There's no excuse for not eating exciting food when you go out. The Bay area dining scene is exploding with great flavors for any budget.
This is part five of a six-part series in CL's annual Food Issue; check out part six, which features the 10 very best restaurants in Pinellas. Earlier in the week, we published my picks for the 20 best bargain restaurants in Hillsborough and Pinellas, as well as the staff and I's favorite tastes.
Nick Cardello
ARMANI'S
The million-dollar views of old Tampa and the bay through floor-to-ceiling windows combine with traditional high-end Italian cuisine to make this one of the best escapes to celebrate with a special meal. And the essential antipasto misto is Fabulous, with a capital “F.” Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, 2900 Bayport Drive, Tampa, 813-207-6800, tampabay.grand.hyatt.com.
Chip Weiner
CENA
07/04/13, 4 stars
Chef Michael Buttacavoli delivers big-time on Cena’s promise to be “modern, fresh and simple.” The kitchen rocks. There’s not a single item on the menu that disappoints, and many bring a welcome element of surprise to the Channel District. 1208 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-374-8840, cena-channelside.com.
Chip Weiner
GREY SALT
12/10/15, 4 stars
A multifaceted bill of fare from celebrity chef Marc Murphy combines a host of flavors, but always seeks balance. From the roasted Gulf Coast snapper to the smashing duck breast to perfectly al dente Le Puy lentils dressed in tangy mustard vinaigrette, Grey Salt is a winner. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa, 813-627-8100, greysalt-restaurant.com.
Chip Weiner
HAVEN
04/02/15, 5 stars
Haven is one of Tampa bay’s most satisfying, sophisticated dining experiences wrapped up in a regionally appropriate, casual bow. It’s aspirational, upping the game especially on the cocktail and whiskey front. Plus, it offers one-of-a-kind premium wine pours that call for the high-tech Coravin system. 2208 W. Morrison Ave., Tampa, 813-258-2233, haventampa.com.
Nicole Abbett
ON SWANN
06/16/16, 4 stars
Chef Chris Ponte’s brand-new outpost in Hyde Park Village has more of a casual-chic vibe than his namesake spot in Clearwater, but it reflects his flair for deeply flavorful contemporary American cuisine and features an exceptionally attentive service staff. 1501 W. Swann Ave., Tampa. 813-251-0110, onswann.com.
Chip Weiner
PIQUANT
04/24/14, 4 stars
Whether you need to see what the “Cronut” knockoff is all about or taste some of the best French-inflected bistro fare this side of the pond, chefs Rosana Rivera and Ricardo Castro passionately deliver what they promise: “authentic epicurean cuisine.” Hyde Park Village, 1633 W. Snow Ave., Tampa, 813-251-1777, piquanthydepark.com.
CL Archive
RESTAURANT BT
The artistry of BT Nguyen’s “eat local, think global” cuisine is visible on the plate and explosive on the palate. Dinner is a mashup of French technique with a sprinkling of her native Vietnam’s balance of flavors, fragrances, textures and colors. It’s a luxurious and seductive dining experience. 2507 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-258-1916, restaurantbt.com.
Chip Weiner
ROOSTER & THE TILL
03/20/14, 4.5 stars
As each small plate arrives, first there’s a hush, then a moan, then an “oh, my” followed by an excited exchange of tablewide commentary as the dish disappears in a few shared bites. Chef Ferrell Alvarez explodes all the benchmarks about what constitutes the highest level of fine dining across the region. 6500 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-374-8940, roosterandthetill.com.
Chip Weiner
ROUX
09/18/14, 4 stars
Creole nouvelle cuisine on South MacDill under the seasoned eye of chef Bonnie Breaux saves you a trip to NOLA. The gumbo makes me weak in the knees, while the elevated Cajun favorites and new Southern classics are superb. Add inventive craft cocktails, and you’ve got a damn good evening. 4205 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-443-5255, rouxtampa.com.
Chip Weiner
SACRED PEPPER
05/19/16, 4 stars
Chef James Maita is in the house and there’s a major new addition to the Bay area’s restaurant scene. He’s not breaking new boundaries, but his kitchen delivers an exquisite Mediterranean twist on refined American cuisine amidst Enrique Crespo’s striking decor. 15405 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 813-609-8000, sacredpepper.com.
