Union New American a step above the competition in WestShore District

Full disclosure: I was invited to sample the menu at Union New American. Any opinions express here are my own and do not represent the restaurant or staff there.

Union New American is one of WestShore’s hottest new restaurants with elegant decor and a modern look from Next Level Brands (Boulon, Forbici). The local restaurant stands out in a neighborhood filled with older steakhouses and chains. It’s proximity to Tampa International Airport and I-275 makes it a convenient for anyone on both sides of the bay.

I checked out the restaurant for dinner tonight. The first thing I noticed was how beautiful the bar is. The seating is comfortable and spacious. There were big parties there, including some people stopping by after the Bucs game.

I started off with the Lychee Lover cocktail ($18), which features Drumshanbo Gin, St-Germain, Tart Grapefruit, Lychee Lavender Cordial. It was a very refreshing cocktail and I swore I almost tasted Calpico. It was very Japanese. I could drink it down very easily.

My guest enjoyed a glass of Frank Family Cabernet Sauvignon ($28) from Napa Valley. A solid choice.

For an appetizer, we shared the Wood Fired Shrimp ($24) made with Calabrian Chile, White Wine, and Garlic Butter Sauce. The sauce was exquisite and each bite of shrimp was delicious. The plating was memorable. It could make a good shareable over a drink if you are only craving a few bites.

We also had the Parker House Milk Bread ($6) made with Cultured Butter, Honey, Fresh Thyme. The bread was our favorite. My guest has never had milk bread and it isn’t that common in Tampa, although it should be. It was decadent. Flavorful. Sweet and salty.

The Pepino Papi ($18) features Codigo 1530 Blanco, Mr. Q Cumber Soda, Thai Herb Elixir. This drink tastes very similar to a Pimm’s Cup and I think adding Pimm’s would be the only perfect add-on. You can’t even tell it is tequila, but it is very refreshing and packs a punch.

For the main course I decided to order a few sushi rolls.

The Union Roll ($44) is made with Alaskan King Crab, Wagyu Tartare, Asparagus, Black Garlic Molasses, Truffle Aioli. This roll is obviously filled with premium products. Personally, I can only eat a little wagyu before I feel overwhelmed, but it was good. I think they should sell the Alaskan King Crab and have the Wagyu Tartare as an upcharge. The fried Alaskan King Crab was incredibly delicious, we loved it.

Korean BBQ Salmon Roll ($24) comes with Salmon, Cucumber, Charred Allium, Gochujang, Sesame Oil, Honey, Togarashi. This roll was a unique take on Korean BBQ. I wasn’t sure how the gochujang would work with it or if it would be too spicy, but I am happy to report that it was the correct blend of flavors. I think the roll would be even better if they tried torching the salmon on top. Just an idea though.

Kojo’s Rainbow Roll ($25) features Spicy Tuna, Scallion, Cucumber, Crowned With Avocado, Salmon And Yellowtail. This is pretty much your premium rainbow roll that you will find at most sushi bars. This is a good way to see the difference between the sushi at Union and some typical sushi bars. It’s flavorful, but not quite as unique.

We also tried the Shrimp Fried Rice ($19) with Carrots, English Peas, Scallions. The rice was moist and delicious. Honestly it’s one of the best fried rice dishes I have enjoyed in Tampa. They have a plate of Iberico Pork that comes with fried rice and would consider that after trying this. Recommend this!

My guest ordered the Green Circle Farms Roast Chicken ($39) with Confit Vegetables and Onion Jus. This dish felt very French and savory. I enjoyed this dish as well, but think I made the right choice with sushi.

The Wood Fired Cauliflower ($14) really hit the spot and is great for being both a healthy vegetable item that also tastes great.

The vibe at Union is not pretentious, which is nice for locals to enjoy. I think the vibe feels elegant though. I noticed many guests celebrating birthdays or on dates. The menu serves a variety of American dishes, Asian food, and Steakhouse classics. It’s a little bit of everything.

The New American Old Fashioned ($18) made with Makers Mark, Butter-washed Laird’s Apple Brandy, Brown Sugar Cinnamon and Cherry-Vanilla Bitters was the perfect way to end the meal with a classic drink that washed down all the flavors in my mouth.

