Old Cape Cod Kitchen in Largo

If you have driven north or south on Belcher Road in Largo, you have passed by the Old Cape Cod Kitchen and probably did not even realize it. Old Cape Cod Kitchen is located at 1479 Belcher Road South. Keep your eyes open, as I was meeting a friend there and I passed it twice! Tucked away in the corner of a strip center, you will be pleasantly surprised at the homecooked food awaiting you.

The inside is very quaint. There is a counter where you can dine and make new friends, booths or tables for larger parties.

Janice worked at the Old Cape Code as a waitress for eight years when the owner decided it was time to retire. He asked her if she was interested in buying  it and almost 1 year ago, she did just that. Her one year anniversary is on July 6.  Janice is super friendly and caters to her customers needs. It was so interesting and fun to see her interacting with her customers.  Dick, has been eating breakfast every day at Old Cape Cod Kitchen for the past 5 years. He would never eat biscuits and gravy because he didn't like them. Janice told him it was because he never tried hers. He has been eating biscuits and gravy every day for almost 3 years now! I was quite curious about them, so she brought me a sample! 

Each day there are different specials. Every Friday the special is fish and chips. Pollock, coleslaw and fries. ($6.95) You can have it New England battered, grilled, blackened, lemon pepper or dry batter. Saturdays are quiche days. The quiche choices were spinach, tomato and feta; bacon, tomato and swiss; or sausage, onion, peppers and cheddar. The quiche is served with a side (my choice was fruit) for $4.95.

Other breakfast specials include 2 eggs with bacon, ham and a side of authentic Boston baked beans ($4.95).

Janice caters to customer requests.  My friend only wanted a half order of Eggs Benedict and that was not a problem.  She wants you to feel like you are at home and to be comfortable.  The Eggs Benedict is also served with a side of tomatoes, grilled tomatoes, potatoes or fruit. I have been offered tomatoes before, but can't say I recall the offer of having them grilled. (half order $3.50) 

The lunch special was an Italian sub ($4.95). I chose to have it hot with homemade potato salad ($1.00). Here is another interesting note - the potato salad and coleslaw are made to order. All sides for the sandwich specials are $1.00. Soups are also made from scratch.

Not only does she offer fresh home cooked breakfast and lunches, but also fresh baked muffins and muffin tops.  The choices of those also change daily. The selections of muffins included French toaast, blueberry, bran, banana and pistachio. They also have a Cape Code muffin with blueberrys, cramberries, a secret ingredient and topped with Cape Cod chips. You will not find these muffins anywhere else! Muffins are $1.50 each or 6 for $6.00. If you just like the muffin tops, these can be had for one dollar each or 6 for $3. Again, every day is different, but choices included cinnamon applesauce, blueberry, banana and pistachio.

Cape Cod is open everyday from 7am-1pm and on Fridays from 7am-2pm.  They can be reached at 727-535-1602.

Just a reminder to support local businesses! Of every dollar spent at a locally owned business, about 70 cents stays local. Of every dollar spent at a national corporation, less than 40 cents stays local.

Visit LocalShops1 for more information.
 
Don't forget to get your License To Cheat from Tampa Bay Natural Health!
 
 

Noshing on Caribbean Favorites at Island Flavors and Tings

I am back on the trail with the lunch train! I forgot how much fun it is to eat and share my experiences with you!

I am also expanding my husband's palate with many different kinds of food. Most recently, in particular, is the traditional Caribbean taste at Island Flavors and Tings in Gulfport. Located at 1411 - 49th Street South, Island Flavors and Tings is sure to delight and surprise you!  I almost drove past it the first time, so keep your eyes peeled!

We started off with the Jamaican 'hot-peppa' shrimp. "Not for the faint of heart. Shrimp tossed in our own rich spices and lots a scotch bonnet pepper." ($7.95)

Just looking at the picture as I post this already makes me want to go back for more of those shrimp!

As always, I was undecided about my entree and as usual taking too long to order I finally decided on a special combo plate of brown stew chicken [chunks of chicken browned and stewed in a special sauce], curry chicken [chicken, potatoes and vegetables simmered in a thick curry sauce] and the jerk chicken.

  The second thing that we ordered ( so that we could split it up and taste more stuff) was the Tropical Jerk Chicken Salad. "A mixture of green leaf, romaine, radicchio lettuce topped with Island Falvors house dressing, cucumbers, tomato wedges, topped with warm slices of our famous jerk chicken and our award winning mango bread." ($6.95) 

Let me assure you this is not a small salad, this plate was more like a platter! I just love this presentation, though.

After we ate our meals, Helena was telling us about the mango ice cream and jerk pork. They don't have this all of the time, but even though I was stuffed, I just had to try some. Who would have thought that pork and ice cream would go together! (You may want to call before you go to see if it is available.)

Island Tings offers a great assortment of jerk seasonings, hot pepper sauces, Island groceries, tropical chutneys and jams. I love a restaurant where I can shop after I eat!

