MAY/JUNE 2018 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 51
Best Gastro Pub –– Clear Sky Draught Haus
With more than 37 craft beers on tap, over 60 varieties of
bottled beer, wine, a full bar and an extensive menu for
breakfast, lunch and dinner that includes omelets, hashes,
burgers, flat breads, hand-tossed pizza and more, this is the
perfect place to find your own special treats.
680 Main St., Dunedin, (727) 286-6266.
Best Gluten-Free Dining –– Currents
This restaurant features a multitude of gluten-free options,
incorporating sweet, salty, sour, bitter and savory tastes into
the dishes that make dining here a pleasure for anyone who
is concerned about food allergies. There is no need to give up
flavor when dining at Currents. 200 E. Tarpon Ave.,
Tarpon Springs, (727) 940-5377.
Best Gourmet Dining
–– Massimo’s Eclectic Fine Dining
Born in Italy, owner and Chef Massimo Patano has won many
awards, including Battle of the Bay and People’s Choice Best
Chef of Tampa Bay, not to mention being a former personal
chef to actress Sophia Loren and preparing dinner at the
James Beard House in New York City. He combines Italian,
French, Mediterranean and Asian cuisines for his beautifully
presented and delicious dishes. 31876 U.S. Highway 19 N.,
Palm Harbor, (727) 784-1881.
Best Glass Workshop
–– St. Petersburg Hot Glass Workshop
This is a working hot glass studio that is open for visitors to
watch artists make their creations. It is located next to the
Duncan McClellan Gallery. 2342 Emerson Ave. S.,
St. Petersburg, (813) 760-6600.
Best Gourmet Italian
–– Alfano’s Restaurant & Splendido Bar
For 30 years, this family-owned restaurant has been operated
by Chefs Linda and Frank Alfano, who have now turned it
over to the next generation. The Italian dishes they serve,
along with the extensive and award-winning wine list, have
made this one of the area’s favorite restaurants for years. You
can also enjoy live music at their Splendido Bar.
1702 Clearwater Largo Road N., Clearwater, (727) 584-2125.
Best Greek Restaurant –– Neptune Grill
This family owned and operated restaurant serves authentic
Greek dishes like saganaki and spanakopita. Steaks, pasta, veal,
and chicken are also prepared Greek-style with a special flair.
5501 Shore Blvd. S. in Gulfport, (727) 623-4823.
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 their sister restaurant Casa Tina at
369 Main St. in downtown Dunedin, (727) 734-7700.
Best Hair Salon –– LaPosh Salon
This is one of our perpetual winners where talented
professionals focus on your hair, nails and makeup. The
salon’s well-earned reputation comes from serving clients’
beauty needs at its Northwood Plaza location for nearly
30 years. 2566 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater,
(727) 726-1600.
Best Grouper Sandwich –– Frenchy’s Rockaway
Grill, Frenchy’s Original Cafe, Frenchy’s Saltwater
Cafe, Frenchy’s South Beach and Frenchy’s
Outpost Bar & Grill
You’ll feel like you are on an endless vacation in paradise
at these popular seafood restaurants. Frenchy brings in the
grouper on his own boats, so what they serve is always
fresh-from-the-Gulf. Order it grilled, blackened or fried.
Clearwater Beach locations are at Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill,
7 Rockaway St., (727) 446-4844; Frenchy’s Cafe at 41 Baymont
St., (727) 446-3607; Frenchy’s Saltwater Cafe at 419 Poinsettia
Ave., (727) 461-6295; and at Frenchy’s South Beach Cafe at
351 S. Gulfview Blvd., (727) 441-9991. In Dunedin, Frenchy’s
Outpost Bar & Grill is at 466 Causeway Blvd., (727) 286-6139.
Best Hamburgers –– BurgerMonger
Thanks to a choice of more than 40 fresh, gourmet and unique
toppings, having a burger your way couldn’t be easier. But
the real secret to the popularity of this local chain with five
locations is that they use only top-quality Japanese Akaushi
beef to set them apart from the others. From freshly cut French
fries to Häagen-Dazs ice cream milkshakes, Jake Hickton and
his energetic team have set a new standard for hamburgers
and salads. 2454 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater,
(727) 726-4001; 10412 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa,
(813) 968-6860; 1656 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Wesley Chapel,
(813) 991-4242; 3838 W. Neptune St., Tampa, (813) 254-0290;
1325 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg, (727) 592-4206.
Best Spa - Safety Harbor Resort & Spa
DMITRIS SAVALAS