Overall, the food quality at Union New American is a step above the competition in the area. There is an obvious effort to create a change in WestShore and provide something local and different. I think Union is worth visiting and a great place to go on a date or have a celebration. They also offer lunch and a private room for events. Also – please make sure you try that milk bread and fried rice!

Join me on Substack at Tampa Today News.

Restaurant Name: Union New American

Address: 1111 N Westshore Blvd, Tampa, FL 33607

Phone Number: (813) 768-9989

Website: uniontampa.com

Menu: uniontampa.com/menu

1111 N West Shore Blvd, Tampa, FL, United States

Nueva Cantina serves delicious Mexican eats in St. Pete

Full disclosure: I was invited for a tasting to Nueva Cantina. Opinions expressed are my own and do not represent the restaurant.

Nueva Cantina is a relaxed, affordable neighborhood spot that also serves delicious contemporary Mexican cuisine. Tortillas are hand-pressed, the guacamole is made to order, and it shows in the quality of the food. I visited the South St. Pete location at 1625 4th St. St. Petersburg, FL 33701 for a taste of the menu.

We started off with the Mexican Street Corn ($6.95) made with four sweet lollies dusted with queso fresco, fresh cilantro, and chili powder. The first thing I noticed was that each flavor was perfectly layered on the corn, sometimes in the rush to add corn to menus restaurants have overdone or underdone this dish that should be quite simple. Nueva Cantina made it just right though.

Then came the Platanos Maduros ($8.95) which is fried sweet plantains served with queso fresco and sour cream. This is an easy shareable that you don’t see on enough menus in Tampa Bay despite the ease of making it. I love the contrast always of the sweetness of the plantains and the sour cream.

The Nueva Sampler at Nueva Cantina is excellent.

The Nueva Sampler ($10.95) comes with guacamole, queso, and salsa. All 3 were incredible fresh and delicious. I would definitely order this and share it with a group. Regular chips and salsa are $4.95 so you might go all the way if you’re going to enjoy these.

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapenos at Nueva Cantina.

The Bacon-Wrapped Jalapenos ($9.95) made with (4) Jalapeños stuffed with chicken, onions, and cream cheese, wrapped in Applewood smoked bacon, served with mango
chutney did not disappoint. In fact, it was probably my second favorite thing that I ordered. The contrast of flavors and the mango chutney finish is just superb. Try this!

Pollo Serrano Enchiladas at Nueva Cantina.

For my main course I ordered the Pollo Serrano Enchiladas ($11.95) which is flour tortillas filled with shredded chicken, cheese and baked in a serrano creme sauce topped with jalapeños. Choice of rice and beans. These are some of the best enchiladas I have ever had a Mexican restaurant, especially in Tampa. The serrano sauce was perfection. My favorite item for sure!

We, of course, had to try the birria tacos and they were great.

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Finally it wouldn’t be a neighborhood Mexican spot without good margaritas and these did not disappoint. Cheers!

Nueva Cantina

Restaurant Name: Nueva Cantina

Address: 1625 4th St. St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Phone: 727-851-9579

Website: http://www.nuevacantina.com

Menu: http://www.nuevacantina.com/menus

Find delicious Mexican food at Xochitl in Tampa Heights

Full disclosure: I was invited to Xochitl to try the food on the menu for a tasting. Any opinions are my own and do not represent the restaurant itself.

For Xochitl Cocina Mexicana owner, Jacqueline Gonzalez, opening her first restaurant has been a journey she never imagined. It all started on a trip to Europe, where Gonzlez witnessed a woman happily owning a cafe and thought to herself she wanted that life and to find that happiness. Gonzalez began looking for a location and a change in her life as a healthcare worker.

She looked at Armature Works, but couldn’t sign a lease with a multi-year wait and then decided on a spot across the street after hunting all over town for a location. After years of planning she finally was about to open her doors fully staffed in March of 2020. Then the pandemic hit.

Suddenly, Tampa was flipped upside down and the entire world was plunged into the COVID-19 pandemic. The journey since then has come with many changes and adjustments as things evolve. Initially, Gonzalez wanted a bigger menu instead of tacos, enchiladas, and burritos, but the pandemic forced changes that she never predicted.

