We'll be visiting with my mother in Palm Harbor in a few weeks.

I'm thinking of the Blue Heron for a birthday dinner (mine). I've seen good reviews, but have never been there.

Anybody have recent info?

Up to the top for the afternoon.

Liz:
I think you have posted this before??? I think I replied before???

Yes, Blue Heron is an excellent restaurant. In the same shopping center Tullio's is an excellent Italian restaurant as well.

I recently worked a charity chef's cookoff, and the Blue Heron chef participated and took third place (out of six). I chatted with this enthusiastic young family man (his children were there to cheer him on) and tasted his food - it was fabulous. Can't wait to try his place...about an hour's drive for me so will have to plan it. Go for it!

Thanks for easing my mind, DRL and Joan.

It's turned into a bigger deal because my dear mother made a reservation at Berns for my birthday, AFTER I told her I wanted to go to Blue Heron...

If Blue Heron isn't great, I'll never hear the end of it.

Hey Joan--Happy New Year! Did you work the Taste of Pinellas event? We opted out this year...who won?

Hi Olive! Happy New Year to you too! No, the event was the 2nd Annual Battle of the Bay for the St. Pete History Museum...and GUESS WHAT: a chef very close to your heart was the winner-- that's right, Chef Massimo from Armani's at the Westshore Hyatt! Next year you have to come!

To Liz: Hey you didn't mention Bern's as your alternate before...that puts a wrinkle into things, because Bern's is also not to be missed. They recently updated their menu, after many decades, and it's getting rave reviews. A true classic, people travel from all over the world just to dine (and wine) there. Is there any way you can talk MIL into both??? Have you been a very good girl? 'cause then you can add Armani's to the list too - but go there with just your husband, because it is really romantic...

I talked to my Mother this morning.

She's going to change the Berns reservation to another day, so we can go to Blue Heron on my birthday. She still doesn't understand, though. Says Blue Heron is just "a hole in the wall".

Hope I don't have to hear about this forever...

Liz:
Did you have your Blue Heron dinner yet?
Just wondered how it was!

Debbie- we leave for Florida tomorrow and will have dinner at Blue Heron on Thurs. I'll report back early next week.

Liz:
Hope you liked it....sorry the weather is so crappy!

Did you notice the chiropractor at the other end of the shopping plaza? Thats my husband...we have been there 15 years!!

Debbie

Back in PA, here are my thoughts on restaurants:

Blue Heron was very nice. Very nice looking restaurant, good service, food was good, but not quite great. Mom and her boyfriend liked it, too. They were surprised there was such a nice restaurant behind this simple store-front. Debbie, I DID notice the chiropractor office. Small world.

Bern's was about what I expected. My lamb chops were perfectly cooked and tasty, but this place is just weird, in my opinion. I knew it's decor was "bordello", but mostly it was cheap, rather than opulent. I suspect my mother is impressed with the place because the waiters wear sort-of military uniforms... I felt that the people most impressed with Bern's are the employees themselves. I'm glad I went once, but see no reason to return.

No need to apologize for the weather, Debbie. We went in January because we really hate hot. It WAS a bit cooler than we expected, but mostly it was sunny and nice.

Thanks to all for your input!