How many peas do you think you've eaten in your life?

[csziggy]

44. I'm jealous - I haven't been to the Columbia for many years

At least 30 since I've been to the one in Ybor City. The last time we were in St. Pete we went to the one they had on the pier. It was good food, of course and the view was great but it lacked the ambiance of the original.

At the one in Ybor City try asking at the bar about the secret dining rooms. When I was a kid (about 50 years ago) we took Canadian relatives to the Columbia. For some reason I was wandering around the outside of the building and went into the butcher shop that used to be around the side. The gentleman there and I talked and it turned out he was the son of the owners of the Columbia.

He offered to show my family something special and took us behind the bar and down some stairs. There are two secret dining rooms and a wine and booze cellar under the restaurant. One dining room is for men with some risque paintings. The other is the ladies dining room, very elegant with gold plated implements. I wish I had owned a camera - the rooms were really interesting and I doubt I will ever get a chance to get that tour again. I'm not near as cute and adorable as I was as a kid.

I have the Columbia Restaurant cookbook which has a history of the business but it does not mention the secret dining rooms. And I have searched the internet and never found any mention of them.

If you cook, get a container of their smoked paprika. It is really different and adds a wonderful taste to recipes, especially Arroz con Pollo.