Ace's is one of the best places for a freshly prepared meal!

UPDATE *********  NO LONGER ACE'S BAR AND GRILL ****************************

There is a new restaurant in town and I couldn't be happier!  If you are familiar with Indian Rocks Road, there is a strip center on the corner of Indian Rocks Road and Adrian Avenue.  A mini market sits out front with a few stores behind it.  For many, many, years, there has been a bar in this location and for the past several years, it has been closed.  Rejoice, it is once again open and I was delighted when I walked in the  front door to see how clean the new place is!

Ace's Bar & Grill, located at 3534 Adrian Avenue, offers freshly prepared, homemade food. I had the preconceived notion that it would be a bar with frozen and fried food. Imagine my surprise when I was informed that all of the dressings are homemade, the mashed potatoes are made fresh daily and even the desserts are homemade!

Ace is no stranger to the restaurant business as he has owned several in this area.  I think when the owner puts his name on the restaurant, he is going to take pride in his food and Ace proved me right!  From the made from scratch sweet and sour bacon dressing to fresh baked apple pie, Ace does not skimp on quality or goodness.

I was having a hard time figuring out what I wanted (as usual) and Ace suggested the Bistro salad.  I explained that I wanted a burger on my way there, but seeing the salads on the menu, I couldn't decide.  He accommodated my indecision by serving me a burger on the side of my salad.  The Bistro chicken salad is spring mix, fresh sliced strawberries, walnuts, red onions, crumbled goat cheese and tortilla strips served with homemade raspberry vinaigrette. ($8.99).

I love how colorful it was after I added the dressing!

Oh, and let's not forget my burger!  One of the best things about Ace's Bar and Grill is that you can get your burger made with 100% grass-fed meat for only $1.99 extra! (This is the regular burger. Next time I will get grass fed!)

My friend was  undecided about the turkey pepperjack wrap (oven roasted turkey breast with pepperjack cheese, spring mix and a homemade cranberry walnut spread ($6.99) or the mile high meatloaf (ground tenderloin stacked with melted provolone, freshly made garlic smashed potatoes and tortilla strips ($8.45).  The decision was made to have the meatloaf.

There are seven different types of burgers, ranging from cheese, to BBQ, to Spanish, to Greek (made with lamb) and even a turkey burger.  I was astonished at the variety of salads, as well.  Macedonian, Greek, spinach and bacon salad, bistro chicken salad, chicken cobb salad, turkey salad, and gorgonzola steak salad.

Normally at lunch, I do not have coffee, but I inquired about the Macedonian style coffee.  Just hearing the fantastic description made me want to try it.  Freshly made and served table-side!

  Served with a Sahara Gold date (directly from the Middle East), the coffee was delicious.(Dates are traditionally served with Macedonian coffee as they are super sweet and called the "fruit of heaven.")

Ace is also a sommelier, so keep your eye out for future wine and dinner pairings.  Ace's will be also having a Grand Opening event in November.    If you are not a wine drinker, there are plenty of beer options including Shocktop, Stella, and IPA Goose Island on tap.

Ace's has a fairly large dining room to accommodate large parties and is also available for catering.  Having an office party and want a huge Greek Salad and some wraps? Ace can take care of that!

Ace's is open 7 days a week, with happy hour from 4-7pm.  The Bud Select is always $1.50 and anytime there is NFL on TV, there is 50 cent wings!

If you have any questions, call Ace at 727-333-7927.  Otherwise, just stop in, say hi and welcome him to the neighborhood!  Like Ace's Bar and Grill on Facebook to keep informed of specials and happenings.

I look forward to working my way through the entire menu! Perhaps I will see you there.

A Taco Lunch out by the Garden

UPDATE ****** LOCATION CLOSED**************
As soon as I walked up to the entrance-way, I knew I was going to like it here. 

The walk to the Taco Shack was almost the best part of my day! I felt like I had left Pinellas County and I was hours away from the city!

