Caramba's Restaurante Mexicano, 1842 Drew St. (727-446-7469). There's a new menu and it's better than ever. This former Best of the Bay recipient features Mexican cuisine at its authentic best. On arrival, one should immediately turn to the pescados y mariscos portion of the menu and order one or more of their awesome fresh fish creations. Grouper a la Veracruzano, a traditional favorite, is done in true Mexican style. $$
Fred's Famous Bar-B-Que, 2257 Gulf-to-Bay Blvd. (727-799-FRED). Fred really does have a whole slew of national and international awards, but the best testimony to his barbecue is the crowd of neighbors who pack this place nightly, chowing down on meaty, fall-off-the-bone pork ribs, grilled or smoked chicken, smoked brisket, sausage and corned beef. Sauces are sweet, but overall, flavors are spicy. Be sure and try extra-thick milkshakes. Dinners start at $7.50. $$
Jillian's Bistro and Piano Bar, 13575 58th St N., in Icot Center's Summit Center (727-538-7776). This casually chic dining room and bar, overlooking a lovely water park setting, is perfect for occasions requiring sophistication without intimidation. The menu ranges from Mediterranean flavors, like lobster-crusted grouper laced with tomatoes, fresh garlic and basil, onions and mushrooms, to Caribbean flavors, like fresh mahi mahi dusted with jerk seasoning and set atop a wild berry beurre blanc. Most entrees cost $12.95-$19.95. $$
Mexico Lindo, 812 Court St. (727-443-5892). This tiny Mexican food store and eatery offers up a true taste of Mexican flavors, unlike anything you've every eaten at the sign of the talking Chihuahua. Food is fiery, filling and cheap enough to fill you up on a fiver. Tacos of soft wheat tortillas folded over your choice of eight fillings, from chicken to beef tongue, go for a buck and a quarter. Weekend specials offer more complex choices, like menudo and roast lamb. Cash only. $
Yanny's, 1258 Highland Ave. S. (727-446-5797). Recommended for breakfast/brunch. Yanny's has fresh-squeezed fruit or vegetable juices, scrumptious three-egg omelets, old-fashioned pancakes, or the famous French toast, dipped in a crepe batter and dusted with powdered sugar. Be sure and try a cup of homemade yogurt, the freshest, healthiest, most delicious live-culture, whole-milk yogurt you'll ever taste. Closed Mondays. $
North Clearwater/Countryside
Blue Mountain Cake Shop, in the Northwood Plaza Courtyard, 2526-A McMullen-Booth Road. An Asian-style den of delicacies. Great coffee bar and plenty of sweets, including European-style cakes, tortes, mousses and custards. Garnishes are superb. $$
G. Bellini's Brick Oven and Rotisserie, 2544 McMullen Booth Road 727-724-5716. Classy but casual, this place is packed at happy hour and on weekends when local folks flood in for crisp, creative pizzas touched with the smoky flavor of a wood-fired oven and rich pasta dishes packed with everything from prosciutto to lobster. Juicy chicken and steaks and an affordable wine list round out a satisfying menu. $$
Joto Japanese Restaurant, 2549 Countryside Blvd., Clearwater (727-796-2022) and 310 S. Dale Mabry, Tampa (813-875-4842). Belly up to the sushi bar or grab a seat on the floor while a kimono-clad waitress serves traditional Japanese dishes. Try the special sushi and sashimi platters. $$
New York Bagel Boys, 2566 McMullen-Booth Road (727-797-9891). Recommended for breakfast/brunch, N.Y. Bagel Boys prove man cannot live by bread alone. Wonderful bagels (big, dense, crispy and flavorful) are made on site, slathered with flavored cream cheeses or topped with eggs, omelets, ham, Kosher salami, pastrami, lox. They serve lunch too, with traditional N.Y. deli fixings. $
Pulcinella Ristorante, 2475-E McMullen-Booth Road (in the Oakbrook Plaza) (727-669-9512). If you've ever visited Italy, you'll feel right at home with Chef Carmine's exquisite, authentic Italian menu prepared with the finest imported ingredients. You must try fresh arugula with olive oil and paper-thin slices of bresaola, an incredibly delicate, slightly nutty beef, cured prosciutto style. Then sample pastas to make you swoon, like rigatoni with fresh, imported porcini and very expensive white truffle oil, or the rigatoni al Amatriciana, pasta in fresh tomato sauce flavored with basil, onion and bacon. Entrees from $9 to $14 offer incredible quality at bargain prices. $$
Sukhothai, 2569 Countryside Blvd. #3 (727-724-2995). Thai dishes and an elegant Eastern ambiance combine to create a romantic adventure. A class operation. $$
Downtown Clearwater
Caryl's Natural Foods, 805 S. Fort Harrison (727-446-6587). Smoothies are newly popular, but nothing new. Caryl's has been serving them up for 20 years, and they're some of the best anywhere. Try the tropical frappe: whipped pineapple and coconut juice, pina colada yogurt and banana. Fresh fruit and vegetable juices too. Big selection of fresh, healthy eats, salads, meatless sandwiches and soups made daily. $
