HILLSBOROUGHBRANDONBEN'S FAMILY RESTAURANT, 704 E. Brandon Blvd. (813-685-5501). Family-style home-cooked meals are the restaurant's specialty; it does all three meals well, five days a week, with light, fluffy pancakes and plenty of hot coffee for breakfast, excellent fresh sandwiches and salads for lunch, and a dynamite dinner of hot white meat turkey with stuffing and gravy. $
SIMPLY THAI RESTAURANT, 875 E. Bloomingdale Ave. (813-681-4470). Family-owned, tiny restaurant puts big flavors out on the table for lucky suburban diners. Start with mushroom delight as an appetizer, then move on to an exotic main dish called twice cooked duck, and finish with desserts like sweet cinnamon chips. $
TAMPACARROLLWOOD/NORTHWEST TAMPAHO HO CHOY CHINESE RESTAURANT, 5229 Ehrlich Road (813-968-4749). If freshness and flavor are more important to you than merely consuming mass quantities, head to Ho Ho Choy for fresh seafood, tasty vegetarian dishes, and those tantalizing, tiny plates of dumplings, fish, fowl and meats, soups and sweets. $$
SPLASH! AN OCEAN GRILL, 3973 Van Dyke Road (813-269-8611). Country-style gone chic, the Lutz restaurant's oak-grilled seafood is seawater fresh and its service exemplary. Go early and hang at the convivial bar, nursing a fancy cocktail, like sparkling white sangria. For dinner, order chunky, sherry-flavored lobster chowder followed by pan-seared, sesame-crusted tuna. $$$
SUKHOTHAI, 8201 N. Dale Mabry (813-933-7990). Thai dishes and an elegant Eastern ambiance combine to create a romantic adventure. A class operation. $$
CENTRAL/WEST TAMPADONATELLO, 232 N. Dale Mabry (813-875-6660). Some of the area's best Northern Italian cuisine also exhibits some of the finest service in town. Favorites include capellini d'Angelo, agnolotti with cream and Parmesan, and an excellent prosciutto di Parma. Be sure to have dessert: Napolean cake, chocolate-drenched profiteroles, tiramisu or, depending on the day, the fresh fruit tarts. $$$
LA TERESITA, 3248 W. Columbus Drive (813-879-4909). Eat at the counter at this authentic Cuban restaurant with complete meals for under $5. Some of the best black beans and rice in town. $
MAMBO'S CAFÉ, 4423 N. Armenia Ave. (813-873-1995). This classic "fonda," or neighborhood cafe, is one of the best places to taste the home cooking of Puerto Rico. Step into the cafeteria-style serving line and choose from savory entrees like plantain fritters stuffed with seasoned, ground beef as well as traditional treats like marinated octopus salad. Flavors are fresh, portions are generous and prices are low. $
TAMPA – DAVIS ISLANDSESTELA'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT, 209 E. Davis Blvd. (813-251-0558). Enjoy traditional Mexican specialties while dining al fresco or inside this charming cantina. Excellent fresh salsa, smoky enchiladas and tasty margaritas are menu highlights. No less than 25 dinner combinations, and open late. $
PINK FLAMINGO CAFÉ, 210 E. Davis Blvd. (813-251-2928). The Islanders know this is the place to go for breakfast or lunch. Wake up to a "Healthy Start," a big bowl of fresh, seasonal fruit tossed with low-fat strawberry and banana yogurt, topped with granola, and your choice of a jumbo muffin or bagel for one low price. Recommended: PF's hot-off-the-grill sandwiches. $
THAI ISLAND, 210 E. Davis Blvd. (813-251-9111). Thai Island is better than your local joint. There is nothing to look at but white walls and ceiling, so concentrate on the food. The southern Thai-influenced food is unafraid of powerful punches of garlic and basil (pad kra proa), hefty amounts of lime and chili (yum talea), or rich coconut milk and Indian spices (massaman beef curry). $$
DOWNTOWN TAMPAFOUR GREEN FIELDS, 205 W. Platt St. (813-254-4444). Jolly Irish tavern with an authentic, $25,000 thatched roof is hard to miss on the edge of downtown Tampa. Party hearty with a young crowd of hard chargers and dine on authentic fare, such as Irish potato leek soup or Irish stew, washed down with a thick, dark Guinness. $
MARC & DIDI'S DELI, 210 W. Platt St. (813-250-6272). Another restaurant from the Zudars, who have operated delis in Tampa for decades. Order homemade chicken soup with fat noodles and fresh vegetables, and the Jewish Jitsu, a delicious corned beef and pastrami number covered with melted Swiss cheese. $
SPAIN RESTAURANT & TAPAS BAR, 513 Tampa St. (813-223-2831). A new Spanish restaurant so welcome in the comatose heart of Tampa. It does a knockout sangria and terrific hot and cold tapas with flair. Championes extravaganza ($8) features hot mushrooms served over a dreamy toast rich with goat cheese and sherry wine sauce, or filete de res ($8), tender beef sautéed with onions, mushroom and sherry. $ Breakfast, Lunch and Tapas; $$ Dinner
TINATAPAS, 615 Channelside Drive (813-514-8462). Beautiful tapas joint by the folks who brought you Stumps Supper Club and Splitsville. A variety of little Spanish and Nuevo-Latino dishes to please the palate, including a spicy mango shrimp, cooling gazpacho, and filling steak rioja. Sangria and margaritas by the pitcher make this Channelside restaurant a great crowd-pleaser.
