sludick

Tampa Foody Fodortes, we would really appreciate your suggestions on brunch places in Tampa. I really miss brunch. Here in our town on the outskirts of Orlando, brunch choices are very few and none are good.

But, oldest daughter & husband will be in Tampa for a day or so soon, and we thought we'd drive over. They will be staying Friday and Saturday night over near Rocky Point, and we'd like to take them to brunch either Saturday or Sunday. As an alternative, a lunch on Saturday. Ideally, this would not be a pastry-laden place, but real food - and real brunch food.

We'd like to keep the area to within a half hour of where they are staying. It would be great if we could find something in Tampa itself (we will have a car, they will not). Since they are ex-military, I thought about MacDill and saw Datz. Or perhaps they might want a place on the water (they live in Virginia). Ideally, something unique and maybe funky.

I know, big dreams. But I am grateful for any ideas you may share, thanks.

starrs

I have no idea if it's the "best" but I'd head over to the Oystercatchers at the Grand Hyatt -
http://www.opentable.com/oystercatchers

Read the brunch reviews at that link.

Perhaps OO will see this and add her comments.

NewbE

Oystercatchers is still the default "fancy brunch" in Tampa; we haven't been in years, but I hear it's still good. Think mimosas, a carving station (many stations, actually), way more food than you should eat, but what-the-heck-it's-brunch--not cheap, but a good time for sure, and great views.

My favorite brunch in Tampa is at The Refinery, in Seminole Heights, which, while not pretty, is THE foodie neighborhood, replete with farm-to-table restaurants and locally owned breweries. Check out the menu:
http://thetamparefinery.com/wp-conte...runch-9.28.pdf The Refinery is definitely unique and funky. The chef has received multiple James Beard nominations, and owns another, larger restaurant up the street.

Datz is a South Tampa hotspot. I don't love it, but just about everyone likes it, and it's well located if you're going to be near MacDill anyway (I wasn't clear about that from your post). It does get insanely crowded. But next door is its sister bakery, Dough, and the doughnuts there are to die for.

Near Datz is Pinky's, which is really more of a retro style diner than the kind of place you linger over brunch, but the food is terrific. It's tiny, so also gets very crowded on weekends. Also funky and unique

Hope this helps.

sludick

Thanks, both of you. This does help.

OO

Another plus for Oystercatchers, if you are staying on the south side of Rocky Point, it's so close you can see one place from the other. 5 minute drive max, one turn into the property and you are there. The restaurant is freestanding, back in the property away from the hotel, is on the water with dining inside or out on a deck. I'm a little biased, but I LOVE that place. Waitstaff is still the same as when we lived there and we've now been gone 10 years.

sludick

Wanted to come back and report - again, thank you to everybody for the wonderful advice.

We eventually chose Rusty Pelican, at Rocky Point. Oystercatchers, with its extensive high-end buffet, was obviously the food choice. But Rusty Pelican had outrageous views and a really special facility (fireplace burning in a cool entry and inside, big beams, etc.). We weren't so concerned with a bunch of food, and those views just made the DD's day - she kept putting down her fork, watching dolphins jump out of the water.

The buffet - an excellent omelet (not too huge, good technically/neither runny nor overcooked), unusually tasty sausages, a modest carving station, some sides, and a decent simple fresh seafood offering - was satisfactory. The meal also included a menu for "small plates," and we tried several among us.

Mostly it was a relaxed, scenic setting where we enjoyed great conversation and food that we didn't need to eat quickly (before it went cold). I'm past the day when I care to stuff myself at a buffet, so it was perfect.

starrs

I like the Rusty Pelican. We used to eat there after work a lot. Glad you enjoyed it, even though the brunch was satisfactory and not "great". It IS a wonderful setting.

NewbE

I'm glad you had an enjoyable brunch. I always think it's too bad there isn't better food to go with those Rocky Point views, but it's good to know The Rusty Pelican is hanging in there. And you can't beat seeing dolphins while you dine!

sludick

Thanks, stars and NewbE. Truthfully, I found it hit everything we wanted. Since I have been to more elaborate buffets, I wanted to set an expectation that would not disappoint.

However, we are now thinking about how to spend a weekend away from our Clermont site and enjoying the Rusty Pelican for sunset and some getaway time.

Honestly, for the price, this was really enjoyable. We can go to super-mega-brunches many places, but the Rusty Pelican has an ambience that was just perfect.