Writes of Passage

… more pix n videos on old Google in 2023, Yelp & TA, Insta

Will return for food and the location. The service is as usual: so so, cold and slow.

Ok, the food first. We’ve:

• Fried calamari
• Salmon
• Grouper
• Fish taco
• COD sandwich
• Coral reef pasta

All are very good. Their chunky marinara is wonderful (not sweet), and so is the calamari. The salmon is fine.

The service is cold and slow. A lone receptionist was on the phone for a long time before getting to us. Our server was slow while other serving staff were chatting loudly by the station near our table.

The surroundings are enchanting.

Tight park spaces.

… more pix on Yelp, TA, Insta

We frequent here, and I really love to give them 5 stars, but I couldn’t: there is something that just doesn’t warrant the full count. This time is the rushing and the rice.

The food first. We’ve

• Croquetas
• Filet steak
• Mahi mahi cayo
• La completa YBO-D
• Paella Valencia
• Palomilla-din

Our reservation was at 5:15, but we arrived at 4:45. At the time of the reservation, I asked for a balcony table. Maybe it was too early to open that section. But they sat us by a door, the worst table in the area. Why? It wasn’t busy, with many available.

My paella rice isn’t fully cooked.

The server began removing the entry plates and utensils while most of us were still eating.

St. Pete opera

… more pix on Reddit

The most recent La Bohéme was Feb 2026 at Sarasota: a love story worth experiencing again and again.

All is good: very good production; very able singers; and so-so audiences.

Latecomers are allowed, and so are the drinks. The site manager told me that the opera company told him to accommodate latecomers.

This is their last few shows before the major renovation. One hope is that they screen in the little corridor to the left: sitting out there for a mere five minutes, I was being eaten alive. Oh well, it proves that I’m still attractive to the bugs -:)

Lanai is so popular in Florida, why NOT?

Drinks at Christiane’s is good.

442 2nd St N,
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

… more pix on google, yelp, TA*, instan

Will return: a few steps away from the opera house.

Actually, quite a few opera goers come here.

Quirky decor, Bormioli Roccous glasses; two TV screens showing beautiful landscapes and cityscapes; tasteful wall arts.

We’ve:
– Camino de Navaherreros 20
– Meatball
– Dijou board
– Eggs

All is good, and the buttered bread that comes with the meatballs is super yummy, and I finished them all – blaming the two girls -:) I’m so stuffed.

They’ve indoor and outdoor sections (5 tables, four bar chairs). Will try their wine station next time.

1315 Oakfield Dr,
Brandon, FL 33511

… more pix in Google, Yelp

A very busy post office – well, we went during lunch hour at 1pm.

Clean. Large.

I used the self-serving, which was a breeze.

1513 W Brandon Blvd,
Brandon, FL 33511

… more pix on Google, Yelp, TA*, FB, Insta

Will return.

We’ve
– XLB
– Scallion pancake w/ beef
– Beef tendon noodles (knife cut)

All are good, but the last two there’s something I’d like to pick on.
They shouldn’t add haixian / Hoisin sauce on the pancake: on the side is better as they’ve. Also, the pancake is too oily, like fried crispy dough pancake 油饼.

The soup of the noodles has MSG: so they doubt if their cruliary skill? Can’t image anyone can ruin a beef soup.

Love their green flat blows/plate. It looks better with their logo. They’ve a few branches, started in New York, which I used to go. It called Kung Fu XLB. Wondering why would they change to Kitchen in Brandon?

The decor is better and bigger than their New York shop.

The wall art by the bathroom is beautiful. Appreciate spacious and clean bathroom.

112 Pauls Dr,
Brandon, FL 33511

… more pix on Google, Yelp

This oriental market is, in fact, quite large, which I didn’t realize the last time, when it was an in-and-out trip.

An ordinary Asian supermarket, pleasant and clean. Some sections are not labeled. When we checked out, the line was unusually long, but management didn’t bother to lengthen the second cashier.

1 Dali Blvd,
St. Pete, FL 33701

… more pix on Google & Yelp

Having no art cells, so I’ll spare Mr. Dali the pain. Just sharing a few photos of the building.

The structure looks fantastic in the evening light. We go to Mahaffey Theater often for concerts- tonight is Beethoven’s 7th. More often than not, I see it in the best light possible.

The surrounding area, especially Tampa Bay, is enchanting.

211 N Tampa St,
Tampa, FL 33602

… more pix on Google, Yelp, TA, OT, Insta

Will return.

Big windows, open; indoor and outdoor sections.

We’ve
– Arancini – light and fluffy
– Rigatoni e Salsi
– Diavola pizza
– Octopus
– Nero D’Avola $15
– Birra Moretti
– Maggiolo Lamole

They’re all delicious, although the pizza and octopus are a bit salty. The pasta is al dente, and I swiped clean the sauce with the pizza bread – can’t take me anywhere.

They use Chef Sommerlier stem, and Maham Studio stoneware plates.

Our server looks like the boyfriend Scotty Landry played by Rudt Pankow in the Minders of Him (2026).

A kid comes in, goes from table to table, selling Boy Scout koozies  (?). They’re a gang of three: are they staying in the hotel with their parents, or are they local? How did they get there if they’re local?

9390 Theater Dr,
Gibsonton, FL 33534

… more pix on Google & Yelp

This movie theater is clean, comfortable seats, friendly staff, and mostly good movies – my own fault for choosing a so-so movie 🙂

Reminders of Him is no good.