The Tampa Mutineer

Featuring Tampa's finest in people, places, food, and good times.

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Duke's @ Hula Bay

Sometimes you happen to walk into a place...and get really bad service.  Not at Hula Bay, and certainly not @ Duke's.  I was accompanying a friend for a short afternoon holiday, when my friend told me of Hula Bay.  If you've never heard of it...don't feel bad.  They are 4 years new to the area, zoned as a yacht club...and even though plenty of yachts are parked there...they aren't a yacht club.

A short turn on Tyson Blvd from Westshore Ave will take you to this hidden gem in Tampa.  They feature an indoor restaurant (not shown) with full service bar, outdoor pool & lounge area, yacht docking, and the OUTDOOR bar called Dukes, which is also full service with a menu.  Featuring burgers  (which I will return to test), a bitchin' selection of fine sushi, wings, seafood, this place has it all.  Click on the pictures below for a sample of the place.

   Did I mention the service?  This young lady is Bri (pronounced Bree).  She was one of a few very busy bartenders taking care of a few hundred customers.  And even though it was really busy, she was kind enough to give me the rundown of the establishment, point out that she sells a lot of Hula Burgers, agrees that mullets and old men on steroids with gold chains should be banned, and that the sushi is amazing.  

I had the wings, Hula Mild.  I should say they were meaty and fantastic.  Plenty of sauce, a lil' kick.

In short, I highly recommend this place.  Good times, live music, well decorated, the bathroom was spotless, and everyone was friendly.

Hula Bay Club & Dukes Retired Surfers Island Bar

www.hulabayclub.com/

Hula Bay Club - Waterfront Bar & Grill - Located in the old Rattlefish Building at 5210 W. Tyson Ave. Tampa, FL 33611. Please call us at 813.837.HULA.

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One Barbados, S. Davis Island, Tampa, FL

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S. Davis Island, Tampa, FL

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One Barbados - S. Davis Island, Tampa, FL

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A beautiful bride

Full disclosure:  Amber Meo is my sister-in-law.

This week was full of ups and curves....but the whole thing was highlighted with the marriage of Amber Santos and Ryan Meo.  I was fortunate enough to get an invite, much less more have my camera with me, when this picture opportunity was presented.

If you know Amber, she is the hipster of hipsters.  A beautiful, sensitive, gregarious, and occasionally crazy (even her mother said so at the reception) person.  She only knows love.  How she expresses that love is who Amber is.  Sometimes it was cartwheels in Applebees, or asking her cousin's boyfriend "Do you love JESUS?".  It's kind of a requirement in the family.

But here she is, freshly married, and looking off from the side of the chapel at her new hubby getting pics done with the groomsmen.  She is looking Havana 1950s, a very classy portrait of a girl on top of the world.    You could offer her $10,000 at this moment, and she wouldn't budge.  This woman knows only that she craves to be close to her Mr. Meo...and the day had finally arrived for her happily ever after.  

This picture shows a peek at the real Amber...unprotected in the moment, vulnerable, guard-aside, smiling with her eyes as much as her teeth.

April 5th she will depart with her hubby on some new adventures as a member of The Meo Family.

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"Tampa City Lights"

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"A day in the life of a teenager"

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The Ultimate Burger Pt. 2

This is technically a prequel, but only because I didn't post it before my previous burger review.  So...part 2 here we go.

Mosey on over to Square-1 Burger off of Henderson, and you can find yourself in trouble very quickly.  Why?

Because their burgers are big, tasty, and come with all the fixin's.  This ain't no measly-weasly burger.  They have chili burgers, bison burgers, turkey burgers, (enough Forrest Gump)...

I got a double with bacon and cheese on (drumroll...)...SOURDOUGH!

My only mistake was ordering the double.

The patties are huge!  Makes doubles almost uneatable.  But the veggies were right, fries were ok...but the meat had tons of flavor.  A bit dry...but flavored well.  Did I mention sourdough?

Score:  7 out of 10

Good Brew They feature some tasty brews on draft, and I  ordered a 312.  It was a nice crisp lager, wheat taste, and went down with a nice clean finish.  Ahhhh.....

I totally recommend this place for a good time with family, or a bite to eat.

Square-1 Burger

Address: 3701 Henderson Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609

Phone:[phone]

Transit: Henderson Blvd @ Sterling Av

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The Ultimate Burger Pt 1

In my quest to find the best burger in Tampa, and previously having the current champion at "The Hard Rock Cafe, Hard Rock Casino", I found myself at Aqua, Westin Hotel.  This is right off of 60 at Rocky Point.

The staff here swear by their burgers, so it was worthy to take up their challenge.

The burger came out as ordered, but their idea of a pickle was the measly pickle spear at the top coupled with an olive.  Uh, yeah.  Not sure who they talked to, but this isn't France, and burgers are not supposed to be "Le' Fifi or Le' Measly".

After getting a pickle spear to aid (really, no sliced pickles?), the burger tasted correct.  Meat, cheese (+2pts for Tillamook Cheddar), cooked as ordered, veggies.  The fries were a total loss, the meat was a tad bit dry...perhaps it was previously frozen.  The applewood smoked bacon was on the money, and over all it tasted well.  Portion was good, and I wasn't left hungry.  

Score:  6 out of 10.

Fun Staff The hostess gave me the idea on getting the burger.  She was very friendly, professional, and attentive.  So thanks a lot Elizabeth! #awesome.

If you want a diversion that isn't a huge commitment, I recommend.