EAST TAMPAFLORENCE LA MEXICANA RESTAURANT, 902 S. 22nd St. (813-248-8566). This modest Mexican cafe, located in a gritty, industrial sector of Tampa, is a good bet for low-cost meals and snacks. Order pork cooked with red chilies and Mexican beer. $
FLOYD'S, 5223 N. Orient Road (866-502-7529 or www.hardrockhotelcasinotampa.com). Good Italian-influenced food can be had at Floyd's, in a hip setting of monumental design. Try the Tuscan chicken and the calamari for two overused dishes done better than you would expect. The restaurant takes credit cards, so you can enjoy a nice meal after filling the Seminole nation's coffers with your cash.
TAMPA – HYDE PARK42ND STREET BISTRO, 516 S. Howard Ave. (813-253-0042). Plenty of food and action at this 1940s-style New York bistro. Not only some of the best martinis and Manhattans in town, but gourmet pizzas, salads and entrees are innovative as well as downright delectable. Superb desserts; perfect for after the theater, open late. $$-$$$
CIRCLES, 2500 W. Azeele St. (813-879-5228). Easy, uncomplicated neighborhood favorite located off the main section of Restaurant Row in SoHo. Its specialties draw from varied cuisine, like the Cajun-inspired cream tortellini with chicken, and an Italian specialty called shrimp Mediterranean, the freshest shrimp crowning tender angel hair pasta. Don't miss the primo crème brulèe for dessert. $$ Lunch; $$$ Dinner
MANGROVES SEAFOOD GRILLE, 208 S. Howard Ave. Tampa (813-258-3302). A gorgeous restaurant with a funky urban style and extensive designer martini menu boasts innovative dishes with all manner of unusual and imported ingredients. For appetizers, go with the excellent New Zealand greenlipped mussels in a sweet and spicy red panang curry with a side of coconut shaving and fried plantains. For entrees, try the delicious Brazilian zarzuela (a sort of bouillabaisse) or red snapper with Tabasco-maple sauce and mashed sweet potatoes. $$$$
SANGRIA'S, 315 S. Howard Ave. (813-258-0393). An oh-so-fashionable weekend hotspot popular with local fashionista clones of South Tampa. Generous tapas dishes priced $4-$10 (try the shrimp sangria) and tasty, if not-so-alcoholic, sangria keep the joint's reputation in a state of perpetual popularity. But for a real taste of Spain, head in on the weeknights, when smoky seafood paella and a quiet atmosphere show off this taverna's true strengths.
