Get familiar with the featured restaurants at Clearwater Beach's upcoming Taste Fest. They're the 20-plus food spots set to participate in the annual Clearwater Beach Restaurant Week this month.
Taste Fest, taking place from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday on Beach Walk and South Gulfview Boulevard, will introduce guests to signature tastings from restaurants like Sea-Guini, Bob Heilman's Beachcomber, the coming-soon Marina Cantina and Surfside Taphouse. There's a planned assortment of wine and craft beer, live music, raffle items, vendors with souvenirs available for purchase, and a 9 p.m. fireworks display.
It's all gearing up for Monday's kickoff of Restaurant Week, which runs until May 22.
A mix of casual and fine-dining options will present prix-fixe menus, between $15 and $35, throughout the two-weeklong event now in its seventh year. Some restaurants may choose to offer a lunch menu, whose price will range from $10 to $15. Before the week begins, the food lineups will be posted online.
Diners are also encouraged to evaluate their experience at each eatery. Participating restaurants will compete in categories that have included Most Enthusiastic Chef, Best Pizza on the Beach and Best Bartender in the past, and the votes will be entered into a drawing for prizes.
