DINING
out
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016
| TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 181
s
Terrace Cafe at Bon Appétit,
148 Marina Plaza, Dunedin Marina,
Dunedin, (727) 733-2151. Enjoy casual,
alfresco waterfront dining at one of the
area’s finest restaurants. Watch the boats,
dolphins and pelicans while you order
from the Bon Appétit dining room menu’s
selection of salads and entrées, including
specialties such as Dover sole and rack
of lamb. Open daily for lunch and dinner
Sun-Thurs 12 PM-9 PM, Fri-Sat 12 PM-10 PM
and brunch Sun 12 PM-4 PM, weather
permitting. $-$$, RS, X, W.
Thai Spice Restaurant,
2475 McMullen Booth Rd. #B (at SW corner
of McMullen Booth and Enterprise Rds.),
Clearwater, (727) 791-7050. New owner
Pannee Farooque serves fresh, healthy,
authentic Thai cuisine, as well as Thai food
with an American flair. Her chef creates
dishes to order that can be flavored mild,
medium or spicy to suit your taste. The
ambience is trendy, and the service is
hospitable. Dine in, take out or arrange for
delivery. Open for lunch Mon-Fri
11:30 AM-3 PM; dinner Mon-Sat 5 PM-10 PM,
Sun 5 PM-9 PM. $$, CM, V, MC, W.
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. $-$$, X, C.
South Pinellas
400 Beach Seafood & Tap House,
400 Beach Drive N.E., St. Petersburg,
(727) 896-2400. Under the direction of
Chef Ana Davis, they are open daily for
lunch and dinner with a Sunday Brunch
Buffet from 10 AM-3 PM (regular lunch
menu available as well). Voted a “Top 20
Restaurant,” they offer 24 beers on tap, a
great wine selection, award-winning lobster
rolls, oysters, as well as fish tacos by day
and fresh fish and steaks by night. They
have “dog friendly” sidewalk dining or
beautiful indoor seating with private party,
meeting rooms and curb service available.
Romantic carriage rides Fri-Sat. Valet
parking. Open Mon-Sat 11 AM-11 PM,
Sun 10 AM-10 PM. $$-$$$, RS, CM, X, W.
Aqua Prime, 213 Gulf Blvd., Indian
Rocks Beach, (727) 330-7724. This stylish
restaurant with its tree-shaded outdoor
patio, serves fresh seafood and steaks with
a flair. Its two bars serve excellent drinks,
and there is a good wine selection. Their
excellent service and relaxed, but upscale,
dining have made this one of the most
popular beach restaurants. Open daily
at noon. Full menu throughout the day
featuring lunch, bar menu, happy hour
and dinner. Music Wed-Sat 6-9 PM. Event
spaces available for up to 70 guests. $$-$$$,
RS, CM, X, C, W.
BurgerMonger, 1325 4th St., N.,
St. Petersburg, (727) 592-4206. Proudly
founded in Tampa Bay, at BurgerMonger
they say, “We Build a Better Burger.”
Featuring 100% pure Japanese-bred
Akaushi Beef, BurgerMonger sources the
finest and healthiest ingredients in the
world. Their naturally satisfying menu
includes burgers, hot dogs, chicken, salads,
beer and wine. Incomparable food; warm,
friendly service; and comfortable ambiance
is found in their six Tampa Bay area
locations. Open Sun-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM,
Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM. $-$$, 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
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. $$, E, X,
C, W.
Da Sesto Italiano Ristorante e Vino,
7199 66th St. N., Pinellas Park,
(727) 209-2695. Voted as the Readers’ Choice
award winner for “Best Authentic Italian
Restaurant” from the Tampa Bay Newspapers.
Owner/Chef Sesto Ramadori combines
fresh pasta with authentic Italian recipes to
make this one of the area’s most popular
Italian trattorias. Original dishes, such as
Pollo a la Sesto, Lobster Lorenzo, and their
clams and mussels with white or red sauce
are terrific at this authentic Italian venue.
There is live music on weekends, and they
cater for all occasions. Open Tues-Thurs
11 AM-9 PM, Fri 11 AM-10 PM, and
Sat 4 PM-10 PM. Sundays are available for
private parties. $$-$$$, E, X, C, W.
Gigi’s Italian Restaurants, 5901 4th St. N.,
St. Petersburg, (727) 526-2400; 105 107th
Ave., Treasure Island, (727) 360-6905;
and 4399 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach,
(727) 363-3344. Since 1967, these familyowned
Italian trattorias have become
legendary for their award-winning pizza,
traditional pasta entrées and flame-grilled
steaks. A selective wine list enhances your
dining experience. A gluten-free menu,
special event rooms, off-site catering and
delivery are available at all locations. The
4th St. N. location in St. Petersburg, which
is now open for lunch at 11:30 AM Tues-Fri,
has outdoor dining plus a new fire pit, as
well as half-price wine on Wednesday.
All locations open daily from 4 PM. $$-$$$,
CM, X, C, W.