By Nanette Wiser
RESTAURANT NEWS Three Tampa restaurants were named to the prestigious Michelin Guide 2023 Florida edition: Lilac, Ponte, and Noble Rice. Eight Miami and eight Orlando restaurants were also added to the new Florida edition. Congrats to Flute & Dram on their five-year anniversary, still one of downtown St. Pete’s best Beach Dr. restos to eat, drink and be merry with music. St. Pete Beach’s Thai Basil now serving an all-you-can eat buffet Tues.-Wed. for only $40/person. Intermezzo Coffee and Cocktails is moving to the former Independent Bar space at 1049 Central Ave. a block away, as their space will be the site of a new hotel development. In Gulfport, enjoy charcuterie and chardonnay at the Wine House, taking over the Backfin Blue Café space.
DATZ FANTASTIC! From the Datchos to the bacon-jalapeno mac n’ cheese, we love this kooky foodie haven. It’s a number one fave for crispy chicken wings, tossed in Korean BBQ sauce and topped with green onions and chopped peanuts. Save room for the Horse Soldier bourbon chocolate cake; a portion of the proceeds supports veterans’ groups.
THE BIG CATCH AT SALT CREEK Come by boat or car to this old-Florida-vibe waterfront bar and restaurant in DTSP that features live music (Tues., Thurs., Fri-Sun.), Monday trivia nights from 7-9pm and Wed. open mike night. Serving brunch, lunch, and dinner, this is the spot for seafood especially the coconut shrimp with house citrus glaze, smoked mullet fish spread, seafood nachos or chowder, mahi tacos, shrimp po’boy and entrees (balsamic-glazed salmon, grouper, shrimp boil, red snapper, shrimp and grits).
Dock at The Big Catch 
Shrimp Boil at The Big Catch
DOC FORD’S RUM BAR & GRILLE This Jungle Terrace waterfront restaurant and bar is a huge hit and a taste of Mexico and the Keys. With live music daily starting at noon (with a break to change out artists), the craft cocktails (mojito madness), craft brews and generous, mouthwatering appetizers, sandwiches, flatbreads, and entrees are spectacular. Share some appetizers (shrimp ceviche, black bean dip, steamed mussels, Caribbean jerk chicken tostados) or dive into the Sanibel cheesesteak, spinach and artichoke flatbread, Southwestern Cobb with blackened chicken, or achiote redfish bowl or seafood paella. The dry rubbed ribeye and Danish baby back ribs with house slaw or banana leaf snapper are best of show. Visit the gift shop for Randy Wayne White’s books and keepsakes. Come by boat or car, ample parking.
GRATZZI ITALIAN GRILLE Chef/owner Tony serves my favorite regional favorites, from Naples’ eggplant rollatini with homemade ricotta to the clam posillipo steamed in a garlic tomato broth or the Sicilian swordfish carpaccio and baby whole artichokes stuffed with herbed mascarpone and goat cheese with an Asiago cream sauce. I swooned over the gnocchi publiese handmade potato pasta with crispy pancetta, cremini, and porcini mushrooms, fire-roasted tomatoes, peas, roasted chicken in an Asiago cheese sauce and the Chilean sea bass pan-seared with scallops, basil, capers, broccolini in a garlic tomato sauce. The side salad is beautifully displayed and the wine list extraordinary. Reservations suggested.
UNCLE FUNZ If you loved Z Grille downtown (which closed in 2017), then you will adore Zack and Jennifer Gross’s new restaurant and gift shop. Now open at 6630 Gulf Blvd. in St. Pete Beach, TBT named them one of the 15 BEST restos. The menu changes every Wednesday from these culinary imagineers serving gourmet dishes. Says Jennifer: “We always have sandwiches, salads and sides that include pickled items, dips & spreads – all homemade by my husband.” We loved the smoked chipotle chicken salad sandwich, pimento cheese, jalapeno hummus and wild mushroom sandwich with goat cheese spread. Take home charcuterie supplies, knives, flowers, salt blend and gourmet chocolates from the shop. Follow them on Instagram @unclefunz.
