Hillsborough
Tampa
Carrollwood/Northwest Tampa
Jasmine Thai Restaurant, 13248 N. Dale Mabry (813-968-1501). No doubt this is one of Tampa's best Thai eateries. The dominant Thai influence, Indian-Chinese, with an added emphasis on fresh herbs and spices such as cilantro, garlic, lemongrass, mint and chilies, make this a cuisine to savor; almost like no other. $$
La Maison Basque, 3621 W. Waters Ave., Tampa (813-932-1922). Chef Felix Piedra turned this strip shopping center storefront into a cozy dining room with an open kitchen, where he prepares the Spanish/French influenced cuisine of the Basque region. The menu has a European feel, with dishes like fresh chicken breast sauteed in brandy cream sauce, and imported wild rabbit cooked in Galician albarino wine, but surprising ways with seafood put this place on the map. Seafood paella, overflowing with lobster, grouper, clams, shrimp and squid is the house specialty, along with black grouper stuffed with squid and dressed with a cream sauce made of squid ink. $$
Southern Mill Bread Company, 15213 N. Dale Mabry (813-968-8366). Quality bread made with premium natural ingredients. From their flavorful, primo, white, round, 2.2-pound loaves, to the aahhh-inspiring onion, rye and herb combination, these folks bake this stuff just right. $
Sukhothai, 8201 N. Dale Mabry (813-933-7990). Thai dishes and an elegant Eastern ambiance combine to create a romantic adventure. A class operation. $$
Vallarta Mexican Restaurant, 13731 N. Dale Mabry (813-264-7691). The Jimenez family puts plenty of tasty dishes on the table, all served with zesty homemade salsa and guacamole. Large portions of well-known favorites like chimichangas, quesadillas, burritos and taco salads make up most of the long menu, all made with better ingredients and fresher flavors than you'll find if you run for the border. Dinner platters will fill you up for under a tenner. Smaller lunch portions start at $3.50. $
Central/West Tampa
Donatello, 232 N. Dale Mabry (813-875-6660). Some of the area's best Northern Italian cuisine also exhibits some of the finest service in town. Favorites include capellini d'angelo, agnolotti with cream and Parmesan and an excellent prosciutto di Parma. Be sure to have at least one of the desserts: Neapolitan cake, chocolate-drenched profiteroles, tiramisu, or fresh fruit tarts. $$$
Jimbo's Pit Bar B-Q, 4103 W. Kennedy Blvd. (813-289-9724). Real down-home pit barbecue is gussied up with Jimbo's own secret seasonings and sauces and served in heapin' portions. Fill up on smoked pig ribs, chicken, sliced pork or beef and ham, along with homemade beans and cole slaw and always a hot slice of homemade apple pie. Dinner plates range from $6.95 to $9.95. $
La Caridad Bakery, 4425 W. Hillsborough Ave. (813-884-2822). Whether it's flan or a great selection of holiday pastries you're looking for, this tiny Cuban bakery has as good a selection as you'll find. Guava, mamey and other Caribbean touches make for a bakery full of flavor. Good Cuban bread, too. $$
Mambo's, 4423 N. Armenia Ave. (813-873-1995). This classic "fonda," or neighborhood cafe, is one of the best places to taste the home cooking of Puerto Rico. Step into the cafeteria-style serving line and choose from savory entrees like plantain fritters stuffed with seasoned, ground chicken or adobe-seasoned pork roasted with green bananas, as well as traditional treats like octopus salad. Flavors are fresh, portions are generous and prices are low. Dinners cost $4.99 to $8.95. $
New City Diner, 1002 N. Himes Ave. (813-877-2088). Like a blast from the past, hot cups of joe and heaping platters of food are served up in the bustling atmosphere of an old-fashioned stainless steel diner. But there's nothing old-fashioned about the menu. Look for Roger Lenzi's first-class, creative New American cuisine on a menu that changes daily, all at low-dough prices, with entrees priced between $5.95 to $14.95. Look for dishes like nouvelle meatloaf with wild mushrooms, Cajun-spiced pork roast Mediterranean grilled lamb. Diner food just doesn't get any better than this. $
Tampa — Davis Islands
Estela's Mexican Restaurant, 209 E. Davis Blvd. (813-251-0558). Enjoy traditional Mexican specialties while dining al fresco or inside this charming cantina. Excellent fresh salsa, smoky enchiladas and tasty margaritas are menu highlights. Great lunch specials and no less than 25 dinner combinations. Fresh fruit and carrot juices are squeezed to order. $
Pipo's Latin Cafe, 238 E. Davis Blvd. (813-253-8100). At lunch, expect Pipo's traditional Cuban cafeteria-style food and service, with large servings, modest prices and the best mojo roast pork in the Bay area. The food goes upscale with an infusion of Latin, Caribbean and Old World influences. $$
Downtown Tampa
Mise en Place, 442 W. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 250 (813-254-5373). Owners Marty and Marianne Blitz create a culinary happening in this smart brasserie-style eatery. Billed as a "Neo-American Bistro," Mise En Place is located just across from the University of Tampa. $$$
Tampa — Hyde Park
Bacchus Sushi and Noodles, 720 S. Howard Ave. (813- 254-0004). Expect flash and fusion in both food and decor at this high-energy addition to the late-night dining scene. The menu has an Asian accent but offers American-friendly sushi, sashimi, tempura and noodle bowls, along with big steaks and pork cutlets. Most dishes come in small portions for one-from-column-A and two-from-column-B fun, but Bacchanalian appetites will appreciate the huge, whole snapper wok-sauteed, with crispy noodles, vegetables and a savory sauce. Prices range from $6 to $19. $$
