Tag: covid19

Asiatic Street Food & Noodle Bar

Asiatic Street Food & Noodle Bar describes themself as a restaurant offering casual cuisine inspired by the streets of Southeast Asia. Before COVID-19 hit, we would frequent Asiatic at least once or twice a month on our Tuesday/Thursday date nights. Ybor City tends to be pretty slow during the week and we love to wander the streets and stop in to our favorite places. When everything closed, our routine got shaken up a bit. Last night, we were able to, once again, enjoy dinner at Asiatic. We were not disappointed.

We ordered the Firecracker Shrimp as an appetizer. The shrimp is fried, crispy, and tossed in their special Thai spicy mayo. It was delicious (while writing this, I asked Kacie about it and all she said was “Yeah… that was REALLY good.”). Kacie ordered Phad Basil for her main dish and I stuck with one of my favorite Thai dishes, Green Curry Chicken – extra spicy.

  • Phad Basil
  • Green Curry – Chicken

Asiatic’s menu describes the Phad Basil as “Fragrant fresh basil leaves, green bell pepper, long bean, and ground chicken, stir-fried with our signature Asiatic sauce. Topped with a ‘sunny side up’ egg.” Kacie loved the Phad Basil. My green curry chicken was amazing. I’ve ordered this dish at other places in the area that make the curry too watery or bland. Asiatic has figured out how to cook it perfectly. We’ve tried many of their other menu items as well, and have never been unhappy with our order.

Asiatic is located in Centro Ybor plaza, directly across the street from Tampa Bay Brewing Company’s outdoor seating/bar. Here is a map of Ybor City, if you need to get your bearings. We always park in the HCC Visitor parking garage at the corner of Nuccio Parkway and East 8th Ave. The walk down East 8th toward Centro Ybor offers fun interactions with the notorious Ybor Chickens, as well as a view of the historic buildings of Ybor – and provides a little physical activity as well.

  • Asiatic
  • Across the Street
  • Sideview of Asiatic

We called ahead earlier in the day to check on availability – it’s a good practice to call before visiting any restaurant right now, due to social distancing guidelines limiting space. When I called, they reminded me that all of their tables are typically six-feet apart anyway – yet another reason we enjoy frequenting this place. It is a nice alternative to the overcrowding that many restaurants seem to practice.

Asiatic is a great place for a date night or to take the whole family. Literally, every time we walk past, Kacie says “Oh, man, I love that place.” Needless to say, we recommend you try Asiatic.

You may order online or access their menu HERE. They’ve also recently introduced a Family Style Menu.

1600 E. 8th Avenue, #D101, Centro Ybor (Tampa), FL 33605

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Dinner at Jackson’s Bistro

Jackson’s Bistro is a locally owned restaurant located on Harbour Island (Tampa). It was the location of our first date in Tampa, and has been one of our favorite places to return to whenever we want to dress up a little and grab some sushi. Whether you are dressed for a night out or just casually strolling, you will not feel out of place at Jackson’s. The restaurant offers an upscale feel without the stuffiness of many upscale venues. The views of the city are inspiring, whether you are stopping by during the day or after the sun goes down. Any time the weather permits, we ask to sit on the balcony so we can take in the view as we’re eating. We were celebrating a birthday, so there seemed like no better place to take a break from social distancing and head down to the balcony at Jackson’s.

We were seated out on the balcony, but before long it started to storm. The staff asked if we wanted to move inside, but we thought we’d be okay under the shelter of the balcony. We were wrong – the rain started to blow in all over us and we quickly changed our minds. The staff were amazing. They immediately replaced our drinks, bread, and the appetizer we had already started eating. It is this kind of service that keeps us coming back. 

As usual, our servers were friendly and conversational, making the evening even more enjoyable. Over the course of our COVID-19 quarantine we had been ordering sushi from a few places and, thanks to a couple of painfully slow Door Dash experiences, we lost our desire for it. The sushi at Jackson’s is amazing, but we took a break from our usual order of sushi and decided to try some of their other offerings. For our appetizer we ordered the Deviled Eggs, which turned out to be amazing. Our main course was the Seafood Linguini Alfredo and the Jackson’s Salad with shrimp. We were not disappointed. You may download their menus HERE.

