Where to Shop while in Tampa Bay

Ok, so I am not a shopper per-se.  But I am married (if you know what I mean) so I think I know where to go shopping (or at least my wife does).  So lets look at some of the better places to go shopping depending on what you are looking for.

Brandon Mall – The Brandon Mall has gone through some great renovations in the last year or so, they added some great new restaurants such as the Cheesecake Factory as well as others and added a whole new wing of shops.  Great place to go shopping but getting in and out on busy days can be a chore.

International Plaza – Fantastic upscale mall with very trendy eateries as well as upscale corner stores such as Nostrum’s.  There are some great Martini Bars as well, but be ready to spend higher than normal so I hope your wallet is thick.

Westshore Plaza – Not far from International Plaza, upscale shopping with a lower price tag.  Some great places to eat such as PF Changs and a great upper scale movie theater.

Ellenton Mall – Prime Outlet stores, some great deals on ’stuff’.  Eateries are somewhat scarce so you may need to travel a little to get a good bite to eat although there are some available there.

So there you have it…depending on what you are looking for and whether you want to make a day out of it will depend on where you end up going to.  They are all good choices, just depends on how much you want to spend!  Happy Shopping.

Best Chain Pizza Joint

We have all the standard Pizza Joints, Pizza Hut, Dominos, Papa Johns, etc…but lets take a closer look at them.  Let me state one thing first.  I am not a huge fan of Chain Pizza joints.  I am from Boston originally, pizza in Boston is an experience…if you haven’t had pizza from Boston, you won’t understand it.  Anyway, lets look at the chains we are going to examine:

Pizza Hut – Use to be my favorite but apparently they don’t make the pizza you order, skimp on toppings, and then try to charge you for a corrected pizza…sorry, your out!

Dominos – Make a decent pizza, don’t have that ridiculous 30 minutes or less policy anymore, toppings are decent, sauce is ok, but tend to not show up quick enough and pizza is typically cold when they deliver…sorry, your out!

Papa Johns – They say fresh toppings but ordered from them once and the chicken we ordered did not appear to be chicken but some kind of chicken substitute.  Sorry, couldn’t even eat a second slice it was so bad…your out!

Hungry Howies – Pizzas delivered before they say it will get there, pizza is wicked hot, sauce is good and they make the pizza to order how you order it.  This one is a keeper.

Cici’s Pizza – They don’t deliver, their pizza is ok, but for the price, you can’t beat it…this is a keeper for any college student on a budget or large family with kids.  All you can eat for like $5.99 and they will make pizza to order in the restaurant as well, just ask.  This one is a keeper.

So there you have it, my opinions of some local pizza joints.  Take it or leave it.  Enjoy some pie with your new found info!

Iphone 3g Helps People get to know Tampa Bay

The Iphone 3G is a truly unique device.  I come from the Blackberry world, but I tell you, the Iphone is so much more fun to play with.  In either event, there are some great apps available that will help you find some of the great places to go to while you are here either visiting, or looking around for someplace new to call your watering hole.

Apps I highly recommend

UrbanSpoon – This app helped me out a great deal when I was on vacation recently in St Pete Beach.  My wife and I were looking for a good restaurant, we opened up UrbanSpoon, wanted to find a good Thai Restaurant, found one recommended by UrbanSpoon and its readers, and it was fantastic!

Showtimes – Everyone seems to like Boxoffice, but I really think Showtimes is much better.  Looking for a movie in a nearby theater, look no further.

Eventful – This apps pulls all events in various categories that you specify and present them to you.  Need something to do, this app has them all.

IWant – Kind of a catch all or restaurants, hotels, gas, etc locations nearby.

Tides – Want to go fishing but don’t know when high tide is…now you do.

 

These are just a few of the apps that will make your stay here in the Tampa area much more enjoyable.  Apps are added daily.

