BEST CHEF
B.T. Nyugen, Café B.T.
We thought she might fumble by moving to Hyde Park Village from her former location on E. Gandy Boulevard, but damned if she just kicked it up a few notches. B.T., understated and well-loved by the Tampa Bay food community, continues to astound us with her creativity and resilience year after year. Her daytime dishes scream freshness, introducing an otherwise uneducated and dull Tampa public to a whole new range of Asian cuisine. And the evening menu, consistently turning out quality creations, further makes us follow her around like she's Buddha. Hail to B.T. We're so glad you're here and thriving. 1633 W. Snow Ave., Tampa, 813-831-9254.
BEST GOURMET PIZZA
The Gourmet Pizza Company
How good is the pie from Gourmet Pizza Company? The Planet editorial staff devoured two pizzas every Wednesday, without fail, for months. The gooey discs, with their excellent toppings and a crust and sauce combination that delivers a savory garlic zing, taste exactly as the name implies. (Typical New York-style thin crust this ain't.) Specialty pies include the chicken smoked gouda and the steak gorgonzola pizza. Even the calzones and salads are terrific. Just try and not overdo it. 610 S. Armenia Ave., Tampa, 813-258-1999, www.gourmetpizza-company.com.
BEST CHAIN PIZZA
Westshore Pizza
No contest. Westshore Pizza now sports more than 50 locations from Orlando to Venice, and consistently offers a pie that can hang with the pricier gourmet options. Their crust is nominally thicker than the standard New York style, but still thin enough to please the crispy-crust crowd (ask 'em to leave it in the over an extra minute or two for you, they'll be glad to); their topping selection is plentiful; their sauce holds just the right tang; and their 18-inch extra-large takes a couple of hungry guys an entire football game to consume. Westshore may be a chain, but it's our chain. It was founded in Tampa. There are a gazillion Westshore Pizza locations scattered throughout the Bay area. To find the one nearest you, go to www.westshorepizza.com.
BEST PIZZA SHOP IN A HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
Domenic's New York Pizza & Deli
In business since 1992 in a strip mall that has been a retail graveyard smack in the middle of Carrollwood Village, Domenic's does New York-style pizza as good as you can get outside of the five boroughs. Sure, Westchase is blessed with not one, but two outstanding pizza makers (both Bona Pizza in West Park Village and Marina's in the Publix shopping center offer up outstanding slices), but you have to go to Carrollwood Village for the absolute best housing development pie. A no-frills operation, Domenic's has the cramped, mussy, worked-in feel of all the best pizza joints in the Big Apple. That character makes its way into the pizza, which is simple, tasty and perfect. 4538 W. Village Drive, Tampa, 813-963-1360.
BEST BAGEL
St. Pete Bagel Company
It's hard to make a really bad bagel — even those frozen Lender's jobs can come through in a pinch. And it's equally difficult to make a really good bagel, let alone a perfect one. But St. Pete Bagel Company comes deliciously close, turning out pumpernickel, poppy and cinnamon raisin delights that rival anything you'd find in New York. They've got great coffee too, and their egg and cheese sandwich is the real deal (no microwaved circles here folks). But it's the bagels that make this spot worth the trip. Baked daily on premises, they pass the ultimate test: You can eat 'em without butter or cream cheese and they're still damn good. 5835 Memorial Highway, Tampa, 813-889-7710; 7043 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-522-3377.
BEST SOUL FOOD
Atwater's Cafeteria
In all honesty, it's tough to even consider handing this one to another place, though we did find several new and worthy contenders this year. Those looking for a hip, "authentic" version of straight-from-the-kitchen Southern cooking in a trendy environment need look elsewhere. But if you want ribs, chicken, greens, okra, tomatoes and cornbread the way families have been making 'em for generations, you come to the south side of St. Pete, and to Atwater's. 895 22nd Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 727-823-7018.
BEST SALAD AS A MEAL
Chopped House Salad, Bonefish Grill
Most people go to Bonefish for a variety of seafood dishes both standard and eclectic, or for its upscale-bar-esque "polished casual" vibe. But one of the best things on the menu — or any Bay area menu, for that matter — is something of a bit player: the Chopped House Salad, a bowl of multicolored greens spruced up with Kalamata olives, pine nuts, hearts of palms and a sharp citrus-herb vinaigrette. It's not too busy with exotic flavors, offering simplicity while avoiding the mundane. Locations abound throughout the Bay area; www.bonefishgrill.com.
