American Press Travel News-October 29th,—-Port St Lucie, FL.–Bob and Barb “On The Road Again” and Stopping to Smell the Pizza’s and entree’s at Estella’s Pizzeria. Who doesn’t love authentic Italian dishes? Well, at Estella’s they are here in abundance, thanks to the Frankel family, and their kitchen and wait crew. Our waitress, Nichole, cook, Nick and Mel helped us try numerous dishes, and one of the best Antipasto salads ever. The dishes such as Shrimp Fra Diavolo, an amazing al dente’ spaghetti dish with Calamari, in gentle Marinara sauce, and a white pizza with Ricotta, mozzarella real garlic, grated cheese and olive oil and lots of home-boxes too! So many choices, such small stomachs! We also had Lobster Tail, a vanilla pudding filled croissant-like dessert and of course we didn’t forget the Connoli, WOW great!! Open Sunday -Thursday 11-AM-9-PM and Friday & Saturday 11 AM-10 PM. Located at 1276 California Blvd. in the Oak Hammock Plaza. 878-6640 Free delivery to Kings Isle, and they cater, as well as eating-in and curbside pick-up too!
Barb and pizza guru Ralph. What a great white pizza with spinach, too!!!
So many great dishes, we tasted and mangia’d all we could!!!
American Press Travel News- Papa Louie’s, PSL, FL.-Bob and Barb “On the Road Again.”From the pizza, to the garlic chicken wings, the shrimp parmesan, spectacular veal parm, cabbage-potato soup, garlic knots, salad with custom created Italian dressing, spaghetti with lemon-garlic, great wines-WOW! What a meal!–Italian, real Italian cuisine is what we found, dined on, and thoroughly enjoyed here.
Big comfortable tables, the feeling you get when your in a truly practiced Italian eatery-Highly recommended! Papa Louie’s Italian Restaurant 7240 South U.S. Hwy. 1, Port St Lucie, FL 34952 772-340-3755
A view from the tower towards Pickwick Lake. This Marriott Hotel was excellent in every way!
APtravelnews-October 23rd—Florence, AL. and Lauderdale, County is quite progressively moving forward with offering locals and visitors some of the best historical, modern as well as iconic music entertainment and even spiritual attractions, excellent restaurants and accommodations that AL. has to offer. Barb and I, thanks to the very professional, yet extremely friendly, Georgia Carter Turner from Florence and Lauderdale Tourism Development Council, brought us in to familiarize us with many opportunities that all visitors can take advantage of as well.
We stayed at the Marriott Shoals Hotel & Conference Center, which offered excellent buffet breakfasts, lunch and dinners at Swampers Restaurant (see images of our meals) comfortable rooms and even an indoor and outdoor impressive swimming pool and spa. The staff was very pleasant and friendly; the elevator never kept you waiting- it was as fast as any I have ever experienced. The beds were perfect! It’s tough to be comfortable traveling and bed-hopping, but here we slept comfortably and bedded down on the 6th floor watching vast sunsets and sun-ups over a panoramic view of hill and dale, viewing the nearby waters of Muscle Shoals and the Tennessee River. www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/msimc-marriott-shoals-hotel-and-spa/
Salmon and sauteed Brussel,Sprouts at Swamper’s Restaurant in the lobby area of the Marriott!Welcome Center new and special for Florence, Lauderdale and every visitor!Steak and fried green tomatoes. Even Pres. Bushes favorite vegetable (not) Broccoli! Dat’s a meal!
Early Monday morning, writer Rebecca McCormick from Hot Springs Arkansas and I were scheduled to fish Pickwick Lake with Guide Lance Walker. It sure was cool traveling at 75-miles per hour with his Skeeter Boat powered by a 250-hp Yamaha, but we got to cover plenty of water and with a bit of a cold-front, the fish had a bit of lockjaw. Fortunately, we carried Click-It Hot Hand Warmers. Lance loved using these near instant reusable units in his hands and on his back too. Fortunately we had the right guide. Lance knew where they lived and we popped a 9-pound largemouth, a 4-pound smallmouth and a few additional bass in the 4-pound range. Plenty of great fish to photo and release (see images). Overall a fabulous fishing adventure! www.scout.com/outdoors/wired2fish/story/1466300-pickwick-bass-fishing-showing-out-again
After a wash-up, we headed for lunch and ice cream at Trowbridge’s on Main Street in Florence. The diminutive place is an iconic, very reasonably priced lunch spot with ice cream to cry for “more. Along with the lively crowd, we enjoyed sharing this long-time fun-spot that felt like a throw-back to the 50’s. Pimento Cheese sandwiches were long time favorites, and I had a Butter Pecan Milk Shake that I can’t wait to taste again-WOW! www.yelp.com No there was more to come: Stay tuned for our dinner at Ricatoni’s Italian Grill and later; Arx Mortis Haunted attraction, back door tour. It was so spooky and really scary! Note: See lots more in next posts about our whirlwind adventures in Florence and Muscle Shoals, AL. Check out their website at: www.visitflorenceal.com We’re Going back for sure!
Our fishing guide, Lance Walker knows where they live (a nine-pounder) and he knows how to knock on their door!The display at the welcome Center shows various types of bass that are found in the TN. and Lake Pickwick.
