Cappy’s Pizzeria

May 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

My husband is a self-proclaimed pizza aficionado.  I honestly think he has tried every single pizza parlor in the city by now in search of the ultimate pie.  In his perfect pepperoni quest, he found Cappy’s.  Located at 2900 1st Avenue North in St. Petersburg, Florida, Cappy’s has one very tasty pizza.  Cappy’s serves their pies hand-tossed, New York style and deep dish, Chicago style; simple, yet delicious to the last slice. 

Hand-tossed pizzas come in either small or large and can be prepared with just cheese or with a variety of  toppings, everything from Anchovies to Artichoke hearts.  In addition to making your own pizza, you can order The Veggy, a pie covered in yummy vegetables, or The Cappy, the pizzeria’s signature pie that comes with a handful of toppings such as ham, sausage and mushrooms. 

For the heartier appetite, try a deep dish; a true Chicago speciality.  With this pizza, there are three sizes to choose from- small, medium and large.  Cappy’s deep dish can be prepared with all the same choices for toppings, including pie varieties such as The Veggy and The Cappy.

Cappy’s sauce tastes slightly sweet and fresh, like it was made from tomatoes right off the vine.  All the toppings are of the highest quality; nothing tastes as if it has been packaged or frozen.  The crust is always light, never heavy with dough.

Calzones are also made to perfection at Cappy’s.  Stuffed with mozzarella and served with marinara on the side, they are a tasty variation from a pie.  And if you want to get a little bit creative with your calzone, order one with a filling of choice for just 50 cents extra.

Breadsticks from Cappy’s are wonderfully seasoned and make a great addition to any pizza or calzone.  My husband and four-year-old son enjoy the cheesebread from the pizzeria.  Each bread stick is covered with melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella.

A cold, crisp salad pairs well with Cappy’s heavier dishes.  Choose from a Greek, Caesar, or tossed salad.

The only thing Cappy’s is missing are hot wings.  I’m a wing lover, so these are a must when I order a pizza.  Cappy’s does not carry wings, at least not at this point in time.  Then again, with pizza so good, who needs anything more.

Cappy’s Pizzeria

Located at 2900 1st Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33713

727-321-3020

www.cappyspizzaonline.com

Dinner:  Sunday-Thursday, 5-9 pm, Friday and Saturday, 5-10 pm

Lunch:  Thursday and Friday, 11 am-2:30 pm

Filed Under: featured, Food Critique

The Floridian

May 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Growing up in South Florida, I can truly appreciate a good Cuban sandwich.  There aren’t many places that can get it “just right.”  Sure, there are plenty of excellent restaurants and cafes down in the Miami area that have mastered the Cuban, but how about in the Tampa Bay area?  Many believe that Ybor City is like a second Little Havana, and perhaps so, but living in St. Petersburg I don’t exactly relish the idea of having to commute nearly 20 minutes into Tampa just to grab a tasty sandwich.  So where’s a girl to go in Pinellas County for yummy Cuban cuisine?

The Floridian, just off of the Treasure Island Causeway, is the next best thing to getting my Miami fix.  I had only driven by this place about a hundred times, but never actually parked and gone in.  I had heard phenomenal things about The Floridian; how great the food is, the friendly staff, the laid back atmosphere, its ideal location.  So why did it take me such a long time to actually get inside this fabulous little eatery?  Who knows, maybe I just didn’t think their sandwiches could possibly compare to the “real deal.”  But now that I know how delicious The Floridian really is, I can’t seem to stay away.

Voted Tampa Bay’s “Best Cuban Sandwich” by both local newspapers and news channels alike, The Floridian aims to please.  Their trademark Cuban comes in two sizes; twelve inches and nine.  The bread is toasted perfectly and the mustard/mayo mix is just right; not the least bit overwhelming.  The sandwich is loaded with mouth-watering meats including ham, spiced pork, and Genoa salami, layered on just right and mixed in with imported Swiss cheese.

If the traditional Cuban isn’t what you are craving, there are plenty of other yummy sandwiches.  For instance, there’s the Roast Turkey or Tuna Melt, made with homemade Albacore Tuna salad.  For a close second to the Cuban, one may try the Spiced Pork, prepared with a delicious Mojo marinade.

