DINING
out
PM, Sat-Sun 11: 00 AM-3 PM,
dinner Sun-Thurs 5:00 PM-10 PM,
Fri & Sat 5:00 PM-10:30 PM. $$, X, C, W.
Pasco County
BurgerMonger,
1656 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Wesley Chapel,
(813) 991-4242. Proudly founded in Tampa
Bay, at BurgerMonger they say, “We Build
a Better Burger.” Featuring 100% pure
Japanese-bred Akaushi Beef, BurgerMonger
sources the finest and healthiest ingredients
in the world. Their naturally satisfying
menu includes burgers, hot dogs, chicken,
salads, beer and wine. Incomparable food;
warm, friendly service; and comfortable
ambiance is found in their five Tampa Bay
area locations. Open Sun-Thurs
11 AM-10 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM.
$-$$, CM, X, W.
Johnny Grits Southern Fresh,
5749 Main St., New Port Richey,
(727) 835-7663. Classically trained
Chef Christopher Muller elevates traditional
breakfast, lunch and dinner to new levels
with handmade unique dishes made with
all natural ingredients, organic gluten-free
yellow grits, real Vermont maple syrup,
fresh-squeezed orange juice, and much
more at this new eatery. Enjoy creative
spins on classic Benedicts, Shrimp and
Grits, Fried Green Tomatoes, daily-made
soups and The Grit Skillet. Open 7 days a
week from 7 AM to 8 PM. $-$$,
CM, X, C, W.
Columbia Restaurant,
411 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota,
(941) 388-3987. As Florida’s premier
Spanish restaurant for more than 100 years,
they serve the finest authentic Spanish/
Cuban cuisine with both indoor and outdoor
dining. Try the Original “1905” Salad®,
Cuban Black Bean Soup, Snapper Alicante
and Filet Mignon Chacho. Open Mon-Thurs
11 AM-10 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM,
Sun 12 PM-10 PM. $$, RS, CM, E, X, W.
9
North Hillborough continued
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.
$$, X, W.
Maestro’s Restaurant, 1010 MacInnes
Place (Straz Center), Tampa, (813) 229-
STAR (7827). This restaurant begins seating
at 5:30 PM daily and noon on Sundays for
Broadway, Opera, The Florida Orchestra,
and other selected shows at the Straz
Performing Arts Center. It is a high-quality
dining experience with a New York elegance
flair. Call early for your reservations, as this
restaurant sells out quickly. $$$, X, W.
Panini’s Bar & Grill, 12227 W Linebaugh
Ave., (813) 855-4600; 3973 Van Dyke Rd.,
Lutz, (813) 962-3479. Here you will find the
best of both worlds, a great restaurant and
dining experience combined with the fun
and excitement of a complete sports bar.
Pick it up a notch with a basket of their hot
wings. Watch a game & enjoy all Panini’s
has to offer. Open Sun-Wed 11 AM- 12 AM,
Thurs-Sat 11 AM-3 AM. $$, CM, E, X, C, W.
South
Hillsborough
BurgerMonger, 903 E. Bloomingdale Ave.,
Brandon, (813) 684-7982; 3838 West Neptune
Street, Tampa, (813) 254-0290. Proudly
founded in Tampa Bay, at BurgerMonger
they say, “We Build a Better Burger.”
Featuring 100% pure Japanese-bred Akaushi
Beef, BurgerMonger sources the finest and
healthiest ingredients in the world. Their
naturally satisfying menu includes burgers,
hot dogs, chicken, salads, beer and wine.
Incomparable food; warm, friendly service;
and comfortable ambiance is found in their
five Tampa Bay area locations. Open Sun-
Thurs 11 AM-10 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM.
$-$$, CM, X, W.
Koto Steakhouse & Sushi Bar,
533 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, (813) 964-6808.
Koto’s concept of fashion-style cuisine is
ideal for sushi lovers. Try their artfully
presented Signature Rolls, or enjoy their
fine steaks and seafood, prepared by their
Teppanyaki chefs over an open flame at your
table. They have a full bar and are open for
lunch Mon-Fri 11:30 AM-3 PM; dinner Mon-
Fri 5 PM-12 AM, Sat 3 PM-12 AM,
Sun 3 PM-11 PM. $$-$$$, CM, E, X.
TC Choy’s Asian Bistro,
301 S. Howard Avenue, Tampa,
(813) 251-1191. TC Choy’s presents its Asian
fusion culinary experience, and it’s
all under one roof. They feature Hong Kong
BBQ pork strips, Peking duck, spicy Thai
Tom Yom soup, mouth-watering Malaysian
satay, aromatic Indonesian curry, and an
enormous variety of dim sum served from
the dim sum cart daily. There is a full bar as
well. Open for lunch Mon-Fri 11:00 AM-2:30
Sarasota
County
WHERE TASTE MEETS TRADITION SINCE 1997
Takeout ~ Delivery ~ Catering
Breakfast ~ Lunch ~ Dinner
727-541-1200
8331 66th Street N., Pinellas Park, FL 33781
www.jessisrestaurant.com
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 183