T.C. CHOY'S ASIAN BISTRO, 301 S. Howard Ave. (813-251-1191 or 813-251-2291). Excellent Pan-Asian restaurant featuring sophisticated decor; unusual dishes, such as whole steamed fish and elegant lychee pudding; and a dynamite sushi bar. Go Saturday and Sunday for a lovely dim sum, too. $$
TAMPA – SEMINOLE HEIGHTSFRONT PORCH BAR & GRILLE, 5924 N. Florida Ave. (813-237-5511). A funky, friendly neighborhood restaurant with an eclectic menu offering everything from plain old hamburgers to chicken Marsala and trout topped with rum raisin sauce. Start with the excellent chicken quesadillas washed down with beer, order comfort food like pot roast or meat loaf and finish with a smoothly accomplished chocolate raspberry cake – yum. $ Lunch; $$ Dinner
VIVA LA FRIDA CAFÉ Y GALERIA, 5901 N. Florida Ave. (813-231-9199). Art in food and decor, La Frida specializes in fresh, flavorful Mexican fare. Its interior is graced with colorful reproductions of artworks of the late Frida Kahlo and originals produced by local artists as well. Order the bleu cheese salad, chicken enchiladas, and for dessert, the delightful mini chocolate almond chimichangas. $$
SOUTH TAMPA/PALMA CEIA/INTERBAYBYBLOS CAFÉ, 2832 S. MacDill Ave. (813-805-7977 or www.bybloscafe.com). Taste the ancient cuisine of Lebanon, which uses the prolific fresh produce from its rich, coastal plain to create exotic, tantalizing cuisine all its own. Start with the Byblos Mezah, pita served with a selection of appetizers and dips; continue with the restaurant's most popular entree, marinated and charbroiled lamb chops; and for dessert, the traditional baklava. $$
CESARE'S OF NEW YORK, 2117 S. Dale Mabry (813-254-2141). Cesare made his way from Italy to New York, then to Tampa. Their loss is our gain, as evidenced in his crusty New York-style pizza dough, tomato sauces, and his deft hand at putting it all together. Fresh spinach with double cheese and tomato sauce is the house specialty. $
THAILAND RESTAURANT, 5252 S. Dale Mabry (813-837-1793). Some of the best spicy Thai cuisine in Tampa. Start with the hot and sour soup or the shrimp lemongrass, and then graze on a few appetizers like the satay with a slightly hot peanut sauce and cucumber salad dip, fried shrimp with sweet and sour sauce or the all-encompassing combo appetizer platter. $$
TROPICS, 2801 S. MacDill Ave. (813-837-1836). Tropics flies the rainbow flag, but people of any persuasion will enjoy the wide range of selections on a menu that offers a delicious assortment of steaks, chops, poultry, seafood and even wild game. $$
TAMPA INT'L AIRPORT/COURTNEY CAMPBELL CAUSEWAYROY'S, 4342 Boy Scout Blvd. (813-873-7697). This chain restaurant bases its menu on the cuisine of famed Hawaiian chef Roy Yamaguchi, who describes his style as Hawaiian fusion. So, look for plenty of Pacific fish, such as butterfish, which is on the menu daily. For dessert, choose melting hot chocolate soufflé or fruit strudel. A large, well-executed wine list complements the menu. $$$
TODAI, International Plaza, 2223 N. West Shore Blvd. (813-872-8725, www.todai.com). Monster Japanese seafood buffet featuring 40 different kinds of sushi, sashimi, 15 kinds of salad, hot shrimp tempura, lobster, crab, different types of soup daily, and more than 20 desserts from French pastry all the way to sugar cookies. Go hungry, for the fare is fresh and staggeringly plentiful. $$
TOWN N COUNTRYCATCH TWENTY-THREE, 10103 Montague St. (813-920-0045). Casually upscale eatery in Westchase's West Park Village. This seafood spot features standard Floribbean cuisine in a perfect first-date atmosphere. Try the delicious shredded pork and plantains, the unusual, Caribbean-style "shrimp scampi" or any of Catch's excellent fresh fish.
NICKI'S OMELETTE & GRILL, 6805 W. Hillsborough Ave. (813-888-9365). This unpretentious little diner serves bargain-priced breakfasts that will fill you up for under a fiver. Folks line up for the fluffy omelets. Choose from a huge menu variety or design your own omelet from a list of meats, cheeses and vegetables. $