Bella's, 1413 S. Howard Ave. (813-254-3355). After 11 years, this South Howard favorite still packs ¡¯em in with tasty pasta and casual ambiance. Try the fine fettuccine Bolognese, or pasta il mare, shrimp and scallops with leeks and mushrooms in a roasted tomato cream sauce. Definitely save room for dessert! Dinner entrees from $6.75 to $12.95. $$
Bern's Steak House, 1208 S. Howard Ave. (813-251-2421). Famous for its wines and prime steaks, this restaurant is one of the most remarkable in the world. A perennial Wine Spectator award-winner, the new 212-page wine list weighs in at about 8 pounds with approximately 7,000 selections. There's a superb list of caviar from around the world, a selection of 1,800 dessert wines and spirits, an antiquarian bookstore and a huge selection of outrageous desserts in the upstairs dessert room. $$$
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. $$$
Evos, 609 S. Howard Ave. (813-258-EVOS). Who says fast food has to be bad for you? This is the scene for some of our favorite fast food, like crispy air fries, all-fruit smoothies and great tasting, healthy burgers and chili, so flavorful, you'll never believe they're low in fat and cholesterol. $
Hugo's Spanish Restaurant, 931 S. Howard Ave. (813-251-2842). A friendly Spanish/Cuban eatery on bustling Howard Avenue. It's not "gourmet city" and it's not fancy, but it's darn good. Black beans and yellow rice are among the best in town; a whopping plateful easily feeds at least two hungry caballeros. $
Le Bordeaux, 1502 S. Howard Ave. (813-254-4387). For Provencale cuisine, you can't get better. Meats and fish are fresh, and a blackboard menu that changes daily always has a great selection. $$$
McHale's ChopHouse Barbecue With Style, 808 S. Howard Ave., next to Tuscan Oven (813-250-9809). Don't let a few classy touches, like cloth napkins and big, comfy booths, fool you. This is bodacious, down-home barbecue. Juicy, succulent Texas brisket, authentic St. Louis-style ribs, smoked duck, great grilled steaks, even pan-seared salmon are all done right and served with fresh, homemade dipping sauces. Try the aged prime rib, dry rubbed with fresh spices and herbs, and slowly roasted over a hardwood fire, served with mashed potatoes and rich beef gravy subtly flavored with Cajun spices. Sandwiches cost $6.25 to $7.99, and entrees range from $11 to $17. $$
SideBern's, 2208 Morrison Ave., Tampa (813-258-2233). Chef Jeannie Pierola, one of the shining stars of Tampa Bay's dining scene, creates a cuisine that is both luscious and lustrous and serves it in a sophisticated setting that manages to be both worldly and witty. The chef grabs premier ingredients from around the globe and blends them into deeply flavorful and texturally exciting dishes, like a mignon cut of tuna and rare Kumomoto oysters wok seared with shiitake mushrooms in a cognac sauce, served with truffled potato puree and baby bok choy, or, for meat-eaters, a duo of short ribs and hanger steak with an orange rosemary ginger steak sauce, horseradish glazed potatoes, and a side of roasted carrots and parsnips. From soup to nuts, it's a tour de force of fine dining at surprisingly affordable prices. Menu entrees range from $13.91 to $18.91 $$$
The Wine Exchange, 1611 W. Swann Ave. (813-254-9463). David Tyler and crew pair fine wines with good food. For appetizers try the country stufel, wild mushrooms in pastry with a horseradish sauce or their spicy island cakes with jerked crab in honey yogurt sauce. There are soups, salads, innovative pizzas, pastas and a good choice of savory entrees, including a grilled lamb tenderloin with a cream sauce over fettuccini. $$
Tampa — Seminole Heights
Rigo's Eatery, 6607 N. Florida Ave. (813-236-7446; www.rigoseatery.com). This arty little eatery is terribly tiny. Good thing they have a big garden patio out back. Inside, you can order scrumptious breakfast and brunch foods like made-to-order French toast and waffles, eggs Benedict, breakfast sandwiches and more. Lunch and dinner offer big, tasty sandwiches, several "meals-in-a-minute" for the on-the-go diner, and for dessert, old-fashioned ice cream sundaes with plenty of ooey-gooey toppings. Not too hungry? The easygoing atmosphere makes it a swell place to stop for a cafe con leche and slice of tiramisu while you read the Weekly Planet. $
South Tampa/
Palma Ceia/Interbay
Cafe B.T., 3324 W. Gandy Blvd. (813-831-9254). B.T. Nguyen will graciously welcome you to her casual, yet sophisticated cafe and introduce you to the fresh fusion flavors of French and Vietnamese cuisine. At lunch, try light fare like salads packed with a profusion of fragrant herbs and fresh dressings. At dinner, focus on some of the most creative daily specials around. Our favorites include duck breast with a buttery mango sauce and baby grilled lobster tails spiked with Dubonnet. A wine list is available. Entrees range from $12.95 to $24.95. $$
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. $$
Il Gabbiano, 3671 West Shore Blvd. S. (813-831-0694). Inside Il Gabbiano you'll find an intimate dining room, fine food and attentive service, but don't let the Italian name fool you. Moroccan owners Ali Seghrouchni and Chef Younes Bennani sneak a bit of the Casbah into their Mediterranean menu. Enjoy fine pastas with fresh-made sauces, as well as splendid lamb shanks kissed with wine and cinnamon, delightful couscous, or tender veal in green peppercorn cream sauce. Dinner entrees from $12 to $16. $$
