Recently opened on May 13th, Wok Chi is a fast-casual concept that features the ancient art of wok searing rather than deep-frying ingredients which keeps their dishes nutritious. I was invited to a media tasting last  week and thoroughly enjoyed my experience. I began with Edamame Jiaozi which are beautiful bright green soybeans nestled inside a steamed, delicate dumpling with a crispy bottom. They were fantastic! I could really taste the flavor of the edamame. Light and refreshing, they were perfect on this warm Florida night.

All of us in attendance got to choose a stir fry and with so many choices, I decided on Spicy Szechuan with Beef and Brown Steamed Rice. I was craving something spicy and it was just what I wanted. With Szechuan peppercorns, tender onions, carrots, green peppers and snow peas, it was a sensational blend of flavors and my taste buds were practically doing the happy dance. I finally found a healthy version of this classic dish that accentuates flavor and fresh ingredients without any of the guilt.

I can never keep my fork to myself and just had to sample another dish which was Sweet and Sour Chicken. Now, I always avoid ordering any type of sweet and sour dish because they are always so heavily breaded and you can never taste the flavors of the protein.  This, on the other hand, is how sweet and sour dishes should be prepared!  Tart, tangy and a tad sweet with fresh chunks of golden pineapple, onions, bright red pepper and a dash of rice wine vinegar then tossed with wok-seared chicken, their preparation is like the Elvis Presley of sweet and sour and it really got me all shook up!  Wok Chi, “thank ya, thank ya very much.”

With Elvis on the brain it was only fitting that I would move on to something sweet that was meant for a king. Ladies and gentleman, may I present their Crispy PB&J Chi-Bon. With music always on the brain, suddenly the 80′s classic “She Bop” by Cindi Lauper popped into my head and I found myself singing “Chi-Bon, Chi-Bon” to myself, unless of course, anyone heard me.  Anyway, getting back to Elvis, he would have loved this heavenly creation of gooey peanut butter-filled inside of a dessert bun and served with strawberry jelly. I shamelessly enjoyed every last morsel and brought two home for my kids, one of which was their Crispy Custard Chi-Bon that my son raved about.

While sitting back and relaxing with my tummy nice and full, I was invited to have a cup of green tea which they offer to their guests as a token of their appreciation. How sweet is that? As part of their Green Tea Initiative and their expression of gratitude, they offer everyone that comes through their door a hot, healthy, organic, cup of freshly brewed green tea. I was delighted by this gesture and enjoyed my cup along with a pink fortune cookie.

As I sipped on my tea, I gazed around the room and felt truly at peace. It was nice to take a break from my hectic schedule and the green tea rejuvenated my mind and soul.

I am sure that when you read this, you were probably wondering the meaning behind the name “Wok Chi.”  Here is their story courtesy of their website:

“There is a rich, yet brief, story behind our name. The “Wok” part comes from the fact that our cooking utensil of choice is the wok—a traditional Chinese vessel with a rounded bottom that allows us to prepare food with less oil and more steam. Chi means “energy,” so the steam rising from the wok during the cooking process is essentially the wok’s energy. Thus, Wok Chi^SM. No one understands this concept better than our Wok Masters, who put the magic and flair into our dishes. Cooking, for the Wok Masters, is like a dance, and the choreography is thrilling to watch. Marvel at our Wok Masters. Feel the chi.”

I am so glad I got to be a part of this special evening and am ecstatic that I found the perfect place to satisfy my craving for delicious  and healthy Chinese cuisine. I urge you to take a visit to Wok Chi and experience this incredible establishment.

Cheers!

-Tracy

**meal was provided courtesy of Wok Chi and because I enjoyed it so much, I decided to write about my experience.

        

Fast forward to 1993 when  Meals on Wheels purchased the building at their current location on Hillsborough. In 2005, thanks to an extensive capital campaign, their kitchen was renovated to commercial grade and enabled them to reach even more people in need of meals.

During my visit, I had the pleasure of trying one of the meals that is provided to those in need. I must say, it was quite delicious and consisted of Honey Dijon Chicken with Buttered Noodles and Caramel Carrots.

The flavors in this dish were fantastic and I found the chicken to be comforting. I had been having a bit of a stressful day and when I sat down to eat, I instantly felt better and more relaxed. I can only imagine how those who receive those meals must feel.

