That Food Guy
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
The Colonnade - Tampa, Florida
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The Colonnade
33401 Bayshore Dr Tampa FL 33629
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| Dining Room 2 |
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| Dining Room 1 |
The Colonnade has been a Tampa fixture for about 75 years.
When it opened in 1935 it was a drive-up hamburger restaurant and it quickly
became a popular hangout for the local teenagers. One of those teenagers back
then was Gilbert Jones, my lunch companion for this visit to the Colonnade.
Gilbert also happens to be the uncle to my wife, Janis. Gil would give me some
rare insights to the Colonnade and how it has changed over the years. Once a
teenager hangout serving burgers, a tiny
place with only four stools, it is now an upscale dine-in restaurant that is
well known for its fresh-fish dishes.
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| View Of Tampa Skyline |
I suppose a word about how I happened to be at the Colonnade
that day would be in order. Uncle Gil and Aunt Effie live in Lake Seminole
Square, a retirement condominium complex. The square has staff members who are
charged with finding interesting things for the residents to do, to fill their
time. One such excursion was a harbor cruise to see the inner working of the
Port of Tampa. Unfortunately, Aunt Effie was unable to make it for the outing
and they graciously offered the available seat to me. You can see more about
the cruise portion of the excursion at http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/bug-smasher/
. After the cruise lunch was scheduled at the Colonnade.
After the harbor cruise, bus driver Lou and tour director
Ron Rotondo did a nose count. Everyone was accounted for. It was short drive
from the waterfront to the Colonnade. I’m not really sure how he did it but Lou
was able to bring that bus right up to the entrance to let us off and then make
the turn back to the parking lot. It would have been a tight squeeze for a
full-sized automobile.
The restaurant sits on a grassy expanse on Bayshore Blvd.
Known for its fish, the restaurant is also known for the view across the
boulevard and the bay at the Tampa skyline. Last remodeled in 1974, the
restaurant has a retro look; a bit worn but well maintained, a comfortable
place to be. The décor is no longer drive-in but now sports a pier-side motif. Comfortable
booths line the periphery and tables and chairs occupy the center of the dining
room. Stained glass partitions break up the dining area and help to keep the
ambient noise low.
I am always amazed at how a restaurant can absorb a surge of
patrons and carry on business-as-usual especially when the full menu is
available. Our group of about thirty was
quickly seated, beverage orders taken while we perused the menu. Uncle Gil and
I were seated in a booth. Bus driver Lou and tour guide Ron asked to join us.
They were welcome company for the meal and added much to the pleasant conversation.
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| Hamburger and Beer Batter Fries |
Uncle Gil ordered a cheeseburger just for old time’s sake. (Hamburger or Cheeseburger. Charbroiled and
topped how you like. Served on a toasted roll. $7.99 All sandwiches served with
your choice of steak fries or coleslaw.) The meat patty was about 1/3
pound, nicely grilled with prominent grill marks, looked cooked adequately but
still juicy, not dried out. The bread was not the traditional hamburger bun.
The squared sides suggest they are baked in house on a baking sheet. The
lettuce, onion, tomato and cheese were as requested. The side-order of fries
was a house specialty; beer batter fries. In presentation they looked very
good. I sampled a couple of Gil’s fries. They are not bad at all but certainly
different and I would suspect more of an acquired taste. If I had ordered fries
with my meal I would have had no trouble eating them. However, if I were
offered a choice of the beer batter fries and conventional fries, I would have
chosen the conventional fries, a taste and texture to which I am more accustomed.
Gil said his hamburger was excellent. I do believe I detected a note of
nostalgia as he remembered back to the first hamburger he ate here those many
years ago.
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| Coleslaw and Mini-muffins |
I chose the Combination Platter where you get to choose from
a selection of crab cake, various shrimp dishes, tilapia, scallops or chicken
breast. (Create Your Own Platter. Choose
from any two items from the selection below…
$15.99 Served with potato or
vegetable, tossed salad or coleslaw and hot muffins.) My particular
selection was fried bay scallops and breaded and fried chicken breast. As I write this I realize that the beer
batter fries, part of my order, were never brought to the table.
The coleslaw was a nice serving of salad with a just right
amount of creamy dressing over crisp and fresh cabbage (mostly green but with
some shreds of purple cabbage and carrots for color and texture). Very good.
The miniature muffins are another of the trademark offerings from The
Colonnade. They are tasty little morsels served with firm, wrapped butter
cubes. The small size makes unwrapping the muffins difficult often destroying
the muffin the process. I have mixed feeling about them; they taste good but
are a pain to eat.
