DINING
out
Pan y Vino
Brick Oven Pizza & Wine Bar,
369 Main St., Dunedin, (727) 734-7700.
This new intimate downtown wine bar and
bistro is a relaxing place to break bread and
lift a glass. Owners Tina and Javier Avila,
of Casa Tina (next door), serve their artisan
pizza that is cooked in a brick oven, soups,
salads, skillet specials and delicious desserts,
along with a wide selection of wines, beers
and coffees. Available for private parties.
Open Tues-Thurs 5 PM-10 PM, Fri-Sat 5
PM-11 PM, Sun 3 PM-10 PM. $-$$, E, X.
Pensare Italian
Bistro & Wine Bar,
799 Highland Ave. (at its intersection
with Main St.), Dunedin, (727) 786-2222.
Robin and Mike Rey’s award-winning
restaurant has won a multitude of loyal
customers, who appreciate the high quality
classic Italian cuisine that they serve with a
twist. The sleek, modern décor and
attentive service has made them one of the
area’s premier dining spots.
Open for dinner Sun-Thurs 5 PM-10 PM,
Fri-Sat 5 PM-11 PM.
$$$, RS, CM, X, C, W.
Pico Rojo Charcoal Rotisserie,
2475 McMullen Booth Rd., #E
(accessible via Enterprise Rd.) Clearwater,
(727) 474-3826. Known for its healthy,
natural, delicious food with Latin American
flair, this restaurant is also child-friendly,
vegetarian-friendly and offers carry-out.
All-natural chicken is marinated in spices
and roasted in an ecological charcoal
rotisserie oven. Complementary sides
include fried yuca, tostones, sweet
plantains, hearty rice and beans, and
scrumptious asparagus. Their well-priced,
flavorful salads, sandwiches, sauces, dressings,
sangria, and desserts are homemade from
fine, fresh ingredients and can be ordered
family style. Catering available. Open
Mon-Thurs 11:30 AM-9 PM, Fri 11:30 AM-
9:30 PM, Sat 12 PM-9:30 PM, Sun 12PM-8
PM. $-$$, X, C, W.
Riedo Restaurant and Bar,
601 Cleveland St., #150, Clearwater, (727)
223-4917. Downtown Clearwater’s premier
restaurant serves authentic German and
Mediterranean cuisine, such as pork tenderloin
in a green peppercorn cognac sauce,
or fine American dishes including Black
Angus Beef Steaks. Don’t miss the Mix-Grill
Platter that is served for two or more. Their
award-winning apple strudel is homemade
and is a must on any visit. Open Mon-Fri 11
AM-11 PM, Sat 5 PM-11 PM, Sun-closed.
$$-$$$, RS, E, X, C, W.
Rumba Island Bar & Grill,
1800 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater,
(727) 446-7027 and 3687 Tampa Rd.,
Oldsmar, (813) 475-5974. Taste the flavors
of the islands, mixed with the freshest local
ingredients at Rumba Island Bar & Grill.
Local favorites include the Island-Style
Quesadillas and Jerk Chicken Wings for
starters; and the signature Rumba Salad
with Grouper, Runaway Bay Crab Cakes
and Caribbean Pulled Pork for an entrée.
Open Sun-Thurs 11:30 AM-10 PM,
Fri-Sat 11:30 AM-11 PM.
$$, CM, X, C, W.
Mystic Fish Seafood Grill & Bar,
3253 Tampa Rd. (Corner of Tampa Rd.
& Lake St. George), Palm Harbor, (727)
771-1800. The hip décor, top-notch service
and creative specials of fresh and exotic
seafood, meats, game, pasta and vegetarian
dishes make this a local favorite. The list
of small plates is endless. Their signature
dishes include Bouillabaisse, NY Strip, Rib
Eye, Filet Mignon, Mystic Paella, Bison
Tenderloin and Bronzed Chilean Sea Bass
with hijiki sauce. They have a great list of
hand-crafted beers, a full bar and a stellar
wine list that is reasonably priced. Takeout
is available. Open Sun-Thurs from 4:30 PM,
Fri-Sat 4:30 PM-10 PM. $$, RS, CM, X, W.
Nauti-Nancy’s
Food Shack and Crows Nest Pub,
700 Eldridge St. (one block west of Myrtle
Ave. on the Pinellas Trail), Clearwater,
(727) 446-3717. Dine indoors or at the
Crow’s Nest Patio Bar at this fun, funky
eatery. The food is cooked to order, and
includes daily specials, a Raw Bar and
favorites such as their Beef Martini,
Shrimp-n-Grits, 4-4-4, and Bread Pudding.
Open for lunch, dinner, plus music and
appetizers with your drinks on the patio
Tues-Thurs 10 AM-10 PM; Fri & Sat 10
AM-12 AM; Sun 10 AM-7 PM. Free delivery
to locals. $, CM, E, D, X, C, W.
