Poppo's Taqueria on Anna Maria Island

Poppo's Taqueria 212C Pine Ave, Anna Maria, FL
941-254-7941

I have a big heart for small local businesses. Perhaps that is why Anna Maria is my favorite beach as it is surrounded by artsy mom and pop shops and lacks any large and obnoxious hotels or chain restaurants. We went on a day beach trip this last weekend and found ourselves attracted to this little joint for lunch. Right down the street from the City Pier a small sign by the road caught our eye reading: Tacos, Burritos and Quesadillas. What more could you ask for?

Poppo's is very much like Chipotle in it's layout and serving style but it definitely trumps the popular chain in food quality and creative selection. All produce is organic when available and all meat is hormone & antibiotic free.  They also have gluten-free options.

To order you choose your style of preparation and follow the bar as you build your order by request. Styles include:
2 Tacos-$7
Burrito- $7.95
Cheese Quesadilla- $3
Loaded Quesadilla-$5
Plate-$8.95 (This is your choice of toppings on a bed of their Honey Lime Slaw- my husband fell in love with the slaw.)

I recommend ordering the tacos with shredded chicken and a side of Chips and Guacamole. The chips are flour tortillas chopped and fried fresh to order.  It was truly amazing!
The food is a little bit more expensive than you would expect for quick service. My husband and I spent $25 on our meal. I would gladly pay it again for the food quality that we received.

Another quirky difference that makes this taqueria stand out among the others are their beverages.

All sodas are high fructose corn syrup free! Fountain drinks are $1.65 and come with free refills. There are also bottled sodas and I opted to try Virgil's Root Beer. I believe I have found a new favorite.

The majority of the seating is outside but there is a bar that seats 7 people inside. Pappo's is open 11am-9pm daily but are closed on Tuesdays.

I highly recommend this quick service gem. My husband and I have both been craving it every day since we left the beach.  I believe we will have to make another beach trip very soon.
Enjoy!

Cafe Zuppina Restaurant Review

J&J Oyster Bar in Burleson, TX (Restaurant Review)

photo supplied by J&J Oyster bar

J&J Oyster Bar- Restaurant Review

My family and I recently stopped by this little gem when we were looking for something to do in the middle of the day.  We had just come back from our beloved grandmothers funeral and needed a place to just relax and have a little fun.  J&J Oyster Bar turned out to be far more than we expected.

 We brought our card games and ordered appetizers and drinks for a while as we played.  Some of our favorites were the fried pickles because they were dipped in catfish batter, the crab claws and the hushpuppies. The hushpuppies were just like the ones at Catfish King...If you travel much, you know what I am talking about. Perfect with the hint of jalapeño and they come with butter to dip those delectable puppy sticks in!

As more family showed up we were delighted by our waitress who I also think might be the manager, and her magic trick talents. She entertained us and our little ones to keep the laughs rolling. Our service at J&J's was truly wonderful. Some of us ordered whole dinner plates as others filled up on numerous appetizers but we all had an amazing time and enjoyed every bite!

I can highly recommend J&J Oyster bar for a fun time and it is kid friendly. For more info and a menu click here:
Enjoy!
http://www.jandjoysterbar.com/menu.html

Saigon Bistro-Lakeland,FL Restaurant Review

Saigon Bistro











Known for it's spring rolls, this fresh and organic vietnamese bistro is my new favorite spot at Lakeside Village. Saigon has an eclectic menu with many healthy options for those who choose to eat on the lighter side.

We have eaten here five times in the last two months and I am proud of myself for trying so many new things.  I am not one for egg rolls but it is a new tradition that we must have the crispy spring rolls for our appetizer!

Crispy Spring Rolls
They come with a side of "fish sauce"  (don't worry it is much better than it sounds) and you can add different spicy sauces to mix in if you choose.

In the past I have ordered the chicken lettuce wraps and curry chicken but today I was feeling a little more adventurous and decided to try Pho soup for the first time.

Pho Soup 
I ordered this because I wanted to keep things a little lighter.  I was pleasantly surprised! I ordered the soup with meatballs but there are a variety of options.  (next time I will try the chicken-it is more my style) It comes with a side of bean sprouts, fresh basil, limes and jalapeños to add to your bowl.  In the soup I found rice noodles, onion, cilantro, green onion, and of corse the meatballs.
I especially liked the cilantro in the soup! All of the flavors blended so well, I was truly impressed. It all reminded me a of a more exotic wedding soup.