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| Fried Scallops and Fried Chicken Platter |
The main course, the scallops and chicken, filled the plate
which is probably why I never missed the fries. Portion cups of a creamy tartar
sauce and cocktail sauce accompanied the meal. The scallops were the small size
that is most often served. It was a large serving, three dozen at least. There
were a couple of bits and dribbles of breading but most all was quality
scallops. The breading was golden brown and fried crisp. The scallop inside was
cooked through but still firm, not overcooked and mushy. The cooks in the back
have the oil temperature and the cooking time down to a science. The flavor of
the scallops was just as I would expect. I tried a bit of the tartar sauce, a
bit of the cocktail sauce. It was hard to decide which I liked best but the
cocktail sauce won out in the end.
The chicken was battered and deep fried. Again, the coating was
crispy, the chicken inside cooked through, not overcooked, tender and still
moist. Here, a thicker piece of meat, cooked to a different internal
temperature than the scallops but yet done just right. Excellent flavor and not
cross flavors from other fried foods. The chicken and scallops were a good
combination. Both are mild flavors that tended to complement one another and
not clash. It was a thoroughly enjoyable meal, large enough that I really didn’t
miss the beer batter fries at all.
As I noted before I am in awe of a restaurant that can
absorb so many customers sat once, offer a full menu and still serve them all
in a reasonable time. The last to be served in our group didn’t have an
excessive wait. The first served had a short wait until the last served were
paid and ready to resume the bus tour. Our servers were old pros and kept the
food coming and the drink glasses filled. The servers did a good job.
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| Gratuity Automatically Added |
Curiosities of note: the restaurant adds an 18% gratuity to
the bill automatically. And, as a contrast, the restaurant has developed a more
upscale reputation from the burger drive-in days. It is in a very upscale
neighborhood with an exquisite view and locally famous for its seafood. And yet
the tartar and cocktail sauce is served in the Dixie® portion cups, a bit down
scale, perhaps a throwback to the burger and fries in a basket days of the 1940’s.
I enjoyed the time I spent with Uncle Gil. I got to see a
part of Tampa that would have ordinarily been hidden and I got to try another new
and novel place to eat. Being that Uncle Gil remembers it form so many years
ago it added a whole new dimension to the dining experience. It is unfortunate
that Aunt Effie was unable to participate. Her misfortune was my boon for it
truly an ill wind that blows no one good. I also enjoyed and appreciate the
efforts of the condominium community staff members that work very hard providing
entertaining activities and safe transportation for the residents; certainly an
eye opener for future consideration.
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| A Pleasant Oasis Along Bayshore Drive |
Now that I have peaked your curiosity about the fine foods offered
by The Colonnade, here is a curiosity for you to unravel. It seems that, as the
story goes, back in the good ole days, they plunked an olive into each glass of
Coca Cola® they served. Why is lost in history but rumor is that if you ask you
can get an olive in your Coca Cola® too on request. Let me know what you find
out, if the story is true.
Labels: Bay, beer batter, Colonnade, fish, Florida, fries, hamburger, olive, scallops, Tampa
¶ 12:01 PM 0 Comments
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
The Pub Revisited - Indian Shores, Florida
The Pub, Revisited 11/20/12
20025 Gulf Blvd
Indian Shores, Florida
727 595-3172 www.thepubwaterfrontrestaurant.com
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The Pub, Revisited 11/20/12
20025 Gulf Blvd
Indian Shores, Florida
727 595-3172 www.thepubwaterfrontrestaurant.com
Our first visit to the Pub was almost by accident. We were taking my wife’s Uncle Gil and Aunt Effie out to lunch at another well-known restaurant. We ran afoul of all of the small towns setting their own street numbers. As a result, we were headed the wrong direction when we passed the Pub. Gil and Effie had enjoyed a prior visit so we decided to stop there. The blog for that earlier visit, November 2010, can be found at http://thatfoodguy.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html
This visit to The Pub was on purpose. Gil and Effie’s son, Ken, and his wife, Tracy, had read the first blog and were captivated with the view from our table overlooking the inland waterway. A visit to The Pub for lunch was on top of their list of things to do on their next trip to St Petersburg from their home in Northern Georgia. Their visit over the Thanksgiving holiday presented the perfect opportunity.
