teamboom

I thought El Camino was a pretty good, kind of up-scale Mexican place. We waited way too long to be seated because we were told they would call our cell phone when our table was ready, but they never did. But the food was really delicious and the server was great. It can’t beat Oaxaca, but it comes pretty darn close.

I moved to Tarpon completely against my will at age 15. I wound up meeting my husband and some of the best friends I’ll ever have.

If you went to high school in Tarpon, you generally complain about it. It’s small, filled with old Greek families & elderly tourists, and there’s not much to do for young people. That being said, it is a cute little town to visit, I suppose, and I’m willing to bet that you can’t get better Greek food anywhere in this country.

The sponge docks are really interesting if it’s your first time there, and a nice place to stroll along the street and watch the sunset. Other great places to catch the sunset are Fred Howard Park and the smaller, nearby Sunset Beach.

The Greek epiphany celebration in Tarpon Springs is the largest in the country. It’s a fascinating cultural experience culminating with all the boys in the Greek church aged 16-18 diving into the bayou to retrieve a ceramic cross. Opa!

There’s a reason everyone talks about the sponge docks and the food: that’s all there is there. But it’s cute and unique, just watch out for the cheesey glass-bottom boat rides.

Directly next door to (and under the same ownership as) Leonardo’s Pizza by the Slice, Bistro 1245 is a fantastic little place! For having the smallest restaurant kitchen I’ve ever seen, they make incredible food – just some of my favorites: prosciutto mozzarella sandwich (totally addictive!), grilled three cheese, three-herb pesto with chicken, and creme brulee (to die for).

I think it’s a very special lunch spot, but it’s also great for a casual (and inexpensive) yet romantic dinner. They do a wine-tasting every night now (3 half-glasses for $6) In the spring and fall, it’s one of the best places in Gainesville to sit outside and enjoy wine and bruschetta with friends. As small as it is, I rarely had to wait for a table, and don’t judge it based on Leo’s – the service is usually very good.