Daily Loaf

Soon after moving to Tampa, I discovered a whole new world of Cuban food.
Tampa has a large Cuban community and their food is a staple in this town. Growing up, I had never heard of chicken and yellow rice, cafe con leche, deviled crabs, plantains, etc. I was missing out on a whole bunch of yummy food.
So if you are Cuban, I am sure this is not the authentic way to make Roast Pork with Black Beans and Yellow Rice, but my way still tastes damn good (and it tastes like the Cuban restaurants). Read the rest of this entry »

Sure, a plane crashes, a man gets ready for the biggest job in the land, and Gruden gets a pink slip. All big stories, but where’s the love for a pot of beans and greens, or a jab at Jasmine Thai? Here’s your chance to relive the week that was, without all that pesky news in the way:

• Creative Loafing debuts its new food section! World celebrates!
• Brian reviews Jasmine Thai’s new location and pronounces it “a safety date.”
• Taylor pens a sonnet of middling quality on the pros and cons of oak. She’s well versed on the subject.
• A waiter rants about customers — “If you were to say hello to me in your office I wouldn’t say: ‘pro forma balance sheet!’ or ‘digital rectal exam!’”
• Grapefruit Avocado Salad, plus more great grapefruit recipes.
• How do West Indian ex-pats spend a Christmas in Miami? Like everyone else, but with better food.
• Tampa wins caffeine trifecta — Most Caffeinated City, Least Addicted, Most Pain Killers!
• People get drunk at Tom Pritchard’s charity roast!
• Impromptu pasta: easy Spinach and Gorgonzola Pasta.
• North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner helps a dark beer girl remember lighter days.
• Taco Bus to host cookbook author and Mexican food maven Diana Kennedy.
• White Bean and Kale Stew will, apparently, “warm your nubbies.”
• CL announces the first of many Monthly Recipe Contests.
• Capital Grille hires new sommelier.

On Monday night at St. Pete’s Coliseum, hundreds gathered to honor Chef Tom Pritchard, local hero and executive chef at numerous restaurants including Salt Rock Grill. I’ve only seen “roasts” on TV, laden with celebrities embarrassing a friend. Mostly, they’re small, sentimental gatherings, but Chef Tom’s Roast on Monday night extended its warm fuzzies to the entire Tampa Bay foodie community. The event honored Tom’s phenomenal 30+ year career and what better way than to eat, drink and be merry like he has his whole life.

The $100 four-course wine dinner included 40 chefs stuffed into a cramped makeshift kitchen at the Coliseum, 600 attendees eating and drinking and 200+ misty-eyed industry people. I was floored that the event sold out at $100 a pop, but as many guests stated: “Hey, it’s for Tom.”

Read the rest of this entry »