 

Charlie Tulum's offers tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and hot pressed sandwiches.  Each day, there is a different special, soup, chiller, slaw and salad as well as the regular menu.

 

Two tacos are included in an order. Corn tortillas, mixed greens, fresh salsa, feta cheese, cilantro lime juice and pepper pico. Chicken, veggie or shrimp.  The special today was beef ($5.95).  Gluten free tortillas are available for 50 cents.

I decided to order the beef, only because it is not on the regular menu and I plan on returning. 

 The "chiller" of the day was Green Apple Sage.  A chiller is 20 oz of alkaline water, infused with seasonal fresh fruit, fresh herbs and organic sugar. ($2.00) When I am driving through Largo, I will stop in just for one of these! YUM! 

I sat down at a table outside and admired the view. I cannot tell you the last time I ate overlooking a garden!

Plus, after I ate my tacos, I went and sat on the swing for a little while.

Charlie Tulum's (which is a real turtle that lives on Indian Rocks Beach) is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11am-3pm. They are located at 707 1/2 1st Avenue SW in Largo.  Visit their website, follow them on Facebook and keep an eye out for Dos Tacos Food Truck.

Charlie Tulums is available for catering, private garden party events and friendly gatherings.  Contact them at 727-584-8226. 

Shop, Play, Dine LOCAL!  Get your Localshops1 card by clicking HERE.  

Use you Localshops1 card at Charlie Tulum's Taco Shack for $1.00 off your lunch order!

Charlie Tulum's has closed - THE TACO TRUCK IS RUNNING!!!!

Mexican Food with a Mayan Touch in Pinellas Park

Here is yet another great little restaurant that I completely forget about until I pass it.  Well, let me assure you that it is worth the "turn around!"

Señor Taco is located at 6447 Park Boulevard.  When I stopped in today, I asked them how long they have been open and I almost fell over when he informed me that they celebrated 5 years at this location in May. I am thrilled that they have withstood the horrible downturn in the economy and now have a very busy restaurant.


As I sat there deliberating what to order, several groups of "regulars" came in. When the server says, "the usual?" to a table of 4 or 6, you can pretty much determine that the food will be good!

Chips and salsa are delivered to the table immediately upon being seated; as well as a squeeze bottle of salsa verde. 

There are several soups and salads on the menu as well as tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tortas and fajitas. I decided to try a carne asada (steak) taco ($2.25) 

and a specialty taco called a Machete, which is pork, mushrooms and onions grilled smothered with cheese, served on a flour tortilla, topped with tomatillo and cream ($5.95).  

(I had to order another one of these to go as I had never tasted anything quite like it!)

The taco options include steak (carne asada), grilled pork (puerco), chicken (pollo), ground beef (picadillo), fried pork (carnitas), Mexican sausage (chorizo), Mayan BBQ (cochinita pibil), and bean and cheese (taco pobre).
 


Señor Taco also serves beer (local and imported) and sangria by the pitcher or that glass.  There are also a variety of kids meals ranging from $4.50 to $5.00.

Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11am - 9pm. They can be reached at 727-289-7080.

Shop, Play, Dine LOCAL!  Get your Localshops1 card by clicking HERE. 

A jewel, a gem, a precious place!

My husband finally agreed to go to lunch with me. Although this is one of my favorite things to do, he does not enjoy it.   We were driving along Indian Rocks Road and I remembered a friend telling me about a great place in Belleair Bluffs. I am so glad we stopped in, as it will be one of our new "spots!" 

Jewel Cafe' and Tea Room is located at 2601 Jewel Road in Belleair Bluffs.  They are open from 7am-2pm on Sunday and Monday and 7am-3pm Tuesday through Saturday.

The restaurant has about 10 tables  with seating ranging from 2 to a large party.  (I think it would be necessary to call ahead for a group.)















