tampa area restaurant recommendations?
Sep 30th, 2004 | 05:48 PM
#1
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tampa area restaurant recommendations?
We'll be in St. Pete for nine days in November, and are looking for recommendations for nicer, upscale restaurants in the Tampa area. We're really not terribly picky, but thought I'd see if anyone (locals?) had suggestions for places they've enjoyed. Thanks in advance!
Sep 30th, 2004 | 07:04 PM
#4
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Tampa has so many good restaurants. I better go first so I can second Highbay's recommendation for Bern's Steakhouse (OO will disagree...) and also recommend Side Bern's, its sister nouveau cuisine restaurant with lots of class. For seafood try Oystercatchers with its terrific waterside location, or St. Barts in Hyde Park; for tapas go to Ceviche; for pasta try Spartico's or Armani's; for Cuban go to the Columbia (and hope the iffy food is as good as the atmosphere). For a great lunch spot with salads, sandwiches, and a great bakery go to Pane Rustica.
In St. Pete Beach, there's a great ice cream shop on Gulf Blvd. called Larry's. There's another ice cream place on Treasure Island that's on Gulf Blvd. on the Gulf side of the street (I think it's near the Ramada), I can't recall its name. The Don Cesar is also very good in St. Pete Beach. The Lobster Pot in Reddington is an old standby (though it's kind of stuffy). In Clearwater I like the Island Way Grill with its nautical feel, great looks, terrific wine selection.
These are all upscale. For good lunch spots, go to Dockside Dave's in Madiera Beach, or have an outdoor burger in downtown St. Pete's Chattaway. For a terrific sandwich in a great Italian grocery (that is a bit of an understatement) go to Mazarro's Italian grocery.
I'll bet Joan will have some suggestions for St. Pete (including her own casual downhome restaurant, Mid-Peninsula Seafood).
You might also check on chowhound, although their site is soooo slow.
Mmmmmm. I'm getting hungry. Time for a late-night snack
In St. Pete Beach, there's a great ice cream shop on Gulf Blvd. called Larry's. There's another ice cream place on Treasure Island that's on Gulf Blvd. on the Gulf side of the street (I think it's near the Ramada), I can't recall its name. The Don Cesar is also very good in St. Pete Beach. The Lobster Pot in Reddington is an old standby (though it's kind of stuffy). In Clearwater I like the Island Way Grill with its nautical feel, great looks, terrific wine selection.
These are all upscale. For good lunch spots, go to Dockside Dave's in Madiera Beach, or have an outdoor burger in downtown St. Pete's Chattaway. For a terrific sandwich in a great Italian grocery (that is a bit of an understatement) go to Mazarro's Italian grocery.
I'll bet Joan will have some suggestions for St. Pete (including her own casual downhome restaurant, Mid-Peninsula Seafood).
You might also check on chowhound, although their site is soooo slow.
Mmmmmm. I'm getting hungry. Time for a late-night snack
Sep 30th, 2004 | 07:38 PM
#5
Joined: Jul 2004
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As I've posted before, my personal favorite restaurant right now is Cafe Ponte at 13505 Icot Blvd., Largo, FL. It was Chris Sherman's, the restaurant and food critic for the St. Pete Times pic for best new rest. in 2003. Their telephone # is: 727-538-5768 and reservations are a must. Both the Blue Heron and Black Pearl in Dunedin are excellent and I've heard good things about the Signature Room at Channelside (Tampa). The best Mexican food in the area is Red Mesa on 4th St. N. in St. Pete and Salt Rock Grill (St. Pete Bch.) and Island Way Grill( almost to Clearwater Bch.) are seafood meccas--same owner, Island Way noted for its extensive wine list.
