I'm here AG?!*$? Need help?

AG, I need your advice. Ok, I%26#39;m here now and wondering what%26#39;s the closest place (that%26#39;s good) for breakfast around 8th and Washington? Also, at night, would you say that it%26#39;s pretty safe for me to travel alone as a woman? ......... and is the Miami Bay Cruise better than the Duck Tour? Thanks Sweetie :)

I'm here AG?!*$? Need help?

Sha%26gt;

Sorry - are you still waiting to have breakfast or did you hook up with the Irish Guys at the Clevelander yet? I think utilizing the length of Ocean Drive is the safest walking street for travelling north/south at night. Sometimes Washington Av feels a little rough as the guys hanging out in front of the bodegas are kind of (harmless but) sketchy...

Tomorrow -

You can start the day at any of the little walk up Cuban bodegas and have a strong cafe Cubano and a pan Cubano. This is a super strength espresso fortified with a lot of sugar and served in a thimble (trust me - a little goes a long way) with a raft of crispy toasted extra light grill-pressed bread. Miami runs on this breakfast of champions. Most places serve right out on the sidewalk through a little window, but some have a counter inside offering just squeezed juices too. Check this out one morning... (Puerto Sagua at 7/Collins is everyone%26#39;s favorite Cuban Cafe 24/7).

If you are more a bacon and eggs type, the Front Porch Cafe on 14/Ocean Drive has a lovely menu to start the day. The News Cafe is further South at 9/Ocean but is a go-to spot for visitors and locals alike. This is closest to the Clinton. On weekends the lawyer-wannabe-bikers ride up on their shiny new Harleys and pose and preen in front of the News Cafe. It%26#39;s kind of a midlife crisis performance art thing... (you%26#39;ll see and laugh and think of me!!)

You can also do what every red-blooded American does and walk 10 steps in any direction and find a Starbucks to customize a cup of something... with a low fat muffin to go. You want them - we have them. There are 3 separate Starbuck%26#39;s on Lincoln Mall. The closest to the Clinton is 2/Ocean...

There are lovely brunches as well. On Sunday - Spend a little extra at Nemo (100 Collins) and you can eat all you want and you will want to eat PLENTY. The food is spectacular and not the usual sweaty chafing dishes most places fill with stale eggs and dry ham. The kitchen has an open counter top and the dishes they refresh all morning are filled with unusual treats you%26#39;re not soon to forget. Meanwhile, along the horseshoe-shaped bar, the pastry chefs set out cakes and cobblers and cookies and pie - oh - my!

Just across the street at 2/Collins is the all day and all night diner Big Pink which serves huge plates of breakfast standards (including my favorite breakfast burrito) and a host of giant salads, juicy burgers, wrap sandwiches and hefty desserts too. Be sure to substitute sweet potato fries for the regular ones on someone%26#39;s order - they are wonderful! Oh - did I mention the fries come in a BUCKET? So do the beers...

Around Lincoln Road, the other breakfast and brunchy-lunchy places worth mentioning are

Cafeteria 546 Lincoln,

Ice Box Cafe 1657 Michigan,

Balans 1022 Lincoln (which is actually cheaper on weekdays and has a lovely eggs benedict),

Nexxt 700 Lincoln (giant portions),

Van Dyke (live jazz every night on the 2nd floor), and

Paninoteca Sandwich Shop 809 Lincoln.

Just north of the mall on Meridian is David%26#39;s Cafe, the Cuban storefront to visit for that jet fuel cafe and a super reasonable breakfast menu (all locals, you%26#39;ll see!!)

Also near by is A la Folie Cafe on Espanola for a French pastry and a latte and crepes etc...

For the rest of the day and evening, you can check out

La Sandwicherie at 229 14th Street,

San Loco Tacos next door,

Spris/Tiramesu Italian 721 Lincoln,

Miss Yip%26#39;s Chinese across from David%26#39;s on Meridian,

Piola Pizza 1625 Alton at the west end of the mall under the movies for just-baked little pies,

Hosteria Romana on Espanola Way for great Italian,

Parilla Liberty 1925 Liberty Ave for grilled Argentinian meats,

Chalan on 15/Washington for wonderful Peruvian food,

Rosinella 525 Lincoln for pasta,

Grillfish seafood 14/Collins,

Bond Street 150 20th for hip sushi,

Sushi Siam 646 Lincoln for Thai,

Altamar seafood 1223 Lincoln

or the comfort food destination Joe Allen%26#39;s 1787 Purdy 305-531-7007 (my favorite local%26#39;s hangout).

