Eat (Seafood) At Joe's
If you're driving around Florida, you don't have to settle for the McDonald's or the chain restaurants to get fed. Satisfying local flavor, often close to the water, can be had at Ft. Lauderale, Na
ples, St. Petersburg, Tampa, and St. Augustine. Start at the beach, Ft. Lauderale beach. In a historic Spanish colonial structure that was one of the first homes in the city, Casablanca offers seats with a view of the Atlantic Ocean as well as the eclectic mix of pedestrian and motor traffic along highway A1A. Try the grouper sandwich.
Head to Alligator Alley (I75), west to Naples, but before you get into town, stop at Joe's Crab Shack , 1355 5th Avenue (if your were arriving by fishing boat, you could pull up to th
eir dock). Sit outside with a bucket of seafood and look at the Everglades, but even if you do, be sure to stop after lunch at the nearby Tin City complex, with its collection of stores and restaurants. Among the restaurants, a bigger, more upscale and very popular open-air waterside eatery is Riverwalk. After some drinks dockside and fresh seafood, cruise the shops and buy one of the very nice tin sculptures.
Have you every wondered where you could find that perfect prehistoric shark's tooth? Wonder no longer.
Up the road from Naples is Venice and a beach famous for its prehistoric sharks teeth. In fact, beachcombers use a specialized tool called a shell rake to find them. And, getting back to the food, when you're done sifting and sorting your catch, you can relax at... wait for it... Sharky's On the Pier. The pictures of the food in that link are mouth-watering, don't miss them!
Back on the road, heading north, pull over to the rest area before crossing the Sunshine Skyway bridge that takes you to St. Petersburg. Just admire the views of the bridge and Tampa bay. St. Petersburg used to be famous as a retirement city. Its ubiquitous green park benches were sold in miniature in tourist shops. Today, the city has a more lively and yet family friendly vibe. Start your tour at one of the most unique city structures in the state, the St. Pete Pier.
This upside down pyramid is home to many shops and restaurants, you know where this is going, and go to the fourth floor to the Columbia, where you can dine on Cuban cuisine while looking out over Tamps bay or at the skyline of the city.
The pier is in walking distance of parks, marina, bars and restaurants with outdoor seating. For example, try lunch at Lucky Deli, in the charming, walkable, city center. Speaking of walking, a little digression, it's not too much of a stretch, weather permitting, to walk from this area to the Salvador Dali Museum, just down 3rd Street, past the University of South Florida campus. Haven't you always wanted to go there but wondered where exactly it was? Now that you know, they're moving it. A new, hurricane-proof museum is under construction. The re-opening, in about a year, will include a festival with the participation of Spain.
Where were we? I know your next question was "What about tapas?" Well, the answer is, just a few blocks from Lucky Deli is Ceviche, in the Ponce de Leon Hotel, at the corner of Beach and Central. But go to its little side bar, Pincho y Pincho, a truly tiny ("pincho") hole-in-the-wall with its own outdoor seating. Try the Banderillas, skewered and grilled tenderloin, chicken, mild chorizo and vegetables. Just about a meal in itself, for the lofty sum of 8 bucks.
A fun time to go to St. Pete? On New Year's Eve, enjoy the FirstNight party all along Bayshore Drive, by the yacht clubs, including fireworks over the water.
On the way to Tampa, but before leaving St. Pete, stop at the Crab Shack on Gandy Boulevard, where it's all about the food, not the fancy. Specialties include steamed blue crab and smoked mullet, not to mention the great fried fish and french fries.
Finally, on your way out of the sunshine state, as you cruise back over to the Atlantic side and head towards 95 north, don't miss this treasure. Just north of St. Augustine, turn off of State Highway 5a onto A1A and head towards the beach. But not so fast! Before going over the bridge don't miss the turn off onto Yacht Club Drive, where you will find Kingfish Grill. Observe the yachts from your table inside or outside as you enjoy fresh seafood. A simple and totally fresh lunch choice would be the fish sandwich, grilled, blackened or fried, worth it for $9.99. On any given day, the fish offering may be the local sheepshead.