So go ahead and "Like" them on facebook, email them or call them at 727-327-6416 if you have any questions.  They can accomodate large parties in the restaurant or they can deliver healthy food for your staff meeting right to your door. They are wonderful for all of your catering needs as they provide breakfast, lunches, meeting breaks, office dinners, corporate galas and picnics as well as holiday celebrations.

Don't forget to get your License to Cheat from Tampa Bay Natural Health!
 

"In Trouble Again" at The Dog House

UPDATE - Location has closed.  Restaurant is a different restaurant.

Mo Venouziou, Ester Venuoziou and I decided to meet for lunch to dicuss some upcoming Local Shops1.com events.  Several restaurants were suggested, but I wanted to try The Dog House which is located in the old Hooter's building on Tyrone across the street from Tyrone Mall.

I was pleasantly surprised when I entered to find a super-clean bar with a ton of televisions. I counted - and there are 14 flatscreens!



I took a stroll around the room and went outside to find more tables and a pool table. I love the concept of having the pool table outside! This is such a great area. We were there about 2 in the afternoon, so it wasn't busy, but as it got closer to 4, the crowd started picking up and I am looking forward to going back to watch another Rays game.  I think this is a great place for meeting a large group of people as well as just going alone! 



 
Once I finally sat down to look at the menu, I had a hard time deciding what to order. The appetizer menu includes such things as Buffalo Boxer Shrimp ($8), Mastiff Mushrooms ($8), Bubba's Buffalo Chicken Dip and more.  I think the next time I go, I am definitely going to Fried Pickles ($6)
 
Mo ordered the Southwest Chicken Wrap ($8) grilled chicken breast, sauteed peppers and onions, cheddar and jack cheese and chipotle mayo.






and got a salad for an extra $1.


(It's a little hard to see, but the salad is actually in a dog dish.)
 
Ester ordered the Chihuahua Chef Salad ($8) which is diced ham, Swiss cheese, lettuce, olives, tomato, cucumber, red onion, parmesan cheese, black olives and Italian dressing.



This one you can definitely see that it is served in a dog bowl!
 
I finally decided (upon the server's recommendation) on the Philly Chow Steak ($8) sliced prime rib, sauteed onions, peppers and melted provolone cheese. [You can also get this as a chicken sandwich or add mushrooms.] All sandwiches come with home made chips and a pickle.

They also have a dinner menu which prices ranging mostly $9 and $10 to $14 for the Pointer Prime Rib dinner.  The kids menu includes itens such as maltese mac and cheese, chicken paws, weimaraner dog, grilled cheese and hamburger. All items on the "little pups" menu are $4.00 and are served with fries.

The Dog House features live PPV events: boxing and UFC, MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL and nascar packages.  They also have Free Texas Hold'em poker on Tuesdays at 8pm, Fridays at 8pm and Sundays at 4pm.

The Dog House is located at 2901 Tyrone Boulevard. The hours are Sunday through Tuesday 11am-am and Wednesday through Saturday from 11am - 3am.  They can be reached at 727-343-1400

 
Thanks for reading  - and don't forget to get your License to Cheat from Tampa Bay Natural Health!

Sunday Brunch at the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa

I have been asking my husband for months to go to the Sunday Brunch at Safety Harbor Resort and Spa. He had numerous excuses as to why not; but my persistance finally paid off when he agreed to go with me! Sunday brunch hours are from 11:00am-2:30pm.  We made reservations for 11:30. Reservations are not required, but they recommend that you make them.

Upon walking into the entrance of the brunch area, I just had to stop and admire the presentation!

There was so much food and way too many decisions to make! Breakfast items, such as eggs Benedict, cheese blintzes, waffles and hot syrup, biscuits and gravy, eggs, bacon and sausage are located on the right.

 The lunch items included, but not limited to, chicken marsala, stuffed shells and tilapia in a cream sauce.  There is also a full selection of salads (pasta salad, tomato and mozzarella salad) as well as a salad bar.  I was surprised to see a danish and cereal area; but, as my husband pointed out, some kids only eat cereal!

 The grilled vegetable platter was amazing! This was one of my favorite platters!

A gorgeous selection of fresh fruit.

 The cheese platter was astounding! I thoroughly enjoyed the dried cranberries and pecans.

                                        I can never get enough of Atlantic smoked salmon.

And would you just look at this seafood boat of shrimp, crab legs and oysters?

There is also a full omelette bar

and a prime rib station.

Don't even get me started on the desserts!

And what more could you want than a hot chocolate fondue? Well, for starters, bread pudding with caramel sauce or apple cobbler!

Needless to say, we ate until our hearts content!

The servers were very attentive. Oh, I almost forgot about the Mimosa's! Now, Sunday brunch is complete.  The total bill (including all taxes and gratuities) for 3 people was $91.32 and well worth every penny!

Safety Harbor Resort and Spa is located at 105 N. Bayshore Drive in Safety Harbor. Check out their website or find them on facebook.