TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

FEEDER'S DIGEST FEEDER'S DIGEST

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 29, 2008

PACIFIC RIM

THE BAMBOO CLUB, International Plaza, 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa; (813) 353-0326. Pacific Rim favorites are steamed, sizzled, woked and flash fried. Don't miss Woked Vietnamese Shrimp and Chicken with a zesty cracked pepper and soy sauce. Thai Spicy Shrimp with green beans gets zip from crushed red peppers. Squid fans should order the Spicy Crackling Calamari Salad. Bamboo Club also serves wonderful fried spinach, crisp woked beef and lemon grass shrimp. Three noodle dishes can be served as soup or woked entrees. ($$-$$$)

SEVEN 17 SOUTH, 717 S. Howard Ave., Tampa; (813) 250-1661. The menu features Italian cuisine on one side, Pacific Rim on the other. The kitchen takes its diners on a culinary tour that begins in Tuscany, then jumps to Hawaii, China and Japan. Dinners start with addicting pesto-swirl bread, and entrees of note are Fettuccine al Salmone; Seafood Risotto with lobster, shrimp, scallops and calamari; roast duck; Guava-Marinated Pork Tenderloin; and a killer Macadamia-Crusted Rack of Lamb with a coffee glaze and pineapple-mint chutney. ($$)

ZEN FORREST, 4148 Rowan Road, New Port Richey; (727) 372-9545. Take a trek through Asia without a hefty travel bill by savoring Chef Victor Wang's artful dishes, inspired by the cuisines of China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand and beyond. The delicious and healthful meals include a chicken and rice soup featuring a hint of anise, Thai Coconut Curry with lemon grass-infused chicken, and a seafood feast of shrimp, calamari, mussels, sea scallops and vegetables over fried noodles. ($$-$$$)

CHINESE

CHINA BUFFET, 1245 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa; (813) 615-1310. The star attraction of this all-you-can-eat buffet is its surprisingly fresh, high-quality sushi. For lunch, they have an ample variety of sushi rolls, with a few pieces of nigiri (strips of fish atop fingers of rice) here and there. Plus there's vegetarian sushi for those who haven't yet made the leap to raw fish. For dinner, they put out more nigiri, which requires much more fish. The rest of the buffet is the standard fare of most Chinese restaurants - noodles, vegetables, different types of pork and chicken, soups and salad-makings. They also offer you-peel-'em crawdads and cold shrimp. ($)

CHINA GARDEN, 3904 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa; (813) 805-2929. Arrive hungry and prepare to dine in a cafeterialike atmosphere with big crowds who come for the super lunch and dinner buffets. Daily features include a Mongolian "u-pick it, they cook it" BBQ. Choose from raw pork, chicken, beef and fresh vegetables, which you hand over to be sizzled on the griddle. Soups, sushi, dim sum, Korean kimchi, egg rolls, barbecue spare rib tips, fried rice and crisp green beans line up next to Egg Foo Young, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Beef and Broccoli, Hunan Shrimp, Peking Duck and Pork Lo Mein and much, much more. ($)

CHINA YUAN RESTAURANT, 8502 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa; (813) 936-7388. If your taste buds need excitement, consider China Yuan. A visit here is not a trip to Chinatown but to China. This authentic Cantonese spot is not Americanized, but a good place to explore new tastes. Try the Fresh Squid in Pepper and Black Bean Sauce or ask if the sweet blue crab dishes are available. Other good choices include Sizzling Pork Chops, Snow Pea Tips (an entree of flavorful, bright green leaves) and fried rice cooked with shrimp, chicken and ham. ($-$$)

HAO WAH, 1713 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa; (813) 253-2095. For appetizers, check out an order of six steamed dumplings, crab meat Rangoon, Chinese roast pork or fantail shrimp. A simple but tasty dish for $7 is honey chicken, the nuggets of breast meat crisp and butter fried, served with a sweet honey sauce. Other good bets are the flavorful Shrimp With Cashew Nuts, Seven Stars Around the Moon, the sizzling Goba and Flower Basket Delight. ($-$$)

P.F. CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO, 219 WestShore Plaza, Tampa; (813) 289-8400. The menu is representative of the major culinary regions of China (Hunan, Sichuan, Canton, Shanghai, Beijing), with a few Southeast Asian dishes thrown in. Entrees come with both white and brown rice, along with soy sauce, chili oil and vinegar. Try Spicy Ground Chicken and Eggplant, the minced chicken perfectly complementing the smooth wedges of eggplant. Cantonese Roasted Duck is presented with steamed wheat buns, julienned cucumbers and scallions, and plum and hoisin sauces. Chang's Chicken in Soothing Lettuce Wraps (spicy chicken, water chestnuts and mushrooms) is a must-try appetizer. ($-$$)

