of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. "This can't be," whispered my inner wine snob, "boxed wine???" Thank God there was champagne.

As the concierge poured my bubbles, he was enthusiastically telling another guest about the boxes of French Rabbit.

They come in Tetra Paks that reduce overall packaging by 90%.  It makes packing and shipping easier and less expensive than bottles, reducing the carbon footprint of the winery. And, he bragged, it's from the Burgundy region of FRANCE! "OK OK," I resigned, "I'll try a glass." I'm not sure if I bought into his enthusiasm or just had low expectations but I was pleasantly surprised. The wine had hints of raspberry and other red fruits. Not a bad happy hour wine after all.

Let's be honest, we've all joked about boxed wines but with wineries and consumers both wanting to cut costs, they're no laughing matter anymore. I have started paying attention to the wine sections of major grocery stores and warehouses like Total Wine, and continue to be surprised at the vineyards I'm seeing box their everyday, top selling juice.

Still not sold on the box, I decided to experiment.  I bought a box and a bottle of Fish Eye Pinot Grigio; put tape on the bottom of numerous glasses indicating which packaging the wine was poured from; shuffled the glasses around and handed them out to some friends. We inspected the color, sniffed, swirled, slurped and wrote down our observations. Initially the bottle flavors seemed brighter but as the wine opened, the difference was so negligible it's hardly worth mentioning. The box did not compromise the integrity of this wine. But boxes are for drinking not aging.

Because the wine is not exposed to air, it can last up to 6 weeks after opening. Most boxes hold the equivalent of four bottles for the cost of about two. Might not be so bad to serve at your holiday parties if you have people on the list who sling it back rather than savor it (wine).

I have written an article featuring boxed wines and alternative packaging for Times Of The Islands Magazine. It will be in the January/February issue so be sure to pick one up or look online for more observations and information.

Could it be time to embrace the box?

***COMMENTS: Thanks to all my Facebook friends for posting so many great comments. I would LOVE it if you could also post your comments here on this blog site. I've had dozens of people tell me they posted and it never showed up. Disappointing for us both. So click comment, type your comment, check the box that says "comment as" then hit post. If a word verification box does not appear next (a scrambled word to retype), your comment did not post. Thanks!

Brunch WithThe Queen

Next time you head to St Pete for a Rays game or concert at Tropicana Field, forget the over-priced stadium food and try the Queen's Head Restaurant and Eurobar on Central Avenue. It's a good 25 minute walk from the park, a 5 minute drive or a leisurely 50-cent Trolley ride. Pick up the west bound Trolley on Central Ave in front of the popular sports bar, Ferg's. (The Trolley also goes downtown for waterfront dining options.)

The Queen's Head is housed in an old gas station, made chic with South Beach style Cabana's on the front patio. Inside, the decor is a bit cheeky with busts, photos and bobble heads of the Queen Mum everywhere. The bathroom walls are plastered with bawdy headlines and clips from British Tabloids. The owners, British of course, are great hosts.

I'm a fan of Sunday Brunch at the Queen's Head and have been there several times.When we showed up a few weeks ago, DJ Craig Dirty was spinning cool tunes outside, with a cigarette dangling from his mouth.; looking a bit weary from the night before.

Sparing the server from multiple trips to our table, we bypassed the $6 Mimosa's and $7 Bloody Mary's in lieu of a bottle of delicious Cava (sparkling wine from Spain) for only $22. It was a great accompaniment to the myriad of flavors that followed.

My favorite brunch dish is the Bubble & Squeak ($10); a veggie stuffed mashed potato pancake full of flavor, topped with an egg and garnished with a spicy southwestern drizzle. A close second is the Chip Butty ($11); cherywood bacon with a fried egg, English chips and red cabbage slaw in a toasted ciabatta. I asked for extra slaw.

The brunch menu changes on occasion, I did not see the Bloody Mary Eggs Benedict  this time but I remember it being delicious, especially with a Bloody Mary to wash it down with. The Beans On Toast is a fabulously filling plate. The traditional British breakfast takes on a twist with the addition of white cheddar, English sausage and scrambled eggs ($12). I think the Queen would approve.
            

