BEST RESTAURANT
Sangria's
Victor Perez, the owner, serves up terrific tapas and pours even more wine in your glass than you would at home. Try the bacalao and ask Victor to tell you his life story. Both are interesting.
Sangria's, 315 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-258-0393.
BEST RADIO STATION
WMNF-88.5 FM
Of course, I'm part of the liberal media, right? Actually my favorite program is the fairly non-partisan Morning Show, mostly singer/songwriter-based acoustic, folk, Americana, etc. Marcie Finkelstein's Tuesday morning show is worth getting up at 6 a.m. for. With my schedule, that's saying something!
BEST IRISH PUB
James Joyce Irish Pub
Those who overindulge on Seventh Avenue apparently can't make it up the stairs to this authentic Celtic enclave. You can actually have a conversation with those who can.
James Joyce Irish Pub, 1704 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City, 813-247-1896.
BEST PLACE TO PRACTICE FOR RETIREMENT
Redington Long Pier, Redington Beach
The $6 entry fee gets you way out on the Gulf of Mexico and beats the upkeep on a boat. I've caught maybe four fish in 10 visits. But I keep coming back.
BEST NIGHT OUT WITH FRIENDS
Skipper's Smokehouse
Check the listings at Skipper's for a band that sounds interesting. Arrive hungry and order a plate of something fried that you'd never ordinarily eat. When the band starts playing, go ahead and dance. Nobody's looking at you anyway.
Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa, 813-971-0666.
BEST PLACE TO TAKE OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS
Tampa Theatre
Why there's not a line around the block every night, I'll never understand. Only a handful of these gorgeous 1920s movie houses still exist, and the offbeat films they show will give you something to talk about with your visitors from Fort Wayne. Don't miss the Mighty Wurlitzer organ performance before the matinee and during intermission. And show your guests the men's room. Archeologists are still trying to figure out why urinals were so enormous in the early 20th century.
Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-274-8981.
FAVORITE BOWL OF NOODLES
Bamboo Flute
A bowl of pho, the staple Vietnamese soup, is best enjoyed solo. The sight of you cramming broth-soaked rice noodles, scallions, bean sprouts, basil and thinly sliced brisket into your pho hole is not something anyone wants to look at. You'll also be sweating profusely from the garlic-chili sauce you must add.
Bamboo Flute, 2307 S. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-258-2858.
FAVORITE DOG WALK
Lake Rogers Park on North Mobley Road, Tampa
OK, it's a little odd to drive 30 minutes to walk your dog, but Archie enjoys the ride as much as the romp. This loop trail around Lake Rogers has lots of shade, a little elevation and more possums than people. Just about perfect for man and beast.
BEST (OUTDOOR) ACTIVITY WITH MY WIFEUnload the bikes on Main Street in Dunedin. Proceed north on the Pinellas Trail for half the distance you can handle. Hang a U-turn. Pedal back to Main Street and replace the lost calories at Kelly's For Just About … Anything
Kelly's, 319 Main St., Dunedin, 727-736-5284.
BEST LOCAL ADVERTISER
Bay City Plywood
Those guys crack me up. Really, they do. Really. 
This article appears in Sep 25 – Oct 1, 2003.