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 two of a six-part series in CL's annual Food Issue. I'll share my favorite tastes from a year of reviewing (and some staff picks, too) on Wednesday, plus my choices for the 20 very best restaurants in Hillsborough and Pinellas on Thursday. On Monday, we published my selections for the 10 best bargain restaurants in Hillsborough.
Shanna Gillette
1925 MENU AT MARCHAND’S BAR & GRILL
Reviewed 02/07/13, 4 stars
One of Tampa Bay’s great bargains is the early-bird special inside this handsomest of dining rooms. From 5 to 6:30 p.m. daily, you’re invited to celebrate the opening year of The Vinoy with a three-course spread of chef Mark Heimann’s cuisine for only $19.25. The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club, 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, 727-894-1000, marriott.com.
Chip Weiner
BANYAN CAFE & CATERING
03/14/13, 4 stars
Erica Allums’s coffee and sandwich shop pays real attention to detail, with an expressed emphasis on local produce and ingredients. It also happens to make a perfect risotto, plus there’s a kick-ass weekend brunch, now at two locations. 689 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-896-6100, banyancoffee.com.
Todd Bates
CASA TINA
08/08/13, 3.5 stars
Though the Dunedin landmark keeps expanding, its quality endures. What makes me return is a salt-rimmed frozen margarita with bracing lime and plenty of zip, or sizzling fajitas big enough to share. And it always begins with the tastiest chunky salsa and fresh chips on the house. 365 Main St., Dunedin, 727-734-9226, casatinas.com.
Shanna Gillette
ENGINE NO. 9
06/20/13, 3.5 stars
This is what happens when a restaurateur doing burgers and dogs decides to aim high. Begin with eight juicy ounces of prime Black Angus beef, and then the fun begins. There are, count ’em, nearly 30 fabulous options, including grilled portabella and pan-seared ahi tuna. 56 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-623-0938, no9burgers.com.
Nicole Abbett
HAWKERS ASIAN STREET FARE
03/24/16, 3.5 stars
The food is sensational, giving you access to a panoply of exhilarating flavors that explode when you take a bite. Street food is adventurous. Hawkers says try “something bold, something new.” I couldn’t agree more. Take a tour of culinary Asia without leaving your bright orange chair. 1235 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-521-7253, eathawkers.com.
Nicole Abbett
KINGS STREET FOOD COUNTER
11/26/15, 3.5 stars
Two street food icons stand out: the all-American hot dog and poutine, Canada’s sloppy but delicious mashup. Comfort food, after all, is not noted for restraint, so Kings adds 10 delectable grilled cheese sandwiches and five inventive breakfast items served all day. Yum. 937 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-914-2111, kingsdtsp.com.
Locale Market via Facebook
LOCALE MARKET
12/25/14, 4 stars
Chef Michael Mina calls his brainchild with chef Don Pintabona a curated “culinary Disneyland.” Indeed, this magic kingdom has multiple kitchen stations to display its theme-park wizardry. If you live close enough, you never need to cook again. It’s gourmet to go at affordable prices. Sundial St. Pete, 179 Second Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-523-6300.
Chip Weiner
POM POM’S TEAHOUSE & SANDWICHERIA
05/07/15, 4 stars
The lineup has quirky selections that reflect adventuresome palates, but also a keen understanding of how to build layers of flavor that work. Rest assured, you’ll go home with a happy wallet and a full belly. 2950 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-873-6992, pompomsstpete.com.
Chip Weiner
RED MESA MERCADO
01/29/15, 3.5 stars
Mercado brings a blend of urban drive-by dining and one-stop-shopping for all things Cali-Mexican, including fresh tortillas made on-site and an array of tacos, quesadillas, burritos, empanadas, tamales and chimichangas. Everything is flavorful and made to order, including the sangria. 1100 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-954-7430, redmesamercado.com.
Nicole Abbett
THE WOODEN ROOSTER
02/18/16, 3.5 stars
At last, affordable food just off Beach Drive. The crêpes are universally scrumptious; the menu offers 10 “rise & shine” breakfast items as well as 11 more savory combos. You may venture into make-your-own territory, too, with seven proteins, 10 veggies, eight cheeses, and five sauce extras. 104 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, 727-822-7373, thewoodenrooster.com.
This article appears in Jun 16-23, 2016.