Thankfully – it works. The menu at Xochitl is simple and yet delicious. It’s pulse on all the Mexican flavors you know and love with an attention to detail is fine-tuned. Take the steak tacos, any place can have them, but the ribeye and delicious cheese and other toppings truly make it delicious at Xochitl.

The carnitas blows my mind. Packed with delicious flavor unlike any other place I have enjoyed in Tampa. I almost forgot I was in Tampa for a minute.

The margaritas are truly the winners on the drink menu and aren’t packed with sour mixes or tons of sugar and salt. My favorite is the passionfruit, but the watermelon and strawberry are also incredibly delicious. I also like the spiciness in the Mezcalina.

Gonzalez told me during my visit, that one thing don’t people don’t realize about the pandemic for businesses is how it has disrupted supply distribution and with the rest of the world still battling thousands of daily COVID deaths and overfilled hospitals, sourcing for restaurants has been an intense challenge. Not to even mention government instability around the world and driver shortages.

Something as simple as tequila or avocados has become difficult for local restaurants to obtain and Gonzalez told me that during Cinco de Mayo, she had to put her foot down to make sure her tequila arrived for her celebration after one of the most difficult years the restaurant industry has ever faced.

Despite all the hardships and difficulties, you can tell Gonzalez loves what she does. She is prideful and clearly has a fighting spirit. No one can survive in this industry without that. She has no problem rolling up her sleeves with everyone else and seems to really love participating in every part of Xochitl from the Instagram page to the kitchen ideas bounced back and forth.

The Empanadas de Carnitas were some of the best I have ever enjoyed locally. The sauce was phenemonal and a home recipe inspired by the kitchen staff. One thing Gonzalez says she isn’t afraid of is to change things up if something better comes along. She admits many things about running a restaurant are trial and error, and she seeks to learn from others which is an important thing for a business owner to understand.

The Elote is excellent and I really enjoyed all the flavors on it. It’s been interesting seeing it on menus lately because I feel like so many restaurants were neglecting corn for so long, but it’s simple and delicious with the right ingredients.

Their Mexican Ceviche was also tasty and a good starter or shareable dish, I really enjoyed the shrimp and the chips that came with it. Ceviche is not the first thing I think of when I think of Mexican food, but the truth is Mexican food is so diverse, there are so many things I have never had – especially having never been to the country itself.

The freshness of the tacos is very welcome. Tampa has become quite the taqueria city in what was previously a scarcity of dives and chains. As more people move to Tampa, the demands go up, but keeping prices in line can be a challenge for a growing city. Gonzalez says she has a hard time sacrificing quality and has to make smart business calls, but will still not trade her quality.

One thing people argue about quite a bit on the internet is how much Mexican food should cost and how much it is worth. To me, the cost should reflect the value the food brings you. It is my opinion that the freshness of the food at Xochitl far exceeds what you normally see in a local Tampa Mexican restaurant.

That doesn’t mean there are no deals though. Xochitl happily participates in drink specials, happy hour, Taco Tuesday, and brunch. The restaurant seems to be a community partner and also has great live music that I happened to stumble upon during their anniversary. It was a toe tapper.

For those into current food trends, Xochitl also has birria tacos which have pretty much swallowed up Tampa at the moment. The birria dip is not too thick or greasy, but a delicious blend of flavors that I absolutely loved. I first had birria in San Francisco right as the trend was beginning to appear in news outlets such as Eater, and even I have been surprised at how it exploded.

There is dining available both inside and outside, it was comfortable outside although summer will likely bring rainstorms and showers. I would like to see Xochitl able to utilize the space outside even more. I think the pandemic highlighted al fresco dining that is underutilized by so many.The bar inside is beautiful as well and I definitely think there is potential for plenty of mixology events to be enjoyed there.

I am very interested in going back soon for more food. I wish I was a little closer since I relocated to Brandon from Seminole Heights, but Xochitl is very convenient for people who live in Tampa Heights, Seminole Heights, Downtown Tampa, or Ybor City. It’s very unassuming to those who may not know, but delicious food and drinks await you if you make the trip.

