DINING
out
trattorias have become legendary for their
award-winning pizza, traditional pasta
entrées and flame-grilled steaks. A selective
wine list enhances your dining experience.
A gluten-free menu, special event rooms,
off-site catering and delivery are available
at all locations. The 4th St. N. location in
St. Petersburg, which is now open for lunch
at 11:30 AM Tues-Fri, has outdoor dining
plus a new fire pit, as well as half-price
wine on Wednesday. All locations open
daily from 4 PM. $$-$$$, CM, X, C, W.
Gratzzi Italian Grille,
211 2nd St. S., St. Petersburg,
(727) 623-9037. Native Italians Dominic
D’Angelo and Chef Anthony Mangiafico’s
passion for authentic Italian cuisine shows
in the deliciously prepared, beautifully
presented dishes they serve in this wellappointed
side flamed “Bada Bing,” they also have
an extensive wine list, a pizza bar and
unexpected extras, such as half-priced $100
or less bottles of wine all day on Mondays.
A private room and catering are available.
Open Mon-Wed 11 AM-10 PM, Thurs-Sat
11 AM-2 AM, Sun 4 PM-10 PM. $$, RS, X,
C, W.
Guppy’s on the Beach
Seafood Grill & Bar,
1701 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach,
(727) 593-2032. For those who enjoy
beautiful sunsets and scrumptious food,
Guppy’s is the place. Try their Upper Potato
Crusted Salmon, served in a pool of leek
and garlic sauce. For meat lovers, they
serve tender Prime filet mignon and New
York strip steaks, cooked to perfection.
Solid wine selection and full bar. Alfresco
dining is available on their protected
patio. Guppy’s is a sister restaurant of
E&E Stakeout Grill & Kokopelli’s Bar and
Mystic Fish Seafood Grill & Bar. Takeout is
available. Open Sun-Thur 11:30 AM-10:30
PM, Fri-Sat 11:30 AM-11 PM. $$, CM, X, C, W.
The Hangar Restaurant
& Flight Lounge,
540 1st St. S.E., St. Petersburg, (Albert
Whitted Airport Terminal, 2nd floor
elevator provided), (727) 823-7767. Winner
of “Best Breakfast,” “Best Burger” and “Best
Jazz,” The Hangar has a full liquor bar
and a banquet room for up to 50 guests. It
is located directly on the airport runway,
across from the Mahaffey Theatre and the
Salvador Dalí Museum and features the
work of Chef Matt Smith. “Dog friendly”
outdoor seating and curb service are
available. Live music Wed-Sat from 6-9 PM.
Al Downing Jazz Jam performs on the first
Monday of each month. Fri-Sat helicopter
rides. Open daily from 8 AM-10 PM. $
(breakfast), $$-$$$ (lunch & dinner), E, D,
X, W.
Jessi’s Restaurant,
8331 66th St. N., Pinellas Park,
(727) 541-1200. Enjoy the “he-man-sized”
portions at this family-owned and operated
restaurant, where their kitchen’s madefrom
scratch dishes and breads are all top
quality. Don’t pass on their homemade
desserts, as they are awesome. They serve
beer, wine, mimosas, sangria and spritzers
to add extra enjoyment to your meal. Open
seven days a week from 6:30 AM-8 PM. $$,
CM, X, C, W.
JULY/AUGUST 2016
restaurant. Known for its table
| TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 179
specialties such as Dover sole and rack
of lamb. Open daily for lunch and dinner
Sun-Thurs 12 PM-9 PM, Fri-Sat 12 PM-10
PM and brunch Sun 12 PM-4 PM, weather
permitting. $-$$, RS, X, W.
Thai Spice Restaurant,
2475 McMullen Booth Rd. #B (at SW corner
of McMullen Booth and Enterprise Rds.),
Clearwater, (727) 791-7050. New owner
Pannee Farooque 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. $$, CM, V, MC, W.
Villa Bellini Restaurant and Lounge,
2930 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater,
(727) 754-9848. Chef Ciro Mancini continues
his legacy of fine Italian cooking in this
warm family atmosphere by using fresh
organic and locally sourced ingredients
whenever possible. The cold or hot antipasti
appetizers, soups and salads, pasta
specialties, veal, chicken, fresh fish, meat
and lamb on his inspired menu will make
you a regular. Open for dinner Tues-Sun
5 PM-10:30 PM. $$$, RS, CM, E, D, X, C, W.
Wildflower Café, 1465 S. Ft. Harrison
Ave, Ste. 105, Clearwater, (727) 447-4497.
Having gained a reputation for excellence
over many years, this delightful café is
known for its unique and tasty offerings,
such as a Vegetarian Tomato Basil Bisque;
The Vermonter salad of greens and spinach
with white cheddar, bacon, cherries, pecans
and Fuji apples; and breakfast specials such
as Baked French Toast. It is a gourmet’s
fantasy, as is their Marketplace next door.
