DINING
out
Forlini’s Restaurant,
435 Mandalay Ave N., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 441-1111. Forlini’s is a local favorite
with a true family tradition of serving
authentic Italian cuisine and fine wine since
1981. Homemade Lasagna and Gnocchi are
just a few of the pasta favorites. Specialties
include Lobster Sinatra, Honey Lemon
Salmon, Osso Buco and Veal. All entrées
are served with fresh bread, baked in house,
and soup or salad. Award Winning Wine
List & Full Bar available.
Open Tues-Sun 5 PM-10 PM.
$$, RS, CM, X, W.
Fountain Grille Restaurant,
Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, 105 N.
Bayshore Dr., Safety Harbor, (727) 726-1161,
ext. 7825. The innovative contemporary
cuisine served here features fresh ingredients
and the flavors of the Mediterranean. The
newly updated and expanded menus will
tempt your palate. They have full bar service
and are open to the public for breakfast,
lunch and dinner. They also offer an elegant
Sunday Brunch. Dine either indoors or out.
Open daily 7 AM-10 PM. $$ CM X C W.
Frank’s Pizza & Restaurant,
1600 Virginia St., Dunedin, (727) 216-6963.
This family-style Italian restaurant serves
everything from pizza, such as their Frank’s
Combo with pepperoni, sausage, meatballs,
peppers, onions and mushrooms, to
traditional favorites, including Zuppa di
Pesce with shrimp, clams, mussels and
calamari in a marinara sauce or Eggplant
Rollatini stuffed with ham, roasted peppers,
ricotta and herbs. Everything here is made
fresh from quality ingredients. Open Mon-
Thurs 11 AM-10 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM,
Sun 12 P.M.-9 PM $-$$, X, C, W.
Frenchy’s Original Cafe,
41 Baymont St., Clearwater Bech,
(727) 446-3607. At this quaint location,
you’ll find many of Frenchy’s original menu
items, like the smoked fish spread, seafood
gumbo, boiled shrimp and Greek salad.
In fact, their grouper sandwich made its
debut here and continues to set the standard
for all others. Since its doors first opened in
1981, the quality, ambience and charm have
remained, making it a continual favorite
among the locals. They also serve fresh
stone crabs. Open daily 11 AM-11 PM.
$, X, W.
Frenchy’s Outpost Bar & Grill,
466 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin,
(727) 286-6139. This open-air Key West-style
restaurant on the way to Dunedin’s Honeymoon
Island has a large Tiki Bar and features
live music every day. It is the newest Frenchy’s
and the only one that is not on Clearwater
Beach; but they serve all the items that have
made Frenchy’s famous, from fresh
Grouper Sandwiches to She Crab Soup.
Open Sun-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM, Fri-Sat
11 AM-11 PM. $-$$, CM, E, X, W.
Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill On The Beach,
7 Rockaway St., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 446-4844. Live music and fresh sea
breezes make this a popular spot for those
looking for great seafood and a trendy
atmosphere. You can dine in the open air or
indoors in the comfort of air conditioning.
Don’t miss their stone crab claws as you
watch the sunset on the Gulf. Open Sun-
Thurs 11 AM-12 AM; Fri-Sat 11 AM-1 AM.
$, E, X, W.
Frenchy’s Salt Water Cafe,
419 Poinsettia Ave., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 461-6295. The Grouper Rueben sandwich
originated at this family-friendly location,
which even has a designated dog-friendly
patio. The unique menu also features octopus
dishes, conch fritters, buffalo shrimp and
specialty salads, which you can enjoy inside,
on the patio or Dockside-to-Go. Tie up to
the floating dock at the south side of
Mandalay Channel, north of Memorial
Causeway, then walk across the street for
a bite to eat. Open daily 11 AM-11 PM.
Frenchy’s South Beach Cafe,
351 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 441-9991. This addition to the
Frenchy’s restaurant family is right in the
heart of Clearwater Beach. It has the same
great food and prices for which Frenchy’s
has become famous. The Key West bistro
atmosphere offers open-air dining and an
unbeatable view of both the beach and our
fabulous sunsets. There is a full bar and the
best grouper sandwich you will ever have.
Open Sun-Thurs 11 AM-11 PM. Fri-Sat
11 AM-12 AM. $-$$, CM, X, W.
The Gaelic Dish,
357 Scotland St., Dunedin, (727) 330-7783.
Dunedin is known for its Scottish heritage
and fine restaurants, but only at this unusually
creative place can you enjoy dishes such as
Smoked Kippers, Seafood Pie, Roasted
Salmon, a Scotch Egg, or a Ploughman’s
Lunch of cheeses and sausage. Their desserts
are special and even include “Spotted Dick”
sponge cake. Every dish is crafted from the
heart with fresh, local organic ingredients.
