Organic Produce to Your Door Step

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Cara Barone

We recently covered eating local in Tampa Bay. Now we’re bringing you another way to make it even easier:  Tampa Bay Organics….Tampa’s home for organic produce delivery!

Tampa Bay Organics offers an organic produce delivery service that includes produce that is in-season, local when possible, fresh and guaranteed to be organic. Their goal is to make eating organic both easy and affordable.

How Tampa Bay Organics Works:

Go online, customize your order, sit back and wait! Your box will arrive at your door – or work – step. While ice packs are included, they advise you to leave a cooler to ensure the produce remains fresh – especially in the summer months.

Tampa Bay Organics was kind enough to ship us a box of their delicious produce to experience their one-of-a-kind service. It included:  [read on...]

  • 4 Black Plums
  • 1 Ruby Grapefruit
  • 4 Cameo Apples
  • 1 Spring Mixed Greens
  • 5 Sweet Potatoes
  • 1 Yellow Onion
  • 1 Dandelion Greens
  • 2 Bi-color Corn
  • 1 Celery
  • 1 Carrots w/ Tops
  • 4 Bananas

Healthy Hard Rock Cafe?

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Megan Singh

What comes to mind when you hear the name, ”Hard Rock Cafe“? Gambling probably tops your list, followed by a concert you’ve attended at one of their venues, or maybe a meal you’ve had at one of their international locations… what about healthy food?

Walking past the aisles of slot machines and poker tables, a couple of thoughts went through my mind: weren’t these people hungry, was there anything healthy available for them by the time they placed their final bets, and would they even want anything healthy after sometimes hours at the slots or at a show? Nonetheless I was curious… having tasted cafe cuisine at Hard Rock locations internationally, how did our own local Tampa Hard Rock chalk up?

hardrock tampa

Walking into the cafe, we got that classic Hard Rock feel. Paraphernalia from celebrities both past and present filled the room, leading to giant speakers surrounding the stage at the back of the room. We were seated to the right of the exposed kitchen and “burger room” where gourmet burgers are made fresh in their in-house butcher grinder. In fact, burgers were the first menu item to come highly recommended, but I’ll talk about those later.  [read on...]

Happy Hour with a Tampa “Homegrown” Twist

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Lauren Cresta

A few weeks back, we mentioned Pelagia Trattoria as a restaurant on the forefront of Tampa’s “eating local” movement.  At the time, it seemed to be a little-known treasure. Who knew this modern Italian restaurant was here all this time, tucked into a corner of the International Mall?

It’s clear Pelagia has grown out of its “hidden gem” status and made a name for itself on the Tampa restaurant scene, seeing media praise and recently hosting a 13th Step dinner, the exclusive monthly dinner for the Tampa foodie set.

Pelagia Trattoria

Pelagia Dining Al Fresco

HTBL was invited to experience their fresh new happy hour concept called “R Life Live,” taking place every Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. With seasonal appetizers and wines at $5, coupled with al fresco live music, this is a celebration of all things Tampa Bay. How, you ask? Let me count the ways…

Local Chef: Pelagia’s Executive Chef, Andrew Basch, is Tampa born and raised. His cuisine features locally sourced foods and made-from-scratch freshness. For years, a passion for gardening his own ingredients didn’t jive with his long chef’s hours, so he decided to “take his garden to work.” Now he harvests everything from hot peppers to opal basil in the planters that surround Pelagia’s outdoor patio.  [read on...]

Salad Emporium Meets…Cereal Bar?

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Cara Barone

I can’t speak for men, but as a girl I know, we’re always in search of the perfect salad. Whether for a light afternoon lunch or filling dinner…I swear, sometimes it’s all we eat.

Well search no further, we have found it for you! Fresh, in downtown Tampa, is the answer to our salad-craving dreams. Seems only fitting, as they dub themselves the “salad emporium.” In fact, with roughly 30 salad options (including a make-your-own) you will probably be overwhelmed. I won’t begin to list the various salad options but let’s just say they’re unique and intriguing enough to make you want to try them all. If you need help deciding, I recommend going with their signature salad “Fresh” – consisting of grilled seasonal veggies, roasted peppers, mushrooms, corn, potatoes and herbs with a rosemary balsamic vinaigrette.  The Greece, The Gold, The Keys and The Brie also come highly recommended. Wanting to taste test them all, I’ve inquired about a salad-loyalty program. Unfortunately, I’ve had no luck so far but I encourage you to put a bug in their ear as well!

Fresh downtown tampa  [read on...]

Crave Spa – Giveaway!

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Cara Barone

South Tampa's Crave SpaA little while back, Laura wrote about Palma Ceia’s gem, Crave Spa. Clean, comfy and cozy…we can’t get enough.

As one of our favorite places (not to mention the owner is ridiculously sweet) we are excited to share the love and give away a free mani/pedi!

How to win:

A winner will be selected next Thursday, April 5th!

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Organic, Vegan and Vegetarian…oh My!