On the bright side, "AQUA" has a unique setting, is waterside, and a perfect place for a date with your significant other.  Ladies night is Thursday, drink specials.

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Old Hyde Park Villiage

Hard to miss,  you can find Old Hyde Park Village just off of Swann Ave in Hyde Park between Willow and Howard Ave.

There are a ton of shops here, as well as some nicely decorated buildings, yielding a glimpse into the Hyde Park of the past here in Tampa.

If you are hungry, stop by the Wine Exchange...but expect a very nice Italian meal while you are there.  With plenty of sidewalks, 2 water fountains, benches and chairs, its a good stroll for the family or if in the mood for some good ol' fashion quiet. It's definitely friendly for the whole family.

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HARD ROCK BURGER = 5 STARS!!!

Ok, the Hard Rock Casino in Tampa is nothing new.  We pass by it on I4 every day.  But there is a restaraunt in the back called theHard Rock Cafe that has an AMAZING burger (or 5 depending on your flavor) to die for.

Big ups to Summer and Steve for great service and a great recommendation. Burgers = Legendary!

http://www.seminolehardrocktampa.com/tampa-restaurants/cafe

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Un-YBOR Yourself

A quick visit to Channelside during the day reminds me how refreshing it is to be able to go to places in Tampa day or night that add entertainment value.  Daytime parking is free from 11am-130pm.  Lots of good eats, and a cruise line is awaiting you if you decide to skip town.

Lots of tourists too, so if you don't know anyone, don't worry, they don't either.

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How's the Sushi?

Well, I'll save you the trouble and tell you.  After all, food is a part of this blog.

Unwinding from Spring Break mode...even though it's still on for a few weeks, I went to a place by the water called Oishi.  It's on the top level at Channelside.  Walking in, I found nice pieces of art, replication although nice items of hindu and buddhist cultures, and an over all clean establishment.

Took 5 min to be seated....10 more min to get some water, 10 more min to place an order.  Im 25 min in...and nothing but a glass of water to show.  So I thought...might as well review the place.

The sushi chefs were nice...but one was frowning like he had to go #2.  He should try smiling when patrons are at the sushi bar.  That's how tips are made. (especially when free seaweed salad or rolls are given....wishful thinking for me).

Food finally came out....and I wasn't too shocked.  Prices on the menu were decent....salmon roll was just that...a salmon wrapped in rice and seaweed paper.  Next up was a Tampa Roll.  Drenched in eel sauce...I would've preferred a bit drier so after I dip in soy, I don't feel like Im biting into a bleeding sponge.  It tasted good, but presentation is so key with sushi.

Then came my Salmon Nigiri.  This was the best part of the experience.  Kinda hard to get it wrong.  Salmon on a stick of rice.  But fish was butter smooth, slightly chilled...a preference that is very personal for some.  I gave the chef my smile of approval.  Finally, the prestige...a "Bonzai Roll".  Except I ordered it with no spicy mayo, and it was smothered in it.  I sent it back, and they made me another one pronto.  It was ok, salmon, avocado, cream cheese with some kind of fish on top.  Forgettable, and at this point, I just wanted the check before I was too deep in the hole with my $$.  I love me some sushi, and I considered trying some other items.  I just remembered.....Matoi on Dale Mabry S, or Sushi Alive on Dale Mabry N....might yield a better value for my money.

After I paid...and tipped 25%...only one employee wished me "bye!".  Not a "Thank Youuuu!" or a "Come again!".  Thankfully, I won't.

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Spring Break Ybor

Ok, first off, I admit...I've been covering Ybor all week.  I live so close...it's kind of hard not too....always new people and sites to see....and it never gets old.

That said, Spring Break is here in Tampa again...and 7th Ave was the place to be.  Lots of out of towners were galore.  You can always tell....the kind drunk at 10pm because their night started at 7.  That time slots is for amateurs...only a tourist or an alchy does that.

The real vibe just warms up at 10pm....at which I arrived at 30 minutes past.  as much as the party was inviting...it's a working night, so only water for me....booze and cameras don't mix for the picture taker.

Da' popo was on full display.....horses at 10ish?  I guess MGK (Machine Gun Kelly) was at the Amphtheatre....and a riot almost ensued once he was done.  Folks were lined up around a street block just to get in.  This club has been there for over a decade...changed names once or twice....how nice to see it back to its roots and clearly not hurting for company.

Take a stroll down the street for additional play....nothing was out of reach.  Raunch, go-go dancers, people with problems falling down, the homeless being harassed...the usual for Tampa.  Lot's of bars offering free cover before 11pm, $1 house well specials, shitty parking, did I say the usual for Tampa?

People were friendly, happy to take pictures for The Tampa Mutineer! (yo-ho!)

I must have walked 10 blocks...tons of people....not Mardi Gras level, but enough to know you don't want to bump into the wrong person.

After talking to folks, handing out 20+ business cards, and taking 165 pictures...the clock strikes midnight.  Now the party is crackin'!  Lines are really stacked, bouncers busy, with drunken douche bags slurrying "whyyyyyy?" as they get shown the curb.

Given it rained earlier, the humidity made it seem a bit cozy....you didn't need to get into a club to feel moist or sweaty.  At that cue, I remembered I had an air conditioned house to go back to...so I called it a night.

As I walked back to my motorcycle....folks were getting arrested and women forgot they were wearing stilettos on tile.  Good times.

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Saturday night continues....

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A walk down 7th Ave will yield some lively people with interesting character and flavor.

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Ybor Photobombs!