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
South Pinellas continued
182 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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 Pizza,
235 E. Davis Blvd., Tampa, (813) 254-5818.
John Harr’s place in the heart of Davis
Islands is known for hand-tossed New York
style pizza and amazing jumbo chicken
wings.Open Sun-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM and
Fri-Sat 11 AM-midnight. Catering available.
$, X, W.
The Lure,
2402 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, (813) 533-6011.
Located in the heart of South Tampa, this
laid-back restaurant caters to your needs
and wants from sushi, tapas and cocktails
to tacos and flatbreads. Play a game of pool
or just hang out with friends as you enjoy
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.
$$, E, X, C, W.
Hillsborough County
717 South,
717 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, (813) 250-1661.
This award-winning restaurant is acclaimed
for its innovative approach to contemporary
American cuisine and its extensive wine list.
Renowned Chef Robert Masson and owner
Michael Stewart have set the standard for
others for more than a decade at this
world-class establishment.
Open Mon-Thurs 11:30 AM-2:30 PM and
5 PM-10 PM; Fri 11 AM-2:30 PM and
5 PM-11 PM; Sat 5 PM-11 PM; Sun 5PM-9 PM.
$$$, 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. $$$, RS, X.
Ava Armature,
1910 N. Ola Ave., Suite 108, Tampa,
(813) 250-3725. A spin-off of the original
Ava on Howard Avenue in South Tampa is
located in the Armature Works-Heights
Public Market in Tampa Heights.
This pizzeria serves wood-fired pizzas and
salads. We love the white pizza with pesto
and the spinach and date salad. The lunch
special is a good buy. $$, X.
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,