I recommend Xochitl Cocina Mexicana

Xochitl. 307 West Palm Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602. (833) 962-4485.

W Palm Ave

Lack of seasoning at Cilantro SF Taqueria

Have you ever felt a powerful craving for a burrito taking you over? That was me a few weeks ago. I didn’t know when and I didn’t know how, but I knew I needed to eat a burrito.

Just the thought of a burrito in front of me was bringing a goofy smile to my face. I could practically taste it on the tip of my tongue. Food cravings are like that.

Finding a good Super Burrito in San Francisco can be a difficult venture when you are not able to visit the hotspots most people frequent, such as El Farolito or La Taqueria in the Mission District, and when you find yourself without cash or a bank close by.

I randomly ended up at Cilantro SF Taqueria near Fisherman’s Wharf after the Women’s March and decided to give it a try. The prices are fairly standard for San Francisco and will run you about $9.99 for a Super Burrito made with carne asada steak prepared all the way. Tortilla chips are complementary and there is a salsa bar for all diners to enjoy. Debit and credit cards are accepted.

Initially, I was excited to see the salsa bar and ran over to grab some picante, salsa, and tomatillo sauce and a generous supply of salt for my chips. I ran over to my seat and began to dunk my tortilla chips into the sauces. Although the sauces had a wonderful hue to them, the actual flavor of the sauces was pretty bland and left me wishing for more spices and flavorings. It was a bit of a tease.

The super burrito then arrived at my table inside its signature aluminum foil wrapper. I peeled the aluminum back and took my first bite. The carne asada steak was diced into small pieces that became messy and spread all my over my table, some pieces falling below me on the floor, which I’ll admit was slightly embarrassing. I took a giant bite and munched on my food, the flavors were mostly there that one expects inside their Super Burrito, but something was missing.

The carne asada steak was cooked, but not charred how I like it. The quality of the steak was forgettable and the seasoning was not up to par. The pinto beans and rice as well as the sour cream, guacamole, and other ingredients, however, were all good. I devoured the burrito out of hunger, but felt like I could’ve probably had a better experience elsewhere in San Francisco.

It was ironic that a place called Cilantro did not have spices that were memorable.

The location of Cilantro certainly makes it competitive, especially since El Farolito nearby closes in the early afternoon on weekdays and weekends and most restaurants nearby are tourist traps. They also accept credit cards which makes it a more attractive option for travelers who may not be carrying cash like local do when frequenting restaurants.

The staff at Cilantro is also incredibly friendly and hospitable which can be a little difficult to find in Mexican dive restaurants that are often too busy to actually provide service to customers. The environment at Cilantro was relaxed and casual, the mobs of foodies are nowhere to be found at this dining spot. There was ample seating inside.

Overall, Cilantro has a few thing going for it but simply cannot compete with the household names that have made San Francisco famous for Super Burritos and continue to please the taste buds of hungry diners well into the wee hours of the morning and the shortfall ironically comes down to seasonings.

Restaurant Name: Cilantro SF Taqueria

Cuisine: Mexican

Neighborhood: North Beach

Address: 2257 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94133

Phone Number: (415) 655-9948

Cost: $$

Seasons 52 Valentine’s Day menu tasting

Full disclosure: We were invited to Seasons 52 for a complimentary tasting of their Valentine’s Day menu options and a variety of dishes on their regular menu in exchange for our opinion. Opinions are our own and are not the opinions of Seasons 52 or its affiliates.

We popped over to Seasons 52 in Tampa for a tasting of their Valentine’s Day menu items and a few items off the regular menu. Here are thoughts on the things tried:

Starters

Pinot Noir & Mini Riondo Prosecco paired with Flatbread Mushroom “Four mushroom” Goat cheese, truffle oil, scallions, four different mushrooms.

From the start we were served Pinot Noir as well as given a Mini Riondo Prosecco. Our server, Adam, recommended to pair the wines with one of their flatbreads on the menu. We felt that we needed to try the four mushroom flatbread, due to the umami flavors coming out of the cooked mushrooms and goat cheese being a perfect match for our wine.

