DINING
out
174 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE
| SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
North Pinellas continued
Cafe Ponte,
13505 Icot Blvd. (In the Icot Center at
Ulmerton Road, just east of US 19),
Clearwater, (727) 538-5768. Chef Chris Ponte
and his capable staff offer fine dining in
this casual, yet elegant café ambience. Their
restaurant serves contemporary American
cuisine with Italian, French and Asian
influences prepared in a demonstration
kitchen. They have banquet seating for up
to 50, a full bar and an eclectic wine list.
Open for lunch Mon-Fri 11:30 AM-2 PM;
dinner Mon-Thurs 5:30 PM-9 PM, Fri-Sat
5:30 PM-10 PM; Happy Hour Tues-Sat 3
PM-7 PM. $$-$$$, CM, RS, E, X, C, W.
Cappuccino’s Fine Wine & Espresso
Bar, 733 Broadway, Dunedin,
(727) 738-8009. Regina Invandino’s artisanstyle
Italian coffee house and eatery, where
“It’s all about the food,” serves lunch daily,
dinner Friday and Saturday, homemade
baked goods, wine and beer by the bottle
or glass, espresso and more. Call ahead
for takeout orders, special requests, picnic
baskets, private parties, wine tastings and
to custom order French wine featuring your
dog’s picture and name on the label. Open
Mon, Wed and Thurs 8 AM-7 PM, Tues
8 AM-4:30 PM, Fri 8 AM-10 PM, Sat 11
AM-10 PM. $-$$, X, C, W.
Carmelita’s Mexican Grill and Cantina,
1280 Main St., Dunedin, (727) 240-4946.
Vince and Carmen Lopez’s newest Dunedin
location brings a history of serving fresh
traditional style Mexican Food in Tampa
Bay. The friendly and casual atmosphere
makes locals and tourists feel at home. From
their creamy Chicken Enchiladas to their
daily prepared Poblano Chiles Relleños or
their specialty Filet Mignon Fajitas you will
see why Carmelita’s is the place to go. Open
Sun-Thurs 11 AM-9 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-
10 PM. $$, X, C W.
Casa Tina, 365 Main St., downtown
Dunedin, (727) 734-9226. Fresh, healthy,
authentic dishes are prepared by Chef/
Owner Javier Avila from Guadalajara, and
a vegetarian menu is prepared by his wife
Tina. Specialties include fresh molé, fish
with Veracruz salsa, Tomatillo Enchiladas
and fresh-roasted Chiles Relleños. Join them
for lunch, dinner, dessert, a margarita,
or Sunday brunch. Saturday and Sunday
nights feature Cirque-like entertainment.
Open Mon-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM; Fri & Sat
11 AM-11 PM; Sun 10 AM-10 PM. $-$$,
CM, E, X, C, W.
Cello’s Charhouse, 143 7th Ave. N.,
Safety Harbor, (727) 723-0909. A Safety
Harbor favorite, this cozy restaurant
features homemade food in a casual
atmosphere. Their newly expanded
menu includes hearty grilled fare and
international specials. You can bring your
own beer or wine. We suggest that you try
their signature Braised Short Rib Flatbread
or their Rigatoni Bolognese made with fresh
herbs from the garden. Tues-Sat 5:30 PM-9
PM. $$$, RS, X, C, W.
Clear Sky Beachside Cafe, 490 Mandalay
Ave., Clearwater Beach, (727) 442-3684. Dan
Shouvlin and Michael “Frenchy” Preston’s
friendly cafe is open from breakfast until
after midnight, as they serve a wide variety
of unique favorites that range from brick
oven pizza to fresh seafood specials.
Their boutique wines and mojito specials
make this “the best happy hour on the
beach.” This charming hot spot has live
entertainment and a comfortable beach