If Wilma lets us in to Florida, hubby and I will be at the Marriott Suites in Clearwater this coming week. I would like some ideas for restaurants in the area. We enjoy the "old Florida" kinds of places but mostly we want to find good waterfront type places...we like most foods. Also would like to find a good Cuban restaurant...thanks in advance.

Are the marriot Suites at Clearwater beach or in downtown? Regardless, there are many waterfront places in Clearwater Beach next to the Pier. But most of these restaurants are just off the beach so don't be thinking sitting waterside. There are at least three Frenchy's, a local grouper sandwich spot and one is on the water with outdoor seating. My personal favorite waterfront restaurant is ISland Way Grill -- it's on Island Way, a road that branches off the road from the mainland to the beaches. But again there is not much of a waterfront beaches view, more of a back beach view. I'm not as familiar with the waterfront restaurants of Clearwater as other Tampa-area beaches. Some to try are Dockside Dave's in Madiera, Caddy's and Groupers in Treasure Island area, Sea Critter's and the Hurricane at Passe-A-Grille, Woody's at St. Pete Beach, Guppy's and Keegan's on Indian Rocks (across from the beach but close to clwr).

For old time florida fun be sure to try the Chattaway outdoor hamburger spot just south of downtown St. petersburg.

For nicer Cuban, go to the Columbia if you've not been there -- for dinner you can enjoy flamenco dancers. For cheap cuban, try La Teresita at one of its myriad restaurants.

Like TG said, the best local Clearwater restaurant in MHO is Island Way Grill. Their sushi is especially wonderful. Just be warned, there is a ban on grouper fishing (in federal waters b/c the commerical fishermen have already caught the projected limit for 2005) until the end of the year so any of the beach-y waterside spots famous for their grouper sandwiches will have pulled them from their menu or the fish will have been previously frozen, come from either Mexico or South America (no comparison to delicious, fresh-caught Gulf grouper) or may not even be grouper. Stone crabs are in season, albeit expensive, so if you don't mind driving (Billy's in Tierra Verde)that might be an option. Also, for Cuban/Spanish food, Cafe Pepe on Gulf-to-Bay Blvd. in Clearwater is always reliable. They have great steaks, pork chops, Pompano papillote and the 1905 salad made famous by the Columbia.

It's suppose to be in the 50's when we wake up Wednesday morning--don't know where you're from but that's cold for here in October but there should be plenty of sunshine so it will warm up quickly (as long as tropical depression Alpha stays away).

Thanks to both above posters. We enjoyed our stay at the Marriott Suites but overall, we were not crazy about the area. It's very built up and you can drive for miles without seeing the ocean.The Marriott is on the water but not on a beach. Unfortunately for us, the week that we went is a UK vacation week and the hotel was overrun with kids (just my luck!).
At any rate, the Island Way Grill is great and we went back there for dinner again on our last nite in town. We also enjoyed Columbia, which is walkable from the Marriott as is several other waterfront bars/restaurants in a little strip mall next to the hotel.

EmilyC, it's too bad you picked a place to go to that was the exact opposite of what you liked. Florida's coastline is very built up, unlike...well, I don't know too many places where you can see the water anymore. It's a problem everywhere, not just in Florida. Better luck next time.

The Island Way Grill is not exactly "old Florida" but its' good nonetheless. Glad there was a high point to your trip.

Actually, our plans were to go to Fort Lauderdale - I had free nights at the Harbor Beach Marriott. Because of the hurricane, I changed my destination at the last minute. So, taking everything into consideration, we still managed to have a good week. We flew into Tampa on the day of the hurricane with no problems....