DINING
out
180 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE
Wildflower Café, 1465 S. Ft. Harrison
Ave, Ste. 105, Clearwater, (727) 447-4497.
Having gained a reputation for excellence
over many years, this delightful café is
known for its unique and tasty offerings,
such as a Vegetarian Tomato Basil Bisque;
The Vermonter salad of greens and spinach
with white cheddar, bacon, cherries, pecans
and Fuji apples; and breakfast specials such
as Baked French Toast. It is a gourmet’s
fantasy, as is their Marketplace next door.
Open Mon-Sat 8 AM-2:30 PM, Sun Brunch 9
AM-2 PM. Market Hours Mon-Sat 10 AM-
4 PM. $-$$, X, C.
South Pinellas
400 Beach Seafood & Tap House,
400 Beach Drive N.E., St. Petersburg,
(727) 896-2400. Under the direction of
Chef Ana Davis, they are open daily for
lunch and dinner with a Sunday Brunch
Buffet from 10 AM-3 PM (regular lunch
menu available as well). Voted a “Top 20
Restaurant,” they offer 24 beers on tap, a
great wine selection, award-winning lobster
rolls, oysters, as well as fish tacos by day
and fresh fish and steaks by night. They
have “dog friendly” sidewalk dining or
beautiful indoor seating with private party,
meeting rooms and curb service available.
Romantic carriage rides Fri-Sat. Valet
parking. Open Mon-Sat 11 AM-11 PM,
Sun 10 AM-10 PM. $$-$$$, RS, CM, X, W.
Aqua Prime, 213 Gulf Blvd., Indian
Rocks Beach, (727) 330-7724. This stylish
restaurant with its tree-shaded outdoor
patio, serves fresh seafood and steaks with
a flair. Its two bars serve excellent drinks,
and there is a good wine selection. Their
excellent service and relaxed, but upscale,
dining have made this one of the most
popular beach restaurants. Open daily
at noon. Full menu throughout the day
featuring lunch, bar menu, happy hour
and dinner. Music Wed-Sat 6-9 PM. Event
spaces available for up to 70 guests. $$-$$$,
RS, CM, X, C, W.
Backfin Blue Café, 2913 Beach Blvd S.,
Gulfport, (727) 343-2583. The home of
authentic Maryland Jumbo Lump Crab
Cakes and Angus Prime Rib for over 20
years, they now offer even more with their
classics, plus shareable flatbreads, kids
menu, expanded craft beer selection and
great wine prices. They proudly serve wild
domestic grouper, Bristol Bay Sockeye
Salmon and anti-biotic free chicken. They
are pet friendly and have an outdoor deck
and free parking. Open Thurs-Mon
4 PM-10 PM. $$$, CM, X, C, W.
BurgerMonger, 1325 4th St., N.,
St. Petersburg, (727) 592-4206. Proudly
founded in Tampa Bay, at BurgerMonger
they say, “We Build a Better Burger.”
Featuring 100% pure Japanese-bred
Akaushi Beef, BurgerMonger sources the
finest and healthiest ingredients in the
world. Their naturally satisfying menu
includes burgers, hot dogs, chicken, salads,
beer and wine. Incomparable food; warm,
friendly service; and comfortable ambiance
is found in their six Tampa Bay area
locations. Open Sun-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM,
Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM. $-$$, CM, X, W.
Cafe Gala,
One Dalí Blvd. (in the Salvador Dalí
Museum), St. Petersburg, (727) 623-4725.
This Spanish-styled cafe within the museum
is open to the public, as admission to
| SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
the Dalí is not required. Start with their
Gazpacho Soup; then enjoy one of their
salads, sandwiches or tapas dishes; and
finish with Crèma Catalana or Tiramisu de
Chocolat. You’ll enjoy this charming spot
that features the daily creations of Chef
Chuck Bandel. Open Mon-Wed 10 AM-5
PM, Thurs 10 AM-8 PM, Fri-Sat 10 AM-
5:30 PM, Sun 12 PM-5:30 PM. $, X, C, W.
Carmelita’s Mexican Grill and Cantina,
5211 Park St. N., St. Petersburg,
(727) 545-2956. This is Vince and Carmen
Lopez’s original location where they have
served fresh traditional Mexican food for 33
years. The friendly and casual atmosphere
makes locals & tourists feel at home. From
their popular Del Rey Burrito, creamy
Chicken Enchiladas to their daily prepared
Poblano Chiles Relleños, you will see why
Carmelita’s is the place to go. Live Mariachi
music Thurs & Sat nights. Open Sun-Thurs
11 AM-9 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-10 PM. $$, E, X,
C, W.
Da Sesto Italiano Ristorante e Vino,
7199 66th St. N., Pinellas Park,
(727) 209-2695. Voted as the Readers’ Choice
award winner for “Best Authentic Italian
Restaurant” from the Tampa Bay Newspapers.
Owner/Chef Sesto Ramadori combines
fresh pasta with authentic Italian recipes to
make this one of the area’s most popular
Italian trattorias. Original dishes, such as
Pollo a la Sesto, Lobster Lorenzo, and their
clams and mussels with white or red sauce
are terrific at this authentic Italian venue.
There is live music on weekends, and they
cater for all occasions. Open Tues-Thurs
11 AM-9 PM, Fri 11 AM-10 PM, and Sat
4 PM-10 PM. Sundays are available for
private parties. $$-$$$, E, X, C, W.
Gigi’s Italian Restaurants, 5901 4th St.
N., St. Petersburg, (727) 526-2400; 105 107th
Ave., Treasure Island, (727) 360-6905; and
4399 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach, (727) 363-
3344. Since 1967, these family-owned Italian
trattorias have become legendary for their
award-winning pizza, traditional pasta
entrées and flame-grilled steaks. A selective
wine list enhances your dining experience.
A gluten-free menu, special event rooms,
off-site catering and delivery are available
at all locations. The 4th St. N. location in
St. Petersburg, which is now open for lunch
at 11:30 AM Tues-Fri, has outdoor dining
plus a new fire pit, as well as half-price
wine on Wednesday. All locations open
daily from 4 PM. $$-$$$, CM, X, C, W.
Gratzzi Italian Grille,
211 2nd St. S., St. Petersburg,
(727) 623-9037. Native Italians Dominic
D’Angelo and Chef Anthony Mangiafico’s
passion for authentic Italian cuisine shows
in the deliciously prepared, beautifully
presented dishes they serve in this wellappointed
restaurant. Known for its table
side flamed “Bada Bing,” they also have
an extensive wine list, a pizza bar and
unexpected extras, such as half-priced $100
or less bottles of wine all day on Mondays.
A private room and catering are available.
Open Mon-Wed 11 AM-10 PM, Thurs-Sat
11 AM-2 AM, Sun 4 PM-10 PM. $$, RS, X,
C, W.
Guppy’s on the Beach
Seafood Grill & Bar,
1701 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach,
(727) 593-2032. For those who enjoy
beautiful sunsets and scrumptious food,
Guppy’s is the place. Try their Upper Potato
North Pinellas continued