Dining Out By Nanette Wiser
This holiday season, your party or office gathering will be catered or booked at a fabulous local restaurant. In addition to the list below, we love Gratzzi, Urban Stillhouse, Sea Salt, Alto Mare Fish Bar downtown and for steak, Beau & Mo’s and 1200 Chophouse. Consider hosting a weekend brunch, lunch or dinner at these exceptional restaurants, perfect for birthdays and anniversaries as well. Many of them offer catering and pick-up meals as well.
400 Beach Seafood and Tap House: Steve and Nancy Westphal’s gang really know how to plan a party, whether it’s a gathering in the private room or 20 people for brunch or lunch. Good wine and craft beer list, excellent coastal cuisine. (DTSP)
Bascom’s Chop House: Elegantly appointed with six private dining rooms that can accommodate parties of 10-200 and a beautiful lounge with a mahogany bar that can seat 15 and serve up to 100 for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Ample parking, valet and A/V equipment available. (Clearwater)
Dr. BBQ: Quirky decorations, multiple patios and rooms perfect for parties, with some of the most creative cocktails and menus in town. Ray Lampe, known to the world as “Dr. BBQ,” stokes the fire, showcasing smoke-basted meats and dynamic dishes with partners Suzanne and Roger Perry, owners of the Datz, Dough, and Roux. On-site parties and catering, ask for the Frito Pie or Taco Bars. (DTSP)
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse: Pinellas Park favorite for craft beer, a seasonal fresh-forward menu and sports, it’s a dynamic spot for the office holiday party at the restaurant or catered at the office, topped off by a holiday Pizookie. Entrée salads, pastas, pizzas, tacos and mouthwatering appetizers (tri-tip sliders, zucchini strings and avocado eggrolls add pizzazz to the occasion. (Pinellas Park)
Bob Heilman’s Beachcomber: This legendary restaurant hosts the red hats and the society folks, but it’s reputation is well-deserved. Well-appointed, excellent service and elegant dining, they work with you to book entertainment, plan centerpieces and ensure that this party will be the talk of the town. Steaks, prime rib, crabcakes, oysters Florentine, pastas and vegetarian dishes are superb as is the wine list. (Clearwater Beach)
Cassis American Brasserie: The French-style American brasserie and bakery next door serve up sassy, stylish fare and you can plan your party in the private patio or inside. You can reserve the bar, private room or terrace. Throw a brunch, lunch or afternoon tea. They have multiple menu packages for every taste. (DTSP)
Chill Restaurant & Bar: St. Pete Beach’s Corey Avenue is spruced up and better than ever, and Chill’s offers a piano bar, outdoor patio and back room perfect for a party. Oodles of veggie options, fun cocktails and ample street parking. Brunch buffet Sunday is an excellent party option. (St. Pete Beach)
Clear Sky on Cleveland: Downtown Clearwater is my favorite location, with multiple rooms for hosting a small party with crafted cocktails and spectacular seasonal dishes, from Mexican to Asian-inspired fare. (Clearwater)
Columbia Restaurant Clearwater: Who doesn’t love the 1905 salad, Spanish bean soup, tapas and Sangria de Cava with a view of the bay from the outdoor terraces and romantic rooms. (Sand Key)
DaSesto Italiano Ristorante e Vino: Full bar, outdoor dining, new intimate dining booths and perfect for catering a small dinner party at home, this authentic Italian restaurant serves stellar pasta, regional dishes and charcuterie. Save room for dessert. (Pinellas Park)
Dewey Beach Bar: “Miami Beach meets Tommy Bahama,” this wine bar and restaurant set in the exquisite Berkeley Beach Club and imagined by Mise En Place owner and chefs Marty Blitz and Tony Bruno is the best spot for canoodling on the Gulf of Mexico in serene Pass-a-Grille. Carolina BBQ glazed wings, the Cobb, seared salmon BLT and black-eyed pea bacon hummus are my app choices for your next party, served with French 75 or a quaff from the sensational wine list. (Pass-a-Grille)
The Hangar Restaurant & Flight Lounge: Up, up and away with a view of the planes taking off, the bay and one of the best mojitos and Moscow mules in town. The private room is divine, perfect for a buffet or sit-down and if you can book the al-fresco patio, do so. (DTSP)
The Library: From 813 area’s Oxford Exchange elves comes this invigorating downtown restaurant where the food and drink are exhilarating, especially the brunch. (DTSP)
Mad Fish: Classic continental dining in a casual and comfortable setting, serving outstanding seafood and steak, including chateaubriand for two and an incredible Chilean sea bass. (St. Pete Beach)
The Mill Restaurant: The Mill’s artsy steampunk industrial design private event space comfortably seats 60 guests, designed by local artist Istvan Torok and his team at Torok Studios. The artistic fare and libations follow suit, and we like the family platters or prix-fixe chef creations. (DTSP)
Nueva Cantina: Louie Spetrini’s Mexican restaurant’s back room or patio illuminated by the Vitale Bros. murals are nothing short of brilliant beyond street tacos. How about a party with a Bloody Mary bar and lobster enchiladas? Ole! (DTSP)
Parkshore Grill: Delicious steaks and seafood, sensational salads, elegant ambiance and stellar wine list for lunch and dinner. Love the beef wellington. (DTSP)
Pia’s Trattoria: Book your next party at this quirky bungalow with a party-pleasant back patio and small rooms that can be booked privately, and lots of homemade pasta dishes and Italian region wines. Add an aria or two, maybe live, and you’re set for success. (Gulfport)
Red Mesa Cantina: In addition to the Mercado near Green Bench and the original restaurant on 4th, this is the only spot to imagine your flashy party in one of their private spaces, bars or outdoor terrace coupled with the ultimate tequila selection. (DTSP)
Rococo Steak: Elegant and understated, this exclusive restaurant boasts an award-winning wine list and is one of the most talked about restaurants downtown, perfect for party or wine-tasting. (DTSP)
Ruth’s Chris Steak House: A steak sandwich and dirty martini is our go to meal here. But when you want elegance, a private room and awesome service, count on this luscious chain serving breathtaking food and an imaginative wine list and cocktails. (DTSP)
Villa Gallace: With a lovely outdoor patio and booths shielded by plexiglass, this white linen candlelit Italian dinner favorite serves up shrimp Gallace, steak Diane and incredible pasta. (Indian Rocks Beach) PN