... that should keep your belly (and your wallet) reasonably full!

I think DUCK... Washington at Lincoln is the office (NE corner).

Have Fun. ...sorry I missed breakfast.

AG

acne get worse

suggestions

Out of towner 1st time going to St. Pete going to Tropicana Field. What is there to do around the area and is it a safe area to walk around? My hotel is about 1.3 miles from the park. Any help is greatly appricated.

suggestions

On central ave near Tropicana Field there are numerous restaurants--Fergs-and antique stores. I would not be comfortable walking around there unless I was in a big group. There are several halfway houses in the area and you get a lot of - -shall we say undesireables? Beyond that downtown St. Pete is close and has a lot to do. Check out Baywalk and the Pier.

suggestions

Previous poster is right on - don%26#39;t walk around down by the Tropicana Fields. Downtown, on the other hand, is VERY pedestrian friendly. If you have a car, you can drive to downtown and then walk all over it to your heart%26#39;s content. There are tons of things to do downtown.

The Pier is obvious - you must go to the Pier. There%26#39;s a little shopping (maybe 6 shops on the ground floor) but it%26#39;s just a cool place to visit and lots of visitors have enjoyed going there for a sunset and a drink. There are several restaraunt%26#39;s there but Columbo%26#39;s is the only one I have ever heard anyone say was really something special. Al Fresco%26#39;s is an outside restaurant right by the Pier that a lot of people like but reviews have have made it sound like it might be all about location, good food and location with customer service somewhat lacking.

I would suggest that you go to The Dish or Dan Marino%26#39;s over in Baywalk for dinner instead anyway. If you have all night, you might try the Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant a minute or two north of downtown. The Dish is a neat experience though - you pick from a buffet of different ingredients (pastas, veggies, meats, etc) and they cook it in front of you on an enormous grill in the center of the restaraunt. If you go to Dan Marino%26#39;s, try the lemon portobello chicken -out of this world.

If you want to take in a club afterwards, try the Martini Bar next to Dan Marino%26#39;s or walk a block or two over to Dino%26#39;s Jazz bar. The piano player starts at 8:30 (but check their web site %26#39;cause they have added other specialty nights).

If you just want to stroll around downtown after dinner, you might try the ghost tour. It meets at Baywalk and walks all around downtown. Their costumes are lame (sorry, guys) but the tour guides are actors and their deliveries are quite good. It has more focus on history than ghosts but most people who like ghost tours also like history tours.

If you have more daytime hours, you should definitely see Sunken Gardens, just north of downtown. It is around 8 or 10 bucks and it is the most breathtaking tropical garden, you won%26#39;t believe it can be so close to downtown. It also has birds, koi ponds and a butterfly house.

If it rains, there are tons of museums downtown - art, history, Salvador Dali, etc. That reminds me that you don%26#39;t have to hoof it all over downtown either - there is a downtown looper trolley that will take you all over for 25 cents. It%26#39;s a set route but I think that you will find that it is plenty.

Don%26#39;t forget that we have a great beach on the Gulf of Mexico too. Actually, there are two - St. Pete Beach and Fort DeSoto. Tons of biking, kayaking, swimming, hiking, picnicing and boating opportunities.

That%26#39;s my Must Do list but there are a lot of other things you can do. If you have any specific interests, please say.

Oops - I DID forget! If you are looking for more energetic venues, check out Jannus Landing and State Theatre. They have everything from Paula Poundstone to Fabulous Thunderbirds to grunge and hip hop bands.

Great post swimswam. I was born and raised in Tampa/St. Pete and you came up with things I have never thought of doing. I have never been to Sunken Gardens and, by your description, it sounds great. We also have not done the Ghost Tour but I have heard great things about the one out at Jungle Prada and have put it on the agenda for ';someday.';

As far as restaurants got if you are near the Dali museum Fish Tales down on Salt Creek is really a fun casual lunch or dinner. It is hidden in the boat yard but has the best food at the best prices with great drinks and the classic tacky old Florida decor. We love it.

thanks for your help this has been very helpfull.

Red Tide & Robby's

We will be coming back to Madeira Beach again in a few weeks. Last year the red tide was bad. Is it around again this year?

