Best Architectural Statement ––
Henry B. Plant Museum
Henry B. Plant opened the Tampa Bay Hotel in 1891, and
hosted such guests as Teddy Roosevelt, the queen of England
and Babe Ruth, who signed his first baseball contract in the
hotel’s grand dining room. This landmark building topped
with its iconic minarets is home to the University of Tampa’s
Plant Hall and to the Henry B. Plant Museum, which features
original furnishings and artifacts from the hotel and objects
that were collected by Mr. and Mrs. Plant on their worldwide
trips. 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, (813) 254-1891.
Best Bagels –– Dunedin Bagels and Deli
Owners Saul and Miriam prepare and serve their own New
York style bagels, specialty cream cheeses, salads, Old World
deli sandwiches and Cuban sandwiches in this small but
convenient location. 716 Main St. (State Road 580), Dunedin,
(727) 734-1829.
Best Olive Oil –– Belle’s Olive Branch
For the freshest extra virgin oils and aged Italian balsamic
vinegars, this store has more than 55 special blends available.
You won’t use supermarket olive oil or vinegar again once
you experience the difference in taste.
100 Indian Rocks Road N., Suite 12 (the north side of the
Belleair Bluffs Plaza), Belleair Bluffs, (727) 408-5743.
Best Breakfast Deal –– Salt Cracker Fish Camp
This Southern dockside cooking spot right off the roundabout
on Clearwater Beach at the Marina has an outside deck and bar
to let you take in the sun as you are having fun. There is Happy
Hour all day long. They are open for breakfast, lunch and
dinner. 25 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater Beach, (727) 442-6910.
50 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | MAY/JUNE 2017
Best Asian Market –– MD Oriental Market
With Tampa Bay’s largest selection of Asian groceries, you will
find items here that you never knew existed and that you can’t
find anywhere else. Here you can get seafood fresh out of the
tank. Their mind-boggling array of food items includes meats,
poultry, produce and row after row of packaged foods. There
are three locations: 1106 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, (813) 868-1688;
10127 E. Adamo Drive, Tampa, (813) 443-2188; and
7580 49th St. N., Pinellas Park, (727) 954-8876.
Best Place to Outfit Your Kitchen ––
The Cook’s Cottage
This well-organized kitchen emporium carries kitchen
gadgets, cookware and fresh roasted coffee. This is the place
to go when you need something that’s hard to find or that
you didn’t know existed. They have it all.
100-G Indian Rocks Road N., Belleair Bluffs, (727) 588-3303.
Best Chinese Restaurant ––
Ivory Chinese Bistro
They serve authentic dishes, such as a traditional Peking
Roast Duck, Salt and Pepper Eggplant, Honey Walnut Shrimp,
Sizzling Beef Strip with Black Pepper Sauce, and their noodle
dishes, which include Hong Kong Style and XO Seafood
Chow Fun, are fabulous. 2192 Main St. (State Road 580),
Dunedin, (727) 734-3998.
Best Vietnamese Food –– PhoEdin
Chef Walt and Jane Wickman’s casual restaurant combines
his Nordic talents and her Vietnamese heritage in the kitchen
to share some of their favorite dishes they enjoy at home.
Based on Vietnamese street food, their offerings include
shrimp, chicken, pork belly, meatballs, beef short ribs and
tofu. 355 Scotland St. (off the Pinellas Trail), Dunedin,
(727) 733-1909.
Best Tex Mex ––
Marina Cantina Tequila Bar and Grille
Right in the heart of Clearwater Beach, this Baystar restaurant
has fabulous views and phenomenal Mexican fare at bargain
prices. Try the iron pan cornbread and the Beef Barbacoa
Quesadillas with a house margarita or some sangria. This
is a great gathering spot for all. 25 Causeway Blvd.,
Clearwater Beach, (727) 443-1750.
Best Way to Become a Star ––
Dance & Circus Arts of Tampa Bay
Dance & Circus Arts has been serving the Tampa Bay area for
17 years, providing recreational and professional level training
in dance and circus arts for all ages. With an 11,000-squarefoot
facility, they have enough space for daily classes and for
hosting field trips, birthday parties and theater productions.
1490 N. Belcher Road, Suite H, Clearwater, (727) 461-0098.
Best Theatrical Productions ––
freeFall Theatre
By presenting a range of classical and new works that are
bold, daring and diverse, this St. Petersburg theater group
continuously draws rave reviews. Creative staging and
multitalented performers help make their productions
memorable. 6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, (727) 498-5205.
Best Architectural Statement
– Henry B. Plant Museum
NORAA