The Real Estate Sizzle

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Jackie Colson-Miller

Jackie Colson-Miller, CIPS
Certified International Property Specialist
NAR Liaison to Austria
Tampa Real Estate
Direct - (813)629-5757
Homeward Real Estate
3401 Henderson Blvd
Tampa, FL 33609
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'Restaurants in Tampa'

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Downtown Tampa Restaurants…Samaria Cafe is a MUST

Filed under: Best Places, Best Places in Tampa, Best Tampa Neighborhoods, Best Tampa Schools, Buying a House in Tampa, Downtown Tampa Events, Florida Real Estate, Hyde Park Real Estate, MLS Search, Moving to Tampa, Restaurants in Tampa, Tampa Neighborhoods, Tampa Real Estate, Tampa Real Estate Agent

I have recently discovered a little “gem” of a family-owned restaurant for Breakfast and Lunch in Downtown Tampa! The Samaria Cafe, owned by a lovely couple who always stop by to “chat”, and check on the food, and the service, is THE place to go.

The menu is filled with so many choices, the hardest decision is “what to choose”!! Everything is fresh, and homemade. In many visits, I have never been disappointed! I usually order Quiche, or Eggs Benedict, but last time I was really in the mood for a “Croque Madame”, which is popular in France, and simply a  Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich, with a fried egg on top. Not on their menu, so I asked if I could have the Monte Cristo with a Fried Egg on top…No problem and it arrived with TWO eggs, perfectly cooked to my request. The owners and staff are so wonderful and the food is fabulous, it is the BEST breakfast spot in Downtown Tampa!

Samaria Cafe on Urbanspoon

While I am a “foodie”, my REAL profession is REAL ESTATE, so if you are looking for that perfect condo in Downtown Tampa, Channelside, Harbour Island, Hyde Park, South Tampa, or anything in the Suburbs, or need help finding the Best Tampa Neighborhoods, just contact me!

 

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Posted by jackie   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   10.17.2011

Finding the “Best Schools” in Tampa and The Best Neighborhoods in Tampa? You Will Need Some Expert Help!

Filed under: Best Places in Tampa, Best Tampa Neighborhoods, Celebrity Homes inTampa, Cheval Homes, Davis Islands Real Estate, Gorrie Elementary, Harbour Island, Hunter\'s Green Homes, Hyde Park Real Estate, Luxury Homes in Tampa, MacDill AFB, Mitchell Elementary, MLS Listings in Tampa, MLS Search, New Tampa, Newsome High School, Places to Live, Plant High School, Restaurants in Tampa, Schools in Tampa, Steinbrenner High School, Tampa Real Estate Market, Tampa Schools, Waterfront Homes in Tampa, Westchase, Westshore Yacht Club

The Latest News on the Tampa Real Estate Market, Living in Tampa and Assistance with Relocation to Tampa, every day! Looking for the Best Tampa Neighborhoods, Best Places to Live in Tampa or the Best Schools in Tampa? Contact me for more assistance!

When a family with children is relocating to Tampa, or PCS to MacDill Air Force Base, their concerns are all the same….Good Schools, Safe Neighborhoods that are family-friendly and a reasonable commute to their job location.

Tampa, the largest city in Hillsborough County, is a very large Metropolitan Area.   Depending on where you choose to live,  your commute can vary from ten minutes, to over an hour.  MY role, in helping families to narrow their options for neighborhoods and school, is to gather information about THEIR family, THEIR children’s academic interests, social activities, etc.  I recently had a request from a family who MUST have a specific Latin course available for their High School aged-child.  Since Latin is not a standard offering at every high school, I needed to do some research.  Ironically, the person who heads the ‘foreign language’ department at the County School level gave me “incorrect” information, so I did my own research and found two high schools which offer the “must have” Latin courses, in one of the neighborhoods which I had already “targeted” for their needs,  and their price point.  While they are in town this month, they will visit those schools, so we can further narrow their neighborhood options.

The internet is a great place to “search” for houses.  The right Real Estate agent searches for YOUR home, based on YOUR needs.  I have been relocating families to the Tampa area for 17 years. I have three children who have been through the Private and Public AND Magnet school systems in Hillsborough County. My youngest is still in High School. I know the “family friendly” neighborhoods…I don’t have to search for them!  I treat every family, as if it were my own! If you are moving to Tampa, or PCS to MacDill Air Force Base, and are looking for experience that goes beyond “internet searches”…contact me today! After chatting with me for five minutes, you will sense that I, absolutely, love what I do!

