Tampa Bay has an array of restaurants that represent different cuisines from around the globe. So put away your passport, save yourself an expensive flight overseas and check out some of the best ethnic fare the Bay area has to offer as picked by our CL staffers and faithful readers.
Critics' Picks:
Best Fish & Chips: Mad Dogs & Englishmen, Palma Ceia
Anglophiles on both sides of the bay have known for years that when only the perfect fish and chips will do, Mad Dogs is the destination. Greasy, but not too greasy, with that batter that’s crispy on the outside yet moist on the inside. The chips are great big slabs of salty golden awesome, and the portions are heroic. The whole meal is so authentic it oughta come wrapped in newspaper. There are a couple of other places in the area that come pretty close, but Mad Dogs has been doing it so well for so long that their perfection is second nature. 4115 S MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-832-3037, maddogs.com
Best Dinner and a Movie: Bollywood Cafe, Westchase
At first, it seemed like Bollywood Cafe would be all schtick and little substance. This new Westchase restaurant promised internet kiosks at every table, Bollywood flicks on the patio and food that seemed silly at best. But the menu turned out to be better than expected, with serious Indian dishes sharing space with bizarre but satisfying Indo-American fusions like chili paneer fries or tandoori penne vodka. It’s just the kind of fun but tasty fare you need to carry you through 90 minutes of massive, highly energetic choreographed dance numbers on the big screen in the courtyard. 9648 W Linebaugh Ave., Tampa, 813-926-4000, bollywoodcafe.us
Best "Why Didn't I Think of That" Fusion Restaurant: Nitally’s Thai-Mex Cuisine, Downtown St. Pete
A risky idea pays off handsomely for this spicy Grand Central space, and for St. Pete diners as well. The folks at Nitally take two of the boldest ethnic cuisines out there and cross-reference them both subtly — like serving a peanut chicken dish with tortillas — and outrageously (like their curry burritos). There’s also plenty of more traditional Thai fare on the menu for the less adventurous, and it’s wonderful, but it’s those epicureans willing to take a chance on chorizo fried rice or the stunning panang mole that really benefit from Nitally’s unique culinary perspective. 2462 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-321-8428, thai-mex.net
Best Lunchtime Thai: Sumo's Thai Cafe, Downtown Tampa
Only open for lunch, this family-owned bistro serves contemporary Thai food in a pleasant atmosphere. Perfectly browned spring rolls with a delicate spicy-sweet sauce and uniquely refreshing main dishes are sure to send you back to the office with a smile. It’s a bargain, too — even with an appetizer and drink, you’re not likely to break $15. 301 E Twiggs Ave., Tampa, 813-849-7866
This article appears in Sep 16-22, 2010.