Main Course

The presentation was wonderfully done, with my first bite I took a sip of wine and was met with satisfaction, just the right saltiness, buttery-flavor joined with the natural umami od the mushrooms as well as fresh greens to bring balance to the dish. It was truly a pair made from heaven. I wanted to gobble it down, but there was more food on the way.

Grilled Artichokes with preserved lemon hummus – Celery hearts, radishes, green olives

I was extremely curious to try the preserved lemon hummus as well as seeing how well it would pair with a grilled artichoke. To my surprise I was taken back by how delicious it was, the lemon hummus joined with the artichoke packed a flavorful punch that also went well with the starting wine. I truly enjoyed the presentation of the dish and the colors that popped such as the radish and the variety of beautiful color greens.

Wood grilled Handline Tuna
- Mint tabouli, tomato salad, preserved lemon hummus.

The wood grilled handline tuna was recommended immediately by our waiter. Morgan had no hesitation that this would be an amazing dish to have if you were looking for a seafood dish for your evening. Served on a bed of mint tabouli with an appealing, wood-grilled, handline tuna-seared to perfection with a beautiful display of tomatoes on top. The lemon hummus complimented the mint tabouli with wood-grilled seared tuna. It is a perfect rendition of sea meeting land joined by the natural flavours coming from the tomato. This is must order from Seasons 52!

Slow braised Beef Short rib
1. Stone ground cheddar grits, heritage carrots, horseradish crema

The slow braise Beef Short rib was the first recommended dish if seafood wasn’t an option. The presentation was beautifully done, the three different colored carrots appealed to my eyes, but I knew that the delicious gleaming slow-braised beef short rib was the star of the bowl. Seasons 52 literally blew me away with not just taste, but also the beauty of the dish. As I took my first bite, iIwas overwhelmed with the flavors, from the horseradish crema, combined with the cheddar grits, applied to the short rib, my mouth just continued to water as I chewed the delicious combination.

Mac N Cheese
- Cave-aged Gruyere cheese sauce, panko crust

You can never go wrong with a Mac N Cheese that is piping hot! The cave-aged gruyere cheese sauce had a beautiful rich creamy and slightly nutty taste. Gruyere cheese is usually found in fondue , so I knew what was coming towards my tastebuds. Absolutely an amazing combo that I truly enjoyed!

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts

Brussel sprouts cooked right is always delicious. Brussel sprouts cooked with a caramelization? Now that’s a star side dish, honestly it made me so happy, the profile of the flavors complimented each other so well. During my meal, I found myself joining the flavors with the main meals that really continued to make my salivate.

Maine Lobster Tails

The Maine Lobster was phenomenal, the grilled marks and lightly seasoned with salt and pepper with a coat of butter is always a magical flavor combination. It was extremely fresh and applying the roasted lemon to the tail joined the flavors like a proposal on the day of St. Valentine.

Did I mention that if you get engaged at Seasons 52 you get to enjoy a free champagne toast every time you dine for a year?

It’s the perfect idea to propose love!

Dessert:

For dessert you can indulge with the various of flavor, such as: a strawberry shortcake with fresh cut strawberries topped with whip cream or a chocolate pudding smores shot with a graham cracker for the extra crunch.

My favorite dessert was the carrot cake, oh my goodness the flavors were amazing! It was creamy and packed with flavor. It is probably the best carrot cake I have ever enjoyed.

Seasons 52 also offers pecan pie, a tiramisu, and a coconut cookie cake, which were all wonderfully delicious as well.

Overall, we had a great time at Seasons 52. Check them out!

Restaurant Name: Seasons 52

Neighborhood: WestShore

Address: 204 North Westshore Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33609

Cost: $$

Phone Number: (813) 286-1152

Website: http://www.seasons52.com/

Gyro Zone serves up excellent, affordable Lebanese food

There is this is hole-in-the-wall restaurant I have been frequenting by USF and the University Mall called Gyro Zone. It fits every definition of the phrase “hidden gem”.

The prices are fair and trend under $10 with student deals and combos that can appeal to the college students. The hours are also college-friendly with Gyro Zone open until midnight from Monday-Saturday (good luck finding a decent meal after 10PM at other places by campus). The food will leave your heart and stomach in a good place.