In addition to helping with finding the perfect house, I love to chat about Living in Tampa and all of the great things to do.

If you enjoy unique restaurants and great food, you can check out my “other” passion, which is writing about all of the interesting restaurants in the area. Check out my page on Urban Spoon and read all of my restaurant reviews!

I can help with your move to any Tampa neighborhood, including: South Tampa, Channelside, Harbour Island,  Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Culbreath Isles, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunters Green, Arbor Greene, Apollo Beach, South Shore, MiraBay, Golf Communities, Clearwater Beach, Waterfront Homes, Luxury Homes in Tampa, Condos in Tampa and International Real Estate contact me today!

For assistance in finding a house in Tampa, or any of the surrounding suburbs, or any questions about the Tampa Real Estate market, please contact me. PCS to MacDill AFB or Moving to Tampa?

I can help you find the perfect home, AND recommend a great restaurant.  Read my restaurant reviews on Urban Spoon…just click on the link below!

RealEstateSizzle.com Tampa Bay restaurants

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Posted by jackie   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   04.30.2011

India’s Gril “Fires Up” the Tampa Restaurant Scene

Filed under: Best Places in Tampa, Buying a House in Tampa, MLS Listings in Tampa, Real Estate News, Restaurants in Tampa, South Tampa, Tampa Neighborhoods, Tampa Real Estate

When a friend mentioned there was a new Indian Restaurant that she had heard great things about, I quizzed her about the location. “It’s in a gas station near Westshore Plaza”, she said. She’s a vegetarian, from London, who knows great Indian food, so I was skeptical. HUH? Seriously? She could tell from the look on my face that I was doubtful about her story, so I said, “Let’s go and find it”…and we did.

We have since returned to India’s Gril again…and again…and again. Without a doubt, India’s Gril has some of the most flavorful Indian Food that I have ever had. Flavorful! Delicious! And, yes, it’s in a gas station. Well, technically, it is adjacent to a gas station, but very unassuming. When I RAVE about a lunch buffet, it HAS to be amazing. I don’t do buffets and I don’t do “cafeteria style”…just not my thing. But, I could eat lunch here every day and never tire of it!

Carnivores and Vegetarians, alike, are happy with four meatless and four chicken/beef/goat entrees every day, with a nice mix of Masalas, Khormas, the spicier Vindaloos, and traditional Tandoori and butter chicken, along with yogurt sauces, chutneys, salad and dessert. I love the goat masala…in fact, I think it’s one of my favorites, so don’t be shy about trying it! The vegetarian dishes are always different but perfectly spiced. I wish they offered cooking classes! The owner is wonderful and now recognizes us( not hard as few of the diners are American)! I almost hate to write a review, as now the place will be packed, but I will fight the crowds, and limited parking, for great food. India’s Gril is the perfect spot for a fabulous lunch, from 11-3, including Saturday. They also serve dinner ala carte, so that is next on my list!

India's Gril on Urbanspoon

Considering a move to Tampa? Contact me! You can expect to find a home in Tampa, in desirable school district, from 300K to several million. There is a neighborhood for every budget! Read some of my previous articles on Relocation to Tampa, or Tampa Neighborhoods:

Davis Island,

Cheval

Moving to Tampa? Check the School District!

Looking for real estate in Tampa? If you are buying a house in Tampa, or Selling a house in Tampa, I can help with any Tampa neighborhood, including: South Tampa, Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Culbreath Isles, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunter’s Green, Arbor Greene, Apollo Beach, South Shore, MiraBay, Golf Communities, Waterfront Homes, Luxury Homes in Tampa, Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, Condos in Tampa and International Real Estate…contact me! Just give me specifics of what you are looking for and you will receive the newest listings on the market!

 

You can search my site, on the right sidebar, for any article related to Tampa Real Estate, Neighborhoods, or Restaurants. Just type in a search word in the search box!

You can read my restaurant reviews on Urban Spoon, too!

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Posted by jackie   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   04.07.2011

NoHo Bistro Moves to New Digs In Palma Ceia…Not Soon Enough!

Filed under: Best Places, Best Places in Tampa, Best Tampa Neighborhoods, Best Tampa Schools, Moving to Tampa, Restaurants in Tampa, South Tampa

One of my favorite aspects of assisting Clients with their move to Tampa, is talking about all of the great restaurants throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Though I live in South Tampa, unlike some of my “neighbors”, I do venture North of Kennedy Boulevard, both for work and, especially for great food!

