Two weeks in St Pete - IIISO enters thinking

Mary and I spent 2 more weeks in St Pete dining out and entertaining guests----and a new phrase has entered our vocabulary.------IIISO
(If It Is Still Open). Three old haunts have hit the dust.

Sat night we went to American Legion Post 125 in Gulfport for their
world famous steak dinner. The $7.95 Steak Dinner. Kinda sorta like Tad;s or Bonanza or well you get the picture. But the reason for the visit is the Country & Western Band The Southern Knights.
They make you dance. Good time was had by all.

Sun ----recoup from Sat and get ready to go to Benigan's to watch football and visit some buddy's and-------------Benigan's is gone.
Got a couple of Hero's on the Beach and went home. IIISO #1

Mon-----visited that great (and i do mean great) Italian Deli
MAZZARO's and a new Super Market in the area called Aldi's---
low budget, no fancy fixtures place. Prices are good. Dinner
was a great big mushroom omelet a la The Ancient Mariner.

Tues-------a new restaurant called THE ROARING 20's. In Ellenton.
Big barn of a place, really well laid out and the star of the show
The Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Pipe Organ rises from the depths with organist in place and entertains while we chow down on pizza, ribs, burgers, Cubans, Ruebens, etc. and cold tap beer. Good place --we will go back and bring some friends-----dancing in the aisle is OK here.

Wed---planned on corned beef or pastrami sandwichs at Too-Jay's but they were closed up tight--IIISO #2. Dinner at home Pasta with Pesto Sauce

Thurs---First of 3 visits to WOODY's WATERSIDE, good burger

Fri----Am Legion 287 for fish fry and dancing---good fish so-so music

Sat---Back to the Country Western Dancing at #125

Sun & Mon--- dined with friends ---- no big deal

Tues----called one of our favorites THE LOBSTER POT and found they
were no longer in business----3nd IIISO

So we went to the WINECELLAR in Redington Beach---excellent food
$120 total for 3.

Wed-----Bought a roasted chicken at Publix -----up to $7.00 used to
be $4.99. Say-la-vee !!!!!!

Thurs---Had guests---made my favorite CHIPPINO ---- excellent.

Fri-----Lovely Northern Italian Restaurant on St Pete Beach---
CARINO's ------ special place, also has a Piano Bar.
$80 total for 2.

Sat-----More Country western dancing at #125

Sun-----More good food at WOODY's ----- sitting on the deck two
feet from the Gulf of Mexico, a basket of deep fried fish
nuggets with good french fries for $7.95 and a couple of
big jugs of Killian Red. Guy with a gee-tar singing up a
Rock and Roll storm. Great informal spot --- good food.

Wow, you've been busy. Life is good in Floor e da.

I was wondering what you were doing Saturday afternoon about 2:30PM. Drinking a beer, or crying in one.

Bill that sounds like a delightful time. I think you notice IISO more when you don't live in a place--it's more upfront or shocking or something. Glad to know you guys are staying warm!

We have a Too-Jays in Sarasota. The food is great. So is the service. It's in an upscale mall, and they really do a business. Lots of good places to eat in SW Florida, I agree. Think I've gained five pounds since I moved here Labor Day weekend.

Joe --- I was trying to avoid any reference to that time period.. It really
is a mess and no one seems to be able to correct it. As an avid Brooklyn Dodger
fan circa 1935-1940 the cry was always "Wait 'til next year" and then low and
behold in '41 they won the Pennant. So that is what I am expecting from Charlie
Weis and his boys. I am really concerned with the students though, no brains in
a top university---no common sense in a group of intelligent brats. Their cry
is "I wanna win today or I'll stamp my foot and call my mommy". The snowball incident
was terrible, I would kick the culprits out of school and teach a lesson to the entire
student body either grow up and be responsible, or get thrown out just like these bozos.

Yes Nancy we do have a good time. And staying warm with Mary around is not a problem.
Stopping to take a deep breath is.

Short Chef-----Gaining weight is easy to do. So many good places to eat and so many bargains.
Sunday at WOODY's Manhattans, Martinis and Margaritas are 1/2 price. Bad for the diet and
my doggy bag does not hold liquor-----can't take any home with me.

By the by---I will take pics one of these days to prove that St Pete is a great place
for old "geezers" like me.

Glad you got to the roaring 20's, great place for dancing and all around fun, back in late 70's, early 80's Winter Haven had J Burns Pizza and Pipes. Smaller organ but the kids always loved it.
Wine Celler always good.

Glad you enjoyed Woody's River Roo in Ellenton!
Since Miami Don also referred me to it (in my Tampa thread), I am looking forward to it next month!!

Also, YOU told me about Roaring 20's, and now you're confirming it...sounds like I'll combine both of those places, while in Ellenton.
Hey ever been to Mrs. Appleton's Buffet in Ellenton? I wonder if anythings good there, like the fried chicken..

I'll take lots of pics in St. Pete, so you don't have to , Ancient Mariner..
we'll give you a break!

IIISO always applies in that area. Has for years, when we lived there see a new place and tell ourselves next time we are home, well long story short get home and go, closed. Missed probally 30-40 places like that over the years.