When you walk into Gyro Zone – you’re not sure what to expect. The place is simple enough – a long hallway with tables and a counter for ordering your food and pickup. The kitchen is open you so you can see the schwarma in all its fine excellence and their dedication to quality as they prepare the food.

gyro1

Picking a menu item can be tough – I have trended towards chicken schwarma on most visits – simply because it is the best chicken schwarma I have had in the Tampa Bay area. It’s incredible. I usually grab it in a pita, but on my last visit yesterday I decided to go for the Schwarma Bowl which comes with rice, chicken schwarma, some veggies, and a drink. All for around $7. It. is. amazing.

Gyro Zone has 41 reviews on Yelp and seems to have organically reached a 5-star average, yet every time I visit the place isn’t busy which has me concerned, so here I am…writing my love to this excellent food. I have visited over 6 times in the last 3 weeks and I left happy and satisfied every single time.

The fries that they serve with their pita are better than Five Guys and cooked to perfection. The owner (I assume) and employees who work there are always super chill and friendly. They offer delivery (I hear they may be on UberEats soon? – let’s hope).

gyro2

I finally tried the hummus on my last visit. I LOVE hummus – but my experiences with it are all over the place depending on what restaurant you eat it at. The hummus at Gyro Zone was excellent and came with some of their pita chips which I’ll add are also crazy good. Everything here is just on-point and exceeds expectations.

My friend was feeling adventurous yesterday and decided to order the cheeseburger at Gyro Zone. Sure – not an ode to Lebanese cuisine. However, I took a bite or two or three out of his burger and it was insanely delicious. I’m not sure if it was the sauce in the burger or the seasoning in the beef that made it taste so good – but this burger was not your average burger and it seems like that applies across the entire menu at Gyro Zone.

It’s hard to open a great, local business and restaurant in Tampa Bay and all the right elements are at Gyro Zone. All that is left is for people to go and experience it for themselves. Don’t just take my word for it. Go try it yourself. The prices are fair and the food is excellent.

gyro3

Restaurant Name: Gyro Zone

Address: 2709 University Square Dr. Tampa, FL 33612

Phone Number: (813) 284-0777

Website: http://www.gyrozonetampa.com/

Menu: http://www.gyrozonetampa.com/menu.html

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Gyro-Zone-166848396852439/

Soobak

I went to Soobak with some friends last month was impressed with how good the food there was. Arriving early (for friends who always arrive late), I decided to order a California Roll to start my meal and was surprised with the generous portions and fresh taste of the roll.

All the sushi rolls were delicious, including the eel handroll I tried. I am normally not a huge fan of complex rolls, but the Soobak Signature Roll, which features katsu lobster, salmon, krab delight, avocado, masago, tempura deep-fried with eel sauce, was delicious! Prices were extremely reasonable with their most expensive roll being under $10.

The galbi bento box (pictured below) has plenty of rice and the ginger salad was excellent – trust me it will be hard to find LA galbi (the one you see in the USA) for less than $10 anywhere (even for lunch). The pieces of galbi were savory, sweet, bone-licking goodness. The miso soup that I added on was also worth the extra $1.

One of the most interest parts of the meal was the Korean Taco with Bulgogi. It was absolutely amazing. $6.95 for two, but fully-loaded with plenty of ingredients inside – there is nothing like it in Tampa Bay.

We sampled the frozen yogurt and it was surprisingly delicious (I’m not a huge fan of frozen yogurt because it normally hurts my sensitive teeth) – the taro was flavorful and went down easy. The place is small, but they have a big enough table for lunch with a few friends. Location-wise it’s close to Downtown and South Tampa – easily accessible from a bridge in the middle of the two. Parking is in the street – you might not be able to park in front, but there are plenty of public parking spots in the area.

Overall, this place has plenty of different Asian dishes at affordable prices and with great tastes so I will be back for many more trips to this Asian spot on Davis Island. Make sure you sign up for a rewards card!

Fun fact: Soobak means watermelon in Korean.