South Tampa has 3 relatively new ice cream parlors which are within about 3 blocks of each other on Dale Mabry: Sara's Scoops, Ed and Eddies (of the DeBartola family-malls, 49ers) and Edy's but if you're any where near Palm Harbor, a Mom & Pop place on Alt. 19 called Straughn's is really hard to beat. Hope this info helps
South Tampa has 3 relatively new ice cream parlors which are within about 3 blocks of each other on Dale Mabry: Sara's Scoops, Ed and Eddies (of the DeBartola family-malls, 49ers) and Edy's but if you're any where near Palm Harbor, a Mom & Pop place on Alt. 19 called Straughn's is really hard to beat. Hope this info helps
Oct 1st, 2004 | 04:16 AM
#7
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I'm new to the Tampa area, so I haven't had a chance to go to many restaurants yet. But I've formed a few opinions and heard a few things, which I'll share with you. And I've also got a few questions for the old timers!
I've also heard that Bern's is fantastic but incredibly expensive, like $100 or more per person. Is this true?
We went out to dinner with family and they took us to a chain, Longhorn Steakhouse. Both my husband and I had the sirloin and it was fantastic. I was impressed that a chain did steak so well.
Another couple took us to Columbia at the St. Pete pier (I've been to the one in St. Armands Circle many times). I thought it was very good, and a great view. Their white chocolate bread pudding was to die for. Their Tampa-Ybor City location has flamenco dancing on Fridays, which I think would be great fun (to watch). However, I never see Columbia as a recommended place on Fodor's. Do you all think it's too touristy, or ???
When we were down here last May, we ate at Bahama Breeze and it was decent but nothing special. Wish we had known about Oystercatchers, which is very close by and which I've heard nothing but raves about.
I've also heard that Bern's is fantastic but incredibly expensive, like $100 or more per person. Is this true?
We went out to dinner with family and they took us to a chain, Longhorn Steakhouse. Both my husband and I had the sirloin and it was fantastic. I was impressed that a chain did steak so well.
Another couple took us to Columbia at the St. Pete pier (I've been to the one in St. Armands Circle many times). I thought it was very good, and a great view. Their white chocolate bread pudding was to die for. Their Tampa-Ybor City location has flamenco dancing on Fridays, which I think would be great fun (to watch). However, I never see Columbia as a recommended place on Fodor's. Do you all think it's too touristy, or ???
When we were down here last May, we ate at Bahama Breeze and it was decent but nothing special. Wish we had known about Oystercatchers, which is very close by and which I've heard nothing but raves about.
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Oct 1st, 2004 | 05:43 AM
#8
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birder, here I am again, following you. Hope you survived the latest hurricane.
Bern's is pricey but your meal includes all sides. With your steak, you will have steak, baked potato, vegetable of the day, side of their special carrots (which are not bad but not good), soup and salad for (and I can't remember exactly) about $40, plus tax and gratuity. Their wine is incredibly inexpensive by the glass. They've been known to rid their huge coffers by offering fine wines at bargain prices by glass or bottle at both Bern's and SideBern's.
My experience at Cafe Ponte was not a good one, but I went at lunch. I've read other posters on chowhound who said their lunch was disappointing. But they get high marks for dinner so I'd go then. And I hope to do the same one day myself
Bern's is pricey but your meal includes all sides. With your steak, you will have steak, baked potato, vegetable of the day, side of their special carrots (which are not bad but not good), soup and salad for (and I can't remember exactly) about $40, plus tax and gratuity. Their wine is incredibly inexpensive by the glass. They've been known to rid their huge coffers by offering fine wines at bargain prices by glass or bottle at both Bern's and SideBern's.
My experience at Cafe Ponte was not a good one, but I went at lunch. I've read other posters on chowhound who said their lunch was disappointing. But they get high marks for dinner so I'd go then. And I hope to do the same one day myself
Oct 1st, 2004 | 09:38 AM
#9
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I'm late getting on and most everything I'd say has already been said...except about Berns, which I don't care for. Their steaks are excellent, no doubt about it. Their sides are boring, salad too, bread like zwieback. More than anything though, I don't care for the atmosphere. Tacky. And have they ever gotten "real" utensils, not that tin-like stuff they had while we were there? And that chain on the wine list, chaining it to the table! geez louise! I haven't been back. Maybe they've changed some or all of that? I do love Side Berns and would do that before Berns.