Sun, surf, seafood, spirit refreshed, you can head back to the joys of the north country.
ples, St. Petersburg, Tampa, and St. Augustine. Start at the beach, Ft. Lauderale beach. In a historic Spanish colonial structure that was one of the first homes in the city, Casablanca offers seats with a view of the Atlantic Ocean as well as the eclectic mix of pedestrian and motor traffic along highway A1A. Try the grouper sandwich.Head to Alligator Alley (I75), west to Naples, but before you get into town, stop at Joe's Crab Shack , 1355 5th Avenue (if your were arriving by fishing boat, you could pull up to th
eir dock). Sit outside with a bucket of seafood and look at the Everglades, but even if you do, be sure to stop after lunch at the nearby Tin City complex, with its collection of stores and restaurants. Among the restaurants, a bigger, more upscale and very popular open-air waterside eatery is Riverwalk. After some drinks dockside and fresh seafood, cruise the shops and buy one of the very nice tin sculptures.Have you every wondered where you could find that perfect prehistoric shark's tooth? Wonder no longer.
Up the road from Naples is Venice and a beach famous for its prehistoric sharks teeth. In fact, beachcombers use a specialized tool called a shell rake to find them. And, getting back to the food, when you're done sifting and sorting your catch, you can relax at... wait for it... Sharky's On the Pier. The pictures of the food in that link are mouth-watering, don't miss them!Back on the road, heading north, pull over to the rest area before crossing the Sunshine Skyway bridge that takes you to St. Petersburg. Just admire the views of the bridge and Tampa bay. St. Petersburg used to be famous as a retirement city. Its ubiquitous green park benches were sold in miniature in tourist shops. Today, the city has a more lively and yet family friendly vibe. Start your tour at one of the most unique city structures in the state, the St. Pete Pier.
This upside down pyramid is home to many shops and restaurants, you know where this is going, and go to the fourth floor to the Columbia, where you can dine on Cuban cuisine while looking out over Tamps bay or at the skyline of the city.The pier is in walking distance of parks, marina, bars and restaurants with outdoor seating. For example, try lunch at Lucky Deli, in the charming, walkable, city center. Speaking of walking, a little digression, it's not too much of a stretch, weather permitting, to walk from this area to the Salvador Dali Museum, just down 3rd Street, past the University of South Florida campus. Haven't you always wanted to go there but wondered where exactly it was? Now that you know, they're moving it. A new, hurricane-proof museum is under construction. The re-opening, in about a year, will include a festival with the participation of Spain.
Where were we? I know your next question was "What about tapas?" Well, the answer is, just a few blocks from Lucky Deli is Ceviche, in the Ponce de Leon Hotel, at the corner of Beach and Central. But go to its little side bar, Pincho y Pincho, a truly tiny ("pincho") hole-in-the-wall with its own outdoor seating. Try the Banderillas, skewered and grilled tenderloin, chicken, mild chorizo and vegetables. Just about a meal in itself, for the lofty sum of 8 bucks.
A fun time to go to St. Pete? On New Year's Eve, enjoy the FirstNight party all along Bayshore Drive, by the yacht clubs, including fireworks over the water.
On the way to Tampa, but before leaving St. Pete, stop at the Crab Shack on Gandy Boulevard, where it's all about the food, not the fancy. Specialties include steamed blue crab and smoked mullet, not to mention the great fried fish and french fries.Finally, on your way out of the sunshine state, as you cruise back over to the Atlantic side and head towards 95 north, don't miss this treasure. Just north of St. Augustine, turn off of State Highway 5a onto A1A and head towards the beach. But not so fast! Before going over the bridge don't miss the turn off onto Yacht Club Drive, where you will find Kingfish Grill. Observe the yachts from your table inside or outside as you enjoy fresh seafood. A simple and totally fresh lunch choice would be the fish sandwich, grilled, blackened or fried, worth it for $9.99. On any given day, the fish offering may be the local sheepshead.
Sun, surf, seafood, spirit refreshed, you can head back to the joys of the north country.
Comments