Other meals offered include:

Chicken Stir-Fry
Lite Teriyaki Sauce
Oriental Rice
Warm Apples
Whole Wheat Bread
Garden Salad with Tomato
Hand Fruit (Orange)

Beef Burgundy
Noodles
Broccoli / Lima Beans
Warm Pears
Garden Salad
Pineapples Tidbits

Sliced Sesame Loin of Pork
Gravy & Steamed Rice
Greens Peas
Carrot Raisin Salad
Bananas

Cheese/Meat Manicotti
Marinara Sauce
Spinach/Chopped Tomatoes
Warm Spiced Apples
Whole Wheat Bread
Garden Salad
Oatmeal Cookie

Baked Chicken
Scalloped Potatoes
Chicken Gravy
Green Beans
Tropical Fruit Salad
Butterscotch Pudding

Cheese Ravioli Marinara
Broccoli
Sliced Apples
Green Salad
Tapioca Pudding

After taking a tour of their kitchen, I was quite impressed with the way everything is produced. Truly a spacious facility, their kitchen reminds me of one you would find in a bustling hotel or high-volume restaurant. The amount of passion that goes into each meal is quite apparent once you taste the final product. I was also delighted to know that their chef was once the chef for Estée Lauder. How fantastic is that?

There are so many other wonderful services offered by Meals on Wheels such as Non-Profits Helping Non-Profits which was launched in the summer of 2011. The goal is to create a source of sustainable funding for their mission.  This program provides meals to other non-profit organizations that are in need of food services.  The revenue generated through these contracts go directly into supporting their mission of caring for the homebound and seniors of Tampa. I just love this program!

To learn more about Meals on Wheels Tampa, I encourage you to stop by or even volunteer. They are such a dynamic organization and I love what they are doing for our community. One fantastic way to volunteer is through their Adopt-A-Route! This program provides the ideal way for companies, civic and faith-based organizations to engage in community service. By working with Meals On Wheels of Tampa, companies can offer their employees or member volunteers time to deliver mid-day meals.To learn more, you can contact Andrea Brogen, Director of Community Relations at 813-238-8410 or a.brogen@mowtampa.org.

I am honored I got to spend some time at Meals on Wheels and learn about this fantastic organization. Be sure to visit them on Facebook by clicking here.

Have a wonderful week everyone.

        

I popped in last week to try some of their wings after hearing about them from friends. Being that I am such a wing connoisseur, owner Tom Tate sat with me and we sampled some new flavors such as their family recipe for “Carolina” wings and my idea for “Pesto” wings.  Tom is a great guy and we spent an hour just winging it.

With classics such as BBQ, Garlic Parmesan, Mild, Medium, Hot and Scorching, I enjoyed trying them all and had the chance to try some new sauces that are not on the menu. I was really impressed with their Carolina wings. Mustard based, the Carolina sauce is a secret family recipe that is simply delicious. Always looking for unique sauces, this one really won me over.

A few weeks ago, I was chatting with Tom Tate about unique wing flavors and suggested they try to make a pesto wing. While I was in that afternoon, he asked one of the cooks to toss some wings in pesto and voila…I got to sample pesto wings. They came out fantastic, especially since they were sprinkled in Parmesan. I could eat these on a regular basis.

Their hot wings were also fantastic. They have just enough spice so you can still taste the flavor without too much heat.

I will definitely be returning to Tate’s to try some of their other items, especially their pizza. Family friendly and conveniently located in the heart of South Tampa, Tate’s is a great place to grab a quick bite or to stay and catch a game. With multiple televisions and a full bar, Tate’s is sure to please everyone.

        

With a fantastic Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar, the girls all enjoyed a beverage while I sipped on water. I had a long day ahead of me and as much as I wanted a cocktail, I had to stick with water. I was jealous as I watched everyone construct their beautiful cocktails and will be sure to indulge on my next visit.

Leslie created a masterpiece of a Bloody Mary and I decided to drink vicariously through her. I swear, her cocktail was gorgeous! She would make an amazing bartender. Their unlimited Bloody Mary and Mimosa bar is only $10 and is filled with eye-catching garnishes. They use a pepper infused Russian Standard Vodka which really caught my eye. I know what I will be having on my next visit.

Being that it was Cinco de Mayo, we kicked off our brunch with their famous Table Side Guacamole. This was my second time enjoying their heavenly signature item and it was nothing short of incredible. The use Haas avocados, fresh cilantro, vine ripe tomatoes, onion, diced jalapeno, minced garlic and lime and then serve it with fresh tortilla chips. You can have it prepared to your liking and that is one of the things I like most about their Table Side Guacamole. Our guacamole was seasoned just right and we finished it so quickly that we had to place another order. Is their anything better than fresh guacamole? Nope!