The Floridian is so much more than just sandwiches, however.  The soups are simply heavenly at this Treasure Island hot spot.  The famous Floridian Bean Soup is sensational and a must-try.  This soup is hearty and is especially  satisifying on a cooler day.  There is no shortage of ham, pork, chorizo in this dish.  Hardly bland, the soup is full of flavor, and mixes in garlic and Collard greens to boot.  It’s definitely a favorite of mine.  Another great choice is The Floridian’s Black Bean Soup, served up with onions and toast.  This is no side dish, as it makes for a perfect meal all in itself.

Combo plates are also very popular at this beachy little cafe.  You can pair just about any sandwich will either black beans and rice, or one of the soups.  There are also black bean and yellow rice plates.

The sides are just as amazing as the actual entrees.  One that tops the list for me is the Devil Crab, which is a breaded and deep fried dough roll served up with seasoned Blue Crab inside.  Scrumptious!  According to the folks at The Floridian, this is an authentic Tampa dish.  The Stuffed Potato side is equally delectable.  Once again, it is breaded and deep fried, but there is no crab here.  Simply a potato ball with an inside of seasoned ground beef and pork.  If you want to keep it easy, just order up some Cuban toast, potato chips or good ol’ Plantain chips.

As far as a casual beachy atmosphere, well, The Floridian personifies that.  Most folks who dine in or take out at this cafe, come in either barefoot or with their brightly colored flip-flops on.  Sandy legs and sun burned backs are pretty standard in this place, and no one looks twice at bathing suit clad patrons.  Friendly and relaxed, The Floridian is the perfect spot to visit after a long, hot day at the shore.  There’s indoor seating, but most prefer to sit outside on the cool, covered deck. 

For those choosing to dine in, beer is served, including one of my favorites, Landshark.  There’s also plenty of other cold refreshments, including iced tea and lemonade. 

Trays are available for parties.  Cut-up sandwiches are served on a dome tray and are enough for 6-8 people.  Be sure to call ahead.

Open daily from 11-9

For take-out orders call, 367-6662

Located at 230 Treasure Island Causeway (107th Ave.), Treasure Island, FL

www.FloridianRestaurant.com

Filed Under: featured, Food Critique

Obscura Antiques and Oddities: The Little Shop of Horrors

May 15, 2011 By 2 Comments

On East 10th Street, in New York City, sits a curious and strange little shop.  Obscura Antiques and Oddities is home to unique science artifacts, the macabre and the just plain weird.

Like a freak show frozen in time, Obscura houses unusual and one-of-a-kind items; everything from a human skull to a taxidermied cryptid.  Bizarre antique medical instruments, turn-of-the-century masks, Victorian hair jewelry and amusement park fortune teller heads make up just some of the shop’s inventory.

Co-owners Mike Zohn and Evan Michelson share a passion for these hard-to-find items, many of which are downright creepy.  Zohn discovered his love for antiques back when he was just a teenager and was learning how to drive.  While cruising down a quiet street, Zohn got lost and stumbled upon an antique store housed in an old barn.  His curiosity led him inside and almost instantly he was hooked.  Shortly after, Zohn started buying antiques and began learning about rare and strange artifacts such as taxidermied animals, circus and sideshow souvenirs, and natural history artifacts.  Zohn didn’t just buy for his own personal collection; he supplemented his salary as a photo researcher and editor by purchasing items he could later resell as profit.  Whatever money Zohn made, he then put towards antiques that he really wanted.  And before long, Zohn had a plethora of artifacts collected.  So much so, he knew he either had to seek help for a hoarding addiction, or open a shop.  As it turned out, a shop was Zohn’s best option because the stock photo company where he worked, started to crumble.  For the former photo researcher and editor, taking a job with antiques was just a temporary fix until Zohn could find a different, and perhaps better, job.  That was fourteen years ago.

Today, Zohn wakes up before sunrise in order to find all the magnificently eccentric artifacts his Obscura Antiques and Oddities showcases.  And when Zohn is not stocking up on femur bones and coffins, he gives lectures on 19th Century taxidermy automata.

Obscura’s other owner, Evan Michelson, is an avid collector and a museum aficionado.  What many don’t know is that Michelson was a hardcore rocker back in the 1980s.  Her first band was considered a goth/industrial/post-punk group known as Killer Weasel.  The rockers were famous for being pyromaniacs and for dousing their audience with blood.  And though the blood was fake, rumors began to abound that a few audience members died during Killer Weasel’s first show.  According to Michelson, “it was all good from there.”  During this time, the blood-loving rocker chick found her husband (a graphic artist/musician/composer/animator) while perusing through junk.  Both were looking for instruments to add to their industrial bands.  Michelson progressed from post-punk to cyber-punk in the 1990s, and then joined in with a fetish band, where she played in dungeons.

