Tampa

Our newspaper wrote about Bern’s Steakhouse in Tampa and mentioned it was impossible to get a reservation. Challenge accepted. For the next couple of months, Open Table reservations app only had tables after 10:30 PM, but I figured out the process and since we were in no hurry, signed in as soon as reservations opened the next day. Done: A 6:30 table for two on May 3rd. 

We hadn’t been to Florida Aquarium in years, so the itinerary was to drive over in the morning, look at the fish, check into our hotel for a rest, then overindulge ourselves at dinner. Mission accomplished.

I was amused by the ID tags on some of the aquarium’s residents. I noticed toenail covers on the 6 baby alligators, each one with a different color. The 2 huge gators didn’t have any, so either the trainers can tell them apart, or there isn’t any enthusiasm for trying to put them on. Crabs had various combinations of colored wire ties on a leg, which I would think would interfere with molting, but I guess greater minds have thought about this. Penguins had name tags clipped to their flippers, and other birds had the usual leg bands. Stingrays and other fish must be disposable, because I didn’t see any markings, even on the bigger ones like sharks. Perhaps the trainers are with them enough to tell them apart. Or no one cares.

At the lagoon next to the hotel on Tampa Bay, people were paddling in 20-person dragon boats, trying to earn a seat in the Team USA masters division. Have to be 60+. Women's, men’s, and mixed teams will compete at the world championships in Hong Kong in 2023. This was the third week of tryouts. One more chance in San Diego in the fall, then the picks will be made. Not exactly a svelte group of people but obviously strong and fit. Evidently, there are big dragon boat races on Lake Clermont in the spring. Will add to my calendar.

We changed our clothes and headed to Bern’s. If it weren’t so absolutely perfect, it could be a stereotype. French onion soup as appetizer, salad with blue cheese dressing, huge steaks served with green beans almandine, baked potatoes with all the calories possible on top. The veggies are grown on their farm on Dale Mabry, not far from the restaurant. The wine list is two parts: a book listing the 8000+ bottles in the cellar, and a smaller folder with only 50 or so of more commonly available wines. We threw ourselves into the hands of our waiter Kiran who came up with a 2014 Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, $65 and delicious. The meal was too much. And wonderful. I ate my soup and lots of the salad, a couple of bites of the rest. When Kiran was clearing, he dropped my potato, so a whole new one came home in my doggie bag. Even though we were too full, we took the elevator upstairs to the separate dessert area. I ate an espresso brownie topped with their homemade espresso ice cream, while Grant drank his dessert, bourbon over ice. It definitely was a good decision to spend the night in Tampa.

The next morning, we had breakfast, then watched the dragon boat racers paddling furiously in one last attempt to distinguish themselves to the coach and selection committee. Looking down off the dock, I saw stingrays, needlefish, and swirls of minnows. Someone said there was a manatee earlier, but it had moved on.

Over in Ybor City, we went to Florida’s smallest state park, the YC Museum, which takes up 3/4 of a city block. Extremely well done exhibit on the history of Ybor City. Seems Mr. Ybor came to avoid the unions forming in Key West. He bought a bunch of land and created a company town. No unionist need apply.

We strolled around the city park. Hens and chicks scratched in the surrounding plantings; long tailed roosters strutted about. Not many other people, but perhaps because it was Wednesday morning. 

At Foundation Coffee, Grant had an espresso, and I had a café Ybor, espresso with cream and sweetened condensed milk, enough calories for a second breakfast. 

Rather than spend time for lunch at the Columbia, we got takeout at Abellas and ate at Peg and Bob’s on the way home. He has a new lift recliner that helps him stand up, saving his using a lot of energy to get out of his chair. My sore legs want me to get one too.