Best Opera Season –– Sarasota Opera
The renovation of this magnificent performance hall keeps it
at the top of the list for opera with world-class performances,
concerts, lectures and events. 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota,
(941) 328-1300.
Best Performing Arts Center
–– The Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Named in honor of the late David A. Straz Jr. of Tampa, this
venue offers five theaters, arts education, dining and catering.
Each theater offers diverse events that are of interest to almost
everyone. The breadth of what the Straz offers made it an easy
winner in this category. 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa,
(813) 229-STAR (7827).
Best Philanthropists
–– Stu and Rebecca Sjouwerman
Stu and Rebecca Sjouwerman of Belleair have made a
substantial difference in our community through their
generous donations to organizations such as the Humane
Society and by purchasing the Douglas Hackworth
undeveloped property in Dunedin in order to preserve it.
Stu is founder and CEO of KnowBe4 cybersecurity firm in
Clearwater, one of our area’s most successful businesses.
They are gratefully sharing their success with others.
Best Place for Orthopedics –– Happy Feet Plus
For over 30 years, Happy Feet Plus has been offering healthy,
stylish footwear. With more than 100 styles and 10 locations in
the Tampa Bay area, you are sure to find the perfect fit. Each
store has free digital foot scanners and a staff to assist you in
finding a comfortable fit that will help eliminate and prevent
foot, knee, hip and back pain, (800) 336-6657.
Best Place to Dine with Friends
–– Water Oak Seafood & Steak Bar
Chef Walt and Jane Wickman have expanded their restaurant
concepts with this gathering spot in downtown Safety Harbor.
The contemporary décor and menu has made Water Oak an
instant success day and night. 201 Main St., Safety Harbor,
(727) 286-6919.
Best Poke –– Aloha Ansley
Chef Ansley Spencer is a master of this poke style of Hawaiian
cuisine and also offers a variety of gluten-free and flavorful
vegetarian dishes. 1931 W. Bay Drive, Largo, (727) 953-3757.
Best Professional Theater Company
–– American Stage
For outstanding live theater with creative staging, talented
professional actors and innovative directors, American Stage
in St. Petersburg produces plays that are both thoughtprovoking
and entertaining. They also have comedy improv
and some edgy late-night offerings. Their annual outdoor
performances in Demens Landing Park are not to be missed.
163 Third St. N., St. Petersburg, (727) 823-PLAY (7529).
Best Raw Bar –– Sea Salt Restaurant
This stylish emporium is a testament to fine dining with its
artistic surroundings, first-class service, wonderful wines and
exceptional food. Dining here is always a treat. Located on the
second floor of St. Petersburg’s Sundial complex, 183 Second
Ave. N., St. Petersburg, (727) 873-7964.
Best Restaurant on the Pinellas Trail
–– Cafe Alfresco
For a refreshing light bite or a hearty entrée, this is a relaxing
place to pause for bicyclists, rollerbladers, joggers, shoppers
52 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | MAY/JUNE 2021
and visitors strolling the streets of downtown Dunedin. You’ll
feel like you’re dining in the open air on the beautiful, climatecontrolled
patio. Brunch on Saturday and Sunday offers
specialties such as French Toast á la Ritz and Crab Cakes
Benedict. 344 Main St., Dunedin, (727) 736-4299.
Best Rooftop Bar
–– Vantage Rooftop Bar at The Karol Hotel
This stylish retreat is comfortable and classy and serves topnotch
drinks and nibbles. It adds a new dimension to this type
of enjoyment. The Karol Hotel is located at 2675 Ulmerton
Road in Clearwater, (727) 273-7850.
Best Rotisserie Chicken
–– Pico Rojo
Pico Rojo prepares succulent chicken that is slow cooked and
seasoned with more than 10 spices in a rotisserie oven for a
tasty and crispy chicken that can’t be beat. This restaurant
uses all-natural, non-frozen chickens that are hormone and
preservative-free. Their vegetarian options are also first rate.
2475 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, (727) 474-3826.
Best Seafood and Beer
–– 400 Beach Seafood & Tap House
Relaxed coastal cuisine is the theme at this indoor/outdoor
dining location on Beach Drive in downtown St. Petersburg. It
has numerous flat-screen televisions for sports fans and three
separate rooms for private dining or large parties. The broadbased
menu features novel renditions of fresh seafood and
shellfish. 400 Beach is known for its great Sunday brunch and
alfresco dinners. 400 Beach Drive N.E., St. Petersburg,
(727) 896-2400.
Best Small Concert Space
–– The Bilheimer Capitol Theatre
This beautiful and acoustically perfect repurposed 1920s era
theater holds 750 patrons in an intimate setting and attracts
diverse and popular entertainment. 405 Cleveland St.,
Clearwater, (727) 791-7400.
Best Southern-Style Cooking
–– Salt Cracker Fish Camp
This Southern dockside cooking spot right off the roundabout
on Clearwater Beach at the Marina has an outside deck and
bar to let you take in the sun as you are having fun. There is
Happy Hour all day long. From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., they have $5
specials that range from a cheeseburger to one-half pound of
steamed mussels. 25 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 442-6910.
Best Spa and Hotel
–– Safety Harbor Resort & Spa
The 50,000-square-foot remodeled spa in Safety Harbor offers
everything from wellness treatments to hot stone massages.
Located on the waters of Tampa Bay, this resort has more than
90 years of operation and is a perfect setting for weddings and
special events. The restaurant, lounge and spa are open to the
public. 105 N. Bayshore Drive, Safety Harbor, (727) 726-1161.
Best Spanish Restaurant
–– Columbia Restaurants
Five generations of the Gonzmart family have created a
Columbia Restaurant dynasty for over 110 years, with seven
Florida locations offering the very best Spanish cuisine.
Among them is the original Columbia in Ybor City at 2117
E. Seventh Ave., Tampa, (813) 248-4961. They feature a live
flamenco dance show Monday through Saturday. On Sand
Key, there is a Columbia at 1241 Gulf Blvd., (727) 596-8400,
where guests enjoy waterfront views of the Intracoastal
Waterway. The Columbia in Sarasota is located at
411 St. Armands Circle, (941) 388-3987.