A good discovery and a bad one
People occasionally ask me why I blog when I'm supposed to be on vacation. Well, if I hadn't this time, I never would have discovered Gulfport, courtesy of Kitchen Goddess.
I've been coming to St. Pete Beach for several years, but nobody ever told me about this charming Old Florida town -- a real pleasure after the ticky tack beach ambience of St. Pete and the manicured loveliness of the development where this condo is.
However, I haven't eaten at her recommendation, Pia's, yet because...
...I'm at the beach. I want seafood. Florida seafood. That's why I haven't tried the Brass Monkey's crab cakes either. I want to eat grouper and mahi and stone crab claws in places with names like the Wharf and Sea Critters and the Reef.
Last night, though, we hit our low point when we tried the Reef. I knew it was going to be bad when my salad came with packaged iceberg lettuce mix, chickpeas, raisins and Italian dressing. I won't bore you with the rest of the details except my husband turned to me as we walked out and said, "Let's not ever eat at a restaurant like that again ever."
There's a lesson to be learned here. It's, Don't ask the Hertz Rent-a-Car guy to recommend a seafood restaurant.
I'm not blaming anyone, just saying it was someone else in my family who asked, not me.
Comments
So glad you discovered Gulfport! I really think it's a hidden gem. I hear you on the seafood thing...but I think what you want doesn't exist there. There are a few other quirky restaurants but I think Pia's is the best....If you want some real Florida color, go to the 2 biker bars in Gulfport - Sam Sessa would love them!
Posted by: Kitchen Goddess | January 11, 2008 3:08 PM
Too bad Elizabeth didn't try Pia's Trattorria while in Gulfport. She would have been pleasently surprised to find that most of their dinner specials are with fish. The sea bass entre is the best I've ever had. She could have also eaten at Elements just down the street and had a wonderful fish dinner. Next time you stay on St. Pete Beach look for the new Gulfport trolley that by summer will be running between the two cities.
Posted by: MICHELE kING | January 11, 2008 4:34 PM