KEKE’S Breakfast Cafe

KEKE’S Breakfast Cafe –   5405 University Pkwy,  University Park, FL –  (941) 388-8953 –   kekes.com

Q-tips say: Food & service was good. After early morning Dr. appt. we go out for breakfast.

The Q’s shared:   2 eggs, a muffin, potatoes.  Each had a tomato juice & coffee.

They offer a big menu to enjoy & serve breakfast all day. Lunch is served after 10:30.

Sausage - Breakfast - Market Street ...
Sausages
Breakfast we shared
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Selva

University Town Center – 67 N. Cattlemen Rd. Sarasota – 941.358.6272

selvagrill.com

2/5/25 – Q-tips say: Yes, go and enjoy. We went for the Happy Hour menu – 4pm to 6pm in the Bar/Lounge only.

Mrs. Q had: Old Fashioned Canton Ginger liquor, bourbon, muddled orange and cherry with bitters with dirty ice on the side. We shared: Caesar Salad & then I had: Seared New Zealand Lamb chops, Andean Herb Pesto & roasted pepper relish & we shared an order of Truffle Parmesan Fries.

Mr. Q had: Selva Classic – Skyy Vodka martini up slightly dirty with hand stuffed blue cheese olives & Lamb Chops – Seared New Zealand lamb chops, Andean Herb Pesto & roasted pepper relish & shared an order of Truffle Parmesan Fries.

Lamb Chops
House Salad

Truffle Parmesan Fries
Outdoor Seating
Inside seating
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BRIO Italian Rest. Sarasota FL 2/4/25

BRIO – 190 University Town Center Dr., Sarasota, FL 34243, (941) 702-9102
brioitalian.com

Q-Tips say:
Go and enjoy, we did. Mrs. Q says: Nice to be back in FL.

Happy Hour begins at 3:00 to 7:00 in the bar/or outside sitting. 

Each Q had:  Their Manhattan. Shared the bread. Each had a bowl of Mushroom Soup.

 Mrs. Q had:  Carpaccio –  Shaved tender beef, field greens, capers, mustard aioli.

Mr. Q had: & Minestrone Soup & then Carpaccio – Shaved tender beef, field greens, capers, mustard aioli.  

 Indoor/outdoor/bar area seating & good libations.

Photo of Brio Tuscan Grille - Sarasota, FL, United States. Lobster Bisque

Lobster Bisque

  Photo of Brio Italian Grille - Sarasota, FL, United States. Hot, fresh baked bread

Beef Carpaccio - Picture of Brio Italian Grille, Pembroke Pines -  Tripadvisor
Carpaccio
Happy Hour
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PIER 22 – 2/3/25

PIER  22 -1200 1st Ave W., Bradenton, (941) 748-8087      pier22dining.com  

Pier 22 – Good drinks, food, ambiance & nice service from Alycia.

They now have a different Happy Hour menu.  –  Available In All Dining Areas From 3-6 pm Daily – $2 OFF Full Size Appetizers & Flatbreads.

Both had: Maker’s Mark Whiskey, simple syrup, orange bitters.

We shared: the Bread & Veggie Spring rolls.

Mr. Q had: New England Clam Chowder- Creamy chowder filled with fresh clams, potatoes and vegetables, served with oyster crackers & Mussels & Bleu & Happy hour glass of wine.

Mrs. Q had: small 1976 – Iceberg lettuce and Parmesan dressing finished with applewood smoked bacon crumbles, chopped egg and Parmesan cheese & I added grilled Shrimp.

Baked onion Soup

Clam Chowder Soup

Crab Cake
Crab cake
Braised Ribs
Ribs
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Calo’s

Photo of Calo Pizzeria Restaurant & Lounge - Chicago, IL, United States

www.calorestaurant.com – 5343 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL

2/1/25 – Valentina‘s drinks at Calo’s are the best restaurant drinks around. Our last visit before Fl.

We shared the delicious bread.

The Q tips had: An Old Fashion & Perfect Manhattan

Each Q had: a cup of soup – Lentil soup & shared the Salmon.

Delicious Bread
Half slab BBQ Baby Back Ribs
Salmon

inside seating
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GINO’S NORTH PIZZA – EDGEWATER -near Loyola U.

1113 W Granville Ave, Chicago, IL 60660 –

1/30/25 – www.ginosnorth.com 773-465-1616

Bartender Jen makes drinks w/ dirty ice (the ice in the shaker) on the side.
Photo

“CHICAGO’S BEST KEPT SECRET” · Offering thin-crust pizza, pastas, · jumbo sandwiches, and salads as well as Beer, Wine, and Cocktails.

Nothing better than to celebrate at Gino’s N with friends.

Our last visit before Fl – but we will be back.

Had a fun & wonderful visit with Barb & Ginger.

Friends had: Wine

Friend’s entrees: A salad & pasta dishes.

Mrs. Q’s Libation Old Fashion & a Cosmo.

The other half had: Perfect Manhattan– dirty ice on the side & a glass of White Wine.

