The following is Weekly Planet's reliable guide to restaurants throughout the Bay area. We hope this bite-size reference will serve as a quality source to aid in your dining pleasure. Because of the extensiveness of the listings, we run alternate lists each week. Our critic dines anonymously and all meals are paid for by Weekly Planet. The dollar sign rating in The Dining Guide is arrived at by calculating the average cost of one appetizer, one entr?e, one dessert and one drink for one person, not including tax or tip: $ = $15 and under; $$ = $16 to $25; $$$ = $26 to $49; $$$$ = $50 and over.
HILLSBOROUGH
Brandon
Bec's 147 E. Bloomingdale Ave. (813-662-3000). Grab-n-go morning drivers will love the palmlettes, calzone-like breakfast sandwiches stuffed with delicious combos of eggs, meat, cheeses and veggies. For brunch, try baked egg souffl?s with a variety of meats, cheeses and veggies. Lox and bagel lovers will appreciate the generous Nova platter. For lunch, try dough-zers, big, overstuffed pockets with tasty, creative fillings. $
Joto Japanese Restaurant, 905 Lithia-Pinecrest Road (813-684-0221). Belly up to the sushi bar or grab a seat on the floor while a kimono-clad waitress serves traditional Japanese dishes. Try the special sushi and sashimi platters. $
La Septima Caf?e, 140 N. Parsons Ave. (813-684-1948). You'll find a taste of the original Latin flavors of old Ybor in this quaint little Brandon caf?. Look for large portions and excellent Cuban sandwiches, succulent roast pork and chicken served with saffron rice. $
Tampa
Carrollwood/Northwest Tampa
3 Palms Grille & Gallery, 8203 N. Armenia Ave. (813-933-2401). A neighborhood favorite featuring an unusually creative mix of ethnic and culinary styles, from crab cakes with banana chutney all the way to mushroom-smothered steak and Southern-style meatloaf. The chef's specialty, different varieties of creamy cheesecake, is the best dessert. $$$.
Bombay Masala, 4023 W. Waters Ave., North West Plaza (813-880-7511). This casual Indian Cafe offers good, healthy food cooked with plenty of herbs and spices. Try delicious breads, especially naan stuffed with nuts and raisins; shrimp madras with fresh coconut, roasted spices and curry; or fill up at the Tuesday night all-you-can-eat vegetarian buffet. $$
Central/West Tampa
Crazy Buffet, 2702 N. Dale Mabry. (813-998-9228). At first glance, this looks like your average Oriental buffet, with miles of pot stickers, lo mein, egg rolls, even a design-your-own-dish stir fry station. But a slightly upscale setting and a varied selection of Japanese dishes, from a spread of assorted sushi to an array of refreshing Japanese salads, puts Crazy Buffet into a category even foodies can enjoy. Selection and buffet pricing vary between lunch, dinner and brunch. $$
Donatello, 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 at least one of the desserts: Napolean cake, chocolate-drenched profiteroles, tiramisu, or depending on the day, the fresh fruit tarts. $$$
Mambo's Cafe, 4423 N. Armenia Ave. (813-873-1995). This classic fonda, or neighborhood cafe, is one of the best places to taste the home cooking of Puerto Rico. Step into the cafeteria-style serving line and choose from savory entrees like plantain fritters stuffed with seasoned, ground beef as well as traditional treats like marinated octopus salad. Flavors are fresh, portions are generous and prices are low. $
Downtown Tampa
Il Terrazzo, Tampa Waterside Marriott Hotel (813-221-4900). Elegant gold and ivory dining room is home to Italian specialties such as veal scalloppine, various pastas and a terrific version of homemade cheesecake. Overlooking the water, its pretty French doors connect to a gracious patio beyond. $$$-$$$$
Mise En Place Restaurant, 442 W. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 110 (813-254-5373). Owners Marty and Maryann Blitz create a culinary happening in this smart brasserie-style eatery. Billed as a Neo-American Bistro, its most popular dish is rack of lamb, crusted with grainy mustard and pecans. Best dessert is the fabulous chocolate pecan toffee tart. $$-$$$
Shalimar, 204 Morgan St. (813-222-3400). Tampa is lucky to have a traditional Indian restaurant right downtown, serving hearty ethnic dishes like lamb curry, the spicy favorite called chicken vindaloo. Do try the $6.95 lunch buffet, a terrific way to sample a couple of dozen offerings, a tasty selection of chutneys, veggie dishes and simple salads. For dessert, try rice pudding, washed down with cardamom tea. $$-$$$
Tampa — Hyde Park
Bella's, 1413 S. Howard Ave. (813-254-3355). After nearly 20 years, this South Howard favorite still packs 'em in with tasty pasta and casual ambiance. Start with lobster bisque, then test the fine fettuccine Bolognese, or pasta il mare, shrimp and scallops with leeks and mushrooms in a roasted tomato cream sauce. Save room for molten chocolate cake! $$
Blue Gardenia, 1809 W. Platt St. (813-250-1595). In both mood and food, Blue Gardenia offers a perfect mix of subtle sophistication and casual fun as a husband-and-wife team of chefs serve up their own take on tasty. The most popular entr?e is seared yellow fin tuna; best dessert? bittersweet chocolate pudding. $$-$$$
