Let’s be honest here – Tampa is Derek’s town. π
He was born here, raised here, and (minus those 4 years in college) has lived here his whole life. He knows the city like the back of his hand (sort of) and arrives at most places using backroads my GPS will never pick up on.
Well… he knows his version of Tampa and that version of Tampa is the only version I’ve known since we’ve been dating. It’s a nice version, but it’s missing a few things that have me missing home.
My goal in moving here is discovering a new version. A version i’ve heard so many other people from the area rave on and on about. I know it’s out there and I’m hoping the girls I met tonight will help me discover it.
My new twitter friend, Kristin, was sweet enough to invite me out for Happy Hour with a few of her girlfriends tonight. All of the girls were really sweet and had nothing, but wonderful things to say about the Tampa area. They had the inside scoop on the local restaurant scene, food festivals, bars, etc. and are all going to the Rasa Lila Fest Yoga Festival I registered for next month. Yay for new friends!
We met at the Fly Bar & Restaurant in downtown where, oddly enough, a TBO.com Tweet-up was happening upstairs. What are the odds?
The bar was gorgeous! It had a wonderful modern, hip vibe that made me want to return for a fun cocktail in the near future. π
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To start I ordered my first Cigar City Oatmeal Brown Ale.
Cigar City is locally brewed in Tampa and I’ve been told the brewery needs to be top on my list to see. I’m waiting for my sister and Anthony to visit as an excuse to go , but after today’s beer I’m itching to go sooner. I have a new love for brown ales and this one was particularly rich and delicious. π
The Fly menu is small with an emphasis on shared plates. For a menu with bar food feel to it, the options were surprisingly gourmet and reasonably priced.
I ordered the Meditterean Garbanzo Beans which was a tomato based dish with chorizo and wilted spinach. It was flavorful and delicious.
And I stole a few bites of the table’s hummus and garlic frites.
All delicious. π
All in all, the evening consisted of great drinks, great food, and great company. Tampa win. π
Before meeting the girls I snacked on an apple with a spoonful of chocolate toffee peanut butter.
And afterwards I had a serving of Moosetracks with a Thin Mint.
Derek and I are currently watching a reality show that features a moving company in Boston. They’re currently moving a piano to a third story apartment with the help of a crane. They really do have a reality show for everything, don’t they?
Glad to hear you are getting welcomed into the community!
[SMASH] recently posted..SWOON And Then He Found Me
i look forward to reading about your adventures in discovering your version of tampa. i have no doubt you won’t soon know your new home like the back of your hand, too.
sounds like an awesome beer! new friends are the perfect thing to cheers to!
You look just like your Twitter profile picture! You’re smart to eat something filling, sweet and healthy before going out partying with the girls. Good to get fortified that way instead of with a couple of martini’s for a head start as so many do, I have heard. ; ) Say, is that girl praying in the background of the picture with the beer bottle in the foreground?
Nice post.
Steve Swann recently posted..Did you observe national βSave a Spider Dayβ
Thanks! I like to think I look pretty similar to my twitter photo. π
And I’m pretty sure that girl isn’t praying. I just caught her off guard at a weird angle. π
You will make TONS of new tampa friends!!!
Haha, yep, a show for eeeeeverything (unfortunately)!
Katie @ Nourishing Flourishing recently posted..Eating Healthy 101- The Basics
wow I am really drooling over garbanzo beans lately, and i think I could recreate those! Just got to get my hands on some. Do they have them in New Zealand?…
Emma (Namaste Everyday) recently posted..Dominion Road School
Yes! They’re also called Chickpeas π
Yay for new friends!!
Haha! Apparently, reality shows are mushrooming more than actual movies π
Kiran recently posted..Lessons from Social Fresh- Facebook
Such a positive attitude! Moving and making friends is tough!
Christine @ Bookishly Boisterous recently posted..I Dont Read Movies- Thanks
that bar looks like such a fun atmosphere!
Julie @ Lettuce Choose Healthy recently posted..Banana Bread Muffins
Looks like a fun night…and a delicious restaurant…and you all look lovely!
Hilary recently posted..March Break
You might have said this already but where did you get the toffee peanut butter. It sounds so good!
Fit Chick Britt recently posted..Trying Another Tri
I’m so glad you were able to meet new friends tonight – so fun! π
Oh, Deathwish Movers! I saw that advertised on the Travel Channel. I thought that was Boston that they were in. Seems like an…interesting show.
The last time I was in Tampa, I was in middle school and visiting Busch Gardens. To me, THAT was Tampa. Haha. π
Alaina recently posted..I Heart March
mmmm that dessert looks amazing!!
I didn’t know there was a Fly in Tampa! There’s one just up the street from me in SF (and the owners’ other restaurant, Solstice). The food looks just as good there as it is here!
Kimra recently posted..A Dozen- and One More to Go
Yes! I saw on the website that the owner has another one on the west coast.
Glad you had a great time meeting new friends! The place you went to looks delicious!
oh sweet place to meet. that’s beyond awesome. those fries sound tempting. also why have i never dipped apple into dark choc dreams, i think i’m missing out.
Laura (Starloz) recently posted..Iβm learning- finally
That’s so great that you are finding good girl friends in Tampa. Looks like this city is going to be a good fit for you. π
Lauren recently posted..Movin On Up!
Loving the ice cream dessert, thin mints rock my world ; )
Glad you made some new friends, and Im sure you will meet a lot more!
katie recently posted.. Cup Kate
Yay for new friends! Looks like a grea tnight!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey recently posted..preemptive intuitive eating
Ah reality tv. It’s awesome that you are making new friends and discovering your new city!
Grace recently posted..Hi- my name is Graceβ¦
What a fun night! It’s great that you are making new friends in your new city! That restaurant looks awesome! I love the decor!
Hope recently posted..Chicken Cacciatore in the Crockpotβ¦
I hope this version turns out well for you π
Matt @ The Athlete’s Plate recently posted..How And Why To Use Google Feedburner
So fun! Glad you could meet some ladies and do the girl thing of Tampa!
Kaitlin recently posted..10 Minute Meals
oh so glad you are meeting new friends in tampa. it must be hard for it to feel like home just yet but it will come……..
kalli recently posted..Ready to Start Cooking
Yes they have reality shows about everything — last night I was watching a rerun of Storage Wars (love this show!) and the commercials for other shows are pretty funny.
I’m glad you’re getting settled in Tampa — looks like a great meal last night!
Holly @ Couch Potato Athlete recently posted..Back to Normal Life
It can be a huge adjustment to make your mark in a new city, but it seems like you’re fitting right in. I love local brews!
Kacy recently posted..And I thought running was a workout
So glad you had fun! It’ll be fun to hear about more of your Tampa finds!
Ali @ Ali Runs recently posted..Half Marathon Goals
This post makes me happy! This is the Tampa I love. π
That’s how we do it up here in Boston. Seriously, my friend’s couch was swung into through the living room window of their 3rd fl. apt by a crane b/c the stairs were too steep and narrow. Oh moving!!
jenna@frombostonwithlove recently posted..A Milestone
I just saw a commercial for that show and thought the same thing. Also, congrats on your move. I am jealous of how nice the weather must be there now! Is Tampa by any beaches? I have no clue being from the Northeast, my geography knowledge is somewhat stunted.
Good spot. My husband’s office is right across the street from Fly Bar.
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