Blue Gardenia, 1809 W. Platt St. (813-250-1595). In both mood and food, the Blue Gardenia offers a perfect mix of subtle sophistication and casual fun as a husband-and-wife team of chefs serve up their own take on tasty.$$$
Cafe by the Bay, 1350 S. Howard Ave., Tampa. 813-251-6659. This casual French cafe is a stellar choice for breakfast or brunch, but you'll really see it shine at dinner, when you're encouraged to dine in a leisurely European fashion. Make a reservation, and the table is yours for the evening, allowing you plenty of time to linger over a menu that changes monthly. Look for rich, luscious flavors, elegant sauces and sophisticated seasoning in mouthwatering dishes that celebrate the French talent for turning home cooking into an art. Look for baked grouper stuffed with crab and spinach and served in a liqueur-flavored butter sauce, or rack of lamb in a Smyrna fig and port sauce. Entrees average $19-$28.50. A well-chosen wine list allows plenty of tasty exploration in the $20-$40 range. $$
Ceviche Tapas Bar and Restaurant, 2109 Bayshore Blvd. (813-250-0203), on the ground floor of the Royal Condominium. The owners of Le Bordeaux turn their attention to Spain, with authentic tapas and great sangria. Start a theater date with a few tapas and a glass of wine, and return later for dinner entrees, like wood-roasted baby lamb. Open after 5 p.m., closed Sunday and Monday. $$$
Chandler's, 717 S. Howard Ave. (813-250-1661, fax, 813-250-1650). Dwight and Lauren Otis operate this fine restaurant with verve. Fresh ingredients, creative presentation and unusual dishes like venison or eggplant ravioli make it a great place for a special night out. Lots of the menu items are also very reasonable so you can dine without breaking the bank. Order mangrove snapper followed by Lauren's gooey chocolate truffle dessert, but almost anything is a winner. $$$
Ciccio & Tony's, 1015 S. Howard Ave. 813-251-8406. Expect a casual, crowded atmosphere and fresh flavors at this New Yawk Eye-talian styled eatery that's been a long time mainstay of the SoHo neighborhood. The menu is Italian-based, but can range from pasta platters to Pacific Rim-flavored tuna and imaginative wraps. $$
Evos, 609 S. Howard Ave. (813-258-EVOS). Who says fast food has to be bad for you? This is the scene for some of our favorite fast food, like crispy air fries, all-fruit smoothies and great tasting, healthy burgers and chili, so flavorful, you'll never believe they're low in fat and cholesterol. $
Gourmet Pizza Company, 610 S. Armenia Ave. (813-258-1999). The word "gourmet" gets tossed around far too casually. We think it should be reserved for places like The Gourmet Pizza Co. where quality, creativity and flavor really shine. The classic pie is great. That's a given. But give your taste buds a thrill with specialty pies like Thai chicken, with crisp veggies and spicy peanut sauce, or the steak gorgonzola, with sliced rib eye, caramelized red onions and fresh mushrooms sprinkled with tangy blue cheese. Green salads, pastas and stromboli-like cazollis round out the menu. Twelve-inch pies range from $10.70 to $12.90. $
Hugo's Spanish Restaurant, 931 S. Howard Ave. (813-251-2842). A friendly Spanish/Cuban eatery on bustling Howard Avenue. It's not "gourmet city" and it's not fancy, but it's darn good. Black beans and yellow rice are among the best in town; a whopping plateful easily feeds at least two hungry caballeros. $
Le Bordeaux, 1502 S. Howard Ave. (813-254-4387). For Provencale cuisine, you can't get better. Meats and fish are fresh, and a blackboard menu that changes daily always has a great selection. $$$
The Old Meeting House, 901 S. Howard Ave. (813-251-1754). For more than a half-century, this beloved institution has been delighting people with good old American diner food. Blue plate specials, such as tasty meat loaf, roasted chicken and roast beef are served on blue plates at prices around $5. We love their big, thick hamburgers. Hearty breakfasts are served till 11 a.m. Treat yourself to a malt with homemade ice cream. Cash only, with an on-site ATM. Open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day. Breakfast served till 11 a.m. $
Olympia Bakery & Caterers, 2201 N. Howard Ave. (813-251-1886). Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too? You can at this bustling Cuban bakery that specializes in X-rated cakes. Order anything from a 7-inch to a double tray that will feed up to 120 sweet tooths. Cater it yourself a la Cubano (media noche, pork and croquettes) or Americano with assorted wings and an array of fine finger and deli foods. $$
Royal Palace Thai Restaurant, 811 S. Howard Ave. (813-258-5893). You'll eat like royalty at this Thai restaurant, where they show off one of the best curry sauces for seafood we've ever tasted. Any dish that promises "crispy" is a delight, from the delicate, crispy duck breast to the flash-fried red snapper. More traditional dishes show that Thai flavors can be subtle as well as spicy. Expect delicious food, a lovely interior and polite, if unpolished, service. Entree prices range from $7.95 to $14.95. $$