NoHo Bistro was a wonderful experience!  The small dining room was quiet as few  diners ventured out due to the heavy rain and tornadoes yesterday. We were warmly greeted at the door and the server was very affable, and well-versed, about the wine list and the menu. We bonded  about loving Pork Belly and Steak Tres Saignant!  He recommended a little known French Wine and his description was “spot on”.  I knew, at that point, it was going to be a lovely dinner.

A nice touch, and change from the usual “baguette”,  were the cheddar and pepper scones, served with homemade (yes, homemade) butter with a touch of fruit. It was sublime. For the starters, we chose the Orange and Avocado salad with micro greens and pickled onion, along with the “soup of the day”…a very spicy corn and potato chowder.  Very Spicy for some, perhaps, but not me….it was delicious.  Next up were the Ancho Dusted Grouper, served with an avocado,  tomato and orange salsa and the Butter-Roasted Flat Iron Steak (tres saignant, of course) , Pommes anna and perfectly crisp broccolini.  I was hoping for a Pork Shank, as they are soooo yummy and rarely found on a menu, but, alas, there were none.  Next time, I promise! The “chosen” dessert caught my eye with the first glance of the menu…The Key Lime Raspberry Trifle was amazing…coconut pound cake layered with key lime custard and raspberry coulis! It was all just fabulous.  I appreciate that they use local purveyors, for the freshest ingredients, along with helping the local economy.

At this point, the owner approached and mentioned that my name, on the reservation, seemed “familiar”, so he had “googled” me and found my Urban Spoon reviews.  I laughed and told him not to worry…the review would be great…and it is!

I had the great fortune, last night, of being the “last customer” at the NoHo Bistro before they close in  their current location and move to some “new digs” in Palma Ceia.  They promised the same menu, with some additions, along with a bar and liquor license.   I will, very likely, be their “first customer” when they become reincarnated as “Bistro Bleu”, and  open in their new spot on MacDill Avenue, in May.  Save me a table, in a quiet corner, please…now you are in  “my neighborhood” and you will see me often…very often! Welcome to South Tampa!
The NoHo Bistro on Urbanspoon

Jackie Colson-Miller is a Tampa Real Estate Agent and Foodie, who blogs at www.RealEstateSizzle.com!

Here are more Favorite Places to Eat in Tampa!

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Posted by jackie   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   04.01.2011

Dining in Downtown Tampa? Try Pizzaiolo Bavaro!

Filed under: Best Areas to Live in Tampa, Best Places, Best Places in Tampa, Restaurants in Tampa

Tucked into a tiny spot in Downtown Tampa, Pizzaiolo Bavoro, features wood-fired pizzas, Homemade Pasta, and some great Antipasti. The salads are fabulous and large enough to share, as are the thin-crust, wood-fired pizzas. I love the Antipasto Italiano…a perfect mix of prosciutto, mortadella, sopprassata, olives, provolovone, asiago and parmigiano! It is a meal in itself! My favorite pizza is the prosciutto…okay, so I’m a HUGE carnivore, but vegetarians can feast on Ravioli al Formaggio, Penne, Tagliatelle or one of the many pizza options. The small space is ALWAYS packed on a weekend night, so make a reservation, or get there early!

Pizzaiolo Bavaro on Urbanspoon

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Posted by jackie   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   03.18.2011

Restaurants in St. Pete…Leave Cassis Off Your “Must Go” List…Tampa Real Estate News and more…

Filed under: Best Places in Tampa, Restaurants in St Pete, Restaurants in Tampa

I love to try new restaurants and recommend the “best” ones to my clients who are new to the area. I love French food, having lived in Europe, and  enjoy heading over the bridge to St. Pete for a great dining experience.  For me, that experience starts at the door.  Last night, I was looking forward to trying the “newest” place in the “French” genre, Cassis.  With an enviable location on Beach Drive, they get plenty of “walk in” traffic, so, perhaps they don’t think they have to provide good service, or “polite” service…at Cassis, “politesse”,  is definitely lacking.   Arriving at 6:45, the hostess was missing in action for about five minutes.  When she finally arrived,  I asked for a booth, in the half-empty dining room, which looked like a remake of Thomas Keller’s “Bouchon”, filled with a “mostly “senior crowd” and we were seated at 6:50. Then we waited, and waited, and waited…for fifteen minutes, before anyone from the wait staff arrived to tend to us.  At 7:05, the waiter arrived, we informed him that we would be having the prix fixe menu, but first would choose the bottle of wine.