BEST SOUP
Clam Chowder, Noho Bistro
The true test of a quality restaurant is its soup. If it tastes like "add water and stir," run away. But if it tastes like Mom made it, hang like wallpaper. At Noho Bistro, a mom does make the soup. Noho, owned by Mike Long and Jessica Raia-Long, is a tiny little lunch bistro specializing in sandwiches and a daily hot entree. Everything is excellent, but the soups excel. Take the clam chowder, for instance. Big chunks of clams, smoked ham and soft potatoes bathe in a succulent, expertly seasoned cream base that woos your tongue. The portion is enough to fill you for hours, and comes with a hunk of fresh bread from Great Harvest Bread Company. The clam chowder isn't served everyday, but call Jessica and beg her to feed your jones. 1912 N. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-514-0691.
BEST GYRO
Athenian Garden
Ybor City's comparatively newer, fancier Acropolis is no slouch in the beef-and-lamb department, either, but walk into any one of Athenian Garden's three St. Pete locations, and you're always gonna get the perfect Greek wrap. The two most common mistakes in gyro preparation are Tzatziki sauce saturation and meat-strip overload, but the Garden's sandwiches always give great, flavorful proportion. Athenian Garden has three locations in Pinellas County; www.atheniangarden.com.
BEST CRAB RANGOON
Hook's
Ordinary crab Rangoon features a crab and cream cheese mixture that's folded into ready-made wonton wrappers (sometimes called "skins") and then tossed into a vat of hot oil and deep-fried. At Hook's, the crab, cream cheese and broccoli blend is wrapped in rice paper and lightly fried, giving them the look of crispy spring rolls and the taste of heaven. A delicious prelude to a fine Asian meal. 1210 Martin Luther King Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-898-4665; 6305 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-360-4140, www.hookssushi.com.
BEST VIETNAMESE
Pho Quyen Vietnamese
The casual atmosphere at this pair of family-owned-and-operated restaurants is paired with food served in generous portions that's consistently delicious and always affordable. Packed with flavor without being overpowering, the dishes range from the light-bodied, tantalizing beef pho — a beef noodle soup with flank, brisket, tendon, tripe, beef meatballs (or a combination of these), seasoned with green cilantro and infused with onion and scallion — to the crispy, pan-fried egg noodles with veggies, chicken, tofu, pork or beef. The thin, crispy fried egg rolls are stuffed with tangy pork and rice noodles, and can be coupled with Vietnamese barbecue beef atop an order of Bún (rise vermicelli). Vegetarians can also enjoy a range of meat- and fish-free offerings. 2740 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-632-3444; 8301 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-933-7977.
BEST JAMAICAN
Jerk Hut
Hands down, mon. The Jerk Hut nails all that curry and zesty jerk sauce and everything else. Whenever someone at the office suggests the downtown Jerk Hut for lunch, you invariably hear an orgasmic chorus of "Mmmmm, Jerrrrk Huuuut." The curry chicken never fails; the jerk chicken falls off the bone; the curry goat and oxtail stew make you forget you're eating goat and ox. The women servers are friendly (and easy on the eyes). The downtown location has a happy hour/buffet/party on Friday nights where you can stuff yourself, swill Red Stripes and groove to a reggae band. Don't dally. Time to get your jerk on. 207 E. Twiggs St., Tampa, 813-223-4473; 1406 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-632-9551.
BEST DOLLAR SUSHI
Pacific Wave
Dollar deals have been popping up at Japanese restaurants around the country in the last few years, and the Bay area has been no exception. Usually on weekday nights, the specials feature sushi staples — California rolls, salmon and tuna — for a buck or two. Getting your fill at Pacific Wave takes some time — the place is packed on Thursday nights and the kitchen can move slowly. (Be careful while you idle; the drinks aren't discounted.) But the fish is fresh, and the chefs know what they're doing. So sidle up to the bar, order a pitcher of water, and let the rolls, um, roll in. Thursdays, 4-8 p.m., 211 Second St. S., St. Petersburg, 727-822-5235.
BEST OFF-THE-BEATEN-PATH RESTAURANT
Café Dufrain
Tucked away in a corner of Harbour Island's burgeoning, overpriced condo community lies an under-rated little restaurant called Café Dufrain. Owned by Ferrell and Andy Bonnemort, this business is most definitely a labor of love. With Chef Christopher Cresanta heading up efforts in the kitchen, this young couple proudly presents a menu loaded with fresh, creative options, like mango lump crab-crusted yellowtail snapper, red chile-marinated beef tenderloin and sesame-seared salmon. The casual atmosphere, the efficient service and fantastic food make Café Dufrain worthy of your bucks. 707 Harbour Post Drive, Tampa, 813-275-9701.
