Few have as keen an understanding of Tampa Bay as award-winning WTSP Channel 10 investigative reporter Noah Pransky. In the six years he has been in the area, the Boston native and South Tampa-via-Ft. Myers resident has broken any number of big stories. Key among the controversies he’s doggedly followed is the use of red light cameras, which he exposed as a big money-maker for the companies that pitch them to municipalities under the guise of safety. In his blog, “Shadow of the Stadium,” he digs into the politics behind local stadium deals like the process currently unfolding with the Tampa Bay Rays. He’s also a triathlete, and knows the best outdoor places to train — and avoid. Needless to say, he’s a busy guy. But when he does get out, he frequents the carefully-scouted-out locations below.
Best restaurant, all-time: CICCIO’S on Howard. “I love anything from the Ciccio’s Group… I think their service, atmosphere and value are kind of the benchmark to compare any new restaurant to.”
Where he goes for Mexican: TACO BUS. “The original Taco Bus. I go downtown a lot, to that one, but the original’s better. More authentic.”
Where he goes for Anglo-Indian: THE MOON UNDER WATER. “I really like their curries.”
Best hideaway for Asian food: NAKAYA. “It’s hidden behind a UPS store and the Walgreens on Platt. It’s pretty new, within a year, but I really like their stuff. Very authentic.”
His go-to steakhouse: BERN’S. “I don’t go there often, but when I take a visitor to a steakhouse, it has to be Bern’s. There is no better experience. To me, a steak can be a steak, but the service level there is significantly better and it’s not really more expensive than the other high-end steakhouses in town.”
Where to have brunch for dinner: DAILY EATS. “I love the Daily Eats brunch so much that when I go at 5 p.m. I’ll get it.”
Best destinations for a night on the town: Hyde Park and SoHo. “[They’re] still my go-to because I can walk there. I try to stay Tampa-centric, but Uber has made it easier to go further away and not have to worry about a car.”
Best local pub: IRISH 31. “It’s my local corner pub. It’s gotten very busy and popular in Tampa.”
Best beverage with a view: THE CANOPY at THE BIRCHWOOD, THE HURRICANE, THE UNDERTOW.
Best cocktail: CIRO’S SPEAKEASY. “They will spend 10 minutes making something from scratch. They don’t have to… You’ll get the menu, and if you’re staring at it too long, they’ll say, ‘What do you like?’ and I’ll say ‘jalapeno and mint,’ and they’ll make something from scratch that uses both ingredients and it’s fantastic. I’ve never had anything bad there.”
Best beach: PASS-A-GRILLE. “Both because it’s easy to get to and it’s great for whatever you need. You want to go to the bar at the Don [Cesar], you can. You want to go to the Hurricane, you can. You want to find a quiet corner, you can.” Runners-up: Fort DeSoto, Lido Beach.
Best stay-cation: WALT DISNEY WORLD (EPCOT). “Disney’s still a fun place for adults. You have to go on a weekday.”
Where to go for a run: BAYSHORE & DAVIS ISLANDS. “Tampa and St. Pete both have excellent Parks & Rec. So I spend a lot of time in the parks and the pools and other city amenities. That’s one of the best things about Florida — they put so many resources into those community amenities, so make the most of them. I’m on Bayshore almost every morning either biking or running.”
Where to ride your bike: SAN ANTONIO (PASCO COUNTY). “There’s a big cycling community and there are hills. It’s the only place in Tampa Bay where you’ll really see hills.” Runners-up: The Clearwater bridges.
Where not to cycle: Gandy Boulevard (either side of the bay). “If you try to cycle on Gandy Boulevard in either city, drivers are going to try to run you off the road… Gandy might be the epicenter of distracted drivers in Tampa Bay.”
This article appears in Mar 5-11, 2015.