Traveling doesn’t always mean hoping on an airplane or cracking that saving account wide open. A true traveler can make the best by simply going to a city they’ve never been to. Or experiencing a site with an open mind and an open heart. In all honesty, a lot of times, that’s all any of us can really afford.
Last month, I took this mindset and went on a short trip to see one of my best friends, Eliza. While Tampa had never been on my top places to visit, found myself looking at Florida with a new perspective. Originally, I thought of Florida as one big melting pot. I expected the save environment and the same demeanor no matter what coast I wondered to. However, I can honestly say, that I was wrong.
First stop was Ybor City. It’s a small neighborhood in Tampa, Florida and it actually reminded me of the Town of Stone Mountain. Well, except that this town had a lot more people and the food made me wish I had brought my stash of tupperwear.
Let me start off by saying that I love Mediterranean food. Greek food in particular just has a way of feeding my stomach as much as my soul. Acropolis Greek Taverna was no exception. (Since this is my first time blogging about food, I’m sad to say that my fingers were way to eager to reach for the pita chips before reaching for my phone, but I’ll try to relay it to the best of my ability.
We started off with warm pita chips and tzatziki sauce as an appetizer, then dove into the Karpathos Chicken Salad. Lastly, we rounded up the experience with a Gyro Platter with tender slices of lamb and beef while stretching the rest of our tzatziki sauce.
I guess if the words are not enough, then the pictures of us scraping our plates of what’s left will have to do.
The next day I tagged along as we ventured back into Ybor for some coffee. We quickly discovered that The Blind Tiger Cafe is more than a coffee shop with an impressive name. Since I’m not a major coffee connoisseur, I honestly can’t say what Eliza had or what it had in it, but I can definitely say that I was more than happy to finish off the cup of amazingness.
Per the suggestion of the barista, we made a pit-stop across the street to try Sundays Delicatessen. While I thoroughly enjoyed the simplicity of the “Classic Breakfast”, I have to say that if I get the chance to go back, i’ll definitely be devouring the “Sunday’s Benedict” with smoked salmon. The hollandaise sauce makes you want to lick the plate when you’re done.
Although it was only two days, I can definitely say that Ybor, Tampa, FL has found a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to take another drive up there.
D'Miria Collins 