Michelson’s love for the dark and morbid came long before her gothic rock days.  She has always had a fascination for anatomical/medical antiques and for artistic depictions of the extremes of human experience.  Michelson became intrigued with how “art melds with pain and ectasy” and also the esthetics of grief.  Funerals, cemeteries… Michelson loves them.

During the week, she attends various markets and auctions.  With such a strong passion for the macabre, Michelson has earned the nicknames, Morticia Addams and the Death Lady.  And when she is not presiding over the shop with Zohn, Michelson is acting as a scholar-in-residence at the Morbid Anatomy Library where she conducts weekly lectures.

Just where would a shop like Obscura Antiques and Oddities be without a knowledgeable buyer?  Ryan Matthew is a collector and can trace his passion for finding artifacts all the way back to his childhood.  He would go out into the woods as a young boy and find trinkets that he would keep as treasures.  Eventually Matthew progressed  to baseball cards and then went on to accumulating horror movie props.

Today, he keeps a prized collection of Victorian taxidermy, skulls, skeletons, and early industrial lighting.  The avid buyer is intrigued by the medical field and taxidermy, and is very hands-on with his studies.  Over the years, Matthew has collected various animal skeletons, some of which were made into skeletons by his dog.  Matthew would clean the bones and then would attempt to rearticulate them.  He would “figure” the skeletons out by studying the specific animal at hand.  With a passion for osteology (a love of bones) and for Victorian taxidermy, Matthew has purchased at least one human skull off of Craigslist.  He would then disassemble and rearticulate, making the skull a Beauchene or an “exploded” skull.

There is no surprise that, as a buyer, Matthew travels quite extensively, where he looks for great finds at flea markets, auctions, and even yard sales.  Sometimes people will bring items to him.

Matthew’s best discovery was Mr. Woofles, a Victorian taxidermied house dog set in a glass museum case.  Mr. Woofles was won at an auction after a very long and rainy drive, followed by an agonizing buyers’ battle.  And though Matthew owns the much sought after Mr. Woofles, there is one other artifact he would do anything to own.  “At Mr. Potter’s Museum of Curiosities, there was an amazing anthromorphic diorama of taxidermy kittens having a tea party that I would most likely faint if given the chance to buy,” gushes Matthew.

It isn’t just the owners and buyer that bring magic to Obscura Antiques and Oddities.  More so, it’s the colorful and quirky clientele.  The collectors selling and the curious buying, are often oddities in themselves.  Though it may be obvious that a shop such as Obscura would strongly appeal to the Addams Family, it is not unusual to see soccer moms and business men scouring the shelves.  For Obscura, there is no such thing as a “typical” customer.  Zohn and Michelson routinely welcome tattooed artists, black-lipped goths, and pierced musicians into their shop, but also cater to school teachers and office professionals.  Some of Obscura’s more famous clients include Ripley’s Believe It or Not, the Mutter Museum, Ralph Lauren, and Danny Elfman.  Whether the customer is wildly eccentric or conservatively demure, one common interest is shared- an appreciation of the strange.

Some of the city’s more artsy and creative individuals will come in looking for an inspirational purchase.  Buying a new pair of blue silk Manolo Blahnik heels can be great shop therapy for a girl feeling blah.  Well, in this case, a mummified cat might be the perfect mood lifter for a struggling artist.  Perhaps a buy from Obscura is intended as a gift, rather than something to just put near an easel or in a recording studio.  Some visit the shop for birthday and Christmas gifts, while others look for anniversary presents for their special someones.  After all, nothing says love like a set of rotted human teeth.

Obscura Antiques and Oddities is such a bizarre little shop, and is so popular with tourists and locals alike, that it has become the star of the hit series, Oddities, which airs on the Science/Discovery Channel every Thursday at 10:30 p.m.  The show, which sparks great water cooler conversation, exposes what goes on behind shop doors daily.  A friend of mine turned me onto watching it recently.  I DVR-ed one episode, and that was all it took for me to get hooked.

