DINING
out
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. $-$$, X, C, W.
Carmelita’s Mexican Grill and Cantina,
1280 Main St., Dunedin, (727) 240-4946.
Vince and Carmen Lopez’s newest Dunedin
location brings a history of serving fresh
traditional style Mexican Food in Tampa
Bay. The friendly and casual atmosphere
makes locals and tourists feel at home.
From their creamy Chicken Enchiladas to
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their daily prepared Poblano Chiles Relleños
or their specialty Filet Mignon Fajitas you
will see why Carmelita’s is the place to
go. Open Sun-Thurs 11 AM-9 PM, Fri-Sat
11AM- 10 PM. $$, 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. $-$$,
CM, E, X, C, W.
Clear Sky Beachside Cafe, 490 Mandalay
Ave., Clearwater Beach, (727) 442-3684. Dan
Shouvlin and Michael “Frenchy” Preston’s
friendly cafe is open from breakfast until
after midnight, as they serve a wide variety
of unique favorites that range from brick
oven pizza to fresh seafood specials.
Their boutique wines and mojito specials
make this “the best happy hour on the
beach.” This charming hot spot has live
entertainment and a comfortable beachstyle
atmosphere. Open seven days a week
7 AM-1 AM. $$, CM, E, X, C, W.
Clear Sky Draught Haus,
680 Main St. (at S.R. 580), Dunedin,
(727) 286-6266. Clear Sky Beachside Cafe’s
sister restaurant offers chef-driven pub grub
and wood-burning oven pizzas with over
50 beers (28 on tap), plus a full liquor bar
and impressive wine selections. Sit inside
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or out for drinks, eats, entertainment and
camaraderie at this new hot spot. Breakfast,
lunch and dinner seven days a week.
Happy hour Mon-Fri and Late Night menu
Mon-Thurs & Sun. Open Mon-Thurs
8 AM-12 AM, Fri 8 AM-1 AM,
Sat 7 AM-1 AM, and Sun 7 AM-12 AM.
$-$$$, CM, E, X, C, W.
Columbia Restaurant, 1241 Gulf Blvd.
(on Sand Key), Clearwater Beach,
(727) 596-8400. As Florida’s premier Spanish
restaurant for more than 100 years, it serves
the finest authentic Spanish/Cuban cuisine.
Try the Original “1905” Salad®, Snapper
Alicante, Grilled Grouper and Arroz con
Pollo Valenciana. With waterfront views
of the Intracoastal waterway, it is located
on beautiful Sand Key, next door to the
Marriott Suites Resort. Open daily for lunch
11:30 AM-4 PM; dinner 4 PM-10 PM. $$, RS,
CM, X, W.
Cooters Restaurant & Bar, 423 Poinsettia
Ave., Clearwater Beach, (727) 462-2668.
Voted Best Crab Legs, Cooters is the place
to go on Clearwater Beach for delicious
food, friendly service and fun atmosphere.
They feature fresh seafood, hand-cut steaks,
amazing wings, creative daily specials and
a full liquor open-air bar with a great daily
happy hour. Sports fans, be sure to check
out the adjoining sports bar for all sports
packages. A pet friendly patio, take-out and
Free WiFi also available. Open Sun-Thurs
11 AM-11 PM; Fri & Sat 11 AM-Midnight.
$-$$, CM, X, W.
Cork N Brew Bistro, 524 Mandalay Ave.,
Clearwater Beach, (727) 483-5990. Enjoy
this unique bistro that features lava rock
cooking at your table. An assortment of
North Pinellas continued