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| The exterior of Seasons 52 Fresh Grill, my favorite new Tampa discovery. |
After my India jaunt, it was time for the holidays. So I zipped to Chicago and Iowa before heading to the southern climes of West Virginia and The Greenbrier for New Year’s. Divine! But more on that later.
I traveled to Tampa, Florida, for a little quality time with the Nixon clan. I hop to Florida’s West Coast whenever possible, not necessarily to spend days in Tampa but rather to explore the Gulf Coast’s charms. I am especially smitten with delightful, sleepy St. Pete and its stunning cultural scene. And don’t even get me started on my love for tiny Gulfport and small-slice-of-Greece Tarpon Springs, Cedar Key and Naples.
My Tampa hit list includes the amazing Bern’s Steak House, a visit to the throwback Henry B. Plant Museum in the circa-1891 Tampa Bay Hotel and perhaps a movie night at the historic, Italianate Tampa Theatre.
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| The cedar plank roasted Atlantic salmon paired with asparagus and red bliss potatoes. |
My latest discovery was the Seasons 52 Fresh Grill, a boutique-styled eatery and wine bar that puts an emphasis on fresh flavors that change seasonally. (The portion sizes will make your nutritionist happy, too). Seasons 52 is a chain, and there are moments when you might feel like you are supping at The Cheesecake Factory. But that’s in the decor only. The food is terrific. Book well in advance to taste stellar dishes such as organic baby spinach salad with sliced Bosc pears, toasted pine nuts and crumbled gorgonzola cheese followed by the caramelized sea scallops grilled and served with sun-dried tomato pearl pasta and roasted asparagus. I paired my meal with the organic Honig Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley, and the result was bliss.
Next time you visit Tampa, put Seasons 52 on your to-do list. I think you’ll truly savor the experience.
Photos courtesy of Seasons 52 Fresh Grill