THAI BASIL, 4445 East Bay Drive (727-532-6108). Unassuming cafe offers heaps of tasty Thai food with a young attitude. Try its fresh, zingy cheese rolls, a tasty combination of cream cheese, shrimp, carrots and green onions wrapped in a spring roll and fried golden, dipped in sweet raspberry sauce; or toasted tortillas stuffed with a spicy filling, fried and dipped in sweet chili sauce. Best menu bets are grilled lamb chops with basil sauce, anything with chili jam, and vegetarian fried rice with tofu. $
DUNEDIN
BENEDICT'S, Causeway Plaza, 2676 Bayshore Blvd. (727-736-1600). Recommended for breakfast/brunch. What else would you expect but a tasty and nearly unlimited variety of fluffy poached eggs set atop a toasted English muffin, slathered with a creamy lemon sauce and your choice of ham, crab meat or bacon? But there's more: sweet selections like Belgian chocolate pancakes or zesty flavors like huevos ranchero, all served in enormous portions. $
CAFÉ ALFRESCO, 344 Main St. (727-736-4299). You'll enjoy leisurely meals on the patio overlooking the Pinellas Trail. Menu specialties include crisp fresh salads and creative pastas. Don't miss the delicious ice cream creations. $$
CASA TINA, 369 Main St. (727-734-9226). Got some extra hot sauce on hand? Bring a bottle to this cozy gourmet Mexican and vegetarian restaurant and they'll buy you a drink. (Forget about Tabasco, though; that doesn't count.) The menu has heart-healthy items, including a good ceviche (fresh marinated seafood). Also featured are "heavenly" wild mushroom quesadillas, fresh roasted poblanos stuffed with cheese, a dish of mole verde and mole poblano and corn tamales juicier than ever before. $$
GULF BEACHES/NORTH
DOMENIC'S CAPRI ITALIAN RESTAURANT, 411 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach (727-441-1111). Domenico Forlini's long tenure as one of Clearwater Beach's best chefs pays off in delectable fashion. Great wine list, honored annually by Wine Spectator magazine, a variety of different homemade pastas, all terrific, along with homemade bread and salad dressings, fine mussel dishes and soups, and several well-done desserts, such as chocolate-chocolate cake or tiramisu. $$$
FRENCHY'S ORIGINAL CAFÉ, 41 Baymont St., Clearwater Beach (727-446-3607 and 727-461-6295). You'll love the crunchy crust on the restaurant's award-winning grouper sandwich, or try the unusual grouper reuben. Serious partiers will like the big servings of boiled shrimp. Finish with chocolate crunchy peanut butter pie. $$
SALT ROCK GRILL, 19325 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores (727-593-7625). Usually beautiful waterfront setting and polished, classy interior distinguishes this restaurant. The food is fresh and hearty but not ravishingly creative. Enjoy the crusty handmade bread, and order the tuna sashimi as an appetizer, and for the main course, flame-grilled lobster or steak. $$$
GULF BEACHES/SOUTH
ALFREDINO'S ON THE BEACH, 7141 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (727-367-9999). This is the place to discover what real Italian cuisine is all about. Heavenly pastas bathed in sauces prepared fresh when you order; beef dishes, such as filet in red wine demi-glace; and perhaps the best-prepared fish on the beach, like grouper topped with crab in a Dijon wine sauce. For dessert, try caramel-glazed bananas Foster prepared at your table. $$
THE DON CESAR BEACH RESORT & SPA, King Charles Ballroom, 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (727-360-1881). Make a date with the gorgeous pink lady on the beach, one of our area's best-known and most historic structures. Take a lovely Sunday brunch in the King Charles Ballroom, a huge buffet with dozens of dishes, every kind of roll and waffle and an amazingly spectacular view of the Gulf of Mexico from the adjacent open balcony that crowns the fifth floor. $$$
THE LOBSTER POT, 17814 Gulf Blvd., Redington Shores (727-391-8592). Has been serving fresh finfish and shellfish for nearly 20 years now. The focus, of course, is lobster but other treasures of the Gulf are nicely done. Black grouper, snapper and a variety of crustaceans are ever-present on a menu that has some interesting daily attractions. Don't leave without checking out the chowder. $$$
YOJI JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR, 4615 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (727-367-6762). Open for dinner only. Teppan yaki chefs perform tableside as they cook softshell crab, shrimp, filet, lobster and chicken in spicy sauces on an iron grill. Be sure and try gyoza (traditional sautéed dumplings) and fresh selections from the sushi bar. $$
GULFPORT
BACKFIN BLUE CAFÉ, 2913 Beach Blvd. S. (727-343-2583). Quaint little Cafe with classy food, in the heart of an arty district. Great prime rib and meat loaf, excellent fish. Don't miss the corn purée with lump crabmeat or the crab cakes. Great desserts, too. Laid-back, casual and definitely tasty. $$
THE HABANA, 5402 Gulfport Blvd. S. (727-321-8855). Authentic Cuban foods, with the menu topping out at $10.95. Owner Jo Hastings was born in Cuba but grew up here. She serves traditional Cuban food with a today-twist, like roast pork with cumin, laurel and grilled onions, as well as mojo; chicken breast done palomilla style; and catfish with a plantain crust. $
