DINING
out
seafood and excellent service are sure
to please you. They serve early dinner
selections from 4:30 PM-6:30 PM daily. Their
complete dinner menu is available Sun-Thurs,
4:30 PM-10 PM, Fri-Sat 4:30 PM-11 PM,
indoors and out. Bar opens daily at 4 PM with
Happy Hour from 4-6:30 PM. $$, CM, X, W.
North
Hillsborough
Columbia Café, 801 Old Water Street,
Tampa, (813) 229-5511. The Tampa Bay
History Center has partnered with the
famous Columbia Restaurants in opening
the first Columbia Café on the first floor of
the Center. With both indoor and outdoor
seating, it serves authentic Spanish/ Cuban
cuisine, including Cuban Black Bean Soup,
the Original Cuban Sandwich, Curt’s
Meatloaf Sandwich, the Original “1905”
Salad®, and Chicken and Rice “Ybor.”
Open daily 11 AM-9 PM. $-$$, X, W.
Columbia Restaurant,
2117 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City, Tampa,
(813) 248-4961. As Florida’s premier Spanish
Restaurant for more than 100 years, they
serve the finest authentic Spanish/Cuban
cuisine. Try their Spanish Bean Soup, the
Original “1905” Salad®, Roast Pork a la
Cubana, Paella a la Valenciana, and the
Original Cuban Sandwich. There is a live
flamenco dance show Mon-Sat, and the
Columbia Cafe Cigar Bar features live jazz
Tues-Sat. Valet parking. Banquet facilities
available. Open Mon-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM,
Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM, Sun 12 PM-9 PM $$,
RS, CM, E, X, C, W.
Maestro’s Cafe, 1010 N. MacInnes Place
(Carol Morsani Hall Lobby, Straz Center),
Tampa, (813) 229-STAR (7827). For light
buffet dining before a show in Morsani Hall,
this lobby restaurant is open 90 minutes
before most performances. Reservations
are recommended. $$-$$$, RS, X, W.
Maestro’s on the River, 1010 N. MacInnes
Place (Straz Center), Tampa. For light
dining before a show in Morsani Hall at
the Straz Performing Arts Center, this
delightful location on the Hillsborough
River is open 90 minutes before most
Morsani Hall performances. $$, X, W.
Maestro’s Restaurant, 1010 MacInnes
Place (Straz Center), Tampa, (813) 229-
STAR (7827). This restaurant begins seating
at 5:30 PM daily and noon on Sundays for
Broadway, Opera, The Florida Orchestra,
and other selected shows at the Straz
Performing Arts Center. It is a high-quality
dining experience with a New York elegance
flair. Call early for your reservations, as this
restaurant sells out quickly. $$$, X, W.
Panini’s Bar & Grill, 12227 W Linebaugh
Ave., (813) 855-4600; 3973 Van Dyke Rd.,
Lutz, (813) 962-3479. Here you will find the
best of both worlds, a great restaurant and
dining experience combined with the fun
and excitement of a complete sports bar.
Pick it up a notch with a basket of their hot
wings. Watch a game & enjoy all Panini’s
has to offer. Open Sun-Wed 11 AM- 12 AM,
Thurs-Sat 11 AM-3 AM. $$, CM, E, X, C, W.
Pho Quyen, 8404 W. Hillsborough Ave.,
Tampa, (813) 885-9424. The fresh, healthy,
authentic, made-to-order Vietnamese
cuisine at this flavorful family-friendly
gem is spectacular. Chef’s specialties
include all varieties of Pho noodle soups,
delicious pork, catfish, ribs, squid, shrimp,
filet mignon, mussels and frog legs. To
truly experience the culture and taste of
Vietnam, “create your own” curry chicken,
lemongrass beef or shrimp patty rolls.
Catering carry-out menu available. Open
Mon-Fri 10:30 AM-10:00 PM, Sat-Sun 10
AM-10 PM. $$, CM, X, W.
Koto Steakhouse & Sushi Bar,
533 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, (813) 964-6808.
Koto’s concept of fashion-style cuisine is
ideal for sushi lovers. Try their artfully
presented Signature Rolls, or enjoy their
fine steaks and seafood, prepared by their
Teppanyaki chefs over an open flame at your
table. They have a full bar and are open for
lunch Mon-Fri 11:30 AM-3 PM; dinner Mon-
Fri 5 PM-12 AM, Sat 3 PM-12 AM, Sun 3
PM-11 PM. $$-$$$, CM, E, X.
TC Choy’s Asian Bistro,
301 S. Howard Avenue, Tampa,
(813) 251-1191. T.C. Choy’s presents its
Asian fusion culinary experience, and it’s
all under one roof. They feature Hong Kong
BBQ pork strips, Peking duck, spicy Thai
Tom Yom soup, mouth-watering Malaysian
satay, aromatic Indonesian curry, and an
enormous variety of dim sum served from
the dim sum cart daily. There is a full bar as
well. Open for lunch Mon-Fri 11:00 AM-2:30
PM, Sat-Sun 11: 00 AM-3 PM, dinner Sun-
Thurs 5:00 PM-10 PM, Fri & Sat 5:00 PM-
10:30 PM. $$, V, MC, C, W.
Pasco County
Johnny Grits Southern Fresh,
5749 Main St., New Port Richey, (727)
942-GRIT (4748). Classically trained Chef
Christopher Muller elevates traditional grit
breakfast, lunch and dinner to new levels
with handmade unique dishes made with
all natural ingredients. Open 7 days a week
from 7 AM to 8 PM $-$$, CM, X, C, W.
Columbia Restaurant,
411 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota,
(941) 388-3987. As Florida’s premier
Spanish restaurant for more than 100 years,
they serve the finest authentic Spanish/
Cuban cuisine with both indoor and outdoor
dining. Try the Original “1905” Salad®,
Cuban Black Bean Soup, Snapper Alicante
and Filet Mignon Chacho. Open Mon-Thurs
11 AM-10 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM,
Sun 12 PM-10 PM. $$, RS, CM, E, X, W.
9
South
Hillsborough
Sarasota
County
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 191