BEST BAKERY
Pane Rustica
The rustic Italian loaf here is a revelation, the rosemary focaccia decadent. The pizza is thin-crusted and eclectically topped with anything from carmelized onions to olive tapenade. Since moving into a new and bigger space on MacDill Avenue in South Tampa earlier this year, Pane Rustica and its owners, Kevin and Karyn Kruszewski, have transcended its status as a tiny boho bakery to become a spacious Tuscan wonder that also serves lunches, dinners and gelato. Bread is the star here, but the ever-changing selection of pastries — including almond Danish, cherry streudel and chocolate chip croissants — is nothing to turn your nose up at either. 3225 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-902-8828.
BEST CROUTONS
Ruby Tuesday
We just had to give a little love to this place for its kick-ass croutons. Say bye-bye to crunchy nuggets so hard they break your teeth, or so brittle they shatter upon contact with your fork. Ruby Tuesday's garlicky pumpernickel beauties are more addictive than crack, with a sumptuously chewy texture. They'll add to the overall calorie count, but just lay off the cheese and it all evens out, right? Locations throughout the Bay area. Visit www.rubytuesday.com.
BEST SPINACH DIP
Miguel's Mexican Café
Spinach dip has an uncertain history. It's a culinary bastard, really, unclaimed and culturally ambiguous. Think of it as open to interpretation. At Miguel's, the dip is cast as the brackish and tangy spinach con queso. The loner at the top lefthand corner of the menu, this Mexican version of the dip has a personality of its own. Served with a spoon, it's as if the dip has a renegade dream of being something more than an appetizer. You'll be tempted to spoon it instead of whittling away at it with chips. 3035 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-876-2587.
BEST FROZEN DESSERT
It's Custard Mon
Part of It's Custard Mon's appeal lies in its laid-back, tropical atmosphere, which is achieved with faux doorways displaying a few inviting views of paradise, brightly painted walls and whimsical Caribbean artwork, a steady soundtrack of steel drums and island grooves, and a scaled-down palm-thatched roof over the register and serving area. The real hook, though, is that sumptuous creamy stuff itself. Called "gourmet ice cream" by fans, frozen custard differs from soft-serve ice cream for several key reasons: The former contains 10 percent butterfat and 1.4 percent egg yolk, has less air and smaller ice crystals (making it denser and richer). And because it's served at a much warmer temperature than ice cream, it doesn't freeze your taste buds, allowing for a more flavorful frozen-dessert eating experience. Customers can choose from four flavors — chocolate, vanilla, "special" (sugar and fat free) vanilla, and a "Flavor of the Day" — and all of these can be enjoyed alone or with a variety of toppings and "mix-ins." 3739 49th St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-520-8608, www.itscustardmon.com.
BEST CARIBBEAN SUPERMARKET
Caribbean Trade
If your taste buds are honed to anything curry or red beans and rice cooked Yardie style, Publix's ethnic section just doesn't cut it. Caribbean Trade has a wide range of pepper sauces and seasonings, as well as fresh yams, breadfruit, okra, plantains and all the other essentials. It's also a perfect place to pick up a sixer of Red Stripe. 11502 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-971-2443, www.tradecaribbean.com.
BEST ITALIAN MARKET
Mazzaro's Italian Market
At Mazzaro's, they should issue shoppers an honorary Italian grandmother as they walk in the door. After all, you might need help sorting through the ample selection of fresh meats and fish, the rows of Italian cookies, pastas and olives (and olive oil). A person can pack on the pounds just browsing. Tight aisles in the middle of the store are reminiscent of the old country (you know … Brooklyn), but the open patio out back facing the road is a very Florida addition. Mazzaro's also has a great coffee selection, offers extensive catering, and will soon add a wine and cheese room. Mangia! 2909 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-321-2400, www.mazzarosmarket.com.