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. $$
Lola Jane's Crawfish Inn, 5712 S. MacDill Ave. (813-805-0312). Good-natured informality is as abundant as flavor in the little house at the south end of MacDill Avenue, where Lola Jane and hubby Gardner re-create the food and atmosphere of their family table. Enjoy absolutely authentic muffaletta and po-boys, outstanding jambalaya and crawfish pie, great red beans and rice, and a marvelous crawfish etouffe with roux made to your special order. High quality and low dough are the house rule. Salads and sandwiches cost $2.95-$6.95. Hot foods like gumbo and etouffe range from $5.95 to $7.25. Homemade pecan pie or bread pudding ranges from $1 to $2.25. All food packaged for carryout. Screen porch has three tables if you can't wait. No alcohol. $$
Thailand Restaurant, 5252 S. Dale Mabry (813-837-1793). Some of the best spicy Thai cuisine in Tampa. Start with the hot and sour soup or the shrimp lemongrass, and then graze on a few appetizers like the satay with a slightly hot peanut sauce and cucumber salad dip, fried shrimp with sweet and sour sauce or the all-encompassing combo appetizer platter. $$
Trattoria Lauro, 3915 Henderson Blvd. (813-281-2100). The venerable old Lauro's has reinvented itself with a more relaxed, affordable, family-dining atmosphere. Enjoy Northern Italian cuisine with homemade pastas, breads and fabulous desserts, and a wine list to complement any dish. $$
Yoko's Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar, 3217 S. MacDill Ave. in Beechwood Plaza (813-835-4311). Great sushi bar, comfortable seating with an innovative dinner menu and plenty of fresh sushi and sashimi. The house roll is a winner. Sample lunch specials for some of the best eating around. $$
Tampa Int'l Airport/
Courtney Campbell Causeway
Armani's, Hyatt Regency Westshore, 6200 Courtney Campbell Causeway (813-281-9165). A romantic Italian enclave of fine dining. You must not leave without trying the awesome antipasto bar, the homemade pastas and their decidedly decadent desserts. The cuisine is prepared by a master chef, trained in Italy, who keeps getting better and better. Pasta dishes are excellent, as is the fresh seafood. Have an after-dinner drink on the cozy outdoor patio. Good wine list. $$$
Castaway, 7720 Courtney Campbell Causeway (813-281-0770). Seafood is the popular fare here, especially the chef's creations, including a luscious grouper Capri, a filet baked in an herb and wine sauce topped with a sun-dried tomato-basil cream sauce and sauteed shrimp. Also noteworthy is swordfish with island fruit salsa. Carnivores will savor the choice center-cut New York Strip. $$$
CK's Revolving Rooftop Restaurant, Tampa International Airport atop the Marriott Hotel (813-878-6500). CK's will make your head spin with its stellar view, atmosphere and cuisine. Great seafood pasta packed with mussels, lobster and scallops in a pesto pomodori sauce. Don't leave without a slice of their Key lime pie, a many-times Best of the Bay winner. $$$
Oystercatchers, 6200 Courtney Campbell Causeway, in the Hyatt Westshore complex (813-281-9116). Oystercatcher's incredible Sunday brunch buffet has it all: a nearly unlimited assortment of salads and antipasto, made-to-order omelets, waffles, pastries, grilled steak, fresh shrimp and oysters, great coffee and champagne, and the Dessert Table To Die For, with everything made from the finest ingredients. Seating in a beautiful seaside dining room and attentive service make this all-you-care-to-eat buffet a serious luxury. Costs $26 for adults, $14.50 for children 4 to 11 years old, free for children 3 years old and under. $$ brunch/$$$ dinner
Tampa — Town N Country
Nicki's Omelette & Grill, 6805 W. Hillsborough Ave. (813-888-9365). This unpretentious little diner serves bargain-priced breakfasts that will fill you up for under a fiver, seven days a week. Folks line up for the fluffy omelets. Choose from a huge menu variety or design your own omelet from a list of meats, cheeses and vegetables. $
Satsuki Japanese Cuisine, 5537 Sheldon Road (813-884-4128). This small, refined little restaurant is at once exotic and homey, clean as a whistle and affordable. The sushi bar seats eight, serving fresh, well-prepared sushi with daily specials. Menu offerings include soba and udon, delicious Oriental noodles in spicy broths. Try tempura-udon, well-prepared shrimp tempura served alongside a bowl of thick noodles in hot, fragrant broth. Asian beers, hot or cold sake and green tea ice cream round out the meal. Dinner entrees under $10. $
Tampa — Busch Gardens/
USF/Temple Terrace
Angithi Fine Indian Restaurant, 2047 E. Fowler Ave. (813-979-4889). Discover a whole new world of delicious exotic flavors at this north Tampa find. Sample the crisp samosas, succulent, moist tandoori-baked meats, and hot and spicy curries. Cool the fire with a smooth and fruity mango lassi drink. Plenty of vegetarian selections and a nice lunch buffet for a mere $6.95. $$
DeFrance, 1721 W. Fletcher Ave. (813-961-4553). Chef Jean Phillipe Polo has cooked in France, Switzerland, London, Montreal and now Tampa. He favors traditional French country fare, like lunches of pate and green apple on a baguette, topped with melted brie or a classic salade niçoise. For dinner, try delicate salmon with dill hollandaise sauce or veal in lemon caper sauce. Lunches for under $6. Dinner entrees range from $12.95 to $17.95. $$
