Top 10 Eateries in Tampa: Celebrate Your Move

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Congratulations! You’ve successfully moved to Tampa, and now it is time to explore all that it has to offer. After your move, you will need some good food to pick you up. Here is a top ten list of fantastic eateries in Tampa.

1. Best place to splash the cash: Ocean Prime

Celebrate in style at Ocean Prime. Everything on the menu is tempting, especially the seafood options. Enjoy live piano music while exquisite views overlooking the lake adjacent to the restaurant. The Ocean Prime with its outstanding fine dining and contemporary features is a special spot to celebrate your move.

2. Best local choice: Al’s Finger Licking Good BBQ

Get your taste buds dancing with delicious BBQ food. Known not only for its outstanding Tennessee-style barbeque but also for its tasty sides, Al’s remains a top-rated barbeque joint in Florida. Now, it’s your chance to see what all the fuss is about.

3. Best Italian cuisine: La Terrazza

This quaint Italian bistro is an ideal way to celebrate your move to Tampa. With authentic Italian dishes, this warm and inviting restaurant with its friendly servers is waiting to welcome you to your new city.

4. Best lunch spot: Fresh Kitchen

After the stress of moving you’ll need some healthy food to give you energy. For that, no place in Tampa is better than Fresh Kitchen. Build your own gluten-free bowl with hormone and antibiotic free grilled meat and colorful roasted vegetables.

5. Best Treats: Wright’s Gourmet House

This cafe deli has been serving customers since 1963. It is no wonder that it has such a strong following. The menu includes classic American sandwiches and a wide selection of delicious treats. The cakes are so popular that we recommend trying each one!

6. Best cheap eats: Wat Mongkolratanaram Thai Temple

Overspent on your moving budget? Then, you’ll be looking for delicious but economical meals, and this great Thai temple food market is the answer. Wat Tamp holds a weekly Sunday Market from 8:30 am – 1 pm. It includes a variety of authentic Thai food prepared by Temple volunteers and seasoned to your taste. All proceeds go towards the temple. Sit by the river and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings.

7. Best award winner: Rooster & The Till

Best known for its forward-thinking cuisine, we love the menu here. From the ‘small dishes’ to the ‘slightly larger’ options, each dish is a good price and tastes divine. Be sure to try the gnocchi and pork belly.

8. Best atmosphere: The Reading Room

With a menu that changes frequently, you’re sure to be visiting a few times after your move. The chefs are experimental and create fantastically flavorsome dishes that will have your taste buds watering. The concept behind the restaurant was to create a space that combines community and food culture. We’d say that it’s a success.

9. Best unique restaurant: Noble Rice

Why not enjoy your celebration meal at Tampa’s first American Izakaya? With the exposed brick wall, rustic wood decor, and modern industrial lighting, this cozy 32 seat space, Nobel Rice serves exceptional fresh sushi, ramen, yakitori, and small plates common in a Japanese Izakaya (Pub). It features local craft beer, imported Japanese beer, shochu, and sake.

10. Best modern cuisine: Edison Food + Drink Lab.

A menu that changes daily to reflect new foodie-experiments and the freshest ingredients you never know what will be featured. But you are guaranteed one thing, excellent food quality, and customer service.

Time to start your new life in Tampa

We know that you’ll have a fantastic time exploring Tampa after your move. Start with these incredible eateries and then move onto finding additional places to explore. It will soon feel like home sweet home.

 

Need help with your relocation? Contact us for a free quote.

Top Moving Day Tips & Tricks That Actually Work

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While preparing for a move we’ve all reached that point when we’re scratching our heads, knee deep in bubble wrap, desperately trying to figure out how to best pack our belongings. Read on for a list of some top moving tips and hacks that actually work. Get ready to say goodbye to a problematic moving day.

1. Secure Screws and Hardware

Place furniture screws and accessories into a small Ziploc bag, label the container, and attach it to the corresponding piece of furniture with painter’s tape. Make sure you only attach the bag to the back or underside of the furniture so that the tape does not cause damage.

2. Transport Books in a Suitcase With Wheels

Save space and potential back problems by packing books into suitcases with wheels. It will not only be easy to transport, but you also won’t have to lift heavy items.

3. Leave Clothes On Hangers

Instead of taking the clothes off the hangers and packing up both the clothes and the hangers, leave them hanging. Simply keep your wardrobe on the hangers and place a plastic drawstring garbage bag over the top. Now you can easily take them off the closet rod in your old home to the closet in your new home.

4. Plastic Wrap Your Drawers

Sorting the clothes from your drawers is time-consuming, and the clothes take up space in additional boxes. To save your sanity, use plastic wrap around your drawers and tape the ends down on the plastic wrap only. To avoid damage be careful to never place tape directly on the dresser. Your belongings will stay in place, and you won’t have to unpack each one for the movers.