Cafe by the Bay, 1350 S. Howard Ave. (813-251-6659). This casual French cafe is a stellar choice for breakfast or brunch, but it really shines at dinner, when you're encouraged to dine in a leisurely European fashion. Make a reservation, and the table is yours for the evening, allowing plenty of time to linger. Look for rich, luscious flavors, elegant sauces and sophisticated seasoning, illustrating the French talent for transforming home cooking into an art. $$-$$$
Primadonna Ristorante Trattoria 915 Howard Ave. S. (813-258-3358). Premier restaurant featuring accomplished food and service. Order any salad, the creamy round pasta dish called agnolotti, filled with spinach and ricotta, the excellent piccata al limone, veal scaloppini lolling in lemony sauce. For dessert, try mildly sweet cannoli and hot cappuccino. $$-$$$
Sally O'Neal's Pizza Hotline, 1319 S. Howard Ave. (813-251-0220). Wrap your mouth around a piece of pizza that will please you plenty. The Pizza Hotline is a longtime favorite in Hyde Park, turning out first-rate pizza made with top-quality ingredients. A favorite is the chicken artichoke pizza: a white pizza that has layers of ricotta, mozzarella and provolone; a dash of Romano and feta; with onions, garlic and herbs. Good calzones and pastas, too. All together now: Yuuuuuuum! $
SideBern's, 2208 Morrison Ave. (813-258-2233). Chef Jeannie Pierola, one of the shining stars of Tampa Bay's dining scene, creates a cuisine that is both luscious and lustrous and serves it in a sophisticated setting that manages to be both worldly and witty. The chef grabs premier ingredients from around the globe and blends them into deeply flavorful and texturally exciting dishes. From soup to nuts, it's a tour de force of fine dining. $$$
The Wine Exchange, 1611 W. Swann Ave. (813-254-9463). David Tyler and crew pair fine wines with good food. For appetizers try the crab stuffed portobello mushroom or their spicy island cakes with jerked crab in cucumber sauce. There are soups, salads, innovative pizzas, pastas and a good choice of savory entrees, including a wasabi Dijon Salmon. $$
South Tampa/Palma Ceia/Interbay
Bamboo Flute, 2307 S. Dale Mabry. 813-258-2858. The Bamboo Flute offers plenty of fresh, flavorful Vietnamese dishes at low-dough prices, like big, plump spring rolls filled with fresh shrimp, mint, cilantro, thin rice noodles and crispy wonton sticks for extra crunch. The appetizer order of two could make a lunch for smaller appetites. Bigger bellies will enjoy the hefty servings of pho, the all-purpose breakfast-lunch-dinner dish of spicy beef broth, noodles, fresh herbs and meat, or big noodle bowls with pork, shrimp or oxtail. Must-tries include the refreshing coconut drink and the tri-color bean pudding. $
Kojak's House of Ribs, 2808 Gandy Blvd. (813-837-3774). If you want excellent barbecue on your plate in just minutes, this could be the spot for you. Barbecue lovers will dig the tender slabs of pork ribs, the chopped or sliced pork and beef dinners with sides of fresh corn-on-the-cob, homestyle baked beans and slaw like Ma used to make. $$
Lauro Ristorante Italiano, 3915 Henderson Blvd. (813-281-2100). The venerable old Lauro's has reinvented itself with a more relaxed, affordable, family-dining atmosphere. Enjoy Northern Italian cuisine with homemade pastas, breads and fabulous desserts, and a wine list to complement any dish. $$
Lola Jane's Crawfish Inn, 5712 S. MacDill Ave. (813-805-0312). Good-natured informality is as abundant as flavor in the little house at the south end of MacDill Avenue, where Lola Jane and hubby Gardner re-create the food and atmosphere of their family table. Enjoy absolutely authentic muffaletta and po-boys, outstanding jambalaya and crawfish pie. No alcohol. $$
Miguel's, 3035 W. Kennedy Blvd. (813-876-2587). Authentic Mexican food at reasonable prices. Combo specials are always good and they make a mean stuffed poblano pepper. Colorful, casual atmosphere. $$
Shula's Steak House, 4860 W. Kennedy Blvd. in the Wyndham West Shore Hotel (813-286-4366). This place is just what you'd expect from a football great; an emphasis on sports and red meat in an elegant masculine setting. Outstanding steaks including the 48-ounce Porterhouse (finish it at one sitting and your name goes up on the wall). Also recommended: barbecued, bacon-wrapped shrimp, carpaccio, lobster cocktail, gorgonzola-tomato salad. Voted Best Business Lunch in 1996. $$$
Sole Mio, 3201 S. Dale Mabry (813-902-1222). Forget about those tasteless, cardboard-crust franchise pizzas. This is pie the way it should be: crisp, fragrant, hand-tossed crust topped with rich, homemade red sauce and deli-quality toppings like real Parma prosciutto, ripe tomatoes, fresh arugula and basil. We love the deep, rich flavors of the chicken and artichoke pie. To really indulge, be sure and ask for a cup of the homemade garlic butter sauce. Try their great deli sandwiches and antipasto too. $
