BEST 2019
MAY/JUNE 2019 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 49
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 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 Golf Carts –– SmartCart Electric Vehicles
These street legal, high performance electric carts can go 60
miles without a charge and come with a five-year warranty.
Besides golf carts, the business makes utility vehicles, people
movers and other specialty models that can be customized for
your taste and needs. 818 Highland Ave., Dunedin,
(800) 215-0253 or (727) 351-7097.
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 Gourmet Italian Cuisine
–– Alfano’s Restaurant & Splendido Bar
For more than 30 years, this family-owned restaurant has been
operated by Chefs Linda and Frank Alfano. 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 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 Gourmet Seafood
–– Mystic Fish Seafood Grill & Bar
This sophisticated Palm Harbor restaurant has a calming
aquarium in its center and consistently serves exceptional
seafood. It is known for its high-quality food and preparation
and its stylish, yet comfortable dining room. Chef/Owner
Doug Bebell’s Kona Seared Atlantic Salmon, Bronzed
Chilean Sea Bass and Maine Lobster Tails are some of the
most popular dishes there. For light dining, they also serve a
variety of small plates. 3253 Tampa Road, Palm Harbor,
(727) 771-1800.
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 Hardscaping –– Tampa Bay Ponds and Rocks
Tampa Bay Ponds and Rocks, owned by George and Melody
Ruiz since 2001, is known for its landscape rocks and ponds.
Their store is filled with landscaping needs and natural
looking ponds with waterfalls, misters, aquatic plants, turtle,
koi and goldfish. 2001 Bayshore Blvd., Dunedin,
(727) 738-4974.
Best Fruit Festival - The Blueberry Festival
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