NORTH TAMPABONSAI JAPANESE RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR, 2826 E. Bearss Ave. (813-977-2755). Family-owned restaurant provides a serene way to dine. Start with excellent fresh steamed oysters, order as an entrée the tempura or teriyaki dinner. Skip the mushy tempura ice cream, finishing instead with a fragrant cup of hot green tea. $
FLETCHER'S BACKSTREET GRILLE, 508 W. Fletcher Ave. (813-265-4244). Sports fans will appreciate Fletcher's Backstreet Grille, with its big-screen TV visible from every table and on-site sports radio show; but it offers so much more, as the fare is unusually accomplished, especially for a sports-oriented restaurant. Try its crispy, overloaded quesadillas, or a filet mignon. $
TRANG VIET CUISINE, 1524 E. Fowler Ave. (813-979-1464). Lunch and dinner daily. Tasty, healthy Vietnamese cooking with a French flair, featuring fresh, home-grown herbs and daily market specials. Weekday lunch specials are a bargain. Lively dinner menu, like "cook your own" seafood fondue, or chicken in a clay pot. Homemade desserts are special. Try banana cake (banana and coconut cake topped with peanuts). $
VALLARTA MEXICAN RESTAURANT, 9255 N. 56th St. (813-987-2720). The Jimenez family puts plenty of tasty dishes on the table, all served with zesty homemade salsa and guacamole. Large portions of well-known favorites like chimichangas, quesadillas, burritos and taco salads make up most of the long menu, all made with the best ingredients and fresh flavors. $
TAMPA – YBOR CITYBERNINI, 1702 E. Seventh Ave. (813-248-0099). Innovative Italian cuisine in a classy, sophisticated setting. The menu changes daily, so expect surprises, but favorite standards include gourmet wood-fired pizzas, especially the one with marinated chicken, smoked mozzarella, fresh tomatoes and oregano and a spicy three-chili oil. $$$
GREEN IGUANA BAR & GRILL, 1708 E. Seventh Ave. (813-248-9555). The food is surprisingly good for a place where the focus is on drinking, loud music and the usual watering hole mating rituals. Try the grouper sandwich or fried grouper taco. $
SAMURAI BLUE SUSHI & SAKE BAR, Centro Ybor, 1600 E. Eighth Ave. (813-242-6688). Samurai Blue has an urbane atmosphere but still knows how to have fun, with a fresh take on traditional Japanese. Try traditional sushi or more adventurous rolls, such as the Hawaiian, with coconut, cream cheese, asparagus and cucumber and rice rolled in thin slices of avocado and mango. An ample sake bar rounds out the menu. $$-$$$
OUTER LIMITSBEACH BISTRO, 6600 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach (941-778-6444 or www.beachbistro.com). Lauded by critics, the Beach Bistro is blessed with impeccable service, intimate atmosphere and one of the most gorgeous views on the Gulf Coast. The menu can be disappointingly stodgy and old-fashioned, but high-quality ingredients and skillful preparation go a long way toward compensating for the lack of innovation. A long drive and outrageous prices make this a special-occasion place at best. $$$$
SAINT SEBASTIAAN BELGIAN MICROBREWERY RESTAURANT, 1320 Commercial Way (U.S. 19), Spring Hill (352-666-2141). Serge Van Limbergen and brewmaster Leen Sterkens bring a 250-year-old Belgian brewing legacy to Spring Hill, where the Saint Sebastiaan Belgian Microbrewery Restaurant serves up tradition, freshly yeasted libations and intense geography lessons with every meal. Sample any of the restaurant's Belgian-style beers as well as Belgian specialties like the portobello toast, salad Ardennes, or savory stew. Don't forget to try the blond beer ice cream! $$
PINELLASCLEARWATERCARAMBA'S RESTAURANTE MEXICANO, 1842 Drew St. (727-446-7469). There's a new menu and it's better than ever. This former Best of the Bay recipient features Mexican cuisine at its authentic best. On arrival, one should immediately turn to the pescados y mariscos portion of the menu and order one or more of the awesome fresh fish creations. Grouper a la Veracruzano, a traditional favorite, is done in true Mexican style. $$
JOHNNY'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT, 2907 S.R. 590 (727-797-2940). Local Italian joint with a reputation for the best pizza in town, and they ain't just whistlin' Sinatra. Come for the pizza, stay for the other delights, like the Johnny bread with it's garlicky dipping sauce; fresh, crunchy bruschetta; heaping salads; and homey pasta dishes.
