DINING
out
JULY/AUGUST 2016 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 181
Sea Salt,
183 2nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg,
(727) 873-7964. Located two blocks from
downtown St. Petersburg’s waterfront,
this stunning restaurant features uniquely
decorated dining niches, patio dining, a
wine tower with 5,000 bottles, a bar and
lounge, and also a private dining room.
They use the freshest, highest-quality
ingredients to distinguish their broad
menu that leans toward Italian cuisine and
seafood. Open Sun-Thurs 11:30 AM-10 PM,
Fri-Sat 11:30 AM-11 PM. $$$, RS, CM, E, X,
C, W.
North
Hillsborough
BurgerMonger,
10412 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa,
(813) 968-6860. Proudly founded in Tampa
Bay, at BurgerMonger they say, “We Build
a Better Burger.” Featuring 100% pure
Japanese-bred Akaushi Beef, BurgerMonger
sources the finest and healthiest ingredients
in the world. Their naturally satisfying
menu includes burgers, hot dogs, chicken,
salads, beer and wine. Incomparable food;
warm, friendly service; and comfortable
ambiance is found in their six Tampa Bay
area locations. Open Sun-Thurs 11 AM-10
PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM. $-$$, CM, X, W.
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. WC 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. WC 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. $$,
X, W.
Maestro’s Restaurant,
1010 N. WC MacInnes Place (Straz Center),
Tampa, (813) 229-STAR (7827). This
restaurant begins seating at 5:30 PM daily
and noon on Sundays for Broadway, Opera,
The Florida Orchestra, and other selected
shows at the Straz Performing Arts Center.
It is a high-quality dining experience with a
New York elegance flair. Call early for your
reservations, as this popular restaurant sells
out quickly. $$$, X, W.
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
as you kick back a few to enjoy all Panini’s
has to offer. Open Sun-Wed 11 AM- 12 AM,
Thurs-Sat 11 AM-3 AM. $$, CM, E, X, C, W.
South
Hillsborough
BurgerMonger,
903 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon,
(813) 684-7982; 3838 West Neptune Street,
Tampa, (813) 254-0290. Proudly founded in
Tampa Bay, at BurgerMonger they say, “We
Build a Better Burger.” Featuring 100% pure
Japanese-bred Akaushi Beef, BurgerMonger
sources the finest and healthiest ingredients
in the world. Their naturally satisfying
menu includes burgers, hot dogs, chicken,
salads, beer and wine. Incomparable food;
warm, friendly service; and comfortable
ambiance is found in their six Tampa Bay
area locations. Open Sun-Thurs 11 AM-
10 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM. $-$$, CM, X, W.
TC Choy’s Asian Bistro,
301 S. Howard Ave., 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 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.
s
Lisa’s Cafe
Steak * Seafood
Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Closed on Tuesday
(727) 394-2833
13331 Gulf Blvd, Madeira Beach