OT - Kapoc Tree Restaurant?

[PreppyPolyMom]

This is off topic from Disney, but I didn't know where else to post. I remember years ago going to a restaurant in FL called "The Kapoc Tree" I am not sure if I am spelling it right. Does anyone remember that? Where is it? Is it still in business. Thanks!

 

[dixiedizfan]

I ate at the Kapok Tree several years ago; it was very unique. I'm thinking it was in the Tampa area, but not sure.

 

[dixiedizfan]

Okay, I did a search. The Kapok Tree was in Clearwater, FL and has been closed for years. Shoot!

 

[Christine]

Okay, I did a search. The Kapok Tree was in Clearwater, FL and has been closed for years. Shoot!

YES!! I ate there as a child. When I was a kid, we lived in Maryland and way up in Western Maryland (I think) there was this HUGE restaurant called the Peter Pan Inn. It was a sister restaurant to the Kapoc Tree. I remember the Kapoc Tree logo printed on the Peter Pan glasses we used to get. I just remember it being a huge restaurant, with a large bar area and many unique, weird dining rooms. A very strange place.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

That's funny...I live in the Ft Lauderdale area, but was raised in Miami. i remember a "Kapok Tree Inn" and it was near Ft Lauderdale, not far from where I live now (western part of the county.) I remember as a kid it was a fancy place and a big deal, but alas, I never got to go. Now there are luxury homes on the land where it once stood, and they are called "Kapok Estates" or something like that. You probably remember the one from the Clearwater area, though...right?

 

[PreppyPolyMom]

YES!! I ate there as a child. When I was a kid, we lived in Maryland and way up in Western Maryland (I think) there was this HUGE restaurant called the Peter Pan Inn. It was a sister restaurant to the Kapoc Tree. I remember the Kapoc Tree logo printed on the Peter Pan glasses we used to get. I just remember it being a huge restaurant, with a large bar area and many unique, weird dining rooms. A very strange place.

I went their on vaction with my friend's family when I was little, maybe 10 or 12, and I remember these really neat glasses our drinks came in and this huge tree growing through the roof (that must have been the Kapok Tree )

Good memories, I wanted my kids to experience it. I guess they will have Rainforest Cafe instead.

 

[dkostel]

There were 2 or 3 Kapok Tree Inns. The one I went to was in Clearwater. It was there for quite a long time and then just disappeared overnight (maybe 8-10 years ago). It was quite the scandal, people lost wedding deposits, employees not paid, etc.
They used to have Heavenly corn fritters!!

 

[BCV2003]

I too remember going to the Kapok Tree many times when I was a child. It was a tradition when we were in Florida. Just a few weeks ago a family member gave me some old photos and there was a post card in there from the Kapok Tree.

 

[Golf4food]

Both my parent's and my MIL/FIL went there on their honeymoon (the one in Clearwater). My parent's took me when I was around the 3-5 yr old range and they still tell the story about how the waiter brought something out on a silver serving tray and I yelled out "PIZZA!!!" and the entire dining room cracked up laughing...

I vaguely remember it being a very nice place from a later trip when I was older. It is a shame it is kaput.

 

[Abra Cat]

My parents took me to The Kapok Tree a few times as a kid, and I remember getting a Shirley Temple with a big wand of rock candy in it. Mmm... sounds good right now!

 

[mickeymousemom]

OMG! I totally forgot about this place! Growing up, we vacationed at Clearwater beach every year and we ate at this place a couple times. I loved it! We have pictures somewhere and I think even a postcard bought for a souvenir. I loved all the different dining rooms. Oh well....sorry to hear it's closed, but thanks so much to the OP for bringing back a great memory!

 

[dizneykid]

Thanks for the memories. My family used to vacation every summer in Redington Beach visiting my grandmother. We would go to the restaurant at least once a year! Usually there were about 15 of us!!

I remember the adults couldn't wait to have their famous "Planters Punch" drinks in those large glasses (I think they were called Hurricane Glasses or maybe there was a drink by that name?).

There was also one in Seminole, Florida for a short time, but there are townhomes built there now.

 

[cepmom]

They used to have Heavenly corn fritters!!

this place was my favorite place to eat at when we went to visit my grandparents in FL!! I don't remember that much about the place now, except that I loved those corn fritters!!! I'm sad to hear it's gone now

 

[disfanatiks]

I went to the one in Clearwater when I was about 10 or 11. Wow over 30 years ago now.

Found this on recipesource.com

* Exported from MasterCook *

Kapok Tree Inn Corn Fritters

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 1 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Fritters

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 C. all-purpose flour -- sifted
1 1/2 Tsp. baking powder
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tsp. salt
1 egg
1/4 C. milk
1/2 C. whole kernel corn
fat for deep frying

Resift flour, baking powder, sugar and salt together.
Add egg, milk and corn. Stir until blended. Drop batter into
fat a teaspoonful at a time. Maintain fat at 350 degrees and fry
until golden brown, turning once with a spoon to cook evenly.
Remove fritters from fat and drain on paper towel. Serve
piping hot on a warm platter. Sprinkle fritters with
confectioners sugar before serving.

 

[bksmm]

The Clearwater Kapok Tree restaurant was a huge restaurant with multiple elequent dining rooms, gift shops and banquet halls. It also had inside and outside gardens filled with trees, statues, and fountains. The Kapok tree itself was outside the restaurant and is still there today. The building is also still there (off of McMullen Booth Road) and has been converted to a hugh music and piano store.

There were also short lived spinoff restaurants in Seminole (near St. Petersburg) and Ft. Lauderdale. The Clearwater and Seminole restaurants were closed roughly 16 years ago due to financial reasons and fines from repeated health code violations.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

This thread is so funny! I saw the title and I thought "Isn't that where we went to dinner before the prom?" I went to high school in Largo, FL. I graduated in 1988 so it is ENTIRELY possible that we did eat there! Sorry it isn't there anymore! Not that I remember much about the dinner!

 

[LuvN~Travel]

I had also eaten at the one in Clearwater when I was 14. Our youth at church were having some kind of banquet there. (graduation I think).
It was a beautiful place to eat to a 14 yr old. I still remember the gardens of the restaurant. And, remember thinking the food was great too.
I went searching for it online a few years ago, but figured it must be closed when I couldn't find any info on it. What a shame!
Kim

 

[SnowWhite]

I was at the Kapok Tree in Clearwater when I was 8 years old!!! Ok now not to give away how old I am but that was in 1981


My mom and I have these big glasses from there with these straws with flowers around them....I went there with my grandparents and parents while we were staying in St Petersburg....wow thats a memory!!

 

[Poohbear123]

Yes, I ate there too, about 3 times, the last in 1981 (Sept). It was big from what I remember, and had various Banquet Rooms too, and the food was decent. If I am not mistaken, they had an all you could eat buffet for about $12.00 back than, that was steep! It too, closed not too long after my visit, and I was sad to see it go. Just like Pirates World and The Sportatorium.

 

[Paula H]

This place crosses my mind often - as a kid in the mid-70's, a dinner there was a treat - we'd drive down to St. Pete every Feb. and dinner at the Kapok and one day at MK (the only park then) were the two big events. I distinctly remember a large room - maybe a bar-type area - that had tenting on the walls - made you feel like you were in the middle of a desert somewhere exotic. The gardens were beautiful, and the grown ups always got fancy drinks.

What a great thread!