After dinner, the storm had cleared, so we took advantage of the abnormally empty streets (thank you coronavirus) and walked along the water for a while before returning home. We found this little guy swimming around by the dock.

Jackson’s is the perfect place for a celebration or just to have a nice evening out. We love this place and recommend that anyone give it a try! Their inside seating can be a nice break from the heat, but be sure to make your way out to the balcony for a romantic picture!

If you enjoy reading about local businesses and attractions in the Tampa Bay area, please consider following this blog and sharing it on social media for continued updates! Thanks!

Lunch at TBD@301

Today, we stopped into TBD@301 for a quick lunch. TBD@301 is a café specializing in Teas, Bowls, and Desserts. We ordered the Beef Kaldereta and Pork Humba bowls. Both were amazing! The meat was tender and flavorful without being overly seasoned. We chose to eat in the dining room, but it would also be the perfect place to pick up a meal to-go if you’re in a rush. We received our order within a few minutes of ordering.

TBD@301 has a cool vibe. It reminded us a bit of some of our favorite lunch places in New York City, but more friendly. They offer free WiFi, and it would be a great place for those seeking a quite, comfortable place to work or study. They are located in right off the Riverview exit on I-75, just a few minutes south of Brandon.

Their menu consists of some well-known favorites, such as Tacos, but also offers Filipino and Korean inspired flavors. Vegan and gluten-free options are available as well, which should put the health conscious among you at ease. They also serve Edamame, which is one of our favorite snacks. We didn’t try the desserts on this visit, but they looked delicious. Their menu may be accessed HERE.

The café is celebrating its second year anniversary this weekend! July 17-20 they are promoting a “20% OFF Everything” sale for all orders placed, if you use the code: LOYAL2TEA

Preventative measures are being observed due to COVID-19, and they offer free masks to customers. Additionally, they provide hand-sanitizer and they also have the floor marked clearly to comply with social-distancing recommendations.

Overall, we would recommend TBD@301 to anyone who is tired of grabbing lunch or dinner at the same fast food chain restaurants, and would rather support locally owned establishments. The food is amazing, they have a health-conscious menu, and it will not cost you any more than eating from a drive-thru value menu. They’ve created a relaxing environment, and even have Jenga games available for a fun meal with children. Take advantage of their sale this weekend and try TBD@301!

TBD@301 | 3840 US Hwy 301 S, Riverview, FL 33578 | 813-420-0013

If you enjoy reading about local businesses and attractions in the Tampa Bay area, please consider following this blog and sharing it on social media for continued updates! Thanks!

Cool Down at The Blind Tiger

The summer heat of Florida can be brutal. We were out photographing some of our favorite locations in Ybor City for an upcoming series we’re writing on the history behind some of the landmarks in Tampa. Since we like to avoid the national chains and shop local, we decided to stop into The Blind Tiger Cafe in Ybor City to escape the nearly 100-degree heat and enjoy a cold coffee. 

The Blind Tiger is a laid-back coffee house environment that is normally full of folks meeting, studying, working, reading, or those just wanting to take a break from the bustle of their day. The theme of the coffee house is inspired by the speakeasy establishments from the United States’ prohibition days. Blind Tiger is another name given to a “speakeasy,” whose name refers to the demand that patrons participating in the illegal activity of drinking alcohol were not to make too much noise and alert others to the illegal existence of the location. The coffee shop was started in Ybor City (Tampa) by local entrepreneur, Roberto Torres, and has grown to six locations around the Tampa Bay area. The Blind Tiger serves food as well as coffee. A menu for each of its locations can be accessed HERE.

Every time I have visited the Blind Tiger, I’ve found the employees to be very friendly. After speaking with the crew for a while, we continued our walk around Ybor City enjoying a Vanilla Latte and a Nitro Cold Brew. It was a nice cooldown from the humid sauna-like weather of Florida in July. They are taking precautionary measures, due to COVID-19, in order to ensure the safety of their guests. A mask must be worn to enter the establishment and social-distancing guidelines must be observed.

