Day 93: Sip coffee at Black Dog Cafe

Note: I missed a post on March 30, so I have two on April 3 to make up for it.

Much like All Saints Cafe, I have a soft spot for Black Dog Cafe because it reminds me of Austin. The cafe sits just off picturesque Lake Ella and has a laid-back, no frills atmosphere with worn, comfy chairs reminiscent of a well-used living room. It also has a deck for outdoor seating. The menu is typical of most coffee shops, with coffees, espressos and cappuccinos, as well as smoothies and a number of pastries. The cafe is definitely a popular spot for students needing to write that paper or crack open a book. On the day I went, there weren’t many folks over the age of 30. On Friday nights, the cafe collects Scrabble enthusiasts and on Saturdays chess fans arrive to duel one another. The cafe always has board games and paperbacks on hand. I found the cafe’s prices very reasonable and the atmosphere soothing. I could have lost myself in a book for hours.

Address: 229 Lake Ella Drive

Day 92: Stroll through Maclay Gardens State Park

On a spring day, there is no better spot to enjoy Tallahassee’s pitch-perfect climate than Maclay Gardens State Park. Once owned by Alfred Maclay and wife Louise, it was called Killearn Plantation and Gardens. His wife donated the 1,184 acres that was their home to state upon her death. It is now a lovely state park with a lake and well-tended gardens. Visitors can also check out the Maclay house, which offers exhibits on local flora and fauna as well as intact rooms from the early 20th century. The paved trails offer lovely views of chandeliers of Spanish moss and blooming pink and white flowers, though the flowers change with the season. There is a patio area near the lake with chairs available to rest and enjoy the view. The expansive lawn in front of the Maclay house is also a great spot for a picnic. It does cost $6 to enter the state park, and $3 for kids. It’s become a popular spot for weddings, too, so I’d advise against a late Saturday afternoon visit on a spring day.

Address: 3540 Thomasville Road

Day 91: Sample the bubble bread at Bella Bella

Note: I missed March 28, so I posted two today to make up for it.

Bella Bella is a great Italian restaurant in Midtown that serves high-quality pastas and salads. But what they are most known for is an appetizer called bubble bread. It’s soft bread smothered in cheese and butter, with marinara sauce to dip it in, and it is sooooo good. Even if you’re not big on appetizers, you shouldn’t skip ordering Bella Bella’s bubble bread. The portion is quite large so I usually order the bubble bread and a salad and it is very filling. The rest of their menu shouldn’t be ignored, however. I’ve had their capellini, gorgonzola ravioli and fettucine alfredo and they are all scrap-your-plate delicious. They also have an extensive wine menu. Bella Bella is the perfect spot to take a date if you want to impress, but it’s also great for larger groups. It has cozy dim lighting and the service is always superb. I wouldn’t call it kid friendly, though, like Riccardo’s.

Address: 123 East Fifth

Day 90: Enjoy Springtime Tallahassee

Springtime Tallahassee is the city’s biggest annual festival and a cherished spring tradition. The festival started as a way to show legislators in town for session that sleepy Tallahassee had options for entertainment. The all-day extravaganza is worth indulging in. It starts with a 5K and 10K run in the morning. Even if you’re not a runner, park yourself along the race course and cheer on runners. My husband and I really enjoyed running in the 10K, which begins in downtown Tallahassee and winds its way through the nearby (and very hilly) Myers Park neighborhood. Then there’s the Springtime parade, with loads of giant floats that people have spent months bedazzling. This year, Florida’s Governor served as the Grand Marshal. It’s a definite favorite for kids, and extremely family-friendly. Thankfully, there is no need to display body parts to secure beads. Afterward, several downtown city blocks are closed to street vendors selling clothing, food, knick-knacks and art. I discovered the best shaved ice of my life at one of the food vendors. It wasn’t just hot dogs and cotton candy, either. They had seafood, Thai, BBQ and more. I can’t say enough good things about Springtime, though it does get crowded as seemingly the entire city descends upon a few downtown blocks. Come armed with a parking plan and good walking shoes.

Address: Downtown Tallahassee

Day 89: Eat pizza at Riccardo’s

Pizza is highly subjective, but in my opinion, Riccardo’s is the best pizza in Tallahassee. You wouldn’t think Riccardo’s was anything special by its drab exterior. It is in the corner of a small strip mall near a gas station facing busy Capital Circle. Inside you will find a family-friendly restaurant known for its homemade bread and pizzas. Riccardo’s pizzas are made with a tasty and slightly salty dough and they ooze delicious cheeses. It’s not New York-style thin, nor is it the overstuffed Chicago-style. Besides the pizza, Riccardo’s is really known for their breads and a lot of people like to order calzones there. A warning: Riccardo’s is such a family place that it tends to shut down early. Twice I’ve been there at 9 p.m. at night on a weekday and found it closed.