Thailand Restaurant, 5252 S. Dale Mabry (813-837-1793). Some of the best spicy Thai cuisine in Tampa. Start with the hot and sour soup or the shrimp lemongrass, and then graze on a few appetizers like the satay with a slightly hot peanut sauce and cucumber salad dip, fried shrimp with sweet and sour sauce or the all-encompassing combo appetizer platter. $$
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. Look for anything from ostrich or pistachio-crusted pheasant to meaty elk chops served with fresh cranberry compote. Buffalo carpaccio, thin, melt-in-the-mouth slices of raw buffalo, is one of the best carpaccios offered in the Bay. $$
Wright's Gourmet House, 1200 S. Dale Mabry (813-253-3838). Eat in or takeout at this excellent, cafeteria-style restaurant. Family-owned and operated for almost 40 years, it produces excellent soups, sandwiches and salads, and the chocolate cake is without a doubt the best in the Bay area. $
Yoko's Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar, 3217 S. MacDill Ave. in Beechwood Plaza (813-835-4311). Great sushi bar, comfortable seating with an innovative dinner menu and plenty of fresh sushi and sashimi. The house roll is a winner. Sample lunch specials for some of the best eating around. $$
Tampa Int'l Airport/Courtney Campbell Causeway
Armani's, Hyatt Regency Westshore, 6200 Courtney Campbell Causeway (813-281-9165). A romantic Italian enclave of fine dining. You must not leave without trying the awesome antipasto bar, the homemade pastas and their decidedly decadent desserts. The cuisine is prepared by a master chef, trained in Italy, who keeps getting better and better. Pasta dishes are excellent, as is the fresh seafood. Have an after-dinner drink on the cozy outdoor patio. Good wine list. $$$
Roy's, 4342 Boy Scout Blvd. (813-873-7697). This chain restaurant bases its menu on the cuisine of famed Hawaiian chef Roy Yamaguchi, who describes his style as Hawaiian fusion. So, look for plenty of Pacific fish, such as butterfish, which is on the menu daily. For dessert, choose melting hot chocolate souffl? or fruit strudel. A large, well-executed wine list complements the menu. $$$.
North Tampa
Angithi Fine Indian Restaurant, 2047 E. Fowler Ave. (813-979-4889). Discover a whole new world of delicious exotic flavors at this north Tampa find. Sample the crisp samosas, succulent, moist tandoori-baked meats, and hot and spicy curries. Cool the fire with a smooth and fruity mango lassi drink. Plenty of vegetarian selections and a nice lunch buffet. $$
Sawatdee Thai Cuisine, 10938 N. 56th St. (813-985-2071). This humble little cafe is a neighborhood favorite in the university area for its inexpensive lunch buffet and a dinner menu with many excellent vegetarian dishes. The cooking's not fancy, but it's fresh, filling and nicely spiced. Try Pla Shu Shi, deep-fried fish filets in a spicy Thai chili sauce garnished with dried lime leaf and bell peppers or Pra Ram Lonmg Srong, chicken, beef or pork stir-fried with mixed vegetables and topped with peanut curry sauce. $$
Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road (813-971-0666). Skipper's has always been the place to kick into high gear with killer reggae, blues, rock and world beat, but did you know it's also the place to kick your taste buds into high gear? Spice up your night with smokehouse favorites like hickory-smoked alligator ribs and new wild flavors, like lobster stir-fry with soy/ginger sauce over linguine, Florida crab cakes with black bean salsa and orange-crusted perch with mango salsa. $$
Vallarta Mexican Restaurant 9255 N. 56th. St. (813-987-2720). The Jimenez family puts plenty of tasty dishes on the table, all served with zesty homemade salsa and guacamole. Large portions of well-known favorites like chimichangas, quesadillas, burritos and taco salads make up most of the long menu, all made with better ingredients and fresher flavors than you'll find if you run for the border. $
Tampa — Ybor City
Cauldron Restaurant, 2302 Seventh Ave. (813-248-5694). One of the area's best authentic sources of West Indian cuisine. A hefty selection includes curry goat, oxtail, jerk chicken and pork, stew beef, and that wonderful marinated fresh fish called escovitch. And don't forget the Red Stripe. $$
Cafe Creole, 1330 Ninth Ave. E. (813-247-6283). If you're into Cajun or Creole cuisine, this is perhaps the very best Tampa has to offer. Whether it's Andouille sausage or one of the best etouffees and gumbos in town, you can find it at this popular spot in Ybor. Great bar and lots of fun to boot. Louisiana oysters and crawfish are among the very best. $$
Green Iguana Bar & Grill, 1708 E. Seventh Ave. (813-248-9555). The food is surprisingly good for a place where the focus is on drinking, loud music and the usual watering hole mating rituals. Try the grouper sandwich or fried grouper taco. $
Ovo Cafe, 1901 E. Seventh Ave. (813-248-6979). Ovo was one of the first to bring true cool to Ybor, and still lords it over many lesser newcomers with elegant, man-size martinis and an eclectic menu given to grazing. At lunch, try the customer fave, a finely chopped salad with fresh lemon vinaigrette. For dinner or drinks, pick from an assortment of appetizers and noshes, like personal wood-fired pizzas, pierogies in a variety of sauces or ice cream and liquor-topped waffles. $
