MILLER'S BRANDON ALE HOUSE, BRANDON, FL

OR....THE A B C'S OF DINING OUT!

My original pick PLAN A this week was Stillwaters Tavern in Downtown St. Pete. After watching Hurricane Weather reports for days we somehow got it into our heads that driving to that neck of the woods was probably not a good idea - wind, rain, flooding, no parking, holiday weekend, etc.

So I selected PLAN B the newly opened Tibby's New Orleans Kitchen in Brandon. Reviews of their other locations were favorable so I had high hopes and gave them a call. They don't take reservations or call aheads "yet" but maybe in the future. So we took a chance and upon arrival we were told it would be a one hour and forty minute wait (GASP) for a table. Naturally we decided not to stay. The place was jumping with enthusiasm and we felt disappointed to be turned away. I have only myself to blame, for what was I thinking trying out a restaurant open only FOUR DAYS in the middle of a holiday weekend!? We'll plan on going back for a late lunch and see what all the fuss is about. Last minute changes are awkward with a large group but we salvaged the night by going to the nearby Miller's Brandon Ale House PLAN C . There we were greeted warmly and seated quickly (I guess everyone else in Brandon was standing on line at Tibby's!).

Brandon Ale House offers typical pub food with some surprising twists on their menu like Cajun Chicken and Jambalaya (I'm guessing these would likely pale in comparison to the new place down the block). We settled in for burgers or ribs or cobb salads and hubby bravely went for the Osso Buco - something else you wouldn't expect on a pub menu (pictured here with some disturbing plating techniques don't you think?) It was all okay but nothing exciting. A safe port in the storm.

Dessert at our house was also a PLAN B in that I'd asked hubby to pick up a Pecan Pie to go along with the Cajun theme but Publix didn't have any so he selected one of their very yummy apple pies. Still, it wasn't Cajun - but then again, neither was our meal. It just shows you that you need to remain flexible and go with the flow and keep a sense of humor - especially when the sun had come out to mock me and my original concerns to avoid St. Pete. Stay tuned for reviews of PLANS A & B because I'm determined to go sometime soon.

Brandon Ale House 1817 W. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, FL 33511 / 813-643-0511 www.millersalehouse.com/location/brandon-ale-house