Sawatdee Thai Cuisine, 10938 56th St. N. (813-985-2071). This humble little cafe is a neighborhood favorite in the university area for its inexpensive lunch buffet and a dinner menu that mixes a melange of Thai and Indian flavors. The cooking's not fancy, but it's fresh, filling and nicely spiced. Try Pla Shu Shi, deep-fried fish filets in a spicy Thai chili sauce garnished with dried lime leaf and bell peppers or Pra Ram Lonmg Srong, chicken, beef or pork stir-fried with mixed vegetables and topped with peanut curry sauce. Most entrees range from $6.95 to $11.95. $$
Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road (813-971-0666). Skipper's has always been the place to kick into high gear with killer reggae, blues, rock and world beat, but did you know it's also the place to kick your taste buds into high gear? Spice up your night with smokehouse favorites like hickory-smoked alligator ribs and new wild flavors, like lobster stirfry with soy/ginger sauce over linguine, Florida crab cakes with black bean salsa and orange-crusted perch with mango salsa. $$
Taj, 2734-B Fowler Ave. (813-971-8483). Regulars will tell you it's the best Indian food in town. There are a number of good curries, from sweet kormas to spinach, prepared with vegetables, lamb, beef or seafood. Have plenty of naan, their addictive bread, and some luscious ice cream. $$
Trang Viet Cuisine, 1524 E. Fowler Ave. (813-979-1464) and 8502 N. Armenia Ave. (813-931-5119). Lunch and dinner daily. Tasty, healthy Vietnamese cooking with a French flair, featuring fresh, home-grown herbs and daily market specials. Weekday lunch specials are a bargain. Lively dinner menu, like "cook your own" seafood fondue, or chicken in a clay pot. Homemade desserts are special. Try banana cake (banana and coconut cake topped with peanuts). Beer & wine. $
Tampa — Ybor City
Bernini, 1702 E. Seventh Ave. (813-248-0099). Chef Thomas "Bob" Barfield presents innovative Italian cuisine in a classy, sophisticated setting. The menu changes daily, so expect surprises, but favorite standards include gourmet wood-fired pizzas, especially the one with marinated chicken, smoked mozzarella, fresh tomatoes and oregano and a spicy three-chili oil, and Chef Bob's lamb shank, slow-braised in Marsala and red currant lamb broth. $$$
Cauldron Restaurant, 2302 Seventh Ave. (813-248-5694). One of the area's best authentic sources of West Indian cuisine. A hefty selection includes curry goat, oxtail, jerk chicken and pork, stew beef, and that wonderful marinated fresh fish called "escovitch." And don't forget the Red Stripe. $$
Cafe Creole, 1330 Ninth Ave. E. (813-247-6283). If you're into Cajun or Creole cuisine, this is perhaps the very best Tampa has to offer. Whether it's Andouille sausage or one of the best etouffees and gumbos in town, you can find it at this popular spot in Ybor. Great bar and lots of fun to boot. Louisiana oysters and crawfish are among the very best. $$
Green Iguana Bar & Grill, 1708 E. Seventh Ave. (813-248-9555). 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. $
La Tropicana, 1822 E. Seventh Ave. (813-247-4040). A local gathering spot for great Cuban coffee, super sandwiches and good conversation. $
Sushi on Seventh, 1919 E. Seventh Ave. (813-247-8744). Leave the tatami mats at home. There's nothing traditional about the neon atmosphere of this Ybor City sushi bar. Browse through a large menu of sushi rolls with names like Screaming Orgasm, salmon rolled in seaweed with shrimp, crab, cream cheese, asparagus, avocado, scallions and smelt roe, topped with Japanese mayo and baked or try the Tampa roll, breaded grouper, cucumber and spicy mayo rolled in seaweed, topped with smelt roe and sesame seeds. $$
PINELLASClearwater
Bunny Hop Cafe & Nature's Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St. (727-443-6703). If you're craving fresh, healthy foods, try this combination of natural foods market, deli and cafe. Graze at the 50-item salad bar, order a sandwich on fresh-baked bread or a smoothie made with just-squeezed juices, or pick from the deli's huge selection of good, and good-for-you foods to go. Choose individual entrees like fresh sushi, tofu "egg" salad sandwiches and free-range turkey breast sandwiches, or complete dinners like teriyaki tofu with brown rice and mixed veggies, or lentil loaf with mushroom gravy, garlic mashed potatoes and mixed veggies. Complete dinners average $5 to $6. $$
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. $$
Jillian's Bistro & Piano Bar, 13575 58th St. N., in the Icot Center Summit Building (727-538-7776). You work hard. Reward yourself at Jillian's, where diners are spoiled with rich, intensely-flavored cuisine served in casually elegant, but romantically delicious surroundings. Must-haves are the Bay area's best filet mignon, crispy, spicy Szechwan duck and herb-rubbed rack of lamb, or you can just make a meal from fabulous appetizers, like venison tenderloin, sealed seared scallops, or tuna carpaccio. $$$
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
Joto Japanese Restaurant, 2549 Countryside Blvd., Clearwater (727-796-2022). 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. $$
