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T A M P A B A Y M A G A Z I N E ’ S R E S T A U R A N T G U I D E
Planning on dining out? We recommend that you try one of these fabulous restaurants.
We have tried them all and find them to be the best places to dine in the Tampa Bay area.
Our restaurant reviews are grouped according to location.
Pinellas County’s North/South dividing line is Ulmerton Road.
Hillsborough County’s North/South dividing line is Kennedy Boulevard.
Blue Crab Crusted Gulf Grouper, which is one of owner/Chef Walt Wickman’s
signature dishes at his Hog Island Fish Camp in Dunedin, was served with
the diner’s selection of collard greens and hushpuppies side dishes.
GRAM
JULY/AUGUST 2017 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 173
DINING
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KEY TO SYMBOLS
$ Inexpensive
$$ Moderate
$$$ Expensive
RS Reservations Suggested
CM Children’s Menu Available
E Entertainment
D Dancing
V Visa
MC MasterCard
X All Major Credit Cards
C Catering Available
W Wheelchair Accessible
s
prepared with flair and style in this lively
and fun atmosphere. This is intimate dining
that has covered alfresco seating. Try their
daily pizzas or meal-satisfying salads. In
addition to an award-winning wine list, they
serve generous cocktails. Open nightly from
5 PM. $$-$$$, RS, E, X, D, C, W.
Bon Appétit Restaurant,
148 Marina Plaza (at the Dunedin Marina),
Dunedin, (727) 733-2151. Restaurant critics
have praised their cuisine since the 1970s. This
is a great waterfront restaurant, where you can
enjoy Intracoastal and Gulf views while dining
in a relaxed atmosphere inside or alfresco at
North Pinellas
Alfano’s Restaurant &
Splendido Lounge,
1702 Clearwater Largo Rd.,
Clearwater, (727) 584-2125.
Chefs Frank and Linda Alfano
are celebrating 32 years as
one of the area’s finest dining
establishments. Their classic
Italian cuisine is complemented by
the atmosphere of an old-world
palazzo, an award-winning wine
list, and a full bar. There is jazz on
Wednesday nights and a piano on
the weekends in their Splendido
Lounge. Open for lunch Mon-Fri
11:30 AM-2:30 PM; dinner Mon-
Sat from 5 PM. $-$$, RS, E, X, C, W.
Bascom’s Chop House,
3665 Ulmerton Rd., Clearwater,
(727) 573-3363. Voted “Best
Steakhouse,” Bascom’s serves
Certified Angus beef, aged “in
house” a minimum of 28 days,
slow-roasted prime rib and a
variety of fresh seafood in large portions.
They have seven dining rooms for all your
parties, large or small, up to 200 guests. The
lounge offers a full selection of liquors and
fine wines, as well as the full menu. Off-site
catering is available. Open for lunch
Mon-Fri 11:30 AM-2:30 PM; dinner Mon-Sat
5 PM-10 PM, Sun 4 PM-9 PM. In addition to
regular dining hours, lounge open
Mon-Fri 2:30 PM-5 PM. $$$, RS, X, C, W.
Bob Heilman’s Beachcomber Restaurant,
447 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 442-4144. Serving classic American
cuisine since 1948, their signature dishes
include the finest cuts of USDA Prime
Beef, as well as daily seafood specials that
are the catch of the day, thus ensuring
their freshness. Try their Back-to-the-Farm
Chicken, homemade soups, sauces, breads
and desserts. You’ll enjoy the award-winning
wine list, generous cocktails and their pianist.
Open daily for lunch 11:30 AM-4 PM; dinner
from 4 PM. $$-$$$, RS, E, X, D, C, W.
Bobby’s Bistro & Wine Bar,
447 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 446-WINE (9463). This true American
Bistro, from the owners of Bob Heilman’s
Beachcomber Restaurant, serves USDA Prime
Beef, fresh seafood and pasta, all creatively
their Terrace Café. Their upstairs
Sunset Rooms accommodate up
to 200 for weddings, corporate
and special events. Open daily
for breakfast 6:30 AM-9:30 AM;
lunch 11:30 AM-4 PM;
dinner Sun-Thurs 4 PM-9 PM,
Fri-Sat 4 PM-10 PM.
$-$$$, RS, X, W.
BurgerMonger,
2454 McMullen Booth Rd.,
Safety Harbor, (727) 726-4001.
Proudly founded in Tampa
Bay, at BurgerMonger they
say, “We Build a Better
Burger.” Featuring 100% pure
Japanese-bred Akaushi Beef,
BurgerMonger sources the finest
and healthiest ingredients in the
world. Their naturally satisfying
menu includes burgers, hot
dogs, chicken, salads, beer and
wine. Incomparable food; warm,
friendly service; and comfortable
ambience is found in their six
Tampa Bay area locations. Open
Sun-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM, Fri-Sat
11 AM-11 PM. $-$$, CM, X, W.
Café Alfresco,
344 Main St., downtown Dunedin,
(727) 736-4299. This breezy, casual café next
to the Pinellas Trail offers indoor or outdoor
dining with spiffy maple and brass whimsy.
Their menu is mostly West Coast bistro, Lite
Bites, beautiful salads, pastas, soups, Creole
items, sandwiches and burgers. Enjoy a
cappuccino with delicious European tortes,
pastries, cakes and ice cream. Open for lunch
and dinner Mon-Thurs 11 AM-9 PM,
Fri 11 AM-10 PM, Sat 10 AM-10 PM,
Sun 10 AM-9 PM; brunch Sat & Sun
10 AM-2 PM. $-$$, CM, X, W.
Cafe Ponte,
13505 Icot Blvd. (In the Icot Center at
Ulmerton Road, just east of US 19),
Clearwater, (727) 538-5768.
Chef Chris Ponte and his capable staff
offer fine dining in this casual, yet elegant
café ambience. Their restaurant serves
contemporary American cuisine with Italian,
French and Asian influences prepared in a
demonstration kitchen. They have banquet
seating for up to 50, a full bar and an eclectic
wine list. Open for lunch Mon-Fri 11:30 AM-
2 PM; dinner Mon-Thurs 5:30 PM-9 PM,
Fri-Sat 5:30 PM-10 PM; Happy Hour Tues-Sat
3 PM-7 PM. $$-$$$, CM, RS, E, X, C, W.