NeoPatrick

We've decided to stay nearby (from our Naples, Fl home) for our fifth wedding anniversary -- the long weekend of Feb 16th. We have a ton of Hyatt points and have booked the Hyatt Place in downtown St. Pete for Thursday evening -- so we can do the Dali museum, and we've booked dinner at Grattzi Grille based on written reviews. Is that a good choice -- it's just a couple block walk from our hotel and looks great? On Friday we will take our time driving up along the beaches to get to the Grand Hyatt on the bay in Tampa for our next three nights. Any suggestions for a nice casual lunch along the way? Anything to do or see specifically? It's been years since I've done Treasure Island, etc., and Peter has never been there, but I'm thinking maybe lunch at John's Pass. Didn't a Fodorite used to (or still) own a seafood place there? Friday is our anniversary and we have our reservation at Bern's for dinner. Saturday and Sunday are totally open and we will drive back to Naples on Monday (President's Day). I'm thinking we might do Ybor City on Saturday -- lunch at The Colombia? Is the extravagant brunch at Oystercatchers at the Hyatt worth doing on Sunday? Really nice place for dinner on Saturday and/or Sunday night? We love all kinds of food, and love good atmosphere (more quiet and romantic that super loud and trendy). I had a wonderful dinner years ago at Armani also at the Hyatt -- any comments about that today? Suggestions? What else do you recommend doing in Tampa those days -- museums? Sightseeing? My mobility is still a little restricted from major back surgery so nothing like a day at Busch Gardens.

bachslunch

Can only speak to what I’ve experienced:

-The Columbia in Ybor City is excellent.

-Tampa attractions worth a visit depending on your interests: Florida Aquarium, Henry Plant Museum, Tampa Bay History Center. The Tampa Museum of Art’s permanent collection is ho-hum but may have an interesting temporary exhibit. In Ybor City, consider the Ybor City State Museum and a tour of La Casita.

-in St. Pete: the Dali Museum is excellent. The Museum of Fine Arts has a ho-hum collection of its own, but again sometimes has good temporary exhibits.

-haven’t been in a while, but Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish is a fish shack in South Pasadena near St. Pete Beach that’s well worth going to. Cash only.

NeoPatrick

Thanks, bachslunch.

elberko

My mother lived in the Tampa area, but I don't have much useful info of the type you need. I did eat at Berns once, and if you haven't been there before, you might want to know that it is totally lacking in ambiance. I had probably the best lamb chops I have ever had there, but the interior looked like a warehouse gussied up with cheap bordello decor. And not in a good way.

NeoPatrick

LOL, elberko, I have been to Bern's before and "cheap bordello decor" kinda does it sum it up. But I thought it was in a kind of fun way -- like The Strip House in NYC for example. They have one of the largest wine lists in the world and the wine list used to look like a Manhattan phone book -- I think chained to the table? Guess that's still part of the gimmick. But I have had some of the best steak anywhere at Bern's. Did you do the dessert room upstairs? That's new to me, and now when you reserve for dinner, it automatically includes a move to the dessert room afterwards. I hear that's even more "over the top" than downstairs. A few images; bern's steakhouse tampa

elberko

Yes, we did do dessert in one of the special rooms...much nicer than the downstairs. Glad you know what you are getting into--I was afraid you might not! Enjoy!

NeoPatrick

I realize today's restaurant decor is supposed to be gleaming and modern in tight spaces with no soundproofing so that the sound is something like a busy airport terminal (most restaurant designer's even admit that's what they're going for as "quiet" is not usually equated with having a good time). But a little old world dark atmosphere with well spaced large tables and carpet, wood, upholstered chairs, draperies, and even flocked wallpaper to soften the sounds just suits me much better. Heck, I even like the atmosphere of Peter Luger's. Go figure.

TDudette

LOL, Bern's is the only place DH and I ate. SO, I can only wish you Happy Anni, NeoPat!

bachslunch

Have been to Bern’s, and yeah the downstairs decor is kind of Western bordello over the top — but still enjoyed that and the upstairs dessert area. They don’t make places like that anymore, for sure. Loved the food, too — got their chateaubriand which was tender and delicious, plus everything else was top of the line. They have a gigantic wine list, though being a non-imbiber that didn’t work for me. They also offer brief tours of their kitchen and wine cellar (the latter is huge). And one other thing I liked about the place — most high end chain steakhouses like Capital Grille and Morton’s make you buy sides separately; they’re included with the meal at Bern’s.

Bring money, but it’s well worth it.