Pulcinella Ristorante, 2475-E McMullen-Booth Road (in the Oakbrook Plaza) (727-669-9512). If you've ever visited Italy, you'll feel right at home with Chef Carmine's exquisite, authentic Italian menu prepared with the finest imported ingredients. You must try fresh arugula with olive oil and paper-thin slices of bresaola, an incredibly delicate, slightly nutty beef, cured prosciutto style. Then sample pastas to make you swoon, like rigatoni with fresh, imported porcini and very expensive white truffle oil, or the rigatoni al Amatriciana, pasta in fresh tomato sauce flavored with basil, onion and bacon. Entrees from $9 to $14 offer incredible quality at bargain prices. $$
Travis Bistro, 28530 U.S. 19 N., 1.2 miles south of Curlew Road (727-712-9101). Travis is an elegant little oasis amid the nightmare traffic of U.S. 19, where Robert Masson, one of the Bay area's best chefs, presents a menu filled with dishes that will lure you back again and again. Beef lovers will be smitten with the succulent filet mignon stuffed with crab meat and Saga blue cheese, for $22.95, while seafood lovers will swoon over the award winning seafood lasagna, blending spinach pasta, shrimp, scallops and crab meat stuffing with four cheeses and tomato butter sauce for $18.95. Not enough? Try lamb, chicken, quail and venison. $$
Dunedin
Bayou Bistro and Mudbug Lounge, 456 Causeway Blvd. (727-736-6467). Chef/owner Karen Thomas serves up some fine Cajun food in this funky restaurant and bar. Everything is fresh and made from scratch, right down to the blackening spices on the thin-sliced, gator tail filet. Don't pass on dessert, a huge slice of bread pudding with spiced rum sauce, or is that yum sauce? Oversize appetizers are priced from $3.95 to $6.95, po boys $5.25 to $7.25 and entrees $9.25 to $13.95 $
Benedict's, 2676 Bayshore Blvd., inside Causeway Plaza (727-736-1600) Recommended for breakfast/brunch. What else would you expect but a tasty and nearly unlimited variety of fluffy poached eggs set atop a toasted English muffin, slathered with a creamy lemon sauce and your choice of ham, crab meat, bacon? But there's more: sweet selections like Belgian chocolate pancakes or zesty flavors like huevos ranchero, all served in enormous portions. $
The Black Pearl, 315 Main St. (727-734-3463). With only 13 tables, this classy cafe turns out some of the freshest, most creative cuisine in the Bay area. Owner Kathleen LaRoche goes the extra mile to secure fresh, prime ingredients. Chef Karen Schluntz turns it into cuisine that dazzles the eye as well as the taste buds. Every selection, from crab cakes to duckling, will delight you. $$$
Cafe Alfresco, 344 Main St. (727-736-4299). You'll enjoy leisurely meals on the patio overlooking the Pinellas Trail. Menu specialties include crisp fresh salads, creative pastas and mouth-watering grilled items such as grilled chipolata sausages, Tandoori pork medallions and roasted duck with balsamic raspberry glaze. Don't miss the delicious ice cream creations. $$
Casa Tina, 369 Main St. (727-734-9226). Got some extra hot sauce on hand? Bring a bottle to this cozy gourmet Mexican and vegetarian restaurant and they'll buy you a drink. (Forget about Tabasco, though; that doesn't count.) The menu has heart-healthy items, including a good ceviche (fresh marinated seafood). Also featured are "heavenly" wild mushroom quesadillas, fresh roasted poblanos stuffed with cheese, a dish of mole verde and mole poblano and corn tamales juicier than ever before. $$
Kelly's For Just About … Anything, 319 Main St. (727-736-5284). Whether it's for breakfast, lunch or dinner, this casual, ambient, award-winning eatery is the shining star on the Dunedin culinary scene. It's funky, fun and you can dine under the stars. Breakfasts are unique; lunch and dinner specials, seafood, beef and poultry, are always consistently good. Better than that, they're done with a flair. $$
Gulf Beaches/North
Bob Heilman's Beachcomber, 447 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach (727-442-4144). Experience the famous "Back-to-the-Farm Chicken." Plump, tender pieces of fresh chicken are lightly fried, crisp, moist and heavenly, served with fluffy, fresh whipped potatoes, pan gravy, fresh vegetable and bread baked on the premises. Extra portions of veggies, slaw and rolls are complimentary. Good continental selection of other traditional-style meals. $$$
Frenchy's Rockaway Grill and Beach Club, 7 Rockaway St., Clearwater (727-446-4844). For reasonably priced seafood, this beach spot is a favorite of locals as well as snowbirds. She-crab soup, grouper and a variety of other local seafood are just a few of the specialties offered. Great place to go for a rendezvous, or to dine al fresco. $$
Gulf Beaches/South
Brunello, 3861 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (727-367-1851). Paolo has put together another cutting-edge Northern Italian menu. Begin with pan-fried lump crab cake with roasted red pepper sauce, continue with a magnificent risotto with portobello mushrooms or ossobuco di vitello in rosemary vegetable sauce. Finish with magnifico gelati or another of their homemade desserts. $$$
Dockside Dave's Grill and Bar, 13203 Gulf Blvd., in the Charterboat Center, Madeira Beach (727-392-9399). Locals know this humble bar and grill is the place to go for a good, old-fashioned Florida fish fry. Fresh-off-the-boat black grouper and shrimp are bathed in a rich batter, then fried up with a golden, crackling crust. Best-ever onion rings get the same treatment. Good seafood pastas and chowders are also worth trying. If a great grouper sandwich isn't your idea of heaven, then try the grilled half-pound burger, beef on weck, or Italian sausage sandwich. Menu prices range from $4.25 to $11.45. $