St Barts is great too. Have had some terrific meals there--special occasion, such as anniversary, when DH would like not to be around his own employees. Oystercatchers of course (my husband's, blm1) and Armanis too. Armanis, although it has pasta, that isn't it's main thrust. Its specialty is veal and it's a northern Italian restaurant. I almost always have fish, rather than veal. http://www.armanisrestaurant.com/cuisine_menu.asp. The menu is pretty extensive. Some might call it "stuffy".
lol
Columbia's food is just OK, but I would go to the Ybor City location just for the flamenco show in one of their dining rooms. Fun. Special reservation needed for it. I keep ordering the paella--I know they can do a terrific job with it and I've had their best at Taste of Tampa, but for whatever reason, it hasn't been as good in the restaurant in several tries.
I've been to the 6 Tables here (Tampa) and it was great, but--fixed menu, 6 courses (as I recall), and just 6 tables. Very attentive service needless to say. It is Expensive, capital E intended, and not something you do often unless you're a biiig eater. It was more than I could handle. There are two other 6 Tables, Dunedin and Gulfport. Dunedin is the original, and very good. I haven't heard any reports on the one in Gulfport (does anyone eat there?) and would love to know how that ranks with the others. It's in a beautiful renovated inn and the little town of Gulfport really is Florida as it used to be, for both better and worse! What an anomaly and it's right in the midst of other towns that have been seriously over developed. It might be fun for you to walk around some evening blm1. There's another restaurant there that's "OK", and we often eat at when we are spending the weekend down there (our boat is in a marina in Gulfport) called Backfin Blue. It is Old FL too. LOL. Nothing fancy, in keeping with the town.
For restaurants near the beaches, no one has mention Maritana Grille in the Don Cesar. I've had some great meals there, and one amazing chef's table, but I've heard some mixed reviews as well.
The stand-bys for good food near the beaches are Salt Rock Grill, and Island Way Grill, sister restaurants, and previously mentioned here.
Ice Cream...the only place I've got to have ice cream is that place on St Armand's Circle (Sarasota). I can't even recall the name of it, only that I cannot, am physically unable, to walk past it without going in. Yum...it's worth it's weight in calories.
St Barts is great too. Have had some terrific meals there--special occasion, such as anniversary, when DH would like not to be around his own employees. Oystercatchers of course (my husband's, blm1) and Armanis too. Armanis, although it has pasta, that isn't it's main thrust. Its specialty is veal and it's a northern Italian restaurant. I almost always have fish, rather than veal. http://www.armanisrestaurant.com/cuisine_menu.asp. The menu is pretty extensive. Some might call it "stuffy".
lolColumbia's food is just OK, but I would go to the Ybor City location just for the flamenco show in one of their dining rooms. Fun. Special reservation needed for it. I keep ordering the paella--I know they can do a terrific job with it and I've had their best at Taste of Tampa, but for whatever reason, it hasn't been as good in the restaurant in several tries.
I've been to the 6 Tables here (Tampa) and it was great, but--fixed menu, 6 courses (as I recall), and just 6 tables. Very attentive service needless to say. It is Expensive, capital E intended, and not something you do often unless you're a biiig eater. It was more than I could handle. There are two other 6 Tables, Dunedin and Gulfport. Dunedin is the original, and very good. I haven't heard any reports on the one in Gulfport (does anyone eat there?) and would love to know how that ranks with the others. It's in a beautiful renovated inn and the little town of Gulfport really is Florida as it used to be, for both better and worse! What an anomaly and it's right in the midst of other towns that have been seriously over developed. It might be fun for you to walk around some evening blm1. There's another restaurant there that's "OK", and we often eat at when we are spending the weekend down there (our boat is in a marina in Gulfport) called Backfin Blue. It is Old FL too. LOL. Nothing fancy, in keeping with the town.
For restaurants near the beaches, no one has mention Maritana Grille in the Don Cesar. I've had some great meals there, and one amazing chef's table, but I've heard some mixed reviews as well.