Also, any chance that Robby%26#39;s has relented and is now serviing pancakes again? What are some other good breakfast places in the area?

Thanks!

Red Tide %26amp; Robby's

Haven%26#39;t heard a peep about Red Tide this year. Don%26#39;t know about Robby%26#39;s.

Red Tide %26amp; Robby's

SSS - I heard from someone that lives near St. Pete that the red tide occurs evey other year. Is this true?

My understanding is that no one knows exactly what causes Red Tide so they can%26#39;t predict when it will occur or where or how long it will last. Last year the predominant theory they had on the news was how warm the gulf was combined with how much rain there had been. Of course, if those were the sole factors, we would have it every year!

This year the gulf is not as warm as it was last year (we were already up to Dennis by now last year in comparison to only having one named hurricane so far this year). But it is anyone%26#39;s guess as the water gets warmer.

I have only live in St. Pete for one year and Florida for two so I can%26#39;t attest to what has happened in the past as to frequency. There is a poster in the Tampa forum (Tampan) who might know and there is a poster in the Treasure Island forum who should certainly know (Travworld). Travworld hasn%26#39;t been on since April though so you would want to use his post to contact him - you can%26#39;t miss it, I promise. You might have better luck catching Tampan in the Tampa forum since he?she? checks TA very frequently.

Thanks for the info...10 days to go until I get to enjoy your gorgeous beach and great seafood! Can%26#39;t wait! (:

Robby%26#39;s has been closed now for some time and there is a new restaurant coming in it%26#39;s place... Middlegrounds Steakhouse. No place will ever compare to Robby%26#39;s... the very best pancakes around.

beauty consultant

Miami Beach in Aug

Hi Im sure this has been covered a heap of times before but ....

Im planning on heading to Miami for 3 nights in mid August to celebrate my birthday with my sister and just wondered if anyone can advise on where to stay, best clubs etc and also what kind of cover charge I should expect to pay to get into the clubs? Oh and one last question - is there a good place that shows the English premier league football games - sad I know but Im missing the first weekend of the season and would like to watch my team play if possible

Thanks!

Miami Beach in Aug

Blue Babe%26gt;

The World Cup is over and ';FootBallFever'; along with it. There is a dive bar called Churchill%26#39;s in Miami at 55/2nd Ave that shows all the English Football games. This is where we went to watch the Cup. it is a dodgy area but the bar itself plays second home to every Brit living in or visiting our city during games. 305.757.1807

www.churchillspub.com

You might try the Playwright Irish Pub on Washington Avenue, but I make no promises...

What is your budget for a night at a hotel and do you prefer a full service resort or just a simple place to rest between outings? there are so many good choices. I suggest yo click the link at left to read a few reviews of the top 20 Beach Hotels and see what suits your needs/budget.

To get an idea of the club scene, see www.cooljunkie.com

Know that the club cruise down here takes you to a different hot spot each night of the week so the listings are categorized by night. Just compare the 3 nights you will be here to the listings for those dates.

The newest spot on South Beach has not opened yet - but will be sizzling when you arrive (fingers crossed) -Mokai on 23rd Street.

Enjoy!

AG

Miami Beach in Aug

Hi AG

Thanks for the notes - for the hotel basically around $50 - $70 would be ok (if Ive got my excahnge rates right!) - I would stay in the cheapest but my sister has slightly grander tastes so really as long as its clean and in good location that would be fine - are there any areas we should avoid?

Think Ill skip the pub for football if its a dive - get enough of that at home!!

Blue%26gt;

Click the blue link at the top left that reads ';Miami Beach Hotels'; and see what the top 20 options are - based upon real people%26#39;s recent travels...

The Impala is always highly regarded and is at 12/Ocean - a party central spot. The Park Central is recently refurbished and the Atlantica is a great budget place (under $100 night). Also inexpensive and highly rated are the Clay on Espanola, The Townhouse and the Villa Paradiso. All of these areas are completely safe.

Any hotel at 17th Street and below (all the way to 1st) is the optimal location for beach, restaurants, shopping and clubs.

Good Luck!

AG

Romantic Ideas

My boyfriend and I are going to SoBe next month and I want to plan some romantic things for us to do...anyone have any ideas?

