Favorite date-night spot:
CinéBistro – a movie, big recliner, wine and food. Basically all the comforts of home, but no dogs whining for my popcorn.
Favorite spot to take guests from out of town:
Topgolf. It’s very entertaining to see someone hit golf balls for the first time.
Favorite local boutique:
Albisia Jewelry. I have a dozen of their rose gold rings I like to stack – and they’ll let you design and make custom pieces.
Favorite place to grab a meal downtown:
Bamboozle Café – I can’t get enough pho.
Favorite place for authentic cuisine:
The Columbia Restaurant for a 1905 Salad and Spanish food.
Favorite weekday breakfast spot:
I love the breakfast sandwiches on Cuban bread at Moxie’s.
Favorite Italian food:
Bella’s Italian Café. It’s not unusual for me to get takeout from there two or more times a week.
Best BBQ:
Big John’s Alabama BBQ on 40th Street. Friendly and darn good.
Favorite sports bar:
Ducky’s.
Favorite exercise class:
Mantra Fitness is a total body crusher. I usually have Bambi legs for the next 24 hours.
Favorite place to take my pet:
Hyde Park Village. Most of the shops are dog friendly, and we like to sit by the fountain and people watch.
Favorite park: Definitely
Fort De Soto. During summer break, my mom would take me there every week.
Favorite Bay-area beach:
My nieces and nephews love that giant slide at the TradeWinds Resort on St. Pete Beach. They always make me take them there.
Cool Tampa fact:
Maas Brothers department store was founded and developed in Downtown Tampa. For years, they dominated Florida’s west coast, then they merged into Burdines, which was acquired by Macy’s. Just think – your grandmother could have purchased her first girdle at 610 W. Franklin Street!