Restaurant Name: Soobak

Cuisine: Korean, Japanese

Neighborhood: Davis Island

Address: 218 E. Davis Blvd. Tampa, FL 33606

Phone Number: (813) 258-3377

Website: http://www.facebook.com/soobaksushi

Carlos Eats Seoul: Tacos Chidos (타코스치도스) Fresh Mexican Grill in Hongdae (홍대)

Money has been pretty tight in Seoul as I wait for my financial aid to arrive from my home university. I have had to make it by on things, such as tuna kimbap, ramyun, pizza, and various other cheap things you can find in convenience stores (the college student lifestyle indeed). My awesome parents back home in Tampa dropped me some cash the other day and I decided I should probably have one good meal to keep myself a little happy until my scholarships and aid come.

I was craving Mexican. Tacos & Rice was the first thing to come to mind, but I was thinking more of a sit-down environment and found Tacos Chidos (타코스치도스) on my food blog friend Seoul Food’s blog. Some Korean food blogs with amazing food pictures I found on Korean search engines Naver and Daum led me out the door and on my way to Hongdae on a food adventure.

I ended up lost looking for the restaurant for about an hour, but used the mental map in my head and some friendly locals to find the nightclub Harlem in Hongdae. Once you are at the club you walk down the street and make a left into an alleyway and you can find Tacos Chidos near the back of Kraze Burger. This area is surrounded with students and is right next to Hongik University so if you don’t see any students you know you are probably going the wrong way.

When you enter you will see about five or six tables and a bar. I decided to sit at a table. A waiter was quick to bring me a menu and bring me some complimentary chips and salsa. One of the first things I noticed was the free Wi-Fi and a waitress was nice enough to set me up on my iPod Touch with the password. Another cool thing inside the restaurant was Spanish-style wall paintings and Spanish music playing inside the restaurant which created a nice atmosphere, especially to a Hispanic diner.

I decided to order the ground beef burrito for 10,900 won. The cheapest burrito is the bean burrito for 8,900 won, but I like some meat in my burritos. Tacos range from 6,000-8,500 won and for that price I think it is probably a better deal to get a burrito. The enchiladas also caught my eye with chicken for 10,900 won and beef for 12,900 won. I also ordered a Coca-Cola for 2,500 won and a side of guacamole for 1,000 won.

In Tampa there are few places where you can get a small sample of guacamole and if you do find it then the guacamole is some ridiculous price like $3 or $5 so I was happy to try the guacamole at Tacos Chidos. I was quick to finish the chips and salsa and when I finished the waiter came and refilled it for me. At first I was confused and thought maybe I was being charged for this and when I noticed that this was just the waiter servicing me well, then I really wanted to tip the waiter (unfortunately in South Korea tipping is considered rude). The tortilla chips tasted fresh and the salsa was a little spicy with a nice aftertaste to the chips.

The burrito came out quickly. I read the cuisine was Tex-Mex and normally I am not a fan of this type of Mexican cuisine, but I was surprised when I discovered the savory taste of the meat and ingredients inside the burrito. The rice and beans were both satisfactory, certainly not authentic Mexican cuisine but still enjoyable. The side of guacamole tasted fresh and was a nice addition to the rice, beans, and burrito. The sauce on the burrito was slightly spicy, but added a nice flavoring. The tortilla used for the burrito kept in tact and didn’t fall apart when I started to dig in. Many of the flavors here reminded me of Miguel’s Mexican Restaurant in Tampa. Different than California-style Mexican food and places like The Taco Bus.

One of the waitresses was watching me eat and brought me a complimentary side item of jalapeños. Although I don’t eat spicy food I couldn’t help but be astounded by the great service at Tacos Chidos. When I finished my meal the waitress came by and offered to refill my chips again for me despite my empty plate. The waiter refilled my drink every time he saw it low and never proceeded to try to rush me out of the restaurant with my check. The great service and enjoyable Mexican food really made my time at Tacos Chidos memorable and I suggest you check it out if you have a chance.