Romantic Ideas

Sobe%26gt;

Go to Smith %26amp; Wollensky around 3.30 or 4 on the weekend to have a snack and a drink by the water to watch the cruise ships glide by. Stop behind the Raleigh Hotel for a snack and a drink to be by the water and a beautiful pool. Many hotels near 17th have a bar by the most beautiful pools and beaches.

Nikki Beach is the go to spot on the sand. On your first few days, get up in the morning and walk on the beach to see the views for yourself south of 21st Street.

Eat breakfast or brunch at the Front Porch Cafe, have a drink in the afternoon at the Clevelander, have a snack at the News Cafe... One night, go to Taverna Opa on 1/Ocean for dinner.

The fun spots to meet other young people are Lincoln Mall and Espanola Way near the Clay Hotel, Lost Weekend Bar on Espanola (14th), Piola west of Lincoln at Alton, Segafreddo at the west end of Lincoln...

Check out BASE on the Mall, Books %26amp; Books, and the new HEAR music listening station too!

You will have a great trip!!

AG

Destin area suggestions

A group of us, 10 adults and 8 children (6 to 15 years old) are going to Seagrove Beach for the first time before the end of july. We will be staying for a week and wonder if anyone here can recommend What%26#39;s best to do, and what%26#39;s nearby. Is Destin only about a 20 minute drive from Seagrove? I see some very informative posters

on this forum and will greatly appreciate any useful information about what%26#39;s nearby.

Any restaurants, (not too pricey), should we try? Any things not to miss, any special deals, etc. Anything interesting off the beaten path?

Any other websites to check with honest information?

And can anyone recommend the best route to take from Atlanta?

Any responses will be greatly appreciated.

Destin area suggestions

We are staying in Blue Mountain in September and sowal.com is an excellent forum/website for the area- especially good discussions on the forums. I also like beachesofsouthwalton.com- be sure to order their visitors guide. 30-a.com is a little dated but still a great virtual tour of the bike trail.

Destin area suggestions

Thanks for the web suggestions. Got the Visitors guide.

Have a great day!

Dave

Take your bicycles if you can. Seagrove/Seaside is a great place to bike around.

We always stay in Destin, but we always make a trip out to 30A to Elmo%26#39;s Grill. You%26#39;ll find it on the left just before 30A runs back into 98. Pretty good food and a fun place to eat dinner. The kids will have fun dancing to the musician playing Buffett tunes and island music.

I would say check out the Seaside forum on this website, but there isn%26#39;t any activity on it, so don%26#39;t bother.

Sorry I can%26#39;t be more helpful. We usually just make one trip down to Seaside to look around and then we%26#39;re back to Destin. And yes, it%26#39;s only about 20 minutes.

Cheers

I would love to read a trip report when you get back with your experiences and suggestions. I%26#39;ll watch for you on the Seagrove Beach forum or maybe on sowal.com

Thanks for the suggestions. Should I oil up my bike or is it easier to rent one?

Elmo%26#39;s sounds good and close by. Might try it if the rest of the gang is willing.

Hopefully I%26#39;ll be able to post a glowing trip report, unless, from what I%26#39;ve read around here lately, the sun, skeeters, snakes or gators don%26#39;t get me first.

Have a safe and fun weekend! Next week we will!

Don%26#39;t forget about the sharks, riptides and jellyfish! They can spoil a trip report too!

Hi Dave,

Don%26#39;t miss the Red Bar in Grayton Beach. It is a funky little restaurant and not too expensive. The kids will love it! Also, you might want to spend some time wandering around ';downtown'; Grayton before or after you eat. Cafe 3 thirty 1 at the foot of the bridge on 331 is another reasonably priced, fun restaurant. (Owned by the Red Bar people.)

If the parents get out one night without kids be sure to go to Cafe 30A. On the expensive side but excellent!

There is not a lot to do along 30A but enjoy the beach. There is a very nice walking/biking/running trail that runs the length of highway 30A. Unless you have room I wouldn%26#39;t bother to bring a bike. They can be rented in Seaside and probably other places as well. There is probably more going on in Seaside than anywhere else. Often there are free outdoor concerts.

You might consider a day trip or two to Destin if you want more in the way of entertainment. I am sure the kids would enjoy Big Kahunas.

There is Publix in Watercolor for groceries. From Seagrove go west on 30A till you get to the three way stop, then turn right. Publix will be on the right.