My husband was very excited to see that breakfast is served all day. I decided that I too, would have breakfast for lunch. We placed our orders and were immediately served nice warm mini muffins.  What a treat! An appetizer at breakfast!

 I was debating whether to order the eggs Benedict  ($7.50) or Mom's sausage gravy and biscuits ($4.95) , so I went with the eggs Benedict and a cup of sausage gravy ($1.50) on the side.  

My husband, who is super particular about his omelettes, had the house omelette (ham, bacon, onion, peppers, tomato, mushrooms, spinach [$6.95]). Both were served with either home-fries (fresh cut red potatoes) or grits. He also had a choice of white, wheat or marble rye toast.  The marble toast was outstanding!

 I normally do not post pictures of the menu, but I decided to be different today and show them.

Kids meals, for children 10 and under, are available for $3.95.

Tea Parties and Private groups by reservation. Party platters and catering are also available.  Call 727-518-7901 for more information. 
 

Shop, Play, Dine LOCAL!  Get your Localshops1 card by clicking HERE.

Hidden Gem in Shopping Center!

I have been to the Publix shopping center at Bardmoor thousands of times. I have walked from Publix past the Clubhouse Restaurant hundreds of times and never bothered to enter.  I finally decided to try it and I am so glad that I did!  I am sad only because I could have been eating there for a long time now!

We arrived just after the lunch rush and the waitresses were busy clearing tables.  They offer several lunch specials, so it took me a while to figure out what I would be eating.

 The lunch specials are served from 11am-4pm.  There are ten different options ranging in price from $6.79 (chunky chicken salad criossant) to $7.49 (Steak-a-delphia). 

My friend new immediately that she wanted the Bacon Lettuce Tomato Sandwich ($5.49). She was given a number of different side item choices. 

 I decided on the Cobb Salad - mixed greens topped with grilled chicken breast, crumbled bacon, cheese, hard boiled egg, diced tomato and bleu cheese ($7.59)

The restaurant was very clean and the servers were friendly and helpful.  The ladies behind me were raving about the quiche and the eggs Benedict. Both were thoroughly enjoying their meals. Breakfast is served all day. This is a great place to go - especially when you want breakfast for dinner!

The tables could be pushed together to accommodate a large party.  Restrooms are located in the back of the restaurant. Be prepared to walk through the kitchen!  I think it keeps the chefs on their toes byby keeping everything clean and orderly.

 The clubhouse is open Monday through Saturday from 7am - 8pm and on Sunday from 7am to 1pm and can be reached by calling
(727) 397-9251.

Physical address is 10801 Starkey Road Suite 24.

Shop, Play, Dine LOCAL!  Get your Localshops1 card by clicking  here.

Thai and Sushi in Seminole!

iThai & Sushi just recently celebrated their one year anniversary and I could not be happier! Finally, a great place with super owners, attentive servers and delicious food right here in Seminole. 

The establishment, located at 11002 Seminole Boulevard, has been numerous restaurants in the past several years, but I am hoping this one is here to stay for a long time.

The servers are always super nice and quick at getting customer orders.  Someone always stops back to check and make sure that everything is satisfactory. 

The restaurant is kept very clean and the bathrooms are nice and tidy. 

Lunch is served Monday through Friday from 11am – 3pm. 

The new summer lunch prices are super!  Any lunch on the menu is $5.50 served with either soup, salad, or spring roll. Or, you can get two select sushi rolls for $10.00

  salad and entree
(Prigk Khing)
$5.50










                                                            

 I forgot to show the soup (but it was delicious) and the Spicy noodles.




  
                                                             OR 2 sushi rolls
                                               $10.00

 I almost forgot to mention that we ordered Spring Rolls ($3.95) for an appetizer.

The next time that we go I want to try the fresh rolls!

There are several large tables that could accommodate a big party or group as well as numerous booths.  Seating is also available at the bar.

iThai & Sushi can be reached by calling 727-202-6929.

Shop, Play, Dine LOCAL!