DINING
out
FINE WINE, CRAFT BEER, SMALL PLATES, DESSERTS
www.corknbrew.com
16 YEARS, TOP-RATED BREAKFAST & LUNCH
GRAB N GO IN THE MARKET
Mon-Sat 8-2:30 • Market 10-4 • Sunday Brunch 9-2
1465 S. FT. Harrison, Clearwater • 727-447-4497
www.wildflowercafe.net
seasaltstpete.com
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 183
Columbia Café on the first floor of the Center.
With both indoor and outdoor seating, it
serves authentic Spanish/Cuban cuisine,
including Cuban Black Bean Soup, the
Original Cuban Sandwich, Curt’s Meatloaf
Sandwich, the Original “1905” Salad®, and
Chicken and Rice “Ybor.”
Open daily 11 AM-9 PM. $-$$, X, W.
Columbia Restaurant,
2117 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City, Tampa,
(813) 248-4961. As Florida’s premier Spanish
Restaurant for more than 100 years, they
serve the finest authentic Spanish/Cuban
cuisine. Try their Spanish Bean Soup, the
Original “1905” Salad®, Roast Pork a la
Cubana, Paella a la Valenciana, and the Original
Cuban Sandwich. There is a live flamenco
dance show Mon-Sat, and the Columbia Cafe
Cigar Bar features live jazz Tues-Sat. Valet
parking. Banquet facilities available. Open
Mon-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-11
PM, Sun 12 PM-9 PM. $$, RS, CM, E, X, C, W.
Maestro’s Cafe,
1010 N. WC MacInnes Place (Carol Morsani
Hall Lobby, Straz Center), Tampa,
(813) 229-STAR (7827). For light buffet
dining before a show in Morsani Hall, this
lobby restaurant is open 90 minutes before
most performances. Reservations
are recommended. $$-$$$, RS, X, W.
Maestro’s on the River,
1010 N. WC MacInnes Place (Straz Center),
Tampa. For light dining before a show
in Morsani Hall at the Straz Performing
Arts Center, this delightful location on the
Hillsborough River is open 90 minutes before
most Morsani Hall performances. $$, X, W.
Maestro’s Restaurant,
1010 N. WC MacInnes Place (Straz Center),
Tampa, (813) 229-STAR (7827). This
restaurant begins seating at 5:30 PM daily
and noon on Sundays for Broadway, Opera,
The Florida Orchestra, and other selected
shows at the Straz Performing Arts Center.
It is a high-quality dining experience with a
New York elegance flair. Call early for your
reservations, as this popular restaurant sells
out quickly. $$$, X, W.
Saki – Endless Sushi & Hibachi Eatery,
11921 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, (813) 961-1711.
The elegant setting and gourmet food at this
restaurant will make you wonder how they
can offer unlimited dining at one low price.
It is not a buffet. Everything is cooked to
order, but you can order as much as you like.
From appetizers to desserts, everything is
included. Everyone is in awe of this unique
concept. Open Mon-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM;
Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM, Sun 11:30 AM-10 PM.
A private party room is available. $$-$$$, RS,
CM, V, MC, X, W.
South Hillsborough
BurgerMonger,
903 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon,
(813) 684-7982; 3838 West Neptune Street,
Tampa, (813) 254-0290. 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,
See our
RESTAURANT
REVIEWS
Maestro's Restaurant
page 169
Selene Fresh Fare and Bar
page 170
Saki - Endless Sushi
& Hibachi Eatery
page 171
North Hillsborough continued
524 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach | 727-239-0833
arino’s
Northern
Italian Cuisine
9524 Blind Pass Rd., St. Pete Beach • 727-360-8502
183 2nd Ave. N., St. Pete • 727.873.7964
friendly service; and comfortable ambience is
found in their six Tampa Bay area locations.
Open Sun-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM,
Fri-Sat 11 AM- 11 PM. $-$$, CM, X, W.
TC Choy’s Asian Bistro,
301 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, (813) 251-1191.
TC Choy’s presents its Asian fusion culinary
experience, and it’s all under one roof.
They feature Hong Kong BBQ pork strips,
Peking duck, spicy Thai Tom Yom soup,
mouth-watering Malaysian satay, aromatic
Indonesian curry, and an enormous variety
of dim sum served from the dim sum cart daily.
There is a full bar as well. Open for lunch
11 AM-2:30 PM weekdays except Tuesdays,
Sat-Sun 11 AM-3 PM, dinner Sun-Thurs
5PM-10 PM, Fri-Sat 5 PM-10:30 PM. Closed
Tuesdays. $$, X, C, W.
Pasco County
Big Storm Brewing Co.,
2330 Success Drive, Odessa,
(727) 376-2890; with a second location at
12707 49th St., Clearwater, (727) 201-4186.
Founded in 2012, local Big Storm Brewing
Co. was created to fill what they saw as
a void in the local craft beer market – an
approachable beer, made with spirit,
authenticity and quality that everyone could
enjoy. They have two convenient taprooms,
and catering from both locations. Craft food
is available at the Pinellas location, with
rotating food trucks in Pasco. Open in Pasco
Mon-Thurs 2 PM-10PM; Fri-Sat 11 AM-11PM
and Sun 11 AM-9PM. $$, E, X, C.
BurgerMonger,
1656 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Wesley Chapel,
(813) 991-4242. Proudly founded in Tampa
Bay, at BurgerMonger they say, "We Build
a Better Burger." Featuring 100% pure
Japanese-bred Akaushi Beef, BurgerMonger
sources the finest and healthiest ingredients
in the world. Their naturally satisfying menu
includes burgers, hot dogs, chicken, salads,
beer and wine. Incomparable food; warm,
friendly service; and comfortable ambience
is found in their six Tampa Bay area
locations. Open Sun-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM,
Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM. $-$$, CM, X, W.
Sarasota County
Columbia Restaurant,
411 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota,
(941) 388-3987. As Florida’s premier Spanish
restaurant for more than 100 years, they serve
the finest authentic Spanish/Cuban cuisine
with both indoor and outdoor dining. Try the
Original “1905” Salad®, Cuban Black Bean
Soup, Snapper Alicante and Filet Mignon
Chacho. Open Mon-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM,
Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM, Sun 12 PM-10 PM.
$$, RS, CM, E, X, W.
Manatee County
Beach Bistro,
6600 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach,
(941) 778-6444. This top-rated Zagat restaurant
passes perfection in both food and service, and
this pursuit of excellence shows with every
dish. It is in Florida Trend’s Golden Spoon Hall
of Fame and has one of the best wine lists in the
world. Bar opens at 5 PM. Restaurant is open
daily 5:30 PM-10 PM. $$$, RS, X.