Island Way is expensive but excellent. You'll have a good mix of locals there as it's one of the best restaurants at the beaches, an area with a lot of mediocre dining otherwise.

Chefs tables are normally fantastic, and always expensive. You can eat at the Don for far less than that...just not in the kitchen and Chef won't be preparing and discussing the dishes with you personally. My husband has done the Chef's table there and he was mightily impressed!

Island Way is wonderful. I heard the same people own the Beach Bistro which looks to be cheaper. But I like the view at Island Way.

Downtown the happening spot now is Bella Brava but frankly I think it's not that great. I ate there last wknd. I think Cafe Alma is better but not that good either. Downtown SP really needs something great, reasonable, etc. Moon Over Water is very reasonable and I've had good meals there. Pacific Wave and Redwoods are supposed to be very good but very pricey. For lunch be sure to go to the Chattaway in downtown SP, a CHEAP outdoor hamburger joint that's an institution. Get directions from someone else, I'm unreliable.

You're right about mediocre dining. I'm from Maryland, and we have wonderful restaurants. Down here seems to be a lot of the same. However, we'll keep eating!
My husband will be thrilled to go to the Chattaway - hamburgers are his favorite!

wopel, the problem is St. Pete. You can have your choice of wonderful restaurants, cheap eats, upscale nirvana, ethnic and cultural variety if you would only cross the bridge

I disown that clown face. How did that happen!

Unless it's been sold since we lived there (moved in '05), the same people own Island Way as own Salt Rock Grill.

By the bridge - do you mean to Tampa? We stayed in Sarasota last year, and food was more upscale - more adventerous. Not fried grouper - although I like fried grouper.
we went to Billys Stone Crabs and Steaks - $2.50 for a martini before 7 - what a deal, but the food really isn't worth the drive.
We ate at the Columbia at the Pier in St. P yesterday - food and view great.
Another week, more restaurants!
Thanks to all, keep the info coming!

Mangia's is wonderful. Corey Ave in St. Pete Beach. Finally a good dinner - not fried food. Excellent choices. Tapas or a full entre. All choices were good.

Another vote for the Salt Rock Grill, not cheap, but very,very good. It's in Indian Rocks/Shores, about a 15-20 minute drive up Gulf Blvd from St. Pete Beach. Make reservations, though.

Update: We went to Skidders last night - it was great. Food and service were wonderful. Although it was very busy, things went smoothly.

wopel, you've got to try Crazy Conch Cafe on Tierra Verde (by Fort DeSoto). Went there again last night. Food and service was fabulous! Not stuffy at all, nice at sunset time too. You can sit outside also.

We are going to try Sea Critters on Saturday. Should we opt for Crazy Conch instead? We have 2 younger people with us!

Wopel, if they're younger - as in kids - then take them to Sea Critters so they can feed the catfish. If they're young as in - would they enjoy homemade potato chips with Maytag blue cheese, tuna tartare and the best gumbo this side of Nola....take them to Crazy Conch!

Have fun whatever you decide!

I ate last wknd. in Indian Rocks at Cafe du France (I hope I got that name right). It was pricey but not as pricey as I would have thought considering how terrific it was. The fixed-price (5 courses) was $37. The chef has a long lineage and the staff is great. Only problem is that it's tiny and you have to get a reservation. But great! I will be back!

I've not been to Mangia but it's supposed to be good. Joan, I finally made it to Billy's and I was very disappointed I was counting on your expertise! It just didn't do a thing for me. We passed the Crazy Conch -- guess I'll have to try that next to see if you can be redeemed.

BTW, there is a place in SPB under the bridge to Pasadena called the Blue Parrot. It has a sign that says it has the best food on the beach -- and when I was talking to a local they told me that was true!

Another place for reasonable food, with all you can eat specials and lots of local vibe is the R-Bar in downtown TI. You will probably turn around and leave the first time you go in (I did) but I'm glad I went back. It's a rather interesting spot, live music.

Good place for breakfast is Foxy's in downtown TI. I had some wings there recently and they were excellent but something else was mediocre, can't recall what but the wings were meaty and good sauce.

Why blame me TGirl? I did not mention Billy's here...I rarely do, except for stone crabs. A tourist trap (but sometimes they have their uses - as in sunset watching and free ride to Shell Island).

As for Foxy's, now you're the one who's got some redeeming to do. You gotta be joking!

Mangia is good, isn't it? But even better is The Pearl (across from Foxy's on Treasure Island 107th Ave).

Ahhh, the stone-crabs. OK, you're off the hook. I didn't get the stone crabs. And I think you also liked their sunset cruise which we missed.

If you've not had the wings at Foxy's, Joan, then you probably don't like wings. Yeah, yeah, the rest of it probably isn't worth eating but the wings were good.

We passed on The Pearl but only because we Tampans are tapas-ed out. But it is getting great reviews.

Off topic to TGirl: You are being paged over at Chowhounds. Scroll down to the thread called "The show is back etc". What a popular gal!