The Bay Dolphin

The Egg Platter Restaurant

Upon entering the yellow building, there is a sign listing the day's specials, and advising all to " please wait to be seated". In less than a minute a friendly waitress asked if I was alone, then motioned to follow her. She seated me at a plush seat with a window view, on a large clean table with condiments, asked what I wanted to drink, and left. Another waitress appeared a few seconds later with a big, artistic lettered menu. After perusing the first two pages and finding no omelet, I naively asked if they had any. She said in a sweet southern twang to turn the page, and did so for me. I ordered a ham omelet with home fries and rye toast. Less than five minutes after I had lost myself in the morning paper, she reappeared with a generous platter. Although I have paid less for the same order at other restaurants, this is the fastest service and largest portions ever. The decor is wood paneling on the walls and wood inlay tile on the floor.A brick paneled wall behind the counter and a waist high brick partition in the middle of the floor give the place an old west feel. There are egg platter neon signs above the brick wall. Along the four corners of the ceiling are macrame baskets with drooping plants. The place was crowded about mid morning saturday. I was immediately attended at the counter on my way out. The Egg Platter is at 6500 34th Street North, which is US19 highway, in St.Petersburg,Florida.

Born on the Fourth of July

Watch your step: Sea turtles are underfoot. Biologists say there's a sea turtle baby boom along Pinellas County beaches, with 86 nests identified, including one at Caddy's Beach Bar,which is number one on Treasure Island, and sure to be a mob scene today. Many are worried that the baby turtles will be hatching among the fireworks, and get smushed among the hundreds of beach towels, chairs, umbrellas, and general party chaos. The nests are marked by wooden stakes, yellow ribbons and small "do not disturb" signs. Just inches under are about 120 ping-pong size sea turtle eggs. This is the biggest early nesting season in years for the threatened sea turtles, and the first hatchlings could emerge during all the fun.

Tampa Valencia Garden Restaurant

After 82 years. Tampa's Valencia Garden Restaurant,  is closing. The building has been bought by the University of Tampa, it's next door neighbor,which has been adding property to the campus for years. Founded in 1927 at 811 West Kennedy Boulevard by a Spain born Cuban Immigrant, it became the diner of choice by Tampa's rich, famous, and powerful. Over the years, presidents and governors have dined there. The founder's son, who was managing the restaurant, has not revealed the family's future plans.

St.Petersburg Grand Central District

There's a new morning market in town. A variety of antique shops, restaurants and vendors in the Grand Central District started a Sunday morning Peddler's market and Antique Stroll a few weeks ago. Unlike traditional farmer's markets, it contains a core group of shops and restaurants in the 2500 block of Central Avenue, which will be extended as needed. Shoppers can dine at Cafe Dolce, Beak's Old Florida, and Roman Gardens. Open shops include Cigar Loft, Antiques Retro, Our Favorite Things, among others. Plans are to operate throughout the year.

Tampa Bay Bright Spots

Cut through the gloom and doom, and bright spots are still found in Tampa Bay's economy. Tuesday's Tampa retailer's conference suggested the area has enough clout to bring new businesses this year. Upscale grocer Fresh Market is studying St.Petersburg. Aldi, the German discount supermarket is scouting Wesley Chapel. Children's clothing chains Aeropostale,American Apparel, and Children's Place are thriving. So are pet stores,fitness centers and wholesale clubs like Costco. New pizza chains Red Elephant Pizza and Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, plus Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches are coming into downtown St.Petersburg and Clearwater.

Florida Busch Gardens

No more beer! The new family-friendly owners of Busch Gardens in Tampa will end it's fifty year tradition of offering free beer samples. The taps will stop flowing January 25th. The company's nine other theme parks, including Sea World in Orlando, will do the same. Many old customers are upset about this tradition coming to an end. The free beer goes back to 1959 and Busch Garden's beginning as a bird garden serving as the waiting room for tours of the Anhouser-Busch brewery next door. There were no limits on beer samples, and nearby USF students came over often. Now samples are limited to two per visit.Now that is disappearing.

The Germans are welcomed.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008.                                                                                                          The first inkling of fall is in the air around Tampa Bay. And we are ready for it.                                                                                                                                                          The German discount grocery chain ALDI arrives, opening a store in Pinellas Park, with 25 coming across Florida. They only stock essentials and generic brands in a small store. This will bring over 400 much needed jobs to Florida, which has lost over a hundred supermarkets recently.                                                                                                                                                  Bus service in Pinellas County is being reduced. Less stops and routes in spite of more riders. Blame it on recent budget cuts.