Dining By Nanette Wiser
LET’S EAT!
Foodies, rejoice. From Gulf Beaches to downtown St. Pete, there’s a smorgasbord of delish dishes to explore. Here are some of our dining discoveries. Tell us yours!
NORTH BEACHES- CLEARWATER TO REDINGTON: Salt Rock Grille is now open for lunch Sat. as well as Sun. with a $16 prix fixe meal (salad/entrée/dessert). VIP Indian Rocks Beach’s Mexican pizza and rotating tequila special is a huge hit. Don’t miss Dunedin’s annual Wines the Blues 11/13 and while you’re there, stop in The Nest at Caracara for specialty cocktails and Asian/Latin menu or French fare at Parlor House Bistro.
Sea Dog Cantina (Gulfport) opened its second Mexican concept in Clearwater with Sea Dog Brewing beers (Treasure Island). Sekushi Sushi will open in The Plaza in Belleair, where E & E Steakhouse’s weekday lunch is a fave. Groupers on the Gulf in Indian Rocks Beach and Rock House Live in Clearwater mix music and good eats. Clearwater’s Coco’s Crush Bar opens a second location in Indian Rocks in the former 18 On The Rocks location.
Oct. 22-23 is the 37th annual Frenchy’s 2021 Stone Crab Festival in Clearwater Beach. Can’t decide what to eat? Clearwater’s Marina Market & Food Hall serves up three levels, six bars, ten concepts including Salt Cracker Fish Camp, Poke Havana, Shuck It Raw Bar and Marina Cantina.
MADEIRA/TREASURE ISLAND: Be sure to stop in at Salty Sisters gourmet popcorn shop in John’s Pass. Buckets Eatery for breakfast features a challah bread French toast casserole with praline sauce and a side of smoked bacon; lunch is all about the thick sliced bologna, caramelized onions and Swiss on Texas toast. San Diegans James and Tiffany Austin and their three daughters took over Super Scoops in August after falling in love with Paradise. Sample the salted or apple caramel flavors.
ST. PETE BEACH: Opened mid-September for dinner starting @5pm, Spinners Rooftop Grille Chef Doug Cox is serving local delights, including Snug Harbor seafood, cocktails, Beans & Barlour’s lobster ice cream, Sullivan Street artisan breads and The Villages Grown hydroponic greens. Formerly the Grand Plaza, the Bellweather Beach Resort’s reimagined rooms and Level 11 rooftop lounge is a welcome upscale addition to SPB. On Corey Avenue, Elizabeth’s Boutique has taken over the next door space Grapes Wine Café for wine, beer and charcuterie. Julie Featherstone is opening a wine bar/charcuterie near the new Slyce and fiancé John Barkett’s beach realty office. The Sunshine Spirits Festival kicks off Oct. 1 7-10pm at St. Pete’s Kozuba & Sons Distillery with 30+ distillers participating in the two-day event.
PINELLAS COUNTY: In the Gateway Area, Happy’s Ice Cream and TI Bamboo’s Jamaican go together like peanut butter and jelly. In Tyrone, Doc Ford’s opening is greatly anticipated and The Blend Coffee & Wine. La Mordida Restaurant, Bar and Grill serves up savory Peruvian/South American fare (empanadas, shredded beef with rice/sweet plantains/avocado. A new Clear Sky is coming to Seminole in the Three Olives location on Park Blvd.
DOWNTOWN: Java and Katie’s Fine Cookies (Intermezzo, Green Light Cinema) have me hooked, especially the Miso Buttered Toasted Sesame Seeds Chocolate Chunk and Toffee Shortbread. I love Paciuga Gelato and Hyppo Gourmet Pops, and am now addicted to Mammamia Gelato Italiano on Central Ave. Check out Sab Sushi for sake, tempura and dumplings. Ceviche Tapas & Bar’s new Beach Drive location is awesome, especially the Tapas Tuesday.
COMING SOON: Jeni’s seasonal gourmet ice creams feature Pumpkin Cake Roll and a new dairy-free flavor, Banana Cream Pudding loaded with vanilla wafers made from scratch, available in Publix. Keep an eye out for Philly’s gourmet PrimoHoagies, debuting in Tampa. Hoping Ciccio Restaurant Group’s MOOD Bakery Bar in Tampa’s SOHO opens on this side of bridge, with gluten free and plant-based bakery goods like HaleLife in downtown St. Pete.