I have always dreamed of owning a store much like Obscura.  All of my life, I have had a strong appreciation of antiques.  I feel that each period piece tells its own unique story.  And I’m not just an antiques lover; I am also very much into all things morose and funereal.  My favorite holiday has always been Halloween.  Instead of going to a park for a picnic, I’d rather have lemonade and sandwiches in a graveyard.  As a young child, my dream job was to work one day as a chambermaid at DisneyWorld’s Haunted Mansion.  So, yes, Obscura would be the perfect shop for me to own.  Sadly though, I would probably have to close as I would surely not be able to sell a single item; I’d want to keep everything for myself.  How could one part with such delightfully ghoulish wonders?

So, here I am, giddy with excitement, watching my first ever episode of Oddities, living vicariously through Zohn and Michelson.

Genesis, a very eccentric but loyal customer to Obscura, came into the shop to sell a trumpet made out of a human thigh bone.  The ceremonial instrument was said to be used in rituals to call upon spirits and also is considered to possess healing powers.  It was unlike anything I had ever seen or heard of before.  Zohn and Michelson felt it would make a perfect addition to the shop, however, they wanted Genesis to “play” it first.  After a few very sour-sounding attempts, the bone trumpet blew out a semi-respectable note and a deal was made.

Next off, an artist came in looking for -you guessed it- an inspirational artifact.  When offered a skull, the pierced, dark-haired dude disappointedly shook his head, denying the piece.  Skulls were just too common for this guy.  After shrugging off a few more medical antiquities, Michelson dangled the carrot, so to speak.  There it was, looking the wide-eyed customer right in the face.  A pig head with brain matter “exploding” out of the top of its head, covered by a glass dome.  “This one is definitely speaking to me,” grinned the very pleased musician.  This little piggy went “wee, wee, wee all the way home” with the rocker dude for the bargain price of $1,000.00  Who knew that pig brain matter could be so creatively inspiring?  I’m so glad this guy held off for one of the rarest pieces in the shop.  Skull, schmull…boring!

Obscura Antiques and Oddities collects and deals in the weirdest of weird; from the “medically interesting to macabre.”  So, it was no wonder that shrunken heads would be inevitable on an Oddities episode.  Considered to be one of the rarest objects in the business, shrunken heads are worth a pretty penny, at least for the real ones.  There are plenty of fakes in the market right now, and many are hard to determine whether they are real deal.  Typically a replicated shrunken head is one made of animal skin and hair.

A gentleman on this particular episode walks into the shop, presenting his most prized possession, a shrunken head.  Though it’s an amazing, one-of-a-kind artifact, the customer did not wish to keep it and came to sell.

First, Zohn must make sure the head is authentic.  If it is, it could fetch up to $30,000.  With its dark skin, whiskery hair and sewed-up mouth, the tiny head is disturbing.

After Zohn had a shrunken head expert examine the artifact, its owner was updated with the exciting news that what he has is indeed legit.  The historian felt the owner could easily be paid $10,000 for his find.  Zohn would not be able to clear the purchase just yet though.  He had to first get his lawyer’s approval.  Dealing in real human flesh can be highly illegal and that is not something Zohn is prepared to get involved in.  Depending upon what the shrunken head was used for at one time will determine its fate as of today.  After doing some shrunken head research, Obscura’s lawyer found that this particular head was intended for commerce, considered to be a “tourist head.”  If it was to be used ceremonially, then it would be forbidden to sell.  However, since it was to be used for selling in the first place, Obscura could make the purchase.

Thrilled, Obscura announced the good news to a very happy and relieved client.  Unfortunately, a $30,000 price tag could not be awarded.  Neither was one for $10,000.  Offered $5,000, the head strong owner wouldn’t take less than $8,000 and felt that a negotiation was in order.  In the end, the gentleman left Obscura without his shrunken head, but did have $6,000 more in his wallet.

The episode didn’t stop there.  One man, an obsessive taxidermist, called Zohn out to his residence to show off his mounted collection.  His apartment looked like a hunting lodge.  The man promised Zohn that he had found a cryptid, the elusive Jackalope.  Not exactly the Chupacabra or Bigfoot, Zohn wasn’t too impressed when he saw the fuzzy, bunny-like creature with antlers staring back at him, expressionless and stuffed.  The man excitedly recalled the day he found and then killed the strange hybrid.  He claimed that he was in the woods, taking a potty break, when he heard rustling in the brush and saw a creature.  He shot and killed the supposed Jackalope.  Zohn, finding the humorous tale hard to swallow, got the so-called Jackalope hunter to re-hash his story and tell it the way  it really happened.  It was then that the slightly embarrassed man deflated, and admitted he found it for sale at a gas station instead.  Still, Zohn made the buy for his store, and got a date besides.  The taxidermist finagled lunch with Zohn, and in addition, got over $200 for his little critter.  I could only wonder if Mr. Jackalope got to tag along for lunch, too?  Seems only fair to me.