Open Tues-Sat 8 AM-2 PM. $$, RS, CM, X, C, W.
Greektown Grille,
1230 Cleveland Street, Clearwater,
(727) 447-7800. This modern and authentic
Greek restaurant is family owned and
operated since 2008. It features a banquet room
for up to 150 guests and has an outside garden
area that opens to a full-service bar. They
offer homemade Greek cuisine that includes
favorites such as Lamb Chops, Mousaka, and
Pork Chops, as well as appetizers like
Octopus, Spanakopita, Dolmades and Saganaki.
Various pitas are also available to satisfy your
palate. Try the fried baklava a la mode for
dessert. Open daily from 11:30 AM-10 PM.
$$-$$$, CM, E, D, X, W.
Harborita Cantina,
519 2nd St. S., Safety Harbor, (727) 648-2900.
This fun and funky new tequila bar and grill
offers fast, fresh, made-to-order Tex-Mex fare
and mouthwatering daily food and drink
specials. Their uniquely inspired Old Florida
cottage has two full liquor bars and dogfriendly
patios. Quench your thirst with one
of their signature margaritas, and listen to
live music on the weekends. Open Sun-Thurs
11:30 AM-9 PM, Fri-Sat 11:30 AM-11 PM.
$, CM, E, X, C, W.
Hot Dogs on Main,
505 Main St., Dunedin, (727) 408-5103.
Susan Norton and Nick Annenos invite
you to take out or dine al fresco on their
“gourmet fun in a bun!” Offerings include
everything from Chicago, chili, veggie and
organic dogs to Vienna sausages, as well as
Italian beef sandwiches, fresh salads and
Hershey’s ice cream. Open Tues-Sat 11 AM-
6 PM and only on Sundays during special
fairs and events.
$, X, C, W.
Hot Tuna Sushi Bar & Grille,
3689 Tampa Rd., #302B, Oldsmar,
(813) 818-8862. The contemporary decor
would lead you to expect much higher
prices at this moderately priced Japanese
restaurant that seems to have something
for everyone. Start with their T-N-T
Mussels or the Sirloin Negimaki, and then
have a Sushi and Sashimi Combo or a
Teriyaki Dinner. Whatever you choose,
you won’t be disappointed, and their daily
Sushi Happy Hour from 5-7 PM. Monday
thru Friday is also a bargain. Open Mon-
Thurs 11 AM-2 PM and 5 PM-10 PM, Fri
11 AM-2 PMand 5 PM-10:30 PM, Sat.
12 PM-10:30 PMand Sun 12 PM-9 PM.
$$-$$$, RS, CM, X, W.
Island Way Grill,
20 Island Way, Clearwater, (727) 461-6617.
Whether you make a selection from the
sushi bar, the oak-fired pit or join them for
Sunday brunch, the Island Way Grill will
satisfy every taste. This Clearwater favorite
offers amazing harbor views and an eclectic
menu that blends continental, Pacific Rim
and island cuisines with a pan-Asian twist.
Open Mon-Thurs 4 PM-10 PM, Fri-Sat
4 PM-11 PM, Sun 11 AM-10 PM.
$$$, RS, X, C, W.
Johnny Grits,
857 East Klosterman Rd. (at U.S. 19),
Tarpon Springs, (727) 942-4748. Johnny
Grits takes the traditional breakfast and
lunch concept to a new level with handmade
unique “Southern Fresh” dishes
made with all natural ingredients, organic
gluten-free yellow grits, real Vermont
maple syrup, fresh-squeezed orange juice,
and much more. Classically trained
Chef Christopher Muller elevates
breakfast into a culinary delight. Enjoy
new spins on classic Benedicts, Shrimp
and Grits, Fried Green Tomatoes, daily
made soups and The Grit Skillet. Open
7 days a week from 7 AM to 2 PM
$-$$, CM, X, C, W.
Kaiko Japanese Restaurant/Ocean Blue,
2475 McMullen Booth Rd. (corner of
McMullen Booth & Enterprise), Clearwater,
(727) 791-6640. For sushi lovers, this is the
place to go. In addition to all the standards,
they also have Makimono (rolled sushi)
and some wonderful new bento boxes,
appetizers and vegetable sushi. Check
out their late-night specials. Charlie has
only one standard, the best and freshest.
Open Mon-Thurs 11:30 AM-1:30 AM;
Fri 11:30 AM-2:30 AM, Sat 4:00 PM-
2:30 AM, Sun 4 PM-1:30 AM.
$-$$, X, W.
196 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015