Epicurean:

This is a topic I'm always interested in (i.e. FOOD!) and have decided to now share with you. I remember sitting at lunch one cold day in Cleveland all those moons ago with our dear pal Michelle, dreaming about becoming food critics. Well, we had some great ideas but not being a 'writer', I never really pushed to accomplish the goals.

She did.

And here's the fabulous result! http://www.tasteasyougo.com/
(Do a search for "Stephen Melissa" and you'll find us in four of Michelle's articles!)

Since moving out of the NYC area I miss meeting up with Michelle for indulging in our favorite pass-time, so here's my feeble attempt at something similar - a weekly contribution of home-made culinary attempts alongside little (nowhere near as extensive or detailed as Michelle's) snippets of eating experiences around Tampa Bay and beyond.


Lemon Grass - map
Many times Melissa and I have driven along Route 60 in downtown Tampa and commented on a big sign that reads "Best Thai in Tampa Bay!" It was only a matter of scheduling before we would partake in this fabulous promise.

The food was delicious. The atmosphere... we decided to sit outside (you can do that in December in Tampa). Service was prompt but it became clear it was all hands on deck rather than wait staff being assigned tables. Hopefully they share tips. As always, I started with a Chicken Satay:

(When trying a new Thai restaurant I always start with Chicken Satay, so that I have something to compare to other Thai restaurants. And there are a LOT of thai restaurants around Tampa Bay.)

Delightfully presented and suitably burned, the cucumber salad was weak and the peanut sauce was tomatoey. Pity.

But my main course (Pangang curry) was large and tasty and Melissa's Pad Se Ew was good. Not at all 'ew.'

To be perfectly honest, although this was far from being bad, there are a number of signs in the area that proclaim "Best Thai in Tampa Bay," but of all the thai restaurants we've tried, none of them are matching up to Ban Thai Restaurant in Safety Harbor. And they don't claim to be the best in Tampa Bay, but they clearly are.

So far.