Samurai Blue Sushi and Sake Bar, 1600 E. Eighth Ave., inside Centro Ybor, just in front of Muvico (813-242-6688). Samurai Blue brings a kewl breeze to Ybor Centro's family-friendly style, with an urbane atmosphere that still knows how to have fun. The food offers a fresh take on traditional Japanese, with traditional sushi (recommended: the soft-shell crab roll). Non-sushi eaters will love the sweet, creamy taste of the Hawaiian roll, with coconut, cream cheese, asparagus and cucumber and rice rolled in thin slices of avocado and mango. An ample sake bar rounds out the menu, making this a perfect spot to drink or dine. $$-$$$
Tampa Bay Brewing Co., 1812 N. 15th St. (813-247-1422). One of the best microbreweries in the Tampa Bay area is also one of the best restaurants. Choose from good-quality pub grub like huge sandwiches or crusty pizzas (there's ale in the dough). For dinner entrees, choose from regular menu offerings like savory roasted prime rib, shrimp pasta with Creole seasonings and bronzed salmon flavored with ale or explore the daily specials for beer-infused New American cuisine like duck breast risotto with a sauce of cask stout-balsamic reduction. Open seven days a week. $$
PINELLAS
ClearwaterBunny Hop Cafe & Nature's Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St. (727-443-6703). If you're craving fresh, healthy foods, try this combination of natural foods market, deli and cafe. Graze at the 50-item salad bar, order a sandwich on fresh-baked bread or a smoothie made with just-squeezed juices, or pick from the deli's huge selection of good, healthful foods. Choose individual entrees like fresh sushi, tofu egg salad sandwiches and free-range turkey breast sandwiches, or complete dinners like teriyaki tofu with brown rice and mixed veggies. $$
El Chicanito Restaurant, 1478 Gulf-to-Bay Blvd, 727-446-2402. Everything's delectable at this authentic Mexican eatery, but for a special treat, try the bistec a la Mexicana, big chunks of beef in a subtle, tomato-y sauce, and accompanied with big piles of beans and rice. $
Island Way Grill, 20 Island Way, off the Memorial Causeway, in Island Estates (727-461-6617). Confucius say, Wise man call ahead for reservations at this popular restaurant, because Island Way Grill packs them in with modern, open d?cor, fresh seafood and generous flavors. The raw bar and sushi bar attract people who like their seafood ultra-fresh. Those who like a little heat applied to their meal should go for anything done on the wood-fired grill, from juicy pork tenderloins marinated in garlic, lime and rice wine to citrus-seared scallops with a sweet and sour glaze served over noodles with a beautifully balanced lime dressing. Great grilled steaks and chicken round out the menu for meat-eaters. $$
Tio Pepe Restaurante, 2930 Gulf-to-Bay Blvd. (727-799-3082). One of the Bay area's premier traditional Spanish and Cuban restaurants, its European mood and old-school charm make it a good choice for a big night out. Try any soup; the house specialty, pompano relleno, is very good; leave room for chocolate sea shell dessert or Key lime pie. $$$
Yanny's, 1258 Highland Ave. S. (727-446-5797). Recommended for breakfast/brunch. Yanny's has fresh-squeezed fruit or vegetable juices, scrumptious three-egg omelets, old-fashioned pancakes, or the famous French toast, dipped in a crepe batter and dusted with powdered sugar. Be sure and try a cup of homemade yogurt, the freshest, healthiest, most delicious live-culture, whole-milk yogurt you'll ever taste. Closed Mondays. $
North Clearwater/Countryside
Pulcinella Ristorante, 2475-E McMullen-Booth Road (in the Oakbrook Plaza) (727-669-9512). If you've ever visited Italy, you'll feel right at home with Chef Carmine's exquisite, authentic Italian menu prepared with the finest imported ingredients. You must try fresh arugula with olive oil and, an incredibly delicate, slightly nutty beef, cured carpaccio – style. Then sample pastas that will make you swoon, like rigatoni with fresh, imported porcini and very expensive white truffle oil, or the rigatoni al Amatriciana, pasta in fresh tomato sauce flavored with basil, onion and bacon. $$
Sukhothai, 2569 Countryside Blvd. #3 (727-724-2995). Thai dishes and an elegant Eastern ambiance combine to create a romantic adventure. A class operation. $$
Tri-City/St. Pete-Clearwater Airport/Feather Sound
The Grill at Feather Sound, 2325 Ulmerton Road (727-571-3400). One of Clearwater's dining hot spots, this restaurant was named Best New Restaurant in our 1996 Reader's Poll. Menu includes something for everyone: fabulous steaks, succulent lumpfin crab cakes, colossal shrimp cocktail, an outstanding house salad and desserts that are truly to die for. Don't miss their special creme brul?e and mousse-like chocolate torte. Great place for a special evening or impressive business lunch. $$$.