All in all, my first Oddities episode was well worth watching, and as I said before, I’ve been a fan ever since.

And if you should ever find yourself in New York City, be sure to stop by and say hello to those fun folks who make Obscura Antiques and Oddities so very weird and wacky.  Whether you’re shopping for a new skull to add to your collection, a stuffed cryptid, or you desperately need a vampire killing kit, Obscura has just that morbid little piece.  A nightmare to some; a dream come true for others, but one thing is for certain… Obscura Antiques and Oddities “ain’t your grandma’s antique shop.”

So kick the mudane to the curb, be prepared for the bizarre and open your mind; you’ll be pleasantly surprised once you enter into the world of the medically macabre.

For more information, go to:  www.ObscuraAntiques.com , info@obscuraantiques.com, or at www.obscuraantiques.blogspot.com

If you have an item you may want to purchase from Obscura, or would be interested in selling, contact Mike Zohn at Mike@obscuraantiques.com.

Obscura Antiques and Oddities

280 E. 10th St., New York City

212-505-9251

Open 7 days a week, 12-8 pm

Special thanks go to the Discovery Channel’s web page.

Filed Under: featured, TV

Has Prom Gone Too Far?

May 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It’s the highlight of most high school kids’ educational careers; the day they get to go celebrate 11 and/or 12 years of academic achievement with a dance alongside their peers.  For most high school kids, it’s their version of the Academy Awards.  Who takes who becomes the topic among Juniors and Seniors, and who’s going stag is the gossip that runs in notes passed under the desk -or in more modern times- text messages or Facebook wall posts.

For me, I had no interest in going at all.  Not because I had or didn’t have a date, but because of the social cliques, hypocrisy and politics that come along with the event, and watching what I saw on the news the other night, solidifies my opinion of the prom.

What I saw were teenage girls, mostly in their Junior year, convincing their parents to spend at minimum $3000.00 on designer dresses, plus extra money for facials, manicures, pedicures, designer shoes, hair and transportation.  In the end, these parents paid up to a minimum of $8000.00 for their daughters’ Junior prom!

My jaw fell to the floor hearing this.

I could not believe that a parent would spend $10,000.00 on a Junior prom, which is a car payment or a decent down payment on a home.  I can’t fathom how anyone would pay that kind of money for a school dance with the economy the way it is.  Sure, I love my daughter and would always want the best for her, but at the risk of going broke for a dance, NO!

This behavior does not teach these children good monetary values, and gives in to the notion that they can get whatever they want, whenever they want it.  I know this is a once in a lifetime event, but you can go twice, and some of these girls will.  That means their parents will spend conservatively $16,000.00 for two proms and liberally around $20 to $30,000.00

When the parents were interviewed I got a real sense of the “true meaning” behind their actions. “I always wanted something like this for me when I went to my prom.  I want my daughter to be beautiful and the talk of the prom, so any amount of money it takes to make that happen… then so be it,” stated one mother.

Let’s dissect this, shall we?

“I am going through a midlife crisis, I don’t feel pretty enough and if my daughter is the talk of the prom, they know that she got her good looks from me.  I also don’t want to upset my daughter by not giving her what she wants, so I’d rather be her friend and make her happy,” confided another mom.

You could tell the girls were spoiled and damaged from the bad example their parents were setting when they were interviewed.  One girl said, and I quote, “I feel bad for all the less fortunate girls who don’t get the chance to have the dress and experience I will have at this prom.  It’s a shame that their parents are not well off enough to give their daughters what they deserve.”

Really?

First of all, those girls are very much normal and are not less fortunate.  And if the supposed “more fortunate” teens knew that their parents were taking out second mortgages and taking second jobs to afford these luxuries for them, they might think twice.  In fact, most of the parents that are doing this for their children are making less than $50,000.00 combined income a year.

Now as far as budget, I could see $800.00 conservatively and maybe at most, $1100.00 for a prom.   Limos are expensive, dresses can run in the mid $200.00 range and hair and nails can be pricey.  However, they don’t look any less beautiful because they are not wearing designer clothes and went broke obtaining them.

