The places I want to go, the things I want to eat.

So when I finally decided to start doing this I figured some guidelines were in order. After thinking about that for a little while I changed my mind. I figured that things like not reviewing corporate restaurants doesn't make sense because good food and service are good food and service. Besides I don't want to spare them the criticism since from time to time I find myself staring at a novel that is a Chili's menu. So why have any guide lines at all? The only thing I think is absolutely necessary is that I go into a place without them knowing I am coming, this may cut down on complimentary food but I feel it ensures that I get a genuine experience. With that out of the way, on to the good stuff.

Unfortunately I feel like Lakeland is severely lacking in things like diners and family owned restaurants that are any good at all. I love the diner, in a real diner you can generally get a wide variety of food made by hand with love, awesome breakfast and a slice of home-made something to chase it with. Did I mention good coffee? Some friends and family have recommended some local places they thought might fill that void. Namely the Reesecliff, probably Lakeland's oldest restaurant this diner used to be a rival of my great grandmother's restaurant The Clearview. The Clearview was located on Lake Parker approximately where Rent-a-Wheel is now. The last time I ate at Reesecliff I was served a frozen piece of country fried steak, this is NOT what I am looking for.

 To me opening a restaurant and serving frozen food is an insult. I would venture to say that 98% of our population knows how to operate a microwave and dump food onto a plate their damn selves. One of my favorite restaurants is currently up for sale, they are successful so I really wanted to know why. The retired owner explained to me, "It's just too much work for me." The restaurant I'm referring to is Tiffany's, I just wrote up a review for them. His answer made the fact that he's getting rid of the place a little easier to take. I want to go into a small Mexican restaurant and see your abuela slaving away in the kitchen, that is what I want to eat. It's what you should want to eat to because if you didn't know it a majority of your large chains use less than a 30% fresh ingredients everything else comes out of a vacuum sealed bag and is either nuked or steamed (in the bag) before it's rushed out to your table....ehhmapplebees....hmmm. Sorry there was something stuck in my throat. Another thing people fail to notice most of the time is the serious price tag of some of this corporate junk. Country Fried Steak is a $13+ item on the Chili's menu, seriously? This brings me to my next point.



Yeah, I made it and yes that is cheese and bacon bleeding
from my burger.



Value. I am more than capable of cooking the greatest meal I've ever had in my own home. I don't always want to do this though and neither do you. Hell more than half of the women I know that are near my age couldn't boil a pot of water without burning their house down. So we go out, I love eating out, I get to try new things or things prepared in a new way but I don't want to feel like I'm being fleeced to do so. If you didn't know it restaurants give you free bread, soup or salad because when you pass through the door on the way out they want you to feel full and maybe even be toting a box out with you. When this happens you are more likely to be happy with what you paid for, they see the value in their purchase. The fact that I know this trick does not make me immune to the feeling. I want to leave a place feeling like I got my monies worth and so should you.

These are the things I want to experience in whatever sort of place I go into. I love all sorts of food, mostly that which I haven't tried. Here's a list of places in the area that I want to try and I want you to add to it.

1. Say Amen Cafe
2. Acacias
3. Andy's Igloo (I've been here before but I really want to go back)
4. Dino's Drive-In
5. Bay Street Bistro (formerly The Antiquarian)
6. Any sushi place
7. Granger's BBQ
8. Main St. Diner
9. Cafe Zuppino
10. Any wing joint

I think that's a decent start but I have to add to the list. If there is a place that you love and think I should try send me an email or let me know on facebook.