DINING
out
The Honu Restaurant,
516 Grant St., Dunedin, (727) 333-7777. This
“lei’d”-back cafe features island favorites,
such as Loco Moco, a turkey burger,
poached egg and spinach, and Kilauea, a
mountain of black rice, pork, red pepper
and carrot lava flow on baby kale. Try the
Big Island Salad with citrus, bacon, chicken
and macadamia nuts with ginger pineapple
dressing. Open Tues-Thurs 11 AM-4 PM,
Fri-Sat 11 AM-Sunset, Sun 11 AM-4 PM,
Closed Mon. $$, CM, E, V, MC, C, W.
Hot Dogs on Main,
505 Main St., Dunedin, (727) 408-5103.
Susan Norton and Nick Annenos invite you
to take out or dine alfresco on their “gourmet
fun in a bun!” Offerings include everything
from Chicago, chili, veggie and organic
dogs to Vienna sausages, as well as Italian
beef sandwiches, fresh salads and Hershey’s
ice cream. Open Tues-Sat 11 AM-6 PM and
only on Sundays during special fairs and
events. $, X, C, W.
Island Way Grill,
20 Island Way, Clearwater, (727) 461-6617.
Whether you make a selection from the
sushi bar, the oak-fired pit or join them for
Sunday brunch, the Island Way Grill will
satisfy every taste. This Clearwater favorite
offers amazing harbor views and an eclectic
menu that blends continental, Pacific Rim
and island cuisines with a pan-Asian twist.
Open Mon-Thurs 4 PM-10 PM, Fri-Sat
4 PM-11PM, Sun 11 AM-10 PM. $$$, RS, X,
C, W.
Johnny Grits, 857 East Klosterman Rd. (at
U.S. 19), Tarpon Springs, (727) 942-GRIT
(4748). Classically trained Chef Christopher
Muller elevates traditional breakfast,
lunch and now dinner to new levels with
handmade unique dishes made with all
natural ingredients, organic gluten-free
yellow grits, real Vermont maple syrup,
fresh-squeezed orange juice, and much
more. Enjoy new spins on classic Benedicts,
Shrimp and Grits, Fried Green Tomatoes,
daily-made soups and The Grit Skillet.
Open Sun-Tues 7 AM-2 PM, Wed-Sat
7 AM-8 PM. $-$$, CM, X, C, W.
Julian’s Little Italy, Coastal Shopping
Center, 916 Patricia Ave. at S.R. 580,
Dunedin, (727) 734-8989. Julian Adams’
casual Italian café with a warm vibe is
one of Dunedin’s best kept secrets. The
well-appointed décor is comfortable and
inviting; and the secret family recipes are
made in house from the heart with love,
care and attention. Enjoy appetizers and
salads, baked pastas and sauté, plus ovenbaked
pizzas. Open for lunch and dinner
Mon-Thurs 11 AM-9 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-
10 PM and for dinner Sun 4-9 PM.
$$, CM, 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, so you’ll think
you’re in Greenwich Village. Gourmet
sauces, wonderful cakes, pastries and
mouthwatering cheesecakes are available
176 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE
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. $-$$, RS,
CM, X, W.
Marlin Darlin Grill, 2819 West Bay Dr.,
Belleair Bluffs, (727) 584-1700. The most
creative effort ever from the tag-team
of Frank Chivas and Tom Pritchard. Eat
small with ceviche, tuna tartare, oysters,
kettle chips, pear-bacon pizza or crab cake
corn dogs, or live large on lobsters and
steaks with tandoori onions and blistered
tomatoes. Either way, the drinks are smart
and the service is smarter. Open Mon-Thurs
4 PM-10 PM, Fri-Sat 4 PM-10:30 PM, Sun
4 PM-9:30 PM. $$, 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.
$$$, RS, X, W.
Mystic Fish Seafood Grill & Bar,
3253 Tampa Rd. (Corner of Tampa Rd.
& Lake St. George), Palm Harbor,
(727) 771-1800. The hip décor, top-notch
service and creative specials of fresh
and exotic seafood, meats, game, pasta and
vegetarian dishes make this a local favorite.
The list of small plates is endless. Their
signature dishes include Bouillabaisse,
NY Strip, Rib Eye, Filet Mignon, Mystic
Paella, Bison Tenderloin and Bronzed
Chilean Sea Bass with hijiki sauce. They
have a great list of hand-crafted beers,
a full bar and a stellar wine list that is
reasonably priced. Takeout is available.
Open Sun-Thurs from 4:30 PM, Fri-Sat
4:30 PM-10 PM. $$, 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, Shrimpn
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.
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. $-$$, E, X, C, W.
| JULY/AUGUST 2016
Palm Harbor Bistro,
32922 U.S. Hwy. 19 N., Palm Harbor,
(727) 239-0999. Start your day here with
one of their giant three-egg omelettes,
an offering from the griddle, or one of
their creative Egg Skillets. Later in the
day, their menu is loaded with choices,
from sandwiches and salads to full meals
that include a soup or salad and dessert.
Everything is homemade from scratch as
you order it. Open daily 7 AM-5 PM. $-$$,
CM, X, C, W.
Palm Pavilion,
10 Bay Esplanade, 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. $$,
CM, E, X, W.
Pan y Vino Brick Oven
Pizza & Wine Bar,
369 Main St., Dunedin, (727) 734-7700.
This new intimate downtown wine bar and
bistro is a relaxing place to break bread
and lift a glass. Owners Tina and Javier
Avila, of Casa Tina (next door), serve their
artisan pizza that is cooked in a brick oven,
soups, salads, skillet specials and delicious
desserts, along with a wide selection of
wines, beers and coffees. Available for
private parties. Open Tues-Thurs 5 PM-10
PM, Fri-Sat 5 PM-11 PM, Sun 3 PM-10 PM.
$-$$, E, X.
PhoEdin Vietnamese,
355 Scotland St. (off the Pinellas Trail,)
Dunedin, phoedin.com.Chef Walt and Jane
Wickman’s casual new restaurant combines
her Vietnamese heritage with his Nordic
talents in the kitchen to share some of
their favorite at-home dishes. Based on
Vietnamese street food, their offerings
include shrimp, chicken, pork belly,
meatball, beef short ribs or Tofu in dishes
such as Spring Rolls, Rice Noodle Soup,
Cold Vermicelli Noodles, Lettuce Wraps
and Banh Mi Sandwiches. $-$$, X, C, W.
Pico Rojo Charcoal Rotisserie,
2475 McMullen Booth Rd., #E (accessible via
Enterprise Rd.) Clearwater, (727) 474-3826.
Known for its healthy, natural, delicious
food with Latin American flair, this
restaurant is also child-friendly, vegetarianfriendly
and offers carry-out. All-natural
chicken is marinated in spices and roasted
in an ecological charcoal rotisserie oven.
Complementary sides include fried yuca,
tostones, sweet plantains, hearty rice and
beans, and scrumptious asparagus. Their
well-priced, flavorful salads, sandwiches,
sauces, dressings, sangria, and desserts
are homemade from fine, fresh ingredients
and can be ordered family style. Catering
available. Open Mon-Thurs 11:30 AM-9 PM,
Fri 11:30 AM-9:30 PM, Sat 12 PM-9:30 PM,
Sun 12 PM-8 PM. $-$$, X, C, W.
North Pinellas continued
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/phoedin.com.Ch