Our server began to bring out the first of many dishes, which was Filet N’ Eggs Oscar. Consisting of grilled filet medallions, 2 eggs any style, lump crab, hollandaise, caramelized asparagus and chorizo risotto, it was a great way to get my day started. With rich flavors and a beautiful presentation, this is a great way to enjoy an innovative version of steak and eggs. My favorite part of this dish was the chorizo risotto which I could not stop eating. I recently enjoyed a Chorizo Rice Ball from the popular food truck, Mobile Munchiez, which absolutely knocked my stilettos off with its incredible blend of flavors. This reminded me of the delicious chorizo rice ball I was introduced to a few weeks ago.

I must admit, as someone who tries to eat as healthy as possible, I am always thrilled to splurge when it comes to brunch. As we were presented with Strawberry Shortcake French Toast, my heart skipped a beat when our server told us it was crème brulee french toast with strawberry compote and fresh whipped cream. As I took a bite it was the equivalent of a shoe shopping spree at Jimmy Choo…..decadent and just plain fabulous.

I have been on a flatbread kick lately and was thrilled to try their Morning Flatbread which is stone oven baked and topped with scrambled eggs, applewood bacon, maple cured sausage, home fries, sun-dried tomatoes and cheddar jack. This was perfect for sharing and I loved the flavor.

As the girls all got up to grab another cocktail, I sat and gazed at the beautiful dishes in front of me and fantasized what it would be like to enjoy a cocktail with my brunch. That would have put this meal over the top for me. Well, that WILL happen on my next visit. Next up was their Crab N’ Prosciutto Benedict. I have never met an Eggs Benedict I didn’t like and this was a phenomenal dish of poached eggs, prosciutto, sautéed crab, béarnaise, truffled spinach and bacon n’ cheddar home fries. There are so many reasons why I loved this dish, I do not know where to begin. The prosciutto and the sautéed crab were a delightful combination and the truffled spinach imparted incredible flavor. The bacon n’ cheddar home fries were simply addicting. As they say, bacon makes everything better and the addition of bacon and cheddar to home fries is just genius.

Oh Flamestone, you sure know how to make a girl happy, especially when you create such sinfully delicious items like your Banana Fosters Waffles. Yes, you read that correctly, Banana Foster Waffles! Two savory waffles topped with sautéed bananas, candied pecans and Myer’s Rum caramel sauce, it just does not get better than that folks. Thank goodness we were sharing otherwise I would have devoured this entire dish!

Those amazing bacon n’ cheddar home  fries made another appearance as a side to the Rancheros Omelet.  Another dish that was perfect for Cinco de Mayo, it consisted of Chorizo, Spanish onions, green chiles, tomato, cheddar jack, zesty salsa, fresh guacamole and of course, a side of bacon n’ cheddar home fries. I have always loved chorizo and eggs and order them often. Fresh salsa is a staple in my diet, so this was one of my favorite dishes of the day. Nothing quite compares to a savory omelet topped with guacamole and salsa.

I will never forget the first time I had chicken and waffles. I had recently moved to Tampa and was on a weekend trip to Atlanta. After spotting a sign at a local place that was featuring chicken and waffles, I was intrigued and decided to go in and order this interesting combination. Yes, it was love at first bite and to this day, one of my guilty pleasures is a dish of chicken and waffles with a glass of champagne. You can imagine my surprise when we were presented with a gorgeous tower of Chicken N’ Waffles! Flamestone was really knocking it out of the part today and I could not wait to dive into this mouth-watering plate of crispy fried chicken, homemade Belgium waffles, candied bacon, pecan butter and ancho maple syrup. I am going back to have this in the very near future. Truly, there are no words to describe how much I loved this dish. The waffles were nice and fluffy and the sweet pecan butter melted into every nook and cranny. The ancho maple syrup was sweet with a slight amount of spice and gave an intoxicating flavor to the dish. I must say the candied bacon was a delicious bonus and really took this dish to the next level. Hands down, this was my favorite item of the day.

I was pleasantly full and ready to head back home when we were presented with yet another stunning item……Camp Fire S’mores. This was the highlight of the day and was such an interactive way to enjoy a dish amongst friends.

If you are looking for a fantastic brunch in Tampa Bay, look no further than Flamestone American Grill. I was impressed with everything from flavors and presentation to creativity and impeccable service. If I lived closer, I would be there every Sunday. I can’t wait to go back with my kids, as I know they will love the Tableside S’mores.