Oh no, he informed us, the prix fixe menu is “over at 7 pm”.  I politely informed him that we had been seated for fifteen minutes and asked to see the manager.  ” I am the manager, I can ask the chef, but the computer won’t even let me enter a prix fixe menu past 7 pm.” Perhaps, I suggested, you should wait on your tables in a more timely manner.  He then asked if we were ready to choose a bottle of wine????  Seriously? No, we won’t be choosing a bottle of wine, we will be leaving and we will never return.   Just a block down the street, we were cheerfully welcomed at Bella Brava, as we laughed and said…”We just left Cassis over bad service, so take good care of us”…the hostesses laughed and said…”We get that alot…you will be very happy with us”.  We WERE very happy with the fabulous food and amazing service, but that is a blog for another day….Cassis?  I can’t comment on the food, but I can comment on rude service or incompetent management…It is never acceptable and I will never recommend Cassis to anyone. There is plenty of great food in St. Pete…just head down the street!


Cassis American Brasserie on Urbanspoon

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Posted by jackie   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   01.27.2011

Dishtopia and the Anytime Tea Bar…A Unique “Tea” Experience in South Tampa…Tampa Real Estate News and More

Filed under: Best Places, Best Places in Tampa, Restaurants in Tampa, South Tampa

Dishtopia….it’s a funny name for a really “cool” place to hang out and enjoy an interesting “tea”, or one of Dottie’s homemade scones or a piece of quiche. Located, right next door to my office, in the Outback Plaza, you will often find me at the tea bar, with my laptop, enjoying a “cool” respite on the hot, humid Florida Summer Days. I’m on a mission to try each of the 100+ teas available, but my favorites are Key Lime iced, Schizandra Black Currant and Bohemian Raspberry.

Also on the menu are  cookies, cheesecakes, pannini and tea sandwiches…I love her Chicken Salad with dates or apricots!

On any given day, you might find a Jigsaw Puzzle challenge event, or some cool music on a Friday evening, or a “mini meeting” with local professionals, who need a break from their  office scene.

For me, it’s a nice respite in the middle of my hectic day…stop in..and make yourself a “regular”!

Dishtopia & The Anytime Tea Bar on Urbanspoon

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Posted by jackie   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   08.11.2010

Great Places for Lunch in Tampa…Lauro Ristorante…Tampa Real Estate News

Filed under: Best Places in Tampa, Buying a House in Tampa, Davis Islands Real Estate, Hyde Park Real Estate, Jackie Colson-Miller, Luxury Homes in Tampa, MLS Listings in Tampa, MLS Search, Restaurants in Tampa, South Tampa, Tampa Real Estate Market

The First in a Series on “Great Places for Lunch” in Tampa.

One of my favorite things about selling Real Estate, is introducing newcomers to some of my favorite restaurants in Tampa. I live, and work, in the Plant High School District, so Lauro’s, on Henderson Blvd, is one of my absolute favorite places for lunch, not only for the food, but the atmosphere.  There are plenty of “loud” places, with each of them boasting to have the “best sandwich” for this, or that! Plenty of places where you stand in a very crowded  line, place an order and try to find a (dirty) table where you “wait” for your name to be called.  I don’t do “cattle call” lunches. No cafeteria style. No one screaming my name, or my number, to get my lunch.  It’s neither cheaper, nor more convenient, to dine in one of those places, but it is really annoying.  It’s just not my “thing”.  My work days are hectic.  When I take a break for lunch, I like to sit, relax, peruse the menu and be served by a professional wait staff, not a gum-chewing, tatoo bearing,  piercing loaded, post-teen/pre-adult who doesn’t know on which side of the plate to place a fork.

I have been “lunching” at Lauro’s for years. I love it when one of my friends calls and says she is in the mood for a “Lauro” day.   The same staff greets us at the door. They know our favorite table. The dining room is quiet, the servers are professional  and the owner is always mulling about checking on things.  The lunch specials can’t be beat, as they include the entree and a soup, or house salad.  My favorite soup is the cream of mushroom, but the lentil soup or minestrone are also good choices.  Try a Trout Cleopatra or Grouper Livornese. In the mood for Pasta? The gnocchi, agnolotti and lasagna are all fabulous.  The staff is very accommodating and you can order any fish, or pasta, in any style or sauce.  Each lunch entree comes with either pasta or vegetable. I doubt you will have room for dessert, but you should try the tiramisu!  So, you’ve just had a fabulous lunch, in quiet surroundings, for the same price as one of those “cattle call” places…what kind of lunch hour would YOU prefer?

