My parents are coming to visit for a week over Spring Break. They arrive on Monday at about 7:30pm, and will want to go out for dinner right away. I figure Dave and I will pick them up at the airport and then head straight to a restaurant…somewhere near-ish the airport. But where?
While my folks claim to be easy-to-please, they both (and especially my mother) get very aggravated if either the service or the food is imperfect. So I’m really hoping to avoid a place where waitstaff is rude (please no coked-up tongue kissing, for example!), or where the food is not consistently delicious. Long waits also make them cranky, and my mom will start to say rude things in an overly loud voice, which is HUGELY embarrassing for me… They like most types of food, although I will probably want to err on the side of something “safe” like Italian or seafood or “California cuisine” (whatever that is). So Cappy’s is a definite possibility, but I’m curious about other places that are down in the SoHo or Ybor areas. Dave and I ate lunch at a delicious Italian place in Ybor City a couple of weeks ago, but it was kind of tiny and getting in could be a problem at dinner time.
So, I’m hoping someone will make a recommendation or two. I’ve actually been to some delicious places down in the SoHo area, but can’t remember the names of any places! (For example, we went to a great Mediterranean place with Jamie and Jon, but I can’t remember what it’s called.) Something moderately-priced would be ideal.
Any suggestions?
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3 Comments
If you parents are REALLY HUNGRY and big Oklahoma football buffs, you could always take them to Lee Roy Selmon’s, who was a star at OU and a Hall of Famer for the Bucks. It’s right by the airport, on Spruce/Boy Scout & Lois Drive. I ate there last weekend with some friends and the ribs are really good. Downside is the large “Family-style” ambiance (which means a casual wait staff style, tho not as casual as Po-Boys) and it might be hard to find veg options other than what my friend Marcie aptly calls “punishment salad” (I’m sure there’s fried zucinni and stuff tho). But if you want to get them fed fast and back to Seminole Heights this would be a good option.
Otherwise, if they’re ready for a more relaxed time, I’d get on 60/Kennedy Boulevard and take them to Valencia’s, just W of the University of Tampa. It’s got solid old school Spanish cuisine, a formal wait staff, lots of history, and many seniors dining there so they’ll feel at home. Drive them past the UoT for sightseeing afterwards.
In SoHo, I believe the place you’re thinking of is Oasis. Haven’t been, but I hear nice things. (and Via Dolce gelto is right next door, which is a bonus in any book). T.C. Choy’s is supposed to be good upscale Chinese for Tampa. Avoid the Lime/Cicco’s/Water places like the plague if your parent’s are picky as you say.
One other option which is pricey if you get the entrees but less so if you get their tapas/appetizer plates is St. Bart’s down past Bern’s (I assume this is not a “soak-the-parents” occasion, so you’re not going there?). The wait staff is attentive, the food is excellent and the decor is decadent in a very 1950s Technicolor fashion. Dine out by the dolphin fountain if it’s a warm night.
Ybor’s fine if you get them out of there before it gets too slutty; say 9pm. Columbia’s good for luch (try the sun room) but dinner’s too overpriced for the food. If they don’t mind bouzouki music, bellydancing and the occasional smashed plate, Acropolis on 7th is a place we go often. If you can’t get in to La Terrazza I’d avoid Bernini’s as I’ve heard snarky things about it. How about the Laughing Cat?
Oh, and there’s a spaghetti warehouse in Ybor too, isn’t there? Take them there then get a beer at new world afterwards. Easy.
Thanks, Jolt! We went to Acropolis last night. I had an Athenian Grouper, and it was delicious.
Tonight we’re eating at home, but I’ll point JB to your suggestions for tomorrow night.