Thank you Flamestone for hosting us!

        

After many successful events in Tampa, I am ready to dive into the cities of St. Petersburg, Dunedin, Clearwater and Sarasota. In June, I will be debuting in St. Petersburg and Dunedin and am excited to get to know these culinary hot spots. Last week marked my tenth anniversary in Tampa and I could not think of a better way to celebrate than joining this incredible company.

Our debut event in Tampa took place in February and is still the talk of the town. On this magical night, we visited the cozy neighborhood of Palma Ceia in South Tampa and enjoyed amazing food from Catrinas Cocina y Galeria, Cru Cellars, Hot Mess and Datz. Many guests have been repeat dishcrawlers and I have made so many new friends.

I am excited to bring this excitement throughout Tampa Bay and have giveaways for both of our debut events in St. Petersburg and Dunedin! To enter, all you have to do is comment on the post and tell me your favorite restaurants in St. Pete and Dunedin as well as the event you most want to attend. I will pick two winners on Friday, June 7th! Here are the links to the two events. You can use code ‘mocbtb’ for $5 off!

Delicious Dunedin

Dishcrawl Debuts in St. Pete

Good luck and I hope to see you very soon on a Dishcrawl!

xoxoxo,

Your Tampa Bay Area Dishcrawl Ambassador

Check out what people are saying about Dishcrawl here!

        

I enjoy pistachios in many ways but my absolute favorite is pistachio gelato. On my first trip to Italy back in 1999, I found a gelateria in the Piazza Navona in Rome that made an incredible pistachio gelato. I stopped by every day during my trip and the flavor has been forever etched in my brain. While I have had many delicious versions of this mouth-watering flavor, nothing can compare to what I experienced at Paciugo Gelato & Caffè in St. Petersburg last week.

Located on the dazzling Beach Drive, Paciugo is a major attraction for visitors and locals. I was walking all around downtown St. Pete last week on a particularly warm day and when I spotted their sign, I decided to pop in and see what they offered. My eyes immediately spotted my beloved pistachio and I just had to order some. While talking with manager Brad, I learned that Paciugo offers 26 Gelato flavors made fresh daily including 6 dairy free flavors.

I sampled a few flavors such as Mediterranean Salted Caramel, Baci, Strawberry Balsamic, Violet and Lime Mojito.  Each one I sampled was fantastic and was some of the best gelato I have ever had. Did you know that their gelato has 70% less fat than premium ice creams? Even more of a reason to stop by and enjoy their incredible gelato.

I wound up enjoying a nice cup of both pistachio and baci gelato. Baci is a chocolate-hazelnut flavor and tastes a lot like Nutella!!! It was fantastic. I am so glad I found Paciugo and am anxious to return. Be sure to stop by if you are in the area, you will thank me for it!

I hope you all have a great week!

        

• Aqua

• Bay Bistro Riverwalk

• Beef ‘O’ Brady’s

• Brewburgers

• Danny’s All American Diner

• EATS! American Grill

• Fountain Square

• Irish 31

• The Moon Under Water

• Smokey Bones

A panel of both celebrities and local culinary experts will vote on “Best Burger in Tampa Bay” while guests will vote for the People’s Choice Award. Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 day of event and include all the burgers you can eat, one drink ticket, french fries and a dessert sampling. There are also VIP tickets for $75 which in addition to all of the regular tickets items with also include a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres, open bar and a complimentary eBOAT ride. There are only a limited amount of VIP tickets available so be sure to grab yours today! For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Celebrity Judges

• Corey Dylan – Radio Host, 970 WFLA

• Ian Beckles – Radio Host, 620 WDAE

• Jeff Houck – Food Writer, The Tampa Tribune

• Radio Host, 98Rock

• Steve Otto – Columnist, The Tampa Tribune

You do not want to miss this event and I hope to see you there. Because I am so passionate about the Tampa Bay food scene, I want to give away a pair of tickets to a reader so they may enjoy this awesome event. To enter, simply comment on this post and tell me who makes the best burger in Tampa Bay. I will pick a winner on Thurday, May 16th at noon.  You can pick up your tickets at the event.

See you on the 17th!