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It is sometimes amusing, the foibles of the human memory. After out almost getting lost the last time, when we arrived at the intersection of Ulmerton Rd with Gulf Blvd we just knew The Pub was to the right. We had just about run out of barrier islands before we realized that we had turned the wrong way. We turned about and retraced our route, passing the Ulmerton intersection, going way farther south and arriving at long last at The Pub. I think we’ll remember for the next time.
It was a warm, clear day; the sky an almost iridescent blue. The parking lot was about half full. For a moment we worried about finding a table. Not to worry, as they say. Most of the diners already there had opted for the open air patios taking advantage of the very pleasant weather. Almost immediately we were shown to a table, almost the very one featured in the last blog. The tint of the window gave relief from the brightness of the noonday sun.
Our young and personable server, Kelsey, was quickly there with menus and took our beverage orders. It took a while to decide what to have. There are many good things on the menu. After reading the menu, sipping our drinks, we were finally able to decide what to have for lunch. We gave Kelsey our order and sent back to wait. Out of the window, we could see the daily activities taking place on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. There were some very nice pleasure boat and some working fishing boats plying the waters in front of us. One of the highlights of watching out the window was to see a dolphin swimming nearby.
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Tracy Ordered A Florida Wrap (Smoked Turkey, Ham, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato And 1000 Island Dressing In A Tortilla Wrap $9.95). Sandwiches Come With Your Choice Of Pasta Salad, French Fries Or Coleslaw. Tracy Chose The Pasta Salad. It Is A Big Tortilla Wrap. The Tortilla Is Generously Stopped With The Fillings. Tracy Said It Was Very Good And That She Would Consider Having It Again On A Second Visit To The Pub.
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Effie He Ordered The Fish Sandwich. She Ordered The Same Meal That She Ordered On Our Last Visit To The Pub. (Always popular: broiled or fried $9.95) Again, the Sandwich comes with a choice of pasta salad, French fries or coleslaw. Effie he chose broiled fish and the pasta salad. It was a nicely browned ample portion of fish with a wedge of lemon. It was served with a toasted bun, a nice selection of fresh lettuce, tomato, and sliced red onion. There was a portion of tartar sauce on the side. Effie said the sandwich was very good and that the broiled fish is the best choice. Usually a light eater, she was the able to eat and enjoy all of her sandwich.
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Ken ordered the Oyster Poor Boy (down-home good! $10.49) the Sandwich comes with a choice of pasta salad, French fries or coleslaw. Ken’s selected the coleslaw. About a half dozen large battered and deep-fried oysters are served on a hoagie roll with this, sliced tomato, and some sliced red onion. Ken ate his sandwich with gusto. He said it was very good, very tasty.
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Janis and her uncle Gil the shrimp basket (all baskets are hand breaded and come with French fries at hand coleslaw with plenty of tartar sauce and lemon. The shrimp baskets are $12.50 ) the meal is served in a wicker basket. It consisted of about 15 pieces of breaded fried shrimp, a generous serving of French fries, coleslaw, a lemon wedge and a portion of cocktail sauce. Both Janis and Gil enjoy their meal very much. They finished their order and said it was very good.
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I ordered the Scallops Basket (all baskets are hand breaded and come with French fries and coleslaw with plenty of tartar sauce and lemon. The scallops basket costs $12.95) the order comes with about 30 small breaded and fried scallops, a generous serving of French fries, a side of coleslaw a slice of lemon and a portion of cocktail sauce. The coleslaw were crispy fresh cabbage with a tangy sweet dressing not to wet not to dry. It made a nice accompaniment for the scallops. The French fries were cooked a nice golden brown, were piping hot and delicious. The scallops were nicely cooked a nice golden brown. They were not overcooked and still had good texture the betting was light so you could taste scallops and not just fried dough. I was very satisfied with meal. It was served hot and was of ample proportion to satisfy my appetite. I definitely would consider ordering this dish again should I have the pleasure of dining at the pub in the future.
Overall, the restaurant was neat and clean, the service was courteous and quick, and it was a pleasure to be able to look out over the Intracoastal Waterway while we waited for our order to be served. Had I been dining alone, I would have found the food delicious and worthy of another visit. The fact that we were dining with family made it an even more special event and added to the enjoyment of the day.
This visit to The Pub was on purpose. Gil and Effie’s son, Ken, and his wife, Tracy, had read the first blog and were captivated with the view from our table overlooking the inland waterway. A visit to The Pub for lunch was on top of their list of things to do on their next trip to St Petersburg from their home in Northern Georgia. Their visit over the Thanksgiving holiday presented the perfect opportunity.
