Back to Kelsey's Final Project

I know I'm not alone when I say that often, as a college student, I'm forced to skip breakfast for one reason or another. If it's the weekend, I might just sleep right through breakfast. And during the week, I'm lucky if I have time to scarf down a granola bar before class or in between copious amounts of reading and writing which has become my norm as an English major. However, when the rare opportunity for me to grab breakfast or brunch with a friend presents itself, I take it. And since it is so rare that I get to enjoy a hot, delicious breakfast, for me its go big or stay home with a bowl of Special K. This is one dining occasion worth saving up (both money and room in the tummy), because there's nothing better than starting the day off right with an amazing meal.

The bad news is, there aren't a whole lot of good breakfast places in the downtown St. Pete area, unless you're in the mood to simply grab a bagel. The good news is, you CAN have the breakfast of your dreams...you just have might have to travel a little farther to get there.

This first restaurant is without a doubt a splurge in every way possible, but a hundred percent worth it. Its the Sunday Champagne Brunch Buffet at Island Way Grill in Clearwater, Florida. Yes, you'll spend about twenty dollars on your meal, and you'll have to drive to Clearwater to get it. This is not an everyday, grab your morning coffee and a muffin kind of place. Its a special treat, and like most other special treats, it's not the most convenient. You have to see and taste the food to really understand the magnitude of this buffet, and once you do it will be impossible to forget. It is only available on Sundays, and your flat fee includes all of the homemade breakfast goodies plus a glass of champagne or mimosa. One of my favorite things about this brunch is the Omelette station. Simply pick from a vast array of fresh ingredients, and the chef will prepare your custom omelette right in front of your eyes. From belgian waffles and breakfast breads, to sushi, to a full raw bar with fresh oysters on the half shell, to salads, a variety of international cheeses, hand carved ham and roast beef (just to name a few), you'll forget about the money you spent and the drive you had to make to get to Island Way.

Also on the beach, and consequently a little bit of a hike from campus, is a little restaurant called the Frog Pond. You'll also want to suck it up and make the drive for this one. Once you walk in, you can have a laugh at the amphibian motif while you wait. Yes, you will wait, especially if you go on a weekend. What is really important is that the food quality is unbeatable and the ingredients are fresh. As an added bonus, the portion sizes are gargantuan. You'll likely pay $10-$12 for your breakfast, but hey - between the long list of eggs benedict variations, both sweet and savory crepes, and frittatas made with all fresh ingredients and you cannot get a better breakfast in this area. All meals come with a huge fresh fruit assortment, two slices of toast, and home fries. If you want to go to the Frog Pond but you're trying to cut dining costs, have no fear. Although there is a charge for sharing, there is no charge for boxing up your breakfast and eating the entire second meal you're guaranteed to have left over the next morning.

If you're looking for something more casual, inexpensive and/or closer to home, Cafe 100 in the Northern Trust Bank building in downtown St. Pete is super affordable, and they offer home cooked meals fast, like gourmet breakfast sandwiches and fluffy buttermilk pancakes with sausage, all for under $5 and at a much higher quality than what you might get at the drive through. 

1) Island Way Grill - Check out the Champagne Brunch Buffet; every Sunday from 11am-3pm. And make a reservation, because most of the time the place is packed.

20 Island Way
Clearwater, FL 33767-2203
(727) 461-6617

2) Frog Pond- Enjoy every possible frog decoration you could imagine while you nosh on one of their quiches and fresh brewed coffee!

16909 Gulf Blvd

N Redington Beach, FL 33708

(727) 392-4117

3) Cafe 100 - Fresh, tasty, and FAST, Cafe 100 is sure to become one of your favorite spots for a bite to eat before class.

100 2nd Ave. South

Saint Petersburg Fl. 33701

727-898-8686