Celebrating at the Tradewinds Resort

I was invited to Christmas Dinner at the Tradewinds Resort on St. Petersburg Beach, and I’m just now coming out of my food coma. The annual buffet is held in the main lobby and adjacent ballroom, and it’s spectacular. I skipped the huge salad bar station and headed directly for the jumbo cocktail shrimp and cold seafood table, making my way then to the prime rib and turkey carving chefs. One huge table held sides from mashed potatoes to pasta, while another held brunch items for late-rising guests.

My friends Jean and Mark joined me in attempting to taste almost everything, which was an impossible feat. We ate slowly, enjoying the beautifully decorated dining room and the impeccable service, and trying to save room for the dessert station and chocolate fountain.

I tried to taste everything sweet from the German chocolate cake to the petit fours and a few strawberries dipped in the fountain. Jean had a decadent cheesecake and Mark had one of every kind of petit four and truffle on the elaborate table.

It was a lovely way to celebrate Christmas, and even better, to be out of the kitchen and spend time with friends. And judging by the many suntanned diners, a lot of folks came from out of town to escape the snow and bask in the 80 degree sunny day we had. www.tradewindsresort.com