In June of this year I'm returning to Gainesville for my high school reunion. Since I lived in Tampa in the late 70's I remember a restaurant on Kennedy I think it was called Valencia Garden. Is it still there?

I see that the Columbia Restaurant is still around. Mostly I'm looking for a good cup of Spanish Bean soup and a good Cuban Sandwich.

Also my Gasparilla cookbook is about to fall apart is it still in print?
Richard

http://www.valenciagarden.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Gasparilla-Coo.../dp/0960955607

Yes Valencia is still there right near the University of Tampa. You might want to call for hours though because we went to see the Rockettes at TPAC and then decided to try and go there for lunch but it wasn't open yet.

Alessia's has good Cuban Sandwiches too!

thank you for your quick response. I seem to remember that the airport was easy to get in and out of. is that still the case?
Richard

The Tampa airport is the easiest, most convenient airport anywhere. It was initially designed for function (and not as a monument to anyone's ego). Subsequent remodels and additions haven't really changed the way it works. We LOVE the Tampa airport and you will find it as easy as it was in the 70's.

Sorry I meant to write Alessi's

http://www.alessibakeries.com/

I hadn't thought about it in a while, but in a number of years of business flying, I never flew to an airport that was as easy as Tampa, with access to rental cars being particularly easy.