DINING
out
North Pinellas continued
178 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018
happy hour Tue-Sat 4PM-6 PM. Closed Sun-
Mon. $-$$, RS, E, X, W.
Rumba Island Bar & Grill,
1800 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater,
(727) 446-7027 and 3687 Tampa Rd.,
Oldsmar, (813) 475-5974. Taste the flavors
of the islands, mixed with the freshest local
ingredients at Rumba Island Bar & Grill.
Local favorites include the Island-Style
Quesadillas and Jerk Chicken Wings for
starters; and the signature Rumba Salad
with Grouper, Runaway Bay Crab Cakes
and Caribbean Pulled Pork for an entrée.
Open Sun-Thurs 11:30 AM-10 PM,
Fri-Sat 11:30 AM-11 PM. $$, CM, X, C, W.
Sages West Bay Bistro,
883 West Bay Dr., Largo, (727) 585-6600.
Patty and Mike have created the ideal familystyle
bistro that features traditional Italian
food in an attractive atmosphere that makes
you feel at home. The Tortellini in Pink Sauce
is fabulous, and the pizza can be ordered
with either thick or regular crust. You’ll
love eating here any time of day. Open
Mon-Sat 11 AM-9 PM $-$$, CM, X, C, W.
Saki – Endless Sushi & Hibachi Eatery,
35927 U.S. 19 N., Palm Harbor,
(727) 351-5615, and at 2643 Gulf to Bay Blvd.,
Clearwater, (727) 726-3937. The elegant
setting and gourmet food at this restaurant
will make you wonder how they can offer
unlimited dining at one low price. It is not
a buffet. Everything is cooked to order, but
you can order as much as you like. From
appetizers to desserts, everything is included.
Everyone is in awe of this unique concept.
Open Mon-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM; Fri-Sat
11 AM-11 PM, Sun 11:30 AM-10 PM. A private
party room is available at the Palm Harbor
location. $$-$$$, RS, CM, V, MC, X, W.
Salt Cracker Fish Camp,
25 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 442-6910. This Southern dockside
cooking spot right off the roundabout on
Clearwater Beach at the Marina has an
outside deck and bar to let you take in the
sun as you are having fun. There is a Happy
Hour all day long; and from 2 PM-6 PM, they
have five dollar specials that range from a
cheeseburger to a half pound of Moonshine
Mussels. They are open 7 AM-10 PM daily
for breakfast, lunch and dinner. $-$$, X, W.
Salt Rock Tavern,
3689 Tampa Rd., Oldsmar, (813) 336-4977.
This new Baystar Restaurant combines
a unique menu of casual dining with 21
craft beers on tap and other bar favorites.
Everything from their “Just Caught Fish”
with smoked gouda grits to their Double Cut
Bone-In Pork Chop are prepared with flair, as
are their flatbreads, burgers and salads. Try
their “Snap, Crackle, Pop” Beer Cocktail for a
real treat. Open Sun 10 AM-9 PM (including
Brunch from 10 AM-2 PM); Mon-Thurs
4 PM-10 PM; Fri 4 PM-11 PM;
Sat noon-11 PM. $$-$$$, RS, CM, X, C, W.
Seaweed Steaks, Seafood & Sushi,
2819 West Bay Drive, Belleair Bluffs,
(727) 584-1700. Seaweed, a new addition
to Belleair Bluffs, is a contemporary steak
and seafood experience where dishes are
Palm Cafe at the
Dunedin Fine Art Center,
1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin,
(727) 298-3322, ext. 237. There are lots of
reasons to go here for a quick breakfast or
lunch. You can dine either alfresco or
indoors, and you can eat a delicious palette
of healthy fare even starving artists can
afford. Start your day with lox and bagels,
enjoy a roasted beet salad, or have a Cuban
sandwich for a mid-afternoon snack.
Whatever you order will be freshly made
of top-quality ingredients and served just the
way you like it. Open Mon-Fri 9 AM-3 PM
and Sat-Sun 9 AM-2 PM. $, CM, X, C, W.
Palm Pavilion,
10 Bay Esplanade, Clearwater Beach,
(727) 446-2642. Voted “#1 Best Place for
Live Music” and also “Best of Tampa Bay.”
Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, the Palm
Pavilion has been a famous Clearwater
Beach landmark since 1926. Amid its
nostalgic architecture, guests enjoy casual
dining indoors or outside on their deck,
where they can experience spectacular
sunsets. Happy hour on weekdays is from
4-7 PM. Visit their website to view the music
calendar. Open Sun-Thurs 10:30 AM-10 PM,
Fri-Sat 10:30 AM- 11 PM. $$, CM, E, X, W.
