Tampa has quite literally rolled out the red carpet for celebrities this weekend. Even if you can't afford to walk down the red carpet yourself, you might be interested in knowing where you can go to watch the Beautiful People as they stroll by on it. ...more

February 1, 2009

CARIBBEAN ALFRESCO, Renaissance Vinoy Resort, 501 Fifth Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg; (727) 894-1000, Ext. 2144. The culinary theme under this attractive gazebo is Floribbean, a mix of Florida and Caribbean styles that blends tropical fruits, piquant relishes, aromatic herbs, translucent sauces and quick, fat-free grilling. Starters worth biting into are the Conch Fritters with curried remoulade sauce, or the Coconut-Fried Shrimp with a tangy citrus mustard sauce. A good bet for light eating for less than $10 is the Caribbean Chicken Caesar with pineapple relish. The limited entree selection includes slow-roasted Island Spiced Ribs with guava barbecue sauce and grilled Florida Spiny Lobster with charred tomato sauce and toasted cumin seeds. ($$) ...more

November 28, 2008

Opening day is Friday for Cobb Theatres' 16-screen cinema at The Grove at Wesley Chapel. ...more

September 20, 2008

Here's what's new in food media: In print: We really should all stop reading so many cooking magazines, but the July issues are hot. The sultry burger on the cover of the new Bon Appetit's BBQ Issue made us open it up. Inside it was ab-fab. Cooking Light also pulled us in with a cherry pie cover, then kept our attention with a technique guide to marinating (because they help keep your kitchen cool; pop it on the grill). Gourmet's cover screamed "Open me!" with the promise of "delicious new ways to use tomatoes," and we obeyed. It paid off, too, in tomato bread pudding and a gorgeous tomato terrine with corn and shiitake mushrooms, tomato granita, green tomato salad with honeydew, cilantro and jalepeno. ...more

July 9, 2008

NEW AMERICAN/FUSION ASHLEY STREET GRILLE, 200 N. Ashley Drive, downtown Tampa; (813) 226-4400. A riverfront view and nouvelle Floridian cuisine make this a strong contender in the downtown restaurant market. Located in the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel, this attractive eatery simmers with culinary talent. The chef's signature appetizer is Lobster Strudel - shiitake mushrooms, Boursin cheese and fresh lobster in phyllo dough with truffle bechamel sauce. A popular entree is Seafood St. Jacque - green lip mussels, sea scallops and sauteed shrimp in a bechamel sauce topped with piped potato. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. ($$) ...more

May 30, 2008

NEW AMERICAN/FUSION ASHLEY STREET GRILLE, 200 N. Ashley Drive, downtown Tampa; (813) 226-4400. A riverfront view and nouvelle Floridian cuisine make this a strong contender in the downtown restaurant market. Located in the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel, this attractive eatery simmers with culinary talent. The chef's signature appetizer is Lobster Strudel - shiitake mushrooms, boursin cheese and fresh lobster in phyllo dough with truffle bechamel sauce. A popular entree is Seafood St. Jacque - green lip mussels, sea scallops and sauteed shrimp in a bechamel sauce topped with piped potato. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. ($$) ...more

January 16, 2008