Driving from Atlanta, I think your best bet would be to go to Columbus, then south to Dothan. Get on 231 in Dothan and stay on it to Campbellton, then take 273 to I-10 (Chipley). Go west on I-10 till you get to 331 (De Funiak Springs) then go south to 98. Turn left onto 98 and drive a few miles till you see the Seagrove sign and turn right.

Have a great time. Post again if you have more questions.

Poodleone - thank you for the websites. Our group will be satying at a beach house in Blue Mountain July 22 -29 and both websites were very helpful. Thanks Suma for the tip on where to stop for groceries! I also read the reviews on Red Bar and I%26#39;m sure the virtual tour doesn%26#39;t do it justice. We have 4 teens 15 - 19 and 3 couples mid 40%26#39;s. We love casual places with fantastic seafood and drinks. Keep the suggestions coming!

Better check before you go to 331. It is closing. They are widening the road and the building has to go.

lot of oil refined

Help with Drections to the Beach?

We will be landing in Orlando Friday afternoon and heading straight for Daytona. The owner of the condo we are staying in recommended that we not take I-4 in, but rather, use I-95 being on a Friday evening at evening rush hour. Can someone give me good directions using I-95 from the Orlando Airport? THANKS! Malinda

Help with Drections to the Beach?

Sorry, Malinda, the most direct route I know from Orlando to Daytona is by I-4! The only other way I know would be to take Hwy. 50 out of Orlando, east, all the way to I-95, but at that point you would be way down below Titusville. You would then have to come all the way back up I-95 to Daytona, and that would probably take at least an hour, in addition to the 45 minutes it would take over on Hwy. 50 (I think it%26#39;s a four-lane with red lights all the way). Maybe someone else would know a better way, like hotandsandy, but I really think I-4 would still be the best bet!

Help with Drections to the Beach?

I 95 does not connect in Orlando. Maybe the condo owner said 92, which is not an interstate. I would say stay with I 4, be patient with the traffic and then connect to I 95 once 4 ends. There are several Daytona exits, if you need more info, just ask, someone will help ya out. Have a safe trip. Weather has been great!

Pull up Mapquest and print it out. They offer 3 different routes from the Orlando airport to Daytona. That is what we did and I took the directions with me. The route we chose goes close to Winter Park, has no tolls and was a good drive. Don%26#39;t forget to print the reverse return trip to the aiport out as well. I hope this helps.

Bonnie

Hey, there, I always land in Orlando and drive or get driven to Daytona, the trip there is beautiful, The traffic isn%26#39;t all that bad, if there happens to be traffic just be patient.

The drive from Orlando to Daytona is only about 1 hour, and if it rains, it will pour. So when you are driving and if you happen to get rain just slow down and make sure you concentrate, sometimes it rains so hard you can%26#39;t see infront of you!

Have a safe drive!

Pibb,

Thanks so much for all the helpful advice. I have printed out some Mapquest directions and have directions from the rental car company as well. Hoping for good beach weather and some relaxation-- topped off with the BEST food around. WE LOVE DAYTONA! Thanks again! Malinda

Malinda,

You are welcome. I agree Daytona is AWESOME! When are you leaving and did you get one of those great SWA deals?

Bonnie

We leave tomorrow morning. We didn%26#39;t get in on the SW air deals, but got a decent price of $230 per person, round trip, with Northwest. THere *may* be a Northwest strike while we are down in Daytona--what a shame if we got STUCK for a few extra days in paradise! LOL! Crossing my fingers for good weather~ Malinda

Have a safe and fun trip!

Pibb,

Malinda, I%26#39;m thinking what the guy is referring to is they way we go to Orlando airport. Out of the airport to Beeline towards Coco Beach and Titusville. You%26#39;ll travel through 1 toll and continue for about 40 miles till you get to 95North you%26#39;ll proceed on 95 until you hit the Port Orange/ Daytona Beach Shores Exit. You%26#39;ll make a right onto Dunlawton Ave travel that road until you actually will run into the beach. Believe me this guy is right. Much, Much quicker and much less traffic. We never go any other way. What is the name of the condo complex? I can then tell you from there which way to turn on A1A.

Malind,

LOL @ getting stuck in paradise. I hope you have good weather too. We were there June 2-12 and the weather was wonderful, not even as hot as it usually is. If you have access to a puter while you are there let us know how everything goes. My best wishes to you, have a safe and fun filled trip to paradise.

Bonnie