I don’t see these girls any less happy, nor have I ever seen them having any less fun than the girls that spent $10,000.00 or more on their prom experience.  To me, that says you spent yourself into the hole for nothing.

I realized long ago that clothes do not make you more beautiful.  Neither do jewelry, nails, hair, makeup, accessories, perfume or other enhancements.  What makes someone beautiful is their heart, and someone who appreciates what life gives them and uses it to the fullest.  Beauty comes from being happy with yourself.

I know over the years that America has become a very vain place filled with greed and self love.  I’m ashamed that people are spending beyond their means to please their daughter, as opposed to teaching them the value of a dollar, and the moral that it’s okay to not have everything you want, and yet you can still be happy.

This kind of behavior must stop.  If these parents were able to pay for this without going into debt then it’s acceptable for them to do this kind of thing.  It is fun to splurge on your daughter, but wouldn’t it make more sense to splurge on her wedding?

We must examine our priorities and realize that beauty isn’t everything.  A simple car accident, slip and fall or chemical accident could change that in the blink of an eye.

That’s my opinion.  It’s okay to disagree with me, but realize that if we don’t teach our children the value of a dollar, the true meaning of beauty, and to live within our means, America is guaranteed to be bankrupt in just a few years as it’s already heading there.

Filed Under: Fashion & Design, featured

Jersey Shore, Season Four: Now, THIS is a Situation

May 5, 2011 By 1 Comment

What would reality television be without a good fist pump?  No more days of GTL?  That’s unheard of.  Could the orange glo tans soon be fading?  Season Four most likely will be the final one for the Jersey Shore.  Love them or loathe them, the cast of the hit reality series has been one of the most popular in MTV’s history.  Snooki has become a household name, and most of us know that a grenade is not just a small explosive device.

So what if the Jersey Shore really is in its last season?  For some, it is good riddance, while for others, it is just too sad; our guilty pleasure, no more.

Though the shore gang will entertain curious audiences once again with their newest season, some die hard fans believe that Season Three might have really been their last.  For those not so familiar with the reality show, Season One started out on the famed Jersey Shore, but then producers brought the overly tanned twenty-somethings south.  Season Two episodes showed the big haired  New Jerseyans dancing and drinking all over the streets of Miami’s tropical South Beach.  Season Three reunited the cast with their former home on the Jersey boardwalk.

Now, with Season Four set to film, producers are back to changing locales once again.  This time they are looking abroad.  Florence, Italy will play host to the reality stars this time around, so let’s all pray the Tuscan town is ready.

There is no doubt that drama is synonymous with the Jersey Shore, but this time the tension started way before the cameras began to roll.  The first problem that arose was due to salary disputes among the cast.  Shocker, huh?  This season, Snooki, the Situation, and the rest of the gang demanded higher pay-per-episode than in previous seasons.  The cast members had pushed their salaries to over $10,000 an episode, after threatening to shut down Miami’s Season Three production, even before it started.  The Shore’s Ronnie, Sammi and Vinny were the first to come to terms with the established Season Four salaries and signed off on their contracts early on.  However, the remaining five decided to put up a fight and hold out for more money.  The dispute over episode pay resulted in the original April 18th film date being postponed to sometime in May.  A recent report states that all cast members were finally able to come to an agreement on salary.  It is unclear what the final negotiation was, but according to TMZ, everyone was “pleased with the outcome.”

In addition to their raises, some of the Jersey Shore cast will also be starring in their own MTV spin-off shows.  Gee, I wonder how much they asked to be paid for those episodes.  Well, in their defense, hair products have become expensive these days and we all can assume that seven nights a week of club hopping can be draining on the ol’ wallet.

It’s not just  money that has caused issues with the MTV production.  Italians living in Tuscany are not happy that the Jersey Shore crew will be walking their historic streets and dining in their five star restuarants.  Those living in Italy claim to be outraged that MTV is bringing their “insulting show” overseas, possibly tainting their beautiful city of Florence.  The locals say that Jersey Shore depicts Italians as “guidos” and “guidettes.”  According to columnist Roberto Del Bove of New Notzie, “They embody the worst stereotypes of Italians, multiplied by thousands and Americanized.”