Thai Basil, 4445 East Bay Drive (727-532-6108). This unassuming cafe offers a heaping helping of tasty Thai food with a young attitude. Try their 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, vegetarian fried rice with tofu, as well as traditional Thai dishes like pad Thai and curries. $
Dunedin
Bayou Bistro and Mudbug Lounge, 456 Causeway Blvd. (727-736-6467). Chef/owner Karen Thomas serves up some fine Cajun food in this funky restaurant and bar. Everything is fresh and made from scratch, right down to the blackening spices on the thin-sliced, gator tail filet. Don't pass on dessert, a huge slice of bread pudding with spiced rum sauce, or is that yum sauce? $
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. $$
Kelly's For Just About … Anything, 319 Main St. (727-736-5284). Whether it's for breakfast, lunch or dinner, this casual, ambient, award-winning eatery is the shining star on the Dunedin culinary scene. It's funky, fun and you can dine under the stars. Breakfasts are unique; lunch and dinner specials, seafood, beef and poultry, are always consistently good. Better than that, they're done with a flair. $$
Gulf Beaches/North
Frenchy's Rockaway Grill and Beach Club, 7 Rockaway St. (727-446-4844). For reasonably priced seafood, this restaurant, located in a gorgeous spot overlooking Clearwater Beach, is a favorite of locals as well as snowbirds. She-crab soup, grouper and a variety of other local seafood are just a few of the specialties offered. Great place to go for a rendezvous, or to dine al fresco. $$
Guppy's, 1701 Gulf Blvd. (727-593-2032). Guppy's is across from the public access on the gulf, so you can go in beachwear casual, but expect the fish to be all dressed up. The emphasis is on fresh fish, prepared in innovative ways with the best ingredients. Don't miss the shrimp in olive oil and roasted pepper appetizer or the creative daily specials. The bar features a respectable wine list and German and English beers. Prices range from $6.95 to $15.95. $$
Nadia's Restaurant & Bar, 2721 Gulf Blvd. (727-596-7222). You'll find well-prepared Continental cuisine, fine French and American wines and attentive service in this charming seaside cottage. Classic cream and wine sauces bathe fresh seafoods, veal and beef. Try the crab and shrimp in a creamy Pernod sauce, finish with profiteroles for dessert. $$
P.J.'s Oyster Bar and Seafood Restaurant, 500 First St., Indian Rocks Beach (727-596-5898). Neighborhood seafood joint serves up simple but wonderfully fresh seafood in a relaxed, casual setting. Order oysters on the half shell as an appetizer and stone crab claws when they're in season or a simple broiled grouper. $$
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. $$$
Shephard's Waterfront Restaurant & Tiki Bar, 601 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater (727-441-6875). Recommended for its Sunday brunch, this Clearwater Beach spot is a glutton's delight, where every meal is an all-you-can-eat bargain buffet of chef-prepared foods. A perfect weekend includes leisurely grazing through the $14.95 Sunday buffet featuring eggs Benedict and an omelet station, along with shrimp and carved beef, before retiring to the beachside tiki Bar to sip a margarita and listen to the live band. $
Gulf Beaches/South
Alfredino's on the Beach, 7141 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (727-367-9999). This is the place to discover what real Italian cuisine is all about. Heavenly pastas bathed in sauces prepared fresh when you order, beef dishes, such as filet in red wine demiglace, and perhaps the best-prepared fish on the beach, like grouper topped with crab in a Dijon wine sauce. For dessert, try caramel-glazed bananas Foster prepared at your table. $$
The Don CeSar Beach Resort & Spa, 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. $$$
The Hurricane, Ninth Avenue and Gulf Way in Pass-a-Grille, St. Pete Beach (727-360-9558). The Hurricane is a classic, one of the oldest and best beach bars on the Gulf shores. Over the years, the building and menu have been updated, but the freewheeling beach feeling remains. Breakfast on the outdoor deck overlooking Gulf waters, or party at night after a great seafood dinner. They serve award-winning grouper, stone crab and Key lime pie. $$
Karim's Bistro, 10700 Gulf Blvd., at the Thunderbird Beach Resort, Treasure Island (727-368-9548). Chef Karim pulls out all the stops to show off the treasures, and pleasures, of his native Moroccan cuisine, preparing dishes both sweet and savory, subtle and seductive. Try chicken tagine with preserved lemons, a slow-cooked, deeply delicious combination of chicken, olives and exotic spices. The house couscous is light and fluffy, flavored with oils and herbs. Served with roasted vegetables, it makes a fine vegetarian meal in itself or complements the tagine. Look for fine continental dishes too, from roasted rack of lamb with honey, garlic and mint sauce to beef filet stuffed with Boursin cheese. $$