Ocean Flame
Interactive Dining,
inside Shephard’s Beach Resort, 619 S.
Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach, (727)
447-2009. Their gourmet buffet has an open
interactive kitchen, where chefs prepare
your meal right before your eyes. There is
hand-rolled sushi, a Wok Station, Brazilianstyle
rotisserie, Carving Station, an array of
seafood, International Station with delicacies
from around the world, homemade desserts
and so much more. Enjoy beautiful waterfront
views from every table, inside or out. Dinner
nightly and Sunday Brunch. Open Mon-
Thurs 5 PM-10 PM, Fri-Sat 5 PM-10:30 PM
and Sun for Brunch 10:30 AM-2:30 PM,
dinner 5 PM-10 PM. $$$, RS, CM, E, D, X, W.
Olde Bay Café & Dunedin Fish Market,
51 Main St., Dunedin (at the Marina),
(727) 733-2542. Chef Walt Wickman offers
mostly outdoor seating overlooking the
harbor for lunch and dinner. Enjoy an
intimate raw bar, a market with fresh fish,
seafood and accompaniments and takeout
at his casual waterfront eatery. Enjoy wine,
beer or sangria with his chowder, salads,
ceviche, fish tacos, Cubans and desserts.
Open daily 8 AM-10 PM. $-$$, E, X, C, W.
Palm Pavilion,
10 Bay Esplanade, N. Clearwater Beach,
(727) 446-2642. Voted “#1 Best Place for Live
Music” and also “Best of Tampa Bay.”
Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, the Palm
Pavilion has been a famous Clearwater Beach
landmark since 1926. Amid its nostalgic
architecture, guests enjoy casual dining
indoors or outside on their deck, where
they can experience spectacular sunsets.
Happy hour on weekdays is from 4-7 PM.
Visit their website to view the music
calendar. Open Sun-Thurs 10:30 AM-10 PM,
Fri-Sat 10:30 AM-11 PM. $$, CM, E, X, 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. $-$$, X, W.
Kelly’s For Just About...Anything!,
319 Main St., downtown Dunedin,
(727) 736-5284. Award-winning Chef/Owner
Virgel Kelly and his partner Kathy Carlson
feature casual, fine dining and creative
Southern cuisine. The ambience is funky and
eclectic — you’ll think you’re in Greenwich
Village. Gourmet sauces, wonderful cakes,
pastries and mouthwatering cheesecakes
are available for takeout with an advance
order. Outside patio dining is also available.
Open Mon-Thurs 8 AM-9:30 PM, Fri-Sat
8 AM-10:30 PM, Sun 8 AM-9 PM.
$-$$, RS, CM, X, W.
The Living Room Restaurant
& Lounge,
487 Main St., downtown Dunedin,
(727) 736-5202. René and John Johnson’s
popular eatery and gathering spot is a great
place to unwind in simple style with classic
elegance, while enjoying culinary creativity
and unparalleled taste. Choose from Chef
Tony Bruno’s eclectic, award-winning menu
of internationally influenced small plates
that are intended to be shared, along with
unique wines and beers. Serving lunch and
dinner Mon-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM, Fri-Sat 11
AM-12 AM, Sun 10 AM-10 PM with brunch
until 3 PM. Happy Hour daily until 7 PM.
Live entertainment nightly. Available for
large parties, catering and special events. $$,
E, X, C, W.
Marlin Darlin Grill,
2819 West Bay Dr., Belleair Bluffs, (727)
584-1700. The most creative effort ever from
the tag-team of Frank Chivas and Tom
Pritchard. Eat small – ceviche, tuna tartare,
oysters, kettle chips, pear-bacon pizza or
crab cake corn dogs – or live large on lobsters
and steaks with tandoori onions and blistered
tomatoes. Either way, the drinks are smart
and the service is smarter. Open Mon-Thurs
4 PM-10 PM, Fri-Sat 4 PM-10:30 PM,
Sun 4 PM-9:30 PM. $$, CM, X, C, W.
Massimo’s Eclectic Fine Dining,
31876 U.S. Hwy. 19 N., Palm Harbor,
(727) 784-1881. Award-winning Chef
Massimo Patano works his culinary magic at
his Palm Harbor restaurant. Nestled behind
Outback on Hwy. 19 N., this sophisticated
restaurant offers contemporary Italian and
Mediterranean cuisine with Asian accents
that include homemade soups, poultry,
lamb, veal, seafood entrées and tantalizing
desserts. Extensive wine selections are
available, and they have a private room for
parties and special events. Open for lunch
Tues-Fri 11:30 AM-2 PM and for dinner
Tues-Fri 5:30 PM-10 PM, Sat 5:30 PM-11
PM. $$$, RS, X, W.
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184 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015