by Guest author, Lauren St. Marten, Pasco County Tourism

Florida’s best places to dine were recently recognized in Florida Trend’s 2015 Golden Spoon awards.

The Golden Spoon awards recognize individual achievement and distinctive contributions to the Florida restaurant scene. “Dining out is a major activity for Florida citizens and our 100 million annual visitors,” says Florida Trend Publisher, Andy Corty. “We are pleased to recognize the leaders.”

Florida Trend Magazine awarded Pearl in the Grove in Dade City with a Golden Spoon noting, “Small menu, small place, but a bold idea. Florida farm-to-table in a crossroads far away amid real farming: The kumquat capital of the world. Catfish meuniere and fried okra, Florida chicken and pork are paired with smart wines.”

By now you may have heard of Dulcet, the new high-end restaurant and night club in downtown New Port Richey. Dulcet is known for an eclectic mix of dishes, fresh ingredients and an upscale atmosphere.

Florida Trend Magazine says, “Full-on uptown dining for NPR is as sexy as any enjoyed by the urban crowd. Jazz, salsa and stand-up comedy, plus lollipop wings and bone marrow for starters, veal skirt steak and diver scallops for dinner. Grouper Wellington and duck and waffles or prime rib for brunch, some of it flocked with pistachio dust and cauliflower puree.”

“Pasco County is gaining notoriety in the ‘cuisine scene,’ because of creative chefs using the farm to table movement as the backbone of their kitchen operatives,” said Ed Caum, Manager, Pasco County Office of Tourism Development. “You just can’t beat eclectic cooking and great service.”