Snapper's, 5895 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (727-367-3550). This beautiful little bistro is more than just another pretty face. There's serious chefing going on in the kitchen, where a variety of fresh Atlantic fish are being turned into mouthwatering dishes like cashew-and-coconut-crusted mahi-mahi, or pepper-crusted crusted tuna, seared and served on a bed of bright spring greens with an imaginative and exciting blueberry teriyaki glaze. Carnivores will love veal and pork meatloaf, and steaks are cooked on an oak-fired grill. $$
Yoji Japanese Steakhouse and 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 saut?ed dumplings) and fresh selections from the sushi bar. $$
Gulfport
Backfin Blue Cafe, 2913 Beach Blvd. S. (727-343-2583). Closed Tuesdays. Quaint little Cafe with classy food, in the heart of an arty district. Great prime rib and meat loaf, excellent fish. Don't miss the corn pur?e with lump crabmeat or the crab cakes. Great desserts, too. Laid-back, casual and definitely tasty. $$
The Habana, at 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. $
La Cote Basque Winehouse, 3104 Beach Blvd. (727-321-6888). Expect affordable French foods au gratin, braise and others, plus continental-style dining with prices that are easy to live with. $$
PierHouse Grill and Pepper Co., 5401 Shore Blvd. S. (727-322-1741). The bright tropical dining room offers a great view of Gulfport's pier, and the menu offers hamburgers, steaks, pasta, sandwiches and homemade soups. Best buys are daily specials that show off fresh seafood, like shrimp and grouper in a spicy broth of tomatoes, garlic, onions, olives and peppers over fettuccine. Want more fire? The house makes its own hot sauce, and will spice up your entree, on request. $$
Largo/Seminole
Boulevard Bistro, 8595 Seminole Blvd (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. Well-prepared seafood is a special treat, especially the grouper sandwich, and an incredible ahi tuna spring roll, wrapped in a puff pastry and served with a warm, spicy dipping sauce. Carnivores will crave the juicy, fire-charred steaks with deeply flavored garlic potatoes. Good selections of wines by the glass are well chosen to complement the food. $$
Cafe Largo, 12551 Indian Rocks Road (727-596-6282). A continental style eatery popular with locals as well as tourists for many years. There's great attention to detail paid to the menu as well as the service. Check for monthly specialty dinners that feature a fine taste of French cooking. $$$
The French Hen, 596 N. Indian Rocks Road (727-586-6316). Homey country-style restaurant and antique shop favored by well-heeled locals for brunch and lunch. Take a little time to browse the antiques and relax in the cozy dining room. Order a glass of wine while you wait for a slice of homemade quiche of the day, which is served with fresh fruit or country potatoes and fancy dessert bread. Or, try the pineapple chicken croissant with chicken and flavored with curry. Don't skip dessert: Chocolate Corruption is the best. $$
Los Mariachis, 9100 Ulmerton Road (727-584-9739). Excellent tacos, enchiladas, margaritas, plus live mariachi bands on the weekend make this a fun place to take a crowd. Order the rich chicken in mole sauce, and finish with fried ice cream for dessert, which is pretty fabulous. $
Martina's German Cuisine, 9277 Seminole Plaza (727-319-0082). Martina spoils her customers at this small family-owned restaurant with reasonable prices, excellent German fare and friendly, attentive service. Specialties include delicious German beers and wines, authentic dishes, like wiener schnitzel and Bratwurst, served with big piles of perfect mashed potatoes and hot sauerkraut. Finish with homemade desserts like German chocolate cake or apple pie, and you'll waddle away happy. $$
Sushi Fune, 10801 Starkey Road, in the Bardmoor Village (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 plate. 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. $$
Pastino's, 11750 Clearwater-Largo Road (727-559-0506). Pastino's calls itself a neighborhood pizzeria, but when was the last time you saw gnocchi with wild caribou at your corner joint? Pastino's menu runs from mild to wild. Pizzas include Wild Bill's Western steak special, the taco pizza, and even a lobster supreme pizza with lobster, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, basil and olive oil, topped with white cheddar and mozzarella. Pasta dishes range from linguine with clam sauce to ravioli with exotic wild game stuffing. $$
Palm Harbor
Blue Heron, in the Shoppes at Cloverplace, 3285 Tampa (727-789-5176). Some of the freshest seafood and fowl you'll ever taste. The cuisine at this upscale favorite is a blend of the best techniques and ingredients that encompass Mediterranean, Caribbean, Pacific Rim and New American cuisines. $$$
Consciousness Blossoms, 3390 Tampa Road (727-789-1931). Serving breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Sunday. This tiny little caf? is a true shining star. Not only is it the only entirely vegetarian caf? in Tampa Bay, it's also one of very few restaurants to receive a 100 percent rating from the health inspector. You'll find light, healthy, delicious food served in a calm, relaxing atmosphere, all inspired by the philosophy of meditation teacher Sri Chinmoy. $
