DINING out
Pico Rojo
Charcoal Rotisserie,
2475 McMullen Booth Rd., #E
(accessible via Enterprise Rd.) Clearwater,
(727) 474-3826. Known for its healthy,
natural, delicious food with Latin American
flair, this restaurant is also child-friendly,
vegetarian-friendly and offers carry-out.
All-natural chicken is marinated in spices and
roasted in an ecological charcoal rotisserie
oven. Complementary sides include fried
yuca, tostones, sweet plantains, hearty rice
and beans, and scrumptious asparagus. Their
well-priced, flavorful salads, sandwiches, sauces,
dressings, sangria, and desserts are homemade
from fine, fresh ingredients and can
be ordered family style. Catering available.
Open Mon-Thurs 11:30 AM-9 PM, Fri 11:30
AM-9:30 PM, Sat 12 PM-9:30 PM, Sun12PM-
8 PM. $-$$, X, C, W.
Rumba Island
Bar & Grill,
1800 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater,
(727) 446-7027 and 3687 Tampa Rd.,
Oldsmar, (813) 475-5974. Taste the flavors
of the islands, mixed with the freshest local
ingredients at Rumba Island Bar & Grill.
Local favorites include the Island-Style
Quesadillas and Jerk Chicken Wings for
starters; and the signature Rumba Salad
with Grouper, Runaway Bay Crab Cakes
and Caribbean Pulled Pork for an entrée.
Open Sun-Thurs 11:30 AM-10 PM,
Fri-Sat 11:30 AM-11 PM.
$$, CM, X, C, W.
Sages West Bay Bistro,
883 West Bay Dr., Largo, (727) 585-6600.
Patty and Mike have created the ideal
family-style bistro that features traditional
Italian food in an attractive atmosphere
that makes you feel at home. The Tortellini
in Pink Sauce is fabulous, and the pizza
can be ordered with either thick or regular
crust. You’ll love eating here any time of day.
Open Mon-Sat 11 A.M.-9 P.M. $-$$, CM, X,
C, W.
Salt Rock Tavern,
3689 Tampa Rd., Oldsmar, (813) 336-4977.
This new Baystar Restaurant combines a
unique menu of casual dining with 21 craft
beers on tap and other bar favorites.
Everything from their “Just Caught Fish”
with smoked gouda grits to their Double
Cut Bone-In Pork Chop are prepared with
flair, as are their flatbreads, burgers and salads.
Try their “Snap, Crackle, Pop” Beer Cocktail
for a real treat. Open Sun 10 AM-9 PM
(including Brunch from 10 AM-2 PM);
Mon-Thurs 4 PM-10 PM; Fri-Sat 4 PM-11
PM. $$-$$$, RS, CM, X, C, W.
Sea Sea Riders,
221 Main St. (at Alt. 19 and State Rd. 580),
downtown Dunedin, (727) 734-1445. Enjoy
a taste of “New” Florida in an Old Florida
atmosphere in the dining room or on the
veranda. Start with the “#1 Chili in Tampa
Bay,” and be sure to try the Buffalo-style
Mahi Bites, the Seafood Extravaganza and
their signature cheesecakes. Open daily for
lunch and dinner Mon-Thurs 11:30 AM-10
PM, Fri-Sat 11:30 AM-11 PM, and Sun 11:30
AM-9 PM; brunch Sun 11:30 AM-2 PM.
$-$$, CM, X, C, W.
Stephen Michael’s Palm Cafe,
1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin,
(727) 298-DFAC (3322). Located in the
Dunedin Fine Art Center, this unique cafe
offers soups, salads, sandwiches and
quiches that are creative and flavorful. It
proudly serves gourmet coffees, featuring
fresh-roasted Buddy Brew Coffee. Catering
is available. Now open for breakfast and
lunch Mon-Fri 8:30 AM-2 PM. $, X, W.
Terrace Cafe at Bon Appétit,
150 Marina Plaza, Dunedin Marina,
Dunedin, (727) 733-2151. Enjoy casual,
al fresco waterfront dining at one of the area’s
finest restaurants. Watch the boats, dolphins
and pelicans while you order from the Bon
Appétit dining room menu’s selection of
salads and entrées, including specialties
such as Dover sole and rack of lamb. Open
daily for lunch and dinner Sun-Thurs 12 PM-
9 PM, Fri-Sat 12 PM-10 PM. and brunch
Sun 12 PM-4 PM, weather permitting.
$-$$, RS, X, W.
Thai Spice Restaurant,
2475 McMullen Booth Rd. #B (at SW corner
of McMullen Booth and Enterprise Rds.),
Clearwater, (727) 791-7050. Owner Supattra
“Sue” Bowers serves fresh, healthy, authentic
Thai cuisine, as well as Thai food with an
American flair. Her chef creates dishes to order
that can be flavored mild, medium or spicy to
suit your taste. The ambience is trendy, and
the service is hospitable. Dine in, take out or
arrange for delivery. Open for lunch Mon-
Fri 11:30 AM-3 PM; dinner Mon-Sat 5 PM-10
PM, Sun 5 PM-9 PM. $$, CM, V, MC, W.
184 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE MAY/JUNE 2015