Mountain View
Carlos Hernandez
Enjoying dim sum and local eats on a Sunday evening at Dumpling Kitchen in San Francisco
It was late on a Sunday in San Francisco and we were looking for some Chinese food and dim sum. Most places were closed or closing, but Dumpling Kitchen on Taraval was thankfully open on a cold, dark night. I cannot be the only one who suddenly gets a strong craving late on a Sunday for some Chinese eats.
3 Tampa Bay rooftop bars team up Thursday, September 2nd to "Raise The Roof For Hurricane Ida" and support non-profits
Three of the Tampa Bay area’s most popular rooftop bars are “Raising the Roof for Hurricane Ida Relief” on Thursday, September 2nd, 2021. Grab yourself a drink or bite and make a difference for those who need it most.
A Korean food adventure at H-Mart in San Francisco near the Daly City BART station
The last time I visited an H-Mart was in Georgia. Before that, probably in South Korea. H-Mart is a popular Korean grocery store that is slowly making moves around the United States. They provide fresh produce, meat, snacks, alcohol, and more with a focus on Korean and Asian foods.
The clam chowder and Bay Bridge view is great at The Waterfront Cafe in San Francisco
My go-to clam chowder spot in San Francisco is Alioto’s in Fisherman’s Wharf. I was saddened to hear during a recent visit that Alioto’s closed down, the pandemic has been harsh on the spots that normally draw tourists. I still had the craving for a clam chowder and was on a boat heading back from Sausalito when I looked up The Waterfront Cafe at Pier 7 and made a reservation on OpenTable.
Enjoy delicious food at Fireside Pizza Cafe in Palm Harbor, don't garlic knots
There are a bunch of great restaurants in Palm Harbor that people in Tampa are unaware of, Fireside Pizza Cafe in Downtown Palm Harbor is one of them. They have a custom built wood-fired oven for an authentic Mediterranean flair, it's the crust and the sauce that are absolutely delicious here.
Grimaldi's Pizzeria joins fight against child hunger with No Kids Hungry this September, Tampa to participate
This September, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria is continuing its partnership with No Kid Hungry, funding programs that provide meals to hungry children across the country. Since 2012, Grimaldi’s has raised more than $1 million to fight childhood hunger through its annual fundraising campaign, equivalent to up to 10 million meals donated to date. The partnership is an important part of how the pizzeria gives back.
Taco Tuesday is a must at Xochitl Mexican Cocina in Tampa Heights
Taco Tuesday is one of my favorite days of the week. It’s not quite the weekend yet, but work is already jam-packed and you need a break. Tampa celebrates accordingly. Although there are certainly a number of places offering deals, Xochitl has a pretty sweet bargain going on for the occasion.
Prepare for a scary time at Busch Garden Tampa Bay's Howl-O-Scream 2021
Are you ready for the spooky season? Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is bringing back Howl-O-Scream starting on September 10th until October 31st with a number of new attractions and scary creations and tickets are now available. This year features 8 haunted houses and scare zones.
A quality yuzu beer awaits at Fort Point Lower Haight in San Francisco
It was a cold day in San Francisco and I needed a beer with time to kill until dinner. I was in the Lower Haight and wandered over to Fort Point Beer Company. Initially, I thought it was indoors and then quickly realized it is outdoor only due to the pandemic.
Spending a perfect day in San Francisco's Japantown plaza
Kids like anime these days. When I was a kid, that was considered weird but my anime-loving cousin wanted to go to Japantown during my trip to San Francisco. I was excited to take my cousin to where I first tried sushi at the age of 5 years old. I fondly remember conveyor belt sushi, big hats at Benihana, getting my first bonsai tree, and lots of green tea.
For those who love quality fish, look no further than Faceless Samurai in Palm Harbor
Tampa sure does love sushi, but most places do not actually focus on the first. Many places in Tampa are strictly for makimono, or they roll their sushi. They add sauces and sometimes fry the fish in ways that are interesting, but not really dedicated to the actual quality of the fish. Still - there are a number of restaurants that do serve pretty delicious sushi regardless.
Florida Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran withholds school board member salaries over COVID-19 mask mandate
Florida Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran announced Monday from Tallahassee that the State of Florida will withhold the monthly school board member salaries in Alachua and Broward counties as punishment for enforcing mask rules in schools against the state’s wishes.
A new Asian hotspot is now open in Brandon, Zimo Bakery and Cafe
There is a new Asian bakery, cafe, and boba shop that is now open in Brandon next to M.D. Oriental Market on Adamo Drive in the former location of Tokai Sushi. Zimo Bakery and Cafe is a cross between many different businesses you can find around Florida. Their bubble tea uses real fruits and fresh tea, similar to Royal Tea in Orlando.
Tampa residents asked to conserve water due to liquid oxygen shortage from COVID-19, treatment plan changes
A drop in liquid oxygen due to COVID-19 patients is forcing changes in how Tampa water is treated. Hillsborough County posted a notice warning there could be a change in taste and odor of water as the county switches to “sodium hypochlorite, commonly known as bleach” at the Lithia Hydrogen Sulfide Removal Facility.
Visit Orlando's Magical Dining Month returns August 27th with over 80 restaurants participating
Those looking to visit new restaurants in Orlando can enjoy deals soon during Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month. It kicks off on Friday, August 27th and runs until October 3rd. More than 80 of Orlando’s fine dining restaurants will offer a $37 three-course, prix-fixe dinner menu during the dining promotion.
Chick-fil-A opening first location at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay this fall
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is opening a Chick-fil-A location inside their theme park this fall. It will offer Chick-fil-A lunch and dinner menu items, including the chicken sandwiches, waffle fries, lemonade and more. It is one of the first fast food chains to enter the theme park. The restaurant will be open for business Monday through Saturday.
Gulf Coast Sourdough Bread celebrates 2 years in Seminole Heights
I stopped in on Friday at Gulf Coast Sourdough Bread for their 2 year celebration. They had $5 loaves of bread and a Cuban special on sourdough bread for $9.99, what's there not to like about that? They sell a variety of other sandwiches and even pizzas as well on Fridays, but the easiest way to stay updated on their movements is to follow them on social media.
What it's like to dine out in Florida during the Delta variant
Who is sick of cooking? I sure am. So - I decided to dine out in Florida during a pandemic. Florida has passed rules that ban masks and vaccine mandates in counties and even in schools so dining out is quite the experience nowadays.
Seeking birria tacos in Oakland at Aguachiles El Tamarindo
It was a winter day in November 2019 when I first learned of birria. I was in San Francisco to get a copy of my birth certificate to renew my license and my cousin joined me for coffee near the Financial District. She asked me if I had ever enjoyed birria before and I was immediately curious about it and started Googling.
Carlos Hernandez
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I am a writer who covers a number of topics from food to politics and everything in between. Contact: carloshernandesu@gmail.com
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