Best Health Care Provider –– Empath Health
As a nonprofit, integrated network of care, Empath Health
and its Suncoast Hospice support anyone facing chronic or
advanced illness, as it helps patients to live as comfortably
and meaningfully as possible, while offering assistance
to families in need and caregivers. 5771 Roosevelt Blvd.,
Clearwater, (727) 467-7423.
Best Health Program –– Dr. César Lara
Dr. Lara’s mission is to help his patients maintain a healthy
lifestyle through the use of his weight management programs
or his bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. With more
than 25 years of experience, Dr. Lara is available to help you
achieve your goals. He has offices in Clearwater, Dunedin,
Tampa and St. Petersburg, (727) 446-3021.
Best Hideaway
–– Cappuccino’s Fine Wine & Espresso Bar
This intimate European-style cafe serves great homemade
food and coffees. It’s a dog-friendly place where you can
count on finding interesting, great wines. 733 Broadway,
Dunedin, (727) 738-8009.
Best History Museum –– Dunedin History Museum
The Dunedin Historical Society’s displays of local and Florida
history, including access to the Dunedin Times newspaper
from 1924-1965, are housed in a former train station that is the
museum’s home. 349 Main St., Dunedin, (727) 736-1176.
Best Homebuilder –– Windstar Homes
This firm has been building the finest homes in Tampa Bay
for more than two decades. Its employees are masters of
innovation, and they deliver as promised, (813) 349-2755.
Best Home Delivery –– Instead of Flowers
These meals are delivered ready to heat and eat without any
additional work. The quality cannot be topped. We send them
to our favorite people for all types of reasons, (727) 685-0826.
Best Home Remodeler
–– One Stop Kitchens & Baths
They do all aspects of remodeling here, from design and
permitting to final cleanup. Nothing is a better investment
than improving those rooms in which you spend the most
time. 2599 22nd Ave. N. in St. Petersburg, (727) 328-8600; and
3784 Tampa Road, Oldsmar, (813) 895-3914.
Best Homestyle Italian Dining
–– Julian’s Little Italy
From pasta dishes to baked Italian entrées, Dunedin’s bestkept
secret offers reasonable prices for its delicious Italian
cooking. Chef Julian has been serving his traditional menu
items for more than 10 years at this location. 916-A Patricia
Ave., Dunedin, (727) 734-8989.
Best Hotel Dining –– Luna in the Hilton
St. Petersburg Carillon Park
From breakfast through dinner, this hotel’s dining room can
satisfy your appetite. Its gourmet breakfast and lunch buffets
are quick and delicious, with a large variety of choices that
change daily. At night, the dining room transforms into an
elegant and stylish full-service restaurant. 950 Lake Carillon
Drive in the Hilton St. Petersburg, (727) 954-2140.
50 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | MAY/JUNE 2019
Best Steakhouse -
Bascom’s Chop House
Best Ice Cream
–– Strachan’s Homemade Ice Cream
Their creamy frozen confections have created an almost “cult”
following since their 1999 opening. In addition to ice cream,
they also make “the best” carrot cake, fudge brownies, Key
lime pie, coconut cake and fudge. There are three locations
–– at 2332 State Road 580, Clearwater, (727) 351-7260; at the
corner of Alternate U.S. Highway 19 and Tampa Road in Palm
Harbor, (727) 781-0997; and at 310 Main St. in downtown
Dunedin, (727) 733-3603.
Best Innovative Seafood
–– Guppy’s on the Beach Seafood Grill & Bar
This warm, casual mecca across the street from the beach
has been serving trendsetting fresh seafood prepared in
imaginative ways since 1992. Whether you choose to dine
alfresco or indoors, Chef/Owner Scott Bebell’s Potato Crusted
Salmon is a favorite for many Guppy’s regulars. 1701 Gulf
Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach, (727) 593-2032.
Best Interior Designer
–– Suzan Decker Ross at Decker Ross Interiors
Suzan Decker Ross opened Decker Ross Interiors in 1993.
Since then, it has been recognized as an award-winning, fullservice
interior design firm specializing in residential and
commercial design. Suzan is our area’s “Design Guru” for
projects of any size. 1445 Court St., Clearwater, (727) 442-9996.
Best International Dining
–– Clear Sky on Cleveland
Located in downtown Clearwater across from the Capitol
Theatre, this restaurant features the food styles of worldwide
cultures and a great selection of wines and cocktails. 418
Cleveland St., Clearwater, (727) 754-7244.