Marina Cantina’s pan seared Red Snapper is served over a delightful
combination of chorizo and spinach, sautéed fingerling potatoes and
oyster mushrooms, and finished with a verde mole sauce.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016
| TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 171
CUAISRITNE
Clearwater Beach’s
Newest Hot Spot
Marina Cantina
Tequila Bar and Grille
By Margaret Word Burnside and Aaron R. Fodiman
Photography by Gram
Th e B a y S t a r
R e s t a u r a n t
Group, headed by
Frank Chivas, has
time after time created
some of the area’s finest
restaurants. This new
concept is no exception.
It is located on the second
and third floors of the
Clearwater Marina building,
just to the southeast of the roundabout on
Clearwater Beach. The views from the
multiple outdoor patios, the dining room
and the rooftop deck are spectacular all
day long and become even better at sunset.
With over 35 different tequilas, ranging
from silver to aged; over 25 beers on draft
or in bottles; sangria; and a host of other
beverages, no one goes thirsty here. Any
of the seven varieties of Margaritas can
be ordered by the glass or liter. These
fine drinks are accompanied by chips
and salsa on the tables to remind you that
the food at the Marina Cantina is at least
one reason you came. The lighter snacks
they serve include popular south of the
border standards, such as guacamole,
queso fundido, octopus or short-rib tacos
share. The flavors of each
of these alone are tasty
enough to bring you back
time after time.
To complete your visit,
there are four desserts.
We decided to order one
of each to avoid having
to make a decision. The
Toasted Coconut Tres
Leches cake is creamy
good; the Churros with chocolate mole is
addictive; the Mousse Cake is heavenly;
and the Plantains Foster with salted
caramel ice cream is almost obscene.
From Sunday through Thursday,
there is a Happy Hour from 4 to 7 p.m.,
when prices for drinks and bar food
are discounted. Service is attentive;
and guests are relaxed at this casual
restaurant with great views and unique
food that has its roots in Mexico, but has
been updated to gourmet status. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: Marina Cantina is
located at 25 Causeway Boulevard, next
to the roundabout on Clearwater Beach,
(727) 443-1750.
and a variety of ceviches. There are also
several salads and a variety of quesadillas
that are a meal in themselves.
For those who want to dine, there are
plenty of wonderful platters, such as
grilled char-seared Octopus, Carne Asada,
seared Ahi Tuna, boneless Braised Short
Ribs, pan-seared Red Snapper, roasted or
grilled chicken, jumbo shrimp seared in
butter, Panko-crusted Grouper, Doublecut
Lamb Chops, slow cooked pork and
a grilled vegetarian Cauliflower Steak.
Side items like their Iron Pan Corn Bread
with garlic, Cauliflower Mash, or Grilled
Corn are reason enough to dine here.
Additional side items such as Roasted
Plantains with rum butter; pinto beans
with ham, bacon and pork; and black
beans in a clay pot are large enough to