Try Lauro for dinner….they are offering a three-course meal for $22.50!

Lauro's Ristorante Italiano on Urbanspoon

For more information about the Tampa Real Estate market, Tampa Neighborhoods, including Culbreath Isles. South Tampa, Harbour Island, Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Channelside, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunters Green, Arbor Greene, Apollo Beach, South Shore, MiraBay, Golf Communities, Waterfront Homes, Luxury Homes in Tampa, Condos in Tampa and International Real Estate contact me!

For more news on the Tampa Real Estate Market, go to my Home Page.

For more of my Restaurant reviews, go to my Urban Spoon profile!

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Posted by jackie   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   08.06.2010

Forget the Cantina…Stick With Red Mesa…Tampa Real Estate News and More

Filed under: Best Places in Tampa, Restaurants in Tampa

One of my absolute favorite restaurants in St. Pete is Red Mesa. Though the dining room is boring, the food is amazing and I have been dying to try their “downtown” spot…Red Mesa Cantina.  On a recent Saturday night, we ventured into the downtown spot for a late dinner.  The cavernous dining room was packed with large parties of the “yuppy” variety.  We were offered a high top in the bar and I was happy to be tucked away in a quiet corner, as my first reaction to the place was…IT IS REALLY LOUD IN HERE!  The server was very attentive and the food was good, but I found the menu far more limited than the original Red Mesa. And, the noise level was very annoying due to the “open” dining room.  Yes, it’s geared to the “tapas” crowd, and I love Tapas, but would find better options at Ceviche, along with a cozier setting.  I will head back to Red Mesa on Fourth Street next time and enjoy the same sangria and a wider variety on the menu. I’ll sacrifice “looks” for “great food” any day!
Red Mesa Cantina on Urbanspoon

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Posted by jackie   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   08.02.2010

Taps Wine and Beer Hits the Spot for Downtown Tampa…Tampa Real Estate News and More!

Filed under: Best Places in Tampa, Channelside Tampa, Moving to Tampa, Real Estate News, Restaurants in Tampa, South Tampa, Tampa Neighborhoods

I had heard really mixed reviews about Taps Wine Bar  since it’s entry on the Downtown Tampa Restaurant Scene.  A prime location on the ground level of Skypoint, the only Condo Skyscraper, it has a natural clientele with the “resident GenX/yuppie crowd” who inhabit the glassy tower.

I stopped in for a bite after a movie at the Tampa Theatre nearby, and was pleasantly surprised.  A female vocalist, Kim, was crooning sweet melodies and keeping the back room crowded, so we headed to one of the sofas in the front room and settled in for a bite.   The atmosphere was very relaxing and the servers were very apologetic about being busy. I thought they were fairly attentive, though they continued to apologize for the slow service.  Though the menu is a beer drinkers delight, we focused on the wine list and perused the dinner menu. I ordered the Ridge Zinfandel, which I really enjoy and  is hard to find on a wine list. One of the managers, “Matt”, suggested I try the Prisoner Zinfandel Blend instead.  His suggestion was “right on” with a blend of Zinfandel, Cab and Syrah, it was bold and rich with just the right “berry” fruit finish. Next up, he suggested the Carmenere, from Chile and poured me a sip! Rich and dark, but not heavy tannin, I could taste a hint of current and oak.  It was very smooth and a great alternative for Cabernet drinkers. With a glass of that in hand, I was ready to order a bite to eat.

The variety and reasonable pricing would please most palates, from appetizers to salads, sandwiches and desserts, it was a decent “noshing” menu.  The Far East salad was delicately flavored and loaded with fresh Ahi Tuna.  It was delicious.  The cheese plate featured five very generous portions of various domestic and imported cheeses, salted nuts and sliced fruit.  My only complaint was the lack of a “blue” cheese and a sharp knife. Overall, the food and wine pairings were very good and I will definitely be back for more “sampling”.

Servers were busy, but they continued to check on us and Matt seemed thrilled to have a couple of adventurous “guinea pigs”  for his wine recommendations.  The music was great and the atmosphere cozy…check it out and tell me what you think!

Taps Wine & Beer Merchants on Urbanspoon

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Posted by jackie   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   07.31.2010

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