It’s funky, it’s eclectic, warm and family owned, and it’s a welcome addition to Hyde Park. Saturday, I had a great time getting to know Carole Binkowski, who owns Sophie’s French Bakery and Café at the corner of Rome and Snow, along with her husband Todd…and their three children!  Sophie’s opened three months ago, and offers an all natural menu, avoiding the use of preservatives. At Sophie’s, they bake their own brioche, and everything you gaze on in the bakery case has been baked fresh, while you were sleeping.  I had the chance to sample many delicious dishes, but the two that made my tastes buds sing were the butternut squash soup, and the seeded roast beef sandwich with a tremendously tasty horseradish sauce. Carole describes her treasured chef, Migel Posado, as “coming out of the sky!” What I found very appealing about Sophie’s was the lack of pretention; this is the place where the staff will get to know you on a first name basis, and where you’ll love to bring the whole family. They even made sure the front door was wide enough for enough a double-wide stroller! You can tell that Carole has a great sense of pride in supporting the community, and stressed how it’s her personal mission to put people back to work at Sophie’s. Drop by after work for something that’s somehow good for you, yet looking decadent, at the same time from the bakery, or stop in for breakfast to start the day. Sophie’s offers music night every Saturday from 6-10 pm, and regular business hours are Monday-Thursday from 8 am to 8 pm, Friday and Saturdays 8 am to 10 pm, and Sunday 8 am to 3 pm. There’s more online at www.sophiesbakerycafe.com. The décor is just plain fun, and the chandeliers, including the phenomenal one at the front door –one of a kind! It’s what sets Sophie’s French Bakery and Café apart from the rest – heart and a lot of soul. Stop in soon, and enjoy the outdoor patio, complete with water dishes for the dogs!  This would be a nice place to take Dad this weekend for Father’s Day.

How about sharing the Father's Day love?! Send a picture of you and your Dad, whether it’s at the grill, or maybe having a picnic. Send us your sweetest Father’s Day memory to 949comments@coxtampa.com for your chance to win a World's Greatest Dad Prize pack that includes a $50 Sweetbay gift card, and a special set of World’s Best Dad Tervis Tumblers! We’ll choose one winner at random, and announce the winner Friday, June 17^th. All Dads’ deserve the best, and for me that’s a beautiful cut of Black Angus beef from Sweetbay that I’m going to treat some Dad’s to this weekend. Sweetbay’s Black Angus T-bone steaks are just $6.99 a pound, and that everyday low pricing makes it such an affordable treat. Go online to www.sweetbaysupermarket.com, and see all the great deals that will help you create a memorable Father’s Day meal.

It’s time for another Girls Night Out at Applebee’s! How do you become our next winner? Just “like” us on Facebook and I’ll tell our Facebook friends how to win every Wednesday in June. Take a night off, grab your best friends for drink specials and more with…just the girls! 

We’re always looking for new and exciting things in Kelly’s Kitchen! Feel free to drop me a line anytime and let me know if there’s a cool new place to eat, a beyond useful kitchen tool that you’ve just discovered, or how you’re going to survive the summer with the kids! Send it along to 949comments@coxtampa.com.