Address: 3305 Capital Circle NE

Day 88: Drive Go-Karts at Fun Station

There are certain parents in this town who abhor the thought of a visit to Fun Station, the kids playland that offers arcades, laser tag, Go-Karts and miniature golf. After so many weekends spent celebrating birthday parties of hyper five-year-olds at the sticky tables at Fun Station, I can understand their reluctance. But it’s worth a re-visit if you find yourself kid-free or with older children. The mayhem seemed controlled when I visited, and I loved playing laser tag with a group of mostly adults and teenagers. They offer the typical ho-hum pizzas, but I was delighted to discover they have Working Cow ice cream, which is top notch. The Go-Karts were my husband’s favorite and he bragged afterward that he lapped everyone.We spent $30 on a card that we used to pay for all of our fun and actually had money left over. The other great thing about Fun Station are their hours. They stay open until 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. on weekends, a rarity in Tallahassee.

Address: 2821 Sharer Road

Day 87: Learn about Mission San Luis

Mission San Luis is by far one of the coolest things to see and experience in Tallahassee. It sits on top of a hill on east Tallahassee not far from Florida State University. Mission San Luis was once home to Spanish settlers and Apalachee Indians. The two formed an alliance in the 1600s and shared communities together, though each lived in their own respective homes. The neat thing about Mission San Luis is that it sits exactly in the same spot it was in about 400 years ago. Archeologists have actually dug up where the homes stood and central plaza was located. The story of the mission is, like much of history, inspiring and sorrowful. The two groups got along pretty well, with many Apalachee women marrying Spanish men because they saw it as a sign of upward mobility. Then the British began invading Florida and the Apalachee and Spanish fled, never to live together again. The Mission San Luis museum helps tell this story by recreating the homes and other buildings the Apalachees and Spanish would have shared. There is a church, fort, friar’s house and round thatched roof council room the Apalachee used for meetings. Tour guides dress the part, wearing historical clothing. We paid $5 per person, which I consider a bargain. The museum has also taken pains to make sure kids would enjoy it.

Address: 2100 West Tennessee

Day 86: Shop for candy at Fresh Market

Note: I missed March 21, so I’ve posted two today to make up for it.

In the same vein as EarthFare, grocery store Fresh Market takes pains to offer really high-quality food carefully arranged in tempting, mouth-watering displays. It’s not just some bread on a shelf. It’s a cascading pile of freshly-baked loaves of foccacia bread in flavors such as sundried tomato and kalamata olive. One of Fresh Market’s strengths is its huge selection of candy. This isn’t just Snickers and Hershey bars. They have jars and jars of every imaginable candy ever made. (And I won’t even get started on their pastries and desserts). It feels a bit like stepping into Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. They’ve even got those chocolate bars made with bacon. Take a kid to Fresh Market and have them fill up a bag of their favorite candies – they will be in heaven.

Address: 1390 Village Square Boulevard

Day 85: Get the Ultimate Massage at Chelsea Salon

I’m no rookie when it comes to massages. I’ve had the stretchy Thai massages, Swedish, deep tissue, chair massages and sports massages. The Ultimate Massage at Tallahassee’s Chelsea Salon definitely rates up there as one of the most relaxing experiences of my life. Chelsea Salon is a full-service Aveda salon, so they do haircuts as well as waxing and massages and facials. Save the Ultimate Massage for a stressful time or important day in your life. The entire thing lasts 90 minutes and starts with a full-body exfoliation. Basically, your whole body is scrubbed to get the dead skin cells off.  You’re then wrapped in warm towels and your head, neck and scalp are massaged for 20 minutes. That’s just the warm-up. Then the masseuse digs in for a full-body massage that lasts an hour. I definitely couldn’t afford to do this type of thing very often. It costs $100. If you can afford it, the Ultimate Massage is just the right thing to escape from the wearying concerns of your everyday life.

Address: 1629 Mahan Center Boulevard

 

 

Day 84: Treat yourself to Tasty Pastry

It’s fitting that after writing about spin class, I show you how to add back on those fat cells you just burned off. Tasty Pastry is one of Tallahassee’s oldest and most beloved bakeries. They have rows upon rows of tempting treats, from huge specialty cupcakes, to pecan squares, eclairs, cookies, muffins, donuts, cakes, and so much more. There are only a few tables to eat at inside the shop, it’s more of a place to grab something to-go for the office or a party. Tasty Pastry is also known for its ability to make specially designed cakes of practically anything you choose (they could give Cake Boss a run for his money) and is a perennial favorite for wedding cakes. My only problem with them is trying to figure out what to order. Everything looks so good that I hem and haw for five minutes before making my selection. Like most bakeries, they don’t have the best hours. Tasty Pastry is closed on Sundays and open 6:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. the other days.

Address: 1355 Market Street Suite A-5