Yoji Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, 4615 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (727-367-6762). Open for dinner only. Teppan yaki chefs perform tableside as they cook softshell crab, shrimp, filet, lobster and chicken in spicy sauces on an iron grill. Be sure and try gyoza (traditional sauteed dumplings) and fresh selections from the sushi bar. Entree prices run from $7.95 to $26.25. $$
Largo
Cafe Largo, 12551 Indian Rocks Road (727-596-6282). A continental style eatery popular with locals as well as tourists for many years. There's great attention to detail paid to the menu as well as the service. Check for monthly specialty dinners that feature a fine taste of French cooking. $$$
Sushi Fune, 10801 Starkey Road, in the Bardmoor Village (727-319-6627). Fune means "boat," and here you'll sit at the bar as a small fleet of sushi-bearing boats sail past you. Prices are signified by the colors of the plates. Chef Tony will offer you plenty of friendly advice about what's available. The menu also offers dinner entrees like tempura, teriyaki and sukiyaki. Look for green mussels baked in a special wasabi sauce and cooked baby octopus marinated in special seasonings. $$
Pastino's, 11750 Clearwater-Largo Road (727-559-0506). Pastino's calls itself a neighborhood pizzeria, but when was the last time you saw gnocchi with wild caribou at your corner joint? Pastino's menu runs from mild to wild. Pizzas include Wild Bill's Western steak special, the taco pizza, and even a lobster supreme pizza with lobster, sun dried tomatoes, garlic, basil and olive oil, topped with white cheddar and mozzarella. Pasta dishes range from linguine with clam sauce to ravioli with exotic wild game stuffing. Entrees are priced from $5.95 to $15.45. $$
Palm Harbor
Blue Heron, in the Shoppes at Cloverplace, 3285 Tampa (727-789-5176). Some of the freshest seafood and fowl you'll ever taste. The cuisine at this upscale favorite is a blend of the best techniques and ingredients that encompass Mediterranean, Caribbean, Pacific Rim and New American cuisines. $$$
St. Larry's, 34980 U.S. 19 (727-786-0077). St. Larry's feels like a chummy private club, with small, intimate dining spaces, a great bar and plenty of hobnobbing among the patrons, but don't worry; they'll be only too glad to have you join the fun. An eclectic menu that changes daily can offer anything from smoked lobster egg roll with fresh blueberry sauce to angus filet sauteed with cultivated and wild mushrooms in a brandy brown sauce and topped with Maytag Blue Cheese. Fish lovers can look for dry-packed scallops and large shrimp sauteed in a rich Asiago cream sauce or authentic Maryland crab cakes. The extensive bar offers a great wine list and a huge collection of single malt scotch. $$
A Taste Of Tokyo Sushi and Yakitori Bar, 3428 Tampa Road (State Road 584) in The Village at Lake St. George (727-787-6235). Closed Monday. Like a visit to Japan. If you've never tried sushi before, this is the place to start. Superior sushi bar, yakitori bar, old faves like tempura, new faves like gyoza, pan-fried Japanese dumplings. $
Pinellas Park
Athenian's Famous Gyros and Chicken, 5320 Park Blvd. N. (727-544-5740). This longtime favorite serves up meal-size sandwiches of fluffy pita bread folded over a fragrant mound of spiced, grilled meat, onions, tomatoes and tzatziki, a cooling sauce made of non fat yogurt and cucumbers. Great grilled chicken, too, and all at bargain prices. $
Cajun Cafe, 8285 Park Blvd. (727-546-6732). Drive past Wagon Wheel Flea Market and pull off onto the dirt road where Cajun Cafe sits on a backwater bayou. There you will find tattooed men and darlin' women playing zydeco tunes on the jukebox and washing down fiery gumbo or jambalaya with Dixie beer. Don't miss the searing barbecue shrimp or the crawfish cornbread, full of fire and mudbugs. Good po-boy sandwiches, gator bites and boudin sausage served with beans and rice. $$
Hickory Smoke House Barbecue, 6769 34th St. N. (727-526-8072). A mainstay for decades, this popular barbecue restaurant serves up succulent pork, chicken and beef entrees with all the fixings. Baked beans are a local favorite, and the chunky pork sandwiches should not be overlooked. Sampler platters are the best meal deals. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. $$
La Teresita Restaurant, 7101 66th St. (727-447-4240). Stepchild of Tampa's famous eatery since 1976, this local Cuban coffee and sandwich shop features quick meals at rock bottom prices. There's the requisite Cuban sandwich and plenty of classic dishes, like picadillo, roast pork, Russian trout and liver done Italian style; all for under a fiver. $$
Regina's Philippine Cuisine, 9727 66th St. N. (727-544-6182). Ever tried this flavorful cuisine? If not, you're in for a culinary awakening. There are plenty of daily specials made with fresh, crunchy veggies and perfectly cooked noodles. A range of sweet, sour, salty, etc. Cash only. $$
St. Petersburg
Central St. Pete/Tyrone
Athenian Gardens, 6940 22nd Ave. N. (727-345-7040). You probably can't get more delicious family-style Greek food at affordable prices without driving to Tarpon Springs. This is the exception. Swift, efficient service and tasty food. The hefty gyros sandwich is a feast. Full dinner menu. $
