This Little Red Engine #09 is a burgermeister's find

We love driving down Central Avenue, 1st Ave North and 1st Ave South from 4th Street to the east and to the west as far as 28th Street in a zig zag loop between the streets.  You can find many start ups and independents springing up in unlikely places.  Beach Drive may have the movers and shakers with BUZZ but there is food just west of the Drive that is worthy a visit in search of good eats.   It is ever so much more fun in The Mister's blue convertible than our staid coach of yore.  There is something to be said for mid to later life crisis purchases, there are some splurges that please more than others.  A convertible beats a mini-van hands down.

The Van Helsing

Roasted Jalapenos, roasted garlic, bacon crumbles and pepperjack cheese

While we relish our leisurely stroll to memories past, forever connected to our first convertible/cars and linked reverently to American Band Stand appearances, Chubby Checker twist contests, the ever-present greasy spoon diner on the corner with burgers and shakes, long before the ubiquitous Golden Arches or ilk, was our Mothers' milk.

The Mister was weaned on Philly cheesesteaks and I was raised on El Cap's, Chattaway's, and Biff Burgers. The Mister and I share a love of burgers, especially good burgers.  I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a burger today.  There is nothing "wimpy" about Engine #09 and their offerings.  The restaurant is oddly shaped and the frontage seems to face the wrong direction from the parking, but that matters little once inside and comfortably ensconced in the clean bright red booths.

Golden fried wings in sriracha sauce

The menu is long on inventive burger combinations and a fine selection of brews.  There is a creative mind behind the burger creations.  Some are drool inducing just upon reading and equally as delicious when consumed.  Fresh beef patties cooked to order and topped with a myriad of toppings that sing in Epicurean harmony. I tried the Van Helsing and it was a mess to eat but oh so good.  Next one I want to try is the Borderline, avocado, smoked pancetta, roasted cherry peppers, pepperjack cheese and chipotle mayo.  Wowser!  The Mister can't resist the lure of a burger named the Wine-o, 8 ounces of prime beef, topped with red wine barbecue sauce, white cheddar, bacon and fried onions  .Hot dogs and Wings fare equally as well with inventive pairings.  The wings with a Sriracha toss were delicious. The Calamari Fries were just awesome. cut differently than the ubiquitous rings and fried delicately!  We were delighted with the many menu options, chili to gumbo and Sriracha Salmon to Chicken Pasta. There are entrees that will warrant inspection, the braised short ribs and  a veggie mushroom risotto.  The Brew menu did contain enough of The Mister's favorites and allowed me to venture forth with new pairings.

Calamari Fries

We had a delightfully wonderful late lunch and while the numerous TV's were visible but they were  muted for lack of a game, thankfully, allowing convivial discourse.  We could see the positives for prime Sports viewing, premium noshing and drinking at Engine #09.  You won't see me trying the Ghost Burger Challenge anytime soon.  Yes, I AM TOO WIMPY but you can count on a repeat visit for the many other options offered and we will gladly pay today for the burger in front of us.

Bacon cheese burger

Fine service, delicious offerings. clean bright decor, all in all a positive.

Caprese Salad

To TacoSon or Not? That is the question?

Emphatically yes, if you are into a casual tasty meal that is cut above the standard of usual TacoBells in the world.  (There is a place for a Taco Bell, and it usually falls well after midnight and 4 a.m.)  Our food at TacoSon was delicious.

Sonoran dog, wrapped in bacon and fried potatoes

The Mister and I stopped by TacoSon after a visit to our local Home Depot.  The trunk of the convertible was stuffed with greenery and items for the entry re-do.  After all that laborious shopping we were in no mood to go home and cook.  Fortunately, the TacoSon sign beckoned.  I think the idea of a cold beer enticed the Mister to stop.  Needless to say, if he can't have a cervesa, he will not stop for food.   I was just happy he agreed to stop.

That is our appetizer of shrimp and octopus in a ceviche tomato lime sauce.  It was served with fresh hot tortilla chips and wedges of lime.  It was fresh, spritely, and delicious.  We ate every single bite.

You order at the counter and the staff will bring the food to your table.  There is a nice mix of banquettes, tables, tall bar style tables and a few tables with umbrellas outside.  All is spotless and the staff is quick to clean a table and sweep the floor.  The staff was also quick to answer questions and offer a taste of the "meat of the day" should you desire a try before you buy.    The Mister had a huge wet burrito covered in the signature cheese sauce, it was stuffed with rice, beans, chicken, salad and avocado.  Rolled and topped with the fresco cheese sauce.  It was enormous and The Mister took half of it home for a late night snack.

I want to give the tamales a try soon.  That burrito haunts The Mister's dreams.  Yes, in answer to the question, To TacoSon or Not?  Emphatically YES!

The Bamboo Bistro

The family tried the Bamboo Bistro on 75th Avenue on St. Pete Beach tonight.  It was delicious.
The restaurant occupies the tiny space formerly known as Oscar's on 75th.  There is ample parking behind the building.  It sits next to the infamous "Shhh, Don't Tell Mama" adult store.

There is a lovely deck in the back with seating.  It has some Roman busts on the wall which is a bit of a disconnect.  It is still a pleasant spot to sit on a fresh cool November evening.  The interior has been painted in a deep red walls, black ceiling and large golden bamboo poles askew against the walls.  The floors are dark wood.

There is a very nice selection of sushi items and specialty rolls.  We chose a spicy tuna roll ($9,95) and one called red hot chili peppers.  Both were very good.  I particularly liked the read hot chili pepper roll ($13.95).  It had tuna inside and tuna outside, with jalapenos, tempura crispy something and it was very good.  I like spicy.  Both were plated beautifully and had generous amounts of wasabi and pickled ginger.

Beer and Wine selections are the usual generic versions.  Hot or cold sake is offered, too.  A generous glass of wine is $5.00 each and a Miller Lite is $2.95 a bottle.

The Daughter raves about the crab rangoon, and they were hot, fresh, crispy and had a nice dipping sauce.  Dad was very happy with his pork potstickers.  They were tender and flavorful.    I can't share a picture of my Tom Yum Shrimp soup, ($3.95).  We ate it before I remembered a picture.  It was tart, spicy, gingery with three perfectly cooked large plump tender shrimp.  Sooooo good.  Service can be a bit scattered but with food this good, we weren't complaining.

The Mr. enjoyed his dish of Mongolian beef very much.  The onions and beef were tender and flavorful. The Daughter could barely eat her entree of Broccoli Ginger chicken, only because she had too much sushi!!.  It was perfectly cooked, the chicken slices were not rubbery.  You could tell this was cooked to order.  The only miss of the night was the Bamboo Eggplant in peanut sauce.  The tofu cubes were lightly fried pillows of airy protein.  The sauce suffered by being much too sweet and cloying for my taste.  It needed a serious punch of lime and heat to counteract the thick sweet peanut flavor.  

Yes, we will go back.  Do the sushi,  Hot & Sour or Tom Yum soup and save some room for the desserts.  We want to try the Thai donut and the Bamboo Banarama Sundae.  Tempura fried bananas, ice cream, and hot fudge.  Just shoot me now.  Really that sounds like fun!

Those are the happy faces of my family after a good supper.  Please tell them Olivia sent you in to give them a try. .