Ukraine - right in the middle of St. Petersburg, Florida

 I can't bring back this blog without at least a few words about my favorite spots in St. Petersburg, where we've lived for the past 2 1/2 years.

The first place I want to talk about is O'Bistro/Pierogi Bar.  O'Bistro is a neighborhood spot that I think of as a lunch spot (they probably do dinner too), with a bar.  I'm usually the youngest person in there by several decades, but it is dependably decent (but not exciting) food.  That all changed in the recent past.

O'Bistro changed ownership and a local couple, originally from Ukraine, bought the business.  Prior to that they'd been making pierogis out of their home to sell, and they found an incredible amount of support for their business and for Ukraine in general after Russia invaded Ukraine earlier this year.  

The invasion is now several months in duration, with no end in sight, and there is a groundswell of support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people all over the US.  The name of this spot is now O'Bistro/Pierogi Bar (I suspect they are easing us into a name change), and they serve pierogis but also other traditional foods from Ukraine.  They have stuffed cabbage (I haven't tried this yet), and borscht.  I tried their borscht (my first borscht ever) and it was AMAZING.  The pierogis are delicious - and they have several varieties.  They even told me that they'll be introducing gluten-free pierogis in the future.  

I highly recommend this little lunch spot.  Its fabulous!

                                   

Post-Covid.... we're back!

Once again, I've stepped away from this blog for longer than I'd even realized.  Life has changed.  My last post was made pre-Covid.  And pre big-move.  I moved to St. Petersburg, Florida in December 2019, and as of June, 2022 am now splitting my time between St. Petersburg and Tallahassee, Florida.

My current job will have me traveling, albeit domestically. And as I get settled in Tallahassee, and continue my explorations of St. Petersburg (and beyond!) it is time to bring back this blog.

So let's start with some of my recent food exploration in Tallahassee.  I've been delighted with the variety of ethnic food options here (more choices than in St. Pete) and I've been exploring and taste-testing my way through the city.

I started my exploration with VeneBites (https://www.venebites.com) a Venezuelan restaurant with amazing homemade arepas.  I loved it and look forward to returning (I didn't manage to snap a picture).

I followed with a meal of jollof at Halisi (https://www.halisiafrica.com).  It was good, though it was described as spicy, and I didn't find it to be so.  Still tasty, and I will certainly return to Halisi again and sample other dishes as well.  This place is a cute little cafe - with food, coffees and teas, and even textiles and other cute items from Africa.

Tonight, I needed to finally bite the bullet and get a desk chair for my apartment, and I stumbled upon a true hole-in-the-wall place.  The windows were frosted preventing a view inside, and the outside said simply "K-BBQ." (https://mykbbq.com)  I decided to take a chance on it, and I'm glad I did.  While the appearance of the restaurant was unassuming, and the menu was very limited it was good.  I got the bi bim bop with a side of kimchi.  The restaurant is only open for carry-out (though there are tables inside, so I assume this is s vestige of Covid).  When I got home and opened my meal, I was really pleased with the variety of vegetables, fried egg, and beef that made up my meal.  (I took a photo of this meal and will try to add it later, but atm the blog app isn't cooperating).

I haven't been able to find any Ethiopian here.  So that is a bummer, but I'm delighted with what I have been able to find.  So for those of you familiar with Tallahassee - where should I eat next?