Charming Lunch Options

Backwoods Bistro - $8-$12

American

850-320-6345

401 E Tennessee Street

Tallahassee, FL 32301

http://thebackwoodsbistro.com/

Bella Bella - $7-$11

Italian

(850) 412-1114

123 E 5th Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32303

www.thebellabella.com

Catalina Café - $7-$9

Soups and Sandwiches

(850) 765-9771 – ask for Catalina Café

470 Suwannee St, Tallahassee, FL 32301

Request downstairs wine room (private dining)

http://www.catalinacafe.com/menu/

Mickey’s Café - $7-$9

Salads, hotdogs and Sandwiches

(850) 222-9709

 (lake Ella) 1611 N Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32303

Request Back Room Private Dining

https://www.facebook.com/mickeyslakesidecafe/

Milano Pizzeria - $7-$13

Italian

Request Private Dining Room

(850) 270-9100

Northwood Associates, 514 W Tharpe St, Tallahassee, FL 32303

www.themilanopizzeria.com

Avenue Eat and Drink - $12-$21

Gourmet American

115 E Park Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32303

avenueeatanddrink.com

(850) 224-0115

Paisley Cafe

Gourmet Cafe

1123 Thomasville Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32303

thepaisleycafe.com

(850) 385-7268

Restaurant Review: Olean's Cafe

We ventured over to the south side of town just across the street from the main FAMU entrance sign to discover this awesome hole in the wall. This place is quite the experience. There's no parking and you can expect to find a pretty decent line wrapped around the interior of the dining area, but that's for a reason. It's the kind of place where you'll find family photos on the walls and most placed orders are followed by "You want butter on that?" I've heard wonderful things about the Olean's omelet and the Obama breakfast but there wasn't a chance that I was leaving without trying their fried chicken. Chicken 'n waffles it is! Fresh made to order waffles paired with perfectly crispy breaded salty wings made the perfect breakfast.

Bar Review: Eddy Teach's Raw Bar

Eddy Teach's is the epitome of a lowcountry seafood bar. I always try to slip away or bring the crew here for a dozen oysters, good live music, and cold beer. It's equipped with picnic tables outside and a small stage with an accompanying "dance floor".

Up the Creek Raw Bar

Up the Creek has a lovely view and tasty food, yet the service is not traditional. You order at the bar and your food (oysters preferably) are brought to your table. You must retrieve the necessary items (crackers, horseradish, hot sauce, cocktail sauce, lemons) and self serve beverages. Needless to say, it's waterfront and the seafood is fresh and delicious, but it is an interactive meal.

313 Water St
Apalachicola, FL 32320

Restaurant Review: Doughnut Kingdom

There are many fun filled and unexpected flavors offered at the local doughnut shop, Doughnut Kingdom. Never would I have thought that peanut butter and jelly would have been my favorite over snickers and red velvet. If you get a wild hair and need something sweet to kick off your work day or feel like your staff deserves a special treat, then I highly suggest swinging by Doughnut Kingdom on your way to work. I will admit that I am a Krispy Kreme fan and love their fluffy, melt in your mouth doughnuts but if you're looking for something a little more substantial (cakey) and more variety, give it a shot.

Travel: St. Petersburg

What may seem like a distant city, but truly is a short entertaining drive down highway 19, St. Petersburg is up and coming. Every time I go down to visit there are new restaurants and sites to see. I grew up at the beach here and have spent many a weekend perusing the galleries of both the Museum of Fine Arts and the Dali Museum but the buildings that house these amazing collections have been updated and improved over the years. They now host entertaining events to draw people to their galleries. Also, the restaurants along Beach Drive offer fine dining options to rowdy Coney Island hot dogs. The bars are ever changing, yet a few of my favorites still remain.

Restaurant Review: Siam Sushi

This isn't my first post on Siam Sushi, but that's only because I can't get enough! I have been meeting friends here for dinner and sitting at the sushi bar. Which I learned grants you a free house salad. The staff here is always attentive and kind and the food never ceases to impress me. My new favorite menu item is the Pad Woon Sen and if you have an open mind and a desire for sushi, go with the chef's choice. It will be enormous and delicious.

Restaurant Review: Front Porch and Liberty Bar and Restauarnt

Pictured above is the infamous Mangria which can be found at Front Porch and can quench your thirst for a tropical city drink. Front Porch is an ideal location to enjoy an outdoor setting that offers a decent wine list. I haven't been impressed with the food here so we decided to take our hunger to the new restaurant in town Victory Bar and Restaurant. The drink menu had much to offer with fresh squeezed juices and top shelf liquors. The food was delicious. We ordered corn dogs, a meat board, and my two favorites were the mac and cheese and the brussel sprouts. Both prepared expertly. The interior design could use a little extra effort, but the food and drinks kept your attention to the bar and kitchen.

Savannah: A Weekend Getaway

If you are trying to plan a weekend to get out of town, Savannah would be one of my top recommendations. It is full of culture, tasty food, and vibrant nightlife. I've mapped a few of my favorite places and put reviews in the descriptions, enjoy!

https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zIGYkI9rmbhc.kXEsHeEiJT30

Ginza - Restaurant Review

Ginza is the new sushi restaurant in College Town on FSU campus and had been only open a couple of weeks before I tried it out. I've become very familiar with College Town, frequenting Madison Social more than any other business there. Ginza looks hip and is well decorated, but the food could use some help. Their signature sushi rolls were quite bland and the chocolate wonton is a good idea but poorly executed. I was underwhelmed. The decor of the restaurant was well thought out and almost outweighs the poor performing food.

Suggestions to the owner:
Creative raw sushi rolls
Dim lighting at sushi bar
Warm your cheesecake
Use glass at the bar
Serve the chocolate wontons with cream and a better presentation

Travel - Anna Maria Island - The Beachhouse

http://beachhouse.groupersandwich.com/

The Beachouse was my favorite of the Grouper Sandwich Restaurant Group's offerings. Much like the Sandbar it was right on the beach, but the atmosphere was more inviting and the venue was much larger. We wanted to look at the different offerings Anna Maria had, and there were only a few since it is such a quaint beach community. But that was just what we were looking for. I had the fresh sashimi tuna and a frozen mango specialty drink that was phenomenal, I made the mistake of letting people at my table taste it too so I ended up drinking about only half! This place had great character, food, and a beautiful view.