5. Place Bedding in Pillow Cases

Bedding is bulky and can be difficult to pack. Instead, put bedding sets inside pillowcases. Not only does this keep the bedding together as a set, but it also saves on space.

6. Cover Tops of Liquids in Plastic Wrap Before Putting the Lid On

Transporting liquid items can be tricky. A bottle of liquid can cause damage to belongings during a move if it spills. To avoid a messy mishap, cover the top of the container with a little plastic wrap before screwing on the lid.

7. Stow Away Knives Safely

Wrap your knives in packing paper and place them in an oven mitt to safely store for the move. Place a piece of duct tape across the oven mitt and write “knives” so that whoever is handling that item is cautious of the contents.

8. Take Photos of Your Electronics

Before disconnecting your electronics, use your smartphone to take a few photos of how the cables are configured. Refer back to the pictures on the other end of your move when setting up your electronics. This will save you time and frustration in the end.

9. Be Creative With Containers

Find containers around your house to substitute for boxes. For instance, use kitchen pots to pack small kitchen items such as spices and gadgets. Also, use available baskets, bins, hampers, and clean wastebaskets to pack other things. This will help save on boxes.

10. Pack a Cooler for Moving Day

With the chaos of moving day, it’s easy to get dehydrated and hungry. Fill a cooler with water, Gatorade, snacks, and sandwiches so that you can keep your energy up during the day. Bring the cooler with you in the car so that it is readily available when needed.

Our list is tried and tested, with great results! Follow these to make moving a bit easier. Need help with your move, contact Browning Moving & Storage.

Top 5 Hidden Parks in Tampa

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Listed as a finalist for the 2018 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation, Tampa is proud of its parks and trails. To celebrate, we’ve listed five unique, hidden parks in the Tampa area.

These are fantastic places that even the locals might not know about. So, if you’re looking to explore the stunning nature of Tampa without the crowds, then this is your definitive guide.

  1. Eureka Spring Conservation Park is the only botanical park in Hillsborough County. Although relatively small at just 31 acres, the garden trails pass through many rare and unusual tropical plants. Stroll along the impressive boardwalk that winds through a beautiful forested wetland area. Stop by the rose garden, orchid room, and greenhouse. You can even take a picnic to enjoy.

  2. Purity Springs Park is a pocket-sized park with a glorious little crystalline blue pool just north of downtown Tampa. Purity Spring Park is one in a series of dedicated urban parks. The spring is only 21 feet across but is beautiful to sit near and enjoy a picnic under the looming oak trees. Or, perhaps rest on one of the many benches with a good book.

  3. Blackwater Creek Reserve is a beautiful secluded 2000 acre spot. If you’re looking for stunning natural beauty away from the hubbub of downtown, then this is a must visit. There are two hiking trails which cover 6 miles. Walk the routes, and you can expect to see many types of wild birds and animals including hawks, wild turkeys, deer and even gopher tortoise. Enjoy cypress domes, hardwood hammocks, wet prairies, and freshwater marshes in this quiet reserve.

  4. Moccasin Lake Nature Park is an urban nature reserve near Highway 19. This area of wilderness boasts 1 mile of wooded winding trails and boardwalks. During your visit be sure to stop by the butterfly garden to see the many fluttering critters and the turtle pond, which children especially will love. For the best lookout spot head to The Cypress Trail which leads to a bluff overlooking a large lake. The park with its 51 acres also features an educational nature center which includes rehabilitated bald eagles, owls, hawks, and vultures.

  5. Colt Creek, at 5000 acres has something for everyone to enjoy. There are more than 12 miles of trails shared by hikers, bicyclists, and horseback riders. You can also fish on any of the three lakes. Colt Creek is home to many vulnerable plants and animals such as the Longleaf Pine, the gopher tortoise, and Sherman’s fox squirrel. Keep your eyes peeled, and you can also see American alligators, bald eagles, and the white-tailed deer.

Thanks to its location on the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa offers numerous picturesque parks just waiting to be explored. From hiking trails to water sports there is something for everyone to enjoy. Head there today, and you’ll be sure to see plenty of wildlife without the crowds.

 

So, grab your hiking boots and start exploring.

Top 10 Tips for Moving with Pets

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Just like humans, pets may find moving to a new house stressful. The moving process itself is disruptive to a pet’s routine. Couple that with unfamiliar surroundings and the whole experience is very unsettling. Here are our top tips on how to keep your little furry and feathered friends happy during the move.

1. Prepare Your Pet

If you need to use a kennel for the move, prepare your pet by introducing it a few weeks beforehand. Put comfy bedding and pet treats in it for them to find. Then when it comes to moving day, they will already be accustomed to entering the kennel.

2. Know State Laws

Be sure to update your contact details with your vet If you are moving locally.

Since pet regulations vary significantly by state,  if you are moving interstate, contact the state veterinarian and the town hall to learn about pet regulations and license fees.