Pan y Vino Brick Oven Pizza
& Wine Bar,
369 Main St., Dunedin, (727) 734-7700.
This intimate downtown wine bar and bistro
is a relaxing place to break bread and lift a
glass. Owners Tina and Javier Avila, of Casa
Tina (next door), serve their artisan pizza
that is cooked in a brick oven, soups, salads,
skillet specials and delicious desserts, along
with a wide selection of wines, beers and
coffees. Available for private parties. Open
Tues-Thurs and Sun 5 PM-9 PM, Fri-Sat
5 PM-11 PM. Closed Mondays. $-$$, E, X.
Pico Rojo Charcoal Rotisserie,
2475 McMullen Booth Rd., #E
(accessible via Enterprise Rd.) Clearwater,
(727) 474-3826. Known for its healthy, natural,
delicious food with Latin American flair, this
restaurant is also child-friendly, vegetarianfriendly
and offers carry-out. All-natural
chicken is marinated in spices and roasted
in an ecological charcoal rotisserie oven.
Complementary sides include fried yuca,
tostones, sweet plantains, hearty rice and
beans, and scrumptious asparagus. Their
well-priced, flavorful salads, sandwiches,
sauces, dressings, sangria, and desserts
are homemade from fine, fresh ingredients
and can be ordered family style. Catering
available. Open Mon-Thurs 11:30 AM-9 PM,
Fri 11:30 AM-9:30 PM, Sat 12 PM-9:30 PM,
Sun 12 PM-8 PM. $-$$, X, C, W.
Pisces Sushi & Global Bistro,
799 Highland Ave., Dunedin, (727) 216-6764.
This international tapas and sushi restaurant,
voted Best Tapas and Sushi in Tampa Bay,
is the place to be in beautiful downtown
Dunedin. Chef James Keene’s talents shine
with his imaginative menu that mixes classic
sushi with globally inspired dishes made
with fresh, untreated seafood and ingredients
to satisfy your taste buds. Enjoy candlelit
dining, a full liquor bar and sushi bar. Open
Tue-Thurs 4 PM-10 PM, Fri-Sat 4 PM-11 PM,
Marina Cantina
Tequila Bar and Grille,
25 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 443-1750. Right in the heart of
Clearwater Beach, this new Baystar
restaurant has fabulous views and
phenomenal Mexican fare at bargain prices.
Try the iron pan cornbread and the Beef
Barbacoa Quesadillas with a house
Margarita or some Sangria. This is a
gathering spot for the young and hip set.
Open Mon-Thurs 4 PM-10 PM;
Fri 4 PM-11 PM; Sat 11 AM-11 PM; and
Sun 11 AM-10 PM. $$, RS, X, W.
Massimo’s Eclectic Fine Dining,
31876 U.S. Hwy. 19 N., Palm Harbor,
(727) 784-1881. Award-winning Chef
Massimo Patano works his culinary magic at
his Palm Harbor restaurant. Nestled behind
Outback on Hwy. 19 N., this sophisticated
restaurant offers contemporary Italian and
Mediterranean cuisine with Asian accents
that include homemade soups, poultry,
lamb, veal, seafood entrées and tantalizing
desserts. Extensive wine selections are
available, and they have a private room for
parties and special events. Open for lunch
Tues-Fri 11:30 AM-2 PM and for dinner
Tues-Sat 5:30 PM-10 PM. $$$, RS, X, W.
Mystic Fish Seafood Grill & Bar,
3253 Tampa Rd. (Corner of Tampa Rd.
& Lake St. George), Palm Harbor,
(727) 771-1800. The hip décor, top-notch
service and creative specials of fresh and exotic
seafood, meats, game, pasta and vegetarian
dishes make this a local favorite. The list of
small plates is endless. Their signature dishes
include Bouillabaisse, NY Strip, Rib Eye, Filet
Mignon, Mystic Paella, Bison Tenderloin and
Bronzed Chilean Sea Bass with hijiki sauce. They
have a great list of hand-crafted beers, a full
bar and a stellar wine list that is reasonably
priced. Takeout is available. Open Sun-Thurs
from 4:30 PM, Fri-Sat 4:30 PM-10 PM.
$$, RS, CM, X, W.
Ocean Blue Asian Fusion,
2475 McMullen Booth Rd. (at Enterprise Rd),
Clearwater, (727) 791-6640. Sushi lovers
rejoice. Nhan Nguyen carries on the same
tradition of delicious freshness as Charlie did
in this location. She has tweaked the menu
with a wide selection of appetizers, Japanese
dinners and noodle dishes, fresh from the
sea Sushi rolls, Makimono and Sashimi and
has also added deliciously seasoned Hibachi,
bento boxes and other new items.
Open for lunch Mon-Fri 11:30 AM-3 PM,
dinner Sun-Thurs 4:30 PM-12 AM and
Fri-Sat 4:30 PM-1 AM and special occasions.
$-$$, X, C, W.
Olde Bay Café &
Dunedin Fish Market,
51 Main St., Dunedin (at the Marina),
(727) 733-2542. Chef Walt Wickman offers
mostly outdoor seating overlooking the
harbor for lunch and dinner. Enjoy an
intimate raw bar, a market with fresh fish,
seafood and accompaniments and takecxout
at his casual waterfront eatery. Enjoy wine,
beer or sangria with his chowder, salads,
ceviche, fish tacos, Cubans and desserts.
Open daily 10 AM-10PM. $-$$, E, X, C, W.