Tampa Heights tidbits 10/19

A few links from Jay McGee:

Developers make nice with neighbors

Bridge links us to more bits of history

Here's a photo he snapped of the recently demolished building on Florida and Floribraska, behind the Idlewild church. As he states, "I hope something nice goes up" there.



Aannnnd ... while I am at it, I believe Jay has just offered to become a poster here at the Tampa Heights blog. Though not a resident, this guy's really got his ear to the ground and rides through our glorious hood basically every day. This is great news for me, who doesn't always get a lot of news since I'm also notoriously busy managing my company, a day job and a semblance of a life. Help is surely appreciated!

In that regard, please make sure to send me any news bits you might have - properties for sale, yard sales, openings/closings - anything that's newsworthy to us Tampa Heights residents.

And to any of my neighbors who are unhappy with the shape of my yard - I promise, I'm getting to it on Saturday. I've barely been home these past two weeks as I've gotten Gorey Stories (we're already sold out for the rest of the weekend and just extended through Nov. 11!) up and ready. I'm so all over going at my yard with a vengeance this weekend - if only it would cool off.

Don't forget to stop by Cafe Hey this weekend if you get the chance and grab a cuppa. Or maybe a breakfast sandwich from Gold Ring? Or the miso soup from Grass Root? Or why not all 3? Support local businesses if you really want this neighborhood to flourish!

Bungalow Bistro now open!

Jay McGee sent me this link today from the Seminole Heights blog - Bungalow Bistro - another new place to eat in the 'hood!

Keep the news tips coming!!!

Support Cappy's!

We are in the same boat in many ways as Seminole Heights when it comes to a lack of businesses, particularly - good places to eat.

I think Cappy's has been a fantastic addition to Seminole Heights, and it's very conveniently located for us in Tampa Heights, too. This business could help that whole Florida Ave. corridor from MLK to Hillsborough.

Check out this story from the Seminole Heights blog.

Plus, they have dope pizzas and calzones and great salads. NUM!

Thai Corner in the Trib

Ok, so it's not in Tampa Heights, I know, but it's darn close. This place deserves more night business, so check it out.

They have excellent Tom Ka soup, as well as the cucumber salad. The crab rangoon has a curry thing going on it it, and they are also delicious. Try the Hor Mok, soft-shell crab in green curry (my favorite), the eggplant in peanut sauce or the spicy scallops if you'd like to get something away from the whole Pad Thai/standard curry continuum. All good stuff.

Tampa Heights Food News

I don't have as much exciting information to post about Ye Olde Hoode, not like the Seminole Heights blog anyway.

Oh well, I'm trying. That counts for something, right?

So, my only news recently comes in the way of food. Bear with me.

I ate at Grass Root Organic (well, I got takeout anyway) for the first time earlier this week. I have to admit, I was extraordinarily impressed. I was a bit bummed they were out of the makings for Miso Soup and the Burrito made with a sunflower seed refried bean-like substance. I guess that's one of the pitfalls with an organic place - if you're out of stuff or waiting on seeds to sprout etc, you're at the mercy of availability.

I did have a lovely flatbread/hummus item called a Marakesh and a ramen soup. Both were quite good. I was particularly impressed with how little they feared garlic. the Marakesh was extremely fresh and tasty. I'd like to go back and eat in, everyone there was very friendly. they even let me put out cards for the show.

I also note the transition is basically complete over at the old House of Soul to it's new owner/name My House. I did have the food once since the change and I noted no real difference in quality. Good stuff.

Speaking of BBQ - I've noted Oceanic Grocery is getting a lot more variety in the meat case. It used to be all you saw were ducks, roast pork, cuttlefish and various parts I wouldn't really consider food (somebody else apparently does, so to each his own). Lately I've been seeing a lot of bbq chicken legs quarters and rib slabs - both done in that sorta 5-spice bbq style - and they're all delicious. I picked up some of both of those today as well as some supremely garlicy greens.

I got no real other news ... oh, except does anyone else notice it seems that the YMCA on Palm and Florida is constantly replacing a chunk of that iron fence because someone manages to plow into it at least once a month? That's gotta be costly to keep replacing ...

Please don't forget to send me any news tips, garage or property sales or anything else Tampa Heights related, I'll be happy to post it.

More on places to eat ...

Convenience is a major factor to me when I want to get dinner. I hate driving to South Tampa if I can avoid it. I'm also not real fond of driving too far in any other direction either.

So, why don't I get a list of easy-to-get-to Good Eats in and near Tampa Heights. Please feel free to add:

Tampa Heights/Downtown
Pesto's Italian - Tampa St.
Oceanic Supermarket's take-out/deli - Tampa St. - Mmm ... chow fun ... and you can get rad dim sum on the cheap once they've brought everything over after the rush at T.C. Choy!
Gold Ring Cafe - Tampa St. - Great breakfast spot
Grass Root Organic - Florida Ave. - I've still yet to eat there, but I hear the Miso rocks your mom.
Thai Corner - Franklin St. - Between The Hub and Tampa Theater, I have no idea why this place isn't always packed. Try the green curry soft-shelled crab!
Fly Bar - Franklin St. - Sure, it's trendy as hell right now and typically full of people I want nothing to do with, but it's a great spot with great food. The late night menu is very reasonably priced.

West Tampa
House of Soul - Columbus Ave. - Which is actually under new ownership and called something like My House or summat, but the guy told me they're about to start delivery service. Same great food!
La Teresita - Columbus Ave. - This one should go without saying. I love Vaca Frita Friday's!
Ho-Ho - Columbus Ave. - Much better take out than the little skeevy plae on Tampa and Columbus. It's worth the few extra blocks.

Ybor City
New World Brewery - 1313 8th Ave. - Thin-crust pizza and more beer than you can swing a dead cat at.
Tampa Bay Brewing Company - Centro Ybor - I'll admit, I'm still not thrilled with having to go to Centro to get my BrewCo on, but after a few months deprivation, the food was just excellent and will likely keep us coming back. Try their homebrews.
Laughing Cat - 15th St. - This place has to have the best lunch buffet in town. The dinner menu is also great, a bit more pricey though.