YANNY'S, 1258 Highland Ave. S. (727-446-5797). Recommended for breakfast/brunch. Yanny's has fresh-squeezed fruit or vegetable juices, scrumptious three-egg omelets, old-fashioned pancakes, or the famous French toast, dipped in a crepe batter and dusted with powdered sugar. A must-try is the homemade yogurt. $
NORTH CLEARWATER/COUNTRYSIDEGRILLSMITH, 2539 Countryside Blvd., Suite 6 (727-726-6061). Amazing appetizers, lunches, and low-priced cocktails give way to indifferent dinner entrées at this high-end franchise. Stylish and friendly, GrillSmith is a great place for light fare, but it's still working out its main-course kinks. While you're waiting, try the delicious firecracker shrimp appetizer or the yummy chicken and black bean fritters. $$$
JO-TO JAPANESE RESTAURANT, 2549 Countryside Blvd. (727-796-2022). Belly up to the sushi bar or grab a seat on the floor while a kimono-clad waitress serves traditional Japanese dishes. Try the special sushi and sashimi platters. $$
SUKHOTHAI, 2569 Countryside Blvd., #3 (727-724-2995). Thai dishes and an elegant Eastern ambiance combine to create a romantic adventure. A class operation. $$
DOWNTOWN CLEARWATERO'KEEFE'S, 1219 S. Fort Harrison Ave. (727-442-9034). This restaurant draws a bigger crowd on St. Pat's Day than the Boston parade. As you might guess, corned beef and cabbage is big on the menu, and it's fork tender, but throughout the year the average diner is more apt to be munching on one of the justly famous burgers (or trying the sandwiches, hot dogs, steaks or seafood). $$
THE PEPPER MILL RESTAURANT, 1575 S. Ft. Harrison Ave. (727-449-2988). A long-time favorite with the white-haired crowd, this local eatery isn't setting any trends, but it isn't trying. Good, classic dishes are its forte; try the Pepper Mill steak or the surf & turf. If you are looking for a bit of spice, the menu balances the old-fashioned feel with a host of Asian-style specialties; try the Empire shrimp appetizer or the Grand Marnier grouper. $$$
TRI-CITY/ST. PETE-CLEARWATER AIRPORT/FEATHER SOUND AIRPORT VARIETY STORE, 4600 Roosevelt Blvd. (727-531-7000). Locals know this nondescript redbrick convenience store is just a disguise for a great Cuban cafe. Victor Lopez Sr. took it over 25 years ago and began serving the food he'd developed at his restaurant in Cuba. Since then, his family has expanded and remodeled the building, but the recipes remain classic: terrific pressed Cuban sandwiches, roast pork, crab cakes, flan and daily specials. $
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, anything with chili jam, and vegetarian fried rice with tofu. $
DUNEDINCASA 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. $$
IRIS' FAMILY RESTAURANT, 234 Douglas Ave. (727-734-0779). Homey, family-operated restaurant specializes in simple American fare. Take time for a cheap, leisurely breakfast of scrambled eggs, grits, bacon and toast; if you're there at dinnertime, order the moist meatloaf or a sloppy Joe sandwich, a paragon of its ilk. Handmade pies – apple, pecan or chocolate cream – are popular with the restaurant's many spoiled regulars. $
KELLY'S FOR JUST ABOUT ? ANYTHING, 319 Main St. (727-736-5284). Whether for breakfast, lunch or dinner, this casual, ambient, award-winning eatery is the shining star on the Dunedin culinary scene. It's funky, fun and you can dine under the stars. Breakfasts are unique; lunch and dinner specials, seafood, beef and poultry, are always consistently good. Better than that, they're done with flair. $$
GULF BEACHES/NORTH CRABBY BILL'S, 401 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach (727-595-4825). Want better than Long John Silver, cheaper than Red Lobster? Head for Crabby Bill's. Super fresh seafood, ice-cold beer and seasonal specials keep the tables full and the diners happy. $$
GONDOLIER ITALIAN RESTAURANT AND PIZZA, 674 Gulfview Blvd. S., Clearwater Beach (727-441-3353). Frisky beach restaurant boasts a seven-page menu, listing everything under the sun, from 12 kinds of omelets to tacos, pizza, chicken parmigiana, grouper sandwiches, even oatmeal. Its pizza is probably its best dish, but we liked its breakfast omelets and a lunch favorite, grouper sandwich. $
P.J.'S OYSTER BAR & SEAFOOD RESTAURANT, 500 First St. N., Indian Rocks Beach (727-596-5898). Neighborhood seafood joint serves up simple but wonderfully fresh seafood in a relaxed, casual setting. Order oysters on the half shell as an appetizer and stone crab claws when they're in season, or a simple broiled grouper. $$