The stand-bys for good food near the beaches are Salt Rock Grill, and Island Way Grill, sister restaurants, and previously mentioned here.
Ice Cream...the only place I've got to have ice cream is that place on St Armand's Circle (Sarasota). I can't even recall the name of it, only that I cannot, am physically unable, to walk past it without going in.
Yum...it's worth it's weight in calories.
Oct 1st, 2004 | 12:24 PM
#10
Joined: Jul 2003
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Here's some more options, some upscale, some not.
Lee Roy Selmon's across from the International Plaza is my new favorite place to eat. If you like southern cooking or are willing to try it, that is the place to go. Not very upscale or pretentious, (it's an Outback property), but it's a great place for great food.
Bascoms Chop House is close to the St. Pete/Clearwater airport on Ulmerton Rd and has the best steak/value ratio of all the local steak houses, IMO. Very good food, very reasonably priced.
Shula's is my favorite steak house if money is no object. Expect your bill to be over $100 for two people depending on how many sides/drinks you order.
Berns is an experience, but not really a great value as far as I'm concerned. I can't recommend against it though, as people go there for more than just the food.
Like one poster said, Cafe Ponte can be good, however the last three times I've been there, I've been disappointed. Rude and slow service, dirty utensils, a dead bug in the water, that type of thing. It was very good my first several visits though, but I've written it off at this point.
For oriental food, I'll recommend the Bamboo Club in International Plaza. But it's a chain and you may have them back home.
I would recommend against Grille 29 in the Channelside area. Way overpriced, slow, average food. Nice view, though.
For seafood, I don't know how you can beat the Salt Rock Grill in Indian Rocks Beach. I've yet to meet anybody that wasn't impressed with that place.
Lee Roy Selmon's across from the International Plaza is my new favorite place to eat. If you like southern cooking or are willing to try it, that is the place to go. Not very upscale or pretentious, (it's an Outback property), but it's a great place for great food.
Bascoms Chop House is close to the St. Pete/Clearwater airport on Ulmerton Rd and has the best steak/value ratio of all the local steak houses, IMO. Very good food, very reasonably priced.
Shula's is my favorite steak house if money is no object. Expect your bill to be over $100 for two people depending on how many sides/drinks you order.
Berns is an experience, but not really a great value as far as I'm concerned. I can't recommend against it though, as people go there for more than just the food.
Like one poster said, Cafe Ponte can be good, however the last three times I've been there, I've been disappointed. Rude and slow service, dirty utensils, a dead bug in the water, that type of thing. It was very good my first several visits though, but I've written it off at this point.
For oriental food, I'll recommend the Bamboo Club in International Plaza. But it's a chain and you may have them back home.
I would recommend against Grille 29 in the Channelside area. Way overpriced, slow, average food. Nice view, though.
For seafood, I don't know how you can beat the Salt Rock Grill in Indian Rocks Beach. I've yet to meet anybody that wasn't impressed with that place.
Aug 3rd, 2005 | 11:22 AM
#12
Joined: Aug 2005
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I would avoid Cafe Ponte. You can read about my recent experience there on chowhound:
http://www.chowhound.com/south/board...ges/20352.html
http://www.chowhound.com/south/board...ges/20352.html
Oct 9th, 2005 | 09:34 AM
#13
Joined: Jun 2003
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Hi, I live in Tampa and all of these suggestions are great. Note:
If you go to Bern's Steak House be sure to ask to go on the tour of the kitchen and wine cellar. It is really cool. Also leave room for desert and go to the desert room. You go to a seperate part of the rest. where there are little individual pod looking rooms. You get your own room where you also pick your own music.
If you go to the Columbia be sure to reserve for the Flaminco Dancers. That is the best part of the dining experience there.
If you go to Bern's Steak House be sure to ask to go on the tour of the kitchen and wine cellar. It is really cool. Also leave room for desert and go to the desert room. You go to a seperate part of the rest. where there are little individual pod looking rooms. You get your own room where you also pick your own music.
If you go to the Columbia be sure to reserve for the Flaminco Dancers. That is the best part of the dining experience there.
