DINING
out
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.
The Black Pearl,
315 Main St., downtown Dunedin, (727)
734-DINE (3463). Enjoy four-star dining on
unique New-American cuisine in charming,
intimate deco ambience. Specialties include
Goat Cheese Strudel with Lavender and Fennel
Pollen, served with Mushroom Marmalade and
Micro Greens; Twice Cooked, Long Island
Duckling; and Falling Hot Chocolate Cake.
Available for business and special functions.
Open nightly from 5 PM. $$-$$$, RS, X, C.
North
Pinellas
Alfano’s Restaurant &
Splendido Lounge,
1702 Clearwater Largo Rd.,
Clearwater, (727) 584-2125.
Chefs Frank and Linda
Alfano are celebrating 28
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.
$-$$, RS, E, X, C, W.
Babbo’s Rustic Italian Bistro & Wine Bar,
13575 58th St N, Ste 111, Clearwater,
(727) 538-4273. The rustic Italian cuisine
here features fresh top-quality ingredients.
The Fried Calamari, Caper Salad and
Manicotti Alfredo are pure pleasure.
The Chicken Piccata or Parmigiana and
their Shrimp and Scallops Gorgonzola
are like taking a trip to Florence, where
these dishes originated. Open Mon-Fri
11 AM-10 PM, Sat 4 PM-10 PM.
$$-$$$, RS, CM, E, D, X, C, W.
Bascom’s Chop House,
3665 Ulmerton Rd., Clearwater,
(727) 573-3363. Voted “Best Steakhouse,”
Bascom’s serves Certified Angus beef,
aged “in house” a minimum of 28 days;
slow-roasted prime rib; and a variety of
fresh seafood in large portions. They have
seven dining rooms for all your parties,
large or small, up to 200 guests. The lounge
offers a full selection of liquors and fine wines,
as well as the full menu. Off-site catering is
available. Open for lunch Mon-Fri 11:30 AM-
2:30 PM; dinner Mon-Sat 5 PM-10 PM,
Sun 4 PM-9 PM. In addition to regular dining
hours, lounge open Mon-Fri 2:30 PM-5 PM.
$$$, RS, X, C, W.
Blue Sake/
Sushi + Asian Fusion,
1425 Main St., Ste. I,
Dunedin, (727) 216-3699.
Another Dunedin gem, this
unique restaurant has a full
sushi menu and a host of
other options that allow you
to select from chicken, pork,
beef, tofu, veggies, shrimp,
squid, fish, duck or scallops
prepared in 15 different
styles. Their seafood dishes,
such as Grilled Salmon,
Seafood Paradise or Seafood
Flambe, are sensational.
Everything is made fresh
to order at your level of
spiciness. Beer, wine and a
full-liquor bar are available.
Open for lunch Mon-Fri
11 AM-3 PM; dinner
Mon-Thurs 4:30 PM-10 PM;
Fri-Sat 4:30 PM-11 PM,
and Sun 12:30 PM-9:30 PM.
$$, X, C, W.
Bob Heilman’s Beachcomber Restaurant,
447 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 442-4144. Serving classic American
cuisine since 1948, their signature dishes
include the finest cuts of USDA Prime
Beef, as well as daily seafood specials that
are the catch of the day, thus ensuring
their freshness. Try their Back-to-the-Farm
Chicken, homemade soups, sauces, breads
and desserts. You’ll enjoy the awardwinning
wine list, generous cocktails
and their pianist. Open daily for lunch
11:30 AM-4 PM; dinner from 4 PM.
$$-$$$, RS, E, X, D, C, W.
Bobby’s Bistro & Wine Bar,
447 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 446-WINE (9463). This true American
Bistro, from the owners of Bob Heilman’s
Beachcomber Restaurant, serves USDA
Prime Beef, fresh seafood and pasta, all
creatively prepared with flair and style in
this lively and fun atmosphere. This is
intimate dining that has covered al fresco
seating. Try their daily pizzas or mealsatisfying
salads. In addition to an awardwinning
wine list, they serve generous
cocktails. Open nightly from 5 PM.
$$-$$$, RS, E, X, D, C, W.
KEY TO SYMBOLS
$ Inexpensive
$$ 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
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 193
Clearwater’s Island Way Grill continues to be a leader in
gourmet dining and catering.