SHEPHARD'S WATERFRONT RESTAURANT & TIKI BAR, 601 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach (727-441-6875). This Clearwater Beach spot is a glutton's delight. Every meal is an all-you-can-eat bargain buffet of chef-prepared foods. A perfect weekend includes leisurely grazing through the Sunday buffet featuring eggs Benedict and an omelet station, along with shrimp and carved beef, before retiring to the beachside tiki bar to sip a margarita and listen to the live band. $-$$
GULF BEACHES/SOUTHALFREDINO'S ON THE BEACH, 7141 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (727-367-9999). This is the place to discover what real Italian cuisine is all about. Heavenly pastas bathed in sauces prepared fresh when you order; beef dishes, such as filet in red wine demi-glace; and perhaps the best-prepared fish on the beach, like grouper topped with crab in a Dijon wine sauce. For dessert, try caramel-glazed bananas Foster prepared at your table. $$
DOCKSIDE DAVE'S GRILL & BAR, Charterboat Center, 13203 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach (727-392-9399). Locals know this humble bar and grill is the place to go for a good, old-fashioned Florida fish fry. Good seafood pastas and chowders are also worth trying. If a great grouper sandwich isn't your idea of heaven, then try the grilled half-pound burger, beef on weck, or Italian sausage sandwich. $
SKIDDER'S RESTAURANT, 5799 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (727-360-1029 or 727-367-7825). Family-owned and operated beach restaurant is a pleasant destination for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with excellent soup and salads, all manner of pasta, seafood and meat dishes, along with efficient service and a friendly attitude. $ Breakfast; $$ Dinner
WOODY'S WATERFRONT RESTAURANT, 7308 Sunset Way, St. Pete Beach (727-360-9165). Classic beach bar, minus the beach, but still perched atop a seawall overlooking the gulf. The food is unusually good for a restaurant of its ilk, with fresh grouper entrées; big, fat, chargrilled burgers with all the trimmings; crispy, colorful coleslaw; and homemade Key lime pie. $
GULFPORTBACKFIN BLUE CAFÉ, 2913 Beach Blvd. S. (727-343-2583). Quaint little Cafe with classy food, in the heart of an arty district. Great prime rib and meat loaf, excellent fish. Don't miss the corn purée with lump crabmeat or the crab cakes. Great desserts, too. Laid-back, casual and definitely tasty. $$
MID PENINSULA SEAFOOD MARKET & RESTAURANT, 400 49th St. S. (727-327-8309 or 727-328-8309). Buy seafood fresh at the retail counter to cook at home, try the steaming takeout dinners, or eat in the modest dining room. Best dishes are the swell seafood gumbo, the beer-garlic onion rings and the combination platters, like a hefty helping of fried grouper and six fat shrimp. Simple, but the freshest fish you'll ever taste. $
LARGO/SEMINOLEBOULEVARD BISTRO, 8595 Seminole Blvd., Seminole (727-399-1800). Some of the classiest dining in Seminole is found at Boulevard Bistro, yet the atmosphere remains friendly and casual and prices are easily affordable. Try the grouper sandwich, ahi tuna spring roll or fire-charred steaks with deeply flavored garlic potatoes. Good selection of wines by the glass are well chosen to complement the food. $$
MARTINA'S GERMAN CUISINE, Seminole Plaza, 9277 Seminole Blvd., Seminole (727-319-0082 or www.martinasgermancuisine.com). Martina spoils her customers at this small family-owned restaurant with reasonable prices, excellent German fare and friendly, attentive service. Specialties include delicious German beers and wines, authentic dishes, like wiener schnitzel and Bratwurst, served with big piles of perfect mashed potatoes and hot sauerkraut. Finish with homemade desserts like German chocolate cake or apple pie, and you'll waddle away happy. $$
PICKLE BARREL RESTAURANT & DELI, Oxford Square, 9520 Seminole Blvd. Seminole (727-398-4673). Little New York-style deli tucked away in a strip shopping center is a neighborhood fixture offering substantial fare, like corned beef, pastrami and liver sandwich trio, sided with crispy, yummy potato pancakes. Finish with a smooth and creamy rice pudding. $
SUSHI FUNE, Bardmoor Village, 10801 Starkey Road, Largo (727-319-6627). Fune means "boat," and here you'll sit at the bar as a small fleet of sushi-bearing boats sail past you. Prices are signified by the colors of the plates. The menu also offers dinner entrees like tempura, teriyaki and sukiyaki. Look for green mussels baked in a special wasabi sauce and cooked baby octopus marinated in special seasonings. $$
