By Nanette Wiser
It is the best of times when it came to eating and drinking in Paradise. Here are some of our favorite spots to savor and sip. Book your party or entertain friends and family at these restaurants and bars from around Tampa Bay. Throwing a holiday party? Bayou Market and Café can cater your event large or small. For a waterfront view, Doc Ford’s on The Pier and Jungle Prada can’t be beat.
BREAKFAST & BRUNCH On the weekends, linger over mimosas at The Helm, or The Dewey. For best breakfasts, check out Sea Dog Brewing Co., Clear Sky on Park, Stan’s Epicurean’s tasting menu (2x/month), Frog Pond, Chill’s, coffee and croissants at Coco Addiction, 82 Degrees, Café Soleil (opening a new location next to Taverna on the Bay), Jerome’s Café & Bakery, Salty Nun, Crabby’s On The Pass, Caddy’s Treasure Island, Kraft Café and downtown, at The Library, Wild Child, Social Roost, Datz, and Café Clementine.
HAPPY HOURS From Sekushi Sushi’s happy hour for cocktails, sushi, sashimi and Asian apps noon-6pm daily to The Left Bank Bistro’s Sante Social Hour & Oyster Bar Menu served Tues.-Fri. 2-6pm; Saturday Oyster Bar 2-6pm and Sun. 2-6pm on the patio, gourmet gobbles abound. On the beaches, The Wharf, Mastry’s/The Kitchen, RumFish, Cane & Barrel, Cassis, Three Birds Tavern, Seaweed, and BJ’s Restaurant Brewhouse.
INTERNATIONAL DELIGHTS The VIP in Indian Rocks Beach and Treasure Island is a local favorite for Mexican, and we love Coastal Taco and Nueva Cantina. For Asian fare, Thai Basil, Nori Thai, Buya Ramen, Pacific Counter, Pin Wok & Bowl, and Zom Hee (Chinese). For gourmet pizza, Slyce can’t be beat, and their weekday lunch special (slice of pizza and a salad) are popular; Coastal Pizza’s shrimp pie and if downtown, Joey Brooklyn’s is the best New York pizza by the slice. Tommy’s Hideaway in Gulfport serves Nona’ style dishes, and the meatballs are sensational. For Floribbean fare, Stone Crab or she crab soup at Frenchy’s and a grouper sandwich at Dockside Dave’s.
SPECIAL OCCASIONS If you are looking for exceptional seafood, steak and continental cuisine, make reservations now at Stan’s Epicurean, Middle Grounds, E & E Steakhouse, Guppy’s, Columbia Restaurant, Island Way Grill, Salt Rock Grill, Gratzzi, Villa Gallace, Rococo, Beau & Mo, Parkshore Grill, Taverna Costale, Il Ritorno, Ceviche, and Bonu Taverna. We swooned over Il Ritorno’s shrimp tagliatelle (Pernod, calabrese sopressata, tarragon dust, shaved fennel) and Villa Gallace’s grouper, Tomahawk veal chop and fresh Atlantic halibut. Half-priced wine Wednesday bottles at Middle Grounds and Clear Sky on Park make humpday dining special.
DINE & DANCE Of course, downtown St. Pete’s dining scene is some of the best in town, and many restaurants feature live entertainment including The Estate, Cocktail St. Pete, Dirty Shirley and others in The Edge and Grand Central districts. For island sounds and an old Florida feel, mosey over to The Big Catch for some seafood baskets and reggae. Dance the night away or listen to jazz and other concerts at Floridian Social Club, Ruby’s Elixir, or disco at Good Night John Boy. For true music loves, Bayboro Brewing Co. and the Ale & The Witch showcase food, drink, and iconic, eclectic bands. Flute & Dram is the most eloquent place to drink premium brown spirits, champagne and craft cocktails and the exquisite menu features delectable bites such as lobster ravioli, wagyu beef carpaccio raw oysters, charcuterie and a menu that rivals big city fare. Live music starts usually at 5pm, and happy hour at 4pm.