Open Mon-Sat 8 AM-2:30 PM, Sun Brunch 9
AM-2 PM. Market Hours Mon-Sat 10 AM-
4 PM. $-$$, X, C.
South Pinellas
400 Beach Seafood & Tap House,
400 Beach Drive N.E., St. Petersburg,
(727) 896-2400. Under the direction of
Chef Ana Davis, they are open daily for
lunch and dinner with a Sunday Brunch
Buffet from 10 AM-3 PM (regular lunch
menu available as well). Voted a “Top 20
Restaurant,” they offer 24 beers on tap, a
great wine selection, award-winning lobster
rolls, oysters, as well as fish tacos by day
and fresh fish and steaks by night. They
have “dog friendly” sidewalk dining or
beautiful indoor seating with private party,
meeting rooms and curb service available.
Romantic carriage rides Fri-Sat. Valet
parking. Open Mon-Sat 11 AM-11 PM,
Sun 10 AM-10 PM. $$-$$$, RS, CM, X, W.
Aqua Prime, 213 Gulf Blvd., Indian
Rocks Beach, (727) 330-7724. This stylish
restaurant with its tree-shaded outdoor
patio, serves fresh seafood and steaks with
a flair. Its two bars serve excellent drinks,
and there is a good wine selection. Their
excellent service and relaxed, but upscale,
dining have made this one of the most
popular beach restaurants. Open daily
at noon. Full menu throughout the day
featuring lunch, bar menu, happy hour
and dinner. Music Wed-Sat 6-9 PM. Event
spaces available for up to 70 guests. $$-$$$,
RS, CM, X, C, W.
BurgerMonger, 1325 4th St., N.,
St. Petersburg, (727) 592-4206. Proudly
founded in Tampa Bay, at BurgerMonger
they say, “We Build a Better Burger.”
Featuring 100% pure Japanese-bred
Akaushi Beef, BurgerMonger sources the
finest and healthiest ingredients in the
world. Their naturally satisfying menu
includes burgers, hot dogs, chicken, salads,
beer and wine. Incomparable food; warm,
friendly service; and comfortable ambiance
is found in their six Tampa Bay area
locations. Open Sun-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM,
Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM. $-$$, CM, X, W.
Cafe Gala,
One Dali Blvd. (in the Salvador Dalí
Museum), St. Petersburg, (727) 623-4725.
This Spanish-styled cafe within the museum
is open to the public, as admission to
the Dalí is not required. Start with their
Gazpacho Soup; then enjoy one of their
salads, sandwiches or tapas dishes; and
finish with Crèma Catalana or Tiramisu de
Chocolat. You’ll enjoy this charming spot
that features the daily creations of Chef
Chuck Bandel. Open Mon-Wed 10 AM-5
PM, Thurs 10 AM-8 PM, Fri-Sat 10 AM-
5:30 PM, Sun 12 PM-5:30 PM. $, X, C, W.
Carmelita’s Mexican Grill and Cantina,
5211 Park St. N., St. Petersburg,
(727) 545-2956. This is Vince and Carmen
Lopez’s original location where they have
served fresh traditional Mexican Food for 33
years. The friendly and casual atmosphere
makes locals & tourists feel at home. From
their popular Del Rey Burrito, creamy
Chicken Enchiladas to their daily prepared
Poblano Chiles Relleños, you will see why
Carmelita’s is the place to go. Live Mariachi
music Thurs & Sat nights. Open Sun-Thurs
11 AM-9 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-10 PM. $$, E, X,
C, W.
Da Sesto Italiano Ristorante e Vino,
7199 66th St. N., Pinellas Park,
(727) 209-2695. Voted as the Readers’ Choice
award winner for “Best Authentic Italian
Restaurant” from the Tampa Bay Newspapers.
Owner/Chef Sesto Ramadori combines
fresh pasta with authentic Italian recipes to
make this one of the area’s most popular
Italian trattorias. Original dishes, such as
Pollo a la Sesto, Lobster Lorenzo, and their
clams and mussels with white or red sauce
are terrific at this authentic Italian venue.
There is live music on weekends, and they
cater for all occasions. Open Tues-Thurs
11 AM-9 PM, Fri 11 AM-10 PM, and Sat
4 PM-10 PM. Sundays are available for
private parties. $$-$$$, E, X, C, W.
Gigi’s Italian Restaurants, 5901 4th St.
N., St. Petersburg, (727) 526-2400; 105 107th
Ave., Treasure Island, (727) 360-6905; and
4399 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach, (727) 363-
3344. Since 1967, these family-owned Italian
s