Since I visit quite a few restaurants (because of my husband), I decided to give you my reviews on them.  Hey, I might give up real estate and do restaurant reviews!

Breakfast Places

Farmer John's Key West Cafe - located in Brooksville, this is my favorite breakfast place.  It has  Key West ambiance and the food has a Key West flavor.  It is located at 966 E. Jefferson, in Brooksville and their phone number is 352-754-8787.

It's a small place so there is usually a wait.but it is worth it!  It is a fun place and food is different from the ordinary.  It is plentiful and the prices are in range for the food.

They were closed for the summer months but are open again.

Z Chef -  We tried this for the first time this past Saturday (9/18).  It was a beautiful day in Weeki Wachee and we decided to get into our convertible and head north.  I had seen ths restaurant before - it is locatd just north of the entrance to Sugarmill Woods - 7731 Sunset Blvd., in Homosassa (Citrus County).  Their phone number is 352-382-5500.  The menu said that eggs benedict is only served on Fridays, but the waitress told us they were serving them that day.  They were the best I have had since moving from Long Island to Weeki Wachee.  The pancakes (which I will order next time) were the size of the plate and looked delicious.  The best were the home fries, just like NY.  They were seasoned just right with onions.

I thought it was very reasonable.

I plan on going there for lunch with one of my friends next week and will keep you posted on the lunch.  Their web-site is www.zchefs.com.  

Brian's Place - this is located on Shoal Line Road in Hernando Beach, Florida and is a comfy place for breakfast.  They have a Spanish Italian fusion to their food; prices are moderate to high.  Their eggs benedict are also very good.  I recently went for breakfast and it is not always consistent, but they are nice enough to correct whatever is wrong.

Their web-site is www.briansonthebeach.com.

Cracker Brarrel - it opened over a year ago on SR 19 in the JC Penney's shopping center.  The best pancakes!

IHOP - the old favorite!  Our IHOP is located on SR 19 just south of Forest Oaks Blvd. (south of Staples).   My husband likes to go there becuase the server Mona knows his order.  However, I like to change it up a bit.   The reason I go there is because it is the only place I can get lingonberry crepes which are delicious!  I also like there nut and grain pancakes.  I find them a bit pricey!

Lunch Places

Applebees - this is always a good choice and if you are followiing Weight Watchers (which I ocassionally do) you can order something and know the points.  They are on SR 19 in Spring Hill.

Chilis - They are across from the Timber Pines community on SR 19 and they have a great burger.

The Magnolia Tea Room - it is a very dainty place with fancy tablecloths and frills.  The first visit we had to wait over a half hour for our lunch, and it was good.  The second time it was served timely.  The first time I had the Australian sausages which were excellent and the second time I had the Shepards Pie which was also excellent.  They give you plenty of tea in their English teapots.  It has the tea room feel and the menu is English.  My friend did have a Cobb salad and said it was fresh and plentiful.  They are located at 5598 Commercial Way (just off SR 19) in Spring Hill.  Their web-site is magnoliaterracetearoom.com.  and their phone number is 352-5556-4819.  You might want to call first because a friend told me the last time she went there was a note on the door that they were closed due to theft?

Dinner Places

Armani's - now this is a bit of a drive and I would only suggest it for a special occasion because it is on the expensive side.  It was my husband's birthday and he always wanted to go here so I told him to get in the car and drive.  Armani's is located near the Tampa Airport in the Hyatt on the top floor where you feel like you are on a cruise ship because you see water from both sides.  The service was unbelievable - three people to serve you but they were not intrusive.  The menu is quite different and they have an antipasto to die for.  Every fish you can imagine is on it - the Chef can prepare it for you and I suggest that because they give you just enough to taste everything and there had to be at least ten different items on the dis (fishes, cheeses, meats, etc.).  There's a piano bar.  I just read some reviews from others who were disappointed but we gave it at 10.

Buca di Beppo - the closest Italian restaurant I found to Carmine's in New York.  It is a franchise and the closest one to us is in Brandon at 11105 Causeway Blvd., and their phone number is 813-681-3462.  It was so neat because they have one table in the kitchen, which I was lucky enough to reserve, and you watch them prepare the food.  Every dish that comes out they come to your table and show you.  It is served family style and the sauce is great.  The only complaint our friend had was that they didn't have good grated cheese.  Other than that it is a fun place.  If you sit inside there are different motifs and the food was fabulous.   We had the short ribs which fell off the bone, chicken parm, another chicken speciality dish and ziti.  Their web-site is www.bucadibeppo.com.

Texas Roadhouse - located on SR 50, they have by far the best ribs.  If you are celebrating something, ride the saddle and get a free dessert.  It can be a bit noisy as the servers line dance I think every half hour, but the ribs are worth it and they have great hot fresh rolls.

The Rusty Pelican - located in Tampa at 2425 North Rocky Point Drive - off of 60W.  We live in Weeki Wachee and it took us less than 50 minutes to get there.  It is mostly a catering hall so there were two weddings in other rooms which was kind of neat.  The restaurant is right on Tampa Bay so you feel like you are on a cruise.  It hought it was delicious as did threeof the four of us.  I had the Shrimp Rustico which were meaty large shrimp with tomatoes and garlic over linguine.  My husband had the Tuna and that was also great.  My friend had the Veal Oscar and raved about it and her husband had the Fettucine Alfredo which he was not too keen on.  All in all I thought it was very nice.  It does range about $75-100 a couple depending on what you drink and eat.  We had our dinners, shared a Cesear salad which is made at the table and shared a New England Clam Chowder, my husband had a drink, I had a soft drink and our bill was $80 plus tip.  Their web-site is therustypelican.com and their phone number is 813-281-1943.

The Outback Steakhouse - I am sure you have all visited an Outback.  This is located on SR 19 just south of SR 50 and always find it consistently good.

Carrabba's Italian - Again, always consistently good.  I only had one bad incident there with a friend and when brought to the manager's attention, he was not very responsive.  I think they were just having a bad night.  I have been there about 25 times and only one time was I disappointed and the staff not attentive.  Otherwise, I find the staff fantastic and the food great.  Also, I found out that if something is not on the menu and you would like it, mostly likely they will make it for you.