Restaurant Name: Tacos Chidos (타코스치도스)

Cuisine: Mexican

Neighborhood: Hongdae

Address: 마포구 서교동 361-8 경서빌딩 1F Seoul, South Korea

Phone Number: 02-3143-3618

Other blogs about Tacos Chidos:

http://www.cyworld.com/sosweet22/7224339

http://deltion.blog.me/40124231603

http://blog.naver.com/osunsimi/129309600

Carlos Eats Seoul: Caffe Bene (카페베네) in Sinchon (신촌)

During my first weekend in Seoul I was really hungry and wandering around looking for something good to eat in Sinchon. My rusty hangul was preventing me from reading many of the signs around me and I somehow ended up wandering into Caffe Bene or 카페베네 (It wasn’t hard for this to happen as Caffe Bene is seen almost as frequently as Paris Baguette). You’ll find cafes practically everywhere around South Korea. Coffee is actually really expensive in South Korea, it can cost more than 7,000 won for a drink…and I thought Starbucks in America was expensive. I normally pay around $3/$4 (~4,000 won) maximum for a coffee. Coffee is so easy to make at home it really should not be an expensive luxury item unless the taste is phenomenal.

I did see something that looked very appetizing on the menu: Caramel Cinnamon Bread. This large piece of bread was a sweet and satisfying (though certainly an extremely indulgent and unhealthy) choice and it has to be one of the best desserts I have had before. You’ll find many dessert shops throughout Seoul and you have to really wonder how Koreans manage to stay so skinny with waffles and ice cream literally everywhere.

There was a bit of language barrier problem here when, despite me pointing and saying the name of the item, the cashier had no clue what I was trying to say. Luckily, she grabbed someone who spoke some English and helped me out some. She got me my honey bread item, but gave me the wrong beverage: a sparkling organic blood orange drink, which actually ended up tasting quite good but probably cost me more than I really wanted to spend.

Cafes are also a nice place to lounge and usually have Wi-Fi. It sure isn’t no Cafe Kili, but I’ll take the desserts here anyday.

Restaurant Name: Caffe Bene (카페베네)

Cuisine: Cafe, Desserts

Neighborhood: Sinchon

Website: http://www.caffebene.co.kr/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/caffebene

Twitter: http://twitter.com/caffebenehq

Ploy Thai (Brandon)

Ploy Thai was one of the first Thai restaurants I fell in love with when I first moved to the Brandon area back in 2005. The inside is decorated as lavishly as any other Thai restaurant, but there is something about the quality of the food and service that I enjoy after every visit. The quiet atmosphere is relaxing and when I came back from a week-long trip of eating and traveling for spring break last year in San Francisco , the mecca of great food, the first place I wanted to go when I returned was Ploy Thai. My last visit was after finals. I was craving some Thai food after hours of studying and I thought of the relaxing environment of Ploy Thai almost instantly when I started thinking of restaurants in the Brandon area.

Fun fact: Ploy Thai is named after the owner’s daughter, Ploy, which means “little gem” in Thai.

I never intend to order soup, but I find it hard to resist once I look at an item on the menu and think about the last time I enjoyed one. The Tom Kha Gai or Chicken in Cream of Coconut Soup ($3.50) started my dinner and I really love the lemongrass and cilantro in the soup and the coconut milk is sweet and leaves a nice aftertaste in your mouth.

The Chicken Pad Thai ($10.95 for dinner) is superb. I personally enjoy my Thai food non-spicy and Ploy Thai consistently delivers an excellent Pad Thai in this regard, I can’t comment on Thai hot flavors. The noodles are packed with flavor and the smell of it fills me with zest. The quality of Ploy Thai’s chicken is great tender and juicy, and their simple Pad Thai really hits the spot.

The consistency of the Thai Tea is usually made well and although you may want to ask for little ice so you can get more actual tea, the tea is usually reasonable for the price. Thai food is either water or tea, I find it hard to drink anything else with it.

Overall, Ploy Thai consistently has great food and service and I have enjoyed every visit here in the past few years. They have lunch specials that are $7-$8 if you’re looking to save a few bucks. Ploy Thai is certainly worth a look if you’re in the Brandon area and is located only a few minutes from the Brandon Mall. I have been to the Cross Creek location in New Tampa and enjoyed it as well.

Restaurant Name: Ploy Thai

Cuisine: Thai

Neighborhood: Brandon

Address: 1941 W Brandon Blvd. Brandon, FL 33511

Phone Number: (813) 684-5007

Website: http://www.ploythairestaurant.com/