I'm an Ohio Native and resided in the Buckeye State for the first 27 years of my life. In June of 2017, my boyfriend, Mike, and I moved to beautiful downtown St. Petersburg (job relocation for him- I didn't take much convincing) and we have reveled in every incredible moment of our journey here. I have a genuine passion for cooking and a love affair with food- I'm deeply infatuated with the art, experimentation and theatrics of it all. On weekends (and when I'm not in the kitchen), Mike and I try to cross a restaurant, brewery, cocktail bar, and local event (or two) off of our ever-growing list of places to experience in our fabulous city.
For me (and probably most all of you), alliums are an essential cooking staple. There's a 100% chance that at least one member of the allium family is in our household at any given time. But, let's back up for a moment - what is an allium, you ask? In essence, an allium is a…
I can't say that I've never not wanted to crawl up into a big ol' lethargic ball of waste on the couch after ingesting a plate of enchiladas - especially those from a Mexican restaurant where the portions are enough to comfortably feed a family of 5. Don't get me wrong, those type of sinfully…
Due to current events in today's world, we're all spending a great deal of time at home, which means that we are all cooking a lot more. Most folks, I'm sure, are accustomed to grabbing a quick breakfast in the morning and running out the door with their coffee. However, COVID-19 has forced us all…
Dried beans are totally an underrated and under appreciated pantry staple that 100% deserve our attention. Sure, canned beans are a convenient alternative that often aid in making our lives easier, but if you know me, you know that I find beauty in preparing food without any shortcuts. I think that there is something so…
For the most part, comfort food is a rather ambiguous term that refers to food that makes us feel good. To some, that means a glutenous helping of sinfully delicious Thanksgiving staples, while others may attribute "feeling good" and "feel good" food to health-conscious meals that nourish and fuel the body. Comfort food, to me,…
Upon cruising down Gulf Blvd, the main drag of St. Pete Beach, You'll notice a great deal of usual suspects: standard oceanside restaurants, unpretentious dive bars, a plethora of souvenir shops, beachgoers, and so on. One spot that most would not expect to stumble into is a cozy bistro and wine bar - cue Sola.…
I cannot tell you how many salad recipes that I have made for dinner that do not translate well for lunch the next day. That's right - I've opened up my pyrex containers the next day to many, sad, sad desk lunch salads. However, with this salad, recipe, it was my goal to create a…
What comes to mind when you think of a standard sports bar? Perhaps a plethora of televisions, refrigerators loaded full of domestic brews, and a menu overflowing with standard bar bites. I imagine that you probably agree, and while there is nothing wrong with any of the above, there is something to be said for…
Barbecue, especially in the south, is a true art form that many spend years upon years tweaking, adjusting and perfecting. There are four essential classifications of barbecue: Texas, Carolina, Kansas City & Memphis. [Editor's note: There can be a myriad of others, but these are the most well-known.] Each region's style of barbecue varies notably,…
If you've never made chicken paillard, I'm willing to bet that after you give this recipe a whirl, it'll become a part of your regular rotation. What does paillard mean, you ask? Paillard is simply a fancy French term for a boneless piece of meat, traditionally chicken or veal, that has been pounded thin. It's…
When you think of beach dining, a few things probably come to mind: ordinary fried bar bites, cheap beers by the bucket-full, and gaudy Floridian decor. While there is nothing wrong with any of that, as it is often what beach goers are in search of. Therefore, there is certainly something to be said for…
The moment that the famous Dom Pérignon first discovered champagne, he exclaimed, "come quickly, I am tasting the stars!" And Mark Twain bellowed that "too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough." If Dom and Mark were still around today, I'd bet my bottom dollar that they'd both be…
Some people loathe cooking during the holiday season; however, I love it! In fact, I live for it. What's my secret, you ask? I make it fun by preparing recipes that I actually enjoy cooking and eating. During the holiday season, most folks seem to feel an obligation to make certain things, such as stuffing,…
Poké (pronounced as poh-kay), which is said to have been originated in Hawaii, has gained a copious amount of popularity all across the world in recent years. Poké is a traditional dish that is typically comprised of, in its most basic state, raw tuna and shoyu, where the tuna is cut crosswise, and then cubed.…
Oysters, my favorite of the bivalve family, are not exactly few and far between in St. Petersburg, especially those from the Gulf. Quality oysters, however, take some research to uncover. Lucky for you, we've done the leg work, and consumed dozens upon dozens of oysters in order to assemble a list with the best places for…
