The clubhouse is done by April 2021 even some residents already moved in in 2020 (a few pre completion photos by others). It seems, the clubhouse is NOT the first thing a community developer to complete in Florida.
Our HOA (homeowner association) fee covers the clubhouse, so it’s free to us. It has five har tru tennis courts and six pickle ball courts, a caf
Brid Key Park @ Sarasota
Dry Dock Waterfront Grill @ 412 Gulf Of Mexico Dr, Longboat Key, FL 34228 is a very busy place. Gulf Of Mexico Drive is the only way on that narrow stretch of road. We went at 5:15 on Wednesday: the parking lot is full and the waiting time is 60-90 minutes for walk ins. As I was re-directed to the front door, I got a close look of the place. Yes, it’s on the water but the ambience is NOT tranquil. We left. As we walked to the parking lot, saw many diners scatter around waiting. A group youth even have their drawing pads out and about.
A cute squirrel 
@ Coquina Beach on the Gulf of Mexico.
Then onto Bradenton Beach …
5063 Simons Ct,
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211
This community within Lakewood Ranch has 650 single family homes, ranging from $300k to $600k, 1,515 to 3,574 sq ft. The HOA fee is rather low: $200-$300 per month.
Among the few we’ve seen, this builder’s materials are the best, while others use more of decorations to sell. One thing I like it a lot is the side panel of the kitchen island/counter is covered: it looks nice.
10670 Boardwalk Loop
Lakewood Ranch, Florida 34202
Lakewood Ranch is more than twice the size of Manhattan. So its downtowns are substantial and cosmopolitan. This restaurant is one of many. The service is good, but slow – comparing to New York speed -:). The food is decent. We sat outside comfortably. Although one day reached 90 degrees during our stay, and noon is clearly hot, but mornings and evenings could use a thin sweater.
Info Center is a short walk from Grove. It was not open, by appointment only.
We visited two builders. The first, Lorraine Lake by Lennar. It uses a trailer home/office by the entrance, manned by two guys. Someone pooped without flashing it; and Cresswind by Kolter.
This community is also by GL Homes. It has five har tru tennis courts. I saw only one guy was playing with the pro but a dozen people are playing pickle ball with two pros coaching. Oh well.
The homes are from $310s to $500s. Back in January, the starting point was high $200s.
The entrance and the clubhouse.
A bird of paradise, and some model homes/empty lots:
We tried their Caf
700 Harbour Post Dr
Tampa, FL 33602
This downtown Tampa restaurant on Harbour Island, sits directly over the Garrison Channel from their ice hockey arena, Amalie, which is not far from the Tampa Bay History Center.
The restaurant: has simple line and airy, good service and decent food. But the lettuce in their chopped salad is old, with yellow edges. Gosh. The Tortoise Creek Pinot Noir is pretty good.
The little Island:
Along the edge, there are many big eateries: Cafe Dufrain, Jackson’s Bistro (Bar & Sushi) and Americans Social, under neath is the parking garage. This is the first time seeing a dark colored bird of paradise.
32212 Mahogany Valley Dr,
Wesley Chapel, FL 33543
This community locates north of Tampa, no CDD (community development district) fee with a 9,684 sq ft clubhouse. The 400+ homes range from $400,000 to $670k. Two hard tennis courts. One staff said, they opened in Jan and by now – April, half are sold.
One feature in the kitchen I noticed, is nowadays the manufactures don’t make the little extra shoulders to rest on the countertops, so the gapping holes are less visible, it also prevent the small particles (such as food) to drop in, over times. This drop in cook top at Del Webb looks so much nicer.
… and the shoddy work, and the ancient bathtub, over the top sinks, not funny at all.
3045 N Rocky Pt Dr E
Tampa, FL 33607
This restaurant is ideal for a quick bite on the Pelican Island, near the TPA airport. On Yelp.
It’s an average eatery on the water. My Cubano Mojito and crab stack are decent but nothing to write home about. Bahamarita, coconut shrimp tacos, Aruba red, salmon tostada are ok. We filled up and left for our first destination.
Ok … it’s the covid-19 vaccine time and a day out in the city: Long Island City; sound of a city; Hudson Yard, High Line, Meat Packing District & Tavola.
Making the appointment took some patience but getting it was extremely easy: from the street into the Javits Center and getting the shot, all within ten minutes. There was no line at all. Much of the ten minutes was spent at walking from one point to the next: after all, Javits is a convention center. Unbelievably quick and smooth.
We were early for the appt but they let us in,