        

Fellow blogger and friend, Megan Wood, (I Run For Wine) invited me to come and volunteer with her company,  North Highland Worldwide Consulting, this past weekend at Feeding American Tampa Bay. In 2012, her company, North Highland, initiated a global Day of Giving Back, where each of their offices throughout the world got together on the same day to donate their time and give back to the cities they live in. They did it again this year and I was thrilled to be a part of this special day. Some of my other favorite bloggers joined us as well, Leslie (Dash of Les) and Lauren (Tampa Uncorked). I brought my children along and they helped us sort food and other items that were donated at the warehouse. This was my first time visiting Feeding America Tampa Bay and I learned so much about this wonderful organization.

As we arrived at the facility, I was blown away by the massive quantities of donated items. Our job for the day was to go through boxes of donated goods and to toss things out that were not suitable for giving. We then sorted all items to be donated into different categories and organized them by category into boxes. My children learned about expiration dates and we had a blast. They now have a better understanding of helping people in need.

Did you know that across the country, one in six people struggles with hunger?  That’s 50 million Americans! Of the 509,000 people in West Central Florida who are unsure where their next meal will come from, Feeding America Tampa Bay provided food last year to more than 400,000 people. Their ten county service area in West Central Florida includes Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Pasco, Hernado, Citrus, Sumter, Highlands, Hardee and Manatee counties. Feeding America Tampa Bay is a resource to 600 approved charities that run some type of feeding program.  These include soup kitchens, food pantries, emergency shelters, and Kids Cafe sites.

If you are looking to donate some of your time, it is easy to volunteer at Feeding America Tampa Bay! They welcome individuals, churches, schools, corporations and other groups to participate in numerous volunteer opportunities. Feeding America Tampa Bay can help you to make a meaningful impact in the lives of thousands of people. For more information and to begin the volunteer process, click here.

I had such a wonderful time with everyone and learned so much. Thank you Megan and North Highlands for inviting me to be a part of this special day.

        

Located along Bay Street, The Pub has been wowing guests with their British inspired menu since opening a few years ago. Favorites include Bacon Wrapped Dates, Curry Chips, English Pot Roast, and their Lamb Burger. After hearing so much about their Pub Wings, I am sure you can imagine what I was going to order.

Tossed in your choice of Young’s Double Chocolate Stout BBQ, Buffalo, Spicy Red Curry or Yellow Curry Sauce, I went with Young’s Double Chocolate Stout BBQ per the bartender’s recommendation.

I liked that the wings were not overly dressed, which made them less messy. No matter how hard you try, there really  is no graceful way to eat chicken wings. Wings are served with a creamy dill dressing which is a nice change from ranch and blue cheese. As much as I loved the dressing, the wings had such great flavor that I did not really need it. The bartender also brought me an extra side of the sauce which came in handy. The flavor was fantastic and it was one of the most unique wings sauces I have had in quite sometime. I love the essence of chocolate blended with BBQ sauce.

If the wings are an indication of the rest of the menu, I will be back very soon. I had a wonderful time and am anxious to return. Service was fantastic and I enjoyed the ambiance. On my next visit, I will be sure to have a beer, after all, it is a pub.

        

I adore The Capital Grille. With its rich, dark interior and cozy ambiance, it is one of the ultimate dining destinations in Tampa. I will never forget my first visit back in 2005 when I was introduced to their famous Stoli Doli which is their signature martini made with Stolichnaya Vodka infused with fresh pineapple, chilled and served straight up. Love at first sip, it has been one of my favorite martinis since moving to Tampa in 2003. If you have not yet tried it, you must!

When it came time for me to create my top ten list of the best mac n’ cheese dishes in the Tampa Bay area, The Capital Grille’s Lobster Mac ‘N’ Cheese was at the top. Combining decadence with incredible flavor, this IS the ultimate mac ‘n’ cheese. Made with four types of cheeses, Campanelle Pasta, LOBSTER, butter, and bread crumbs, this dish is as brilliant as a Tiffany diamond.

I went in last week to revisit this masterpiece and fell in love all over again. As it was brought to my table, the scent of cheese and lobster filled the air. The bread crumbs were toasted beautifully and covered the mac ‘n’ cheese like a warm, savory blanket. As I dipped my fork in, I retrieved a succulent piece of juicy lobster. My taste buds were dancing with excitement as I enjoyed the rich flavors of the different cheeses that coated each piece of Campanelle pasta. I instantly forgot about my worries and could only focus on this incredible dish of comfort.

Oh Capital Grille, you are extravagant and I love it! You are currently in my top five list of best mac n’ cheese dishes in Tampa Bay and I can’t wait to return.

Have a wonderful week everyone and be sure to eat something extra special.

Cheers!

-Tracy