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MAY/JUNE 2021 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 45
Best Casino Dining
–– Council Oak Steaks & Seafood
This restaurant at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Tampa features an amazing wine list in addition to fabulous
food and service. 5223 N. Orient Road, Tampa, (813) 627-7600.
Best Casual Cafe Dining
–– Bobby’s Bistro & Wine Bar
An off-shoot of Bob Heilman’s Beachcomber restaurant next
door, this is a great place to kick back and relax. Their areas for
indoor seating and covered alfresco seating are comfortable
and casual. 454 Poinsettia Ave., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 446-WINE (9463).
Best Casual Italian Dining
–– Gigi’s Italian Restaurants
The Newberne Family has owned and operated these casual
trattorias for more than 50 years. Their homemade Old World
Italian favorites, from Baked Lasagna to Veal Saltimboca, and
low-carb specials, including whole wheat pizza, are perennial
favorites. They have three locations. 105 Treasure Island
Causeway, Treasure Island, (727) 360-6905; 4399 Gulf Blvd., St.
Pete Beach, (727) 363-3344; and 5901 Fourth St. N.,
St. Petersburg, (727) 526-2400.
Best Casual Seafood
–– Old Bay Cafe & Dunedin Fish Market
Chef Walt Wickman has combined both a restaurant and
a market into one establishment at the Dunedin Marina
overlooking St. Joseph’s Sound. Sit outside and dine, or
purchase fish to cook at home; it is your choice. The seafood is
fresh and locally caught. 51 Main St., Dunedin, (727) 733-2542.
Best Catch of the Day –– Salt Rock Grill
Diners at this legendary Baystar dining landmark can eat
grilled fish or steaks overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway.
It offers an extensive wine list, along with friendly hospitality.
Since it opened, this restaurant has set this area’s culinary
standards. 19325 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores, (727) 593-7625.
Best Celebrity Couple
–– Tom Brady and Gisele Bünchen
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and his
supermodel wife Gisele Bündchen, who have been married
for 12 years, are the reigning king and queen of celebrity in the
Tampa Bay area. Brady’s legacy in football is unparalleled as
a quarterback in seven Super Bowls, and Gisele, the highest
paid supermodel in the world from 2002-2017, is mom to
their two middle school-aged children and a bonus mom to
Tom’s child from his past relationship with actress Bridget
Moynahan.
Best Charity Auctioneer –– Jason Alpert
No one can squeeze as much out of a crowd for a good cause
as Jason. He is more than an auctioneer, also serving as a
consultant to advise organizations on how to raise funds and
how to organize their events, (954) 658-9465.
Best Charity Fundraiser
–– Monopoly Night for Charity Works
This fun evening of friendly competition playing the classic
Monopoly game even worked virtually in 2020. Hopefully,
this year it will be in person at the Belleview Country Club.
Charity Works, which provides administrative support
services to the philanthropic community, can be reached at
(727) 447-2064.
Best Chef –– Jason Lutzk
Chef Jason Lutzk at 400 Beach Seafood and Tap House in
St. Petersburg is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of
America. He worked at the famed Cafe Ponte in Clearwater
when it was still in business, before moving to 400 Beach
Seafood, where he has been busy creating new menu items
and adding his personal touches to old favorites.
Best Cheesecake –– Bassano Cheescake
These high-end homemade cakes come in more than 20
different varieties from traditional Italian to a fabulous mint
Oreo version. They ship nationwide and serve by the slice at
the cafe. 507 Main St., Safety Harbor, (727) 400-6512.
Best Chocolatier –– William Dean Chocolates
Whether you fancy Banana’s Foster or Lemongrass & Coconut
fillings, you will want to share these chocolate sweets with
those you love. Bill Brown’s hand-painted chocolates are
delicious works of art. His award-winning flavors are as
unique as the packaging. 2790 W. Bay Drive, Belleair Bluffs,
(727) 593-0656; and a soon-to-be-opened location in the new
Midtown development in Tampa.
Best Place to Dine with Friends
–– Water Oak Seafood & Steak Bar
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