DINING
out
Catering • Healthy Lunch
Fine dining in the evening
Live music Friday
and Sat evening
Extensive selection of
fine Italian wines
The Most
Authentic Italian
Restaurant You
Will Encounter
NEW
LOCATION
7201 66th St N, Pinellas Park
727.209.2695 dasesto.com
est. 1997
WHERE TASTE
MEETS TRADITION
SINCE 1997
727-541-1200
8331 66th Street N., Pinellas Park, FL 33781
www.jessisrestaurant.com
182 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019
BurgerMonger,
10412 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa,
(813) 968-6860, and 3838 West Neptune St.,
Tampa, (813) 254-0290. Proudly founded
in Tampa Bay, at BurgerMonger they say,
"We Build a Better Burger." Featuring 100
percent 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 five Tampa Bay area
locations. Open Sun-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM,
Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM. $-$$, CM, X, W.
Columbia Café,
801 Old Water Street, Tampa,
(813) 229-5511. The Tampa Bay History
Center has partnered with the famous
Columbia Restaurants in opening the first
Columbia Café on the first floor of the Center.
With both indoor and outdoor seating, it
serves authentic Spanish/Cuban cuisine,
including Cuban Black Bean Soup, the
Original Cuban Sandwich, Curt’s Meatloaf
Sandwich, the Original “1905” Salad®, and
Chicken and Rice “Ybor.” Open Sun-Thurs
11 AM-9 PM; Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM. $-$$, 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.
$$, RS, CM, E, X, C, W.
Donatello,
232 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa,
(813) 875-6660. This four-star restaurant has
been serving authentic Italian cuisine since
1984. Its stucco arches, tapestries, gold leaf
ceiling tiles and rose bouquets on its tables
create elegance, warmth and romance for an
evening of fine dining. Besides traditional
pasta, seafood, chicken, steak and veal
scaloppini, there are gluten free options,
vegetarian options and an extensive wine list.
Live jazz begins at 7:30 p.m. Open Sun-Thurs
5:30 PM-10 PM, Fri-Sat 5:30 PM-11 PM. $$$,
RS, CM, E, D, X, C, W.
Islands Cantina,
233 E. Davis Blvd., Tampa, (813) 250-1720.
John Harr’s Tex-Mex Restaurant in the heart
of Davis Islands is known for its fresh local
ingredients that make his salads and tacos
outstanding. It is a great place for private
events. Try one of their bowls, their Islands
Ceviche with grouper and shrimp, or their
crab lollipops. You will love the prices here.
Open daily 11 AM-10 PM. $, X, W.
Vintage Small Bites & Wine Lounge,
2914 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, (727) 289-5523.
This cozy spot owes its success to enticing daily
specials featuring up to the minute market
fresh and local ingredients. The menu focuses on
seasonal and health conscious plates; however
decadence abounds in mouth watering
delights such as the Lobster Brie Muffuletta
Melt and Spiced Chocolate Avocado Mousse.
There are gluten free and vegetarian/vegan
options. Open Mon 4PM-11 PM; Tues
11 AM-3 PM and 5 PM-11 PM; Wed-Thurs
4 PM-11 PM; Fri 4 PM-12 AM; Sat 2 PM-12 AM;
Sun 2 P M-10 PM. $$, E, X, C, W.
Hillsborough County
717 South,
717 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, (813) 250-1661.
This award-winning restaurant is acclaimed
for its innovative approach to contemporary
American cuisine and its extensive wine list.
Renowned Chef Robert Masson and owner
Michael Stewart have set the standard for
others for more than a decade at this worldclass
establishment. Open Mon-Thurs
11:30 AM-2:30 PM and 5 PM-10 PM;
Fri 11 AM-2:30 PM and 5 PM-11 PM;
Sat 5 PM-11 PM; Sun 5PM-9 PM. $$$, RS, X.
Ava,
718 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, (813) 512-3030.
When Joe Maddon, formerly of the Tampa
Bay Rays, teamed up with restaurateur
Michael Stewart, it was a match in food
heaven. The result is Italian-style dining with
a special twist that makes even traditional
recipes better. The Pork Porter House and
the Wood Grilled Fish are phenomenal, along
with the especially good Spaghetti Salmone.
Open Mon-Thurs 11:30 AM-2 PM and
5 PM-10 PM; Fri 11:30 AM-2 PM and
5 PM-11 PM; Sat 10:30 AM-2:30 PM and
5 PM-11 PM; Sun 10:30 AM-2:30 PM and
5 PM-9 PM. $$$, RS, X.
Ava Armature,
1910 N. Ola Ave., Suite 108, Tampa,
(813) 250-3725. A spin-off of the original Ava
on Howard Avenue in South Tampa is located
in the Armature Works-Heights Public Market
in Tampa Heights. This pizzeria serves woodfired
pizzas and salads. We love the white
pizza with pesto and the spinach and date
salad. The lunch special is a good buy. $$, X.
Big Bamboo Bayside,
2506 N Rocky Point Drive, Tampa,
(813) 803-2207. “Beach Food” and Tropical
Drinks are featured at this open-air bar and
grill found on Rocky Point. Many of the
menu items are homemade and delicious.
Drink specials and live music tend to revolve
around the great view of the sunset from this
location. If there was ever a perfect example
of a “hidden gem,” the Big Bamboo Bayside is
it. And as the name suggests, it’s located on
Tampa Bay, tucked in next to the swimming
pool at the Sailport Waterfront Suites. Open
daily 8:30 AM-10 PM, $$, CM, E, X, C, W.