BEST 2019
OF
MAY/JUNE 2019 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 51
Best Landscaper –– Belleair Palms
Florida native landscaper extraordinaire Bob Deegan has been
designing and installing the area’s best residential foliage for
more than a decade. He offers a variety of services, including
computer-assisted designs, along with maintenance and
installation of projects of all sizes, (727) 442-9872.
Best Leather Repair –– J&M Shoe Repair
You can trust your shoes and other leather goods to Joe. His
repairs are top notch and he will make your shoes look brand
new. 1107 Main St. (State Road 580), Dunedin, (727) 733-1592.
Best Local Dining Club
–– The Tampa Bay Food & Wine Society
Local gourmands and wine aficionados enjoy drinking and
dining with this exclusive, membership-only club, which
holds its dinners, wine seminars and other events throughout
the Tampa Bay area. They dine at the area’s finest restaurants,
enjoying multi-course wine-paired meals that are created
exclusively for them. (727) 791-4800.
Best Local TV Business Program
–– Suncoast Business Journal
Geoff Simon hosts the Suncoast Business Journal on WEDUPBS.
Each interview reveals the background and motivations
of key business leaders in the Tampa Bay area. The show is
insightful and entertaining.
Best Local TV Show –– Great Day Live
Kendall Kirkham and Alex Miranda are co-hosts of the show
that airs weekdays from 9 to 10 a.m. on CBS News’ WTSPChannel
10. The show’s varied segments range from music to
nature to general interest topics, (727) 577-1010.
Best Lunch and Takeout Market
–– Wildflower Café
In addition to its popular indoor and outdoor dining,
Wildflower Café’s delicious signature soups, entrée salads,
sandwiches, baked goods and more are available for takeout
at their adjacent Marketplace. 1465 S. Fort Harrison Ave., Suite
105, Clearwater, (727) 447-4497.
Best Massage Therapist –– Deborah Karlan
This woman has magic hands to match her encyclopedic
knowledge of the body. An incredible healer, she can relieve
whatever aches or pains you may have. Her Wellness From
Within office is at 2158 Drew St. in Clearwater, (727) 641-8979.
Best Medi-Spa –– PureLife Medi-Spa
The spa’s CoolSculpting and other advanced services make
its clients look and feel at the top of their game. 12442 Indian
Rocks Road, Largo, (727) 595-3400.
Best Mexican Restaurant –– Casa Tina
Javier and Tina Avila, the dynamic duo who run this wellloved
Mexican restaurant, serve authentic Mexican recipes
from quesadillas and ceviche to fish tacos and fajitas with an
emphasis on healthy and vegetarian offerings. It’s a friendly
spot that has the look and feel of Old Mexico. 365 Main St.,
Dunedin, (727) 734-9226.
Best Modern Italian Cuisine –– Ava
This creation of baseball legend Joe Maddon and restaurant
maven Michael Stewart is the epitome of Mediterranean
dining at its best. The rustic Italian flavors are sure to make
you a fan. 718 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, (813) 512-3030.
Best Modern Thai Cuisine –– Kao Thai Kitchen
A family-owned restaurant, Kao Thai Kitchen is passionate
about cooking with fresh, high-quality ingredients to create
new and different dishes such as Northern Style Noodle
Curry or Hai Yai Fried Chicken. 7199 66th St. N.,
Pinellas Park, (727) 350-3722.
Best Mom and Pop Dining
–– Sages West Bay Bistro
Patty and Mike Shade have been in business for more than
17 years, cooking homestyle Italian food and baking fresh
bread. The portions are generous and the atmosphere is
casual. They have a party room for events and offer catering.
883 W. Bay Drive, Largo, (727) 585-6600.
Best Museum Exhibits
–– Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg
An architectural gem on the St. Petersburg waterfront, our
readers love this encyclopedic museum. It has assembled
some impressive traveling exhibits in addition to its top-notch
permanent collection. 255 Beach Drive N.E., St. Petersburg,
(727) 896-2667.
Best Museum Gift Shop –– Museum of Fine Arts,
St. Petersburg
This well-run store features a variety of creative merchandise
within many price ranges. You will discover artistic offerings
here that you are not apt to see anywhere else.
255 Beach Drive N.E., St. Petersburg, (727) 896-2667 ext. 225.
Best Music Festival –– Clearwater Jazz Holiday
Recognized as one of the best jazz festivals in the country, this
annual outdoor event draws internationally known musicians,
as well as local stars, who perform for thousands of people
each day at the four-day event in downtown Clearwater’s
Coachman Park, (727) 461-5200.
Best New American Food
–– E&E Stakeout Grill and Kokopelli’s Bar
Chef/Owner Erwin Scheuringer’s creativity is the secret
ingredient of this popular dining venue. The menu includes a
whopping 28-ounce bone-in rib-eye Cowboy Steak, together
with choice seafood and chicken prepared in new and
intriguing ways. It is the center of Belleair’s social hub.
100 Indian Rocks Road N., Belleair Bluffs, (727) 585-6399.
Best New Concept –– The Lure
With two locations, one in St. Petersburg and one in Tampa,
this laid back casual eatery has great drinks, a cool vibe and a
new approach to serving an interesting selection of shareable
dishes. 661 Central Ave. N., St. Petersburg, (727) 914-8000, or
2402 MacDill Ave., Tampa, (813) 533-6011.