T.C. CHOY'S ASIAN BISTRO, 301 S. Howard Ave., Tampa; (813) 251-1191. This Oriental bistro cooks up more than 100 Chinese dishes, including eel, octopus, abalone, shark's fin, Mongolian Beef, Japanese Seaweed Salad, Honey Glazed Scallops and whole Beijing duck. You'll also find 30 to 40 dim sum selections. Vegetarians will have no trouble finding zesty options. ($$)

SANDWICHES/ SALADS

EARL OF SANDWICH, International Plaza, 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa; (813) 879-1762. When the Englishman John Montagu died in 1792, he left behind a legacy that included service as postmaster general, secretary of state and first lord of the admiralty. He also was the fourth earl of Sandwich, a dignitary in a long line of English peerage that exists to this day. He was credited with inventing the sandwich, and the fast-casual restaurant bearing his name serves about 20 simple, filling choices, plus salads, side orders and desserts. Nothing fancy here, but then, English food is meant to be eaten, not discussed. ($)

EVOS, 609 S. Howard Ave., Tampa; (813) 258-3867 (check the telephone book for other locations). This casual eatery serves healthful burgers, wraps, fries and smoothies. Bite into the vegetarian soft taco and you'll get a flavorful serving of ground soy. Soy also is served up in the All-American Champ, a quarter-pound, charbroiled soy burger. Potato slivers are tossed in hot air, vastly reducing the fat content. Salmon shows up in a sandwich patty served with low-cal dill spread, as well as a wrap stuffed with basmati rice and grilled onions and peppers. ($)

LA CREPERIA CAFE, 1729 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City; (813) 248-9700. This European-style bistro proves you can stuff crepes with more than fruit and cream and turn them into a delicious meal. Some of the best combinations include the Jambalaya with shrimp, sausage, caramelized onions, green peppers, garlic and Tabasco; and the Turkey a la Brie, packed with roasted turkey, creamy Brie and tomatoes. If crepes don't tempt you, try the baguette or panini sandwiches, salads and pasta dishes. More than two dozen crepes are offered for dessert. Or, you can create your own. ($$)

LONNI'S SANDWICHES, ETC., 513 E. Jackson St., Tampa; (813) 223-2333. Lonni's pleases lunch crowds with giant sandwiches on wild-rice bread. Choices include Mango Breeze (brie, avocado, sprouts and chutney), Albuquerque Turkey (with Gouda, turkey and chipotle sauce), Curried Tropical Chicken Salad and others. ($)

ZUDAR'S, 201 W. Platt St., Tampa; (813) 250-6272. Marc and Didi Zudar specialize in the humble and hearty sandwich and their lunch menu combos are belly-busters. We recommend the Turkey Pride, a thin-sliced breast with Thousand Island dressing, ripe tomatoes, bacon and provolone on pumpernickel. Another favorite is the West Coast, made with a creamy chicken salad and slices of fresh avocado, Gouda cheese and bacon. The kitchen cooks up flavorful deep-dish quiches: Lorraine, Chicken Portobello, Spinach-Tomato and Crab Artichoke. Huge salads include a Chef, Greek, Cobb and Garden Veggie - all big enough to split between two people. The Coconut Cream Pie is chock-full of fresh-grated coconut stuffed into a homemade pastry crust. ($)

MEL'S HOT DOGS, 4136 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa; (813) 985-8000. The hot dog is as much a part of life as breathing air, and Mel's - quite frankly - is king. Mel's dogs are created by Chicago's Vienna Beef Company from kosher-style whole beef cuts and contain no chicken, pork or soy bean. The beef is slowly smoked, so the casing "pops" when bitten into. Highly recommended is the Mighty Mel Hot Dog, a quarter-pound tuber on a poppy seed bun complemented with piquant relish, mustard and thinly sliced pickles. The basket includes a very good and generous portion of French fries, and wholesome-tasting coleslaw or oven-baked beans. ($)

PANE RUSTICA BAKERY & CAFE, 3225 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa; (813) 902-8828. This quaint South Tampa eatery continues to bake a reputation as the hottest Bohemian breadsmith around, and it recently added dinner to the mix. Pastas are a specialty, such as the Giant Open Faced Seafood Ravioli. Good choices include Cedar Roasted Salmon, spinach and chicken lasagna, pan-seared Filet Medallions, and stuffed Quail and Sausage. Be sure to check out the flatbread pizzas. ($-$$)

PANERA BREAD, 11878 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, (813) 866-9333 (check the telephone book for other locations). This European-style eatery offers an array of baked goods, sandwiches, soups and salads. Panera, which means bakery in Italian, offers a dozen specialty breads, including Asiago Cheese, Fiesta, Sun-Dried Tomato, French Strip and Sourdough. Grilled panini sandwiches include the Cuban Pork & Ham, with smoked pork tenderloin, sliced ham, Swiss cheese, chipotle mayonnaise and mustard on Asiago Cheese Focaccia; and the Fontega Chicken, with smoked, pulled white-meat chicken, red onion, mozzarella cheese, tomato, basil and chipotle on Rosemary & Onion Focaccia. Danishes, croissants, muffins, strudels, scones and a variety of flavored bagels are among the fresh-baked items found in the display case. ($)

