Bombs Away!

What’s the hottest food item this Christmas? Of course it involves chocolate. It’s the “hot chocolate bomb” that I first saw in a video and knew I had to find them locally. Yes, I do have some recipes for you to make your own, but when you can support a local business for the holidays that means a lot these days. I found Ratza Chocolate on a road trip to Tarpon Springs with a delicious variety of handmade chocolates, or as they say “bean to bar” and what was right on the counter? The orders for chocolate bombs. Worth every delicious calorie. These are a ball-shaped chocolates with a nice surprise inside that bursts open when you pour hot milk over them in your cup - mini marshmallows! You can find Ratza Chocolate at 11 North Pinellas Avenue in Tarpon Springs. It’s a small shop with a big future as you can see from our news partners at Fox 13 News about. Follow them on Facebook for more mouth-watering goodies.

It’s really all about comfort and joy for the holidays, and since we’re already talking Tarpon Springs a stop at Hella’s is a requirement. Taking home a nice little treat like these baklava are a must. I think it’s one of the few foods I don’t dare try and sneak a nibble of in the car. Between the honey smeared sticky-fingers and the incredibly crisp phyllo dough, best to wait and savor - if you can wait. Hella’s is right along the Sponge Docks and a quick walk across the street in another fun way to enjoy being a tourist in your own town. The Odyssey Cruises up the Anclote River to to Anclote Key are so much fun and now that they’ve added special shelling cruises a nice way to add to the collection.

Keeping it local, sweet and savory also includes a stop at my all-time favorite bakery for sourdough everything. Gulfcoast Sourdough Sandwich House is another wonderful example of starting from humble beginnings and now starting to explore expanding to a second location to go along with their first at 5214 North Nebraska Avenue in Tampa. I always have a number of loaves in my freezer like the Roasted Red Pepper, Rosemary Garlic and Everything But The Bagel. That’s really the only bread I use for my avocado toast. But let’s talk about the cinnamon rolls. It’s that undertone of the sourdough tang with the sweetness of cinnamon and icing that take them right over the top. I like to bring to friends as a special thank-you. Oh, and how about sourdough brownies?!

I know you are also of the belief that life is too short not to eat dessert first but let’s get to the star of the show. Having the opportunity to dine at one of Tampa’s newest restaurants that is another jewel in the crown on the Columbia Restaurant Group was a definite yes. I’ll have a special blog on that visit to Casa Santo Stefano, but it was the Sea Bass Grigliata that I knew I had to try - I’ll go back again for the pasta. But it was quite possibly the best I’ve ever had, done so simply and beautifully. A marinade of extra-virgin olive oil married with herbs and served with an eggplant caponata and grilled lemon was perfect. Make those reservations since the Columbia Restaurant Group does respect social distancing.

Finally, my congratulations to Douglas Torres who owns A Cup Of Organic and has recently joined with Lennar Homes to offer residents in select communities their own location. The first is A Cup of Organic at Connerton. I first met Doug at the San Antonio location when I was on a road trip and just happened to find him. The mission of A Cup of Organic is to give back to the community, so you can choose the group of your choice to receive 10% back on your total purchase. Nice reason to stop in more than once.

I hope you enjoy my recommendations as much as I did! I’m always looking for your recommendations as well, so please feel free to send those to ann.kelly@cmg.com.

Ann Kelly

Ann Kelly

Hello, I am Ann Kelly! I was born in Garfield Heights, Ohio (which is a suburb of Cleveland) as one of five children!

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