.jpg)
It is sometimes amusing, the foibles of the human memory. After out almost getting lost the last time, when we arrived at the intersection of Ulmerton Rd with Gulf Blvd we just knew The Pub was to the right. We had just about run out of barrier islands before we realized that we had turned the wrong way. We turned about and retraced our route, passing the Ulmerton intersection, going way farther south and arriving at long last at The Pub. I think we’ll remember for the next time.It was a warm, clear day; the sky an almost iridescent blue. The parking lot was about half full. For a moment we worried about finding a table. Not to worry, as they say. Most of the diners already there had opted for the open air patios taking advantage of the very pleasant weather. Almost immediately we were shown to a table, almost the very one featured in the last blog. The tint of the window gave relief from the brightness of the noonday sun.
Our young and personable server, Kelsey, was quickly there with menus and took our beverage orders. It took a while to decide what to have. There are many good things on the menu. After reading the menu, sipping our drinks, we were finally able to decide what to have for lunch. We gave Kelsey our order and sent back to wait. Out of the window, we could see the daily activities taking place on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. There were some very nice pleasure boat and some working fishing boats plying the waters in front of us. One of the highlights of watching out the window was to see a dolphin swimming nearby.
.jpg)
Tracy Ordered A Florida Wrap (Smoked Turkey, Ham, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato And 1000 Island Dressing In A Tortilla Wrap $9.95). Sandwiches Come With Your Choice Of Pasta Salad, French Fries Or Coleslaw. Tracy Chose The Pasta Salad. It Is A Big Tortilla Wrap. The Tortilla Is Generously Stopped With The Fillings. Tracy Said It Was Very Good And That She Would Consider Having It Again On A Second Visit To The Pub.
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Effie He Ordered The Fish Sandwich. She Ordered The Same Meal That She Ordered On Our Last Visit To The Pub. (Always popular: broiled or fried $9.95) Again, the Sandwich comes with a choice of pasta salad, French fries or coleslaw. Effie he chose broiled fish and the pasta salad. It was a nicely browned ample portion of fish with a wedge of lemon. It was served with a toasted bun, a nice selection of fresh lettuce, tomato, and sliced red onion. There was a portion of tartar sauce on the side. Effie said the sandwich was very good and that the broiled fish is the best choice. Usually a light eater, she was the able to eat and enjoy all of her sandwich..jpg)
Ken ordered the Oyster Poor Boy (down-home good! $10.49) the Sandwich comes with a choice of pasta salad, French fries or coleslaw. Ken’s selected the coleslaw. About a half dozen large battered and deep-fried oysters are served on a hoagie roll with this, sliced tomato, and some sliced red onion. Ken ate his sandwich with gusto. He said it was very good, very tasty..jpg)
Janis and her uncle Gil the shrimp basket (all baskets are hand breaded and come with French fries at hand coleslaw with plenty of tartar sauce and lemon. The shrimp baskets are $12.50 ) the meal is served in a wicker basket. It consisted of about 15 pieces of breaded fried shrimp, a generous serving of French fries, coleslaw, a lemon wedge and a portion of cocktail sauce. Both Janis and Gil enjoy their meal very much. They finished their order and said it was very good..jpg)
I ordered the Scallops Basket (all baskets are hand breaded and come with French fries and coleslaw with plenty of tartar sauce and lemon. The scallops basket costs $12.95) the order comes with about 30 small breaded and fried scallops, a generous serving of French fries, a side of coleslaw a slice of lemon and a portion of cocktail sauce. The coleslaw were crispy fresh cabbage with a tangy sweet dressing not to wet not to dry. It made a nice accompaniment for the scallops. The French fries were cooked a nice golden brown, were piping hot and delicious. The scallops were nicely cooked a nice golden brown. They were not overcooked and still had good texture the betting was light so you could taste scallops and not just fried dough. I was very satisfied with meal. It was served hot and was of ample proportion to satisfy my appetite. I definitely would consider ordering this dish again should I have the pleasure of dining at the pub in the future.Overall, the restaurant was neat and clean, the service was courteous and quick, and it was a pleasure to be able to look out over the Intracoastal Waterway while we waited for our order to be served. Had I been dining alone, I would have found the food delicious and worthy of another visit. The fact that we were dining with family made it an even more special event and added to the enjoyment of the day.
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Labels: coleslaw, fish, Florida, French fries, indian shores, oysters, pasta salad, poor boy, scallops, shrimp, The Pub
¶ 12:23 PM 0 Comments
