Good Eats in St. Petersburg, Florida

Last Wednesday, Z and I flew out to St. Petersburg, Florida for a long weekend with friends - and for Hunahpu's Day, too (more on that on #BeerFriday).

The trip was a great reprieve from Portland's rainy season - so much sunshine and time outdoors!

While we were able to check out a ton of great breweries and try a ton of great beers (again...more of that coming Friday), we also got a few great meals in. If you live in St. Pete, or are heading there anytime soon, here are the two spots I especially enjoyed:

Red Mesa Cantina
One of our St. Pete friends recommended this spot for brunch, and I am so glad she did. We sat outside on their large patio, complete with fountains and plants, making it seem like a little getaway all on its own. We were all starving and - quite frankly - hungover, so the quick, friendly service was incredibly welcome.

Red Mesa's brunch menu is extensive, with a lunch menu on the opposite side for those who want to skip ahead. Their prices for brunch are also incredibly reasonable, especially for the portion size you get. I opted for the Huevos Mexicana ($7), made with scrambled eggs, tomato, rajas (poblana strips), and jalapeños - all served with chilaquiles verdes.

This dish was superb and wonderfully flavorful. I loved the creamy scrambled eggs with the slight crunch of the chilaquiles and the subtile heat from the jalapeno. Despite the huge portion, I was able to eat almost all of it.

Paired with my Huevos Mexicana, I had a fantastic, spicy Bloody Mary followed by the Coconut-Ginger Mojito - a refreshing must-try.

Hawkers Asian Street Fare
Since this place literally just opened before we had lunch there - it was still running its soft opening - I'm not going to write a full review, but it does still deserve a worthy mention. Despite just opening, the service was decent, the food was fantastic, and the beer list was quite impressive. The concept is small plates, and the prices are a tad bit steep, but nothing too out of the ordinary for tapas.

Dishes I enjoyed: Edamame with Garlic and Chili Oil; Green Papaya and Shrimp Salad; and Crispy Spring Rolls filled with shredded vegetables and mushrooms, and served with a Vietnamese vinaigrette.

Where have you eaten a great meal lately?