CL regularly presents focused listings of the best dining options in Tampa Bay's neighborhoods. This week we're giving you an updated guide to the restaurants in Downtown Tampa.
ASHLEY STREET GRILLE 200 N Ashley Dr., Tampa, 813-223-2222; sheratontampariverwalk.com/dining
This waterfront spot in downtown Tampa, located in the Sheraton hotel, features classic American cuisine, and was named one of the "Top 20 New Restaurants" in Florida .
AVANZARE 211 N. Tampa St., Tampa, 813-222-4975; americascuisine.com/florida/tampabay/avanzare.aspx
Located in the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Avanzare is an elegant eatery specializing in Italian and American fare. Just a hop, skip, and a jump from both the Performing Arts Center and the St. Pete Times Forum.
BAMBOOZLE CAFE 516 N Tampa St., Tampa, 813-223-7320; bamboozlecafe.com
"Bamboozle has an excellent concept: fresh, healthy ingredients combined in an homage to classic Vietnamese fare."…"Bamboozle turns into a Vietnamese Subway, those numerous veggie choices arrayed behind glass, plopped by a culinary engineer onto whatever dish you choose. They dip rice paper into warm water and slap it on a cutting board or scoop strands of vermicelli into a bowl or layer ingredients onto a split loaf of crusty french bread, all topped with protein in the form of grilled chicken, beef or pork, or steamed shrimp, or slivers of golden tofu." -Brian Ries
COLUMBIA CAFE 801 Old Water St., Tampa, 813-229-5511; columbiarestaurant.com/cafe.asp
Another locale of the famous Columbia Restaurant, the cafe offers the same Columbia favorites (including the famous “1905” Salad™") in a waterfront setting. The bar is a replica of the original Columbia Restaurant bar on 7th Ave. in Ybor.
FLY BAR 1202 N Franklin St., Tampa, 813-275-5000; flybarandrestaurant.com/tampa
A restaurant that turns into a nighttime hotspot serving global fusion cuisine, as well as great craft and import beers on tap and in bottle. Live music and events just about every night of the week. The rooftop deck gives a great view of Downtown Tampa.
FRESH 507 N Franklin St., Tampa, 813-229-5500; eatfreshdaily.com. The menu of fresh, made-to-order salads and sandwiches with about a hundred different ingredient options makes this a great spot for lunch downtown, but it's the cereal bar that sets this place apart. Choose from an assortment of sugary cereals, plus toppings of candies, crushed cookies and fruit (if you want to make it somewhat healthy), and flavored milks, and you've got yourself heaven in a bowl.
This article appears in Dec 2-8, 2010.