BEST 2017
OF
Best Maestro – Maestro Mark Sforzini
and Chief Financial Officer Nancy Preis
MAY/JUNE 2017 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 51
Best Family Style Italian Dining ––
Forlini’s Restaurant
The Forlini family has been serving Italian cuisine to their
loyal clientele since 1981. In addition to Italian staples, their
menu has fresh seafood, steaks and chops, homemade pastas
and signature dishes. Enjoy the more than 650 wine selections,
knowing that more than 8,000 bottles are kept in their
temperature-controlled wine room. 435 Mandalay Ave. N.,
Clearwater Beach, (727) 441-1111.
Best Catch of the Day –– Salt Rock Grill
Diners at this legendary Baystar dining landmark can eat
grilled fish or steaks overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway.
It offers an extensive wine list, along with friendly hospitality.
This restaurant helped set this area’s culinary standards.
19325 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores, (727) 593-7625.
Best Ice Cream ––
Strachan’s Homemade Ice Cream
Their creamy frozen confections have an almost “cult”
following since their 1999 opening. In addition to ice cream,
they also make carrot cake, fudge brownies, key lime pie,
coconut cake and fudge. There are two locations, one at the
corner of Alternate U.S. Highway 19 and Tampa Road in
Palm Harbor, (727) 781-0997, and the other at 310 Main St. in
downtown Dunedin, (727) 733-3603.
Best Professional Theater Company ––
American Stage
For outstanding live theater with creative staging, talented
professional actors and innovative directors, American Stage
in St. Petersburg produces plays that are both thoughtprovoking
and entertaining. They also have comedy improv
and some edgy late-night offerings. 163 Third St. N.,
St. Petersburg, (727) 823-PLAY (7529).
Best Gourmet Pizza ––
Pan y Vino Brick Oven Pizza & Wine Bar
The artisan pizza here is cooked in a brick oven to give the
crust an authentic Italian texture, while the menu’s gourmet
toppings add an unusual flare. These pizzas are culinary
delights. Find them next to Casa Tina at 369 Main St. in
downtown Dunedin, (727) 734-7700.
Best Hotel Dining –– Luna in the Hilton
St. Petersburg Carillon Park
From breakfast through dinner, this hotel’s dining room can
satisfy your appetite. Its gourmet breakfast and lunch buffets
are quick and delicious, with a large variety of choices that
change daily. At night, the dining room transforms into an
elegant and stylish full-service restaurant. 950 Lake Carillon
Drive in the Hilton St. Petersburg, (727) 954-2140.
Best Glass Museum ––
The Chihuly Collection
Recently relocated to 720 Central Avenue across from the
Morean Arts Center in St. Petersburg, the Chihuly Collection
features glass artwork by Dale Chihuly, who led the avantgarde
movement in the development of glass as a fine art.
720 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, (727) 896-4527.
Best Lunch –– Downtown Dunedin Deli & Grill
This is more than a deli. Jean and Mihaela Francois’
establishment has an array of menu choices served to you
by a friendly staff in a relaxed atmosphere. 730 Broadway
(Alternate U.S. Highway 19), Dunedin, (727) 286-6270.
Best Theater Dining ––
Maestro’s Restaurants
Maestro’s three distinctly different dinner offerings at the
Straz Center for the Performing Arts allow patrons to enjoy
creative presentations and inventive menus before the theater.
They also cater in their own facility, or at the venue of your
choice. 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place at the Straz Center,
Tampa, (813) 229-STAR (7827).
Best Maestro –– Mark Sforzini of the
St. Petersburg Opera Company
In addition to his role as maestro, Mark is the artistic and
executive director of the opera company. The St. Petersburg
Opera Company has established itself using grass-roots
efforts that have been led by Nancy Preis, who has made her
partnership with the maestro work.
NORAA