Saint Larry's, 34980 U.S. 19 (727-786-0077). St. Larry's feels like a chummy private club, with small, intimate dining spaces, a great bar and plenty of hobnobbing among the patrons, but don't worry; they'll be only too glad to have you join the fun. An eclectic menu that changes daily can offer anything from smoked lobster egg roll with fresh blueberry sauce to angus filet saut?ed with cultivated and wild mushrooms in a brandy brown sauce and topped with Maytag Blue Cheese. Fish lovers can look for dry-packed scallops and large shrimp saut?ed in a rich Asiago cream sauce or authentic Maryland crab cakes. The extensive bar offers a great wine list and a huge collection of single malt scotch. $$
A Taste Of Tokyo Sushi and Yakitori Bar, 3428 Tampa Road (State Road 584) in The Village at Lake St. George (727-787-6235). Closed Monday. Like a visit to Japan. If you've never tried sushi before, this is the place to start. Superior sushi bar, yakitori bar, old faves like tempura, new faves like gyoza, pan-fried Japanese dumplings. $
Pinellas Park
Cajun Cafe, 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. $$
Hickory Smoke House Barbecue, 6769 34th St. N. (727-526-8072). A mainstay for decades, this popular barbecue restaurant serves up succulent pork, chicken and beef entrees with all the fixings. Baked beans are a local favorite, and the chunky pork sandwiches should not be overlooked. Sampler platters are the best meal deals. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. $$
Philly's Famous Cheesesteak Co., Parkside Mall, U.S. 19 and Park Boulevard (727-520-9216). Junky, trashy, dirty, perfect spot to score an authentic cheesesteak sandwich for a cheap, terrific meal. Or try the restaurant's pizza, handmade crust, spicy sauce and lots of cheese. $
Regina's Philippine Cuisine, 9727 66th St. N. (727-544-6182). Ever tried this flavorful cuisine? If not, you're in for a culinary awakening. There are plenty of daily specials made with fresh, crunchy veggies and perfectly cooked noodles. A range of sweet, sour, salty, etc. Cash only. $$
Safety Harbor
Green Springs Caf? and Gathering Place, 122 Third Ave. N. (727-669-6762). This quaint neighborhood caf?, housed in a cozy, old wooden house hides a secret — there's a CIA-trained chef in the kitchen, turning out deeply delicious dishes like mahi stuffed with blue crab, or stuffed pork loin with bourbon demiglace. For a meal in a bowl, order the spicy gumbo made with dark, delicious roux loaded with chicken and chunky vegetables. $$
Safety Harbor Resort Cafe, 105 N. Bayshore Drive (727-726-1161). If you think eating healthy means giving up delicious flavor, then you need to try the spa meals at this renowned resort. The casual cafe offers imaginative appetizers, like grilled portobello mushroom with candied figs and Maytag bleu cheese drizzled with aged balsamic vinegar or try pan-fried lump crab cakes with mango and scotch bonnet aioli garnished with carrot hair and frizzled leeks. Dinners range from guava-glazed and grilled duck breast served with sweet potato pancakes and saut?ed greens with chili-vinegar drizzle to a rich seafood bouillabaisse seasoned with allspice and sherry. $$
St. Petersburg
Central St. Pete/TyroneAjanta Indian Cuisine, 5005 34th St. N., inside the Ramada Inn (727-525-1181). Once upon a time, you had to drive to the far side of Tampa to taste the savory, seductive flavors of Indian cuisine, but no more. Ajanta serves up a fine feast of dishes that celebrate the Indian tradition of using a large variety of very fresh spices to turn foods as simple as lentils or potatoes into surprisingly sophisticated dishes. Be sure and try tandoori chicken, or jinga masala, shrimps bathed in a subtly spicy sauce. Check out daily lunch specials and the Sunday buffet. $$
O Bistro, 6661 Central Ave. (727-381-1212). O Bistro offers a surprisingly upscale menu from Chef Tyson Grant with eclectic dishes that range from blue corn tortilla crusted grouper with cilantro-lime-chile oil, to guava-Hoisin barbecue duck with ginger-five spice aioli. There's special attention to freshness and healthy ingredients. O uses free-range chickens and grass-fed, hormone-free, antibiotic-free Montana beef. For comfort food, try the grilled applewood smoked pork chop served with maple roasted apple chutney and sharp white cheddar grits. Seafood lovers will drool over saut?ed jumbo shrimp served with a champagne butter sauce and saffron lobster ravioli. $$
Saffron's Caribbean, 1700 Park St. N. (727-345-6400). Saffron's sister team offers authentic jerk chicken and more, with spices that will take you to Jamaica. Appleton steak and curry dishes to satisfy the fussiest island connoisseurs. $$
Downtown St. Pete
Alberto's Fusion Bistro, 277 Central Ave. (727-502-0433). Another beautiful addition to Central Avenue, Alberto's offers a nice mix of modern and traditional Italian fare. Try the hefty Caesar salad, followed by duck breast in cranberry-mango sauce. Finish with tiramisu for dessert. $$$.