Mrs. Q says: Yes, go and enjoy. Take your family/friends for a fun time at Gino’s N.

Started dinner by sharing Antipasto Salad w/ side of Garlic Bread.

Then shared: Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich w/a side of chips & ranch dressing.

Gino's North
Beautiful Holiday Decorations
Gino’s Special pizza – Includes Italian sausage, fresh mushrooms, green peppers, and onions.
Friends & Drinking buddies at Gino’s
Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich
Antipasto Salad w/
side of Garlic Bread
The original Snowdrop Statue returns home to Gino’s N – previously aka Snowdrop Inn.






Gino's North
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Beard & Belly

6157 N Broadway Ave Chicago, IL – (773) 754-7429, beardandbellychicago.com

Beard & Belly and Honeypie Bake Shop - CHICAGO, IL 60660 (Menu & Order  Online)

1/29/25 One last visit before going to FL.

Both Q’s had: Drinks: Old Fashioned – Maker’s Mark – demerara, Regan’s orange bitters, angostura bitters with an orange swath- dirty ice on the side.

Yes, enjoyed the ambiance- Sandwiches can be big at times so we share sometimes.

Q’s shared: the Baked Pretzels. Two fresh baked house-made pretzels, buttered & sprinkled with maldon salt, and served with homemade cheese sauce and düsseldorf mustard.

Q’s shared: The Half Pint Burger -A third pound patty with Butterkäse (fancy cheese), pickles, & homemade sauce w/ fries.

Half Pint Burger
Baked pretzels w/mustard & cheese
Inside seating
The outside heated tent space. The heaters are those tall lamp-like objects.
Cute bar
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L Woods Tap & Pine Lodge – in Lincolnwood, IL

1/27/2025-

Photo of L. Woods Tap & Pine Lodge - Lincolnwood, IL, United States

It has been awhile since we went to L Woods. So after running errands, decided to stop in for dinner for one last visit before FL.

Food, service & libations were good. Yes, you can eat indoors or outdoors in a covered area with heat lamps.

Some of the entrees are large, so feel free to share one.

FYI SURCHARGE As a way to offset rising costs, we have added a 3% surcharge to all checks. You may request to have this taken off your check should you choose.

Mrs. Q says: She likes the inside décor. It reminds her of supper clubs in Wisc.

Began our meals with a Happy Hour Old Fashion & A cup of delicious French onion soup.

Then we shared: the Mon. special – delicious Turkey Dinner.

Inside Décor

Thanksgiving to Go 2021: Where to Order Your Thanksgiving Side Dishes and  Meals Around Chicago and the Suburbs
Turkey dinner

Photo of L. Woods Tap & Pine Lodge - Lincolnwood, IL, United States
Photo of L. Woods Tap & Pine Lodge - Lincolnwood, IL, United States
French Onion Soup - Lunch Menu - Samuel Slater's Restaurant - American  Restaurant in Webster, MA
cup of French onion soup
Baby Back Ribs
L. Woods Tap & Pine Lodge Restaurant in Chicago | diningchicago.com
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Tapas Barcelona

1/25/25 -1615 Chicago Ave Evanston

(847) 866-9900, tapasbarcelona.com

We shared the bread. One last visit before we go back to FL. Had a nice visit with Mrs. Q’s sister.

Mrs. Q’s Sis had: Salad & a Pasta dish with creamy tomato sauce.

Q’s had: Old Fashion & Margarita

Q-tips shared: Queso de Cabra con Tomate – Baked Goat cheese in tomato sauce, garlic bread. Gambas al Ajillo – Sauteed shrimp with olive oil, garlic and chiles. Chuletas de Cordero – Baby lamb chops in a savory red wine sauce served with couscous.

Queso de cabra con tomate -Baked goat cheese
Gambas al Ajillo – Sauteed shrimp with olive oil, garlic and chiles.
Chuletas de Cordero – Baby lamb chops in a savory red wine sauce.

Inside seating
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Mas Alla Del Sol

MAS ALLA DEL SOL -5848 N Broadway St., Chicago, IL 60660, (773) 654-1900,  masalladelsolrestaurant.com

1-24-2025 – Life is good! One last trip before we go to FL.

We began dinner by sharing the Complimentary Salsa– Guacamole & sauce.

Mas Alla del Sol – The Q’s shared: Carne Asada y Camarones  – Grilled skirt steak and jumbo shrimp/rice/ refried beans.

Mr. Q had: a Margarita. Mrs. Q had: Old Fashion

Mrs. Q says: MAS ALLA DEL SOL is NOT your local Taco Bell. Food and drinks are decent. A tad over -priced but worth every penny. Street parking. Street parking is FREE on Sun.

 Carne Asada y Camarones  – Grilled skirt steak and jumbo shrimp.
Photo of Mas Alla Del Sol - Chicago, IL, United States. Margarita
Margarita
Photo of Mas Alla Del Sol - Chicago, IL, United States. Complimentary salsa

Complimentary Salsa sauce & we order a side of guacamole.

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