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. $$
Jimmy Mac's, at the Imperial Marina, 5000 W. Gandy Blvd. (813-839-3449). Known to most as a burger empire, Jimmy Mac's dips into the sea to come up with some unique fish dishes. There are langostino in Chardonnay sauce, seafood "in the coop," large Dungeness, blue and golden crab. If you like their famous burgers, order the "Bigger" Mac; it contains one full pound of beef. Grouper, swordfish, tuna and salmon can be ordered blackened, broiled or grilled. $$
Joto Japanese Restaurant, 2549 Countryside Blvd. (727-796-2022) and 310 S. Dale Mabry, Tampa (813-875-4842). Belly up to the sushi bar or grab a seat on the floor while a kimono-clad waitress serves traditional Japanese dishes. Try the special sushi and sashimi platters. $
Kojak's House of Ribs, 2808 Gandy Blvd. (813-837-3774). If you want excellent barbecue on your plate in just minutes, this could be the spot for you. Barbecue lovers will dig the tender slabs of pork ribs, the chopped or sliced pork and beef dinners with sides of fresh corn-on-the-cob, homestyle baked beans and slaw like Ma used to make. $$
Let Them Eat Cake! Inc., 3805 S. West Shore Blvd. (813-837-6888). If you're wondering where your favorite restaurant got that incredible dessert, chances are it was made at this sweet-friendly bakery where quality and technique help produce some of the best eats you'll ever sink those pearly whites into. $$
Lola Jane's Crawfish Inn, 5712 S. MacDill Ave. (813-805-0312). Good-natured informality is as abundant as flavor in the little house at the south end of MacDill Avenue, where Lola Jane and hubby Gardner re-create the food and atmosphere of their family table. Enjoy absolutely authentic muffaletta and po-boys, outstanding jambalaya and crawfish pie, great red beans and rice, and a marvelous crawfish etouffe with roux made to your special order. High quality and low dough are the house rule. Salads and sandwiches cost $2.95-$6.95. Hot foods like gumbo and etouffe range from $5.95 to $7.25. Homemade pecan pie or bread pudding ranges from $1 to $2.25. All food packaged for carryout. Screen porch has three tables if you can't wait. No alcohol. $$
Miguel's, 3035 W. Kennedy Blvd. (813-876-2587). Authentic Mexican food at reasonable prices. Combo specials are always good and they make a mean stuffed poblano. Colorful, casual atmosphere. $$
Nature's Harvest, 1021 N. MacDill Ave. (813-873-7428). A full-service supermarket with organic produce, bulk grains, nuts and dried fruits, cleaning supplies, cosmetics, etc. In the back, you'll find an on-site bakery making whole-grain breads, carrot cake, muffins and more; a cold case for prepared takeout; and a small cafe offering a salad bar and at least one hot daily special. Veteran Chef Debby DeGraaff teaches free vegetarian cooking classes every Wednesday and Thursday, offering easy menus for people looking to add meatless meals to their diet. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 am to 6 p.m. Sunday. $
NK Cafe, 4100 W. Kennedy Blvd. (813-287-1385). A longtime Bay area favorite, NK (for natural kitchen) proves that healthy can also be tasty. Whether your focus is vegetarian or omnivorous, you'll find something to satisfy your taste. Try the best fruit salad in town, delicious smoothies, great salads. Hearty lunches, like turkey, reuben sandwiches or vegetable cashew saute. $$
Pane Rustica Bakery & Cafe, 2821 S. MacDill Ave. (813-902-8828). This bakery prepares incredible, aromatic breads baked in a steam-injected, stone oven, then pairs them with simple, elegant ingredients to create the perfect sandwich. Try the smoked turkey with fresh tomato, sweet onion jam and aioli, served with home-marinated olives and simple, rustic potato salad. Then, take home a sack of buttery sticky buns drenched with caramel, rosemary-scented focaccia and crusty, fragrant loaves of rustic Italian bread. $
The Press Box, 222 S. Dale Mabry (813-876-3528). Here's a place where single women, and the entire baseball team, will feel equally comfortable with the friendly waitstaff. Hefty burgers are always a feast, but keep a keen eye on the daily specials; they're some of the best deals in town. Good price on suds with some great wine prices, too. $$
