Let it Rain! Let it Rain! Let it Rain!

As Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said, "Into each life, some rain must fall."  I am extremely delight that Rain has fallen into my life! Rain is a Japanese Sushi Bar and Thai Restaurant inconspicuously located in a strip mall at 5267 Park Street N. I have driven by hundreds of times and have not been aware of its location.

I met a friend to celebrate the final week of birthday month! We were immediately greeted when we walked in the door. The staff was very friendly and patient. (You know me, I can never decide what to order!) I couldn’t even decide between sushi and Thai!

The inside of Rain is very appealing. Rain is nicely decorated without being gaudy. The bathrooms were extremely clean with a selection of hand lotions and a motion activated trash can. (I love these special extra touches.)

There are numerous lunch including all of the classic Thai dishes ($6.95 for chicken, beef, pork, tofu or veggies; $8.50 for scallop, squid or shrimp; $9.50 for seafood combination) or pick two sushi rolls ($9.95). Both choices are served with either soup, salad or a spring roll. Ester chose a Mexican roll and another roll with the salad and peanut dressing. Given that Ester was ordering sushi, I decided to have Thai and I ordered the Panang curry with a salad and ginger dressing.

Service was quick. There were several other tables dining, but that didn’t delay our food at all. Within a few minutes, we had our salads, closely followed by our meals.

I was pleasantly surprised by the dessert! Fresh, homemade cashew butter in a wonton wrapper served with ice cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce topped with whipped cream and a cherry.

Rain is open Monday throught Friday from 11:30am-2:00pm for lunch and 5:00pm-9:00pm for dinner. Saturday from 5pm-10pm and Sunday from 4:00pm-8:00pm. Sunday, there is also Prix Fixe menu for $12.95  which includes a first choice, entree and the chef's dessert of the day. 

The are several daily after 5pm specials. Tuesday is 15% off noodle dishes, Wednesday - order 3 sushi items off the sushi menu and get the 4th one free and Thursday is 15% off curry dishes.

LIKE them on facebook to find out about more specials and events. If you have any questions, call 727-545-1781.

Rain Sushi Bar is one of Localshop1.com's newest members. Click here to get a 1card and receive discounts all over the Tampa Bay area. Enter code TBAD to get your card shipped free!!  

The next time I go, I am sitting at the sushi bar. I love to watch the sushi chefs create ediable art!

 

NEW RESTAURANT! Emerson's Fish Camp ~ North Redington Beach

****UPDATE - LOCATION CLOSED **********
Emerson's Fish Camp was open 1 day when a group of us went to check it out.  It was actually day 1, so they had not even been open a full 24 hours yet.  We were immediately greeted and welcomed when we walked through the door.

Since it is a holiday weekend and they just opened, there was a limited menu. There were several of us, so we ordered lots of different food and shared all of it.

Although it's small, don't be surprised by the high quality of food and service.  The bartenders and waitresses very friendly.  But, my favorite surprise of the day was ice cold Rolling Rock cans!! That sure made this Pittsburgh girl happy!

Since the restaurant is attached to a motel, the pool is right behind the restaurant. So, you may have some great entertainment while you are there too! 

Just down the beach from the famous Redington Long Pier, a popular Gulf Beaches fishing and tourist attraction, Emerson's Fish Camp caters to beachgoers and residents, tourists and locals!
                                               
 Our group just started ordering food.  The first thing that we ordered was chicken tenders - and we ordered it three ways, but I cannot remember the sauces! I wrote everything down, but misplaced the paper! ($6.95)

 Next we ordered a couple burgers. This was the American burger, served on a ciabatta bun. ($7.95) All burgers and sandwiches are served with either hand-cut fries, cole slaw or baked beans.

 As well as a black and blue burger. blackened and smothered with blue cheese crumbles ($8.95).

Notice the skins on those fries.  When my parents owned a bar (years ago) my mom was constantly cutting potatoes for the fries. Oh, that brought back such great memories. They were hot, fresh and delicious.

Next up in the stream of food was pulled pork quesadillas. My friends started inhaling the food before I could snap a pitcure, so we covered the gap with fries! This was 3 orders, but we were hungry! ($6.95)

I did tell you at the beginning that we ordered a lot of food!!

I haven't had a patty melt (made correctly) in so long, I almost forgot how great they are! Grilled onions, melted swiss cheese and a fabulous burger on rye make a fantastic patty melt. ($8.95)

There is a variety of seafood on the menu from catfish nuggets ($6.95) to shrimp po-boy ($9.95) and a catfish po-boy ($7.95) but the fish man had not arrived by the time we were ready to order. Next time I go, I will show you the seafood pictures. I am sure it will be outstanding!

Emerson's Fish Camp is open 7 days a week from 11am to 10pm.  You can find them at  17100 Gulf Boulevard in North Redington Beach right in between the Sandalwood Resort and the Hilton Doubletree Resort. Questions - call 727-828-9933.

Tell them that you saw them on Localshop1.com's Tampa Bay Afternoon Delight!  Enjoy the ice cold beer and fries! I sure did.

New Coffee Spot In Seminole!

UPDATE ****************LOCATION CLOSED********************************
It is so exciting to have a new place to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee! 

Sombra Coffee is in the Publix shopping center on Oakhurst Road.  We stopped in the other day and I was delighted to see a wide assortment of lunch items available on the menu.

I was debating whether to get a breakfast sandwich or lunch as I was very intrigued with the spinach florentine sandwich. Fresh sauteed spinach, two egg whites, fresh portabella mushroom, and feta cheese crumbles, finished with a balsamic glaze ($5.95). This can be ordered on bread, English muffin, wrap or a bagel.   There are five different sandwiches available as well as a nova lox bagel ($6.95) or a hummus bagel ($6.45).

The selection of salads also sounded very delicious. I pondered over the spinach strawberry salad. Fresh spinach, topped with strawberries, blueberries, feta cheese and sunflower seeds served with a raspberry vinaigrette dressing ($6.95).  Six other salads are on the menu that all sound wonderful.  

I turned over the menu and saw that a "pick two" combination is available for $7.95. Pick any half sandwich and your choice of soup or salad. Now I just had to decide which gourmet sandwich should I choose? Tampa Cuban, veggie sandwich, French dip, chicken salad? I decided to go with the Italian. Genoa salami, capicola, pepperoni, sweet ham, provolne cheese, fresh basil and roasted red bell peppers topped with lettuce and tomato, finished with blasamic finegar and extra virgin olive oil.

The soup of the day was shrimp chowder.

 

Ester's breakast looked delightful!  The fruit and yogurt parfait is served with either low-fat vanilla or Greek style yogurt and topped with fresh fruit and berries. ($4.95 and an extra $1 to add granola.)

Sombra Coffee also has specials.  They are located at 9342 Oakhurt Road and open daily daily at 7am.  Sombra Coffee is one of Localshops1.com's newest members! Questions ~ Call 727-400-6956.  Tell them you saw them on Tampa Bay Afternoon Delight!

Click HERE to get your Localshops1.com card to get discounts all over the Tampa Bay Area! (Enter code TBAD to get your card shipped free!)