BEST PRE-MADE KEBABS
Shaner's Land and Sea Market
When skewering is just too much work, the men and women at Shaner's are there to make your kebab dreams come true. The store's 15 varieties are made fresh daily, and range from seafood to lamb to beef. Most have some veggies thrown into the mix, including, if you're lucky, a few slices of what may be the greatest onions ever known to man. But it's the veggie-less, bacon-wrapped scallop kebab that wins best of the best. They're like M&Ms — literally melting in your mouth — but with bacon. Mmmmmmm … bacon. 2000 Pass-A-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach, 727-367-4292.
BEST MALL CHICKEN
Bourbon Street, Westshore Plaza
They hook you with the free sample. Toothpick-skewered chicken thrust at you by a skittish employee nervous about being out from behind the counter. Just one taste of the syrupy bird and you too will be hooked. Bourbon chicken can become a lunchtime addiction, and the Bourbon Street at Westshore Plaza is the area's finest dealer. Bourbon Street's chicken is juicy and plump, never overcooked and consistently delicious. Be aware: Devouring an entire portion of the juicy meat with white rice (extra sauce of course) will leave you in a diabetic coma for the rest of the workday. 250 Westshore Plaza, Tampa, 813-286-0790, www.westshoreplaza.com.
BEST BREAKFAST JOINT
Mom's Place
You'd think making cheap, good bacon and eggs wouldn't be that hard, but damned if it isn't in this town. Even though an aching head and fat-craving body would pretty much eat anything on a hungover Sunday morning, it's still a pre-requisite that the food be edible and quick. That's where Mom's Place shines … even if it looks packed when you arrive, you're still at a table within 15 minutes, service is quick and efficient, and the fantastic gyro meat omelet comes made to order. All for under $8. That can make your head feel better. 4816 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-875-2670.
BEST CHEAP LUNCH
Anderson Road Café
Located in the industrial district between Waters and Hillsborough avenues on a stretch of road remarkably devoid of restaurants, the café draws an abundant lunch crowd from the surrounding warehouses and beyond, and serves cheap, hearty meals to a primarily blue collar crowd, from laborers and tradesman to UPS drivers and call center employees. On the other hand, you'll find plenty of suits ordering the $5.50 lunch specials, which include a giant glass of ice tea — sweetened or unsweetened. The ambiance is casually nautical, with a few stuffed fish adorning the walls and merry curtains decorated with sail boats and bordered in red gingham. The place has a damn good grouper sandwich, pleasant (and prompt) waitresses, a small selection of beers for folks looking to knock back a few before returning to the grind, and a sociable, always present owner who's been running the place for 12 years. Breakfast and lunch only, Mon.-Sat. 6002 Anderson Road, Tampa, 813-881-9126.
BEST GRATUITOUSLY HAPPY SANDWICH MAKERS
Lenny's Sub Shop
The charm hits you the second you walk through the door. Even before you can smell the Philly cheesesteaks frying in the back — and you can smell those pretty quick — the Lenny's employee closest to the door is already in your ear. "How are you man?" "Great to see you!" "Hope you're hungry brother!" It's the greasy-sub-shop equivalent of TGI Friday's flair — you know the guy behind the counter hates yelling pleasantries at customers, but the manager will be on him if he doesn't. And on those days when you're feeling a little blue, the forced overzealousness can be sort of reassuring. Even if your boss is a dick, your girlfriend ran off with the cable guy and the dog crapped on your pillow again, the men and women at Lenny's still like you. Promise. Lenny's offers both varying greetings and various sandwich choices, including a delicious cheesesteak. 4050 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-281-0700; 8225 Park Edge Drive, Tampa, 813-903-8678, www.lennysubshop.com.
BEST SURPRISINGLY GOOD GROUPER SANDWICH
The Undertow
The beach bar doesn't have to serve a humungous grouper sandwich. People would flock to the place anyway — for the sunsets, the two open-air bars, the pool tables and the sexy bartenders. But the fact is, chef Joel Kaplan does serve a humungous, made-to-order grouper sandwich — a 10-ouncer with spicy homemade tartar sauce on your choice of bread (we recommend the kaiser roll) for just six bucks. At that price, you'll still have enough left for a second mango daiquiri. 3850 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-368-9000.
BEST HONOR-SYSTEM HONEY
Marion Lambert
So you're jonesin' for some honey; some homemade, natural, finger-lickin'-good honey. But you don't want to go to the overpriced natural food store, and shopping in that minuscule organic section at Kash 'N Karry is just too embarrassing. Don't worry, Marion Lambert's got your fix. Lambert's four-acre bee farm in South Tampa is alone worth the visit — it's not every day you see someone livin' it up agrarian style in a major metropolis. But even if he's not home, you can still pick up a jar from the stand outside the gate. Prices range from $10 to $125 for both types: orange blossom and wildflower. Just remember to slip your cash through the slot — karma can be a bitch. 6101 Second St. S., Tampa, 813-839-5153, www.dixie-honey.com.