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Megan Singh

A modest chalkboard noting weekly specials stands outside the quaint storefront of Central Cafe and Organics. Small, yes, but this local favorite stands on it’s own amongst its neighboring bars and clubs on the 200 block of Downtown St. Pete‘s Central Avenue. Those who are familiar with the area know this is the street of all streets in St. Pete. Central Cafe’s outside umbrella-covered tables are perfect for people-watching and dining alike, and are often graced with live music on the weekends! The Cafe’s charm isn’t lost once you step foot inside…

Chalkboard signs carry on inside noting the regular menu items, while palm-frond painted and terracotta-covered walls provide just that ‘earthy’ feel you would expect from such a restaurant. An extensive wine selection to my left was not expected, until I learned these were sulfite and pesticide-free, organic wine from across the world! Who would’ve thought, such worldly wine in such a little, local establishment!

st. petersburg restaurants  [read on...]

The Good Sister Says…Make Some Soap!

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Laura Werner

Milagros, a specialty soap boutique nestled in Hyde Park Village, is a bit of a hidden gem. Inside, Milagros has a warm and inviting vintage farm appeal – I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. This shop boasts the “finest handmade glycerin soaps from the world’s cleanest nun.” OK – so I know what you’re thinking…what the heck does a nun have to do with all of this?! You may also be wondering what glycerin is…I’ll get to that in a second. 

Opening first in St. Pete 14 years ago, Milagros then expanded into Tampa 9 years ago. They sell beautifully decorated, handmade glycerin soaps by the bar or loaf in a wide variety of tantalizing scents from botanical & herb garden scents to the wine cellar (that’s right ladies, we’re talkin’ Cosmos) and of course, seasonal specialties. The owners chose glycerin as the base as it is naturally moisturizing and good for the skin. I can definitely vouch that the soaps do exactly that, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that they smell phenomenal! Custom loaves are available by special request, too. If you’re on the lookout for more than just soap, Milagros sells a variety of other bath products in equally delightful scents. Sister Agnes  [read on...]

Why is this Bunker Not My Bunker?

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Cara Barone

When picturing my first home, I imagine myself sitting on the front porch of an adorable Bunker, spending countless hours sipping coffee and red wine. Tre Amici at the Ybor Bunker, otherwise known as “Ybor City’s Living Room”, provides a cozy, “home-y” feel that you can only hope your own Bunker has… and a history as well.

Built in 1926, Tre Amici was actually moved and rebuilt years later and was yet again restored more recently by the Ybor City Museum Society. Thank goodness someone showed it a little TLC, as it is now one of my favorite coffee shops in all of Tampa Bay.

Ybor City

Tre Amici offers organic/fair trade products to include coffee from the one and only Buddy Brew and has self proclaimed it as “flippin’ awesome”… I’ll second that! The Bunker also carries espresso, tea, and delicious light sandwiches and salads. My personal favorites include: the Vegetarian Sandwich (tomato, cucumber, sun-dried tomato, hummus and lettuce tossed in dressing and goat cheese on whole wheat bread) and the Pressed Caprese Sandwich (ditch half of the cuban bread or ask for it on wheat). I know, I know, I can’t go anywhere without getting a Caprese!  [read on...]

Eating Local, Part 3: Where to Shop

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Lauren Cresta

By now you know the benefits of eating local and Tampa Bay restaurants that cook with local ingredients. Today, I’ll highlight where to shop for local food and how to grow it on your own!

SHOP:  Frequent a Farmers’ Market

Did you know that a typical broccoli stalk or carrot travels more than 1,500 miles before it reaches your plate? Scary, right?! Over time, the agriculture industry has figured out ways to produce vegetables and fruits that “appear” to be fresh in the grocery stores, but contain chemicals and lack the nutrients that you get when buying local produce.

Urban Oasis

Local Chef John Carminati goes by the moniker “Chef on the Farm." John teaches regular cooking seminars at Urban Oasis and features the recipes on his blog.

If you feel like you don’t know where to begin making the transition from big grocery store shopping to buying farm-fresh, start small by replacing just one or two food items a week with local produce.  Try some locally grown lettuce in your salads this winter. Cook a new recipe using local eggplant in the spring.

Here are a few of our favorite places in Tampa Bay you can shop for local produce:  [read on...]

Eating Local, Part 2: Dining Out!

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Lauren Cresta

In our last post, you learned the benefits of eating local. Today, we’ll tell you where to eat!

Part of the HTBL lifestyle is dining out… frequently.  We love checking out restaurants all over Tampa Bay and sampling new menus.  If you’re going to dine out, why not try a Tampa Bay restaurant that offers sustainable, organic and local food? You’ll be trying some of the most beautifully presented, creative menu items one can find in our area – and you’ll certainly notice a difference in the taste.

Here are a few Tampa Bay restaurants we recommend:

The Refinery:  This is a Seminole Heights favorite with a menu that changes weekly. Refinery Tampa Whether it be beets, mustard greens or kolrabi, chef Greg Baker incorporates what’s fresh that week in a creative, culinary line-up that always surprises and delights. In addition, they foster other Tampa-based businesses — for example, they serve Buddy Brew Coffee, a local Tampa company and an HTBL favorite!

Sidebern’s:  This modern, Mediterranean-style restaurant is the sister property of Tampa’s historic Bern’s Steakhouse. Named one of the Top 50 Restaurants in Tampa by the Tampa Bay Times (note: so was The Refinery!) they have a great weekday happy hour where an innovative, changing menu of appetizers are all priced under $10.  [read on...]