Mattison's, An American Bistro, 111 Second Ave. N.E. (727-895-2200) www.mattisons.com. Comfortable downtown bistro with a glam view of St. Pete and an accomplished kitchen. Enjoy a satisfying evening out, and feast on Minestrone soup, house salad, grouper piccata and Granny Smith apple pie. $$$
Perch, corner of Beach Drive and Central Ave., lower level of Ponce De Leon Hotel (727-551-0700). This classy restaurant, housed in one of Florida's oldest luxury lodgings, serves New Florida cuisine, featuring indigenous ingredients like hearts of palm, conch, pompano, even alligator, from a menu that focuses primarily on seafood. The menu changes frequently, but look for dishes like whole roasted pompano, crusted with pecans and served with a white wine butter sauce, curry-spiced salmon tartar served over a Belgian waffle, or fresh perch glazed with Florida orange blossom honey. A good wine list, and one of the prettiest bars in the city round out the picture. Open daily. $$
Northeast St. Pete/Gateway
The Crab Shack, 11400 Gandy Blvd. (727-576-7813). On the St. Pete side of the Gandy Bridge sits a rundown shack filled with crabs so fresh they'll bite your toes. Blue crab, gold crab, stone crab, soft-shell crab; if it's got claws, they'll cook it! Don't miss the skewers of honey-barbecue shrimp, or the mouthwatering house specialty, Snapper Corvina, a 2-and1/2-pound whole snapper deep-fried. Any fresher, and this fish would still be swimming. $$
Papaya's Cafe, 229 62nd Ave. N. (727-528-6165). Terrific, little cafe, owned and operated by Greg and Vince Hilbert, specializes in dishes featuring fresh fruit and seafood. Start with Vinces' delicious mullet spread, go for the smoked pork main dish topped with papaya chutney fruit salsa, and finish with an artful Key lime pie. $$
Red Mesa, 4912 Fourth St. N. (727-527-8728) This casually ambient eatery features regional Mexican and Southwestern cuisine. Black bean soup is nicely seasoned with fresh cilantro and epizote topped with chopped onion. There's tortilla crusted grouper with pineapple ancho cream, shrimp with garlic and chilies, fresh ceviche and Oaxaqueno-style fondue with chorizo. An adventure in cuisine by Chef Chris Fernandez. $$
South St. Pete
Basta'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. $$$
Big Tim's BBQ, 530 34th St. S., St. Petersburg (727-327-7388). Tiny, Creamsicle-colored restaurant with just a few modest tables, but Big Tim can sure grill barbecue. Order the half-slab of pork ribs, drizzle it with Tim's Secret Sauce, and prepare to overeat. It's hard to stop once you start, especially if you're also noshing on the fried corn and baked beans. $
The Chattaway, 358 22nd Ave. S. (727-823-1594). This little wooden building at different times served as a grocery store, a gas station and a trolley stop. It's since become a local historical landmark and a great place to stop for a good Chattaburger (burger with all the fixings) and some of the coldest draft beer in town. The ambiance of the eatery perfectly fits the image of early St. Pete. $
Tierra Verde
Tokyo Bay Restaurant, 1501 Sun Blvd., Bayway, in Isla Del Sol's Shopper's Village (727-867-0770). Chef Eiji Jose Sonogi slices up a sushi jamboree at this casual sushi haunt a stone's throw from Pinellas' south beaches. Try the Yumbo Combo II with California rolls, tuna and salmon, or really live it up with his Japanese Fishing Boat. You'll catch an eyeful (and a mouthful) of exotic cargo, including nigiri tuna, uni sushi and three superb rolls. $$
Tarpon Springs
Costa Restaurant, 521 Athens St. (727-938-6890). This intimate 120-seat inexpensive gem serves broiled snapper or octopus with garlic and oregano and traditional Greek entrees like dolmades, and lamb baked with orzo pasta and you-peel-'em shrimp. $
Hellas, 785 Dodecanese Blvd. (727-943-2400). Talk to the locals; they'll tell you this is the best food in town. Sample the Saganaki (flaming cheese) and pickled octopus, but don't stop there. Have a Greek salad with fresh feta, a bowl of avgolemono (lemon and egg soup), one of the fresh fish dishes, then finish with a plate of just-baked Greek pastries (baklava, bougatsa and chocolate flogeres) from their bakery next door. $$
This article appears in Apr 10-16, 2002.