Florence, the capital city of Tuscany, is prided for being hip and fashionable.  It’s a walking town and is easy to get around nearly everywhere by foot.  Florence is beautiful, historical and so not, well, the Jersey Shore.

The mayor of Florence, Matteo Renzi, has laid down some strict rules for the cast to follow while filming.  Renzi simply wants for his city to be treated with respect and portrayed on television in a positive light.  The mayor’s rules include the following:

1.  No filming in bars, clubs or anywhere else that “promotes the reckless consumption of alcohol.”

2.  The cast is prohibited from being filmed while drinking in public.

3.  Florence cannot be portrayed as a “drinking town.”

4.  The cast must interact with authentic Italians in Italian settings and promote Italy and its “culture and good food.”

In addition to the above, Renzi does not want historic buildings filmed with the cast, but does understand he cannot totally restrict MTV from using the city as a backdrop.

No public intoxication?  No clubs or bars?  We are talking about the cast of Jersey Shore, right?  If JWoww can’t be filmed urinating behind a bar inside of a club, then what’s the point of watching this new season?  And what about Snooki?  No more sitting in the backseat of police cars?  Maybe Season Three really was the Shore’s last season.  What will get fans to tune in now?  Authentic Italian culture, outdoor cafes and priceless works of art?  Um, yeah.  And without the clubs and bars, where will the Situation find all of his late night bedroom guests?

And speaking of bedrooms, MTV is keeping the cast members’ new residence a secret.  All that is known is their new home will not be anything we’ve seen in the past seasons.  There will be no beach house, nor will the group be staying in a hotel.  Some viewers speculate the cast will be staying in a hostel, but mum is the word til the season’s official premiere.

It is hard to know at this point how Season Four will pan out for the Jersey Shore crew, but one thing is for certain, we’ll keep watching.  For me, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself for an entire season without Ronnie and Sammi fights.  Though one is to wonder, will they yell in Italian now?

Filed Under: featured, Reality TV Tagged With: ,

The Changing Chicken Tenders from Burger King

May 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I still remember the very first time I ever ate Burger King’s chicken tenders.  I was coming home from school in Bristol, CT., and my grandparents picked me up.  Before we went home, they took me to eat at Burger King. I watched the commercials and remembered how good those chicken strips looked, so that is what I had.  From that moment on I was hooked; it was my favorite meal from Burger King and one I never deviated from.

Then I saw the commercial saying “a limited time offer.”  Oh no!, I thought.  Well lucky for me, that limited time offer is still going because they have yet to disappear and they are still a favorite from this fast food chain.  However, about six years ago, I started to grow disappointed with this amazing dish.

Just around the time Burger King changed the recipe with their fries – something they never should have done – they changed the look and breading to their signature chicken tender.

Now, in a taste test between McDonald’s chicken nuggets and Burger King’s chicken tenders, it was hands down Burger King that won top honors.  Yet, after they changed their recipe to the new breading, I stopped eating the popular meal that I have been eating since 1986.

It wasn’t just the new shape of the chicken tenders; instead, it became the large amount of fillers used, unlike the preceding recipe.  When I ordered them, they came to the counter very greasy and soggy, mainly because of all the breading inside.  It was the death of my beloved chicken tender.  The tender that I once enjoyed eating, had evolved  into chicken strips; soggy and bread filled, with a different shape.

But now in 2011, 25 years after they introduced the chicken tender and about six years since they almost destroyed the dish, they yet again reinvented it – and honestly, I’m glad they did.

It still doesn’t match up to their original recipe, but it’s a big step in the right direction.  The shape now mimics McDonald’s chicken nuggets, and you can taste more chicken than breading.  Reluctant to try it at first because of all that grease, I broke down and ordered a serving.  I was not looking forward to that horrible breading texture Burger King used to coat the strips with, and I really didn’t want to feel the oil ooze into my mouth.  To my surprise, that’s not what I received.

What I did get was a hearty nugget, similar to the original, with less oil and a better breading.

I still miss the original and I really hope that Burger King executives wise up and realize they had a winner for almost 20 years and reverted back.  Still, if you’re craving that original goodness, feel safe in sampling the new and improved chicken tender from Burger King.

Filed Under: featured, Food Critique

Hidden Treasures at Cayce’s Home Consignment

May 4, 2011 By 3 Comments

Nestled in northern Land O’ Lakes, stands a shop unlike any other.  It is a place where you are greeted with a warm welcome, free beverages and rooms upon rooms of merchandise, that if you listen closely, will talk to you.  From the moment you walk in the door, you feel like you’re at home and that’s something that takes years to build upon; except this place is only six weeks old.  This little treasure is Cayce’s Home Consignments, and its walls are filled with art that most people typically overlook.

