Writes of Passage

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.

LIS

… more pix on Google

They’re on the upper floor, before the Duty Free shop. The process is smooth and rather quick. The vendors I purchased from all furnished me with ready-to-file documents. But they still needed to be stamped, which is across the hall. Purchases from Portugal can use the kiosk; those from other countries need to have the documents stamped in person.

I mailed more than two weeks ago, and I still haven’t gotten my refund.