J. Ryan's Bar & Grill, Sarasota, Florida

<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/30/1282972/restaurant/Tampa-Bay/J-Ryans-On-The-Grill-Sarasota%22%3E%3Cimg alt="J Ryan's On The Grill on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1282972/minilink.gif" style="border:none;padding:0px;width:130px;height:36px" /></a>

I had viewed the menu for this restaurant online and saw lots of yummy things I really wanted to try.  The restaurant is new, on Clark Road near Sawyer, in the plaza where The Big Kitchen used to be.  It is really a lovely, more upscale restaurant.  The owners have obviously spent quite a bit on redecorating.  Nice, but nothing really fantastic.  I ordered the Walnut Chicken Salad on a bed of field greens.  The chicken salad was very dry and tasteless.  It did have a lot of whole walnuts sprinkled all over the plate, which was nice, but I would have preferred to have them in the salad; maybe that would have livened it up a bit.  It desperately needed some mayonnaise.  The greens were pretty, but kind of limp.  My companion had a French Dip sandwich, which was on what looked and tasted like a hot dog bun.  He got about 5 french fries with it.  For over $10, not a good deal at all.  My salad was also over $10.  Someone has to pay for all those fancy wavy clouds on the ceiling!  I would like to go back and try something else next time.  It is a nice place to eat, just not a good value.

Currents, a restaurant in Tarpon Springs, Florida. 

I almost wept when I walked into this fabulous restaurant in the heart of the historic restaurant in Tarpon Springs, Florida.  I had been searching for a decent restaurant in this town, and finally I had found what I was looking for.  I was totally sick of Greek food and could not wait to find some real food!  This place is beautifully decorated with lovely details everywhere.  It's located in a old building with lots of huge windows looking out on the street scene of Tarpon Avenue.  I ordered the Red Sangria first, which arrived in a large glass; I don't think I could have handled more than one!  I had the meatloaf with a blue cheese and raspberry sauce - to die for!  It came with a salad, home made mashed potatoes and asparagus.  Loved it!  Totally delicious!!!

<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/30/1578601/restaurant/Tampa-Bay/Currents-Tarpon-Springs%22%3E%3Cimg alt="Currents on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1578601/biglink.gif" style="border:none;width:200px;height:146px" /></a>

Manolo's Mediterranean Bistro, Tarpon Springs, FL

I wanted so bad to really love this place, but I just didn't. The waiter had too much "swagger" and a macho attitude. He acted like he was doing us a very large favor by waiting on us. The food was o.k, but nothing really special. I had a chicken dish, which was basically Chicken Marsala, but they called it something else. It was pretty expensive, too. The place was extremely small with a somewhat suffocating atmosphere. The menu was very limited. We asked for a cappucino to go and they said they did not have any "to go" cups. It is located in a scary part of town at night, with pretty messed up looking people wandering the streets and the traffic is horrendous. Sorry!

Crackers Bar & Grill, Crystal River, Florida

I ordered a little scoop of chicken salad for dinner.  It was simply divine!  Best chicken salad I have had in Florida, no lie!  It was placed on a huge bed of lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese, celery, etc. with a slice of cantaloupe!  I could not eat it all and it was only $4.99.  A lovely view of King's Bay out back with loads of boats coming and going to watch.  Simple and not fancy decor at all, but really great food and location.  Right next to the Best Western on U.S. 19. 

<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/136/909569/restaurant/Florida/Crackers-Bar-Grill-Crystal-River%22%3E%3Cimg alt="Cracker's Bar &amp; Grill on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/909569/minilink.gif" style="border:none;width:130px;height:36px" /></a>

The Plum Tomato, Palm Harbor, FL

I had head that the Plum Tomato restaurant in Palm Harbor, Florida was a really good place to get some Italian food, so I could not wait to go.  To my dismay, it is located in a dirty little strip mall in the not so nice part of this town.  Unfortunately, it did not live up to its reputation either, or at least for my taste.  I ordered pizza with roasted red peppers, fresh basil and extra sauce.  The pizza took forever to make, and it arrived dried up.  I got extra sauce on the side and that didn't help much.  The pizza was mediocre at best, with no particular taste to the sauce or the crust.  I got sangria with it, which was good, but it as $4.95 for a small glass, not so good.  The whole time we were there, a creepy little old man was pacing up and down staring at everyone and pestering the waitresses.  I think he might have been the owner.  A much better bet for pizza in this area is the Fireside Pizza Cafe, which has a wood fired brick oven, super delicious pizza and much better atmosphere and location.

<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/30/1527075/restaurant/Tampa-Bay/The-Plum-Tomato-Tarpon-Springs%22%3E%3Cimg alt="The Plum Tomato on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1527075/minilogo.gif" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px" /></a>

Cafe on the Avenue, Crystal River, Florida

OMG!  I felt like I was in heaven when I walked into this beautifully decorated, lovely oasis in a small, old town on the west coast of Florida.  I ordered the French Connection, which was a super tender roast beef and brie on a croissant.  It came with (gasp!) a spiced apple slice and a cute little scoop of potato salad.  I had not seen a garnish like this in Florida before and I was so happy to see it!  I had spent a week in this town, searching for decent food and did not find any until I went to this Cafe.  They also had a beautiful tray of desserts available, and alas, I did not have time to try one!  Next time, for sure!  Every detail of this cafe is lovely and amazing.  Located on Citrus Avenue in the historic section of Crystal River near the corner of U.S. 19, right next to a string of lovely shops.  Loved it!

Pet peeve of the day - stinky feet in movie theatres!

Went to see a movie today. I was happily munching on my popcorn when I caught a whiff of something truly nasty. I looked to my right, and there was a middle aged woman in sandals with her feet propped up on the seat next to me! No class whatsoever! Please don't put your feet up on the seat in front of you, especially when they are old and stinky! For pete's sake, wash your damn feet once in awhile, like every day! Maybe get some new shoes, too! And don't stick them where everyone else has to look at and smell them! Like, right next to someone's face!!! Yuck! While I am discussing rude, classless people, let me rant about idiots on cell phones in public. These people walk around like they are in their living room at home, talking loudly on their phones about personal stuff, while in the checkout line, the doctor's office, the grocery store, etc., etc., etc. Go outside! Talk at home! Let them leave a message!!! No one wants to listen to your stupid conversations! Do you really feel the need to hear your own voice constantly? Chances are, the people on the other end of the phone don't really want to hear your stupid voice, either!