DINING
out
Luna,
950 Lake Carillon Dr. (in the Hilton
St. Petersburg Carillon Park), St. Petersburg,
(727) 954-2140. Open daily from breakfast
thru dinner, this stylish restaurant is known
for its first-class food. They have a lunch
buffet with a daily theme and serve classic
gourmet fare. The stunning décor and excellent
service make Luna one of the area’s best
restaurants. They offer health conscious,
as well as traditional, selections.
Open daily 6 AM-10 PM. $$-$$$, X, W.
Parkshore Grill, 300 Beach Drive, N.E., St.
Petersburg, (727) 896-3463. Enjoy an afternoon
or evening at this chic St. Petersburg
restaurant. They serve fine food, wine and
spirits in a beautiful park-like setting. Enjoy
“dog-friendly” outdoor dining along the
sidewalk, overlooking Straub Park and the
Vinoy Yacht Basin, or indoors, where you’re
surrounded by rich mahogany, plants and
waterfalls. Their new 100-seat banquet
room is now available for parties or special
events. Catering, weekend brunch and curb
service available. Romantic carriage rides
Fri and Sat. Valet parking. Open Sun-Thurs
11 AM-10 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM. $$$, RS,
CM, X, C, W.
The Pub Waterfront Restaurant,
26025 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores,
(727) 595-3172. Their three outdoor decks, a
large air-conditioned dining room, tiki bar
and lounge all overlook the Intracoastal
Waterway. Voted “Best Place to Dock and
Dine” for six years in a row with over 40
boat slips, it is open for lunch and dinner
daily. It offers fresh seafood, salads and
steaks, as well as burgers, filets, fish tacos
and lobster. Enjoy an a la carte breakfast on
Saturday 8 AM-11 AM, as well as a Sunday
breakfast buffet from 8 AM-1 PM. There is a
full-liquor bar. For over 50 years, the Pub
has been serving locals and tourists alike as
a fun place for individuals or large family
gatherings. Island Marine boat rentals now
offered. Open Mon-Fri 11 AM-10 PM,
Sat-Sun 8 AM-10 PM. $$, CM, E, D, X, W.
Ricky P’s Orleans Bistro,
1113 Central Ave., St. Petersburg,
(727) 821-4061. For those who love “The
Big Easy,” Ricky P’s is the place to go for
great Creole and Cajun tastes that made
New Orleans famous. Red Beans and Rice,
Shrimp Remoulade, Cajun Corn and Crab
Bisque, Oysters Bienville and other favorites
are authentic and delicious. Don’t miss the
Creole Jambalaya. Catering available on
and off site. Private dining space available.
Open Mon-Thurs 11 AM-9 PM,
Fri-Sat 11 AM-10 PM, Sunday Brunch
from 11 AM-3 PM. $$, E, D, X, C, W.
Salt Rock Grill,
19325 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores,
(727) 593-7625. This beach landmark is
legendary, and it’s still on fire with a burning
passion for delectable food, enticing drinks
and pleasurable surroundings. For an evening
of fine dining, elegant atmosphere, superior
service and genuine hospitality, Salt Rock
Grill should be your destination.
Open Mon-Thurs 4 PM-10 PM,
Fri-Sat 4 PM-11 PM, Sun 12 PM-10 PM.
$$$, RS, CM, X, C, W.
Spoto’s Grill 131,
13079 Park Blvd., Seminole, (727) 393-1703.
Bob Spoto’s sophisticated dining concept
features creative meals and cocktails in a
contemporary décor. The quality steaks,
seafood and excellent service are sure to
please you. They serve made-to-order early
dinner selections from 4:30 PM-6:30 PM
daily. Their complete dinner menu is available
Sun-Thurs, 4:30 PM-10 PM, Fri-Sat 4:30 PM-
11 PM, both indoors and out. Bar opens daily
at 4 PM with Happy Hour from 4-6:30 PM.
$$, CM, X, W.
North
Hillsborough
Columbia Café,
801 Old Water Street, Tampa, (813) 229-5511.
The Tampa Bay History Center has partnered
with the famous Columbia Restaurants in
opening the first Columbia Café on the first
floor of the Center. With both indoor and
outdoor seating, it serves authentic Spanish/
Cuban cuisine, including Cuban Black Bean
Soup, the Original Cuban Sandwich, Curt’s
Meatloaf Sandwich, the Original “1905”
Salad®, and Chicken and Rice “Ybor.”
Open daily 11 AM-9 PM. $-$$, X, W.
Columbia Restaurant,
2117 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City, Tampa,
(813) 248-4961. As Florida’s premier Spanish
Restaurant for more than 100 years, they
serve the finest authentic Spanish/Cuban
cuisine. Try their Spanish Bean Soup, the
Original “1905” Salad®, Roast Pork a la
Cubana, Paella a la Valenciana, and the
Original Cuban Sandwich. There is a live
flamenco dance show Mon-Sat, and the
Columbia Cafe Cigar Bar features live jazz
Tues-Sat. Valet parking. Banquet facilities
available. Open Mon-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM,
Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM, Sun 12 PM-9 PM $$,
RS, CM, E, X, C, W.
Maestro’s Cafe,
1010 N. MacInnes Place
(Carol Morsani Hall Lobby, Straz Center),
Tampa, (813) 229-STAR (7827). For light
buffet dining before a show in Morsani Hall,
this lobby restaurant is open 90 minutes
before most performances. Reservations
are recommended. $$-$$$, RS, X, W.
Maestro’s on the River,
1010 N. MacInnes Place (Straz Center),
Tampa. For light dining before a show in
Morsani Hall at the Straz Performing Arts
Center, this delightful location on the
Hillsborough River is open 90 minutes
before most Morsani Hall performances.
$$, X, W.
Maestro’s Restaurant,
1010 MacInnes Place (Straz Center), Tampa,
(813) 229-STAR (7827). This restaurant begins
seating at 5:30 PM daily and noon on Sundays
for Broadway, Opera, The Florida Orchestra,
and other selected shows at the Straz
Performing Arts Center. It is a high-quality
dining experience with a New York elegance
flair. Call early for your reservations, as this
popular restaurant sells out quickly.
$$$, X, W.
190 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE JULY/AUGUST 2015