Carmelita's Mexican Restaurant, 5211 Park St. N. (727-545-2956). Fresh, homemade Mexican flavors at bargain prices. The best appetizer is the crunchy, tasty taquito. Combo platters are heaped. Sopa de tortillas, chicken-rice-corn soup, makes a meal in itself. Be sure and try sangria soda, a great alcohol-free choice for lunch or the designated driver. $$
East Wind, 6139 Park Blvd. N. (727-541-6377). One of the best deals in town for real, honest-to-goodness Vietnamese cuisine. A friendly chef/owner-husband/wife team consistently creates an amazing melange of tastes; the freshest fresh rice rolls, the best whole fried fresh fish with herbs and spice, and noodle soups that will make anyone's day look brighter. $$$
Little Italy Pizza, 3523 49th St. N. (727-522-2717/727-525-1029). You'll have to elbow your way through the crowd of neighbors to get a table at this family-operated pizzeria. This casual, strip-mall storefront packs ¡¯em in with full-flavored pizza, but don't leave without one of the tastiest hoagies and subs we've had, made on crisp, crusted bread with top-notch meats and cheeses. $
Nature's Finest, 6651 Central Ave. (727-381-1806). A full-service supermarket at 15,000 square feet, the largest around. The takeout deli dishes up fresh baked goods, vegetarian, vegan, even macrobiotic takeout, with choices like bean stew, good organic vegan pizzas, vegetarian and vegan lasagna and terrific salads. $
Saffron's Caribbean, 1700 Park St. N. (727-345-6400). Saffron's sister team offers authentic jerk chicken and more, with spices that will take you to Jamaica. Appleton steak and curry dishes to satisfy the fussiest island connoisseurs. $$
The Steak Joint, 4871 Park St. (727-545-9481). This joint has some of the best black angus treats around. Aged beef makes the difference, but so do the fresh salads, veggies and superb appetizers. No a la carte here; salad, bread and additional veggies are included with meals. Hickory smoked barbecue baby back ribs are the best in town. Fully-stocked bar. $$$
Downtown St. Pete
Alfresco at The Vinoy, 501 Fifth Ave. N.E. (727-894-1000). This Floribbean-style restaurant is one of the best-kept secrets in town with its authentic conch fritters and curried remoulade, grilled grouper and good pasta dishes including a superb seafood linguine. Spicy cold peel-and-eat shrimp along with one (or two) of their imported beers makes for a nice poolside lunch. $$$
Chateau France, 136 Fourth Ave. N.E. (727-894-7163). An old Victorian mansion is a very special setting for a very special dinner. Dine on authentic French cuisine prepared by a Cordon Bleu-trained chef, served in intimate, private rooms. You can blow the budget on dishes like beluga caviar or Dover sole imported from the Canal De La Manche, or dine deliciously but reasonably on roasted duck breast in orange Grand Marnier sauce, or chicken medallions sauteed with Camembert and fresh herbs. Plan ahead to enjoy a very special dessert for two: an authentic souffle au chocolat. Most appetizers run $9 to $12. Most entrees, which include baby vegetables, Gruyere cheese potatoes and signature salad, range from $15 to $29. $$$
Tamarind Tree Cafe, 537 Central Ave. (727-898-2115). This happy little Cafe puts the accent on healthy but doesn't leave out the flavor. The food is savory and satisfying enough to convert any carnivore, especially their vegetarian chili. Vegetarian lasagna is comfort food, like good, baked macaroni and cheese. Great daily specials. Lunch served 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Special vegetarian dinners one evening a month and can be vegan by request. No smoking. $
Northeast St. Pete/Gateway
Ambrosia, 201 Seventh Ave. N. (727-898-5194). This lively corner cafe offers light, Mediterranean-style fare. Lunch menu includes wraps, hummus, salads or fresh seafood. At dinner, try oven-roasted chicken Patricia or lamb chops with mint chermoula and garlic mashed potatoes. Entrees range from $9 to $19. $$
Babalu, 9246 Fourth St. N. (727-576-7414). It's not swank, just swell. Yes, The Babalu is the veritable definition of a "joint." No-account decor, low-class atmosphere, cold beer and gut-busting quantities of low-dough food, with almost everything from salad dressings to side dishes homemade from scratch, have made this place a neighborhood favorite for years. Our favorites are the all-you-care-to eat nightly specials, like crispy battered grouper or barbecued ribs. $
Bonefish Grill, 5901 Fourth St. N. (727-521-3434) Bite into the Bonefish for a beautiful dining room, lively atmosphere and tasty wood-fire-grilled fish with lemon butter sauce, lime tomato garlic, or fresh mango salsa, or try daily specials, like the exceptional talapia with butter, white wine and caper sauce. Juicy, boneless pork chops in red wine glaze top the menu for meat eaters. Cajun chicken egg rolls are a great starter, with plenty of spice and crunch. Large entrees include bread, house or Caesar salad, and two side dishes, making prices from $12.50 to $17 an excellent value. $$
Fancy's Specialty Market, 1003 Fourth St. N. (727-894-5300). Chef Emil packs a lot of quality into this tiny market. Seasonal deli stuff prepared fresh daily includes great soups, seafood, pates and desserts. Be sure and try the shrimp with dill sauce and the homemade chicken sausage. Check the wine nook for rare picks at good prices. Great home catering too.
