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Bistro brings life to Channel District By Amy Scherzer
CHEF B.J.'S 12TH STREET BISTRO
WHAT: Casual Channelside eatery serves uptown chicken, burgers, salads and pasta in generous portions.WHERE: 209 S. 12th St., Tampa
HOURS: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday
CREDIT CARDS: All major
CALL: (813) 221-1278
R E V I E W
TAMPA - Sandwiched between a roller rink, a walk-in medical clinic and a half-built parking garage, Chef B.J.'s 12th Street Bistro is a new entree in the Channelside District.B.J., short for Barbara Johnston, found the spot almost two months ago, after 30 years in California and Texas. During those years, she trained at the Culinary Institute of America in San Francisco, and established a business as a studio caterer in Hollywood.
That's when she was cast as Rosie, ``fastest cook in the world,'' on two episodes of the ABC sitcom ``Home Improvement,'' now seen on reruns.
Chicken is the most plucky category on the menu: fried, grilled, on a kabob or in a salad. Try a Monterey chicken sandwich, grilled and covered with Swiss cheese ($6.75), Southern fried with mashed potatoes and gravy ($5.50), or layered with grilled veggies on a kabob ($6.75). All are accompanied by interesting sauces, such as pesto ranch or Greek cucumber.
A warm chicken salad ($6.25) is made with fresh greens topped with grilled chicken strips, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions and buttermilk dressing.
Two other salads - Greek loaded with feta, assorted olives and potato salad; and a chef salad mixing smoked turkey and ham, crunchy veggies, Mandarin oranges and a sprinkle of almonds - are $5.50 each.
For the burger bunch, there are two ways to go: vegetarian topped with cheese, sprouts and tomato slices ($5.25) or a colossal cheeseburger ($6.25).
A four-egg omelet is filling, stuffed with ham, chicken or vegetables ($6.25). A fruit platter boasts strawberries, cantaloupe, honeydew, grapes and yogurt dressing ($4.50).
Recent pasta-of-the-day offerings were sausage or shrimp ($5.50). Other daily specials range from a Philly cheese steak ($6.75) to a T-bone ($8.50).
Two sandwich favorites are herb-rubbed turkey ($5.75) and grilled Monte Cristo with ham and cheese ($5.50). Both triple-deckers are served with either potato or pasta salad.
Beer and wine are served, and on most days there is live jazz from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Catering is a major portion of B.J.'s business, and watch for two more restaurants in the works. Later this month, B.J. will open a deli-bakery in Union Station at the edge of downtown Tampa. Soon after, B.J.'s Boathouse at 1002 Channelside Drive will feature seafood and a ``Disneylike'' marine musical revue.
Chef B.J.'s 12th Street Bistro