Daniel ordered his favorite: Rice Noodle Salad with Chicken
The chicken in this salad reminded me a little of a fresher bourbon chicken (like what you see in the mall) It comes with rice noodles, lettuce, bean sprouts, onion and chicken with a side of fish sauce as the dressing. Again, we like to add a spicy sauce to it that comes on the table in three different varieties.

All in all this is a wonderful new hot spot! Don't be afraid to get out of the box and try something new!
Enjoy!

Restaurant review: The Jerk Hut

The Jerk Hut in Tampa

We went here on our last date night because we has a gift certificate we had bought from Restaurant.com.  (If you don't know about www.restaurant.com , go to their site and give your e-mail address, they will notify you when you can buy $25 gift certificates for $2 to many different restaurants. You usually have to spend $35 to use it but you are saving a lot of money.)

We had the best time. It is a little far but It was so worth it.  We started out with the "patties" which I would call empanadas, but that is not the Jamaican term.  They are each $2 and soooooo tasty!  We also really enjoyed the Jerk chicken.  I will get this again when I go back.  The food is very inexpensive and they have a great variety of food and beverage.  The atmosphere is very lively and unexpected from the look on the outside.  Go check it out!

Roy's Hawaiian Fusion, Restaurant review

This is a very unique restaurant! We have been there twice and cant wait to go back.  The style is Hawaiian fusion.  They have plenty of sushi and seafood but also have something for everyone!  We went to the location in Tampa but they have restaurants all over the states.  If you ever receive gift cards for Outback, Carrabba's or bonefish...they also work at Roy's.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Lobster Pot stickers

Spicy Togarashi Miso Butter Sauce

(This dish you will never get enough of, I promise! )

Toasted Garlic Calamari

Thai Basil, Fresh Mint, Serrano Chile, Citrus Nam Pla

(Everyone has had crunchy calamari before but what is amazing about this dish is the chili sauce on the side for dipping!)

Roy’s Original Blackened Island Ahi

Spicy Soy Mustard Butter Sauce

(my husband had this Tuna and said it was the best fish he has ever had!)

Wagyu Beef Sliders

caramelized onions, chipotle aioli and garlic sweet potato fries.  

(you have to go to happy hour to get this and it is only $5! A great version of mini Kobe beef burgers)

Upon arrival you receive stemmed edemame as a free appetizer.  If you are allergic to soy you can have bread upon request.  If you go between 4:30Pm and 6:30 pm and sit in the bar area it is Aloha Hour.  All specialty drinks and all appetizers are $5!  Friday nights are very busy, so if this is your plan, come early.  If you sit in the dining room it can be a bit more pricy. Average appetizers are $12 and Meals are $30. 

Over all this is one of my new favorite restaurants and I hope you try it!

"Eat Here" Anna Maria Island

Thats right, the name of the restaurant is "Eat Here"
Website: http://www.eathere-ami.com/
The owners of the number one zaggat rated restaurant IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA  (The Beach Bistro) decided to create a new bistro that is more affordable but still has the same quality as their starship resturaunt.
Located in Homles Beach on Anna Maria Island, this place became a jem to my husband and I while we were on our anniversary trip.  We ate there two nights in a row because we could not get enough!

The first night I had the: “better–than–any–frenchman’s” onion soup
caramelized sweet onions in stock with hints of sherry and cognac. crowned with emmental 

 

This was one of the best onion soups I have had, and I am very picky about my soup.  I picked it because of the interesting and abnormal ingredients and I am so glad I did! 

Daniel started with:

tempura’d beets

“lightly battered, but not beaten”.  with chevre and crème fraiche.  
“because Sean’s grandmother would roll over in her grave.”

He enjoyed them but they are definitely created to be shared. 

We shared the: Fried Ribs with thai bbq sauce.  I have a feeling this is not always on the menu because I could not find it on the website.  They were very tasty! 

The second night I had: the chefs special, a crusted snapper with corn casserole.  I never go wrong with fresh fish! 

Daniel had: 

gator’s gulf coast grouper cakes

with crawfish, dusted with japanese panko, sautéed, kissed key lime butter, and finished 

with mango beurre blanc 

 He enjoyed these very much!

The menu is printed daily and handed to you on a clip board. I love this because I know that means every thing is fresh!  From the outside you would just think that it is a mom and pop joint like any other, but when you go inside everything is high class.  Your waiter greets you with a chilled bottle of water, the table is adorned with pristine glass and a fresh sunflower and in the background plays classic jazz with dim ambient lighting. 

If you are going to Anna Maria this is a must visit restaurant!