The Crab Shack, 11400 Gandy Blvd. (727-576-7813). On the St. Pete side of the Gandy Bridge sits a rundown shack filled with crabs so fresh they'll bite your toes. Blue crab, gold crab, stone crab, soft-shell crab; if it's got claws, they'll cook it! Don't miss the skewers of honey-barbecue shrimp, or the mouthwatering house specialty, Snapper Corvina, a 2 and1/2-pound whole snapper deep fried. Any fresher, and this fish would still be swimming. $$
Fourth Street Shrimp Store, 1006 Fourth St. N. (727-822-0325). This longtime neighborhood favorite packs them in with seafood that's fresh, fast and value priced. Nothing fancy, just the basics: fresh fish, shrimp and grouper; broiled, fried or blackened; and ice-cold beer. You can't beat the $2.95 fish sandwich for lunch. Entrees range from $3 to $11.99. $
Harvey's Fourth Street Grill, 3121 Fourth St. N. (727-821-6516). An all-encompassing menu includes 20 appetizers, a full range of large salads, burgers and sandwiches; entrees served with half-portions; pasta and plenty of decadent desserts. An ample wine list and a good late-night menu. $$
Mazzaro Coffee and Italian Market, 2909 22nd Ave N. (727-321-2400). Open Monday through Saturday. Foods are prepared the old-fashioned way. Incredible bread is baked in a wood-fired brick oven, and their coffee is roasted in an antique roaster. Take-out deli with cold meats, cheeses, sandwiches, lasagna, meat loaf, dry goods like pasta, olive oil, herbs, olives. $
Stone Soup Cafe, 4122 16th St. N. (727-526-2975). What else would you expect from a place named Stone Soup but fresh, homemade soups? How about healthy salads, fruit smoothies and tasty sandwiches packed with plenty of fresh fixings. Try the turkey breast on swirl bread, dressed with provolone cheese, avocado, red onion, bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo. Salads and sandwiches range from $4.75 to $5.25. Daily specials available. $
Siam Garden Thai Restaurant, 3125 Ninth St. N. (727-822-0613). Wake up your tired taste buds with the spicy flavors of Siam Garden's dinner entrees. Choose from favorite noodle dishes like pad Thai, or try something special like crispy, deep-fried frog legs in garlic black pepper sauce or whole fried snapper served in a chili-garlic sauce. Plenty of good, inexpensive lunch entrees too. $$
Red Mesa, 4912 Fourth St. N. (727-527-8728) This casually ambient eatery features regional Mexican and Southwestern cuisine. Black bean soup is nicely seasoned with fresh cilantro and epizote topped with chopped onion. There's tortilla crusted grouper with pineapple ancho cream, shrimp with garlic and chilies, fresh ceviche and Oaxaqueno-style fondue with chorizo. An adventure in cuisine by Chef Chris Fernandez. $$
Ringside Cafe, 2742 Fourth St. N. (727-894-8465). Local and national rhythm and blues acts every night in a funky old wooden house with better-than-average bar food. Best menu bets are black angus hamburgers, fresh grouper sandwiches and chili cheese fries. Ringside also has $1 drafts, $1.50 bottles. $
Rollin' Oats Whole Foods Market and Cafe, 2842 Ninth St. N. (727-821-6825). A great addition to the St. Pete scene, this combination market-cafe features vegetarian and vegan specialties. For salad lovers there's a generous Middle Eastern hummus salad and a house salad of mixed greens with a melange of veggies and good dressings made in house. $
Sunset Grill, 2996 Ninth St. N. (727-823-2382). Happy days are here again down at the Sunset Grill. No McTasteless here; these burgers are handmade from fresh beef. Order up thick and creamy hand-dipped milkshakes, just the way the Fonz likes ¡¯em! Nice selection of sandwiches and sides, too. Bop on over and eat on the patio. Live music weekends, 7 to 11 p.m. Average entree $4.50. $
This article appears in Feb 15-21, 2001.