Bec's, 6211 S. MacDill Ave. (813-837-2700). This tiny place (three tables inside, more on a charming outdoor patio) is open seven days a week. Grab-n-go morning drivers will love the palmlettes, calzone-like breakfast sandwiches stuffed with delicious combos of eggs, meat, cheeses and veggies. For brunch, try baked egg souffles with a variety of meats, cheeses and veggies, or baked French toast with cinnamon custard and a topping, either banana pecan or Vermont cinnamon apple, both with whipped cream. Lox and bagel lovers will appreciate the generous Nova platter. For lunch, try dough-zers, big, overstuffed pockets with tasty, creative fillings. $
Cafe B.T., 3324 W. Gandy Blvd. (813-831-9254). B.T. Nguyen will graciously welcome you to her casual, yet sophisticated cafe and introduce you to the fresh fusion flavors of French and Vietnamese cuisine. At lunch, try light fare like salads packed with a profusion of fragrant herbs and fresh dressings. At dinner, focus on some of the most creative daily specials around. Our favorites include duck breast with a buttery mango sauce and baby grilled lobster tails spiked with Dubonnet. A wine list is available. Entrees range from $12.95 to $24.95. $$
Caffe Italia, 3114 Bay to Bay Blvd. (813-831-0600). Leave it to savvy chef/owner Andre to create some of the most awesome cuisine "Italiano" in town. For starters try the melanzane, thinly sliced eggplant in extra virgin olive oil. Continue with the radicchio and endive salad. Follow with at least one pasta selection, like Andre's cappellacci di zucca, homemade spinach pasta with squash in a light tomato cream sauce. $$$
Caffe Paradiso, 4205 S. MacDill Ave. (813-835-6622). Delectable Northern Italian cuisine can be had in this cozy trattoria-style ristorante. Pastas are fresh, veal is simply exquisite and seafood is, well, magnifico! $$
Castellano & Pizzo Market, 4200 S. Henderson Blvd. (813-289-5275). A primo Italian market, second to none in quality and selection! Great authentic Italian takeout prepared on premises, like chicken parmesan, spaghetti & meatballs, lasagna, pasta salads, veal sausage, even Cuban-style roast pork. Tables available for those who can't wait till they get home to stuff themselves. $
Cesare's of New York, 2117 S. Dale Mabry (813-254-2141). Cesare made his way from Italy to New York, then to Tampa. Their loss is our gain, as evidenced in his crusty New York-style pizza dough, tomato sauces, and his deft hand at putting it all together. Fresh spinach with double cheese and tomato sauce is the house specialty. $
Delizie Bakery, Deli & Pastry Shop, 4205 S. MacDill Ave. (813-837-8822). Specialties from Northern Italy. Owners/Chefs Franco and Francesca create a true taste of Italy. Be sure to take home a loaf of the fabulous Tuscan bread, a few dozen rosemary-sage breadsticks and the fabulous biscotti. $$
Dong Phuong, 3636 Henderson Blvd. (813-874-2919). Closed Sunday and Monday. This dinky cafe, which shares space with an Asian grocery, serves the basic refreshing Vietnamese noodle dishes and pho, the meal-in-a-bowl. A good spring roll, grilled shrimp and pork over noodles and Vietnamese filtered iced coffee costs under $8. The market offers bargains on fresh herbs and Asian produce. $
Fuji Sushi Bar and Japanese Restaurant, 1155 S. Dale Mabry (813-282-9098). Look for traditional Japanese dinners like katsu, fried beef, chicken or pork cutlets, along with shrimp and vegetable teriyaki on the menu, with a sushi bar offering daily lunch and dinner specials. Bento boxes are the best buy. Isobeage, seasoned, grilled salmon rolled with seaweed paper, is a treat. $$
Giancola's Market, 3225 S. MacDill Ave. (813-839-2521). What grocery stores are like in heaven; full wine and grocery, fresh produce, deli, prepared take-out, butcher and dry goods, all chosen for the highest quality. Sip a tasty iced coffee from the deli as you get expert advice in choosing a wine from their admirable collection.
Green Iguana Bar & Grill, 4029 West Shore Blvd. Cheap eats in a rowdy setting. The food is surprisingly good for a place where the focus is on drinking, loud music and the usual watering hole mating rituals. Try the grouper sandwich. $
Il Gabbiano, 3671 West Shore Blvd. S. (813-831-0694). Inside Il Gabbiano you'll find an intimate dining room, fine food and attentive service, but don't let the Italian name fool you. Moroccan owners Ali Seghrouchni and Chef Younes Bennani sneak a bit of the Casbah into their Mediterranean menu. Enjoy fine pastas with fresh-made sauces, as well as splendid lamb shanks kissed with wine and cinnamon, delightful couscous, or tender veal in green peppercorn cream sauce. Dinner entrees from $12 to $16. $$