Tampa Bay Beaches are some of the Best Around

Ok, when I say Tampa Bay make sure you know that I included St Pete and Clearwater.  I am originally from the Boston area and lived on Cape Cod for some 5 years before moving to the Tampa Bay Area.  Let me tell you, the beaches on Cape Cod are absolutely beautiful.  There is only one real problem with the beaches up north…that’s right, the water is ‘wicked cold’.  The beaches down here in Tampa, St Pete and Clearwater, are stunning and the water is a beautiful 85+ degrees most of the time…even warmer in the summer.  I have become acclimated to the waters here and anything under 80 degrees is cold to me know.  When I was up north, anything under 65 degrees was cold (what can I say, I adapt).

If you are looking for a stunning beach, you must go to St. Pete Beach.  The white sand, the clean water, and the warm water make this a winner on any day.  If you are looking for some activities along with sun bathing on the beach, you may want to visit Fort Desoto Beach.  Ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in the country year after year, you have the same great beach, plus various activities such as renting a bike or water sports as well as watching people wind surf nearby.  There is also a Fort (hence the name) that you can tour for free.

With all the fantastic beaches around Tampa, you’re sure to find one that you will eventually call your favorite and go back again and again!

Vinny Lecavalier Signs 11 Year Deal with Tampa Bay Lightning

Vinny just signed an 11 year extension with the Tampa Bay Lightning for an estimated $85 million dollars.  Vinny must really like the Tampa Bay Area as this extension, assuming nothing odd occurs, will allow him to finish out his career with Tampa.  Very few players nowadays actually remain with the same team for more than 5-7 years.  Keep in mind, that although us hockey fanatics treat the game as a game, the players look at like a job.  I never actually believed that until my best friend, who happens to be a pro hockey player, had many discussion with me about practice, the games, the fans, and how he looks at it.  I guess I can see his point of view, except that he makes a lot more money than I do.

Anyway, we are all glad to see Vinny sticking around for a while.  I just hope we can win another Stanley Cup!

Restaurant Picks in Tampa Bay Area

Being from the Northeast, specifically Boston, I am kind of a fanatic when it comes to food.   I don’t care about the atmosphere and I will travel a distance if the food is worth it.  Keep in mind I don’t go by what the restaurant looks like from the outside, don’t care if I sit on milk crates, the food is the only judging factor here. 

Here are my picks for food that I like in and around the Tampa Bay Area.

• Taste of Boston – Tampa, The Fried Clams are from Ipswich MA and if you have never had Ipswich clams, you have to try them.
• East Coast Pizza – Gibsonton, The Veal Parmesan is really really good.  I am a red sauce guy so if you like sauce, ask for extra.
• Alpha Pizza – Apollo Beach, The Pizza is very good.  The restaurant is kind of a dive and service is slow.
• Panera Bread – Multiple Locations, The clam chowder, when you can get it, is close to home.
• Carabbas – Brandon, Get the Mussels and alot of bread, the sauce is to die for
• Popi’s – Ruskin, Cheap Breakfast, large portions, home cooked food…a definite visit

This should get you all going…These are just a few of my favorites, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Busch Gardens vs Disney…Go to Busch Gardens!

Ok, so Disney is probably more widely known, is a bigger park, has more advertising behind it.  But wait, Busch gardens has grown up rides, has a zoo, and a children park.  The food costs less money, the ticket costs less money, it is easier to get in and out of the park, and the lines are as bad as Disney.  Don’t get me wrong, if you have small children, and you don’t mind the ride on route 4, don’t mind paying a ridiculous amount of money for the ticket and the food, then go to Disney.  But if you want a fun day, have more money in your pocket when your done, Busch Garden wins hands down…In my opinion.

But don’t take my word for it, try them both for yourself and then make up your own mind!

Stuff I feel is important about Tampa Bay Living

This is my first post on this blog but not my first post.  I am here to write about things I feel are important, things I like and dislike about the Tampa Bay area.  Hidden places that you should definitely visit, and places you should avoid.

Keep your eyes peeled as sometimes my writtings are obvious, while others, very subtle.

I live in Tampa Bay, play in Tampa bay, and love the Tampa Bay area.  Enjoy yourself here…I know I will!

Hello Tampa Bay!

Welcome to this site.  You found us because you are curious about Tampa Bay what there is to do around here.  Look around, plenty of great ideas of places to go and things to see.

If I happen to miss someplace that you have been to, please let me know so I can check it out and report about it here!

Thanks and Enjoy!