Tampa
I flew out to Tampa on United Airlines and came into early to my conference. Since I had an afternoon to kill, I reserved a car with Thrifty for the afternoon and headed out to Orlando. I opted for the "surprise me" deal and ended up with a Jeep Compass. I was actually impressed with the amenities in the car. It came with navigation and the system was set up for android play. I didn't use the 4x4 but it was nice to see it available.
Spent the afternoon touring Universal Studios Orlando. I didn't find anything interesting in the park to eat but I did enjoy the macarons and chocolate from Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. Checked into the Westin Tampa Waterside for the next couple of days.
The Westin is interesting in that the club is on lobby level and also serves as a regular restaurant. The food selection was fine and the room was really large. Overall, a pleasant stay. If you are looking for more night life, there is a trolley that will take you to Ybor City and the hotel does have a shuttle (wasn't operational when I was there).
For the last night, I checked into the Doubletree Tampa Airport-Westshore. The location is more to my liking since there were restaurants nearby besides the sports bar and Italian restaurant inside the hotel. The airport shuttle will also drop you off nearby and was able to get to Roy's easily. The room is smaller than the Westin surprisingly but I was only there overnight. I was also surprised there was no mini fridge in the room too.
Dining
Surprisingly the airport area is pretty nice and there are a few high end restaurants and shopping nearby. Since I was returning the rental car it was easy to have a pit stop before getting to the airport. I tried a few new things at Cheesecake Factory. The dynamite shrimp is ok but I liked the chicken white bean chili. I also ordered the crazy craig's carrot cake cheesecake.
I went out to Hyde Park and had dinner at Timpano. I had the Mozzarella Bocconcini, Cocchi Old Fashioned, the Osso Bucco and the butterscotch bread pudding. The old fashioned was tasty. Overall, the meal was very good. I was also able to get some cupcakes from Sprinkles down the block.
For my final night in Tampa, I went out to Roy's. Even with a per diem and a coupon, I will likely go over. I ordered a wedge salad to starts and then the chef creation of bulgogi duck breast with a side of lump crab fried rice.
Inside the Tampa International Airport, I tried Burger 21. I ordered a breakfast burger but was given a breakfast bowl. I didn't have the heart to go back and I should have looked at the receipt but it was fine. The "breakfast bowl" is basically tater tots with gravy and cheese and eggs. It was good but not what I was looking to eat. Also grabbed a pretzel dog from Auntie Anne's given my breakfast bowl situation.
At Los Angeles International Airport, I grabbed a burger from The Counter and a chicken sandwich from Ashland Hill. Not as good as the original restaurants in LA, it served its purpose.
 |
| Harry Potter World in Universal Orlando |
Spent the afternoon touring Universal Studios Orlando. I didn't find anything interesting in the park to eat but I did enjoy the macarons and chocolate from Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. Checked into the Westin Tampa Waterside for the next couple of days.
The Westin is interesting in that the club is on lobby level and also serves as a regular restaurant. The food selection was fine and the room was really large. Overall, a pleasant stay. If you are looking for more night life, there is a trolley that will take you to Ybor City and the hotel does have a shuttle (wasn't operational when I was there).
For the last night, I checked into the Doubletree Tampa Airport-Westshore. The location is more to my liking since there were restaurants nearby besides the sports bar and Italian restaurant inside the hotel. The airport shuttle will also drop you off nearby and was able to get to Roy's easily. The room is smaller than the Westin surprisingly but I was only there overnight. I was also surprised there was no mini fridge in the room too.
Dining
Surprisingly the airport area is pretty nice and there are a few high end restaurants and shopping nearby. Since I was returning the rental car it was easy to have a pit stop before getting to the airport. I tried a few new things at Cheesecake Factory. The dynamite shrimp is ok but I liked the chicken white bean chili. I also ordered the crazy craig's carrot cake cheesecake.
I went out to Hyde Park and had dinner at Timpano. I had the Mozzarella Bocconcini, Cocchi Old Fashioned, the Osso Bucco and the butterscotch bread pudding. The old fashioned was tasty. Overall, the meal was very good. I was also able to get some cupcakes from Sprinkles down the block.
 |
| Timpano - Osso Bucco with Crispy Mozzarella |
For my final night in Tampa, I went out to Roy's. Even with a per diem and a coupon, I will likely go over. I ordered a wedge salad to starts and then the chef creation of bulgogi duck breast with a side of lump crab fried rice.
Inside the Tampa International Airport, I tried Burger 21. I ordered a breakfast burger but was given a breakfast bowl. I didn't have the heart to go back and I should have looked at the receipt but it was fine. The "breakfast bowl" is basically tater tots with gravy and cheese and eggs. It was good but not what I was looking to eat. Also grabbed a pretzel dog from Auntie Anne's given my breakfast bowl situation.
At Los Angeles International Airport, I grabbed a burger from The Counter and a chicken sandwich from Ashland Hill. Not as good as the original restaurants in LA, it served its purpose.
Comments