3. Update Your Pet’s ID

Pets moving to a new location can find it confusing and often get lost in their new surroundings. It is essential to have a pet identification tag made. You could use a simple luggage tag and write your pet’s name, your name, destination address, and telephone number. Or, visit a local pet supply shop to have one made and attached to the collar.

Also, make sure that you update your pet’s microchip registration information so that If your pet gets lost, you can be contacted at your current location.

4. Keep Pets Away From the Action

It’s best for animals of all shapes and sizes to be kept far away from the busy moving day activities. Put them in a quiet room and keep the door shut. Or, if possible, have a neighbor or friend pet-sit that day with your pet at their house.

5. Drive Your Pet to the New House

Federal regulations state that moving companies cannot carry animals in vans. Driving your pet yourself is the best option to ease their stress levels. Pack a pet travel kit that includes familiar bedding, a leash, treats, water, a favorite toy, and cleanup equipment.

Cover bird cages with a towel or light fabric during transportation. Remove water from the cage to avoid spillage but provide regular water throughout the trip.

6. Traveling by Plane

If your move requires you to transport your pet by plane, make sure you do thorough research. Each airline has its own rules and regulations concerning pet transport. You might need to microchip your pet, have a current Rabies Vaccine, and a recent Fit to Fly Health (APHIS 7001) Certificate.

Contact your airline directly for its specific requirements.

7. Staying Overnight

If you need to spend a day or two overnight in a hotel, then visit petswelcome.com to search for pet-friendly hotels along your route.  

8. Introduce the New House Slowly

Do not let your pet out of their cage or kennel until you are in the house ready to unpack. If your pet’s bedding and a familiar spot in the old house was the kitchen, place their bedding there and start by introducing that one room. When they feel settled, introduce another room. Carry on until they know and feel comfortable in the whole house.

9. Create Familiarity

Animals are accustomed to their usual routine and surroundings so replicate these in the new home. For example, if the water bowl is usually next to the back door then position it there in the new house.

10. Familiarizing Your Pet With the Neighborhood

After moving to the new home and introducing the rooms, walk your dog around the block. Take time to let them become used to their surroundings and the smells.

If your cat is an outdoor cat do not let him outside until he is familiar with his surroundings. Expect this to take a few weeks.

One Big Happy Family!

Follow these simple tips, and your pet will soon adjust to its new surroundings. We’re here to help move you, your loved ones, and your pets to your new house. Contact us for a quote today.

10 Top Tips for an Eco-Friendly Move

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From carpooling to composting, in today’s society, there are many ways to have an eco-friendly lifestyle. So, why not try an eco-friendly move? Follow our top tips to get started.

1. Stock Up on Needed Items

We recommend at least two months of planning time. You can use this time to stock up on useful materials such as newspapers and magazines. Ask friends and family to do the same. When it comes to packing, you’ll have lots of materials you can use.

2. Throw a Purge Party

Moving is a great time to cull through your belongings. But, before you reach for the trash can, think twice about throwing things away. Organize a ‘purge party,’ invite friends and family to rummage through and take anything from your unwanted goods. Leftover items can be donated.

3. Donate What You Don’t Need

Donate a variety of items, from clothing to electrical equipment. Research donation drop-off centers in your area. Contact them in advance if you are not sure they will accept your items.

4. Gather Boxes

Ask your local supermarket for their used boxes. They will have all sizes and shapes, perfect for packing.

Alternatively, secure reusable plastic boxes for your move. Check with your mover to see if they offer this option.

5. Be Thrifty When Packing

Limit or eliminate the need for plastic bubble wrap by using your soft clothing, towels, oven mitts, blankets, scarves, etc., to pack some of your items. Not only will this be more environmentally friendly it will also be more cost-effective.

6. Stay Organized

Staying organized means fewer trips back and forth. If you’re going to the donation center, try to get rid of everything in one trip. If you’re stocking up on boxes from your local supermarket, do this while you complete your regular grocery shopping. You’ll save on gas money, and it is better for the environment.

7. Consider a Professional Moving Company

A professional moving company will move all of your belongings in just one trip.

8. Use Your Smartphone

Instead of reaching for pen and paper, try one of the many excellent moving apps that you can download onto your smartphone. Organize your whole move online with no wasted paper!

9. Start Fresh

Moving is a great time to re-address some of your buying habits and start fresh. Pack new eco-friendly items such as energy saving light bulbs, a compost bin, chemical-free toiletries and eco-friendly cleaning products.

10. Start Small, Aim High

Small changes to you can mean significant changes to the world. Look around you and see what other things you can do to be eco-friendly. You might find some great ideas on creative websites such as Pinterest.

Ready to Move?

Following these top ten tips is the ideal way to start your planning for an eco-friendly move. We’re sure that once you have started, you’ll soon find lots of other ways to have a greener move day.

 

We’re ready to help! Contact us for a quote today.