It started when former Hillsborough County teacher, Catherine Borkowski, came across property in northern Land O’ Lakes.  The piece of land somehow called her to it.  Borkowski knew then and there that her dream of being a small business owner could come true.  She also knew in her heart that that small business was going to be the most unique consignment shop in the state of Florida.

The idea came from her ability and need to redecorate her home, and visiting many local consignment shops in the area was where she found the right pieces to make her rooms complete.  That spawned the notion that, “I can do this, if not better… but I can do this”.

She credits the stores beginning to the help of God, and her beloved mother, Carolyne, who funded the dream and Christina Thomas a dear friend and financial advisor who she said with out her guidance, Cayce’s Home Consignment would not be in business today.

At first her mother was a bit skeptical, but upon visiting the property and seeing the incredible vision her daughter had, she knew it was going to be a success.  During the last few weeks in March of 2011, Borkowski opened Cacey’s Home Consignments and runs it now with her husband.

She didn’t name her new venture after herself, like most people would; instead, she decided on a family name. Cayce was chosen, the name of the legendary sleeping prophet Edgar Cayce, also Katherine Borkowski’s great uncle.

It wasn’t long before folks started to notice this new shop, and consigned their goods to her.  Now she has over hundreds of pieces and fifty consignors, with Borkowski’s very first consignor still bringing goods to her regularly.  Upon receiving the first piece from that consignor, Borkowski was told, ”I want you to sell my stuff; this is what God wants me to do.”  So once again, the powers and credit of the shop’s early success stem from God, according to Borkowski.

What makes this place even more unique than your average consignment shop are the themed rooms. “Everyone themes their rooms at home without even realizing it,” says the shop owner, therefore, theming the shop accordingly.  Borkowski wants her customers to experience what they already do at home, and to see the shop in a way that is not only inviting, but breathes creativity.  “I just want everyone of my customers to feel at home,” states Borkowski.

By doing this, the customer can see how different patterns mix and match, as well as woods and textiles.

Each room in Cayce’s Home Consignments has a name, and those names change as new pieces come in and transfer out. The current names of these rooms are:  The Grand Show Room, The Man Cave, Grandmother’s Attic, The French Foyer, The Italian Ren Kitchen, The Rose Room, The Wedding Nook, The Chicken Coop, All Roads Lead to Rome, The Roman Baths and The Asian Persuasion Room.

In addition to having walls and rooms packed with great antiques and nick nacks, Cayce’s Home Consignments also offers free tea parties, a wine and cheese night, and vendor sales.  Borkowski allows anyone who wants to throw a party in her amazing backyard, with trees and a fountain, the ability to do so for free.  Where else can you find something like that?

She also takes her customer service one step further and offers redecoration services.  If you give her free reign, Borkowski will come to your house and redecorate it with a fresh eye.  She lets her creativity flow and creates a room that will stir up conversation for you and your guests, all while making room for your new piece of furniture or accent decorations that you purchased from the store.

“I’ve always been creative, and this allows me to channel that creativity and make something beautiful for my clients,” says the shop owner.

Loyal customer and dear friend of Borkowski, Lynn Angelica states, “It’s the most beautiful place to come and be able to see what you would like your home to look like, because she sets it out so pretty.”

Angelica found this “shop of wonders” one day just by driving down the street and decided to stop in.  Now she’s one of the Cayce’s Home Consignments most loyal customers.

The shop has thrived so well mainly because of  repeat customers, which Borkowski so dearly appreciates.

One of the best aspects I found in the store was the knowledge Borkowski has of the products she sells.  Borkowski took me on a tour and showed me some very interesting things, teaching me about them and explaining why they are so unique.  Most of the shop’s items I had no idea existed, and never would have guessed their function in a million years.  Borkowski provides these informational tid bits free of charge as well.  She still captures the spirit of a teacher and, regardless of what she does, will find  a way to educate her customers.

So come in and explore the great trinkets and furniture, learn their stories and talk with an amazing person who completes the shop’s unusual zen.  You’ll stop in once and keep coming back for more.

You can find out more about Cayce’s Home Consignments by visiting their website at http://caceyshomeconsign.com

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