PALM HARBORBLUE HERON, 3285 Tampa Road (727-789-5176). Upscale eatery with an inventive menu rooted in Asian fusion. Try the tortilla-crusted crab cakes, the rack of lamb with a honey-Guinness stout sauce, or the sweet and spicy duck. Live music (Big Band standards), a martini bar with a separate tapas menu and an intimate setting make this a Palm Harbor institution. $$$$
SAINT LARRY'S, 34980 U.S. 19 N. (727-786-0077). St. Larry's feels like a chummy private club, with intimate dining spaces, a great bar and plenty of hobnobbing among the patrons, who're only too glad to include you in the fun. The restaurant has some new appetizers, including chicken quesadillas with poblano peppers and chorizo, Prince Edward Island mussels and fancy tuna salad with Maytag bleu cheese, toasted almonds and sliced apples. The extensive bar offers a great wine list and a huge collection of single malt scotch. $$
PINELLAS PARKATHENIAN'S FAMOUS GYROS & CHICKEN, 5320 Park Blvd. N. (727-544-5740). This longtime favorite serves up meal-size sandwiches of fluffy pita bread folded over a fragrant mound of spiced, grilled meat, onions, tomatoes and tzatziki. Great grilled chicken, too, and all at bargain prices. $
CAJUN CAFÉ, 8101 Park Blvd. (727-546-6732). Cajun Cafe sits on a backwater bayou, the perfect spot for zydeco tunes on the jukebox and fiery gumbo or jambalaya. Don't miss the searing barbecue shrimp or the crawfish cornbread, full of fire and mudbugs. Good po-boy sandwiches, gator bites and boudin sausage served with beans and rice. $$
SAFETY HARBORGREEN SPRINGS CAFÉ & GATHERING PLACE, 122 Third Ave. N. (727-669-6762). This quaint neighborhood café housed in a cozy old wooden house hides a secret – there's a Culinary Institute of America-trained chef in the kitchen, turning out deeply delicious dishes. $$
THE WHISTLE STOP GRILL & UDDERLY COOL ICE CREAM, 915 Main St. (727-726-1956 or www.whistlestopgrill.com). Longtime local favorite has new owners and an accomplished selection of dishes, from a primo barbecued pork sandwich all the way to tortilla wraps and grouper dinners. Save room for gooey ice cream treats, soft-serve sundaes and rich malts and shakes, along with hard ice cream available in dozens of flavors. $
ST. PETERSBURGCENTRAL ST. PETE/TYRONEAJANTA INDIAN CUISINE, Ramada Inn, 5005 34th St. N. (727-525-1181). Ajanta serves up a fine feast of dishes that celebrate the Indian tradition of using a large variety of very fresh spices to turn foods as simple as lentils or potatoes into surprisingly sophisticated dishes. Be sure and try tandoori chicken, or jinga masala, shrimps bathed in a subtly spicy sauce. Check out daily lunch specials and the Sunday buffet. $$
LITTLE ITALY PIZZA, The Disston Shopping Plaza, 3523 49th St. N. (727-522-2717 or 727-525-1029). You'll have to elbow your way through the crowd of neighbors to get a table at this family-operated pizzeria. This casual, strip-mall storefront packs 'em in with full-flavored pizza, but don't leave without one of the tastiest hoagies and subs we've had, made on crisp, crusted bread with top-notch meats and cheeses. $
SAFFRON'S CARIBBEAN, 1700 Park St. N. (727-345-6400). Authentic jerk chicken and more, with spices that will take you to Jamaica. Appleton steak and curry dishes to satisfy the fussiest island connoisseurs. $$
DOWNTOWN ST. PETEADOBO GRILL, 167 Second Ave. N. (727-823-8226). This BayWalk eatery serves up fast Mex with a fresh twist (of lime, that is). Try the fish tacos, two soft wheat shells filled with grilled mahi-mahi, angel hair cabbage, a fresh tomato, onion, cilantro and a dollop of red and white salsas, and don't forget to add the zip of fresh lime juice. Or try the roast pork burrito with salsa verde, sautéed poblano chile, onions and crema, washed down with Mexican beer or homemade sangria. $$
CAFÉ ALMA, 260 First Ave. S. (727-502-5002 or www.cafealma.com). A killer brunch (check out the Bloody Mary bar), late night dining (they serve until 1 a.m. Wed.-Sat.), and other cool add-ons make Café Alma a popular destination. The Mediterranean-inspired food can be hit or miss, though Chef Scott Stone makes use of some great ingredients. Try the lamb meatballs, duck, or steak tartare. Then get up and dance when the DJ takes over after 10 p.m. $$
CHATEAU FRANCE, 136 Fourth Ave. N.E. (727-894-7163). A historic Victorian mansion is a very special setting for a very special dinner. Authentic French cuisine prepared by a Cordon Bleu-trained chef, served in intimate, private rooms. Blow the budget on dishes like beluga caviar or Dover sole imported from the Canal De La Manche, or dine deliciously but reasonably on roasted duck breast in orange Grand Marnier sauce. Plan ahead to enjoy a very special dessert for two: an authentic soufflé au chocolat. $$$