BEST LOCAL HOT SAUCE
Weapon of Mouth Destruction
Pinellas Park's own Your Hot Sauce Company has dozens of delicious fiery condiments available, from the traditional sauces to thick barbecue varieties, glazes and jellies. If we had to pick one, however, it's the "Weapon of Mouth Destruction" sauce that rules the local market. Hardcore chile-heads might find its kick a little tame, but there's definitely enough of one to start the wusses sweating, and satisfy the palates of those who like their heat balanced by a tasty tang. Your Hot Sauce Company products are available at many Bay area food retailers and specialty shops. Visit www.yourhotsaucecompany.com.
BEST LOCAL BBQ SAUCE
Mr. Mike's
Mr. Mike's is made right down in St. Pete, from an award-winning recipe that's been in the family for 30 years. While there are plenty of homegrown specialty barbecue sauces available, Mr. Mike's is the best straight shooter, with a killer take on the thick, smoky 'n' sweet character most grill aficionados crave. Plus, it comes in varying degrees of spiciness. Mr. Mike's is available at various Bay area specialty food stores, or write to Mr. Mike's Gourmet Foods Company, 25 Second St. N., St. Petersburg, 33701.
BEST FISH SPREAD
The Sports Bar
Maybe this is ironic, but the main reason the Sports Bar's fish spread is so good is that it doesn't taste fishy at all. Made with finely ground amberjack and other crunchy things, this delectable stuff has a nice tangy kick as well. It's served on a bed of lettuce with cellophane-wrapped crackers, on which you're supposed to spread the spread. The Sports Bar buys one of its signature appetizers from an outside supplier, but that's OK — they're the ones who put it on the menu. 9685 Bay Pines Blvd., Seminole, 727-393-9110.
BEST MEAL TO BRING ALONG A DEFIBRILLATOR FOR
Fat Kevin Sandwich, Subslingers Jersey Subs
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? Well, increased strength after a bout with Fat Kevin seems unlikely. But if this colossal hoagie doesn't take your life, it will certainly make you fatter. So there's that to look forward to. The folks at Subslingers start with chicken tenders, move on to mozzarella sticks, then add some fries, two more cheeses and, for you health-conscious types, some shredded lettuce. It's all tucked inside a delicious homemade bun — a guaranteed coronary disguised as a sandwich. The thing is packed so tight it'll instantly fall apart if you put it down, so go with an empty stomach, a serious bib and 911 already typed into your phone. It's gonna be a doozy. 5804 54th Ave. N., Kenneth City, 727-541-6392.
BEST PLACE FOR FRESH FISH AND FRESH GOSSIP
Backfin Blue Cafe
There are few better ways to smooth the edges off a rough week than to settle into the comfy side porch at Backfin Blue and indulge in the sophisticated home cooking of Chef Bruce Harris. He makes a mean meatloaf and a nice prime rib (both surprisingly low-priced), but the main attraction is the catch of the day: Harris gets more than 90 percent of his fish in almost daily deliveries from Nachman Native Seafood. The conversation's fresh, too; one of the servers has a day job as reporter for the Gulfport Gabber. 2913 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, 727-343-2583.
BEST THING ABOUT SoGan
Interbay Meat Market
Residents south of Gandy ("SoGan" — let's make it stick, people) call it the Green Store, but don't get all misty thinking you've found a new vegetarian market; the place is famed for its meat. We stop in for $10 slabs of filet mignon, chicken breasts as big as your face and some of the best thick-slice bacon this side of the pig. If you aren't the cookin' kind, the Cuban and shredded-pork sandwiches are killer. And get some black beans and rice while you're at it. The place is small, but it's got all the essentials; the staff is suspiciously cheerful; and if you didn't know your neighbors before, you will once you start shopping here. 6110 Interbay Blvd., Tampa, 813-839-7542.
