Slaine

Sorry to be a while in responding.

We drove up to FSU on Saturday and saw the overtime Clemson game in rather nicer Florida weather! Great game and a friendly welcome from the guys there.

All in all it was a great trip.

Thanks guys - we had a great time on the trip in spite of the weather.  I really appreciate the suggestions that you gave us.  We did make it to the original Hooters and we saw a good game from the Bulls so it's all good.

First of all my apologies for not getting to meet any of you guys. We set off, hit a couple of bars and then walked the last bit up to the parking lots by which time we were so wet and miserable we just went into the stadium to get out of the rain.

We had a brilliant time and I'm so pleased that the Bulls won. White looks like a good QB and if his receivers could catch USF would have won comfortably.

As it is the D did a great job. The pressure on their QB made them one dimensional and other than the opening run of the game the Huskies were a non-threat offensively.

It may have been the single most one-sided 17-14 game I've ever seen.

Thank you all for your advice and hospitality. We've loved it here and once you find another threat or two at WR you'll be tough to beat.

Thanks again for all your help and suggestions.

Well we've armed ourselves with a poncho each and will be heading out soon. Go Bulls!

I'm sorry man. This is the worst weather possible... At least you'll be able to find a nice seat.

It's no problem - at least it's warm!

It may stop us tailgating properly if the rain stays torrential though.

Well we've armed ourselves with a poncho each and will be heading out soon. Go Bulls!

Had a few beers at a place called The Dogs Bollocks last night. Out at Clearwater right now and hoping that the rain goes soon. Thanks for the Thurs night recommendations but the 6 hour delay killed that one. At least there's compensation for that.

Well we're on the plane but it's not going anywhere. Engine cover off and a plane full of pissed off passengers. Hopefully we arrive in time for the Thurs night game...

Have you guys already met me?

Perfect tips, thank you.

(Day 2 edits) As for Italian http://www.gratzzigrille.com/ blows away bella brava , granted not on the water/park front. Good rooftop bar downtown is Canopy. Also any of the 6 or so breweries downtown is worth a stop as well as the Ale and the Witch. There is a killer Thai place called Saab Cafe, for bbq there is Urban Brew and BBQ. In my opinion one of the best burger Joints I have ever been to is near downtown as well, Worth stopping at Eng No. 9.

Thanks mate - we should be nicely pickled by game time!

Thanks CPR. We'll have fun regardless but it would be great to see a win.

If you want Shepherd's Pie you could try the Pub in International Plaza. Although, it might not be to your standards.

I think it's likely to be wings, steak and some more wings whilst we're over.

Ah OK. Thanks.

You guys are brilliant - thanks for all this information. We re going to have a brilliant time. Shepherd's Pie or no shepherd's pie!

Really excited about our trip now. had trouble sleeping last night and we don't fly until Thursday morning.

The current plan is catch the Thurs game in a bar somewhere (probably local in Ybor); Friday check out the beaches and then come back for the game and a bit of tailgating.  Though it sounds like the Friday game and recent form may be slowing some of that down.

Regardless, hopefully we'll bump into some of you guys and I can't say thank you enough for how helpful you've all been regarding suggestions for the area - it's going to help make the trip for us so thanks again.

Is this open to anyone?

Oh - and why?  Well the flights are already booked.

And the strip bars are supposed to be pretty **** good round there.

I'll be there with my two mates from England.  Can't guarantee that we won't have had a couple of brews though...

Yep, 4 and 8. Number 2 will be Friday night.

i bloody hope so - that's the one I'm coming to see!

1) Bulls!

2) 20-19
3) Marlon Mack
4) McFarland

5) 333

Just a quick bump as it's less than two weeks to go now.

Well impressed with you guys hanging tough with Maryland - particularly after the way they started the season. Huge effort by the D - I'm looking forward to seeing them when we come to Tampa.

I also wanted to say thank you again for all the information - my guys are a bit lastminute.com so we're still nailing down exactly what we're planning on doing but whatever happens thanks to all of you we'll have a great time.

Winghouse has been added to the list of places to visit!

You bastards are just making me hungry now!

Am in training for the heat though. It's about as hot and humid as it gets here at the moment. Laughable by your standards no doubt!

Don't leave FL until you've had a Cuban sandwich (a real ybor treat) and a devil crab (another ybor treat) during casual dining.

 

For fine dining and seafood I recommend the Charter House on the water.

 

Please repost during game week so we can talk football!

Thanks for the recommendations.  I will definitely be back to find out more about how the teams coming on and who wins the QB race. i had a read of a pretty comprehensive preview from a guy who sounded like he knew what he was talking about:

http://www.sbnation.com/2014/4/30/5665968/south-football-football-2014-preview-schedule-roster

I don't know how true it is but it helped me understand a bit more about the team.

Thanks for the reassurance re-Ybor. I thought based on reviews that it was a reasonable option but obviously some of your experiences there differ! You know that we're not going to be hitting any student bars or anything like that. If our "drunk-arsehole" detectors are working then I'm sure all will be well.

It sounds like the plan wll be to do the beach and a restaurant on Thursday (and Mons Venus if I have any say in it!) and then Busch Gardens and tailgating Friday.  It also sounds like we'll need a car for the whole stay rather than just the trip up to Tallahassee on Saturday.

What do you all think would be a reasonable time to get down to the stadium for a Friday night game and a few brews?

I really appreciate all the help. At the moment the beach is high on the list and some of the restaurants sound great too.

And Speedy Bull - thank you so much for the offer. We may well take you up on that. Once we know a bit more about what we're doing then we'll get in touch.