SAHARA CAFÉ, 624 First Ave. S. (727-898-4455). Check out this minuscule cafe for healthy, high-quality and especially flavorful food at low-dough prices. Homemade pita breads overflow with fillings, like Makanik, a huge pita wrap made with spicy beef and lamb sausage, pine nuts, onions, tomatoes and lemon juice. Salads and vegetarian platters, like falafel, are also available. Pastries made with pistachio nuts, honey and phyllo are outstanding. $
NORTHEAST ST. PETE/GATEWAYBABALU, 9246 Fourth St. N. (727-576-7414). It's not swank, just swell. Yes, The Babalu is the veritable definition of a "joint." No-account decor, low-class atmosphere, cold beer and gut-busting quantities of low-dough food, with almost everything from salad dressings to side dishes homemade from scratch, have made this place a neighborhood favorite for years. Our favorites are the nightly specials, like crispy battered grouper or barbecued ribs. $
FOURTH STREET SHRIMP STORE, 1006 Fourth St. N. (727-822-0325). This neighborhood favorite packs them in with seafood that's fresh, fast and value priced. Nothing fancy, just the basics: fresh fish, shrimp and grouper; broiled, fried or blackened; and ice-cold beer. $
SUNSET GRILL, 2996 Ninth St. N. (727-823-2382). Happy days are here again down at the Sunset Grill. No McTasteless here! These burgers are handmade from fresh beef. Order up thick and creamy hand-dipped milkshakes, just the way the Fonz likes 'em! Nice selection of sandwiches and sides too. $
SUSHI ZEN, Bayview Plaza, 11024 Fourth St. N. (727-577-3811). This little Japanese/Korean restaurant is short on decor, but delightfully long on expertly prepared and delicious food. The Japanese side of the menu offers scrumptious tempura, as well as teriyaki and rice dishes. Try the special eel roll, filled with shrimp tempura and topped with sweet eel. The Korean side of the menu is a chili-head's delight. Dishes like sliced pork loin or bulgogi (marinated, grilled beef) are spiced to the max and served with a half-dozen little side dishes that let you heat it up or cool it down. $$
SOUTH ST. PETEBASTA'S RISTORANTE, 1625 Fourth St. S. (727-894-7880). An outstanding Italian restaurant. Chef Frank Basta orchestrates the kitchen while Mario concentrates on the fine details. Superb scampi, seafood dishes and excellent service. $$$
THE CHATTAWAY, 358 22nd Ave. S. (727-823-1594). This little wooden building at different times served as a grocery store, a gas station and a trolley stop. It's since become a local historical landmark and a great place to stop for a good "Chattaburger" (burger with all the fixings) and some of the coldest draft beer in town. The ambiance of the eatery perfectly fits the image of early St. Pete. $
TASTE OF THE ISLAND, 2231 34th St. S. (727-321-4157). Neighborhood favorite tucked in a little shopping center that serves inexpensive Jamaican dishes like conch fritters, brown stew chicken and the Jamaican dish called ackee and saltfish. Another specialty is various tasty vegetable dishes, perfect for those who avoid meat. $
TIERRA VERDECRAZY CONCH CAFÉ, 1110 Pinellas Bayway S. (727-865-0633). A neighborhood café that boasts an accomplished kitchen and a dedicated cadre of regulars who know good food when they taste it. Start with pan-roasted oysters as an appetizer, try Sally's endive salad and as an entrée, the delightful Steven's shrimp and grits with brown gravy, which is a circle of fat, fresh shrimp seated around a mound of showy grits, slathered with a moat of expertly made gravy. Dang, it's good! Dessert changes by the day, but you can bet whatever it is, it'll be delectable. $$$
TOKYO BAY RESTAURANT, Isla Del Sol's Shopper's Village, 5901 Sun Blvd., Bayway (727-867-0770). Chef Eiji "Jose" Sonogi slices up a sushi jamboree at this casual sushi haunt a stone's throw from Pinellas' south beaches. Try California rolls, tuna and salmon. You'll catch an eyeful (and a mouthful) of exotic cargo, including nigiri tuna, uni sushi and three superb rolls. $$
TARPON SPRINGSMR. SOUVLAKI, 802 N. Pinellas Ave. (727-937-2795). Take a weekend or just a lazy Sunday afternoon to browse through the Tarpon boutiques, then stop for lunch or dinner. Definitely try the souvlaki, a delectable shish kabob marinated in Mr. Souvlaki's secret herb-spice blend in a blanket of warm pita bread, topped with ripe tomatoes, onion and a remarkable tzatziki sauce. $$
OXFORD HOUSE TEA ROOM, 118 E. Orange St. (727-937-0133). Tea room located in a historic, 1860s-era house is also a full-service restaurant as well. Expect a numbing selection of bagged tea, accompanied by very good light fare, like soup, salad, sandwiches and fancy desserts. $
This article appears in Jul 13-19, 2005.