 ***COMMENTS: Thanks to all my Facebook friends for posting so many great comments. I would LOVE it if you could also post your comments here on this blog site. I've had dozens of people tell me they posted and it never showed up. Disappointing for us both. So click comment, type your comment, check the box that says "comment as" then hit post. If a word verification box does not appear next (a scrambled word to retype), your comment did not post. Thanks!

Serengeti Safari

Last time I was at Busch Gardens in Tampa it was to preview and experience the new Cheetah Hunt, a high-speed, triple-launch roller coaster that has everyone talking.

The cheetah called for my return. So did the media office, to take a Serengeti Safari. A train goes around it, a sky-ride goes over it but the jeep Safari goes right through the 65-acre Serengeti Plain. We stood in the back of an open truck with our guide, checking out free the roaming ostrich, antelope, rhinos, zebras and other African animals.

The highlight of the Safari was the giraffes. The tall, beautiful creatures surrounded our truck and dropped their long necks down, looking for treats. Those big, dark eyes and long eyelashes made us fall in love instantly. As our guide educated us on the animals, we feed them lettuce and rubbed their necks. They in turn, drooled their appreciation all over us.

Busch Gardens also offers a Serengeti Night Safari. After the park closes you get to stay, observe the animals through night-vision monoculars and spend time around a fire pit . Appetizers and "adult beverages" are provided before the tour; dessert and coffee afterwards. This looks like a really cool experience.

Something to take advantage of  if you are a Florida resident; a free daytime Serengeti Safari with your park admission, now through December 15.

By the way, I DID ride the Cheetah Hunt again; front row. This time I was brave enough to let go of the harness and put my hands up like a TRUE coaster fanatic.

***COMMENTS: Thanks to all my Facebook friends for posting so many great comments. I would LOVE it if you could also post your comments here on this blog site. I've had dozens of people tell me they posted and it never showed up. Disappointing for us both. So click comment, type your comment, check the box that says "comment as" then hit post. If a word verification box does not appear next (a scrambled word to retype), your comment did not post. Thanks!

Fine Time at "209"

Last time I visited Punta Gorda (FL), I tried a new restaurant called Opus. An enthusiastic German lady named Ines, was instrumental in helping to get it off the ground, while at the same time running her own   downtown restaurant; Table 209. Her mission complete, Ines is back at 209 full time.

My co-worker had dined there for lunch and couldn't wait to try dinner. When it comes to checking out restaurants it doesn't take much to twist my arm. The outdoor patio looked inviting but the weather wasn't, so we sat at one of the three tables situated in a semi-private section indoors. Our server suggested we begin with a signature Cucumber Champagne Cocktail. It's hard to say no to the bubbles.

However, it was a rainy, dreary night and what I really wanted was a dirty martini. Table 209 only serves beer and wine. The cucumber seemed more suited for the patio, on a warm afternoon. It was good but it just wasn't doing the trick and our server could tell. She grabbed a wine list and removed the cucumber cocktails with a wink, assuring us they would not go to waste; it was her favorite libation.

Settling on a bottle of Mars Venus Cabernet from Chile, we next set our sites on the appetizer menu. The Tomato Soup was rich, with roasted bell pepper, basil pesto and small chunks of mozzarella; just what the doctor ordered.

Next up was the Shrimp Fraiche. It came in a delectable garlic, lemon, butter and sour cream sauce that required extra bread to sop up; so did the next two dishes. The tender Escargot was cooked in white wine, garlic and bacon. Just when I thought the sauces couldn't get any better, the Mussels showed up. They were plump and mild, cooked perfectly in a broth that many patrons ask to purchase for home; white chocolate, coconut milk, garlic and spices. I'm salivating just thinking about it.

The appetizers ranged in price from $6-$12. Next time I'll try to order only one so I can have a proper main course. On second thought, next time I'll try the Sunday Jazz Brunch on the patio, with a Cucumber Champagne Cocktail. The Brunch menu looked fabulous. I'll keep you posted!




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