Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
361
(see “Outdoor Activities & Spectator Sports,” earlier in this chapter). Guests are housed
in hotel rooms with Tommy Bahama-esque decor, or in one-, two-, or three-bedroom
suites. Much more appealing than the rooms, the suites come with a kitchen and either
a patio or balcony overlooking lagoons, cypress and palm trees, and the resort's two
18-hole championship golf courses. There are shops, restaurants, a stunning pool, and a
kids' club with supervised activities.
5700 Saddlebrook Way, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543.
&
800/729-8383
or 813/973-1111. Fax 813/973-4504.
www.saddlebrookresort.com. 800 units. Winter $275-$420 suite; off season $135-$230 suite. Packages avail-
able. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $10 overnight.
Amenities:
4 restaurants; 3 bars; bike rental; children's
activities program; concierge; 2 golf courses; health club; Jacuzzi; heated outdoor pool; limited room service;
sauna; spa; 45 grass, clay, and hard tennis courts.
In room:
A/C, TV, fridge, hair dryer, kitchen, minibar.
WHERE TO DINE IN & AROUND TAMPA
The restaurants that follow are organized by geographic area: near Busch Gardens, in or
near Hyde Park (across the Hillsborough River from downtown), and in Ybor City.
Although Ybor City is better known, Tampa's trendiest dining scene is along South
Howard Avenue—“SoHo” to the locals—between West Kennedy Boulevard and the bay
in affluent Hyde Park.
Near Busch Gardens
You'll find the national fast-food and family restaurants east of I-275 on Busch Boulevard
and Fowler Avenue.
Moderate
Cafe Don José
SPANISH/AMERICAN It's not nearly on a par with the Columbia
in Ybor City (see below), but this Spanish-themed restaurant is among the best within a
short drive of Busch Gardens. High-back chairs, dark-wood floors, and Spanish posters
and paintings set an appropriate scene for the house specialties of traditional
paella
(allow
30 min. for preparation) and Valencia-style rice dishes. Don José also offers non-Spanish
fare such as red snapper baked in parchment.
11009 N. 56th St. (in Sherwood Forest Shopping Center,
1
/
4
-mile south of Fowler Ave.).
&
813/985-2392.
www.cafedonjose.com. Reservations unnecessary. Main courses $15-$60. AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Fri
11:30am-4:30pm and 5-10pm; Sat 5-9pm.
Inexpensive
Mel's Hot Dogs
Kids
AMERICAN Catering to everyone from businesspeople to
hungry families craving all-beef hot dogs, Mel Lohn's red-and-white cottage offers every-
thing from traditional Chicago-style and “bagel-dogs” to bacon/cheddar Reuben-style
hot dogs. All choices are served on poppy-seed buns and can be ordered with fries and a
choice of coleslaw or baked beans. Even the decor is dedicated to wieners: The walls and
windows are lined with hot-dog memorabilia, and a wiener-mobile is usually parked out
front. Mel's chili is outstanding, too. And just in case hot-dog mania hasn't won you over,
there are a few alternatives (chicken, beef, and veggie burgers, and terrific onion rings).
4136 E. Busch Blvd., at 42nd St.
&
813/985-8000.
www.melshotdogs.com. Reservations not accepted.
Most items $2.75-$11. No credit cards (ATM on the premises). Sun-Thurs 11am-8pm; Fri-Sat 11am-9pm.
Hyde Park
Expensive
Bern's SteakHouse
STEAKHOUSE The exterior of this famous steakhouse
looks like a factory. Inside, however, some say it looks like a brothel, containing eight
ornate dining rooms with themes such as Rhône, Burgundy, and Irish Rebellion.
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