PINK FLAMINGO CAFE, 304 E. Davis Blvd., Tampa; (813) 251-2928. Breakfast starts at 7 a.m. on weekdays and includes about a dozen gut-busters. On the rich side is the Crab Cake Benedict, which replaces the traditional Canadian bacon with crab, and comes with home fries, hash browns or grits. Typical lunch specials are a tasty Broccoli and Chicken Alfredo Pasta, made with a buttery sauce that lingers over the florets and angel hair. The Spinach and Artichoke Quesadilla comes with a pair of crisp tortillas stuffed with sauteed spinach leaves, diced 'chokes, aromatic basil, garlic, tomatoes and Parmesan and mozzarella. Sandwich choices include the delicious Grilled Island Club. ($)

RUBEN'S CUBANS, 4941 E. Busch Blvd., Temple Terrace; (813) 989-2178. This friendly neighborhood deli and cafe specializes in sandwiches and hearty Latin fare at reasonable prices. In addition to its namesake, you'll also find roast pork, corned beef, ham and Swiss, roast beef, turkey club, Reuben, pastrami, steak, meatball, B.L.T., tuna, egg and ham salad. Entrees include tasty platters of yellow rice, black beans and plantains with a choice of roast pork, picadillo, palomilla steak or lemon pepper chicken. ($)

SAVVY JACK'S, 11401 N. 56th St. (in the Terrace Oaks Plaza), Temple Terrace; (813) 914-8804. This breakfast and lunch spot specializes in gourmet sandwiches, hot entrees and desserts. Sandwich choices include the Beef Chardonnay and the Virginia Ham Dijon, both topped with sauteed mushrooms; the Turkey Jack, a thin-sliced gobbler covered with melted jack cheese; a garlic-pressed Cuban; and a creamy turkey pecan salad sandwich with a side of cranberry sauce. Catfish comes three ways: pecan breaded and pan fried, blackened or grilled, served with two sides and a hot biscuit. Sides include red bliss potato salad, coleslaw, broccoli medley, cinnamon baked beans, cinnamon spiced apples, Greek potato salad, garlic home fries and a vegetable of the day. Try the apple pecan pie, cheese cake or brownies. ($)

SCHILLER'S DELI, 4327 El Prado Blvd., Tampa; (813) 839-6666. This German deli ranks high for simplicity and freshness in its sandwiches. Favorites include the Reuben, with fine quality sauerkraut and corned beef; the Bavarian, with Black Forest ham and Swiss; and the Schiller's U-Boat, with its variety of German cold cuts. ($)

SWEET TOMATOES, 1902 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, (813) 874-6566 (check the telephone book for other locations). Sweet Tomatoes sets the standard for salad bars. Wonton Chicken Salad and Caesar Salad greet diners at the door of the Carrollwood branch, site of a former steakhouse. Ginger livens up the Wonton Chicken Salad, and the Caesar's romaine is crisp and flavorful. There's Tuna Tarragon, tuna and penne pasta in a creamy tarragon dressing; Carrot and Raisin Salad, sweet and fresh; Barbecue Potato Salad, smoky and chunky; and classic Three-Bean Salad. ($)

WOODY'S FAMOUS GREEK SALADS AND GOURMET SANDWICHES, 1722 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa; (813) 254-2806. This south Tampa eatery specializes in deli sandwiches, homemade soups and an array of salads. Sandwiches include the Festivale (turkey breast on a toasted croissant with cranberry sauce, mayo, lettuce and cucumbers) and the Bleu Max (rare roast beef with a blue cheese sauce, garnished with lettuce, tomato, cucumber and sweet onion). In the mood for roughage? Try the Famous Greek, with lettuce, Greek potato salad, tomatoes, cucumbers, Greek olives, peppers, feta cheese, shrimp, beet, radish and scallion with Greek vinaigrette. ($)

WRAPPERS COURTYARD CAFE, 13505 Icot Blvd., Clearwater; (727) 531-5319. This indoor-outdoor restaurant has the ambience of a quaint European cafe, complete with beautiful tile work, a serene fountain and lush greenery. The menu focuses on healthful food, including more than a dozen wraps, salads, sandwiches and gourmet pizzas. Desserts and gourmet coffees round out the menu. ($)

WRIGHT'S GOURMET HOUSE, 1200 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa; (813) 253-3838. The place to pick up desserts when you want people to think they're homemade. In addition to concocting the yummiest sweets this side of heaven, this crew whips up one of the best Cuban sandwiches anywhere. Hot entrees, served cafeteria style, add to a slate of sandwiches that are standouts for their fresh ingredients. Not cheap, but worth the investment. ($-$$)

Feeder's Digest is a weekly compendium of Bay area restaurants visited anonymously and recommended by Tribune restaurant critics. Prices are per couple for three courses, with a glass of wine each (where applicable) before tip and taxes.

$ means $30 or less

$$ means $30 to $60

$$$ means more than $60

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT