When friends or relatives visit town, everyone has that mental list of go-to restaurants we always recommend, the kinds of places that are either iconic Bay area spots or just so damn good we know they won’t disappoint. For this year’s Food Issue, Creative Loafing is doing that list one better.
On June 17, we’ll print the definitive list of Tampa Bay’s Top 50 Restaurants. High-end to low-down, crab cakes to pancakes, we’re going to give you a rundown of the absolute must-visit food destinations our fine metropolitan area has to offer. Think you know the local restaurant scene? We need your help.
Below, in the comments section, we want you to recommend restaurants to go on that list. We'll reserve five spots on the Top 50 for the restaurants that get the most recommendations (no matter what I think of your choices). There's no limit to the number of times — or restaurants — you can recommend, so go to town. We'll shut down this post on Monday, June 8, at 3 p.m.
Then, starting on June 10, we’ll reveal the entire list on CL's Food Site, a week before it hits the stands, so you can vote for the best of the best in five different categories. Log on, vote in the poll, and make sure your favorite spot makes it to the top of the rankings.
Finally, on June 17, you’ll have the opportunity to pick the Bay area’s most outstanding restaurant from among the five category winners.
Who do you think neeeds to be on the list? Will your favorite spot make the list? Use your power to make it happen. Comment now!
This article appears in Jun 3-9, 2009.