BEST SMOOTHIE
Jammin Java
It's a tiny joint with a short smoothie menu, but the drinks are delish. We're particularly fond of the Banana Mango, Peach Pear Plus and Pineapple Madness concoctions. We're equally fond of the drive-thru, at which we get our drinks lickety-split without leaving the comfort of our cars. If smoothies aren't your thing, try a simple coffee or a more complex espresso drink. And for a bit more sustenance, snag some pecan coffee cake, a double chocolate chunk muffin (um … YUM!) or a cheese Danish. 3601 W. Gandy Blvd., Tampa, 813-837-2737.
BEST CAFÉ CON LECHE
West Tampa Sandwich Shop
In a town full of places that serve good Cuban coffee with milk, the West Tampa Sandwich Shop stands out. Sure, the café con leche here is good — the milk steamed just right, the espresso roast strong enough to stand up to it. But the regulars here take their dose of Latinized caffeine with a side of politics. Dunking your Cuban toast here over the years would have been accompanied by visits from John Kerry, Bob Graham, Tipper Gore, Jim Davis or any of myriad Democrats running for public office over the years who have made stopping at the West Tampa café a must-schedule event. There's not much bipartisanship here: The shop lost its resident Republican, Fred Barksdale, who passed away this year. 3904 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa, 813-873-7104.
BEST MARTINI DEAL
The Wharf
Even if you pay the 50-cent toll to get out to Pass-A-Grille, this deal's still worth it. Martinis are only $3.50, and not just during happy hour, but straight through closing at 2 a.m. They've got a variety of flavors — citrus, Key lime, sour apple — but make ours extra dirty. And for $3.50, make several. Wednesdays and Fridays, 2001 Pass-A-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach, 727-367-9469.
BEST PLACE TO DRINK ON MONDAY NIGHT
Ricky T's Tiki Bar
Anybody can go out drinking on Friday and Saturday night. Only the hardcores keep the buzz going through Sunday. And then there are the pros, those party animals who are ready to tap it again on Monday night and saddle up for the week ahead. It's hard not to at Ricky T's, the best open-air beach bar that is not actually on the sand. It features good food, great drinks and live music even on Monday, and that keeps the crowds flowing out onto the deck that fronts Gulf Boulevard. 10601 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island, 727-363-7425.
BEST MIX & MATCH SIXER
Shep's Deli
Ever had Monterey Peaks' Spanish Pale Ale? No? How about Colorado microbrewery Left Hand's Sawtooth Ale, or Duvel, a smashing 8.9-percent-alcohol brew from Belgium? That's the beauty of St. Pete market/convenience store/beer warehouse Shep's — you just grab an empty six-pack container and choose single bottles from the more than 700 options. Most of Shep's offerings cost around two to three bucks. Some are a bit cheaper, and a few can get quite pricey, but this is about expanding your beer horizons, not getting hammered on the cheap. 2001 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-823-6565.
BEST NEW WINE BAR
Tastings, A Wine Experience
Easily one of the coolest wine concepts to hit Tampa Bay since, well, ever, Tastings allows the wine-curious to really stretch their minds. The new place offers more than 120 wines by the 2-ounce taste or by the 6-ounce glass, all in a machine-operated, self-serve format using tasting cards you administer yourself. From the obscure French chenin blanc to the familiar Australian cabernet-shiraz blends, thirsty patrons can drink to their hearts' content, trying as few or as many different wines as they want. Reminds us a bit of an ATM wine machine, but it works, and it's fun. 149 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-894-2255.
BEST WINE LIST THAT ISN'T BERN'S
Circles Restaurant
For years, Circles owner Michael Chulikavit has been quietly amassing an army of great wine. His passion for the juice shows in the selections and pricing, but also when his face lights up after asking him to recommend a bottle to accompany his wife's fabulous Asian-fusion dishes. Prices range from the low $20s to over $100 per bottle, and selection ranges from an impressive collection of Rieslings to high-end cabernet sauvignons. Not only is his bottle list impressive, he offers wine flights and an ever-changing wines-by-the-glass list. If only other Bay-area restaurants could learn from Michael, we'd be a much happier wine community. 2500 W. Azeele St., Tampa, 813-879-5228.
BEST WINE SHOP
Vintage Wine Cellars
There may be a bigger selection elsewhere, but more down-to-earth and helpful wine retailers you won't find in Tampa Bay. Owners James and David Mela pride themselves on non-snobby customer service and will point you toward the best $8 chardonnay or $50 pinot noir with a patient smile. Or, if you're serving white fish in cream sauce, they can match something up with that too. Need a gift? In a rush? Check out the nice guys at Vintage. 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 813-879-2931.
This article appears in Sep 21-27, 2005.