Next time you’re in the Tampa Bay area and looking for a place to meet, relax, or just grab a cup of coffee and go, we recommend you drive right past the green circle labeled chain store and support a local business: The Blind Tiger Café.

If you enjoy reading about local businesses and attractions in the Tampa Bay area, please consider following this blog and sharing it on social media for continued updates! Thanks!

Visiting Busch Gardens Tampa Bay During COVID-19

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has managed to provide an excellent experience that puts health and safety at the forefront when it comes to concerns over COVID-19. They’ve even managed to have some fun with the inconvenience of needing to wear face masks right now, by placing one on their lion sculpture at the main entrance. 

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is an amusement park located on the north side of the City of Tampa. It is known for its thrill rides and animal advocacy. It’s kind of like a zoo with rollercoasters. After hopping off your favorite ride, you can wander around the park observing and learning about giraffes, cheetahs, lions, tigers, elephants, penguins, and many other species.

My six-year-old was excited that he was finally tall enough to ride Cheetah Hunt for the first-time. He provided entertainment for all of our fellow passengers when the ride launched and he started screaming, “God, help me!!” – but that quickly melted into enthusiastic cries of, “This is the best ride ever!” It was hard to catch my breath on the ride from laughing so hard.

The final verdict: He loved it! If your child is not a roller-coaster enthusiast, though, there are plenty of rides that appeal to all ages.

Let’s address the first question that is probably on the mind of parents considering a visit with their family: Is it safe to visit Busch Gardens right now with COVID-19 being a concern?

COVID-19 Precautions: Busch Gardens is taking COVID-19 seriously! We were really impressed with the precautions that have been put in place. The park is limiting admission to those who have made a reservation for the specific attendance date. Newly purchased Busch Gardens tickets are now date-specific. Passholders and existing ticket holders will only be permitted admission by reservation. Hours vary by day, and the park is no longer open every day of the week. You can check the schedule HERE.

Your temperature will be taken before proceeding to the entrance and face masks are required once inside the park. If you don’t have a face mask, the park has them available for purchase. Designated “Mask Relaxation Zone” areas are marked for visitors to remove their masks to cool down and get some fresh air. Social distancing is also encouraged. Ride lines are clearly marked with six-foot markers. Hand sanitizer and hand washing stations are placed at regular intervals throughout the park, with additional locations placed when entering and leaving a ride. Additional information may be found on their Health and Safety page and their Health and Safety FAQ page.

We found most of the park’s COVID precautions made the visit even more enjoyable than the typical amusement park experience. Waiting in line with six feet between our party and the next was a welcome departure from the normal expectation of fellow visitors being crowded against each other in the heat. Everyone seemed to be respectful of each other and the enhanced rules.

We’ve decided to err on the side of caution regarding public spaces and COVID concerns, but Busch Gardens has done an excellent job of providing as safe an environment as possible. 

One drawback is that their playground areas and carnival games are closed. There are additionally none of the typical amusement park things available like face painting. In addition, indoor shows have been temporarily canceled. If you plan on attending, just be aware that you’re going to be limited to riding rides, looking at animals, eating, or shopping for souvenirs.

If you are able to take a day off and go during the week, we highly recommend it! Our most recent visit was on a Tuesday, and the longest line we waited in was around 45 minutes. Most of the lines were 20 minutes or less. However, with the reservation requirement, weekends aren’t overly crowded either. 

Overall, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay offers a fun and safe escape for those parents and children who are going stir-crazy from months of sheltering in place and social distancing.

Visit https://buschgardens.com/tampa/ to schedule your visit!

Silent Ybor City

Ybor is usually a bustling part of Tampa, Florida. Nightlife in Ybor is famous worldwide. However, Florida is currently under various phases of lockdown. Outdoor activity is permitted, as long as social distancing guidelines are observed, but a business must be deemed essential in order to operate under the current guidelines.

I decided to get out of the house for a few hours and photograph the eerily Silent Ybor City.